Greetings from the "wild wild west" aka Yuma, Arizona.
I arrived in Yuma on the 18th and have successfully survived 9 days without dying of heat stroke. Getting off the plane was a huge shock. When I left Michigan it was in the high 60's. When I arrived here, eight hours later, it was somewhere around 115. I walked off the small putt-putt propellor plane and was hit by a wall of heat and sun. Definitely a system shock.
Arionza is sooooo different than Michigan, which I guess I knew before coming here. But still, actually being here in this foreign environment isn't something I could've prepared myself for.
I have actually been avoiding going outside during mid-day hours where tempuratures average at 115 degrees. Arizona lacks the humidity factor that Michigan has so it doesn't feel all nasty sticky outside. Instead, it's just pure heat that causes instant sweating. I absolutely hate to sweat, in fact I tend to avoid it at all costs. This is why I have resorted in hibernating in the air conditioning during the day and venturing out at night. I have been contimplating exploring the pool, which is just down the street from where our apartment is. No fear, I will be coated with gallons of sunscreen.
The ungodly heat isn't the only significant difference between Michigan and Arizona. I guess it's stupid to point out since the change is obvious going from a temperate forest biome to a desert. Before coming out here, I'd never really been to the desert. Everything here is brown. There are palm trees and cactuses everywhere. It is so strange being able to look out my window and see palm trees and sand instead of pine trees and lush grass. There isn't a lot of noticable wildlife either, at least not during the day, which understandable I suppose. I mean if I were a bird I wouldn't want to fly out in the hot sun either.
Speaking of wildlife... I'm so afraid to go outside and face all the creepy crawly creatures that are lurking about, especially black widows and camel spiders. If you don't know what they look like feel free to google at your own risk. Yuck!
Our apartment is about 15-20 minutes off base. It's a military housing community. There is a pool, as previously stated, and a bunch of play sets. I really love our apartment. It has two bedrooms and is pretty new. We have a little closed in patio area. I took some pictures and did a video tour of the apartment, but I can't seem to get my computer hooked up to the internet. I wanted to upload everything onto mine, but I might just end up using Josh's computer. I'll put a link to the video when I get it set up.
Yuma is a pretty nice town. It isn't big or anything but there are some nifty things.
There's an outside mallish-type thing called the Yuma Palms. It has a bunch of stores, restaurants, and a movie theater. It's basically like Eastwood Town Centre but with palm trees. Yuma also has all the major fast food/sit down restuarants plus some that aren't in Michigan, such as Carls Jr., In-N-Out, and Sonic. Fun fact about Yuma: it is home to the states largest Burger King playplace. OOoooooOO impressive right?? But seriously, every fast food place down here seems to have a playplace attacted to it. So far I've seen two Burger King, a McDonalds, and a Carls Jr. I guess all the military brats that live here need some form of airconditioned entertainment and avoid frying in the sun. I just found it especially amusing.
The base is also pretty cool too. It's small as well, but the airplanes are big and interesting. I had to go onto base last week to get my military ID, get signed up with medical, and meet the FRO (Family Readyness Officer?) Master Sargent(maybe) Pou. He was really kind, friendly, and informative. There are a lot of resources that are offered on base which we will definitely be putting to use.
I can't wait until I get to move all my stuff down here. Having all my stuff here will make it feel more like home. Plus, organizing everything will give me something to do when Josh is at work.
BIG NEWS!!!! There will be a new addition coming to the (Mc)Boyce family. No, not a baby, even though my mom seemed a little to excited when she thought that's what my news was. Josh and I are getting a Yorkshire Terrier. It is in Michigan right now, and we'll be bringing it back down with us when we drive back. The name is still to be decided but we've got some in mind. I can't wait to see him! I'll be sure to update when we get him.
I don't really know what else to write about. I'm sure I forgot something, but it's obviously not important enough for me to bring up here. I'll let everyone know when I'm coming home. It should be soon, I know I keep saying that, but this time it's true.
I love and miss you all. See you soon :)
<3 Amber
Current Location: Yuma, AZ
Time: 7:26 p.m. (10:26 EST)
Weather Conditions: 111 and sunny
Quote/Lyric/Thought: I should probably go lay in the sun at some point so people stop commenting on how pale I am.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment