Update and Thank You

It's been two months since I've left the safty of home, and I'm just fine. It's odd: I've often been told how everything would be ok. I suppose I knew it deep down, but in the face of extreme adversity, emotional trial, and a stress load that would put Mt. Whitney to shame, you don't share that frame of mind at the time. So where am I at now?

I've recieved (finally) my Letter of Eligablity from the State of Florida, and now I can legitimately look for teaching jobs. In the meantime, I've been working retail--hopefully this will be my last stint in working within this copacity. To fight the slight depression that comes on everytime I go in for work, I say a prayer of thanksgiving as it is because of this job, I don't feel the stress I used to when I don't hear back from an interviewer, etc.

On the school front, I got an A on my first paper, so life in grad school is off to a good start. I am ahead on my writing, and I hope to stay ahead of the game. One of my classes does not have a final exam, so the sooner I get the term paper done, the sooner my workload is finished. So needless to say, that's great insentive to continue pluggin' away. Also, I'm hoping I can get hooked up with an internship with AARP via April's department. I know it sounds a little out of my field, but they do have an International Affairs dept. So, hopefully I can come up with a summer internship there. I'll keep y'all posted on that front. All in all, grad school is going well.

In two weeks, mom and dad arrive for their visit. I can't wait. I've missed them both so much and I can't wait to treat them to a "thank you" for all of their emotional, moral, and financial support. God, faith, and April aside, they are the reason I am still here. Their strength of character has shown so brightly if you consider that they were dealing with phone calls from me on a daily basis AND dealing with my Grandmother's caregiving, I can't imagine their stress threshold. Mom and Dad, you're my heros--can't wait to see you in two weeks! You guys deserve this vacation.

In the meantime, life with April has been wonderful. Now that I have an income of some sort, I can live with myself without thinking of financial worries. April is now able to focus on her issues rather than mine, which in themselves are more than her share! I can now focus on school, work (and looking for teaching jobs), and being the support mechanisim I know I can be to April. Sure, we have some issues pop up here or there due to fatigue or impatience, but who doesn't? This weekend, we're going to a free symphony concert that's outdoors. It was supposed to be a girl's night out with her friends, but by the time she found that part of it out, she had already invited me. I'm trying to think of anything else I could do so she could enjoy her time with the ladies. Is it selfish if I really don't want to? I've suggested to her that I could get lost for a little while so she could have some alone time with the ladies--I definitely don't mind that. She needs that time, and it doesn't come up often as the few friends she has are quite busy. Hmm... This does take place tomorrow evening, so I'd better think quick on how I can have my cake and eat it too.

Seeing as that this is my only major concern right now, that's a pretty good gauge as to my life right now. It's much better than it was. One thing is for certain: the past two months have been quite an afformation of my faith. Despite the pain and anquish it involved, I'm very thankful for it. It also allowed for April's faith and commitment to me to be tested. I didn't know it at the time, but in hindsight, it did give me some empirical evidence how committed she is to me, and I'm thankful for that.

Thanks God, for everthing, for everyone.