New City . . .

I've recently moved to St Cloud, Minnesota and am trying to size up the community -- to discover what it has to offer and what it's shortcomings are. So far, I have to say I am missing Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

I grew up in Worthington, Minnesota - a town of just over 10,000 people. We were the metropolis of our area. After high school, I attended Community College - in Worthington. When it came time to complete a four year degree, I ventured 60 miles down the road to Marshall, Minnesota. (A town of just a little over 11,000 people). After college, it was back to Worthington for a year. And then - I decided to take a huge leap and move to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I got a job working for the premier employer - Citibank at $6.75 per hour and I was excited and terrified all at the same time. Why? Because Sioux Falls had more than 90,000 people - three colleges and a vocational school. Not to mention 2 malls. Although I was born and raised in Worthington, I have to say that when I think of "home" - Sioux Falls is the first place to come to mind.

My best friend from college moved to Sioux Falls, landed a job with Citibank as well, and became my roommate. Together, we headed out to learn our way around the "big city". It's not nearly as frightening when you have someone riding shotgun. She has been my compass and support system throughout the years and can make me laugh when I am on the verge of tears.

Sioux Falls has grown to nearly 140,000 people in the last 16 years and it seems strange that when it happens around you - you just don't notice it. It's hard to imagine what I was so afraid of with four lane traffic and interstate entrance and exit ramps helping to traverse the city. After 16 years of living in South Dakota - (with no state tax) and a job that had massive overtime hours, I find myself living in St Cloud, Minnesota.

Not only am I in a new city, with new people, I have a new "career". I am currently trying to learn to be a housewife. I haven't been without a job since I was 15 years old! I have been trying to check out the new city but find myself getting extremely frustrated with the one-way roads. (How inconvenient!) And can you believe that a city that is only 1 hour away from Minneapolis/St Paul basically has no decent Chinese restaurant! Trust me - if you want to eat bar food and drink your days away, there are plenty of options! Maybe I am just feeling displaced - I never knew it would be depressing to not have a job to go to. You know what it's like, sitting in your little cube thinking to yourself "man, I would love to not have to work". Yep - I was right there with you! Now, it doesn't seem like all that. Thank God I have email, text messaging and Verizon wireless "in" calling!