How do I deal?  I can't honestly say I've had a hard life, as comparisons to others' can easily show, but how have I dealt with the sorrows/tragedies that have come?  I'd say that I prefer to ignore it and have it go away, but I've never seen that really work.  As far as death goes, like with my dog (practically my sister) it was heart-wrenching at the time (in high school) but now doesn't hurt much.  Maybe 'cause it's not as real?  I think by detaching, it kind of makes reality easier, but is that healthy?  I don't know if I really work through things like I should, but I try- recognizing a life or time of life for what it was, being sad at the change or loss, but then moving on.

This is a local bus, and if there was snow and ice present, it would be just like now.

The public transportation here is wonderful, and much cheaper than having a car!  For the cost of (6 months of) insurance alone, I could ride the bus all year!  And not have to pay for gas or oil changes or have those headlights glare at me at night!!  There is something very wonderful about driving, though.  It has a relaxing affect on me, that I remember helped me keep my insanity at bay during college.  It's also convenient if you have several bags or bulky furniture.  I actually only rode the bus for two days, but it was several hours of those days, both on the bus and waiting for one.  With limited internet time, though, I've had to be creative in finding the right bus and at the right time.  Some only run during rush hours.  I could go on, but for your sake:

In general, I think people cheer each other on.  At least with all of this job-searching, people have said encouraging things.  Maybe they didn't mean them?  While I'm sure parts of most of us cring a little when someone makes gobs of money, gets married, or is super-happy for some reason (out of jealousy or a little self-hate?) I think we all want others to be happy, have the basics, etc.  Do you agree?

One more thing about buses:  The other day, I nearly missed the first one, but ran out in front of it, and it stopped, even though it was past its designated spot, and it gave me flashbacks of jr high and the city bus and similar things happening then.  I understand mercy on kids, but adults, too?  It was pretty cool.  I felt blessed.

Has it been a week+, really?

Today I have two interviews- with a retail store :( and a bank :) .  The bank definitely sounds more ideal (Sundays off, daytime hours, dressing nice, nights off, benefits. . . but it may only offer part-time.  The retailer is rather pricey, so I don't especially want to spend my money that way, but I'm keeping my options open.

I also can't open Yahoo mail, but every other yahoo thing, and that's where my resume is so I'll try not to freak out.

Something interesting. . . :
For the past few days, I have done the most air-headed things, all around Amber, so I don't know how she can handle it all!  The one I'll mention is probably the most hilarious (at least we thought so).  Amber cooked dinner, so I was washing the dishes, putting all the clean ones on the counter.  Amber meanwhile was preparing hot chocolate.  I was 'drying' the dishes by shaking them, and thus shook dry cocoa mix all over the sink.  Amber laughed so hard she had to use her inhaler!!

I found a city I feel safe in, and that's most likely where I'll work and it's close to our potential new apartment.  Amber's almost completely healthy again. :)

It is very windy here, and since wind is one of my favorite weather elements, hurray!!  The sun is also as bright as the California sun, at least it was today.  But there are basements!!

I went to the largest Sears ever- it stretched for miles, it seemed- wow!  I don't particularly like/love Sears, I just needed the restroom (shh) but I couldn't get over it, and it had a basement with kids clothes, photography, etc. down there!

My interviews both went well, but I'm leaning towards the Montessori school, because working in the church seems a little too easy/comfortable, minus the diapers, and the Montessori goes up to third grade. . . I have a second interview with them Monday.

And I've been listening to hyper/upbeat songs all day, if you can't tell.

Love you all!! :*

Apparently, I can log-in now.  Now that I don't have anything to say. . .

the word 'apparently' actually got me in trouble the other day.  Amber and now Tammy, a church intern, are my only friends here, and I only see them maybe a few hours a day- the most is spent at the library or elsewhere in a strange town with strangers.  I thought at the least I could be friends with Amber's friends!  Until, after a long road trip, her friend, whom we'd hung out with only last week, said, "So, I hear you've moved here," to which I replied, "Apparently."  Not the cleverest or nicest response on my part, but in my defense, I was feeling defensive, like 'That's obvious, are you trying to put me in a corner?'  Now he doesn't try to talk with me, and I'd like to apologize and everything to be OK, but haven't had that chance, and feel rejected.  Hopefully it will all work out in the next few days.  I figure maybe I'm like a threat to him, because he'd never met any of Amber's friends outside of work before, and so he needs to see I'm rather harmless. . .