Rubber Checks and Beersteins

I’ve been in Albany a week and working at Merit for three days, and I’m finding myself to be a little bit better adjusted, just as I thought. Much like my scattered brain, this post will be a bit scattered, because a few interesting things happened today, and none are completely related.

The first big adjustment I’ve made is my daily routine. I was used to early mornings, work early, head to the gym, dinner, get a little work done and watch TV, then head to sleep. It got stressful at times (read: always), but I did it and managed a social life too. Here in Albany, it’s different. I wake up at 6 and have time to go on a run or do yoga in the morning without feeling rushed. I have time to get ready, drink coffee, eat a good breakfast, and drive at/below the speed limit to make it to the office on time. I didn’t think I would like it at first, but I’m coming around. Even today, I did 30 minutes of yoga before work, then took a 45 minute walk around my neighborhood after I got home. It was nice. Yay, personal time!

With moving comes a crazy amount of expenses, as anyone who’s moved could tell you. Closing memberships, paying moving companies, down payments…it adds up…fast. I really thought I could handle it. End of the month/first of the month hit, and kapow. My bank account was reduced to nothing…nearly nothing, that is. I had just enough to almost cover my rent, which I wiggled a little money over and made it work, but considering I had to turn in my rent check today, all of this was slightly terrifying. A paycheck would be really nice right now. Each trip to get lunch or grab a beer is a small punch to the gut, with a voice in my head saying “think of your bank account!” I haven’t listened, and I need to start.

The question I’ve been asked by a lot of people lately is, “so, do you know anyone out here?” No, not really. A few friends from college who have developed their own lives, and that’s it. This paragraph isn’t meant to be read in a whiney tone, it’s factual. I did pretty much the same thing when I moved to Rochester. Even though it was an hour away from home and 40 minutes from my alma mater, I knew only a handful of friends in the area. A year later, and I had a great group of friends who I could call up to grab dinner, meet out at the bar for a game of darts, and play kickball with. I found myself answering this question with “not really,” and it’s met with slightly sad eyes. Of course, no one likes to be alone, but finding friendship is something that happens with time. If I could meet a great group of people in Rochester, I can do it in Albany. For now, I’m ok.