Money, money, money...

I know money doesn't buy happiness, but a lack of it surely is depressing.

I've been semi-unemployed for quite a while now. It was originally a choice -- quit my full-time job, cash out the 401(k), and live on the proceeds while I finish school. The money would last about 9 months -- a year if I was really careful. Ah, the best laid plans....

In reality, I didn't pass the test I needed to pass to become a court reporter and the tests are only given twice a year, the money ran out, and the economy sucks. Finding another full-time job has proved quite challenging. At the end of the summer, things looked promising. I went on several job interviews and several second interviews. Unfortunately, I was second choice on all of the positions, so I am still looking and there is really not much out there for an administrative assistant.

I am fortunate that I have the portrait photography to fall back on and I'm doing that part time (in a different, more healthy environment for a different company) and my old job part time. It pays the bills most of the time.

No, I'm not just whining, there is a moral to my pity-fest.

Through it all, I have learned that yes, I really do want to be a court reporter. It's not going as I planned, but the rewards will be so sweet. My perseverance will pay off. I've learned that I have lots of people who are rooting for me (as well as a few who enjoy watching me fail, but I've learned who those people are and have weeded them out of my life). I've realized that God does provide in some pretty amazing ways.

So, nearly a year off from blogging and my life is pretty much the same as it was before. Not what I expected, either. But, I am another year wiser, another year stronger. As an acquaintance of mine is fond of saying... every day above the grass is a blessing.