So far everything is going swimmingly. My apartment has worked out really well, I'm really enjoying work and the people in my office, and I've even managed to make a few friends. I have been pretty tired and the altitude is certainly noticeable, but these too shall pass. This last weekend I finally made it back down to Denver. And making it there was really a challenge....it's still proper winter here in too many ways. There are only 2 main roads in and out of Laramie, and when there's inclement weather they close the troublesome stretch of road. Between Laramie and Cheyenne (about a 45-minute drive) the road was closed in 5 places for about 2 1/2 days. I got lucky and the sun came out and the mountain pass opened. Jenna, Zeya, and Kyan had a signing choir show, and it was awesome to go and watch. Here's a clip from it, but it really doesn't come close to doing it justice:  http://videos.dailycamera.com/services/player/bcpid1146552157001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAAFSLizo~,ugsvBtRv1stvvcRBKSXBdVNZS1ysEupB&bclid=0&bctid=2312973781001.
Since my work schedule is so pleasantly flexible, I was able to work from the Harris kitchen Friday. Saturday I got to have brunch with my little sister Lauren. It was great to see her face-to-face. Think that'll become a monthly occurrence.

Saturday afternoon I headed down to Colorado Springs to visit my old roommate - the infamous Clistie Puckett. Actually, as she's moving to Laramie shortly, we've decided to become roommates once again. She took me walking in the Red Rocks area, we went to the zoo, and ate dinner at a Greek restaurant complete with dancing, fire breathing, and plate smashing - OPA! Sunday we went to church and then to an ultimate frisbee game. I was going to play and relive my high school days, but I had a bit of a stomach ache and headed back to Laramie in the early afternoon. What a great weekend though. And now back to work!

An interesting aside, Colorado Springs was one of the areas with large fires last summer. There's a time lapse video of the Waldo Canyon fire below, though I suggest skipping ahead to Tuesday as it's rather long. Clistie's boyfriend is actually one of the people who was in the command post coordinating the firefighting efforts, which helped him to become the youngest ever Red Cross CEO, and he's posted here in Wyoming. The fire took out some 400 homes when it jumped the mountains into Colorado Springs - and on one day it was 102 degrees and 0% humidity...guess I better prepare for summer!

And no, that's not an April Fools' Day joke. I really have moved to Wyoming - Laramie to be exact. I haven't written anything on here for a few months since I've had the pleasure of seeing most of you in person back in Pittsburgh/Christansburg/Beavercreek/Springfield. But to summarize, I started applying for jobs in earnest in the new year, and I finally accepted one. I wasn't all that sure about the job at first, but I really liked the company, and they made me a great offer. So here I am. I now work for WEST, Inc. (stands for Western EcoSystems Technology - check it out at www.west-inc.com). They do everything I do:  biology, math, conservation.

I packed my life up in about a week, and started the long trek across the country. The drive went well - LONG, but well. My dad made the journey, though I had a few very kind offers for which I am very grateful : ) We actually took 2 cars, my new Subaru Forester and my parents' old car for my little sister down in Denver. It meant we each had to drive for about 22 hours, but it did have a few benefits. Namely I could take more stuff, and it was surprisingly helpful to have someone watching my car from the outside since I had the kayak, rowing machine, and bikes strapped on. Even though we weren't in the same car it was just mentally relieving having someone else along the way. I kept waiting to be pulled over - particularly at night - because with the rower wrappd in plastic and duct tape my car looked suspiciously tank-like, or at least weaponized. We stopped in Omaha Wednesday night, and made it to Laramie Thursday around 3. Not too bad. I signed the lease and we hauled all the stuff inside, which was trickier than anticipated because I'm on the 3rd floor, and I always forget that the altitude makes things so much harder until you get acclimated. We had dinner at this nice restaurant (appropriately) called Altitude's Chophouse and Brewery. A quick run to Walmart - the only all-in-one store in town - and then to a well-deserved rest. 

(By the way, my apartment complex is ridiculous. It's intended for college kids as the University of Wyoming is based here, but this was so not my college experience. It's fully furnished, brand new appliances (fridge, stove, microwave, dishwasher, washer and dryer), utilities included - including internet and cable, has a gym, pool, fire pits, sand volleyball court, and free coffee shop (coffe, lattes, cappuchinos - the whole lot). My lease ends July 31 - enough time to get to know Laramie - don't know if I want to continue living amongst the young collegiates, but it is a great deal.)
  
Friday we unpacked a wee bit, another Walmart trip, and then headed to Denver to see Jenna, Mike, and the kids. I hadn't realized at first just how close Laramie and Denver are, but it's just under 2 hours, so I'm sure I'll be posting about them a lot in the upcoming months since I get to visit a lot more often now.  I ended up spending the night because we got about 10 inches of snow before it was all said and done. I made it back late Saturday, and didn't get too much more done til Sunday when a massive unpacking occured.
 
Monday I started work. I got to talk to everybody, fill out piles of paperwork, and even got my first project. I really like everyone in the office so far. And the best part:  I'm allowed to bring my dog to work....when I actually have one. But my apartment also allows dogs, so it probably won't be too long til I have a beastie. My hours are really flexible - pretty much just get in your 40 hours a week and talk with the others on your project as needed, but if you want to come in at 7 and leave at 3, or head out in the middle of the day to go skiing, have at it. Right now I'm working on data from the BP oil spill, but that's all the more I'm legally allowed to say. I built a database last week and they really liked it....so far so good!
 
I had dinner with my old roommate from Wittenberg on Wednesday (small world....she had 4 or 5 teaching interviews in Laramie last week and will likely be moving here this summer!). One of the ladies in my office kindly took me to lunch today, I met a few others around town throughout the week, and this Wednesday I'm meeting up with
one of Missy's client's sister-in-laws. So not too lonely either.
 
Saturday I vegged out a bit because I was just wiped after all the excitement of the last few weeks. Sunday I tried one of the churches in town, did a last bit of decorating and unpacking, cleaned and shopped and did laundry. Think I'm finally settled. I even cooked a proper dinner tonight. I wish you all were here to share in the adventure with me, but I'll just have to give you some pictures instead. These are all apartment photos, but I'll get some of Laramie and my office up soon.....relatively....