A November Greeting

Since those of us not in Hawaii, Arizona or Guam gain an hour this weekend, and you probably don’t know what to do with that excess, I thought I would take my time, and yours, to update you on the happenings of my life.

I last wrote in May, right after I graduated with my MBA (key takeaway – I’m done with school).  Since then I’ve been to California, Mexico, California, Florida, California and California but really I’m still living it up in New Mexico.

Mid-June I started a full-time job.  It’s the same job I was doing last year but, in theory, I’m doing more work.  I’m the associate director of an afterschool program and trying to get it to the point where I can walk away without looking back.  I work from home and set my own time and pace and tasks; so basically I end each day with the feeling of complete lack of accomplishment.  The good news is no one else wants to take any responsibility so they can’t hold it against me.    I’ve committed for a year, so 7.5 months to go!  I remind myself regularly that it is God’s provision for me.

Recently I picked up a second job as a freelance copyeditor (don’t judge my writing…when necessary I can use proper commas).  One of my professors from UNM asked me if I wanted to edit her papers before they go for publication and, since I can’t say no, I got a business license and can now bill the university for my services.  So far I’ve done two for her and this weekend one of her colleagues sent me one so maybe I’ll pick up some more clients as word spreads.  I like it because a) unlike my regular job the task consists of a well defined short term goal b)) I enjoy the work c) I can learn about things like how stock prices change in relation to CEO turnover, or why it is difficult for women to break into golf.  I’ve also discovered that I could go into business academia but it would be very challenging to find the eternal value.

My third, and most favored, job is still dog sitting.  I did it three weekends in October and have it for like 15 days November/December.  I was going to write specifically about what I’ve learned in graduate school and how it has prepared me for this dream job, but the connection is so obvious I didn’t want to insult your intelligence.

Other things are going on too. 

• I’m doing BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) with my friend Ellen and really enjoying studying the book of Matthew. 
• Last month was the hot air balloon fiesta, I don’t know if you heard about last year’s event and how my family came it was a flop, well this year was bound to be better!   Well…it wasn’t.  I did learn that actually nothing is that great when you have to be up at 4:30am in the 30* weather.  Evidently the morning after I went it was like 30 degrees warmer and during the mass ascension there was actually a mass ascension.   That aside, all fall long there are hot air balloons out in the mornings and they are really cool, especially when you see them while inside, drinking tea.  Here are pictures, the first from the comfort of the house where I dog sit, the 2nd I risked frostbite to take. 

• Thursday my sister and a sister-in-law (Cristina) are coming and that will be lovely.
• I now wake up at the perfectly respectable time of 7:15 every day and usually it doesn’t make me want to cry.  I think I’m growing up.
• For Halloween I strapped a silver triangle on my back, called myself a shark and had a fall craft night.  I forced everyone to make leaf garlands and on each leaf to write something they are thankful for, one for every day of the month.  Instant gratitude accountability.  What are you thankful for today?  I’m thankful that, although I was once not one God’s people I have now received His mercy (1 Peter2:10) and for my electric blanket.