A whole new life...in new world

Day One Observations in the new world:

These creatures are interesting to say the least, here in this new world. They speak several different dialects as if they live in tribes they can call their own. With words like, "Imma," "R-yah," "thnkee," and the ever-so-popular "fixin," I am certainly learning a whole new language again. It's been a while since I've been here in the jungle...oh wait...I mean...home, so my ability to pick up the dialects of these creatures is quite difficult or...rusty, shall I say...

The weather here in the rain forest (or the beach...same thing) is an eye-opening change as well. One cannot possibly think of leaving his/her dwelling after 7:30am to do anything outside (even walking to the car or mailbox) or one will surely perish in the flames of the sweltering and smothering air. Air...what a concept. I remember when I could actually breathe the air in Colorado. Now, I just open my mouth, suck in, and hope for the best.

There is this amazing thing here in the new world called humidity. Yes, I know you think you've heard of it, but you really haven't. In my old surroundings, I remember once or twice hiking with my friend Marti and our comments of how the air felt humid....oh, chuckle, chuckle, what a childish remark that was....

On a good day, here in the new world, when the humidity is 70%, one might only have to shower twice within a few hours; but, when the humidity god is angry and annoyed with all of the weight-challenged indigenous people here and he cranks it up to 80 or 90%, well, one can only hope that one's sweat glands are working properly because then there are no showers needed.

Indigenous peoples: interesting...
As my research team and I worked our way across the plush green South to the new world, I made note of several people of this land. Weighing no less than 200 pounds (on a light day), many had very few teeth at the petrol stations and several could have been carrying a banjo...if you know what I mean...(begin theme music here)
One of them actually asked me to help him read a map when we were near Chattanooga, but he had to ask me three times because I don't think I ever saw his lips move so I could read them to understand him more clearly. As I glanced at his map wishing and hoping that one of my team would come out of the bathroom, I could actually feel his humid breath resting on my neck and it reminded me that I needed to not leave the car without a partner.

I also have noticed that the options for comida (that's food in Spanish) here in the new world are so very different than my past home-land of ten years. There are several choices on every corner if one is looking to achieve heart attack before the age of 37, and there are even more if you are trying to kill yourself before I get married. The "healthy choice" in the new world seems to be the ever-so-famous Chick-Fil-A, where everyday from around 11:00 till 2 you will see cars lined up for miles so the people can have chicken that's fried in canola oil instead of car oil.

As for the outdoor life here...well...enough said...
I'm sure my "love" of mountain biking and tele skiing will be well supported here just as it was in Colorado with everyone pushing and prodding me to do my best, even if it wasn't fun. Or, they'll just all invite me over to sit in their air-conditioned houses and watch Oprah until it's time to go to the gym for our hour and a half workout. Training for my next half marathon in CA will be really interesting...in the gym...

As for my adventure at the University of Georgia...it will begin on August 10th. I have so many really exciting sessions I get to attend to learn how to be a graduate assistant. Classes like "the future of teaching undergraduates" and "how to be the best GA you can be." You all know I'm a nerd like that, so I'm lovin' that stuff! Then I get to meet with my team from the education department to see what I'll be doing for them. YEAH!

Hope all is well with all of you! I'm off to go get a fresh chaw...
Love, Love, Love, Hil