Start-up

Having things be easy and relaxing is about to be over, but sometimes, that's a good thing.

Michael has started really focusing on his thoughts on starting his own business and I, with a background-of-sorts in entrepreneurship and the fact that I am actually teaching a class on entrepreneurship when school starts in the fall, am the self-appointed business coach.

I've spent the last few hours researching courses on how to start a business and soon we will decide which one to take and go to together. I've also been pulling out all of my old AWED business cards to see who I know that can help me, both with Michael's goals and my new teaching expectations.

None of this is really earth-shattering at this point, but I am really excited to see Michael finally follow his dream in such a way. He has a great background as an athlete and I think he'll be able to develop and market his program in a way that will bring him success. I am really proud of his determination.

As for myself, I am wavering on the idea of getting a second job for the school year at a stationery store in Grand Central. The income wouldn't be that much, but it would be fun and the discount would be worth it when it comes to wedding invitations and such. Also, I am planning on taking a class at The Learning Annex (like UT's Informal Classes in Austin) in calligraphy. I am toying around with the idea of learning to do calligraphy and then marketing my new skills through the stationery store where I don't work yet and the bridal salon where I went looking around the other day, where they keep a book of recommended vendors for wedding and event services. But, nothing is set in stone. I'm just playing around in my head. It might prove more than I can handle, a second-year teacher starting a new program, doing a club and finishing my Master's Degree and applying to start a second one.

Oh, I didn't mention that, did I? After a lot of thinking (and talking to Michael) I am pretty sure that I am going to go for my MLIS (Master's in Library and Information Science) at St. John's University.

Besides that, in other "relationship" news, Michael and I are talking (just talking!) right now about getting a house to move into next summer. (Even though we don't have an official date, we are kind of assuming we'll be married by then.) It'll be helpful to have some more space to accomplish all of our lofty goals in. :) (Also more room for out-of-town guests!)

Anyway, it's nice to see all of this in print. I'd been feeling like I needed to start writing out a plan on how to get through the next year, since this past one was so hectic. Coming up, I'll be sorting out the final arrangements for mom's estate, so I am anxious for everything else to go as smoothly as possible.

Home again, home again

Yes, I'm back in NY, and have been here for a few weeks now. The rest of the Texas trip was, um, interesting. I would love to say that my Texas family loved Michael, but my brother just grunted at him before going back to his nap on the couch and refused to even go to lunch with us on the pretense that I had stood him up for dinner the night before. The conversation went like this: Me: Do you wanna come to lunch with us after the garage sale so we can talk and you can meet Michael? Him: No, bitch. You didn't come to dinner last night. I told the kids you were coming and everything. I can see you just don't care about them. Me: When did you invite me to dinner? Him: I called you yesterday! Me: But you didn't talk to me... Him: No, but I called. Me: Did you leave a message about dinner or ask me to call back, 'cuz I didn't get a message from you and (scrolling through my phone) there aren't any missed calls from you either. Him: No, I didn't leave an f"*ing message. I called from my friends house...so? You should've known and come over. So, now, since you've proved what a bitch you are, why don't you just leave? Anyway, that's how most of our conversations went while I was there, so I just did my best to avoid him and, as usual, try to do eveything on my own. Meanwhile, I did get to see Conner and Amy, and they, of course, are beyond delighful and very helpful friends. They are the best!!! Our trip home, was, well, interesting. Our first flight was delayed 5 or 6 hours, so we had BBQ at the airport and did some shopping. Our connection was just about to take off when we got into Houston. What that added up to in NYC (when we finally got in at 1 in the morning) was that none of our luggage made it back to NY with us and we had to have it brought to the house the next afternoon. So, after about 3 weeks in Texas, true to form, I got really, really sick just before getting on the plane to come home and spent my first 2 weeks back home lying on the couch. After 10 days of being totally lethargic, Michael insisted that I go to the doctor. My temperature when I got there was 100 degrees. (No wonder I had felt like such crap!) Everything is getting back to normal now, and we're gearing up for school again. I have a training this Thurs. and most of the last week of the month. Anyway, it is nice to be home and seeing Michael on a regular basis again. Lena and Sydney say "hi" !