Been here for a month

Well I have been in Kalispell for a month now. My job is in full swing and is going five different directions. Which is a good so it is keeping me busy.

In a month I have done a lot already. My job has already doubled the work load. Originally I was going to be working on starting some financial literacy classes. The goal of these classes is to teach people some basic financial skills. Now added to my work load is starting a volunteer income tax assistance sites (VITA). I am really excited about this because there is some great community support for the sites and hopefully bring what the community has already done in the past and work together.

Besides working in the office I have had some time to see some different areas of Montana. My first adventure was down to Helena for my pre-service orientation. I learned a lot about what the goals are for AmeriCorp and meet some of the other Vistas from the area. We had some adventures out in the evening after some long days in class. Before I left I did a little site seeing. I went to the cathedral there. It was very beautiful with some unbelievable stain glass work. Driving to Helena was a beautiful drive. I passed so many lakes that it seemed like I turn a corner and there was a new lake.

After my time in Helena I went to Missoula on my second day of work. We had some training down there but mostly I toured the area. I wanted to check out the campus as I try to decide where I want to do my Masters at. I took a quick tour of the campus. It was very beautiful campus and much bigger then I am used to!! I also looked around town and did some window shopping in the downtown area. Missed the fact that there was an old navy in town found that out later. Might have to make a trip down there here soon. I need flip flops.

My next adventure was to Butte America. I had a two day training on ROMA there. A few people from my office went down to that. We did some site seeing as usual at night. Saw some very beautiful mansions that I would love to go back and go inside of them all. Some of the areas can be a little rough around the edges but there is so much potential in some of the homes. I enjoyed this area and had some really good Italian food.

My next adventure was suppose to be to Billings. Although my boss got sick and with all of the forest fires she didn't want me to drive by myself. About those forest fires. They are really disturbing my view of the mountains. Some days you can't see anything while other days it is clear. The smoke is starting to get to me causing me to have a headache. Everybody around here says it is not like this every year and it really isn't that hot either. So I am not sure if they are telling me the truth or just trying to make me stay here?? There is a new fire that started just over the hills from my apartment. The helicopters flew over my apartment all night last night. Although to be honest I am not really that worried. If it comes over the mountain it will be in town. And plus there are quite a few homes before me!!

I have been meeting people. Thank goodness for the gym. Went in there one day and had meet a gal that works there and she has taken me under her wing and has introduced me all around. We have been going swimming when it is hot, hanging out at night, and then on Sundays we all seem to end up at her parents house for a dinner!! So Sundays I always eat well. With meeting Elena has also lead me to my new adventure. I meet Jessica who just moved here from Texas. She was camping and is currently looking for an apartment. She has been staying with me for the past few days as camping was getting old. She starts her new job tomorrow and she hopefully have her place tomorrow also. Been nice to have a little company the past few days. Although I still like having my own space.

So this has been pretty much my last month living in Kalispell. Sharlee convinced me to keep a blog of my time here. Now she is probably smart cause now everybody can keep up with my life here. Now I just have to remember to write on it.

This next week brings some new adventures of some classes, kiwanis and the Northwest County fair, rodeo, and Indian relay races. Should be some fun times this next week.