Day 1: November 13, 2009
We arrived at keystone at around 2pm ish, the weather was cool and would not feel the elevation of the place. The surroundings are filled with snow already, which is so nice because it’s my first time seeing white and cold snow. I was wearing skinny jeans and my parka, I had my vest inside and a sweater; at first I was still able to stand it. I’ll attach a picture so you would be able to see it.
So we checked-in at the HR office of Keystone at the Silver Mill Building its near where the lifts of snow boarders and skiers go to, that’s why there were lots of lots of people who were in gear: little girls and boys, mom & dads, lolas and lolos most especially teens (whew there were the most weirdest when it comes to the get up; some were wearing really really low insulated pants like saggy pants and bright ones, super super bright ones should I say, like bright screaming neon green/yellow)
During our check in, we were asked to give our passport and ds2019 (it’s a form that’s shows your program and your legal documents why your in U.S.) When Jon gave our passports and my 2019, he thought his was stapled in the back of his passport. So what happened next? –Sadly his mom left it in Denver (yes he had with him his mom the whole time we traveled, which I think is somewhat great but sort of felt like “baby-ed”) The shuttle trip from Denver airport to Keystone costs around $82 one way no tax, and for a keystone employee you get to have it at $62. So imagine this, Jon’s mom was supposed to just drop us off and bid us farewell after the check-in at the office and go straight at the housing. Jon’s mom was forced to go back to Denver and find that document Jon needed, the HR admin mentioned that if he does not find that form the company will be liable and he wont be able to continue his program (Imagine the hassle if that happens? No form No internship Goodbye U.S. Hello Manila and Huhu to Me)
The guy from the HR told us that he’ll place Jon in a temporary housing for now, while I’ll be able to check-in in my permanent room [That was the deal] So after that, we waited for the free shuttle going to our housing and bid Jon’s mom goodbye. The system of the shuttle is quite complicated at first, especially when you feel tired and cold and you had to bring your luggage (The whole time the luggage(s) were with us carrying them around) We rode the shuttle and had to bring it up the bus [heaviness] So when we arrived at the housing, it was already dark but damn it was only 5pm so we got down and had to carry our luggage around and try to figure out where the office is, the snow was thick and we had to brush our luggage(s) with it. So I told Jon, I’m going to stay in this place and you find the office, I’ll stay and keep an eye on the bags. (Damn you wouldn’t dare to do that, it was freaking cold I tell you) So Jon got back and told me that the office was just straight maybe 50 meters from us. And again we had to pull our bags in the snow with great effort because it was so darn cold.
The housing office was tiny and was of square shaped, we were skeptical why there were lots of bags in the hall way, and I tell you plenty (it was left there unattended). I got inside and Jon stayed outside with the cold, so I inquired she was nice at first but she’s a bit confusing. I don’t even know if I’m the one confusing or her, anyway; she asked for my passport and asked a couple of questions and forget to ask me if I was in a college program. So then I mentioned it, and she finally figured it out; so she checked the list in front of her screen and found my name I called Jon because she asked if I had someone with me staying. Guess what happened next? We were “almost settled” then Jon read that “WE DO NOT ACCEPT CASH” and the both of us were like, what the heck? They only accepted personal checks and money order which were not familiar at all…
What happened to us was, we were placed in a temporary housing and we get to settle it the next day. So someone semi-assisted us towards the room and gave us the key, he told us “there will be other people going in later, so I suggest you take one bedroom already” so we did what he said and thought it was a joke. So we stayed in one bedroom, the both of us and the heater was literally “Hot” like almost a sauna type. So we settled our things and told Jon that we’d go to the grocery for dinner and some stuff we need. We bought some microwaveable(s) for dinner, water some chips and breakfast. After that we got back and settled down, then opened our dinner and heated it, then there was a knock and Jon checked it out; I was in the Loo during that time doing no.2
-They were Indians, LOTS OF THEM around 10 and asked if they could crash in since they office was closed and they didn’t have a place to stay [and we had not choice but to let them in] So we stayed the whole time in our room, trying to mind our own business and eat our blessed food. After eating we joked around and took some pictures of us, and opened the window in our room because it was so hot that I think its okey to get some fresh air outside. So we were able to sleep, and the Indians were just noisy but after that they slept. Jon and I got up early midnight, we couldn’t sleep anymore may be because of Jet Lag and had enough of sleep; I was able to figure out that there was internet in my phone and took a chance to email my mom and aunt that we had a problem. So I mailed them and got a reply, we were able to solver our problem: by letting Jon’s uncle sponsor our checks and pay him back immediately, since Jon’s mom will be arriving the next day. Problems solved, we were able to breathe easy because Jon remembered he had a traveler’s check and we used it for the mean time. I had to pay them back a total $557: $250 for deposit and $245 for the rent $62 for the shuttle fair. [yes that’s a lot of money should I say]
Finally our problems were solved, and we were able to rest peacefully and wait for the next day to come.
I don’t get home sick but instead; I just feel like “I wish my love ones were here with me to enjoy this beautiful place”
I need to be strong, at the same time look at the positive vibes of life.
(In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust in your strength. Isa 30:15)
