Where We Gonna Go From Here...

Favorite things of this very moment (11:49 am CST):

• Free Internet access found on any computer in the Sauk Valley Community College library
• Squeaky keys on the keyboard
• The dried up, shriveled apple core sitting next to the computer that I have been staring at off and on since I sat down (what exactly do you do? Do you find something to pick it up with and throw it away? Do you leave it for someone else to find and contemplate? Do you complain to one of the librarians?)
• The Geography of Bliss
• Knowing that I did complete my part of Check point #2 for the IQ project
• Aaron calling me his hero and telling me he really "feels the love, right here" (while pointing at his chest...haha)
• The silence of the library
• Watching the rain out the window and contemplating how quickly I will have to run as I don't have an umbrella...

Life has been thrown off-balance again. It doesn't thrill me completely, but it does pose a challenge. I've decided to rise to the occasion.

My beloved camry died 2 weeks ago today. This caused me to alter my life plans (does this surprise you?). It did enough to truly throw my entire financial plan off-kilter and caused me to make the decision that I would try to go full time at Kable as soon as this school year was over, if not sooner. That way I would be able to get myself out of debt both to my father and to whatever financial institution I would be borrowing money from for the car.

Blow number 2 came about when I got to work that Friday after the car died. I had found out the day before that the car was officially a bust, that there was no reason to try to fix it, and then I go into work (which I love, I truly love this job) and find out they're moving the business. Kable News will start being known at Palm Coast Data and the entire fulfillment side of the business (accounting, customer service, and data entry) will all be moved down to the Palm Coast location in FL because the business has been offered huge tax incentives and will find a readily available workforce (aka. illegal immigrants from the way it's looking, retirees aren't going to want to do these jobs). Yep...there goes the rest of Mt. Morris's economic standing. Somewhere around 425 people will have to find new jobs and/or relocate by the end of 2010 when they are projecting we lose our jobs.

Needless to say, that was much more than I imagined. Life had finally given off the appearance of having some believable course, I would be able to have a stable job if I wanted it. Something I was truly good at and enjoyed. Apparently that was not in the cards.

Now I'm trying to figure out the next step. Obviously God has bigger plans for my life than having me just sit and work at Kable until my hands stop working and my eyes go out.

The search begins again. I have a feeling it will probably result in a move within the next year or so. The concept terrifies me, but something's gotta change. I need to be able to take care of myself and feel like a viable adult.

I've decided to start looking into library science programs. I don't know what all else I will look at, but I want to find a job that I will actually enjoy. If I do library science, I could probably find a library with a great children's section and maybe do work with children's reading programs. Maybe I'll start writing children's books. Wouldn't that be hilarious? Enjoyable though. :)

Alright, I'm out.

Lists and other wonders of the day

Favorite things of this very moment (6:45pm CST):

• Finding a copy of a book I've been wanting to buy for 25 cents at a used book sale.
• Knowing my tuition payment went through without any problems.
• Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller
• Jonny Lang's "Lie to Me" cd
• Toothbrushes
• Owning a laptop
• Wireless that's free from the Public Library
• Not owning a blue-tooth related anything

As I was walking across the street to go to the library tonight, I saw 2 black dogs. They were pretty big and one of the looked a little older. They both had well-worn collars with shiny metal name tags, but they were obviously lost. I don't know who they belonged to, but I wish I did. They took off before I could figure out who they belonged to. It made me feel kind of guilty too.

I don't know how silly that sounds to most people, but I'm real sentimental and I feel concern for animals on a regular basis. Especially if they seem to be lost pets. All I could think when those dogs took off was I hope they don't get hit by a car. It just really bothers me to think that something could happen to those dogs and I should have been able to do something. You know?

I prayed for them. Even if that does seems childish or superfluous or whatever. They were living breathing beautiful creatures, and I just hope God protects them and gets them home safely tonight.

Also, they planted new trees. The dogs didn't (don't be such a smart alec, I know you were thinking it!), but the guys from the "city" (aka the "village") planted new trees. I left for school this morning and there was nothing, but when I came home from work there were at least 2 new trees on my block. Not little bitty ones either, we're talking hardy looking saplings that should provide me with shade in another year or two. Despite the sarcasm that you might be thinking you sense, I'm genuinely excited about these new trees. More oxygen for everyone around.

As I've been typing this, I've been talking to my friend, Amber's boyfriend. He's been wandering the library. Justin said he wanted a book. He's having trouble finding one. Then again, he also said he doesn't have a library card. I told him he should probably go get one. I mean, he lives just down the street, like I do. Currently he's at the circulation desk with my mother and Mary trying to figure out how it's possible to have fines for a book at has disappeared but was returned that he's never heard of and can't imagine having a reason to have checked it out years ago if he did. Bizarre.