Livin' in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Hello all,

Although it has snowed here in West Virginia a couple times before, I think today's snow was definitely the start of what looks to be a long, cold winter.  I am currently bundle up on my couch, wearing my thick, faux fur jacket, and a scarf.  I'm nice and warm and toasty with the winter attire.  I also warmed my innards with a healthy serving of peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks, courtesy of Frank and Ellie.  All of the generous gifts have eased me into living so far away, detached from everyone.  I'm so thankful for the caring parents and friends and family God has provided for me.  By no means is living so far away easy for me, but the Banana Republic scarf, and the hot Italian sausage, along with the previously mentioned hot cocoa definitely has eased my transition.  Along with adapting to a colder weather climate, West Virginia has brought other challenges.

Whether in WV, a different state, or in California, living on my own has proved challenging.  It is only magnified by the distance away from home, and the different weather conditions and culture.  Being independent and cooking for one has it's advantages and disadvantages.  I eat the same thing for 3 days most of the time.  Lasagna, broccoli chicken and rice, baked rigatoni with hot Italian sausage.  Also, it was at home, that whoever cooked, didn't have to clean.  Not so when living alone.  I get to do all my cleaning, cooking, and shopping.  Speaking of shopping, it's very different shopping here.  There's Walmart, and Kroger's, which is like a Safeway or Lucky.  But mostly, it's just Walmart.  There's no Trader Joe's, whom I miss dearly.  No Whole Foods, Mollie Stone's, or Lunardi's.  And there's definitely no Asian Market, like Marina.  And there's no Quickly.  I wonder how long Jordan Pon could go without a pearl milk tea.  Something that sort of resembles Panda Express is the closest to Chinese as it gets around here.  Restaurants consists of fast food, national chains, and steakhouses.

In California, people go to the shopping malls to hang out, walk around.  There's no real shopping mall around here.  No Apple store, Ikea, Nordstrom, Banana Republic in WV.  They do other things here.  I hear of great things to do like skiing, snowboarding, water rafting, hiking, etc.  I guess I'll be learning how to slide down slopes of powder soon.  It also means I'm going to have to get used to the cold.

People are real friendly and helpful here.  Everyone has been really helpful, encouraging, and patient with me at work, as I am a new RN, learning how to do what it is that RN's do.  I've also been extended a warm welcome at a local church, where I think I've found my niche.  Daniel's Bible Church (DBC), is somewhat similar to MBC, which is a little reminder of home.  The people there have been very welcoming, inviting me to their homes for Thanksgiving dinner, and over to the pastor's home for a college/career small group that meets on Sunday night.  Sound familiar?  I've gotten to meet some great young people right around my age, who also attend the local Bible college.  I hope to develop lasting relationships with the people I've met here in WV, both at work, and at church.  Until next time, Adios.