A New Life

If things are going untowardly one month, they are sure to mend the next. -- Jane Austen

So enough with the sad, self-pitying posts. I finally just have to say that I am satisfied. I've been working at UVU now for about three weeks, and I really adore it. The folks are great, the creative freedom is great, and the seemingly unlimited budgets are very great.

My new apartment is super-spacious and even has an added bonus of having a fireplace, albeit in an awkward place in the front room. Dad and I have promptly broken a paramount leasing rule and made "constructive changes" to the room by installing a mantle around the fireplace and it looks fabulous, but if I'm found out, I believe I'll be dead renter meat.

I have a little covered porch that I eat breakfast on and enjoy views of Timp. It's lovely. I'd love to post some pics, but I seem to have lost the camera in the move... so too bad so sad. Maybe later.

New news

I am afraid that the pleasantness of an employment does not always evince its propriety.--Jane Austen letters

So I'll be honest. Besides moving Marilee to Las Vegas on Memorial day weekend--which I purposely didn't post because it was too sad--I haven't posted anything because how many times can you write "Today I kept looking for a job..." with the occasional "I had an interview which I thought went well..." But I'm happy to post that I did receive an offer from Utah Valley University to work in their prospective student offices as a graphic designer.

Side note extra quote: Here's a great one from Emma, which I thought was funny today, considering what was on my mind...I know how she feels. "She had always wanted to do everything, and had made more progress, both in drawing and music, than many might have done with so little labour as she would ever submit to. She played and sang -- and drew in almost every style; but steadiness had always been wanting; and in nothing had she approached the degree of excellence which she would have been glad to command and ought not to have failed of. She was not much deceived as to her own skill either as an artist or a musician, but she was not unwilling to have others deceived, or sorry to know her reputation for accomplishment often higher than it deserved."

I often go walking

To sit in the shade on a fine day, and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment. --Jane Austen

Lately, for some reason I've taken to walking along the trails at the Utah Botanical Center. Probably because it justifies me not making it to the gym for some real exersize. It's a little loud because I-15 runs right next to it, but you can still hear the birds and the water and that really all that matters. It's quite relaxing to watch the pelicans fish, and the geese and ducks and other songbirds doing their spring things. There's some nice trails, but I love to walk around to the back side and hide in the tall grass. It's nice to take a sketchbook and a lunch and have some time away from the computer.

Work is looking up, I'm thinking I might start a freelance business. I just need a great name....there's work to be had if I get the gumption to go looking for it. And it would allow me to contunue watching the birds. And not having a boss is nice too. We'll see how that goes anyway.

Happy Earth Day! ...yesterday

I went and saw Disney's movie called earth. I thought it looked familiar, I watch BBC's planet earth series over and over, mostly on Sundays. Anyway, apparently Disney was in cahoots with the BBC and Discovery Channel and they all have certain rights to the footage. I'd say the movie is about 60% scenes from planet earth, and 40% new stuff. It's still worth the $8 though to see the film on the big screen and with the big sound. There's a scene where you go off the edge of Iguacu Falls, and the pounding water is really fun to hear. And the fact that they'll plant a tree for evey ticket sold the first week is pretty great too.

Disappointments

There will be little disappointments everywhere, and we are all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of happiness fails, human nature turns to another; if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second better: we find comfort somewhere. --Mansfield Park

I had a bit of a crazy breakdown last night. You spend your growing up years wishing to be independent, and then you realize one day that you're suddenly an adult and you wish there was someone to take care of you again.

I used this quote because I'm feeling disappointed lately. Being unemployed will do that to you I suppose. It's hard to find meaning in a day filled with job rejections. But-- I just have to remember-- a whole new life waits for me to find it. My second life will be better, and I could have it so much worse. I'm very greatful for a family who loves me, a big yard full of work that needs to be done, and people who need my help. Wish me luck.

Masterpiece Classic

I watched the first part of Masterpiece Classic's version of Dicken's Little Dorrit last night with my mom. Mr. Darcy is in it! I was happy to see that Matthew MacFayden can smile, as he only does it once or twice in Pride and Prejudice. 

It is all about money. About how society and government deal with it, and how it effects family life. It's also about facing temptations and how we handle them. How we are emotionally and financially in debt to society and our families from the day we are born, and how honor, honesty and virtue can save us from a miserable life. It's quite up-to-date, and you can see why I'm particularly interested in it now. 

Surprises

I got a happy surprise on Saturday night. I was enjoying my dinner when I heard a faint cough and baby coo. Claybee came to visit! He's getting big and starting to look a little more like his mom. He already is the spitting image of his dad. He got some good grandpa time so I didn't hold him much. What a cutie.