the_monster

I think it's safe to say the past four months have been the most important in my life. I hesitate to say best, as there are (hopefully) many more months, years, and decades to come. And their are a few periods of my life that could rival the happiness I've been experiencing lately. It is however when you step back and look at the whole picture, and in impact of the events of the past few months that they really reveal their importance.

Back in May I finished up my internship and graduated from college with a degree in criminology. I was confused about things, I loved the study of criminology but the internship really made me think about what I wanted to do. I absolutely loved being in DC, it's an amazing city for many reasons. The people, not the politicians but the people of the city, are generally wonderful people. the sites are amazing, and the importance of everything going on around you is hard to comprehend but very exciting. But working in an office, sitting at a computer, wearing a suit just wasn't for me. I didn't enjoy it. I came back though still somewhat disillusioned by the pay checks I could be making. I applied at many different government agencies, mostly around DC, but got very little responses and those who did respond were mostly saying I needed more experience.

I began looking more locally. I started applying for loss prevention jobs. Applying during the worst job market in recent history was not fun. I began applying everywhere. I eventually wound up waking up at 3AM to go stock shelves at Target. Oh Joy. I eventually got a call from am organization in Worcester I had applied to at the suggestion of a friend (who worked there). The organization ran various group homes all around Worcester County. These group homes were for various populations, age groups, etc. Somewhere for people with mental and emotional health issues, some for recovering addicts, some with developmental disabilities, and some with a combination. I went in for a few interviews, and was offered a job at a house for teens with behavioral and emotional problems. I immediately went and told Target I would no longer be working for them (I greatly enjoyed doing this). And in September I began training to be a Residential Counselor. By mid October I was fully trained. By November my boss was telling me she was extremely impressed by remain my ability to calm during the most stressful of situations, complete everything asked of me, and relate with the kids. By December I began running shifts. I love this job.

I, as many of you know, live with my parents and sisters. While initially I wanted to move out as soon as possible I realize that for the time being this is OK. I save a lot of money. I get to spend a lot of time with my little sisters. I live very close to work. And who wants to move in the winter? For now this will do. I also had this hard-on about getting out of Worcester. While I still want eventually experience a new city for now I am happy here. I am near my cousins, who I continue to get even closer too. I am near my friends. I am enjoying work. I have my favorite bar close by.

Another thing that has happened is my old group of friends has regrouped. Early in the summer various arguments had us hanging out less and less. Eventually we just went out own ways. This proved very good for us. We, especially me, all are very different from each other and while we were hanging out every night we were not meeting people we could relate to. A break allowed us to establish other groups of friends. We now have people we can relate too. It works nicely. We can get together, talk about stupid shit, get drunk ad watch the History channel, and play Nazi Zombies together but the we have are various other friends we can go talk to about more serious stuff.

And of course, as many of you know I have been having a great time getting to know ravioli. And now that my schedule has settled down and I am used to it, we have been able to hang out a few times, and hopefully this will continue. I am sure it will.

This is just a short list of a few of the many things that are going well right now. What it comes down to is I am growing up in a few areas. Sure I am holding on to many things, I mean I will never be that mature, but I am maturing in ways that matter. However, you can ask Rav about my childish wonder and need to touch everything. I think what it all comes down to is I finally feel I am in the drivers . I am fully in control. I suppose I was while in school but now it's just that all the decisions are mine.

"Ladies and Gentleman. I stand before you now because I never stopped dawdling like an eight-year-old on a spring morning on his way to school. Anything can make me stop and look and wonder, and sometimes learn. I am a very happy man. Thank you." - Kurt Vonnegut in Cat's Cradle