Navigating the rapid transit system

I am happy to report that I was able to navigate the train system to and from work this week! Moving down here without a car has been an interesting endeavor but I think it will work out just fine. I was able to get a regional pass so that I can travel anywhere that the transit goes so I can do exploring without having to worry about traffic, parking or whatever else. I got on the train yesterday after work, wasn't paying attention and landed up going on the wrong train in the wrong direction. Of course, I figured it out as soon as the train left the station so it was a small adventure to the next station and then waiting for what seemed like forever for the next train going the correct direction. So instead of getting home in 12 minutes, it took about an hour. :) Anyway, now I know. Everyone I work with has been so welcoming and helpful, true Southern hospitality.

New Girl Anxiety

While looking for an apartment I learned that you have the option of choosing your electric company and internet/cable provider. Again, who knew!!!! They apparently had something similar to what we have in Oregon with PGE and the company was over charging so now the consumer gets to choose. Yay!! There are so many options, pay as you go (like a pay as you go cell phone), monthly, 12 month fixed, 24 month fixed, some with termination fees and others without, and others that are based on variable rates. Sounds like I'm trying to buy a house. It's the same with cable/internet companies, you are able to choose. Decisions, decisions

In addition, I have to learn to navigate the transportation system here. I called the transportation office to get the correct route from where I will be living and found out I'm going to have to change trains until the new line is extended in December. WHAT! Ok, I can do it, I've navigated many different transportation systems around the world. In December the line will be extended and I won't have to change trains. Whew! Just when I'll be getting used to it. In the end, it's only going to be about a 20 minute commute to work and I don't have to drive. Wahoo!

I begin orientation tomorrow with all of the other new employees. Orientation goes for two days and then I will finally be able to meet my co-workers. It's so strange considering we've never met each other. I'm really excited to get started and to get rid of the new girl jitters. I'll keep you posted.

Apartment Searching

As I mentioned previously, I have been apartment searching for the last two days. I have narrowed it down to two apartment complexes, one in West End (the historic area of Dallas) and one in Victory Park ( a new upscale area very close to West End). You can get a little more bang for your buck in West End but it all comes down to atmosphere. While researching apartments I learned that the apartment industry in Texas bases prices of the apartments on the stock market. Who Knew!!!!!! So if you get a price, it's good for 48 hours and that's it. It could then go up or down after that. Each building gave me a printed quote so that I would have it in writing. The apartments in the areas I mentioned go quickly so if you don't put something down to reserve them, the apartment will most likely be gone quickly. I felt like I was racing in competition with everyone else. Anyway, I decided I would get up early today and go down to the West End to apply for an apartment that had just come available for a great price. I called and left a message that I was interested and I swear up and down that the answering service message states that their hours on Saturday is 1-5:30, but come to find out, I was wrong. Since I was planning on being in the West End by 1:00, I decided to have a relaxing morning and then "the phone call". I was called by the leasing agent who had showed the apartment to me yesterday and she was wondering if I could hurry down as the cheap apartment was being shown to someone else. In a flash I was out the door armed with the bus number and schedule as the hotel shuttle doesn't run on the weekend. Sadly, before I even left, the "cheap" apartment was leased to that person but I think I profited as I reserved a better apartment. HA!!!! Take that!!!!

I enjoyed walking around the different areas of Dallas as there is so much to see. I walked through Victory Park, Uptown, and West End. Since the West End is considered the historic district it has many museums and the aquarium as I mentioned before. Uptown is very "uptown" and has a different restaurant on almost every corner along with cool hair salons and other fun shops.