Kremlin or Capitol

I will have been in Iowa two weeks tomorrow. I have done a fair amount of driving around Des Moines for job interviews and apartment searching. During my travels, I would catch glimpses, through pouring rain, of a building bearing a strong resemblance to the Kremlin in Moscow. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the state capitol building. Below, I'm posting a picture of each.

Do you know which is which?

I know, not that hard, but when you see the thing all lit-up at night or in rainy weather...sorry to my Iowa friends, but not the nicest capitol building I've seen.

And now, for real updates. I had job interviews two days after arriving in Iowa. Saturday, the sun finally shone through and I went for my first run. The weather was grand and it felt really good to get out, stretch my legs, and get some exercise after being couped up in my car the past four days. I'm going to have to get used to running on hills again though.

Monday morning, I got a call from one of my temp. agencies asking if I could start that day at noon. The pay was less than desirable, but I said absolutely. Have you ever written a check to pay a bill, enclosed it in the envelope and wondered what happened to it on the receiving end? To be perfectly honest, I have given this topic a great deal of thought. And, now I know. I'm in the check processing center for Rain and Hail Insurance. The amount of money that passes through my hands each day is staggering.

This is a temporary job and I was called only because they were really busy. Apparently, they start to slow down around this time of year. However, they kept me this second week. Another girl who started the same day I did, wasn't at her desk this morning and later one of the supervisors came by and took her name badge off her computer and threw it in the trash. Last week there was a woman who they let go mid-week. I have never been so paranoid at a job before. I'm in the part of the office where all the permanent/supervisors are and I hear them whispering and I get paranoid that I'll be cut. I'm terrified to make a mistake. It's strangely a very stressful job that shouldn't be at all. The work itself is incredibly repetitive and rather mindless. It is a job, I'm getting paid, I still have it, I'm not complaining, just explaining. Should you wish a more detailed story of what happens to your check, I'm more than happy to share.

I put a deposit down on an apartment that is apparently in the downtown area. Could have fooled me. It should be ready by Friday and I'll be out of the KOA, which officially closed for the season last Saturday.

My life has become very routine: up, work, KOA, run, shower, dinner, apply for NPS jobs, bed. I feel a bit loser-ish. But, I'm happy, I'm healthy, maybe a bit lonely, but perfectly content.