We made it!

Aaaand we're here! Here being our new apartment in Brunswick, NY -- 20 min west of the Vermont border.

We just got internet, so I wanted to write a quick update. Unfortunately I haven't had time to upload my pictures, so I'll do that later. Needless to say it's been kind of crazy trying to get settled, considering we had absolutely no furnishings when we signed the lease (except for some lovely towels and dishes that Derek's parents donated as we stopped through Yakima). Things are starting to come together though, and we're having a nice couch delivered tomorrow thanks to Craigslist.

A brief recount of the rest of the road trip -- east of Mount Rushmore, there was pretty much lots of flat land and wind, and of course Chicago, where we stopped for lunch and got some unreal deep dish pizza. Beyond Chicago, we made a straight shot for Derek's brother's place in State College, PA, where we got to spend some quality time with his family (side note: their children are the cutest kids I have ever seen), and also got to see Penn State's campus.

And a short 5 hour drive east of that we landed in Schenectady, NY, at the Belvedere Hotel, which served as home base while we searched for a place to live. Luckily we found one in Brunswick, which is quite lovely and up on a hill away from the noise of the town. It's halfway between Bennington and Sportime, so it's a perfect location for our situation: 30 minute commute for both of us (although I won out in terms of drives...mine is along beautiful country roads. Derek's, unfortunately, is not). The price is also nice, considering it's less than half of what rent was in Hawaii. Then again, we don't have a beach outside our door, but hey, cheap is good.

Derek has started work, and since I am lucky enough to get to use the facility (tennis courts, gym, sauna, oh my!) because I'm his +1, we've both been at Sportime quite a few times. Today, I hit with Derek, did two group exercise classes (including spinning which destroyed me), and then hit again with a high schooler, who also destroyed me. Needless to say I probably won't be able to move tomorrow.

Derek is thoroughly enjoying his position as Head Pro, and the members tell us they enjoy having him. They're also very welcoming to me. So far, so good!

Oh, and my orientation is a week from today...yikes, it's happening soon.

Thinking of everyone back in Hawaii and VA, and everywhere in between!