What I've Learned in the Past Three and a Half Weeks

Well, it's been nearly four weeks since I left the "Show-Me" state of Missouri and arrived in the "Beehive" state of Utah.

I learned a few things while on my road trip:

1. Google maps is surprisingly accurate on estimating the amount of time it would take to get from point A in Missouri to point B in Utah. It really did take just about 18 hours and 59 minutes. Truth be told, it took about 19 hours and 32 minutes but that also accounts for the drive-thrus and the tiny little detour I had to take in Missouri when it turned out that I-35/US 71 was closed for construction.
2. When Google maps says "These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather, or other events may cause conditions to differ from the map results, and you should plan your route accordingly.", they really mean it. Therefore causing a slight delay in my arrival (see #1 above).
   
3. Four Celine Dion CDs on a 2 day road trip may be 3 CDs too many. Turns out that "Let's Talk About Love" is perfectly sufficient for a road trip. "The Colour of My Love", "Falling into You" and "A New Day Has Come" not so much.
4. Road trips are not that bad when you're driving. Being the passenger makes the trip a little too long.
5. I love David Archuleta. Love, love, love him. You know I voted for David Cook but "Crush" had me hooked. Since leaving Missouri, I've listened to his CD about a gazillion times. Seriously, go buy it.
6. The breakfast burrito at McDonald's is not their best offering for the most important meal of the day.
   
7. The Wyoming Summit Rest Area is the highest point on Interstate 80. I had no idea - did you?
8. Interstate 80 through Wyoming is more boring than Interstate 70 through Kansas. I promise. I've never actually driven on I-70 through Kansas but I've heard it's true. If you don't believe me, don't try it for yourself. Trust me. I wouldn't lie to you.
9. Oh, and Wyoming is windy. Very windy.
   

Then, I learned a few more things once I arrived in Utah:

1. The radio stations here announce the artist and name of the song after every song! It's great if you don't mind the fact that the lady announcing them sounds exactly the same every time the song is announced. It's a little bit creepy. Helpful, but creepy.
2. If a sidewalk looks even a little bit icy, it probably is. Oh, and if you fall on the icy sidewalk, don't believe for a second that your sleeve-covered arms will be protected from the sharp icy snow mounds. You will end up looking like you got attacked by a stray cat instead of a stray icy snow mound.
3. A lot of restaurants have caffeine-free Diet Coke fountain soda. A happy thing for my Diet Coke addiction. Some restaurants will put fresh lime in it for you. Even happier!
4. Finding a cute little apartment in my price range really close to my new office wasn't all that hard. I get the keys this week!
5. Turns out that I'm a workaholic. It doesn't matter where I work. I just like working. There, I said it. Shoot me.
6. I really don't get any important mail. My dad has only had to send me one package since I left and that was because I forgot my checkbook when I left. Oh, that and my WeightWatchers food scale. Important things that I needed.
7. After years and years of sleeping in a Queen/Double bed, I've been sleeping in a twin bed. I guess that I sleep in the same spot because I haven't fallen out of bed once!
   
8. It snows a lot in Utah - waayyy more than in Missouri. It snowed the first five of seven days that I was here. It snowed again yesterday. This is a little video clip of the snow falling (and the traffic in the background - sorry for that) on the back deck at my friend's home over looking Utah Lake. Too bad that the inversion is so bad that you can't see the beauty of the lake or the mountains on the other side. That will have to be a post with pictures for another day.
   

I've been loving it here so far. I was a little homesick the first week or two and missing everything familiar and comfortable but moving here was get me out of my comfort zone. It's working. I'm happy to report that I've gone to 3 firesides, 3 choir practices, 1 volleyball/game night and 1 Rook tournament. Yay me.

Life is good. Cold, but good.