So, I said I would try to keep up with everyone on facebook, that I'd call, email, write, etc. In an effort to learn my new surroundings, I have not done any of these things (as you might have noticed). Today, I decided I would just start a blog. I may or may not be able to keep up with this as I hope to, but at very least, I know I have this outlet.
You might notice my blog title seems a bit bleak. Know, please, it is not intended that way. "So it goes" is the commonly recurring sentence in Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five, one of my favorite novels.
For those who may be wondering, here's a reasonably short update, from arrival to today:
I lived my first month in the great state of CheeseNBeer, rather, Wisconsin in my dad's house, in Racine, WI. I used this time to find a new place to live, one much closer to my new school: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The drive time from my dad's house to the campus could be anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour, the more likely being the latter. Though this would have been manageable (I have friends that live in Racine and commute every day), it was not preferred. Moving 600 miles does not do much good for a person on a very low income, so the closer I could be to my school the better. I also used this first month at my dad's to search for a job, albeit, not very hard at first. Who wants to move far away and start working immediately? Not me. Plus, I knew I was moving into Milwaukee, and I didn't want to have a job in Racine. I thought that might defeat the purpose.
Within just a couple of weeks I had found a decent apartment, and was waiting to hear from a prospective employer - the school. I moved to my new apartment on September 1st, started my new job and class on September 2nd.
This semester I am in only one class. I was hoping I could start with in-state tuition, as I used my dad's address for the application. However, there are more requirements than just an in-state address to qualify for residency tuition. As my finances were limited, I was only able to enroll in one class - Deaf History. I am loving this class, and I have a wonderful teacher. His name is Joel. Next semester I will have enough loans to take three classes. This setup will work to my benefit, I think. Though some days, out of boredom, I utter sentences previously unbelievable to me (Man, I wish I had some homework!/It'd be nice to have a paper to write today), taking just the one class has given me ample time and opportunity to learn my community, my school, where to go for what, and to meet new people.
As I said, I started work on the same day as I started class. I have a job on campus (wonderful!) working for the Parking & Transit Department. Primarily, I work inside as a cashier. I take payments for parking tickets, and I sell Milwaukee County bus tickets. That's about it. :) Some days I fill in working outside, in a booth in one of the the parking garages. When I'm out there, I take payment for parking. Loads of fun, huh! When I work inside or in one of the parking garages, I have lots of time to do homework, read, etc. I have been reading A LOT lately, which has been awesome; I had missed reading for pleasure. Also, I ride the county bus from my apartment to campus, so I have time for reading then as well.
I've met some fun and interesting people since I've been here, and I am making great friends. I'm still pretty homesick some days. Even so, I am so very happy to be here. I've always liked this city, and I am liking it even more now that I live here. Plus, what could be better than doing what you really want to do with your life? Granted, I'm not an interpreter yet, but I'm studying to be an interpreter, which is progress! I get to go to SSA (Student Signing Association) events and practice my sign with other students, hearing and deaf alike. Though some days I think I must have been crazy, thinking I could move 600 miles away from everyone and everything I know and start a new life, I feel generally good and at peace with my decision and the situation.
I hope to come back to Kansas for a visit over Christmas break. I'm working minimum wage and finances are hard, but I'm doing whatever I can do to save for a trip back. I'll always take donations! ;)
To my Blackdoggers:
I miss you all so deeply. I miss the nights at Callahan's, I miss Monday night bowling (and Tuesday morning going to work after sleeping just 3 hours{thanks for your patience Patrick!}), I miss opening the store and seeing so many people I adore come in by the time I'm done working, that I just cannot compel myself to leave, and I miss everyone's hugs. AND I miss GOOD COFFEE!!!!! oooooh I miss a good latte! All of the coffee here is crap. So icky. BLEGH. But, coming back to Blackdog for the best latte I'll find anywhere is just one more thing to look forward to in a trip back to Kansas. On the flip side, if anyone has the means to travel, and you wanna see Milwaukee, you definitely have a place to stay.
My promise: I will continue to write. I will not make a promise as to how often, but I will continue to write. I also promise that I will always end with someone else's words. Weird promise, huh? Well that's how I roll. :)
So today, dear friends, I leave you with this.
"If you want to change the way people respond to you, change the way you respond to people."
— Timothy Leary
