I have started my new job, and have been at it for three weeks now. I am thrilled with how things are going; it has been quite the ride! Amy and I have been apart for this stretch as she finished out her contract in Klamath. I have been putting in some solid hours at work and doing my best to get up to speed on all there is to know about my new field. I am thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to expand my knowledge. So much fun, but it has been exhausting too!
Tomorrow I will be moving all of our stuff out of a storage unit and into the house Amy and I are renting. It is a really cool, old house located redonkulously close to work (seven minute walk (like old guy walking, not jazzersize powerwalk or anything)). I cannot wait to live so close to work. I am going to enjoy the proximity and visiting Amy and the dogs at lunch.
The PDX area is incredibly fun. I am learning how to get around quickly – well at least around Vancouver. I have only been lost in downtown Portland once since I have been here… not bad when you consider I have gone down there a grand total of one time. Three things from back home that are not true up here:
- Back home, when you drive on train tracks, it is a bad thing and something to be remedied as quickly as possible. In downtown Portland, it is apparently normal.
- Back home, when you see a sign that points to a Freeway, that means that you can get to the freeway and go either direction on it. Not so in downtown PDX. These signs apparently arbitrarily point towards a single on-ramp that, depending on your magic 8-ball, will take you one direction. In my case, I went South when I wanted to go North. I got off the freeway ASAP and made a highly legal (unlikely) u-turn.
- Back home, there are basically two types of lanes: those going one way and those going the other. Here they have bike lanes, carpool lanes, train lanes, lanes you can sometimes park in, etc.. They are so specific on lane type that I am continuously looking for the ‘93 single-cab GMC lane.
Other than coming up to speed on these must-knows, it has been a great experience. There is an absolute ton to do up here. I have had meals on the river several times, enjoyed a number of fine beverages, and met some great people. My coworkers are great! I am very thankful for this.
Amy and I attended the company Christmas party this last weekend. It took place at the Heathman Lodge here in Vancouver. The food was top notch and it was nice to meet more people from the company; and for Amy to be able to put some faces to names. A good time was had by all!
Merry Christmas everyone!
