... I have officially moved.

This is my first official blog while working for Invisible Children in San Diego. Learn to love 'em.

I left Lincoln Wednesday night, and headed via car, wait, scratch that, via SUV to Omaha, NE where I enjoyed a good dinner at Red Lobster with part of my family. I stayed the night at my cousins house, and while there I had to rearrange my luggage, because I felt like I had packed to much stuff.. turns out, now that I am here- I didn't. See what everyone else brought.

I set my alarm for 4:45am (what a depressing time, considering I had about 1 hours of sleep the night before.) I crawled out of bed at about 4:50, took a shower, got dressed, hopped in the car, and rode to the airport. This was the first time I have ever had to wait in a line at 5:30am to get my plane tickets.. The line was long. It's probably because I flew with Southwest.

I really really wanted coffee super bad, considering I was legitimately tired, but airport coffee in Omaha.. um, not so good. I miss Caribou already.

The flight from Omaha to Las Vegas was smooth the first half (considering I slept), but the second half was extremely rough.. Nevada, etc was experiencing a very bad wind storm- sand was flying everywhere. The landing in Las Vegas was a bit scary. The plane kind of jolted both ways, almost felt as it was going to flip over.

I have never been to the Las Vegas airport, and I had a pretty decent layover so I was hoping that it was a "fun" airport, and that it was, and more. There were slot machines everywhere. I was hungry because I hadn't ate anything so I walked around looking for some good smelling and looking food.. I almost stopped at Starbucks because Christina gave me a giftcard there (Christina- Yes, every time I see a Starbucks I do think of you! I really do.) But, I kept walking because I want to save the "buck" card for a future time when I need coffee while working (there is one right by the office). I found a Cinnabon- let me tell you, it was amazing. I ate it. I almost bought another one because it was so good. While just sitting around, I sat by a set of slot machines in which an old lady was dumping hundreds of dollars into them.. and all I could think about was what my cousin Carissa said to me the night before.. "If you can, sit by the slots and watch no one win. I mean, it's an airport, I just don't think airports have money to give away like that."

I jumped on the next flight from Las Vegas to San Diego- I was getting excited, not know what was coming next.. and let me tell you, I thought the flight from Omaha to Vegas was rough, I didn't think we'd make it to the normal cruising height.. the plane was rocking away, and hard. It was kind of scary. Those pilots are heroes though because I wouldn't of known what to do..

When we landed in SD it took just minutes to get off the plane- it oddly emptied fast, but this was good. I was nervous and excited at the same time.

I walked out the gate and followed the halls to "baggage claim" where it took just five minutes to get my luggage, turned around expecting to see someone holding a "SHAWN SCHMALKEN" sign.. but no one was. I was confused, and lost.. I had no idea what to do, so, I just sat there expecting someone to come and get, they said they did.

**So, everyone, it's super late, and I am super tired, but I wanted to get something up here for those of you who said they would check it daily. We don't really have working internet at the intern house yet- it's a long story, ill explain when I post again, and finish the above story. :)

Until then, goodnight.

-Shawn