#shutdownsucks

I must admit, I've been avoiding writing in this thing.  The last several weeks have been, well, challenging.  School is in session so I have been busier at work. Further, the honey moon is over -- winter came in with a bang (it was in the 80s two weekends ago, it's in the 40s as a I write this), a fairly serious case of stolen identity left me without access to any money for several days, been pretty sick this month and I  can't figure out why, and a number of events back in NJ (both good and bad) have made me feel all sorts of guilty about being so far away. I've also been dealing with the stress of probably having to move, but that's another story for another day.

Then the cherry-on-top of the crappy September arrived last Monday. I am currently serving in a federally funded & administered position. With the government shut down,  I'm not technically furloughed because my pay is considered a 'living stipend' not a salary (meaning, I still have to work), but my pay is suspended, indefinitely. From what I understand, If the shutdown goes over thirty days, the positions could lose their funding. At the same time, we are prohibited from having other jobs, even through this situation,  so that we "work at the income level of those we are serving." I hate feeling angry, but for the last several weeks I have just felt so much anger about how stupid this whole situation is. One of my coworkers who is in a similar position, was supposed to have her contract renewed this month. It may be pushed back another three months (which she won't be reimbursed), and she was living just at the poverty line before this. 

For all the complaining/joking I may do about living in this  small town in the middle of nowhere, they have really had my back. Between the identity theft and then the shutdown, for the last month I had to be super careful about the money I did have access to. People have just been so amazing; driving me all over creation, offering up tons of free food, taking me out of town just for mental health breaks, surprising me with drinks and coffees just because (well, also for mental health reasons I think!). My roommate even paid my rent this month without telling me until I get a paycheck again. Can't really complain about that!

Besides all the stupid  stuff, there have been some fun things going on the last few months. My job is REALLY picking up. I have been doing a lot of work in the Middle School with Science and Tech classes, which I love. I may even be going on a trip with some of the kids to Washington, DC with some of them -- more on that to follow in the coming weeks! My boss has been encouraging me to get a teaching certification -- I don't know though; i'm not sold on teaching yet! I have been able to take some nice "work trips" on one of the grant holder's dimes, including one to a beautiful lake nearby. Hopefully there are more of such 

Ever since I started working with the kids I have consistently been asked 2 things -- "Are you Mexican?" and "How old are you?".  I'll be posting some of these conversations in the next few days -- they are hilarious.

I have fallen into a nice comfortable group of friends (as well as basically been adopted by some women who are 50+ haha) lately. We ended the summer at a demolition derby (exactly as it sounds -- cars crashing into each other while people drink beer)! It's hunting season now which mean's lotsa bright orange and camo around town and even some dead-deer-tied to car sightings! It's a trip. 

Now that winter is coming, people in the hills are starting to "winterize" everything: cutting firewood, bring animals in form pasture, getting snow plows, tire chains and tractors ready, etc. We can see snow on the Cascades from here, and I have encountered frost a few times in the mornings already. Even though I live in the valley (at about 900ft-- most people live in the surrounding hills), I am still terrified about winter. The days are getting awfully short (I am at a very high latitude) and I just don't think I will survive! At least I get to know that I will be visiting home in a few months -- something to look forward to. It's also apple season, and I live in apple country, so that's pretty awesome! My orchardist friend is bringing me some fresh apples, and they are so delicious everywhere! You can buy fresh picked apples from all the distributors in giant boxes for super cheap. One of the perks of living out here. 

I have also gotten fairly serious about running lately (especially with all this extra anger), and hopefully will be running the Seattle Marathon this December! I have travelled to a 5k and 10K race with my friends here, and done same crazy long hill runs as well. I know I am in the middle of nowhere when my fears while running included getting eaten by a cougar, getting chased by dogs, or getting shot at because I was mistaken for a dear. So far, so good! Maybe the gym is safer. 

Well as I write this it looks like the government has been refunded until January at least. So looks like I can hang out here at least through the winter. PHEFW. 

i think your tractor's sexy! lol

view on one of my runs