Oh what a beautiful morning

It is really cold in Rexburg. I just have to start with that. This morning when we awoke and looked at the weather, it was -9 degrees and with wind chill felt like -20. That's really cold. And our high today is 14 which is a major improvement from the rest of the single-digit week. I knew it was cold up here, but this is a little insane to me. When we awoke this morning we didn't have water in the house. Someone left our apartment complex laundry room open and a pipe froze and so they defrosted it, but it has broken. So still no water, but they are working on it.

The next joy of the day was that I was going to go down to Utah for an audition. I loaded up my car and began the journey, but the car was running a little warm. I got on the highway and it got really hot. So I pulled off the side, waited for it to cool down and got to a place where I could turn around. While waiting frost formed on most surfaces on the inside of my car. Going in little spurts letting it cool down in between, I was able to finally make it back home. In fact at the end it actually seemed normal. When frozen wife got home, the nice husband went to the closest gas station and got coolant, that we were low on. Its still not running amazing so we get to take the car to the shop and also I didn't get to go to my audition.

Still, there is good news in all of this. I didn't freeze to death :) Just kidding. There is real good news. The people let me reschedule my audition. We don't think the car is as broken as it could be. And I have strangely not been upset at all of this. Its just life and things always go on and there's reasons for everything. Except maybe the temperature in Rexburg.

Reflections on Idaho

I woke up this morning and we had to scrape the windows of the car for the first time this year and it caused me to want to comment on my experience in Idaho thus far. Everyone always says Utah and Idaho are the same, and I don't think so thus far.

1. There is still open space in Idaho. Ok, so there's technically still open space in Utah, but its gradually disappearing. You have to drive pretty far south, north, east or west from my parent's home to find a lot of open space.

2. The air is actually dryer (if that's possible.) I loved the humidity in Texas, and coming back to Utah was a shock. Now I'm using tons of lotion and my hair feels like steel wool. So if you like a lack of humidity move to Idaho.

3. No one speeds! I commute a little to work and the road is a 65 mph highway. Everyone is going 65 or less. If I go 68 I'm passing people the whole time. Compare this to I-15 in Utah where the posted speed limit in Salt Lake and Utah county is 65 mph and as long as its not rush hour and the traffic is not bad, everyone on the road is going a minimum 65 and most are going in the 70 range and 75 is not even very fast.

I'm sure there are more observations I will make on my continued time here. What an interesting place, but I'm definitely enjoying it.

Home Sweet Home

So, I know that you all want to see wedding pictures, and I promise they will come soon. I have been very excited this week to move into our own place, plus I already have pictures ready of moving in. We have lived in our little apartment only a little while now, but it already feels like home. That's the main part of the house. I love the couch especially - $25 at D.I. Best rental deal ever.Here is the leaning tower of boxes from unloading everything. Lots and lots of empty boxes :).

Our bedroom with a small shot of the beautiful quilt Grandma Clayson made us.

This apartment has the most unique kitchen of almost any I've ever seen. The hall from the living area to the bedroom/bathroom is the kitchen, as you can see. But I have to admit, I like it. The pizza is one of the meals here so far that has worked pretty well. I've also made salsa which worked a little less well. I didn't use gloves when cutting jalepenos, and I'm still paying for it. Just a recommendation as well, don't itch armpits when you have jalepeno on your hand. Not that I'm speaking from experience.
And finally, can you think of a better way to break in a house after moving in than a light saber fight. I think not.