Sleepless in Seattle (cliche!!! *puke* <-- real mature, I know)

It has been a tiresome week.

That being said, Hi! I bet you've missed me... because I've missed just about everything that has to do with home, so most likely you're included in that.

I purposely waited a week to post, not only because I was so terribly busy over the last few days but also because I didn't want to post anything that was devoid of a tasteful seasoning of time and temperance to my new surroundings. I knew that if I posted as soon as I got here I would have some blissful "honeymoon" rant that would, in the end, be less than truthful and I would end up having to post again to retract or revise my previous statements and, really, who wants to read something twice when they can read it once? You'll thank me for it. Trust me.

I also wanted to wait until I had some time after Michael left because it has been very difficult here without my other half and I didn't want to be an emotional mess about the whole thing and then make you read it...

Here's how the whole thing sort of came to be:

I had a less than pleasant time during my student teaching because of a few different factors and was feeling particularly dismayed about my imminent future as a teacher, so I decided to "look into" other possible routes, in hopes of delaying my conformation to the human machine as long as possible. One suggestion that I found especially intriguing was that of childcare, nannying specifically. At first I started looking for local families but I wasn't finding the type of desired results that I had originally hoped for, so I expanded my location preferences... and by "expanded" I mean to the ENTIRE United States; Dumb idea, I know. So I was contacted by this really great family out in Seattle, Washington who flew me out to see just how wonderful they were and we decided to make it happen.

Needless to say, Michael and I had a few discussions about this whole procession because it would entail my leaving him for a long period of time and also possibly uprooting him from his home, which is more than I could ever hope for. He was fully supportive of me and is *fingers crossed* making the arduous journey to rainy Seattle to nest here for a while with me around the New Year.

He flew out here to stay with me (and meet the people he was handing the care of his love over to) for a few days and we had an amazing time exploring a tiny slice of the city and surrounding nature that is my new home. One day we took all morning and went hiking on Mount Rainer down to a "babbling brook" that we picked out from a bridge far far above *see pictures*. After a few hours of carefully hiking down the muddy terrain and skidding down scuttling shale rocks (kind of like how I'm making you read this right now...), we made it down to the river and dipped our feet in the ice cold runoff of this winter's lingering mountaintop snow. It was one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring days I think I've ever had, and I got to share it with the man that I love. A true blessing.

(Change of subject on account of welling tear ducts)

(p.s. click on the picture to the left - I would have to say that it is one of my best ever)

So, I guess you could say that I'm settled. I've officially sent out mail, changed my address, gotten my new iPhone, and even painted my room. Yes, I painted my room. It was my project - you should know me well enough to expect that from me! Lets just say that when I got here, Tera had moved upstairs and left a stunning (literally) conglomeration of hunter and slate that would conjure dreams at night of being in a prison... in the jungle? I have to say that I was a bit frightened by it, thus the hurried nature in which I took on this project. Needless to say, it took 2 coats of primer (3 at the corners), two coats of cream paint, and two coats of teal, 6 coats in all. Do you know how much work that is? I think that if I tried, I could crack a chestnut between my 2nd and 3rd fingers on account of the immense muscular prowess that it required to paint a room of this stature 6 times. I think that before I find my way to bed I'll put a muscle-relief hot pad on my hand and forearm to aid in the recuperation.

I am watching 2 kids (out of 7, two of which are married and out of the house). Kiara is a 6yr old Diva who is very used to getting her way but is also surprisingly polite and has a very endearing passion for performing. Zak is 8 and he is quite the emotional ball of yarn that constantly seems to be unraveling for some reason or another, but when he's happy boy is he happy! He has night terrors which, for me, are a constant struggle because he wakes up nearly every night at least once screaming bloody murder and usually on his way out of his bed by the time I get over there. The doctors say it will get better, though, so here's hoping it gets better. P.S. She only looks harmless.

So, all in all, this job is tiring. I won't lie or sugar coat it - I didn't much feel like it today because I had a bout of homesickness that nearly took me out around 7:00 local time. However, I really like the family and I know that they are good people that are simply trying to live their lives the best way they can and I am a tool that helps not only relieve a bit of the stress but also gives them the freedom to spend quality time with their kids, which is worth the stress because I know that I am doing them a huge service and I feel good about it at the end of the day no matter how pooped I am.