We have officially passed the halfway mark of our contract with HAP Rails. I am learning about myself while I am here. Getting to know my strengths and weaknesses. I love a good self-help book and becoming a better person. And this has adventure has definitely stretched me.

While I was excited to come up here, I was also scared. I tend to think in definitives. So in my mind, if I didn’t like it here, I was stuck. Then someone said to me, “If you don’t like it, you can always come back”.

That was a profound thought. Very freeing! Indeed. I could return to Denver. I wasn’t going to jail or the witness protection program.

Still, leading up to a big event is always worse for me than the actual event. I’m an overthinker.

No surprise that once I got here, I was fine. I quickly settled into our new temporary home and work life. I even enjoy it! Yes. I miss my girls and my Grandsons. And my Owen the Dog. But I will return end of September.

So, things I have learned about myself. In no particular order!

YOLO. I lean into this silly outdated (my girls tell me it is not cool) acronym. You Only Live Once. It’s part of why I am here. Trying something new and exciting. A little wild. I have learned that it also includes spending time with loved ones. I cherish time with my family and my friends. It’s simply a great reminder, as they are all far away.

I am stronger than I realize. It took a lot of courage to come up here. Even though Derek found the condo and did the footwork. It was easier in ways to sit on my couch and keep doing life the way I was. Even if I was working too much and barely making ends meet. I packed up my life as I knew it for the past six years and left my adult kiddos, Grandsons and dog behind to do this. Learning a new job is hard too. I was nervous about working for a corporation. I am not big on rigid rules and being told what to do. LOL. But it hasn’t been too bad.

I thrive when making people laugh. I get moments, especially at the end of the train ride, whereas I get to talk on the microphone. I do a sort of standup comedy routine. And I LOVE this. The more people laugh, the funnier I get. Their laughs feed my thoughts and creativity. It makes me so happy. Passengers tell me I should do standup comedy in clubs and they tell me how funny I am. This makes me smile bigger than ever.

I enjoy people. Talking to them. Making them laugh. Listening. Serving them. BUT. I also have my limits. After working four days in a row, we had a company picnic. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone. I stood on the outskirts awkwardly. Wanting to be at home. So as extroverted as I am, I can get overwhelmed. To be fair, the work days require me to be all on for anywhere from 12 hours on. That’s a lot of time to be using energy.

It is hard for me to understand crabby people. I get having an off day. It surprises me when we get passengers that are angry that the train takes so long. Did they not read anything about the trip? Also, you are watching beautiful scenery and if you don’t like that, you can read a book. You get to eat breakfast and lunch. Even have snacks delivered to your seat! And drink. Alcohol or not. You can go out on the viewing platforms. It is a gorgeous ride. Yet they choose to be ticked off about this for the entire trip, making sure I know about it.

I am good at serving people, making drinks and small talk. I can walk the aisle of the train while it is moving, with eight drinks on my tray and not spill one. Yes. I pray in the morning that I don’t spill anything. Sometimes during the day too. One day I had to go downstairs with six drinks. I delivered the drinks, but one of them was supposed to be upstairs. As I walked the aisle with the tray and drink, my shin hit a drawer that had popped open. I tripped but did not fall. The drink didn’t spill either. I was a legend to the passengers on that trip after that. I still have a bump from that!

I also sold so much merchandise that I was second in the bartenders for the month of June. I got a bonus for that. I am proud of this, as I set items out, creating a little gift shop. Knowing people are more likely to buy.

For now, I am off to bed. An early work day tomorrow! Here is a couple pics for fun.