Life in Duluth

I finished my first almost full week of work today (the first full week of work in my life) and it all went pretty well. I'm working with GIS software making maps and editing data for counties and towns, exactly what I wanted to find for this year. Upon coming home from work after my first day on Monday, I remarked to Lindsey that I can't believe people do this everyday. When is there time for anything besides work? I'm sure we'll both start getting used to a work schedule, but it's hard when you're used to a day of teaching for maybe 2 or 4 hours. I know, don't shed any tears for us, but America is one of the only countries where people actually work this much without leisure time.

Anyway, last weekend Lindsey and I went to a hockey game, went to dinner, and went walking along the lake. It really is a beautiful city and it sure is nice to be able to walk everywhere (thank god because we don't have a car yet). Then on Sunday we went to a Quaker meeting and it was incredibly interesting. We live about three doors down from a beautiful, small, old Tudor church that's been converted into a Friends Meeting House. Neither or us knew much about Quakers, but we wanted to go check it out. There were about 20 people at the Meeting and everyone was really friendly and earthy. Traditionally in the Meetings, you sit in pews that are arranged in a circle and everyone just sits quietly and reflects. When you want to speak, you stand up and say something and then sit down. In the Meeting we attended , everyone was given a rock and a quote. One person read the quote aloud that we were all holding, and then if you wanted to talk, you put your rock in the basket and spoke. It took about an hour for 20 or so people to say something and then the Meeting was concluded. It was very quiet, but people were open and friendly and never criticized what another person said. You had time to sit and reflect upon each person's interpretation or thoughts, it was very peaceful. Lindsey and I both really enjoyed it, it was fascinating to see and experience something so different from the services we have typically seen. We were surprised that there weren't more church members, but Quakers don't proselytize, and what average person really knows what Quakers are anyway?

This coming weekend, we'll be seeing Shelley and Derek. We're also planning on going to a square dance, we'll see if I remember any calls from all those years of college dances. The fun keeps on rolling! Also, we love having visitors, so anybody who ever wants to come out, you're all invited! We have an uncomfortable pullout couch that's ready to swing into action at a moments notice.

Here's a shot of the beach down near Canal Park

I've never seen wild black bunnies either, Lindsey was quite impressed

This is Jeff Green and I holding Niecie's kids, Eva and Phiya. My arms have been continually sore from holding kids. I guess it's better to get a little more exercise than right clicking map layers all day.

Sorry!

Well crap it's been a long time. Finally, Lindsey and I have an internet connection (wireless through the house which I have just to decided to try and sell to the neighbors for $10/mo.). So, we're moving on up. We have a fantastic little apartment in Duluth, MN, about three blocks from Lake Superior, six blocks from the grocery store, and we both have jobs as of this week. I had been playing house-husband for about a week and a half while Lindz went to work and I wandered the streets, rode the bus, and generally looked homeless while trying to find a job. I was starting to get nervous because I was applying at call centers and restaurants, not exactly my dream job. Yet, it all worked out. I found a job working at a small GIS (computer mapping) company, which is exactly what I wanted. All the guys in the office seem really nice and I'm just so lucky to have gotten what I wanted. So, things have been great here thus far. Duluth is actually a cool little city, it has great views, parks, two micro-breweries, jobs for us, and buses (we don't have a car yet).

Well, we still feel like we've just moved in and we're just trying to get used to everything. Finally, we're starting to figure out our little neighborhood and realize there are fun things to do in this country. So, tonight we're going to a hockey game, which I'm super excited for and we've also been to an open mic, farmers market, and a grocery store with regular food, oh, and you can go to really good restaurants here (in the USA). So, we'll try and keep this updated a little better now that we're not trying to use free dial-up.

Here's me celebrating my birthday on September 23rd. I got some pretty sweet stuff, including this world atlas and some Adidas Samba K's.

Lindsey and I tried to cook a Chinese dinner on one of our last night at the Aysta house, it turned out pretty good, but it sure didn't taste like the Chinese food we remember.

Here's a shot of our bedroom, it looks small here, but it's actually really big, with two huge closets.

Here's the kitchen table Mr. Aysta made for us (Lindsey and I stained it) and the living room straight ahead.

Here's the living room, it's quite large has nice high ceilings as well.

We finally had a chance to put up our Chinese scrolls and there's our sad little TV with rabbit ears (rocking 4 channels).


Here's the kitchen, nice and big with lots of storage space.