Coming to Utah
Hey all!
Well, it's been a while since I've written, and since I can't sleep tonight, and my homework's done, I decided to update this thing and tell you a few things about the last few months of my life. As you all know, I moved to Utah from Indiana about five months ago. Many of you know about my long journey. LOL. Well, in case you don't, here it is.
I left Indiana on my new ride (2002 Jeep Liberty) that I had bought about five days before. I left on January 8th. I was supposed to start work on the 10th. I know, I know, did I mention I'm a procrastinator? Anyways, yes, I left in a hurry and had to drive the whole way straight only resting for a couple hours on the way. I had never driven so much in my life, but I was relieved when I made it to Wyoming. I was about 100 miles from Salt Lake City when I got into an accident. Luckily, I wasn't hurt, but my Jeep got totaled. It was technically my fault, although I was driving very slowly. I hit a utility truck in front of me after hitting the break and sliding into it due to black ice on the road.
The roads in Wyoming were horrible. I can't believe they weren't plowed or sanded. It was very frustrating and I was very freaked out. I was crying and nobody seemed to care; the police officer was very indifferent and even gave me a citation. It happened in the middle of nowhere, up in the mountain roads. It's one of the worst experiences I've been through. I filed my insurance claim that same day, didn't tell anybody back home to not have them freaking out. Some guy took me to a nearby motel so I could spend the night there, since the Insurance company was unable to send a rental my way. They said that no company would send one that far away. Yes, it was really in the middle of nowhere. Anyways, the guy from the shop (his name is Glade) was very nice and helpful. He told me where the nearest restaurant was and informed me about my vehicle and what he thought they would have to do. He actually contacted his dad (Keith) and asked him to give me a ride all the way to Layton, Utah (about 150 miles).
I cried most of that day. I felt lost and confused about my decision… wondering if it had been a right choice to leave everything behind for something that seemed so uncertain. I knew I wanted to get away and start over, meet new people, see new places, experience new things, but was it really worth it? I finally made it to Layton. On our way, Keith talked to me about his life. I didn't ask his age, but he was probably in late 60's or early 70's. He drove fast! This had me tense the whole way there. He talked to me about how he almost died in a motorcycle accident; somehow the motorcycle landed on his head and smashed it. He told me about two other serious car accidents he was involved in, one in which a girl died, and another one where is arm was cut severely. I was freaking out! I was like - Dude, stop the vehicle and I'll just walk there!- Ok no, just playing. LOL. But I was still very stressed and concerned about the things I had to deal with next.
I finally made it to my apartment, got my keys and all that good stuff. Of course, I didn't have a lot of things with me when I drove here. Most of my stuff was being delivered by a moving company (wait till you hear that part!). I got to my place, got some clothes put away in the closet and just laid on the floor crying my eyes out. My friend Bernardo came over and was very supportive. He took me to the store so I could get some things. Just being able to talk to someone about my experience was relieving. He offered to help me, and ever since I've been here, he has not changed his willing-to-serve attitude and kindness. I had to postpone my first day of work to take care of my rental car and my insurance claim. The insurance company was awesome! (Liberty Mutual) They were quick about the whole process; they followed up almost every day, and gave me $2,000 more than what I had paid for my vehicle. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the same deal here than I got in Indiana. Anyways, I drove a PT Cruiser (which I honestly hated) for a few weeks until I bought myself another 2002 Jeep Liberty with fewer miles than the original. I started work. Here's the next bad part.
My furniture was supposed to arrive a few days after I moved in. They sent my stuff to Florida by mistake!!!!!!!!! Noooo! Things were going bad. They were absolutely horrible. Horrible service, they gave me the runarounds, never got a straight answer, they refused to give me a discount and things like that. That stupid company is based out of Chicago, IL and it's called Best Price Moving, so of course I do not recommend their services. I got my stuff like three weeks later! I slept on the floor until I twisted my neck really bad. Then I went to Wal-Mart to get an inflatable mattress to get me by; it helped, somewhat.
I started going out with my friends Bernardo and Felipe. I met Felipe a few days after I got here. They were awesome. We were out on a Singles Activity, when my PT Cruiser rental car broke down. Well, it worked fine, except that it would not go reverse! I didn't have my new Jeep then. They were closed since it was at night. Luckily, I had the next day off and that's when I went and bought my other Jeep Liberty.
Finally, my furniture arrived, I got all settled in, I had my new Jeep, work was going well, and everyone was nice. Things started looking better. They have been getting better and better as time goes by. I still miss my family and get homesick, but I've also met incredible people and made new friends. I'm happy that I'm here.
The weather is getting nicer, my apartment is looking nicer as well, I'm healthy, work is going great, I'm making more money than I was in Indiana, I've had and will have the opportunity to travel more than I did before.
I have been very blessed. I know that all the adversity I faced happened for a reason. There will always be opposition when we are doing the right thing. The enemy is trying to discourage us and trying to dissuade us of doing what's right. We should always remember this and be strong, and never give up. I'm glad I wasn't hurt in the accident. I know God was with me the whole way here. When I had the accident, my Jeep stopped about 10 feet away from the edge of the road. If I had been going a little bit faster, I would have fallen off the edge down the hill and it could've been way worse than it was. That's why I feel so blessed. I know something's in store for me here, and I'm not going to walk away from it for the bad things that have happened.
It's been five months. I feel great here. I'm excited to be here and excited for what's coming. I went back to school (something that wasn't part of my plan). I've been saving up money. I feel stronger and more independent than ever before. I can't say that it's been me… I know I'm blessed by my Heavenly Father and I know everything is possible because of His great love for me. Sometimes I feel unworthy of these blessings, but I strive to do well to others to give back. I've been very blessed to have a best friend who made all of this possible (Ethan). Ethan has also been with me all this time, way back… about two years ago. So, I'm lucky and blessed to still have awesome friends and great people in my life. And the new people I've met are awesome as well. I have learned so much from each of them, I've had fun, I've danced, I've laughed, I've kissed, I've cried, I've had an awesome time with all of them.
And this is just the beginning…
