Welcome

I decided to start a blog so my family and friends can see how I'm doing, and read some of my daily happenings, because I always seem to forget things when I'm on the phone. Then I hang up, and 2 minutes later realize I forgot to tell a funny story, or something interesting that happened. I suppose I'll post things here that have to do with just living in Michigan and my new job.

It feels so weird to be here and working...and out of school. It was only a few weeks ago that I graduated. Then, I came to Michigan to get an apartment, back to South Carolina for 3 days, then to Trinidad to meet Vicki, my penpal, then back to Michigan to live. It all happened so fast. I remember my first day of work, before even going while getting ready thinking to myself "today is the first day of your career...and the rest of your life...I hope it's good". It has been good so far though.

I guess I can start with work. Monday morning there were 5 "new hires". One technician who was maybe 3 years older than me, a contract worker from Pakistan doing IT stuff, and two Germans in their 30's doing 2 year work programs in the US. They were all nice, but we all knew after orientation we'd probably never see each other again...maybe in passing, but not much. The orientation was typical and consisted of 3 hours of a powerpoint about dress code, forms for just about everything, and collecting paperwork. I never get much out of orientation because let's face it, who's going to remember all that information cramed down your throat in 3 short hours?

After orientation I was dropped off at my supervisor. I just want to say I'm so happy he's my supervisor. He is such a great person to work with (so far, and I think he will be). He is from Michigan, and went to college at Purdue. He tries really hard to help me fit in with the "team" and always is open for questions. He has this tone in his voice that just lets you know he's there for help, and it's not annoyed...it's comforting. My desk is funny, I was told "ohhh you got lucky, a single!". Which means, a "single" cubicle not shared with another person. I guess I'm lucky...but it's a cubicle, how great can it be? One thing I don't like is that the lights are always off...only small desk lamps are on. Supposedly it's because people's eyes will hurt since we do CAD work with the lights on, so they stay off. I'm sure it will be great once I'm doing CAD work heavily...but this first week I'm reading through hundreds of pages of design manuals and from the hours of 8-12 my eyes cannot stay open with the lights out. After lunch I'm fine.

Everyone here has been really nice to me. Since I had always lived in South Carolina I had heard the term "southern hospitality" but never really embraced or noticed it. To be completely honest, people here are nicer (in my opinion) than in South Carolina...so far. Nobody has been outright rude, and they're just as friendly. I guess the main difference is that they don't TALK as much, about how their sister's friend's wife had a cold, and bless her heart. But as far as being friendly they definately are. The accents take some time to get used to, but I noticed today I don't "notice" it like I did a week ago. A week ago I would just pay attention to the acccents, not what the people were saying. It seems natural now (although I don't think I can ever speak like that). I wonder if South Carolinians will sound funny and out of place when I go home again?

There are some things that really stick out though, still, like when at lunch today I was asked if "I was drinking a pop", or when someone says "oh geez e pete" or something really corny with a midwestern accent. Some are worse than others, some aren't.

Being the "new" guy at work had to come at a price though, and that happened today. I went to leave work, and go out to my car. I stick my key in the lock, and turn it, but only the driver's side door opens and not the rest (because I have power door locks). Hmm I think, I guess the fuse must have blown. Then, I go to start the car and nothing. I left my lights on. All day. And my batter was dead. And I didn't have my jumper cables. Back into the building I go, to Jeff's office and ask if he could jump me and he gets this look on his face like he wants to help, but can't because he rode a motorcycle today and didn't have cables. He said "oh but don't worry, this happens ALL the time and we'll get some for you" and goes walking around asking people. He's that nice. I'm fortunate to have him for a supervisor.
Otherwise things are fine. It's weird living alone, even weirder cooking for one. I just added up what I owe my parents after plane tickets here, furniture, tv, and stuff I needed when moving in: $4,300 or something like that. Bye Bye first paycheck, and probably second too. Oh well, what can you expect because I came pretty much empty handed.

After work each day I've been kind of driving around just to get a feel for the area. In case anyone was wondering I live off 9 Mile Road. Yes, just one mile from 8 Mile Road but really like 30 miles away from where the movie was beacause Michigan's mile roads run east west. So, one can technically be out in farmland and be on 8 Mile Road.

Oh, one other important item. Bill and his wife Mary Kay are two VERY nice people I know here who live in Troy. I met them through a guy at Clemson, who worked for GM on the EV1 electric car program. He introduced me to Bill (through email) because Bill was with the EV1 from the beginning. Bill, Mary Kay, my dad, and I all ate dinner together when I was here looking for an apartment. They invited me over their house Friday for dinner and to talk about EV1. That will be fun, they're very nice people.