Let The Insanity Begin

So nothing stresses Shawn and I out more than moving. It is a difficult task, as much as we have moved in the past few years, one would think either we enjoy it, or at least gotten used to it and not bothered. But now, it is always hard. This time, we thought...we are definitely hiring movers, we should not do this again by ourselves.

But now...movers are expensive. I can probably save us at least $300 if we do it ourselves, and that's with flying Kirk in on Southwest for the weekend to help us. I would much rather hang out with him than 3 moving guys.

Haven't fully made up our minds yet, might still do the movers. I told Shawn it was his call since he is the one that has to dangle the couch over the balcony. (Yes, none of our stairs in our current place are wide enough to fit the couch...so it takes 3 people to hang the couch over the railing of our balcony; one then runs down to the bottom and grabs it at the end and holds it; while another makes sure it stays still; and the third runs down after the first to grab it and then bring it down to the ground. Trust me, its the most ingenious way of moving a couch I have ever seen.)

So we will see. Also depends if Kirk really wants to spend his Labor Day weekend moving.

The conversation got a little testy this morning, could also have not been the best time...both of us had our grumpy pants on. That's ok, in the end we hunker down and figure it out.

And its Wild!!!

So, Shawn and I always find to not make just one change in our lives at a time, but pretty much dogpile changes on top of each other. So here goes.

I have a new job, I am now, officially, a teacher. I am teaching at a private high school in Virginia. I get to teach Government and World History, and Humanities. I also get to be the SGA advisor to the school. That's pretty cool. And the best town to be a government teacher in is, DC. These kids get to meet their member of Congress, hopefully I can get them in front of some Supreme Court Justices. Basically use all my contacts I have made up here in the past few years to get them front and center to our government...the good and the bad. This is such an exciting opportunity and I am so thankful for this school to give me the chance. So much work, already started working on my syllabus for my government class. Figured I would start with that one since I know it best...then move on to world history...time to brush up on those medieval times.

And, I got a new car this past week. That's pretty exciting -- haven't had a car for a year and a half. It's incredible how empowering wheels can be. Since our entire lives are moving to Virginia now, couldn't make it by with one car and the metro. I'm digging my car, he is quick...much faster than a subway train, and doesn't have to make scheduled stops.

AND! If that wasn't enough, we are moving. That's right, time to move it out of the District and into suburbia. Our condo is being built and won't be done until January. But our lease is up, and since both of our jobs are now in Virginia, we decided to save money and time and sign a short-term lease for an apartment out there. The plan is to pack up, figure out what we absolutely need for the next few months, only unpack that, and leave the rest in boxes so we shorten the second move preparations come January. So, this will be an interesting experiment in what we consider "necessary to live". I've already packed up all my book boxes. All of them are labeled "Do Not Open" except for one. I basically laid out my reading schedule for the next 7 months (plus any books purchased between now and January). Not going to unpack the plates, just buy cheap plastic ones. Won't be doing a lot of entertaining until we get in the condo. But now is the time to get that second dog we have been wanting. Since we will be close to the house, and its an older apartment with older carpet...time to get a puppy. Hopefully he will be house trained before we get into the brand new place with brand new carpet. We're thinking an Irish Wolfhound...the "gentle giant".

So the changes keep coming. Feeling a little overwhelmed...but good. All of this is very exciting, and I know we will make it through just fine -- maybe just a little frazzled.

UGGGHHH

He is so frustrating some times.

Its a good thing I'm such a patient person...

Patriotism

Riding the metro last night, I looked out at the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. The religious undertones of these two structures are not so subtle. Washington, the "father of our country", represented by an obelisk (phallic like structure). And Lincoln, the "savior of our country", shrouded in a temple of worship. Is this healthy? Is it safe to mystify both of these men to mythic proportions? It seems frightening to hold them up in god-like awe.

The patriotic sense of this country is an enviable quality; however, when patriotism turns into religion I believe the devotion is twisted.

Using these two presidents as symbols of perseverance and loyalty to one's nation is useful. Placing a face on an abstract value helps the citizenry understand the ideological foundation of their country. But a healthy, objective distance from this allegiance is important.

This world is temporary, along with her borders and attachments.

Given the Choice

Between taking a job I will love or an extra $10,000 at my current job...

I take the job I will love.

That choice was a suprise for me.

What I'm Reading Now

Can't Concentrate

I can't concentrate because I am thinking about my interview this morning. It went so well, and the disgusting thing is that I am so scared salary is going to be a deal-breaker. Everything went great; loved whom I interviewed with; and I think the job would be fantastic. But there is only so much of a pay cut I could take, with buying a condo and having to get a new car now -- no more metro for this job. So we will see. If its the right job and where I am supposed to be, it will all work out. If not, I guess that will be my sign. Shawn is worried about me getting too excited and then being disappointed. I told him too late...already excited; and if I get disappointed, then I do. Wouldn't be the first time.

Off to have a glass of wine with my husband to celebrate, as he put it, "a wonderful interview day."

Tomorrow

So tomorrow I have an interview. Its for a job that I think sounds very interesting...looking forward to learning more about it. I hope it turns out as well as I expect, and I hope they like me. The odds are stacked against me, I don't have a lot of experience for this; but that also could be why they like me.

Because of this development, I have put a lot of thought into how I would tackle this challenge...and I like what I am coming up with. In fact, found the perfect book today for exactly what I want to do. It would be a great challenge for me, I think. Guess we will find out if its a fit or not. I hope it is.

The weekend was great, found out about the interview late Friday afternoon, then went out with friends that night. Out a little late for late-twenty-something Mandy, but thats alright. Then on Saturday, Shawn and I got up; went to eat some breakfast; ran some errands; and hung out at the pool with friends. Wonderful, relaxing time. Got some sun, swam some laps, made some jokes, and read some history. That evening we saw War of the Worlds. Do not bother, its a movie with special effects and no story arc -- character development is worse than most action movies and Dakota Fanning is the ONLY redeeming quality in the film. At least we got some popcorn out of it.

Sunday afternoon Shawn had to go to work and I stayed home to clean a little and start packing for the upcoming move. I hate moving. And my books are ridiculous. I packed 12 boxes of books and am probably only 70% through. Thank goodness Shawn tolerates my books, though he says they multiply like rabbits.

Today I work, get off at 4 and go home to run and prepare for my interview.

Let's all pray it goes well.

Is He Really Sorry?

Is Kenny Rogers really sorry? Is he? Really? It took him a week to apologize for charging Larry Rodriguez twice...is he sorry? I'm a fan of Kenny Rogers, always have been, even his drought in New York -- fan. But...

Ron Artest was suspended for the REST OF THE SEASON after he charged a fan. Shouldn't Kenny Rogers have gotten the same thing for charging a man just doing his job?

Old Habits Die Hard

It's a tough, tough day. Trying to break old habits, and the vice-like grip is suffocating. But, I'm hanging in there. I'm trying to change a lot of habits in my life right now, and I need to take things slowly, one at a time. But, I am enjoying the process, the changes are good and productive for me.

One of my dearest friends is going through some changes too, and she is struggling. I'm being as supportive as I can, but so much she has to do herself. She has no peace, no internal peace...instead vices numb her and she spends her days and nights on an emotional ferris wheel. I hope that wheel stops soon.

My race this past Monday was great, Shawn and I had a blast; but I ran slower than I expected. I guess I left my turbo pack at home. Anywho, I have another race in about 8 weeks and over 3 minutes to shave off my time. There are a lot of fast runners out there! The overall winner ran the 5k in 15 minutes 27 seconds! Goodness he was fast. What a great way to start off the holiday, though. We then packed up our cooler and headed down to the Mall. Got a great seat right in front of the Washington monument. Passed the time reading and playing nerf baseball, and watched the fireworks. It was a great time, glad we decided to suffer the crowds, which really weren't that bad.

So wish me luck as I begin training again for the next race, its going to be even harder work than before.