Simple pleasures...

I've had the opportunity to go walking/jogging almost everyday this past week and a half. The weather has been nice and it feels good to be able to clear my mind through exercise and to just get out of the house. I'm hoping to continue as long as the weather and my schedule allow it.

Work has been... somewhat trying. It's a lot more physical than I remember and I'm exhausted by the time I get home. Right now I'm working about 4 shifts a week, but once school starts I'll only take 2 shifts a week to allow more time for homework. I just keep telling myself that I need the money and it's only until I graduate in December. After that, Amy and I are hoping to move out of town somewhere and get new jobs. I pray the time goes quickly.

Daily changes...

Tuesday I went to lunch with my family at New York Burrito, one of my favorite restaurants and also the first place I ever worked. While we were there, I spoke to Carla Rigby, who happens to be the mother of a girl I used to work with there, who now ironically owns the place. I asked her if they were hiring at all. She said she'd call Lindsey (her daughter) and check it out. Later that day Carla called me and asked when I could start work. So, next week I'll return to my first job to work part time. I'm not sure how much I'll be making, but even if it's minimum wage, it'll be over $2 more per hour than I was making there before. I plan on working a couple nights a week during school, just to keep a little extra money coming in. It's not the most exciting job in the world, but I don't think it'll be too stressful so that's nice. Today I also got another call... the manager of Vanity called to check if I had found employment yet. After three months of sending out applications and resumes, I get two job offers in one week! I turned down Vanity, but feel so blessed to have received both offers.

I'm starting to feel the pressure of school starting soon. I still have so many things I want to get done before it starts. I know that once it does, I won't have time for much else. I need to learn how to manage my time better, especially if I'm going to pass my classes this semester. More things to work on to better myself!!!

Tough times... make you stronger?

Its been a rough couple of months. I'm still currently unemployed, with no prospects despite an incredible amount of applications I've filled out. School starts in 6 weeks and with 15 upper-division classes, I don't think I'll have time to work a whole lot, if at all. So I'm currently living off savings, grants, and student loans and thankfully have not run out of money yet. I'm hoping to get a good job after I graduate in December and can work full-time to start paying off my debts and replenishing my savings. I admit, it has been nice not having to work and being able to do what I like, when I like. It does leave a lot of time for boredom to creep in though.

My brother also left, for the Army, and entered basic training in Oklahoma. He'll be there for like 10 weeks or so and then head to his medical training in Texas. Its weird having him gone. He's pretty homesick and missing his daughter. I hope the four years pass quickly.

I'm so very grateful for friends and family who are constantly there for me and help to lift me when I've fallen. They are my grief councilors and shoulders to cry on. Without them, I fear I'd be lost. The gospel has also been a great comfort during this time. I'm so grateful for my Savior and for everything he's done for me. He is the ultimate councilor. What a comfort to know that He knows what I'm feeling and wants me to be happy. Here's hoping that things start looking up!