Walking down the road after an earthquake is almost like checking out damage after a hurricane but not quite as bad. We decided to walk around a little before hailing a cab to the nearest store for some curtains to cover up the windows before it got dark and we got ready for bed.

Tomorrow will be my first day at work and I have to go to bed early or I will be useless to everyone at work. Not to mention I am VERY nervous!

Once inside the store we felt like we were in another country. It wouldn't matter if we were still in Texas or not, every time you go to a store that is not in your home town it feels awkward and it's like everyone around you knows you are not from where they are.

We walked around in circles before we found the curtains and quickly decided on plain pink and black ones. We were still a bit on edge from the earthquake and decided we wanted to just hurry back to take showers and go to bed.

As soon as we got back to the apartment we took turns with the bathroom. While Retta was in the shower I went ahead and made my bed and fixed up the couch for to sleep on. When she got out we talked for a bit before she decided to call home and check on her family. I was worried about her because it didn't take much for her to get sad. Nothing was going to bring me down though, I was right where I wanted to be, maybe even needed to be. It felt right, being here I mean.

"Waking up at this early should be against the damn law", I said when the alarm clock went off. "Hahahahahahahahaha stop being a pansy!" said Retta. "Well you get to go back to sleep as soon as I'm out of the door so I don't want to hear it!" "Shit woman you honestly think I am going back to sleep being in a state I've never been in before!? I think I am going to site see and come and see you at the store on your first day" " OMG please do it will be just like back home!" "Alright you got it! Just leave me the address so I can tell the taxi driver dude where to go." "Really Retta? The taxi driver dude? Hahahahahaha"

I think the only thing that was different with this Petco was that 1. I was in a different state and 2. the workers and customers were strangers, except for one . I was so happy to see her had to remind myself about where I was. "Hey leah OMG I've missed you so much!" said Summer. "Aaaaahhhhhh OMG Summer I thought you would never get here! I came to work early just to see you!" said leah.

The day was going really well and I was actually fitting in at work with EVERYONE for a change. On my way back from break I heard a familiar voice in the reptile section. "Hey there little babies how are you doing today?" I turned the corner and yup there was Retta cooing at the damn frogs just like she always has. Snapping pictures and sending them to her husband and kids because she "just had to have them all". It was nice having some of the same old routine at the new job, it relaxed me.

"So tell me where all you went before I go back up front." "Well actually I just got the taxi man to drive me around this time, I was too nervous to go actual site seeing" "Sounds about right." "Shut the fuck up Summer", said Retta while laughing. "Take your time looking around here I'm gonna go back up front and be a good little girl. Come see me before you leave though." "Will do."

Once I got up front I realized I only had two more hours until I got off. I'm thinking, "Yes a great first day HAS to mean I was just meant to be here for sure." Retta came by to let me know she was headed back to my apartment and promised to text me to let me know she mad it back there.

Right before it was time for me to clock out my friend, Leah, came to let me know that while she was cutting a dogs hair that she accidentally nicked her. I went to check on the dog and noticed that it was a small cut that had already stopped bleeding. I informed her everything would be OK and to call me when the owner showed up so I could explain to him/her what happened.

I had just clocked out when leah waved at me to come into the grooming salon to talk to the owner. He had his back to the door I was walking through talking on his phone and by the sound of it he was not in a very good mood.

I looked at Leah and mouth "Don't worry I got this, I won't let him yell at you."

As soon as he turned around I knew exactly who he was but I put on my manager face, instead of fan girling, and dealt with the problem at hand. I had to tell him that his dog had received a small nick and OMG I was so nervous after hearing him cuss the person, on the other end of his phone, out.