August 2004

Gillian Woodburn • Miss Independent

After one week off for the summer, I started working for the South Dakota Department of Tourism. My job is to go to different sites and survey tourists. After three days, I went on my first business trip, to Watertown, where I surveyed visitors at the Terry Redlin Art Center.

The bummer about this job is all the driving—and collecting surveys can get pretty tiresome, too. On the other hand, I am paid for all the time on the road, and I don’t have to pay for food, gas, or my motel room. And, in the evenings after work, I get to be a tourist for a while. Last Thursday, I went shopping, Friday I went to the Watertown Zoo, and Saturday night I went to a movie. It’s strange to be out doing things by myself, but it’s also fun and exciting. When I told my sister about it afterwards, she said, “I’ve never gone out to eat or to a movie by myself.”

Thinking about it, I realized that I hadn’t either—until this summer. It makes me feel independent to be doing this alone. I even make my own hotel reservations and travel plans. My dad was more nervous than I about the thought of his youngest daughter out on the road alone! But, everything has gone really well, and I enjoyed my first weekend, even though my hours at the Art Center were long and I did get a little lonely.

My next trip is to Sioux Falls. I’m excited to get going again.

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