A week on the prairies!

What a whirlwind this week has been. After a full week on the prairies, I've finally had time to catch my breath and update you all on the latest series of adventures. I arrived in Regina last Thursday night and spend two fairly nice nights at the Ramada Hotel. Ventured out on Friday morning on foot to explore Regina's downtown and found it fairly impressive. I had originally thought that I might enjoy living downtown due to its proximity to buses, etc. but then discovered I really am not a "downtown" kind of girl...I want to be that hip person who hops around in cool clothing with a sassy Mary Tyler Moore type of attitude, but I'm a bit too jittery.

I returned to the hotel on Friday to find Jason, who I went to library school with, in the lobby! He had to be downtown for a meeting so then swung by the hotel, and kindly took me on a tour around the city. It was so great to see a friendly face belonging to someone I knew, and the tour also helped me put the city into perspective because no matter how many maps you look at, it's never the same as actually getting out and exploring. We then had lunch at an awesome brewery/restaurant called Bushwackers.

I am now staying with a lady who works at SIAST, Cathy, and her adorable mom, Betty. They are lovely people and have taken such good care of me! It has been really nice to have a bit of home here, including meals:) The transition has absolutely been made easier by their company. Last night we went to the Golden Mile mall to watch The Queen at the cheap movie theatre. (Jordan, your recommendation was solid: I really enjoyed the movie!) I've been a bit homesick but nothing too horrible. I'm finding the time change (2 hours behind EST) a bit confusing in terms of making phone calls home and also going to bed at night, but I expect my body will re-adjust within the next week-or-so.

I've found an apartment to stay in as of May 4th. It is at the corner of Albert Street and College Avenue. To situate you, I am kiddie-corner to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, on the main bus line which I can take to SIAST each day, and apparently the neighbourhood is considered the "yuppie" part of town. My apartment is on the 9th floor, facing south, with an absolutely gorgeous view of Wascana Park and the Legislature Building. I can't wait til I can post you photos of the view. I'll be staying with Cathy and Betty until I can move in, which actually works out well because I'll have a couple of pay cheques by then. That way I'll be able to buy a bed!

Work has been going really well, one week in. I have an office! I've also inherited a PDA! My job is going to be a great mix of teaching, collections, reference, and liaising with faculty. I haven't had too much interaction with the students as of yet, but from what I've seen they are pretty fantastic. A real range of programs are at SIAST, including; nursing, graphic arts, apprenticeships in autobody, construction, and manufacturing, basic ed., ESL, etc. etc. I'll be attending the Saskatchewan Library Association conference at the beginning of May.

I have today (Friday) and Monday off for Easter, but I'll be working on Saturday. The library should be pretty quiet, so I'll have a chance to get caught up on reading and hang out in the stacks. I'm also going to meet up with Trudi, who is here working at Regina Public Library. How cool is that?! I'll leave it at that, but wanted to let you all know I was alive and kicking. I'm on a borrowed computer, but I'll try to check in more regularly.