And another semester has nearly come and gone

So far this journey to Mankato has been MORE than I ever would have dreamed it could be. In a few short months I have made new friends, lived my revived a passion for teaching and research, and found balance and peace. I may have also discovered that part of the problem is that I was not quite in the right area. I LOVE communication, please don't get me wrong, but I have always never quite fit.

I am an applied scholar. I USE theory to explain WHY we do something, I never really wanted to create theory or even really test it. I love learning about it, but my methods of thinking have never really led to to a path where I could see myself developing theory. Understanding this about my self and making peace with it has been a LONG journey.

About a month ago a colleague from the English Dept. and I were talking and I was asked "why are you in the Com dept.? Do you realize you should be in Tech. Com?" Without a second thought I simply replied, "Some days, I am not sure. But I was never really in a place where I could JUST focus on Tech Com." I have always LOVED Technical writing and I am good at it. I love to teach it. It IS APPLIED communication. IT IS STRATEGIC. And it provides a platform for me to teach students skills they will use no matter what they go on to do. I LOVE that. There is NO question about "does this REALLY even matter?" YES! YES it does. Regardless of the job field one chooses they will need to be able to write, and often that writing is much different from the types they are experienced with.

The best part is, that this conversation was not simply water-cooler chatter, but an invitation to apply for a TC TENURE LINE job. One with a focus on health! HA!!  Would you look at that. A job almost written for ME!!! Needless to say I have applied, and have recently been told my application was suggested by HR, and is now with the search committee.

So it is time for, yet again, more waiting to see if the door will open. I have knocked on a few doors this fall, and so far two have cracked open. Which is the soonest I have experienced since joining the job market in 2011. I have a lot of confidence in this season of job hunting, and can feel the air of freedom above me. That open sky is almost here. 

All this said however, my life is much fuller now as well. The hubs and I have found balance (ok I have found balance). Yes I work more than I should I am sure.  But I admit it, I am the job. I think all great teachers are. We have to be. HOWEVER, I am making time to be with friends and the hubs more than ever. We game weekly with our friends, sometimes a few times a week. D and I WILL start going to the gym together soon and I am excited. He is also waiting for news of a job. He applied and had an interview at my university. SQUEEEE!

It seems that we are both looking at a GREAT possibility. Could it be... for the first time in our entire relationship we are going to be in stable jobs? I am SOO thrilled and terrified by this idea. Thrilled because this is all I have wanted for a LONG time. Terrified that this glimpse will never happen. But I have faith. I believe this will happen when the time is right. And it would see the time is getting closer. Once it does.... then the real conversation about kids and future will begin. For now lets just see what happens with these two possibilities.

All in all, as I enter this holiday season I remain focused, grateful,  and determined. I have my dream job at my fingertips, an amazingly supportive husband, and the best friends a girl could ask for. I am THRIVING! I am whole again. Bring on 2015!  I am more ready than ever.