Montanan’s think Montana is a pretty big deal. The funny
thing is, not many people outside of Montana care, and none of the Montanans
know that. When I first moved here it really bothered me, now it’s just kind of
tender. John Steinbeck once said “I’m in love with Montana. For other states I
have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it
is love.”
I don’t know if I would ever go as far as Steinbeck but over
the last six months I have learned to respect and admire Montana. Who wants Steinbeck
as there spokesperson anyways? I’m sure if I were the kind of person who
enjoyed strapping on a backpack and wandering through the wilderness for a week
that I might find that love.
It really is beautiful.
And I’ve met a few good friends that I’ll miss.
That’s right, miss. Did you catch that?
I’ll miss them because today is my last day at The
University of Montana and tomorrow I move to Arizona. I realize I haven’t
blogged that much or really at all since moving to Montana but that’s what
happens when you don’t have internet at home. It was a really hard
transition when I moved here, harder than I could have ever imagined. Picking up and moving to a
town where you know no one for school is completely different then picking up and moving to a town where you know no one for a job, and I didn't know that before Montana. I did find a
groove here, and while it wasn’t the groove I imagined, I figured I would be
here for a few years.
Then Mindy Benson, life mentor extraordinaire, sent me a
posting for job at Northern Arizona University. Not just any job. THE job. The
job I imagined this one to be. The job I wanted. The job I couldn’t not apply
for. The events are more my style, the pay is better, and it’s significantly
closer to my family. I didn’t
plan on missing my family as much as I do. Living at home for the six months
before this reminded me how great they really are.
So when NAU offered the job, I couldn’t say no. It was hard telling my
supervisor here because she’s kind of amazing but as soon as I got over that
hurdle I knew it was the right choice.
Monday morning I start as an Events
Coordinator for NAU Alumni Relations. Did I mention I start on their homecoming
week?
So here I go again: new town, new
co-workers, new ward, new roommates. Let us pray that I don’t have to do this
again for a long, long time.
