I've been here the whole time...

Yeah, I know, the five or six of you who actually visit my blog have probably long since given up by now, but I'm sure you realized eventually I'd post something again.

I thought about trying to come up with a title that would somehow cleverly reference the "two girls, one cup" video (no, I haven't watched it myself nor do I intend to), but decided it probably wouldn't be worth the effort.

For a while I just didn't really feel like blogging. Most of you close to me know I was feeling kind of depressed for a while. I guess after achieving my goal of graduating, and finding a job (my first choice), I was feeling a little let down. (Which, I know is perfectly normal.) Like, "What now?" Well, whatever. I got over it. I'm feeling a lot better lately.

Also, at the beginning of the semester, I was feeling a little overwhelmed teaching four classes. I got over that too. It's still a lot easier than teaching two classes and researching/writing a thesis, or teaching two classes and taking three classes yourself.

As far as all that is concerned, now that I'm comfortable with things,I know that this is only temporary. And I've come to a conclusion that reaffirms what I was thinking before: I'm going to eventually have to get the damn Ph.D. If I'd known that way back when I started, I probably would have dived right into the Ph.D. program instead of just an M.A. program. But such is life. But the point is, this instructor position is temporary, both literally and personally. It's only a year-to-year gig, although I'm sure the demand for Spanish would keep me employed here indefinitely. I wouldn't want that though. It would get boring quick. And if I were to do that, I could make significantly more money teaching high school. And I definitely DO NOT want to do that!

One night a couple months ago I attended a seven-year review session for instructors. (It's our department's turn to have their seven year review.) The professors on the review committee were very impressed with the fact that we instructors teach four (and sometimes five) classes per semester. Then it dawned on me: I could be teaching two (or even one!) classes per semester, doing a little research (which I'd want to do anyway), and making much more money. Thus, the inevitability of the Ph.D. thing. I will have at least another year and a half or two off before going back to school, so I'll be "well-rested" by then. I'll try to keep building my CV in the meantime also... we'll see how that goes.

Anyway, blah blah blah. Holly is enjoying her new (since July) job. Although it's not really part of her job description, she's been doing some web and graphic design for them. For anonymity and whatnot I won't link here, but email me if you are interested and I'll send you the URLs.

I'm going to visit my sister in Colorado (she moved there from Minnesota in July) with Holly after Christmas. I'm looking forward to that.

Also, next week, I plan to see Dinosaur Jr. next week Monday, and then (local legends) Pylon next week Friday, both at the awesome 40 Watt. It's been so long, I can't even remember the last time I went to a show. I'm pretty psyched for both of these.

Perhaps I shall return to more frequent blogging. Perhaps not...