Life in the Midwest

Has been everything but what I thought it'd be. Good and bad -it's all been different. Entering a new stage (or an encore?!)... well, feeling refreshed and ready to refuel with positive energy! Feeling the good vibes already. You may have guessed it: I am handing over my resignation letter tomorrow.
It is not, logistically speaking, the safest bet. I have been playing on the safe side for a year, and I wonder if Q is going to be able to endure the "safe" me for much longer. I am so tired and upset and quite simply not myself. My work environment is truly affecting every other area of my life. It just is not worth the 7.25 (no benefits) hourly wage.
In any case, I am very much excited about the prospect of a different low-wage job (lol) and (quite incredibly) feeling warm inside. Must be relief. Very invigorating. Makes the waiting so much easier. Maybe when Q finishes his dissertation we can move to a bigger city! Will continue to apply for more serious jobs in the area... maybe if I keep throwing stuff at the wall something will end up sticking to it ;)

Maybe I shouldn't make such a huge fuzz about my professional frustrations as a preschool teacher. In all honestly, calligraphy jobs have been pretty fulfilling. There is something so satisfying about a completed hand-lettered envelope. However small it might be, it is a work of art, filled with personality, and color, and style... and even utility! Here's a pic, to finish off in a good note.

I can't believe I'm saying this...

...but I'm hooked on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Yes, it's incredibly cheesy and unrealistic to the point of ...but anyway, it's entertaining. Besides, most of the main characters in the show are incredibly smart. And it keeps me from thinking about the demonization of illegal immigrants in Arizona. *sigh* Now THAT is unrealistic stupidity.

Caffeine High

A musician friend of Q was in town last night and we went to see his performance at a local cafe. Since we had spent the day doing our closet spring cleaning, we succumbed to the temptation and ordered a couple mochas (he got iced mocha. I've never understood iced coffee.) We were up till the wee hours of the night -don't even know exactly when we went to sleep- and now we are missing church, of course. The coffee place was Christian, does that count? (hehehe... :">)
Funny how a caffeine high will take me back to my good old college times. Q had to sit in bed, tea mug in hand, listening to me ramble about faith, friends, and the meaning of life. It was like being 18 all over again.
Q and I have been living together for a bit longer than a year now. Marriage is quite a wonderful thing. Being roommates with your best friend can either go really well or horribly wrong. I got lucky. It's been all I hoped for and more. Q and I work so well together. I've always liked to brag that I make great decisions (can one take credit for falling in love?). Cuddling with him, eating with him, talking with him, dancing with him. It's been a constant high -caffeine not always necessary.
Some concerns are still there. If you pray, please remember the ministry in Anapra (the view of the border, it seems to me, will forever be extreme. The school has taken a hard blow this year because of the negative exposure Juarez is getting. Sometimes I wonder if Americans want to be afraid). And please do say a prayer for my grandmother's husband and for Q's grandmother.