And the journey begins. . .

So I finally made it. It didn't take as long as I had anticipate in the beginning. I went ahead and bought a book on tape to help with the long drive. The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks. . . because I broke down and bought one I ended up not being able to listen to it because of the constant phone calls from family and friends just making sure I was doing alright. My luck if I wouldn't of gotten anything I would no have gotten a call at all and I would have had to listen to myself sing the whole way. Luckily my family and friend love me so much. It really helped the trip go by really quick. 

Luckily I have a very supportive family. They love to take care of me and make sure I am prepared for anything. I was givin the laws to live by this morning from not only Nana, who I spent the night with last night in Marion, but also Mom and Dad called before I could even leave Nana's this morning. 

As I was driving in it began to snow. Not something I am use to thats for sure. If we get anything in Arkansas its just ice, but we call it snow because thats all we know. At the same time I started to dread the much colder weather I secretly got excited about the changes I would soon be experiencing. I pulled up to the house I would be staying in for the next 4 months. Its an older house, but has had some work done to update it a little. Mrs. Wanda greeted me at the door with a big smile, which was very comforting. Soon after I arrived Mr. Alec pulled up and we were all 3 off to take a test drive to St. Louis Children's Hospital. The place my life will revolve around for the next 4 months. It wasn't all that bad of a drive. They showed me a couple of shortcuts that will be helpful on the mornings when there is a bunch of traffic. Its not that bad of a drive really. The parking garage was pretty confusing to find, but once we got there it made us feel sorta silly because how easy it really was to find. We went back to the house and then unloaded my car. Dad was right. I felt weird having so much stuff. I am sure the Hill's were thinking there is no way she is going to wear all of these clothes while she is here. 

After unloading and attempting to unpack Mrs. Wanda and I went driving. She made sure first off that I knew where both Wal-Mart and Target were.  A must for all woman these days. Everything is fairly close to where we live. She also showed me some really neat shops on the other side under the interstate. I am looking forward to walking down around that area one afternoon and visiting the little stores. There was a neat little coffee shop that looked like it was owned by someone here is town and a pizza place she says is wonderful. It had lots of TV's up so I am sure that is where fans go to watch the Cards play when they are out of town. 

The Hill's son Brian came by for a few this afternoon to introduce himself. He is in the Army and he and his wife just live a couple of miles away. He is wanting to introduce me to some of his friends tomorrow morning at church. I am looking forward to making new friends. I just hope I fit in. Mr. Alec is retired from the social security something, but now works for a non profit organization in town that raises money for children's homes. I have made sure to let him know that I would love to help with anything they need me for. From what he has told me he could keep me pretty busy in my down time if I wanted. I know I probably wont have  much down time, but when I do I cant sit still. I have to being working on a project or cleaning some most of the time. So instead of wasting my time doing something pointless I might as well be down at his office helping with their great cause. It could be a good way to meet people as well! I am definitely looking forward to that. 

Sam's friend Todd Stewart called me this afternoon and invited me over for supper. I am suppose to be there around 530 tomorrow. He seems really nice. They just had twin boys 7 weeks ago and they have an 11 year old daughter. I hope they know that I am willing to help they out with anything they need. I am really looking forward to going over and meeting them. Sam says that they are a lot of fun and just laid back people. They would have to be fun for him to be such good friends with Sam. I really appreciate Sam talking with Dr. Todd for me. It feels good knowing you have someone here that is willing to help you if you need them. 

We are just a few blocks from Webster Jr. High School. The high school team was 5A State Champ last year in football. Basketball season it getting cranked up and I am looking forward to going to a few games. They are suppose to be really good. There is nothing like the smell of salty popcorn and the sound of squeaky shoes to remind you of back home. :) 

I ran to Wal-Mart after supper. . . which was some sort of wonderful soup. She is going to have to give me the recipe. While I was at Wal-Mart I just got things for lunches this next week. Surprisingly it wasn't a Super Wal-Mart. Pretty disappointing. Luckily they did have a few of the food things that  I needed. Bad thing happened while I was there though. I ended up leaving one of my sacks behind. I don't know how it happened. I thought I looked and made sure I had all of my bags. I got home and had no downy wrinkle reducer, dryer sheets, or the smell good sticks for my room. 17.00 worth of stuff. I am hopeing it is just in the car. I didn't go back out and check when I realized it because it was so late and so COLD! I was pretty bummed about it. I normally don't do things like that. Anyways. . . after I got back from shopping I told myself that I was going to get my room organized before I went to bed. It went really well once I turned on my boy band CD Kyle made. I have plenty of room for everything. They have really treated me like family. They are always checking to make sure I am comfortable. Making sure I know I can raid the cabinets for a snack any time I want or just making sure I am not freezing. 

I am planning on taking pictures tomorrow of the house and around Webster. Its really not at all what I was expecting. I had been preparing myself for self defense mode since I found out I got the internship, but once I got here I see that its just a little town that is sort of a safe haven for a lot of people away from the city. I am still on alert and my head is still on a swivel, but I'm just not as paranoid about it as I was. 

I just want to thank everyone that has supported me along the way. I hope I make you proud. I love each of you. I miss home already. As Dorothy said. .  . There is no place like home.