Where Now?

Today was my first day subbing in Mattawa. Now, non-Central Washingtonians can't really be expected to know where Mattawa is, but I have to share my absolute favorite Mattawa fact. The name, loosely translated from the Wanapum language, means "Where is it?" Which is oh so hilarious. If they didn't have the sign on the highway that said "Mattawa 1 Mile" with an arrow pointing over the hill, you'd never know it was there. Especially before they added the grocery store. For the longest time when I was a kid we'd drive by it and I'd never know it was there.

Speaking of the drive, it's a nice one. Beautiful, even. Except the S-curves scare me a little. On the one side you've got a rock wall. On the other side you've got the Columbia River. And now I'm not looking forward to possibly having to make the trip when it starts getting icy...

But the subbing. It went well. Except for the fact that the computers were down. No internet, no checking in. I could check things out, but I did that by hand. I could have used the offline checkout system, but I'd have to call someone and have the list downloading into the other program and apparently things can get lost that way. This way, I just have to type things up when the computers are back. No big deal.

I also got to practice a little Spanish and smile apologetically a lot. Mostly I read David Sedaris' Naked.

Tomorrow I go back.

Meanwhile, hope everyone had a happy Halloween.