Option #2...

There are times you wish and pray and even beg for a change. Life dictates that this takes place every so often do to changing needs and circumstances.

Every once in a while, I am presented a situation where change needs to take place quickly. I am grateful, very much so, when options appear during such times. Often these options are presented more as Personal Preference #1 and Personal Preference #2. In such times, I (usually) seek His guidance in making a decision telling myself that I really would be happy with either option as long as I am obedient to His calling, again, knowing that change needs to take place soon.

So why is it that when I am presented option #2 I'm not grateful?

Best "Burrito Night" ever?!

Ryan and I like burritos.

For the past several of years, Ryan and I have gotten together nearly every single week for burritos. This week's burritos were especially memorable.

Why you ask? There are three reasons:

1) Ryan used buffalo meat. This is something we do from time-to-time and it does make a difference.

2) Around 9:00, we went outside and played catch. It had been a while since we had had a late night round of catch. Always nice.

...but most importantly...

3) The Broncos were on Monday night and WON! putting them in a tie for first place in the AFC West!

I'm off to Wichita for Turkey Day. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

ps--in case you're curious, my mom read the previous post and laughed. She thought it was funny.

On being gullible...

I am writing from a coffee house in my hometown. I am visiting my parents this week and have enjoyed catching up with my parents (and eating my mom's mac and cheese).

Coming home is always a bit different especially when I haven't been home in a while. The last time I was home was about a year ago. There are new homes, businesses, road projects, and various other changes that I always take note of. But what matters most, of course, is catching up with family and friends.

The following is a glimpse of the conversation that took place when I first arrived home late Sunday afternoon (keep in mind, I had not been home in nearly a year):

ME: "Hi Mom! Hi Dad!"

MOM & DAD: "Hi! Congratulations! Do you have a job yet?"

Yes, my friends, my parents would like me to get a job.

Twice in the past year I have been told I had a position only to have the position disappear later on (my mom told me I was "gullible" yesterday which nearly negated her mac & cheese). I have been applying for a number of positions this week and have been told at least once (again) that I am their first choice.

Nothing concrete as of yet, but I remain optimistic and overall am not stressing too much over this. For the time being, I am content in being gullible.

GO AVS!

Dr. 007

It's official. I am now Dr. Bearded.

Go AVS!!!

Dan in Real Life...

Last week, 'someone' thought work was more important than a mid-week roadtrip. Not mentioning any names (Slayer of Woodland Creatures), but his (or her) unwillingness to do something stupid and irresponsible really was out of character.

This past weekend, Ryan and I ventured north to Lincoln. We spent the day admiring the Husker memorabilia and wandering the aisles of one of the two local Barnes and Noble (why isn't there one in Manhattan?!). Later that afternoon, we went with Jenni and her roommate JoDell to Dan in Real Life.

This was an interesting movie. For the women, they felt sympathy for the main character, Dan, but overall thought it was rather funny. For the men, it hit pretty close to home...painfully so at times.

My last post dealt with the dilemma I've been mulling over this past week. I am thankful that is no longer the case. It may have been that Dan was struggling through so many of the same things I am (or have) or that I just needed to lose myself for a couple of hours, but for whatever reason, this film helped.

I am at peace once again.

The roadtrip as an adventure, however, was a complete failure. No broken deer bones. No human saliva. No traffic laws were violated (at least none that required us to outrun the long arm of the law).

I am thinking we need at least one more trip to make sure we go down in a blaze of glory!

Independence and Isolation...

One of the glaring differences between our American culture and most other cultures is our need of independence. We like to do things our way, to have options, and to believe destiny is within our grasp. We tend to struggle when lines have been drawn and our direction is dictated to us. I know this to be very true of myself. I bring this up because I feel as though I have been painted into a corner.

A little over two years ago, I was put in contact with a faith based organization that places academics in universities around the world in positions of their area of expertise. I was the first geographer to apply with this organization and they were every bit as excited to place me as I was to be placed.

I passed on a handful of positions I was qualified for here in the States believing I had a secure position awaiting me overseas. This, apparently, was not the case. Over the past several months, joyful anticipation has given way to disappointment and frustration. I have been left to defend for myself and with few options.

Currently, I am weighing the pros and cons of my remaining options.

The first is an international position in a remote corner of the world. This position would have me teaching English in a secluded location by myself in an area where I do not speak the local language. No teammates. No opportunities for fellowship. No possibility of advancement. All of this teaching a subject I do not enjoy teaching.

The second option would be to work at McDonald's.

I feel a calling to live and teach abroad. I also believe my calling not to be English, but rather geography.

So my question is this...Is it better to take advantage of the opportunity before me? Or to wait for the next option to appear?

Either way, my options are limited and time is running out.

ps--At least there is no question with my support of the Avs! We are now in first place within our division!