I really wasn't kidding when I said I was bad at blogs.
My life has changed quite a bit since my last post... Most notably, we've moved to Kansas City. And not moved as in "moved for Skip's job"... But moved and settled semi-permanently. We have a lovely little apartment, full of furniture and our posessions. There are pictures on the walls, books in my bookcase, and a kitchen full of food. This place is home... Home. That's a word I haven't used often in the last few years. I can't even begin to explain how great it is to have a place to call home.
Since moving up here in January, I've also landed a pretty sweet job. I really feel like I fell into an incredibly fortunate situation... And I'm honestly a little afraid that something is going to screw it up. I'm working 3 days a week at the credit union at the hospital near our apartment. The branch employs just one person (yours truly), as it is located in a former exam room. It's just me, a computer, and some money. I work from 8am-4:30pm... I get an hour for lunch, and the branch is closed during that time. It's not very busy, so I can leave at any time I like... I can also use this time to read a book or magazine, surf the internet, work on schoolwork (when I go back to school, that is), etc. I get paid $10 an hour. I earn vacation and sick pay. I even have benefits. The work is super easy, and my boss visits me every other week. No uniform. No nametag. No stress. I am incredibly lucky and thankful.
I am in the process of cashing in my stock from Publix, to put towards a vehicle. I should have enough to buy something decent, which is something I never thought I'd be able to do. Seriously, my old car was like a curse. I guess I just figured I'd always be stuck driving a total lemon. So I'm basically waiting for them to cut me a check, and then I can start shopping around. This will make things a lot easier, since I now have to drive Skip south to his office, return north to my office, and then repeat the commute again at the end of the day. My branch is super close to home, so it won't be bad on gas or time spent driving. And it'll be nice to be transportationally independent again.
The wedding plans are also sailing along... We've just recently began the task of addressing our save the date cards, and also sent off a deposit for our photographer. I've tried on a few dresses that are real contenders, and I've started narrowing down some other ideas for little projects. There is still so much to do, but it's really nice to feel like things are getting done. October is really sneaking up on us, though.
Last, but not least... I have a big trip to plan in the next couple of months! My aunt surprised me today, and told me she is going to take me to New York. She made this same promise to me years ago... But things didn't pan out for whatever reason, so we joke about it ever so often. I met up with her and her boyfriend and his adorable parents today for lunch (they're headed to Topeka via Kansas City), and she handed me a NYC travel guide, wrapped up like a present. Best.Wedding. Gift. Ever. I am insanely excited for this trip! I've already started flipping through the book, dog-earing pages and highlighting attractions. I should be able to take 6 days for this trip, and only take 2 off of work... So that'll work out perfectly. I just have to cram a bazillion things to do into 6 short days. ACK!
I am also beyond excited to take my new camera to New York City... I'm going to burn through some serious batteries and memory cards!
I guess to sum things up, my life is pretty fantastic right now. I miss Florida and my friends like crazy, but things are falling into place quite nicely. We have a beautiful little apartment, I have a great job, I'll soon have a vehicle, my wedding is coming together... And I have an awesome trip to look forward to. I'm probably jinxing myself by saying this, but... Life is good. I am happy. I am very lucky, and so very thankful for the good hand that I've been dealt. I've gone through a lot of rough and ugly times in the last 7 or so years... So it's really nice to have some good things happen in my life.
So... Until we meet again (which will be whenever I get off my butt and update this thing)...
--Malaya
