adulthood

is this the face of an adult?

I have bills. Does that make me an adult? Is this the point people warned me about, that place in life that feels a bit restrictive to this wandering soul? I hope this is only a season in life. I have to work. I desire a deeper purpose in my career. I have a budget. I have a car payment. I have a budget. My finances require discipline and self-restraint. Yes, this is what they were talking about.

I'm looking for jobs in Denver right now. I like my hometown, but I feel as though I would have to work 4-5 jobs just to make ends meet and then my quality-of-life would be compromised. They wouldn't be bad jobs though:
- 7th grade vball coach.
- Teach a couple classes at the community college.
- Manage the restaurant.
- Sub at the high school.
- Work with the youth corps

I coached volleyball this summer and LOVED it. Really, I am considering the education field and hopefully coaching as well. What was I doing in college? Business? Seriously, why did that sound better than a Spanish degree, or Education with a TESL endorsement? Or a history degree? There is purpose in it all, I am sure of it, but I now encourage my college-bound employees to explore different majors, try to gain clarity on their strengths and areas of joy as they take classes and choose how to spend their summers. I've applied for several jobs within charter schools that don't require a teaching certificate, but I think I'm a bit late for this school year.

Now I am hoping to take a job in HR - training and development for the next season of life. This could be good for a few reasons -
1. I really enjoy this part of the business world.
2. It could get me established in Denver.
3. I could become more financially stable and therefore open some opportunities for the next go around, hopefully in a school.

I miss being involved in the education world. And coaching volleyball this summer reminded me of how much energy I can devote to a cause I care about.

positive thoughts

Well this summer has been interesting. Let's look at a little timeline:

March 3
Arrive from 6 months in London. Sad and cursing the American voices around me in the airport. Reverse culture shock is weird. It probably didn't help that I went from London to Arkansas. Next time I'll rethink the re-entry plan.

I stayed in Steph and James' house watching endless episodes of Law & Order until I finally made an appearance in Wal-Mart. I purchased my favorite beef jerky and ate the whole 16oz bag within a matter of hours (minus the parts I spilled on Stephs floorboard that didn't qualify for the 5second rule).

Slowly I made my way around to friends and family and finished the week with DP and AP's wedding. I stayed with Pam in KC, took the train back to NM to celebrate my niece's first bday in Pagosa with my sis' then back to the homeland, Ruidoso, NM.

April 11-19
Reconnect with my dear kindred Hannah K at her family's ranch in Wyoming. It was good for my soul and our friendship to see her roots. Front and back end of trip spent with friends in Denver - stayed with Katie, brunch with Dave, baseball game with Scotty.

May 8-11
Spent the weekend in NYC with Cody Willard. Adventures around his neighborhood - ice cream in our pj's, italian food with a t-shirt from the owner, failed attempt at finding wellies in the middle of a downpour, adventures in the forest with Lobo, picnic with friends and conversations that continue to replay in my mind.

June 12
Luke and Stooks, good friend from college and new one, graduated from PJ school in ABQ. What an accomplishment. Prayer for their lives over the next few years.

June 19-22
Chi-town for baseball, beers and fun with the hometown boys.

June25-27
Couchsurf in old psych ward of hospital in Reading, PA with a med student. New psych ward is a floor below so you still get the affect with the late night screams. Charming. Actually a really great time and the point of the trip was to interview with a company based there for a job in NM. Highlight was obviously not the interview, but my new friend Tim was great - had good local beer and good debriefing convo post-interviews.

July 10-13
Las Vegas with hometown peeps. Our annual adventure together ended up with 18 total now that people are gettin hitched. Not that Vegas has made the list of top destinations, but it was a great venue for our reunion. Saw Cirque's Love show... incredible. Laughed till I should have peed my pants, but thankfully did not.

August 7
Heidi had little baby Joely in her home - what a trooper!

August 8-9
Was in ABQ at a wedding and decided to ditch the reception for an adventure with Nik. Spent less than 24 hrs with some brit friends at a bbq with a really horrible hypnotist and out on the town for a good time.

Today
I have applied for at least 12 jobs, been turned down for 3, hopeful about a few and who knows about the rest. I am thinking positive thoughts though.