My first day in icy conditions...

This morning was my very first time walking to work in semi-serious slush/ice/snow, and I made it, thanks in large part to Yak Tracks. I got through a huge (one foot) pile of snow on the sidewalk, walked across the street without landing on my rump, even walked on the ice without losing my balance or grip. I was telling myself that Yak Tracks were the most amazing invention in the world, that winter would be absolutely no problem, that I was totally prepared and set to go skiing, polar bear swimming, ice fishing! ...Until I walked inside City Hall and my feet slid out from under me.

Yak Tracks: Not for indoor use.

http://www.yaktrax.com/productspro.aspx

I just walked to work in -2 degree weather.

The title about says it... My nose froze, my teeth feel weird, but I survived.

The good news is, it's supposed to get up to 16 today!

Thanksgiving away from home

I volunteered at a meals on wheels on Thanksgiving, and helped pack up 250-ish Thanksgiving dinners. It was great to see how much the community helped people in need, but that was just the beginning. After helping there, I went to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Bethany Church, also sponsored by the Washington County Youth Service Bureau, that served another 200+ people.

At the dinner, I sat at a table decorated by middle school kids. There were three cards from kids in a class, and place mats with turkey hands, of course. One of the cards was signed "Your friend, Hunter (I'm a girl)," another said, "I hope this is your best Thanksgiving this year. Actually, I know it will be!"

One thing that's really struck me about this area is that the community really does come together to take care of people. They have winter coat give aways, free weatherization seminars, amazing soup kitchens... So much good stuff! I wish people got together like this everywhere.

My Old Life

Today I called my old roommates while I was on my way to a meeting at 2:00. They were hanging out in bed, warm and cozy, while I walked through the snow to the high school. Not fair.
Granted, I chose to do this 9-5 thing, and still feel like it's the right time in my life to do this, but it's a strange adjustment, especially when your best friends are in bed.

PS- I found it very satisfying to kick chunks of snow on the way back to the office. I don't know if I've ever done that before.

Life in Vermont

Culture shock hit hard last night when I went by the weather channel and saw that I could no longer place myself by proximity to Knoxville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, or Nashville, as I've been able to do all my life. Now, I'm in the part of the nation that was all clumped into one piece on the United States puzzle (all the other states had their own, with capitols).
Of course the rational part of my head knew that Vermont was in New England, but it's so strange to be in a part of the country where being a yankee is a good thing.
The nice thing is that there are a lot of similarities between Tennessee and Vermont. For example, when I was talking to someone the other night, I told him I was from Tennessee and he promptly replied, "Oh, I know someone who makes moonshine!" Perfect.