Feeling weathered

I am safe and sound in Yellowstone! A few things have not met my expectations, but I am keeping my hopes high. When I flew into Bozeman, it was super cold (not strange for this time of year), and when I checked into my hotel, it had started snowing . . . SIDEWAYS. The wind was so strong the snow was literally coming in sideways. And the next day, driving into the park, there was snow everywhere! We were afraid we weren't going to be able to make it to Lake because of the road closures. Luckily, our expert bus driver John was able to take a few roads that were closed to the public, but weren't insanely icy.
We made it to the Lodge in one piece, and then made it to the dorm. Turns out, they really weren't ready for the six of us currently living in the dorms. Most of the beds weren't constructed, and there were only a few rooms with mattresses. Plus, a water main broke over the winter season, and so we can't drink the water quite yet. The dorm is a little creepy, especially since it's so empty right now, and makes a lot of creepy noises at night. But, anyway, we all got settled in okay, and got dinner, met our boss, etc. The great thing about the six people working at the front desk is the way we all immediately bonded. Every one is super sweet, and hilarious. It's a relief to know that my co-workers and some of my dorm-mates are all going to be easy to get along with. That makes the entire summer very exciting, and I'm looking forward to exploring the park with them.
So, we got all settled in, and after exploring the employee pub (it's literally right next to my dorm), we all decided to call it a night. When we got back to the dorm, however, we realized that the heat wasn't on. Let's remember that it had been snowing all day. It was COLD. So we suffered through the first night. When we woke up in the morning, we discovered that our dorm was also lacking hot water! Needless to say, we were all a little grumpy heading into our first day of training. Luckily, we have the best manager in the world, and she made everything feel a lot easier. The heat got turned on for our second night, and the hot water was in semi-working condition the next day. We're still waiting for wi-fi in the dorms, but I'm not too worried about that. I know everything will get all fixed up, and we'll get more people in the dorm later this week. I'm getting more and more excited about the Lodge actually opening for the season!
More updates, and maybe some pictures! We're going on a tour of the southern loop tomorrow, and I should get some awesome shots there.

post-graduation

(I'm smack dab in the middle looking super stoked to throw my hat in the air, obviously graduation was a somber event heehee)

I have been a college graduate for six days. Like I predicted, the world is still spinning and everything is okay. Saying goodbye to all of my friends resulted in a lot of tears (which was particularly embarrassing when I said goodbye to The Boys at a movie theatre and then walked through downtown with tears streaming down my face). I packed my life into five suitcases and picked up to come home before heading off to Yellowstone. I'm in Arizona for another week and then it's off to Montana/Wyoming to start my next great adventure! And once again, I am feeling anxious and terrified. There are certain points in the summer I am looking forward to with so much excitement I can hardly contain myself (Oregon Country Fair with Megan and The Boys; Megan, Lauren, and potentially some other girl friends coming to Yellowstone to visit) and others that make me sweat ever time I think about them (moving to a new location not knowing a single soul or what to expect; my new job; dorm life AGAIN!). I know I am in for the most amazing summer of my life, but it is still very strange that I won't be returning to academia in August. I keep having the realization that I am a real grown up adult with a degree. I am so blessed to have this education, but I still feel so naive and like I am not the grown up everyone seems to see me as. 

The days I have spent at home have been filled with lots of pondering about post-Yellowstone plans. I would love to just forgo any responsibility and buy a van and travel the country. If anyone would like to be my benefactor and make that happen, I accept checks and all major credit cards. (Just kidding, Mom. Well... kind of.) Other than that, my mind has been jumping around for potential ideas. I know something will come along, and it will be easy to stick with the company I'm working for this summer, but I would love to find myself in a location close enough to visit the friends I have made over the past four years. Many of them are in Portland, or are planning on moving there soonish. While I don't see myself moving back to the rainy Pacific Northwest any time soon, the thought still bumps around my head. I guess the most stressful, odd thing is being in this transitionary state with absolutely nothing tying me down. It's a freeing thought, but it's also scary. Really, only time will tell where life goes, and as cliche as it is, the phrase has become a comforting mantra.