I'm here!

Instead of telling the same story to everybody and thereby imperiling myself to the dire consequenses of carpal tunnel syndrome, I've decided to sell out and join the blog world. Plus, this way you guys all get to see pictures and what not, which is totally bodacious.

So, let me begin:
I'm currently sitting at the office for my first day on the job here in Rijswijk as the EPSS Service Take On Manager. This momentus occasion, consisting of me, a blank desk, and this laptop means several things have already happened:

1) I survived a trip 'across the pond', which of course was not entirely uneventful. My first flight was cancelled, and so I had to take an alternative trip consisting of a layover in Minneapolis and a second international flight which put me next to a lady who decided that her glass of red wine belonged on my lap and not in her belly.

2) I managed to lug 125+ pounds of luggage successfully from my apartment, to the airport, from the conveyor belt, onto a train, and then finally up to my hotel room. Watching the bellman--an expert at the luggage relocation arts, mind you-- struggle with my biggest bag was gratification that I truly kicked butt at carrying my stuff across the world.

3) I have survived the first day of jet lag. I arrived here at 9:15 am local time, meaning it was about time to leave the bars back in Houston. I decided to fight the darkness of sleep deprivation and stay awake until local night time to help me sleep on a regular pattern. It worked like a charm; I slept solid until this morning, at which point I woke up and came to work at about the time I normally brush my teeth and go to bed. Strange feeling.

Also, I've already managed to wander a little around the Central Hague area, survive the local transporation (tram) system including the strippenkart ticket system, and even navigate finding edible food in the midst of the smorgasbord that is Shell's cafeteria here.

My hotel is hella-cool and the Shell Rijswijk campus is even more impressive. More details to come as I get more time to write!

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