It is hard to believe, but it almost has been a month since I started here in Vicksburg. Time really does fly when you are adjusting to a new place and learning the ins and outs of a new job.

The switch to Vicksburg from little Bainbridge, Georgia, has come with a flurry of activity as I find my way around, and get lost more than once, adjust to working at a daily paper from one that only printed twice a week and complete all the small tasks that go along with setting up a new place to live.

Things are finally starting to settle down though. I somehow have managed to figure out the maze that is the Frontage roads. I can get to both McAlister’s Deli and Walmart without getting on the interstate and I believe those count as winning achievements in the first month here.

I joined a gym, a church, adjusted to central time and have gotten as used to getting up at 6:30 a.m. as one can, especially seeing as I am opposed to sleep and rarely make it into bed before 11 p.m.

That is not to say it has been easy, but some days I make it through without an afternoon soda for a caffeine kick.

It has only been a month, but I have already experienced so much that Vicksburg has to offer.

In my first week, I ate crawfish for the first time since eighth grade and went flying in a historic aircraft at the Southern Heritage Air Foundation.

I covered RiverFest and the Bluz Cruz. I received a tour of McRaven House and maybe, but probably not, had an experience with the house’s infamous ghost (a light flickered, but I’m not sure that proves the presence of a specter).

I was given the chance to meet some of the future stars of Vicksburg such as Adalyn Reece Anderson, who won her division at the region science fair, the 34 newly published authors at St. Francis Xavier and future engineers building an underwater robot at River City Early College while covering their sterling accomplishments.

This community has so much to offer and I can’t wait to experience more of it.

I have only been through half of the Vicksburg Military Park, and need to go back and finish.

So far I have learned about the Union and their trenches, but nothing about the Confederate side.

I also look forward to continuing to meet the people of Vicksburg, and becoming more immersed in the community.

Moving to a new city is never easy, but so far Vicksburg has welcomed me with open arms and I am excited to see what the future holds for my time here in Mississippi.
Brandon O’Connor is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. You may reach him at brandon.oconnor@vicksburgpost.com.