Just livin... L.I.V.I.N.

 Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's the comfort, but it feels really good to be back home.  I remember what it was like when I moved back for a year after I finished college.  I wanted nothing more than to get the heck out again.  I spent that year mostly miserable with instances of hilarity and fun.  It was wild - I met a lot of interesting people, had some good times, and counted the days until I could leave again.  Now is so different from then.  

This time I don't mind running into old friends and acquaintances (or even my 1st boyfriend - twice in 2 days!).  I don't feel the need to justify the fact that I'm back for a while, or to reassure them (and myself) that it's only temporary.  I'm truly enjoying being back in Riverton.  I like staying with Mom and (honestly) spoiling her a bit.  I like my room, being able to talk to Mom about my day, having drinks and laughing when we finish each other's sentences.  I liked working with Dad (though concrete is HEAVY-er than I remembered), I like seeing him and Carole at Mass, and I like going over there for dinner.  It's been nice getting texts from old friends to see if I want to meet up with them for lunch, then laughing our butts off about the random turns our convo takes (roll your 'r's like a wookie!).  I'm enjoying my job (where I'm now a work-aunt to one of the girls... cuz I refused to be a work-mom (she's 24, I'm 36... not old enough to be her mom!!!)), and I'm looking forward to starting my other job (remote work for the hospital).  I guess I've grown up a lot in the 20-ish years it's been since I lived here.  I don't feel like I have anything to prove, and so I can just enjoy being around fellow Westerners.  I think that's really the crux of it - I don't feel like I have anything to prove.  I felt that way after college - I had to prove that I could make it outside of WY, on my own terms.  I guess I've done that and then some at this point.  I've lived a pretty great life, all in all, and this is just the next chapter. 

I had to take this pic and send it to J.  We store our cups upside-down (due to things that can get in them) and I thought this was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

So obs I had to use it for my coffee that day.

This is Trampus deciding that he likes me enough to make me his chair.  Mom's cats are slowly coming to accept me as a permanent resident and not just a food-filler and door-opener.

Thoughts about Riverton aside, it's been nice being back in the US.  I do miss some things about Korea - sales tax being included in the price of things, the little song my washer sang when it was done with the laundry, no gaps in the stall doors in public restrooms, and the friends I made there.  However, it's been nice being able to talk to people here (tho I forgot how friendly Americans really are), being able to drive has been AMAZING, getting groceries and not feeling like a gambler cuz I really had no clue if what I was getting was what I wanted, and just being able to understand convos that I overhear.  I do still want to travel internationally and work for the State Department, but I'm kind of OK with the fact that it's going to take some time.  This is turning into a really pleasant intermission.  :)

That being said, I still need to get to KS to see my grandparents, and I'm looking forward to a certain someone getting back from Korea and hopefully coming to see me in WY.  I haven't mentioned much of him but E and I are still texting and calling, and I kinda like him.  (sly smile)  

My very different jobs - I get to choose what our specials are for Toasted Tuesday, Wine Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, and Sloshie Special Friday.  Choosing Wine Wednesday is easy - go in the back and choose 3 wines that we have a LOT of back stock in.  Hehe.

Day 1 of the concrete job.  Notice the coffee in the background - that is a cold brew with 2 extra shots of espresso in it.  The concrete slab you see behind me was one of 2 (the second being right next to it) and there were also 5 pieces of sidewalk we had to do.  Let's just say that I don't want to wheelbarrow ANYTHING for at least a month.  I do like my snazzy new hat, though.  It was very helpful keeping my hair out of my eyes and face.  Growing out short hair is a PAIN in the butt that headbands and hats can help with.  There is no picture for day 2 cuz I didn't get a coffee break that day.  Hehe.

Job 3 is all online and remote, and requires that I get a new computer (boo), so no pic on that one.  Besides, it's for a hospital so I don't want any HIPAA violations due to pictures, anyway.  I'm looking forward to being able to do stuff for that, though... and 2 of my bosses are now named Kelly which just REALLY makes me giggle.  

Anyhow, I just figured it had been a while since I updated everyone.  I'm afraid the blog posts will be longer in coming now since there's less to report on.  I'm enjoying being back, I really missed being around my parents, I'm reconnecting with old friends, I no longer feel like I have to be anyone other than who I am, I'm enjoying being able to still talk with E (though I do miss him), and I'd love for any of my friends to come and see me sometime.  Wyoming is BEAUTIFUL in the summer, and I have every other weekend as a 4-day weekend, so... yeah.  Come to the West, we'll climb some mountains, have some brews/sloshies/drinks, learn how to use the smoker, enjoy the hot tub, make some food, and solve all the worlds problems (and tell NO ONE!).  Hehe, in the meantime, much love from the least populated state!  :*  MUAH!