First Weekend in Colorado

I'll admit it. Its a little lonely to be living without roommates and be in a brand new city. I have spent the past week mostly in the campus center watching the RNC and using the (reliable) internet. Google maps is in constant use, finding the nearest Wells Fargo, post office, and grocery store. My living room also constantly sports an opened map of Denver.

Thursday was when things picked up. I had orientation for LIS. Got to know some of my new peers and information about the program. There was free food afterward, which is always a plus for me. Then Amanda was down in Denver for work, which meant that she crashed at my place. (Meaning... she slept on a thermarest while I was on the air mattress. I'm a great host, what can I say?) We ran to Target the next morning for apartment necessities and then parted for the afternoon as she went to LoDo for work and I went (south on I-25) to Castle Rock to have supper with my aunt and uncle who were vacationing in Colorado. Amanda used the light rail to LoDo and gives it her approval.

Saturday morning we went (north on I-25) to Fort Collins. Still weird to be driving and having mountains in the distance. Weird that Amanda and I ended up so close together, but looking at our track record, I guess it really isn't. Grew up in Dundas, went to Northfield schools together, decided on the same college (without ever discussing it), same major (ditto on the discussion part), and now same state!

I got to visit Fort Collins during its Tour de Fat. Crazy costumes, beer drinking, and bike riding. Quite the experience, though we didn't go until late afternoon. Highlight of the night might have been the man at Lucky Joe's who had enough trivia for us to be there for hours. I guess I can't go far without having trivia at bars. Learned: origin of the word trivia is from where three roads met and people spread "little bits of information."

I returned to Denver on Sunday and prepared for my first day of graduate school.

Today, I organized more in the apartment and actually cooked my first meal in the kitchen. Its been mostly peanut butter sandwiches. Signed some papers for my work study job. I am happy to announce I now have a job where I get paid to do my homework! I am now a computer lab monitor. Went to my first class and sat in a corner with the other mac users. It went very well and I do have some homework that I can start tonight. Probably after I measure my bedroom to see if I can fit a queen size bed in there.

My parents are coming this weekend with a trailer full of the furniture that I couldn't bring in the Honda. We'll be shopping for a mattress and frame since we have the trailer. I thought the air mattress would be fine for a week or two, but I will be happy to see it go back home. I think the 'rents and I will go sightsee and possibly hit up the Coors Brewery Tour in Golden.

I may not miss the landscape at home, but I do miss the people!

I Made It!

I told you my next post was going to be from Colorado! I arrived about 3 pm (I am now speaking in Mt. time) and immediately starting unpacking the car. I soon had everything inside, but didn't feel like unpacking and organizing right away. I tried to grab some wireless in my apt, but nothing worked so I headed to campus.

FYI: Iowa rest stops have free wireless. For 30 minutes, then charge a small fee.

Campus was packed with freshman, their parents, and DU's version of the Gustie Greeters. Wearing a Gustavus shirt, I did get an "Are you from MN" comment. The "greeter" was from Minnetonka and knew people who go to GAC.

The drive was mostly uneventful. I started out from Fullerton, Nebraska at 8 am. It was quite windy all throughout Nebraska and into Colorado. By chance I stopped at the first rest area in Colorado, which also serves as a Welcome Center. I can't tell you how happy I was to have stopped. They had brochures and maps of everything you could possibly do in CO, organized by regions! A geographer's dream. As a new resident, I stocked up on whatever sounded interesting. The other highlight of the drive was the moment I saw the mountains. They are just so impressive and different from what I am used to, that I smile each time I get a glimpse.

Milestone: The Honda Accord did hit and pass 200,000 miles while in Nebraska.

The apartment is in a great location. It is weird to have all that space for just me. Once I get more furniture in it, I will probably be content. The bathroom on the other hand. Its pink. Like a dusty rose pink. I will get used to it. Just surprised me, when I first saw it. I just can't wait for all my bookcases to come and to go mattress shopping in a couple weeks.

While purchasing milk and batteries (for the air mattress pump) I found a little restaurant on the other side of my block. Pioneers advertises tacos and margaritas. I'm guessing a successful combination ;)

It may be 9:20 pm here, but it feels like midnight to me. I am glad that I don't have to drive anywhere tomorrow!

Goodnight from Denver, Colorado!