So the other night I was reading some of my old posts and reminiscing of the days of yesteryear and I noticed a common thread; I often times say I'm going to do something and then I don't actually follow through. For example I have the intention of "I'll post pictures later" or "that's a story for another time" and then my next blog post is 6 months later about something else entirely. It's not that I don't want to write more, it's almost as though I have filled my blogging bar (a la Sims) and since I am no longer in need I naturally move towards things I deem more important, like watching an episode of the Office, looking up recipes online, or even painting my nails.
I think I'll stop making stupid promises on this blog that way I won't disappoint myself in the future.
Since I have been absent from the blogging world for a long time I will give a brief update:
- I quit my job in NY. I had some really great experiences and some really really crappy ones. I never experienced gender discrimination until I worked at GF. I had never seen such disgusting disregard for ethics and morality and I didn't want to conduct my life in such a way that was required for me to stay ahead in the game there. I also had a fairly traumatic departure my last day that really messed me up for awhile. It took me a good 5-6 months to be able to think about the incident without breaking down. But I am so grateful for my family and the unconditional support they give me that have allowed me to heal and to ultimately forgive.
- I spent a good amount of time in SLC with my parents, Dina, Bowser, and Boston. It was quite a bit longer than I initially planned for, but I am grateful for the time nonetheless. My dad's health has been up and down so I felt it was important for me to be there while I had an opportunity. I did a lot of yard work to stay busy. Cleaned. Cooked. Babysat the dogs for most of the time. Oh I nursed Bowser's ulcered eye back to health by giving him 3 different eye drops 8x a day for 3 weeks. Seriously.
- While I was in SLC I designed and built a fence for Dina's first house. It is a legit fence. A 200 linear foot cedar tongue and groove 6' privacy fence. I didn't quite anticipate the amount of work that it would take to remove the old fence and posts and build an entirely new much larger one. I literally worked for 3 1/2 weeks every single day doing hardcore physical labor. I had a few breakdowns. My dad fell and broke his ribs and then was in the hospital for 3 days. Erika only chipped one tooth while she was jack-hammering the concrete car pad. The budget was blown by 1/3. Dina only made me cry 3 times. I did learn how to drive and maneuver a 16' flatbed trailer, we got some great looks and laughs from people seeing three women driving around town. But overall I was and am very happy that I was in a position to help her create a safe haven for her and her boys. Bowser loves his yard and is still the most wonderful dog in the world. Boston is just an idiot that I'm not convinced has enough brain cells to process anything besides being hungry.
- I eventually flew back to NY and got my car from my Aunt's place in East Hampton/The Springs and spent a little bit of time with her and my Uncle Harvey, who came into town just for fun now that he's retired and has nothing to do. I also spent a few days with HAMOC. It was really hard for me to say goodbye to them. I made my way south and stayed with Briana and Chris for a couple weeks. I helped them work on Chris' house by painting and later by sorting and pricing stuff for their upcoming yard sale. They are two of the funniest/dorkiest peas in a pod. I am grateful to them for their support in this seemingly crazy life transition.
- I moved back to St. Louis. No matter how many other cities or places I went to research and even interview at my heart always turned me back to St. Louis. I feel very strongly that I need to be here at this time, for reasons that are not quite crystal clear, but I kind of have an inkling as to why...
- My housing situation fell through when I first got here,
but I was able to stay with my wonderful friends the Walker's for a
while. They are the epitome of kindness, love, and generosity. I seriously am indebted to them forever. I ended up getting an opportunity to move into an apartment that I was able to tailor to my liking. I did a crap load of work (cleaning, repairing, painting, etc.) and it has turned out great, minus a few things. I actually feel like I am nesting here, which is a feeling that I have never really had at another apartment. So I am totally stoked to be retrieving my furniture and clothes (!!!!) from NY later this week and continue to nest away!
- I was given the opportunity to teach two classes at WashU this fall, which has been just enough income to get me through the end of the year. (I have been loving teaching!) Because I was in SLC for so long I had missed out on the springtime hiring and have been struggling with finding a job in a firm. But all of a sudden within the last month I have had 5 real interviews. I am praying that one of the three firms I would like to work in actually offers me something in the week. There is one firm in particular that I would love to work at because the environment is completely what I want and more...it was kind of one of those interviews that seems too good to be true. So I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.
- I was called to be the Young Women's President of my ward. My immediate reaction after I was first asked was a high pitched "Are you serious?" I then proceeded to laugh. Yeah, I attended maybe 1 year of YW combined when I was a youth and I had no idea what in the world is even involved! I hated all of the personal progress stuff and thought that the needle point/stitching on pillows and painting of ugly wood themed decorations during the holidays was sooooo lame. After accepting the calling and later laughing until I was sick with Briana on the phone, she give me a lot of advice and tips because she was in a very similar boat about a year ago. I think Heavenly Father is punishing us for not attending YW when we were young, that was a joke by the way. But in our ward the calling is much more of a stewardship/outreach calling. We have two girls and neither of them show up to church ever. It will take time but I am determined to get to know them whether it kills them or not!
- Lately I have been doing a lot of outreach to another girl that used to be in our ward. She is an absolute sweetheart and has been given a really crappy hand in life. So I'm just being her friend and doing what I can to support her. I have also been helping out another family in our ward. They are good people who are just having a little bit of a rough time. I have always striven to find ways to help others so with the extra time I have on my hands right now I am very happy to help wherever I can.
- The guy situation...well...I'll (try) to get back to you on that one.
- I've also made some great friends here as well as reconnected with some old ones. It's kind of strange being in this "mid-singles" group, I just never thought I would 32 and not be married. Oh well, like my dad says "There are worse things in life, like being kicked in the face with a golf shoe."
That's pretty much it for now.
