Hello everyone!
It's been quite a while, huh? These past few years have been... nothing short of crazy for me.
But I'm finally feeling like I'm getting a handle on things and more importantly, really moving forward in my life, instead of simply letting life move forward with me.
First big news, I am going back to school!
This is a huge thing for me. It's been 5 years ever since I finished two years and then had my beautiful daughter. I wanted to have the rest of my children and let them grow before returning to school, but I'm simply realizing that isn't the best option for myself and my family, so it's time for a change.
My major will be secondary art education, so hopefully, in 2-3 years, I will have my teaching certificate. It's insane how important a stupid little paper is. In these five years since stopping school, I have been substitute teaching. It hasn't been consistent, but it's helped me know what I really want to do with my life. Unfortunately, even though I feel prepared and experienced enough to be able to teach my own class, society says differently. They say I MUST have this little paper before I can be trusted in a permanent job position. Stupid, but true. So here I go back to school!
I'm very excited about it! I've always done well in school, and though it will be a big adjustment to do that as well as raise children, I'm not scared.
And I have to say, It's a nice feeling not to be scared of what's going to happen next.
The second big news is that we're moving into a bigger city. Finally. This was supposed to have happened months ago, but due to really unfortunate circumstances out of our control, the place promised to us would not be ready for years to come.
The other unfortunate thing about all of this is that we only found out it won't be ready AFTER we had moved out of our other home. It was extremely stressful, but I have a really supportive family, and we've been able to spend the last few months with a roof over our heads.
But we have a new place prepared. It's paid for and simply waiting. We'll move in after the new year.
Third big news is that I'm finally published! It's just a short story in a larger anthology of stories, but it's awesome non-the-less. It's been a ton of work, and my wonderful writing group has honestly been supporting me so much. I couldn't have done any of this without them.
Here is the link to our anothology! It's pretty great, if I say so myself.
www.amazon.com/dp/0960008721I'm not done there, though. My short story is really just the beginning of a novella. I will be finishing the whole story as we head into the new year, and it's my goal to have that published as it's own independent book by the end of 2019.
More updates on that soon!!
I'm going into 2019 with a new found energy. I was in a very dark place emotionally the last few years and it feels like I'm emerging from the cave into the open air and there's a vast new world to explore. Depression is a very serious thing, and I encourage anyone who is going through the same thing to go get help. I could have never made it to where I am without all the support I have received, as well as medicinal help. I am being weaned off the anti-depressants I've been taking, and it's just a really good feeling to feel more emotionally healthy.
A lot more has happened, but I won't go into everything. Just know that as we wrap up 2018, this is a closure on some dark things, and ready for a fresh start going into 2019.
See you all there!!