That's certainly how I feel lately. It seems as though I finished one race only to begin another, and this time I forgot my water bottle and am trying to find it along with path as I run. That is to say, somehow, it was a lot easier to get a job while attending HBU that it seems to be to get one here in Indiana. Of course, this being a college town, my competition is a lot more feirce, but still... {sigh} Anyway. I've been sending my resume and filling out job applications daily, and will be (hopefully) registering with what my boyfriend calls a "head-hunting agency" tomorrow.
I began my first class as a graduate student last month, and have already learned a lot about my preferences as far as specializing in a particular field. For example, the second module of my class centered around Internet Research. Through this module (and the homework, which took a minimum of 3 hours to complete), I discovered that I positively hate research, and have no desire to be a reference librarian. This is a big deal, as I was originally planning to become a reference librarian at a major college or university. Now, however, I am thinking of going with something like cataloging or children and youth services. I'd look into getting certified as a School Media Specialist, but apparently you have to hold a valid teaching certification to go into that. I'm not too upset about that, however, as entering that field would require more courses in research so I'd be able to teach young people how to research (and I don't have that kind of interest or patience). Cataloging is apparently very technical in nature, and more often that not, involves working alone - both factors are very appealing to me. I was thinking about Children and Youth Services just because I love juvenile fiction. However, I'm not sure how much I would like referring kids to the juvenile non-fiction section for their homework. Those books are very biased...
I've been learning the OS UNIX and am now learning HTML, and have found both these modules to be very interesting. I would love to learn more about both. The homework has been easy to understand and complete, as well as being beneficial to me. For example, the assignment I'm working on now is making a web page of my resume using HTML. I'm planning to finish it this weekend.
My apartment is spacious, yet cozy, and I do like it. My major complaints are that the bathroom wallpaper is hitrocious, and the living room smells of stale cigarette smoke. The maintenance crew at my complex has used a mister to try to get rid of the smell twice, and since that hasn't worked, I really think it's coming from the a/c unit. Each unit is a wall unit, and each apartment has its own, so I've been spraying mine with febreze, and hope that soon that will eliminate all odors. I should probably try to spray the outside filter, as well...
My family and I had a wonderful time last month at Disney World. I'd've posted photos today, but I forgot to get them from my sister's computer when she was visiting me last week. We spent most of our time at the Epcot Center, which, incidentally, ended up being my favorite park. Jim and I had a great time as we traveled to each "country," talking about various aspects of each country's history and our own opinions of them. I finally found some rugs I actually like in China, but (of course) they were way out of my price range... plus I don't think they'd match the rest of the furniture I like. ^_^ Anyway. We all had a blast on the "ride" in the center called Soarin' - which made you feel like you were hang-gliding over various parts of the U.S. The Magic Kingdom was nice, but was more child-oriented, and I was sorely disappointed that we couldn't tour Cinderella's castle. MGM Studios was completely fascinating, although I thought the Chronicles of Narnia exhibit was sorely lacking in many areas. I had a terrific time at the Muppet Show 3-D show, and all of us but Mom had fun on the Star Tours "ride", and we all watched the Indiana Jones and Car Stunt shows with interest and some laughter. We didn't go to the Animal Kingdom, as we knew that was all for little kids and we wouldn't be interested, so the last day we went to downtown Disney and browsed the shops after our horseback ride at the Disney Stables (word of advice: save your money and go riding in the Rocky Mountains).
In closing, there are three areas I'd really appreciate your prayers in, well, four, to be more exact. First, I desperately need a job. Please pray that God directs me to the job that He wants me to have through graduate school and that it come soon! Second, my car has been making strange noises that sound frightfully similar to transmission trouble. Please pray that it stays intact and lasts me a few more years. Third, I am very uncertain as to which area I am to specialize in, and those of you that know me, know I don't like to not know what's going on with my life/future. Please pray for patience and guidance as I consider my options. Finally, because of worry over the above three areas of my life, my health hasn't been the best. My back aches, resulting in a nervous stomach and loss of appetite (which means I've been losing weight), and my neck aches, which, of course, results in frequent headaches and the onset of migraines. Please pray for good health and peace throughout everything.
Thank you all so much for your prayers and friendship. God bless!