Arrival in Tampa!

I have arrived safe and sound into Tampa. My flight out of Marquette was delayed by an hour due to a broken fire alarm. Chelsea Muscoe and Nick Gonda were on my flight to Chicago going off on study abroad to Ireland and Spain respectively. It's so weird that that was me a few months ago! I spent most of the flight talking to a guy named Ray Sharkie who grew up in Marquette and went to high school with my Uncle Kevin. I feel cliché saying it, but it is a small world.

The delay made my layover a little rushed but I managed to find my gate and even picked up a Chai Frappiccihno and muffin from Starbucks on the way. I finished it just as the plane was boarding. I chatted with some college students from Tampa and they told me that I was in a nice region and advised me about some good places to visit and such. We landed in Tampa from Chicago a little early and I got my baggage pretty quickly. I was greeted by lots of green, palm trees, blue skies and a temperature of 82 degrees. I hired a taxi to take me to the condos where my apartment-mate Bryan came to let me in and give me my keys. It turns out we are on the eighth and topmost floor which is really nice for the view (There is an elevator, don't worry!)

The condo is really nice; I couldn't have asked for a better place. It's located on what is technically an island (although it's close to shore) and has a nice breeze from the water. It's right across the street from where I will be working and close to the gym where I will have a membership. After I unpacked some, Bryan and I walked to the nearest grocery store which is a couple blocks away and stocked up on groceries. The walk was so sunny and breezy and the water was sparkling, I think I'm in love! As we were walking, there was an outdoor restaurant with a live singer and it just made me think of how much this feels like a place to vacation! Also, it is weird to be surrounded by so many tall buildings. It's like a whole other world out here. This definitely isn't Michigan anymore.

Anyways, to sum it all up: I'm all unpacked and organized and my first day is tomorrow. I'm getting excited :] I've attached some pictures of the condo below:

My Room

View of the canals from the living room