Pittsburgh in Words

Well, let's see. How do you describe Pittsburgh? I think most of my family and friends who journeyed here for my wedding would use words like: frustrating, maze-like, confusing, easy to get lost. And that's about right.

I have had one person (from Michigan) tell me that in Pittsburgh there is no straight line from Point A to Point B. Ed and I have been watching documentaries on Pittsburgh from the library (interesting, but I think he finds it more so since Pittsburgh is his home and not mine). On one of them, the narrator remarked that he tells newcomers it takes five years to find your way around. My response, "You mean I have to live here for five whole years?"

I think part of the confusion is that Pittsburgh has, like, a million suburbs. They are called townships or burroughs. What the difference between the two I have failed to discover. Even Google doesn't explain it well. They all, technically, have Pittsburgh zip codes. However, my license says "Bellevue" even though I live in "Avalon". To make things worse, the legal address is "Pittsburgh". However, there is an Orchard Ave both in Bellevue and in Avalon. Things can take a bit to get here...and it confuses the UPS guy to no end.

All the suburbs also confuse me. For one, I don't know where half of them are. And when a Pittsburgher (yes, they call themselves that) says "Southside", I think I'm suppose to know what townships/burroughs are down there and so know what they're talking about. But I haven't a clue. I live in "Northside". Kinda. It's really more northeast, but they're not that particular about directions.

And if I'm not confused enough, then my GPS is really turned around. It can't always keep up where I'm headed. Nor does it give very good directions. Or directions fast enough. In fact, I've just about given up using it.

People in Pittsburgh have funny accents. I ran into a couple of guys at the laundry mat I couldn't understand to save my life. To give you an example, let's say you want to watch "Downton Abbey" - they say "Donton Abbey". It's worse than Minnesota!

But they do have a good firework show on the 4th! We watched it from Mt. Washington, the overlook of the city from the Southside. They shoot the fireworks from a barge out on one of the rivers near the Point (where the three rivers meet). And it is breathtaking. But, as the little girl standing next to me informed her friends: "They only come out once a year."

A Job!

Seems like married life keeps your pretty busy. Actually, I don’t feel any busier than I ever did. I’m just not near an internet connection often, so my blogging has fallen between the cracks. Hopefully I can remedy that with frequent trips to the library (which is only a half mile away!).

But we are settling in. Got a dining room table and chairs on Craigslist. (Yea for not sitting on the floor anymore! Yea for a place to beat Ed in Qwirkle!) Got a washer. Working on the dryer. We have one…it’s just not in the basement yet. Long story…

Changing my name has been more of a hassle than I thought it would be. And it’s still not changed 100% the way I want it 100% all around. Why? Well, to make a long story short: the Northern politicians continue to enforce a reign of aggression upon the South and their traditions. We will leave it at that.

But I do have a job! If I had had my way, I would have had a job already lined up before I even got here. But, as usual, God’s ways are much better than mine. I think I would have been a little bit more overwhelmed than I already was if I had started a job immediately following the wedding. So, I started sending out letters to anyone and everyone instead. And got NO responses. I was about ready to apply at Barnes and Noble or the local grocery store when I got a call one morning. Just that week I had started praying for one thing: one interview. Just one. And I got it. Followed by a job offer. Followed by a part-time (moving to fulltime) job I started last week.

I can’t say it’s what I ever imagined myself doing, but then most of my jobs haven’t been things I’ve imagined anyhow. And I’m always up to learning something new. So, now I’m going to learn about landscape architecture. And I already know that while I will learn much, I will never be able to apply anything. I mean, I’m just happy the grass (I’m sorry, clover!) in my yard grows. Waterfalls, flowers, pathways…I wouldn’t know where to begin. But, thankfully, creative people need black-and-white dull people. And I certainly fit that bill!

It’s a very quiet office – quieter than any office I have ever worked in. And it’s a small company, casual and friendly. Best of all, it’s only three miles from my house. And in Pittsburgh, that’s saying a lot. And it’s a job where I can use my skills and hone ones that have been left on the back burner for a while (namely, accounts payable). Plus starting out part time is great as I also maneuver keeping a home and being a wife.

God has answered more prayers than I dared to ask Him for, even though He knew I wanted a small company, casual atmosphere and near home. As usual, I just didn’t have enough faith to ask for what I thought I wouldn’t get. Will I ever learn?

More Pictures!

Yes, I'm a little behind with getting pictures posted. But I don't have an internet connection at the house and haven't had a lot of time to run to the library to post things. (That's what happens when you're interviewing for a new job, trying to get your name changed on everything and then get sick with a high fever for two days…!) Anyhow, here are a few pictures and a link to more the photographer took if you want to browse: Click here to view 2014-06-07 Melissa and Edward Camus

Me and my favorite three little girls (my flower girls): Violet, Laurel and Marigold.

 Mr. and Mrs. Edward Camus

 My sisters and I: Grace, Abby, Sally, me, Jenny and Katey

The full wedding party.

 Us with my parents (left) and his parents (right).

Truly, a lovely day!

Well, I’ve been getting a few requests for pictures from the dozen or so readers I have of my blog. The photographer got back to me yesterday, so I should have several pictures before the week is out which I can post. My sisters haven’t sent me any of the pictures they may have taken and since I was a little busy and didn’t take any of my own…well, I will post one of me that a friend sent just to give y’all an idea of what I looked like as a bride.

Truly, it was a lovely day. God sent us beautiful weather for the occasion. No one got sick or fainted. My fears that the guests would think the ceremony too short or the fellowship hall too drab for a reception didn’t come to fruition (at least, to my knowledge and we’ll leave it at that). And, of course, when the day was over I was Mrs. Edward Camus – so, the whole thing was a success!

Pittsburgh

I have arrived! Now if only the rest of my stuff would come. (Please note: don’t use Uhaul to move anything! I have moved 16 times, which is about every two years, and never have I had such a stressful experience trying to get my things anywhere! Half the people I talk to there don’t even know what to tell me. So, I repeat, never use Uhaul!)

Well, Pittsburgh is a little different from where I just came from. Okay, quite a bit different. Up and down hills, around winding roads, cars and traffic lights everywhere. And the roads are so confusing. I’m trying to pay close attention wherever I go so I can learn my away around, but they simply don’t make a lot of sense. Tall skyscrapers, houses piled up together in neighborhoods. Not anything like Upsala, Minnesota. But I’m sure I’ll settle in in time After all, the East is much more my turf.

I admit I am more than a little bit out of my comfort zone. What I wouldn’t give just to go to work today, know what I’m doing and succeed in it. Instead, I’m sitting at a Laundromat not exactly sure how this little world operates and getting perturbed at how much it costs to do laundry. (Washer and dryer are on the top of my list of things to get!) I met more new people yesterday at church and Bible study than I can remember, and that is definitely outside my comfort level. Especially when they start talking about my wedding as if I’m not in the room, making changes when I’ve already settled on everything and the programs are printed. I just managed not to break down into tears. Trying to wrap my mind around a wedding, being a wife, establishing a new home and finding a job is simply not happening. I feel a little lost, going through my to-do list mechanically because it’s what I need to do and feeling quite exhausted. Still waiting for that excitement everyone talks about to set it…

But I am glad my mom is here, giving me something steady and helping me get things done. And it is nice to have Ed come and go from our new place, ready to help and promising me everything will be all right. (Not sure I believe him half the time, but it is nice to hear.) Most of all, I know my God has not left me. He remains unchanging. He will get my stuff to Pittsburgh. He will put together all these pieces. And, I pray, He will give me some excitement over these changes. At least as much excitement as I ever have!