Where I've been, where I'm going

Last week I went to Iowa for work. Yep, been on the job for barely a week and they ship me out for a factory acceptance test for some packaging equipment. The FAT went really well, which was incredibly lucky for my first FAT.

Now the true test comes when we install the packaging equipment in the plant. I'll be spending 3 weeks in Toronto for the start-up of the equipment. The environment in the plant is a little challenging to say the least; there are a lot of competing personalities and I'm new to the place. Oh well, we'll see how it goes.

This is good in that I'm getting a lot of experience early on with the equipment and the plants. This is bad because my little dog is going to be spending a lot of time at the doggie daycare place over the next month :-(

How to remove a raccoon from a dumpster.

So you find a raccoon in your dumpster when you're taking out the trash. Here's how you remove it:

1) Scream like a schoolgirl.

2) Dance in a few quick circles while still screaming.

3) Put dog in car (because she came out with you to the dumpster).

4) Find something to remotely open the dumpster cover despite already having opened it with your hands earlier.

5) Repeatedly try to open the dumpster with a random cardboard box until the top is wide open. This might scare the raccoon a bit, but you must persevere.

6) After you finally get the top wide open, run away shrieking to your car.

mi casa

This is my favorite room in my little apartment... the living room! I love cozy spaces and this is one! I'm still sorting out how to arrange everything and get it all unpacked, but the living room is pretty much complete! A few more pictures to hang and perhaps another lamp...

What a busy month and I haven't even started work!

My last day at my former job was on September 3. My coworkers had a great going away party/summer party the night before the final day. I will definitely miss all of them!

On September 3 I flew back to Atlanta for Bela & Leandro's wedding! It was a beautiful and lovely event at the Georgia Aquarium. I had a blast and am thankful I made it back for their big day.

I flew back to Connecticut on September 7, then the movers came first thing in the morning on September 8 to take away all my junk. Kelly also flew in on the 8th and we headed straight up to Vermont. Thanks to my horrible allergies, I didn't sleep at all that night and the movers showed up first thing Thursday morning (we had just woken up and were still in our pajamas!). Kel headed out to grab breakfast while the movers hauled all my junk up the stairs into my little apartment.

After they departed, Kelly and I began the unpacking process. We did take a break that afternoon to go to the farmers' market and rent a movie. Kel cooked some great short ribs for dinner while I continued unpacking. Friday included more unpacking, decorating, and a great dinner up in Stowe.

Kelly flew back home on Saturday, so we headed back to Connecticut and I began cleaning up my old apartment. And now that brings us to today... Back in Vermont!

I'm so excited and nervous for my first day of work tomorrow!