Spring!

At this point in the drama that is my work life, I'm trying my best to find pleasure in something. I have not been fully participating in my online class which is going to severely impact my course grade, but there has just been entirely too much going on lately!

We had a very small taste of some very beautiful weather early this week- and it was WONDERFUL! McKoy and I were able to get out and take a bike ride and appreciate the weather before the week got too crazy. Then, the weather disappeared! We turned the heat back on just to keep the apartment in the low 60s- ugh!

Regardless, the early week glimpse of spring proves that the real thing is just around the corner.The change of seasons are my absolute favorite times of year. When a new season rolls around, it always seems that I'm just waiting for the change to occur. So, now it is a spring time and I can't stop thinking about getting outdoors; I've already spent part of the morning researching campgrounds. Enjoy springtime!

The comforts of life

I think people we make moves in our lives to make us more comfortable- we stay in a neighborhood or a job because it is comfortable. While there might be greater opportunities beyond our comfort zone, we are not creatures who seek change and the effort to get there can cause stress and strain. Is it worth it?

The longer McKoy and I are together, the more we appreciate the comfort of a good neighborhood and welcoming community. I imagine that all couples seek the same sense of comfort, but for us, our mixed race relationship makes it that much harder to find a community where we both "fit." I just read this article in the New York Times which indicates that the amount of people stating to be of mixed race on the census reports is drastically increasing, by as much as 80% in states across the country- that is amazing! And while the southern portion of the U.S. seems to be seeing the greatest increases, I can't help but wonder where these mixed race families are.

In looking for homes or new communities, McKoy and I feel like one of us is always the outsider, it is unfortunate that there are so few mixed communities in this portion of the country. A city may appear to be diverse when you look at the numbers, but the truth is that city is still divided by neighborhoods or pockets of one singular race. We found this to be especially true in Cincinnati and Indianapolis. So, as we consider a potential move almost 8 hours from where we currently are, we will do our best to find a home and community that will bring us and our (future) family comfort and support regardless of the color of our skin. Sounds easy, right?

Things are coming around!

This has been a crazy, crazy two weeks! As of last Friday was truly concerned that I might lose my job due to things completely out of my control. It turns out that in the end I was just given a written warning- awesome. I don't do trouble. I can name the now three time I have been in actual "trouble" in my life: high school: jumping out of the back of a bus, college: drinking in the dorm room and now this. In addition to all of the crappy work stuff, earlier this week I had an  ultrasound on my thyroid because my doctor felt a mass on my thyroid during my last physical. When it comes to the ultrasound- I've simply decided to put this out of my mind. Right now, the job issues are enough to deal with.

So, to cover my butt at work, I applied to a job as Director of International Recruitment at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, PA (30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh). I wanted to make sure that I had options just in case other things went down. I really didn't expect that one day later, I'd get a call about a phone interview. On this same day, the weather was perfect and the opportunity presented itself to go see one of my favorite's in Cincinnati: Abby Mac! So, it looks like things are turning around!

What a mess....

At this point, I have to assume that I don't have any followers... that's ok. I've been so unreliable with this blog that I don't expect anyone has stuck with me.

All through college and high school I used writing as a tool to deal with stress and to process all of the crazy things that were happening in my life. For the past few years, life has been relatively simple. Having McKoy's calming presence in my life is one of the great blessings in our marriage and something I appreciate in him every single day.

About a week ago I returned from a trip to SE Asia (which was wonderful!) only to find out about some major drama in my office which may result in a handful of us losing our jobs. I was not even remotely prepared to have to consider finding another job. In fact, after looking for new jobs over this past summer, I had decided to buckle down and commit to staying at IU until I finish my masters degree. And now, every day since I've been back has been consumed by various meetings reviewing procedures and processes within my office, handing over performance evaluations and defending my job. I am certain that I did nothing wrong in this situation, but rather that the structure is outdated and no longer serves the universities best interests- and I hope that is what will be found at the end of the inquisition.

In the meantime, I am trying my best to remain positive. It is surprising that the most challenging times seem to result in less panic than those smaller scale issues that can become to all consuming. To date, I've not yet been able to really consider what would happen if I lost my job, maybe that is just me denying the facts, but I'd prefer to think of it as my body's way of defending itself against the unknown outcome. I am not prepared to panic yet. I will try to remind myself that live is never what we plan- and that this is nothing less, nothing more, than a bump in the road to God's path.

Sorry for the delay!

So, I guess the reason I haven't written in so long is because I just don't know where to start! Is that a good reason?

McKoy and I are still hoping to make a move to Cincinnati or Indianapolis this summer. I am in the final stages of a job with Butler University. My interview went so poorly I can't help but think I don't want to work with these people- and the pay isn't that great- so I don't know what I am going to do!

I had a phone interview last week with University of Cincinnati and I am really hoping that this job will work out. Add to all that that McKoy and I want so badly to take a Jamaica trip this summer, that moving jobs just makes it that much more confusing! I already have a ton of time off stored up at IU and I know that I can swing taking an almost three week trip this summer... so I guess I don't really know what I want.

And then.... and then there is the wedding! Because we made it our goal from the beginning to make sure that the wedding is uber simple, it really hasn't been a big deal to plan. It is just now that things are getting a little crazy. I think I found the perfect set of vows and perfect ceremony for us- less than 15 minutes! But, we can't find a pastor who is available on our date... and to be honest, I am not sure that a pastor is what I want. So, who knows who will "marry" us. If any of you are interested in the job- let me know!

Otherwise, I am really excited about the following things:

- a bouquet of pink and white lisianthus, like this: http://floristblogs.com/photos/avante_gardens/picture5703.aspx

- jerk chicken! strawberries! pineapple! salad!

- our cake! with real flowers on it!

- cornhole, heineken, horseshoes, red stripe!

- time with family and friends

- a night in Madison with the HC crew!

Maybe it isn't conventional to share all these details about our wedding, but there really isn't much conventional that is happening with the whole thing! And focusing on all of those good things, just took the stress off of me... whew.

I know it will all work out and I refuse to lose sleep over the idea of weddings and job changes and vacations because in the end, what is supposed to be, will be. Besides, I should always remember that weddings and good job changes and vacations are all blessings and blessings shouldn't create stress!

What a day!

Today was an incredibly weird day. My scheduled interview did not proceed as expected and I will need to think very hard about things if I am offered that job. Maybe I'll tell the whole story after the entire process is complete.

On the way home, I got pulled over for speeding- ugh! What! A! Day! Luckily, the officer let me go with a warning. When I finally did get home, I was so incredibly drained that a workout wasn't possible.

I am trying to convince McKoy that we should join a gym here in town. It looks like you can join on a month by month basis without any joining fee. We do have a "gym" in our apartment complex. I use quotes because it isn't really much- 3 treadmills (usually 2 of them work), 1 broken bicycle, 1 elliptical, a couple of free weights and a broke ass weight machine. I'm totally bored with it and feel like I need some additional tools to get me back into the swing of things. All I've been doing lately is jogging/walking on the treadmill and I feel like it just isn't enough! So, tomorrow after work, I'm going to visit the gym- wish me luck!

Other than that, nothing new besides some wedding planning. Really, the wedding planning is not overwhelming considering this is sure to be the lowest key wedding in the U.S.! This weekend I am going to Madison to see my grandmother, talk about flowers, cake and food! I'll update next week.

Ahhh, stress!

I'll admit, I am a stress eater. There, I said it. :) Admitting your shortcomings is half the battle, right?

These past few weeks have been insane! Things are very, very busy at work, I am planning a wedding (yay!) and in the process of applying to and interviewing for a new job. I have an interview this Thursday with Butler University for a position as: Associate Director of Diversity Programs and International Student Services. McKoy and I have talked a lot about this opportunity and I think we are both truly hoping to make the move to Indianapolis this spring. A job search on its own is not too much to handle- but trying to plan a wedding in about 8 weeks on a serious budget is adding to the mix!

We have decided on May 22 for our wedding date and we plan to host the wedding at my uncles farm. The wedding will be very low key and very McKoy&Melissa- an outdoor event in the daytime with a nice cookout following! I am excited about planning this event- but I feel a bit out of touch with the process and a bit rushed.

So, bear with me over the next few weeks- it could get a little crazy!