These last four weeks have been altogether incredibly relaxing, incredibly depressing, and incredibly interesting. It's been almost a month now since I was let go from my job and I've spent a lot of time evaluating my life and trying to figure out what is the next step. My teaching application is stalled at the county. The government is oh so efficient at processing anything, so there never was much hope for that right now. So, I've decided that in the meantime, and perhaps for a longer term, I will look for another interesting job. I've put in several applications at various places. I had an interview on Monday for a position with another environmental/engineering consulting firm, but I haven't heard back from them yet. I have another interview today for an administrative assistant/tutor position at a college prep academy. That should be interesting and I think it might be a good match for me. It would certainly combine several of my greatest interests: teaching and organization. If I'm lucky, I might get to tutor some science as well. Hopefully something will come up soon, because if not, I am surely going to run out of money. I am collecting unemployment, thankfully, but that only covers so much.
Last week I had the marvelous opportunity to go home to NY. I LOVE NY, especially at this time of year. Quite frankly, once I got there, I didn't want to leave. It was all very last minute, and very much a surprise to my mom and dad. Joe and I were sitting in my living room the Sunday before last, and I was mentioning how I had some books that I needed to get from NY at some point, but that I would have to drive up there to get them. Joe said, "let's go!" My initial reaction was ... yeah right, but when I thought about it some more, I decided, why not?? So we left at midnight Sunday night, drove alternately until 4am, stopped for an hour and a half so we could both sleep, and then continued. We got to my house at around 4pm, and of course my mother was not there. She showed up a couple of hours later and we were able to surprise her then. My father and brothers were up camping in the Adirondacks last week, so we decided that we would drive up there and surprise them as well. Tuesday we packed up and left when my mom got home from work at 1pm. Of course when we got up there to the campground, my dad was not there; he was on his day fishing trip with the guys. But we got to see everyone else, and then dad showed up around 7, before it got dark anyway. He was really surprised to see us. It was a great surprise. We spent the night and most of the next day there and it was just wonderful. I love camping and couldn't have been more pleased that we got to go, even for just a day. We left Wednesday around 5 and drove back home. Thursday morning, Joe and I went up to Palmyra. It was so good to go to Palmyra again! We went to the Grandin building, which we had not been able to see while we were there in April. When we walked in to the Grandin building, I recognized one of the sister missionaries there. We had been in the same ward right after I returned from my mission, and I had been her visiting teacher. She recognized me too of course, but I was very surprised to hear her say that she had just been thinking about me not too long ago. She told me that (unbeknownst to me) I had been a big influence on her. It was so special to hear that! The Lord has told me before in no uncertain terms that my life will be a light to many, but sometimes I forget the potential that I have for influencing others for good. After we left the Grandin building, we went to the bookstore, then to the temple, and then we went and watched the Joseph Smith movie in the visitor's center. In my opinion, that is the best movie the church has done. It is SO well done and I believe that the directors and the actors were inspired to portray their characters in the most appropriate light. I especially appreciate the characterization of Emma Smith. Poor Emma gets a really bad rap for not following the Saints to Utah. But she was steadfast in her support of the prophet while he was alive and I don't think any of us can imagine the trials she was called upon to bear. I have a great respect for Emma Smith, especially after seeing that inspired movie.
We left NY on Friday morning and I was so not ready to go. I think I was depressed to be back for the better part of 5 days. But, I know the Lord still has a work left for me here and I will fulfill it. Let's just hope I find a job soon ...
