Driving Adventure Part 2

We finally arrived in Atlanta at 2:30ish on Wednesday after being on the road for an obscene amount of time. During the last leg of the drive I got word from my new supervisor that he would be okay with me not starting until Monday. Whew. That was actually a big relief because I was wondering how in the heck I was going to make this all happen in just one day. When we finally got here I went in and they didn't have my paper quite ready yet, so we waited a bit. Then after waiting about 10 minutes they let me have my keys so that we could at least bring Rascal up to the apartment. This way he wouldn't have to stay in the car for so long - he was already scared out of his mind and wouldn't come out from behind the UHaul seat. I had to pull him out by his tail (NO I did not like doing this, but he had to come out). Finally we got him out and brought him up to my apartment. I set Rascals litter box down and let him out of his carrier and he jumped into his box and peed. Dad and I laughed because it was so funny. He knew exactly where to go. He had not gone to the bathroom the entire trip so I can about imagine that his bladder was super duper full. While in the apartment Dad took pictures on his phone (because we left my camera in the glove box of mom's car - back in Springfield) and he sent them to mom.

Finally we went down stairs and my paperwork was printed up. They had a printer error so it wasn't ready the first time. Then as I started to sign things she asked if I had my money orders - to which I said can't I just pay in check. She said we have to have it in Money Orders. Although I had not been told this I said I would have to go get them and she directed me to the nearby Publix (that's a grocery store). Dad and I stopped and ate at O'Trolleys and had some good Irish Pub style food. I had a Ruben and Dad had a wrap. Good food for sure - I think I will likely go there again sometime because it literally is 2 blocks away. We ventured to the Publix got my money orders and a wonderful shower curtain and headed back to get my keys and start moving in. It was about 5:45 when we returned to find that the doors were locked. I freaked out a bit since I had no where to go. But at about 6pm a lady returned from a tour and I began to sign my papers. Dad started moving stuff as I did this part - essentially just to get the ball rolling. Finally keys in had I headed out to help Dad with the moving.

The nearest elevator to my apartment is actually quite a little journey so it took much longer then anticipated to get unloaded. By the time I joined Dad to help unload he had taken two loads up and it didn't seem like there was a dent in the things we had to bring. It took us until almost dark before we decided to call it quits. I couldn't carry another thing. Dad was looking like he was in pain although he wouldn't admit to it. After figuring out what to do with the UHaul getting me some gas for my car and some Gatorade for ourselves we got back up to the apartment took showers and hit the sack. I almost didn't even take a shower because I fell asleep, but eventually I did. The next morning we finished unpacking everything - it felt amazing to have it all finally in my apartment. I just looked after everything and realized I have a long long long unpacking road ahead of me. Grrr...

Later that day I took Dad to see some of campus and then to the airport. It was super sad watching him walk through the security checkpoint. I really am going to miss being in the Midwest and so far away from my family. After leaving him that day I wasn't sure what else to do with my life. I unpacked some more then checked my million and one e-mails. I forgot about how crazy my e-mails would be after a couple of days not checking. Then I crashed. I woke up every other hour to check on dad because he was driving back to Sioux City after flying to Branson. Thank you again to Andy for picking him up from the Btown Airport. He arrived safely back in Sioux City right before the big storms happened. This whole trip has been an adventure. Its been fun and crazy and emotional and rewarding. I love and miss my family big bunches.