Roomies

So while I look for places to live in Denver, I am staying with my friends Stacy & Chad, and their little boy Ethan...

It's nice because I have my own room & bathroom... plus, I'm not alone in a new city.

Here are their blogs, ethanexposed.blogspot.com, and mile-high-me.blogspot.com.

Stacy is a stay-at-home mom, and Chad works for a constuction supply company only a few blocks from where I work. We carpool and ride the train together!

Missing Parties

Friday was my middle niece's 2nd birthday... Yesterday was her party.

I have officially missed all of her yearly milestones. When she was born I was in AIT (Advanced Individual Training) for the Army Reserves. On her first birthday, I was in Iraq. This year, I had just finished my first week of work in Denver.

I at least got to talk to her on the phone, as well as her older sister. She seemed pretty happy about that. And my brother in law sent me video of her blowing out her candles... which was nice. Apparently most of the family couldn't attend due to a big snow storm in Iowa and the rest of the midwest. My parents were able to make it, as well as her other grandparents.

My sister informed me that she really liked the I Love Monkey set I got her. She's kind of a crazy little monkey herself, so I figured it would be a big hit.

I also missed our company Holiday Party. I was planning on going, but was just exhausted yesterday. I don't know why or what from... but I just really wasn't in the mood to get dressed up and drive an hour to the party, and then worry about getting home later. So I just stayed home with my "roomies" and we played games and went to bed at a decent time. I should have gone to the party to get to know my colleagues, but it's too late now...

Water vs. Oxygen

So the air here is thinner...

and it's giving me headaches. And everyone just says drink more water.

Now I get that water helps prevent dehydration... and dehydration causes headaches. But how does lack of oxygen cause dehydration? I know, I'm a nerd...

According wikipedia.org (I know, highly reputable) the dehydration is due to high rate of vapor loss...

I'm slowly getting used to the altitude though... the headaches are less and less each day. But I'm still exhausted...

I Am Here

HI Denver!

I am here now! The party can start!

Ok, so it won't be a huge party... I don't really know too many people here yet. But I'm excited to meet new people and get to know the city. I've already been asking the people I meet about the city and it's many neighborhoods. It's so similar, yet so different, to my beloved Des Moines, Iowa. I think that is what the appeal was in the first place.

My first few days of work have already been busy and long, and my current commute doesn't help. But I'm excited about what is to come... and the view of the mountains certainly doesn't hurt!