Moving on, moving up, and moving forward.
There is this new feeling that I have been experiencing for the past two to three weeks, and it is the feeling of safety. It is amazing how one emotion can change everything. Before I had left for vacation at the end of July I was about ready to crack due to the levels of stress that I was experiencing in day to day life. I would go to a job that I hated because of the atmosphere that my manager promoted, and then I would come home to an uncomfortable situation where I nervous to take my dog outside every night before bed. It was not what one may have called 'the best of times.' However, starting on the first of this month Barb and I vacated our seemingly doomed apartment and moved to a new location where, for the first time in Portland, I feel like I am home. It's true that I am now surrounded by children who are very annoying because they are always outside yelling (simply because they are children), and that our rent is significantly higher--but with all things considered I am more than happy to pay more money in order to obtain the blessing known as safety.
Since coming back from vacation I have also found a renewed sense of enthusiasm for my job at Starbucks. The primary reason for my change in attitude is my new manager, Adam. He is amazing in just about every way. I now love going to work because I know that by the end of every shift I will have laughed so hard and for so long that not only did I get paid for my time, but I am also getting a great ab workout. I actually hurt today because I was laughing so hard. There's just one minor problem. I kinda have a crush on him (if you couldn't tell already). He's about a month younger than I am, gorgeous, and sadly off limits. I briefly considered moving to a new store so that he would no longer be off limits, but I think I'd rather laugh with him every day. Even our customers have noticed a change in attitude and because of that tip us better. We received one comment from a customer this week that was something to the tune of "it's good to see some personality in this store."
I've also noticed that I am now more motivated to move forward on my goals in life. I think that I have had enough time off from the academic life that I am ready to go back and get my Masters starting next august. The time that I have spent outside of Holland has taught me a lot because while I was at Hope and WTS I felt life there was a path that I wanted for myself and a path that I should want for myself. I followed the should and failed because I lacked any and all passion. Now it is time to follow the desires of my heart. In doing so I need to start looking at applications for Graduate schools and start applying because the deadlines are going to come faster that expected, I'm sure.
Oh, and here is a random tidbit of information. I have decided that there are a number of things I want to accomplish out here in Oregon before go back to the midwest for schooling. One of those things that I want to do is climb to the top of Saddle mountain which is about an hour away from where I live. It's only a three mile hike up to the top, but I have heard that it is very challenging for people who don't hike often because of the incline. I thought about just going and making a full day out of the excursion, but when I asked around I have heard that springtime is the best season to go because of all of the flowers blooming everywhere. So that I what I am going to do. I am going to start walking a lot more outside of work so that come May I will be able to get up to the top with no problems. The reward for the hike is amazing because once you get to the end you can see 4 mountains: Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helen, Mt. Rainer, and Mt. Jefferson. I can't wait.
Since coming back from vacation I have also found a renewed sense of enthusiasm for my job at Starbucks. The primary reason for my change in attitude is my new manager, Adam. He is amazing in just about every way. I now love going to work because I know that by the end of every shift I will have laughed so hard and for so long that not only did I get paid for my time, but I am also getting a great ab workout. I actually hurt today because I was laughing so hard. There's just one minor problem. I kinda have a crush on him (if you couldn't tell already). He's about a month younger than I am, gorgeous, and sadly off limits. I briefly considered moving to a new store so that he would no longer be off limits, but I think I'd rather laugh with him every day. Even our customers have noticed a change in attitude and because of that tip us better. We received one comment from a customer this week that was something to the tune of "it's good to see some personality in this store."
I've also noticed that I am now more motivated to move forward on my goals in life. I think that I have had enough time off from the academic life that I am ready to go back and get my Masters starting next august. The time that I have spent outside of Holland has taught me a lot because while I was at Hope and WTS I felt life there was a path that I wanted for myself and a path that I should want for myself. I followed the should and failed because I lacked any and all passion. Now it is time to follow the desires of my heart. In doing so I need to start looking at applications for Graduate schools and start applying because the deadlines are going to come faster that expected, I'm sure.
Oh, and here is a random tidbit of information. I have decided that there are a number of things I want to accomplish out here in Oregon before go back to the midwest for schooling. One of those things that I want to do is climb to the top of Saddle mountain which is about an hour away from where I live. It's only a three mile hike up to the top, but I have heard that it is very challenging for people who don't hike often because of the incline. I thought about just going and making a full day out of the excursion, but when I asked around I have heard that springtime is the best season to go because of all of the flowers blooming everywhere. So that I what I am going to do. I am going to start walking a lot more outside of work so that come May I will be able to get up to the top with no problems. The reward for the hike is amazing because once you get to the end you can see 4 mountains: Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helen, Mt. Rainer, and Mt. Jefferson. I can't wait.