i wanted to wait until everything was finalized, but i have some exciting news.

i've been working on and off for the white county group home. i only do substitute work, though.

there are 8 developmentally handicapped men living there. one is in a wheelchair and one is almost blind, but other than that they can get around just fine. the residents are frustrating at times, but there are moments throughout my time at the home that make me feel very lucky to be doing that work.

i was sitting outside with one resident, and he explained to me how the wind was making my hair blow. he showed me with his hands how the wind moves the tree limbs. it was good.

the job i have taken in lieu of the full-time group home position is a position as an adjunct instructor at harding university. near the end of the semester, i was approached by the head of the english department about the whether i would be interested in teaching some freshmen composition courses. i met with him several times to discuss the opportunity. this is absolutely the best thing i could have hoped to be able to do after graduation. i have my references in and i'll start making my lesson plans when i return from traveling to visit austin's parents in lubbock and mine in hawaii.

and when i'm finished traveling, i get to return to a house. katie and i have signed a one-year lease on the home of my dreams. please note the winding stone path to the front door (that's the blue door below the a-frame):



i am going to teach college students. i am going to teach writing. i have a house. i'm in love. i am so incredibly excited that i can scarcely believe this is my life.

i have now joined in the great tradition of College Graduates Without Jobs! the ceremony was hot and boring, but i came out of it with a degree. this is an exciting time.



my parents and my sister ellen were able to come to town. it was terrific to see them. mom and dad came and found me before the ceremony and draped me in bright, festive leis--whereas the lei-less are bizarre in hawaii, i was the bizarre one in arkansas. i loved it.



afterwards, my friends and i gathered for our last group picture before megan had to leave. then justin, then kevin, then zach and beth... i hate saying goodbye to people, but i feel confident that i'll see them again. justin has already developed a plan for us to take the train from memphis to chicago to visit megan as she attends the art institute there. we have fun to share yet. zach will likely have a job in little rock, katie and i will be living in searcy, and beth and austin will still be attending harding. i have no idea how to convey the extent to which i treasure these friendships.

the thing for which i am the most thankful at this moment is that i do not have to say goodbye to austin, for the summer or otherwise. we'll have three months to take some more stupid pictures before he starts classes again.



for everybody to whom i could not say goodbye: thank you for being a part of my harding experience. i love you, and i want good things for you.

the last four years have been the best and worst of my life. i look to the future from the height of a very bright past, and it will only get better and worse from here

i didn't get the job. the woman who interviewed me called to tell me that i was one of the final two candidates, but that the other person had experience. they're keeping my application for when they have an opening, which she says could be soon.

she said some very nice things to me, but i still need a job. i need to pay rent. i need to be able to afford food. i have to pay car insurance.

i guess my newest criteria for a job is "anywhere that i'm not likely to be robbed at gunpoint."