Chinooks!

So I've been hearing this term from several people... Chinook (sp?). I know that it's a town here in Montana, but the way people talk, it's defenitely not a town in that sense. Apparently, a chinook is when them temperature goes from the low negative temps (like -30) to 40-50 degrees above zero in a matter of hours. Now, I think I would enjoy the temps going in that direction, however, I would not care for them to go the opposite way from above zero to way below.

It has been very cold here for over a week. It seems like I have permanent snow in my car down by the pedals due to what I track in on my shoes. It hasn't gone away! I've learned my lesson several times over to make sure I have gloves when I leave my house.

A teacher asked me tonight if I preferred the dry cold here to the high humidity cold in NY. I picked NY's cold right away. Here in Montana, You don't recognize the cold until your fingers have frozen off!

When I go home for Christmas next week, I will be in a heat wave! Don't be surprised if you see me in shorts and a t-shirt in 30 degree weather!

P.S. Shelby played Browning in B-ball tonight and won! But, Browning's team is mainly made up of Natives. Watching them made me think of survival of the fittest; Shelby boys would definitely not survive if forced to run and jump for very long! Those boys are huge and fast!

BRRRRRRRR........

Well, winter has hit Montana!!!

Yesterday, I woke up and the temperature was -31! I was expecting this so I took measures to help my car be able to start. It actually started at that temp! This morning, it decided not to start and it was above zero. It confused me too!

I love how at twilight, the snow covered ground makes the scenery look blue tinted. I was walking in the horseshoe above the gym (the equivalent to an indoor track) and I looked out the window and stopped to watch this view. It was beautiful. I keep being amazed with what I see here. I've never seen anything like it before.

Good news!!!! I'm flying home for Christmas!!!! I arrive on the 23rd and leave on the 30th.

I hope to see some of you while I'm home!

A long 8 weeks of no internet at my house!

Hey all!

So, I FINALLY have internet in my apartment. It's been a month since my last post and now I will be able to keep up with it. Montana is awesome! I love it here! My job is great, the people are so nice, and the scenery is beautiful. From the top of any hill in Shelby, you can see the Rockies to the East on a clear day.

So far, I've only been to two places since I arrived in Shelby. I went to Butte, MT for training for work for 3 days, and to Cut Bank, MT, which is the next town to the east from here, for a football game. Let me tell you... the drive to Butte was amazing! Once I drove past Great Falls (86 miles away), I drove through the mountains for 2 hours. They were snow covered too, so that was gorgeous. I'm surprised how not homesick I am. I think my cats help, but I'm having a great time. I know this was the right move for me. I love my job. The kids are great and my cohort Jill and I get along great!

Some things I've seen/heard since coming to Shelby:
~Tumbleweed! Like in American Tail: Fievel Goes West!
~Our Lady of the Rockies- a 100 ft. statue of a woman in Butte that sort of represents the Virgin Mary.
~Border Patrol all over the place
~NO SALES TAX!
~More dogs in the cab of trucks than ever before in my life!
~A "root" is not pronounced root. It is "rut."
~Wind like you wouldn't believe! It's like the wind is getting knocked INTO me!

Here are some pics from Montana! I'll post albums on Facebook this weekend.

The state border!
The scene a few miles South of Shelby on I-15.

Lana and Leo in the car on the road.

Back in Communication!

Hey all!

So I finally made it to the Library to get on the internet. I still don't have it at my apartment yet. I've been writing about my adventures in a journal and will post them here soon.

I didn't want you guys to think I was forgetting about you!

Hope all is well.

So the Adventure REALLY Begins!

If you haven't seen my facebook status, you have not heard that my car broke down 9 miles outside Billings, MT! White smoke started coming out from the hood. I hope it's not too expensive to fix! AAA will get a piece of my mind tomorrow! First, the said that my account covered the whole tow to an approved AAA garage. Second, instead of saying that the truck towing my car might be able to tow my trailer too for a fee, they make me call Uhaul to do it. So 2 wrecker trucks came to my rescue. One to put my poor car on the flatbead, and one to tow my trailer to the same place.


Now, I'm going to have to reschedule my pre-employment drug screen yet again!

Howe, IN

Are those the right initials for Indiana? I never aced those in Social Studies...

Well, I made it to the Crossroads of America! On both sides of I-90 is.... CORN!!! along with those water thingies that span a mile of field.

The drive was exciting. I'm physically tired, but not tired of driving. I'm excited to get on the road tomorrow morning!


Gotta check on the kitties before One Tree Hill!

I'll miss you!

Today is the day before I leave on my big adventure. Tomorrow at 7am I will be heading off to drive 2,100 miles to my new life. I am now finished with visiting those who are closest to me. There are still many who I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to in person. Today is a day of packing and relaxing at home.

I have constant butterflies in my stomach about the coming drive. It's excitement and anxiety in one. I'm all set to go and have everything arranged. The tears have not crept up since I said goodbye to Becky before I left Rochester. I honestly don't know if they will come tomorrow. It's quite different not being an emotional wreck like I used to be 2 years ago. A Master's degree in counseling took care of that.

Well, I bid you all farewell in order to go pick up the Uhaul!