The Midwest is refashioning me

Those of you who know me in real life know that I'm no social butterfly: I am actually quite shy and it takes a while for me to warm up in a group. I don't know why, I've always been that way.

You have probably heard or perhaps known first hand, that people in the Midwest are quite friendly and helpful. You may have also heard, or experienced, that people in the Northwest are typically considered "colder", or at least not as friendly and more apt to keep to themselves. I am certainly that way, I don't know if it's a product of my environment, or personality (my father is also that way, but was born in the Midwest, and raised in the Southwest).

Well, I'm *trying* to come out of my shell. Previously, if I saw someone I knew in a store I very well may have avoided them, not because I didn't like them or care for their company, just, I don't know, feeling put on the spot at the moment? Maybe I'm odd. But I've made it a point to say hello to people I've met here when I see them out and about. It really is a small town, and we'll be here for a while. So different from Seattle, where you could meet someone somewhere and never have incidence to run into them again.

And speaking of small town, a couple little strange connections. First, the lady we are buying the house from went to UI, her ex-husband got his PhD there in Philosophy! And she took courses from some of the professors who are still there (but are emeritus). Furthermore, Ali got a message from another professor at UI who had seen his name on the list of incoming professors, and saw he hailed from UW. This guy, also an Arab, email Ali to say welcome, and mention that he used to teach at UW: Islamic law and language. Then Ali told me his name... I took Arabic from the guy! Small, small world.