"Ferrets? No I don't have any Ferrets."

I drove out to California today. Took me about 12 hours. As I was packing I remembered looking at this bottle of Aloe Vera and thinking, "Nah, I won't need it." Now I wish I had packed it, ya know why? I got a blistering sunburn on my left arm from having it out the window the whole trip.

The traffic was great and I was making good time up until I pulled in to Reno. I hate Reno. Summer of 2005 I sold satellites door-to-door in that city. I was glad to leave then, I was glad to just be passing by. But my stay was a little longer than anticipated because when I got to the gas station I locked my keys in my car! I have done this twice in my life and the last time was in Reno. At first, I did not throw a conniption. No biggie, can't do anything about it. But then as I got thinking about the $50 it cost to watch this guy fill up with air what looked like a blood pressure thingy which pried my door open just enough to slip a coat hanger inside to unlock the passenger door--I thought, "what a waste of my money. This is equivalent to a tank and a half of gas...a nice date with someone special...my grandpa gave me $30 to spend on gas and this is what I do? Seriously, I am about to start an internship in an industry that demands that you pay attention to detail, and I lock my keys in my car like a 4-year old."

I got over it.

I pull up to the border of Nevada and California. You know when California is turning into Mexico because they stop you like they would if you were at a real border.

"From Utah, just coming to visit? Do yo have any fruits or vegetables?"

"Yeah, just visiting and No."

"Any Ferrets?"

"Ferrets? No I don't have any Ferrets." She waves me on. Then for the next 2 hours I go through every possible reason why she would ask me if I had ferrets, and I didn't come up with much except that when ferrets cross the CA border they instantly carry diseases that in other states everyone is immune to.

I met the family I am staying with. Boy did I make out sweet for the summer! I paid $600 for the whole summer. I have my own room and bathroom, and the office is a 20 minute drive from here. Most places I found online were going for $1700 a month. However I think I will make it up in gas. Gas in Utah was $3.92 when I left. I pull up here and it is $4.63! No kidding. My friends laughed when I budgeted $5 / gallon in my finance plan...I am wondering if I should re-budget.

This family is way nice and accommodating. I don't imagine much interaction with the nature of my internship, but any contact would be welcomed.

Tomorrow is a little R&R...I fly to NJ for training on Sunday. I promise (for those who are more interested in the dirty details of banking) that I will soon post more stuff relevant to my internship when it starts.

PS--The weather and culture and atmosphere here is phenomenal:)