As I approach my second whole month of employment here at Penn State Altoona, I thought I'd take a moment and reflect on the place so far. 

It's quiet right now because most of the students are gone.  Sometimes I like to take a quick walk through the campus grounds during my lunch and just take everything in.  It's really pretty in the summer.  I have to give props to the maintenance staff.  Flowers and plants are in bloom and well-maintained.  The grass is green and lush, and litter-free.  I really enjoy the trees and the little signs under many of them identifying their names and, in most cases, who they were planted in memory of.  I like watching the squirrels and chipmunks frolic.  They are very friendly and have adapted well to us humans being around....the ducks, too.  I love watching them waddle from one end of campus to the other; nowhere particular to go, just going.

I appreciate the close feeling of the buildings; you don't have to put on your hiking boots and take along a water bottle just to deliver something to the science building or whatever. It's an enjoyable jaunt to any building on campus. 

But what I really love most so far is how people are genuinely happy to see me coming.  Whether I'm passing by them on the sidewalk or on the stairs, these people actually look at me, make eye contact and SMILE.  It seems like they are happy to be at work and happy that I am a part of the Penn State Altoona team, whether they know me or not.  It's great.  And really refreshing. 

All of this, combined with the types of things I do for my job, makes for a really great work experience.  I'm looking forward to interacting with the kids when they get back and all of the projects I'll be doing with them and for them.  I feel really lucky and thrilled to be a part of this place.  I'm hopeful that sentiment will extend into the next two months...and the two months after that.....and the two years after that.....and, well, you get the point.