Foreign Land... Idaho (apparently there's more to it than potatoes)

No, I will not sleep with you, even if you sexily ask me in your native language.
Yes, it's true that I never drink.
No, I'm not Romanian, I'm from Utah.
Yes, I would love to go to a movie with someone, like you, who is tall, handsome, strong, is a gentleman, and has an accent other than hick..............................
                             .........................................except for I have to work that night :( .

Yes, within the last 48 hours, these have been my answers.  Ok, maybe not all of that last one.

Anyways, yes that was cheesy.  But mostly I just want to finally blog about my experience in this "foreign land" because I'm making way too many Facebook posts about it.

MONDAY
I arrived at the Sun Valley resort and got all checked in.  On this fine, beautiful day, the only American I met was the old lady at the check in desk.  Everyone else was from Romania.  And that night, I was so scared that I would end up being alone all the rest of summer - I may, or may not have cried.
TUESDAY
I officially started my job and was overwhelmed.  Ya'll know how it is your first day of work, all the responsibilities are piled on and they just assume you are a sponge waiting to soak it all up.  Unfortunately, I am not a sponge.  At lunch I made an American friend (yay!).  Through him, I was able to meet more people - from Romania, France, Panama, China, Vietnam -  and some of us went to a free, live concert in town.  I was the only one not drinking.
WEDNESDAY
Worked all day, ate dinner, worked some more.  Then, I hung out with employees and met some more people. One was American, the rest were from the above countries, Switzerland, and Slovakia.

Quick note: I should probably stop trying to have the French teach me their language.  I mostly end up humiliating myself anyways... but hey, that's never stopped me from anything else before! Why start now?

Anyways... everything has changed from what I thought Monday night.  I'm not going to be a loner and loser up here afteral.  Everyone may be from somewhere else, but (surprise surprise) I have made some friends!  We all hang out in the "TV room," play sand volleyball, and say "hi" to each other as we walk to and from work (even if we don't know each other).  It's so much fun!  But it is also just so incredibly different. It's so weird. I'm wondering if I'll ever get used to hanging out with people who aren't from America.  I'm sure I will. The drastic change from Monday to today proves it.  I think the longer I'm here, the more comfortable I'll get.  I'm definitely not exactly going to ever fit in.  I've already tried it, and basically, I'm just too
American and Mormon lol.  But in the end, we all accept each other, so it doesn't matter where we are from.  Which is one of the coolest things to watch.  Everyone just wants to be friends, regardless of differences.

 I officially know what it is like to be a "minority."  There are really only a handful of Americans.  Let alone Mormons.  I'm told that there are about 4 Mormons out of the 900 employees.  I'm determined to find them - I'm constantly on the lookout.  I can't decide if I like being one of the only Mormons here.  I'm definitely making it a point to show that my standards are high and strong.  I refuse to lower them in any way. If people mock me and think I'm naive (done and done) then so be it.  However, most people here respect me for it and don't look down on me for not drinking or any of that stuff.

In the end, it would be nice to find another active Mormon - someone to say "no" to the drinks and cigarettes with, someone to just talk about deep things with, someone who is going through the exact thing I am.  Just someone to bond with, someone who is more like me in my standards, beliefs, actions, and personality.

If I don't find someone, though, I'll be just fine.  I love it regardless.  And I'm so excited to have stronger friendships with those around me!  How many people can say that their main group of friends is from Romania, France, China, Vietnam, Slovakia, and Switzerland?  I'm so lucky and blessed to be out of my comfort zone and have the opportunity to experience this and get to know such amazing people!