Whirlwinds!

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of travel, and more travel, no sleep, sketchy hotels, moving, unpacking, and beginning a new adventure in a new city and missing England.

On Aug. 8th I headed to the airport for my flight to Chicago. A few hours later the flight was delayed and then after more hours of waiting the flight was cancelled. We were told that a new flight was being arranged for the following afternoon. The airline put us up in a hotel and assured us we would get updates soon. Early the next morning, 9 Aug, I got a notice that the airline had scheduled me on a different flight, from a different airport and for 10 Aug. You can imagine my frustration as I headed to the airport to see if something else could be sorted. A wonderful employee of the airline worked some magic and got me on an alternative flight which left on 9 Aug. The changes altered my plans a bit but in the end it all worked out.

I was able to spend a day in Madison to check in my new flat and then turned around and flew to Salt Lake City to see my family for a few days. It was wonderful to catch up with everyone gut some bear hugs from the littles and even some hugs from those that really don't like to hug, you know who you are and I love you for making an exception!

From the moment I landed in Boston (part of the alternate flight) I lost my voice likely due to the allergies which have taken over, lack of sleep and all of the changes. Going from cool and humid weather to dry and hot and back to a different kind of humid and warmth have taken a toll. I think my body is finding a new normal which is great! My mind is still working on the new normal. I really wish I could find a good loaf of artisan sourdough!

Madison is beautiful! My sister Annette braved the long 19-20 hour drive with me and I was so glad to have her company and her help to get settled. The location of my new flat is great. It is in a quiet neighborhood with a grocery store 2 blocks away. The bus stop is a block from my building and the same bus drops me a block from the building I work in on the UW Madison campus. It works out well! I am hoping to delay purchasing a car for a while so my adventures will be a bit limited to where I can get by bus. A wonderful family in my new ward has loaned me their extra car for a few weeks while I run necessary errands, which has been super helpful!

The people I have met so far at the university are wonderful and have been so helpful. I am thrilled to have this opportunity. I have a lot to get done this week as I prepare for the 3 courses I will teach and which start 5 Sept. CRAZY!

Madison really is beautiful and I am excited to be here and to do some wandering around and find some great hidden gems. I have only had a chance to explore a small portion of the campus but what I have seen to far is pretty amazing!

​Cheers!