Sacramento

We found an apartment in Sacramento and moved in last weekend. Other than a bed and two foldable camping chairs, we have no furniture. There is an overwhelming amount of shopping available within the square mile surrounding us. Target, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens and Things, Cost Plus, Pier One, huge bookstores, etc, and lots of restaurants. We've been to Rubio's and Chipotle a few times. Luckily there is also a jogging trail around a pond right next to our apartment complex too! It's strange to have choices when shopping. It is actually quite difficult. We're used to buying whatever brand/style/color is available when we need something. There are many decisions to make while shopping here.

 

As a child, I was taught to roll my eyes at the "But it's a dry heat" statement from people who were sure that the Phoenix summer temperatures of 115 were not as bad as muggy summers in places like Boston or Washington. Well, it was 88 degrees yesterday and it is definitely a DRY heat. I was quite comfortable in my sweatshirt and long pants: something I would certainly not wear in a tropical 88 degrees. (I didn't see anyone else similarly attired though...) We haven't turned on the air conditioning in the apartment yet, but it's a pretty nice temperature. I do miss being able to wear a tank top and shorts every weekend day and knowing I'd never be too cold. The temperature here varies a lot throughout the day (about 30 degrees).

 

Movie tickets cost about twice the price on St. Thomas - but the movies also start before 6:30pm, which is nice for those of us who are unemployed.... We've visited the library - another exciting experience. Twice on St. Thomas we tried to go to the library - during their posted hours - but they were closed. Another change for us is relearning about recycling. It was so ingrained before we moved to the VI, but now I am constantly having to remember not to throw cardboard, paper, etc, in with the other trash.

 

Aside from the moderately difficult adjustment to the enormity of Sacramento, we're doing alright. It is a good thing we had some time to adjust to the states in familiar houses and places before we ventured off on our own to this big city. As our job searches continue, we are enjoying this vacation of sorts - filling our time with trips to the grocery store and buying lots of fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and being amazed at the low cost of food here. It's a different world!