Well, it's been two months. A different type of two months than were my first two in Korea.
I haven't had to go it alone this time. I haven't had to figure out everything on my own. I haven't been thrown into a work situation without any preparation. I've even had a few days for rest and relaxation.
But, in a way, it's still been foreign. Almost a week after I got back into the States, reality cashed it's check in full and I sobbed my heart, soul, and eyes out. I didn't know a person could cry that hard for that long - maybe I set a Guinness record. I kept busy by visiting my alma mater, sister, and good friends, substitute teaching for a week for an amazing class of 1st-3rd graders, and visiting my dear old college roomie who now lives in sunny, warm, wonderful California.
Then the time came . . . North Dakota was about to be invaded by me, myself, and I. I wasn't sure if I could take on the EXTREMELY flat land, high winds (Nebraska has nothin on this state), and living in a 30 foot camper with my parents. But on September 30, there I stood in the crisp morning hours, hot tea in one hand and my trusty stop/slow sign in the other. I was now officially a flagger for Border States Paving, Co. What had I gotten myself into?
By the end of the first day, I had made good conversation, dealt with creepy comments from a few men, enjoyed sunshine, been pelted by rain and wind, and continuously stood on my feet for the longest amount of time in my life. I felt as though I were a veteran of this job. It hadn't been a day, but rather a lifetime in and of itself - or so it had seemed.
I had a multitude of experiences in the short one month in which I worked for Border States. The days were long, more often than not cold, always windy, and sometimes could have bored me to insanity if I had let them. There were people on this job whose attitude could have led me to murmurs and complaints - sometimes they did. It was an entirely different lifestyle than I had been living for the past . . . well,for my entire existence. The bar was the only place of social gathering; colorful words were thrown into conversation, at least one every sentence; I worked for no less than 12 hours of the day and was exhausted for the rest of the time I wasn't working.
As I began the drive up MN 95, only two small duffel bags in tow, I didn't know if this was actually supposed to be the journey I was to be taking at that time. I went up for the money, and to be honest, the promise of the biggest paycheck I've ever had going into my bank account at the end of each week was one of the things that kept me going to work each day. But I also gained things from this experience. I gained the satisfaction of making a co-worker smile and laugh at every chance possible when I knew she didn't want to. I gained chances to live my life as positively as I could at each point of the day, impacting those around me and seeing the effects. I gained more conversation skills with random strangers (at which I've never really been too amazing). I gained opportunities to brighten a person's day just by cheerfully asking how their day was and sending a smile and positive word their direction.
When the time came to head back to Wisconsin, oh how ready I was. My fingers itched for a steering wheel, my foot was drawn to the gas pedal, and my mind was already fixed upon the trees, comfortable bed, and real bathroom I would find upon arrival. The long hours of driving were well worth it - home really has been great. I wouldn't exactly say I miss North Dakota and standing outside all day, at the mercy of Mother Nature and her sometimes conniving and rude ways. However, I would say that I am glad for the experience I was able to have, the time I was able to spend with my parents, and yes, the money I was able to make.
I guess I'm continuing to live life as I don't know it, and it's continuing to reward me in unexpected ways.
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