As of my last journal entry, I had been rejected from grad school and not really sure what to do next. I'm still not completely sure, but I have lots of ideas floating around in my head. I've also been bitten by the travel bug, especially since I've gotten a number of invitations from friends and family members to come visit if I need to get away, or just need a little change of scenery. Everyone has been so helpful, and very very kind.
I also don't know if I'm still employed at the bookstore or not, because after the lovely fiasco last week, I haven't heard anything from the managers or owner of the store. To give you the skinny on what happened, when I got the substitute job, I put in my 2 week notice at the bookstore. Then I was practically begged to stay. So I layed down some terms of my continued employment, which included 2 or 3 nights per week @ 5-8:30pm, and Saturdays off. Well, no one has Saturdays off, they are mandatory work days. Patti, one of the managers, said she would talk to the owner, Pat. This was 2 weeks before Easter. So at this point, I'm not even planning on continuing @ the store, the owner probably isn't going to agree to my terms of employment, so why should I say that I'm going to be needing a day off AFTER the date of termination of my employment? Rhetorical question... anyways, 3 days before Easter (so 11 days after I gave my notice) I finally hear back from Patti that Pat wants me to stay, and that I can have Saturdays off. So I tell Patti about the wedding in Mass. this past weekend and that I'll need Friday off. She tells me "sorry, but only if you can find coverage". I'm thinking, that's not very fair, but I'll play by your rules and try to find someone to cover for me. I asked EVERYONE and no one was available to come in on their day off to work a Friday night. So I called Patti this past Wednesday night after work, and informed her that I couldn't find any coverage for my shift. And her response was one of "too bad, I guess you'll have to work". So I very professionally and apologetically informed her that I would not be coming into work Friday night, that I had a wedding to go to in Mass. and that this trip was very important to me for several reasons. And I acknowledged that I was willing to accept the consequences of my decision. She was disappointed, but she appreciated that I gave her notice that I wouldn't be working, and that she would talk with me about in on Thursday night. Well, we didn't talk about it, she didn't bring it up at all... so I went to Mass., had a fantastic time, and now I'm back and have no idea if I'm still an employee at the bookstore. *shrug* Hopefully I'll find out later today when I call.
But this weekend was sooooo great!! I had a wonderful time with Joe, and I realized just how terribly I had missed him these past few weeks. And I met his sister Karen, who is easily the nicest person I have ever met. The wedding was long, with a little too much standing, but that was made up for by a swingin' reception!! It was so much fun, until I got carded by the wine nazi *ick* but Joe and I danced the night away... it's been a very long time since I've had so much fun. I also met a lot of Karen's friends from high school (and might I add that they had some interesting stories to tell about Joe when he was about 10 years old). They were all really nice, very social, and we all just completely clicked. So now Joe and I have places to stay if we ever want to visit Boston or Pennsylvania. And I also finally have a fellow Marylander in the bunch of New Jersians/New Yorkers that I have been frequenting my aquaintances with. So I'm thinking ROAD TRIP!!! Between my family and friends, and Joe's... who needs to work this summer? ;)
Anyways, I stayed an extra day in New York on Sunday, and then came home to MD yesterday afternoon. My poor Megan wasn't feeling well yesterday. :( So instead of us hanging out last night, I spent the night unpacking, doing laundry, etc. etc. So today was back to the land of alarm clocks and responsibilities. Though I came to the stark realization this morning, after oversleeping, that my alarm clock need a new battery. I overslept and had to rush to get ready and go to Annapolis High School @ 6:45am. Therefore, all is right with my world because everything isn't going as smoothly as planned. ;) Life is so good!! *wink*
So my "Golden Day" came and it turned out to be more tarnished brass than gold. I have several options open to me, but it's just choosing the right one. And part of me can't help but want to get out, get away, and do something renegade for a little while. I know what my dream is, and I'm not going to let a minor setback keep me from my accomplishments... but right now I wish the path in front of me was a little more clearer. I got an email from Roxanne today, encouraging me on several levels, and she said I should come to Germany and stay with her and Tom, her husband... that a vacation might be just what the doctor ordered. Oh I wish science had invented teleporting, because I'd be there in a heartbeat. ;) I'm also doing battle royal with the bookstore right now, trying to get them to hold to the terms of our most recently negotiated agreement, and trying to deal with their lamebrain, unrelenting scheduling policies. Ick ick ick! *sigh* I know, this too shall pass. On the plus side, I have had an outpouring of encouragement and love from my dearest friends and my family (extended family too). My whole family never ceases to amaze me in how much they love me. So even when they are crazy and drive me nuts, they are invaluble to me and I love them with all that I am. God is faithful and He knows what He's doing. So until I know what He wants me to do next, I'll try to be patient and to have faith in His sovereignty.