Hello Family Ward

I am now officially in a Family Ward. Which is kind of a weird name if you think about it. All wards are family, and YSA wards no less so. Can't we just call them wards? Or All Age Ranges Ward?

Anyway, my new ward had a baby blessing today. It was pretty neat. However, my ward in Kansas was one of the few remaining University Wards (a few years ago the Church disbanded Student/University Wards and put them all under the YSA umbrella), and as such we had single people AND married people. It was kind of awesome. The married people were no different than the single people other than the fact that they were married.

My new ward does, though, have primary children and seniors. Which Lawrence did not. So it's a cool mix of people.

Streets And My Thoughts On Them

I am a big proponent of the grid system when it comes to streets. I think it comes from my time living in SLC and NYC. The grid system just makes directions and finding things so much easier. It's intuitive. And I like it.

When I moved to Topeka, I was annoyed that they didn't have a grid system. They had a semi-grid system, in that they had numbered streets that went east and west, which meant I knew where 21st street was in relation to 6th street. In time I got used to it, even if some addresses gave me no clue where they were.

Denton has a street system that is not a grid and has no numbers. This is a struggle for me. Add in no mountains, and the occasional overcast day, and I have no idea which way is which. I have to rely on remembering which streets go east-west and which ones go north-south.

I have a crappy memory.

I Met A Girl From Topeka

On Saturday I went to the nearest Recreation Center to get my free membership. As a City worker, I can use the Recreation Centers for free. The girl at the counter was very helpful and friendly. When she gave me back my driver's license, she made mention of Kansas and asked if I was from there. This is always a bit tricky for me, as I explain that I moved here from there, but I'm not from Kansas. I told her I came from Topeka, and then she said she grew up in Topeka! Then we had a conversation about Topeka and Texas and choosing to work in the arts and KU and all that. We were instantly bonded and it was awesome.

Size Matters

The place I'm living now is about half the size of my loft in Topeka. It also has far less storage than what I had in Topeka--which was three large closets and plenty of open space. Now I have one small closet and it's in my bedroom. I will have to get creative when deciding what to do with a few of my things (namely everything that was in my desk, since the desk had to be sold because I knew it wouldn't fit).

However, despite that, I really like my new place. I like having a smaller amount of space. Something about it being smaller makes it seem cozier. It will also be easier and cheaper to keep cool/warm, since I no longer have ceilings that go to the sky.

And really, space is just a means for us to accumulate things.

First Day

First day of work is in the record books. The first part of the morning was spent in orientation. Benefits, policies, picture-taking. Very important stuff.

I have a variety of thoughts going on right now. And I'm struggling with putting them all out in a coherent way. So I'm going to do bullet points.

• all the dudes here, at least that I've met, say ma'am and sir. I like this
• accents are pretty cool
• I love being able to walk to work
• I also love that I have many food options within walking distance
• I need to get cowboy boots (I was the only person in a meeting today NOT wearing them)
• it feels like spring/beginning of summer; reminder--it is the end of January
• Denton is a pretty cool place

Also, I'm very glad I chose a place that has a washer and dryer. It really is the best thing ever.

Saying Goodbye With Hugs

The month of January was essentially a month of goodbyes. It was tough. I'm not good at goodbyes. Maybe I am and just don't know it.

Anyway, the saying goodbye allowed me to hug and be hugged by a lot of people. Hugs are great. They are actually vital for survival. Hugs relieve stress and just make us feel good.

Sadly, I think I will be in a hug drought for a little while. So the next time you hug someone, make it a little extra longer just for me.

Bring It, 2015

This photo exactly captures my life as it is right now. 

In 2013 I moved to Topeka, Kansas to start my first job out of grad school. I had no idea what I was doing. Seriously. That first year was a lot of practice. Then 2014 came and I felt like I knew more than before and could at least sound intelligent and confident in my job; it was a good warm up.

In 2013 I dated some. I spent nearly all of 2014 in an on/off relationship. It ended, obviously, and while it wasn’t how I wanted it to end, it too was a learning experience. 

Now it’s 2015 and I’m in a new state with a new job. It’s game time, 2015.