OK, so now that I have a new goal, I need to find a new way to organize. I've had a pretty good system for the past 3 years, and I've done relatively well. But some things have dropped through the cracks. So I think that I need a new way to organize things so that fewer things get ignored. I'm not quite sure what it's going to be yet. Any suggestions?

So, it's been almost 2 weeks since my graduation. The parties are over. The congratulations have stopped coming. I've stopped grinning like a Cheshire cat. And now...the let-down.

It's not that I'm not still happy about the celebrations and the well-wishes. It's just that...well...now what?

I have the same job (which, by the way, was quite sucky yesterday). I have the same relationships (or lack thereof). My best friend has basically disappeared for the next two months. I just feel...I dunno...lonely and let-down.

I really have nothing to look forward to. Looking forward is what has always carried me through. Without that...*sigh*

So...*sigh*

I just thought of the following things to add to my previous list.

(3.5) English handbells. I want a set of 2-1/2 or 3 octaves, along with tables, foams, cases with wheels. I can take it from there. All of this costs $5000 to $6000. That's all. :)

(5.5) My own bakery and/or bakery business. I think I'd be good at it. I think I'd enjoy it. I think it would be cool. Yeah?



OK, that's all for now. Insert these into the previous list at the appropriate places.

Graduation was 8 days ago, and people continue to ask me "what's next?" As if this is just a means to an end and not something that I want to revel in for a while. Nevertheless, I do have to think about my future, and so I have compiled a list of goals, mostly long-term, for my life...

(1) A new job. I like my job. It is interesting and fun. But the drive is annoying, there is really no chance of doing anything other than what I do, and being a math teacher in an art school means I will never been anyone's mentor. I want to be a mentor to teachers and an advisor to education policy-makers. Is that so much to ask? I think I deserve to have something good happen to me finally.

(2) No more debt. This is going to take a while, I know. I am still trying to dig out from the failed business venture. But if (1) works, then (2) will come slowly.

(3) A clean house. This is a huge project and has been a long time coming. Every time I feel like I'm making a dent in things, it just gets worse. I need to get this house cleaned up and fixed up. (And then I can throw a huge party!)

(4) My own house. OK, this is going to take a long time. Either (1) has to be spectacular, or I have to win the lottery. But I want a house. A really awesome house. :)

(5) Adoption. With a house and a job, I can finally achieve my dream of adoption. Enough said.

(6) Marriage. I know that you are wondering why this is at the end of my list. It just is.

I also have some short-term goals. Publication, Summer Institute, AERA, a book. Another party. Maybe a vacation. An actual date.

So I'm asking for your prayers. Because these are not things that I take lightly. Thanks in advance.