As some of you may have heard by now, my position at the University of Iowa is, unfortunately, coming to an end sooner than planned. I had hoped it would last into 2012, but alas, funding shortages are moving the schedule up to the point where I can probably only stay here into October (though no specific date has been set). While this, obviously, isn’t the greatest of news, I’m trying to take it in stride and view it as an opportunity to move on to bigger and better things.
Sadly, there isn’t much up in our area for my education and training level, so far as teaching or industry prospects go. Therefore, we’ll be making the move back to St. Louis. Luckily, Brooke was able to secure a position at her old job, Bridges Community Support Services, practically the same day I told her the news. They are more than happy to get her back, as they’re going through the Survey process again like they do every few years (effectively, it’s a State audit of their services and records). She has frequently commented about how she missed working there, so she’s excited to get back to work with those individuals!
As a part of this situation, we made the decision for Brooke to go ahead and start at Bridges as soon as she could. Therefore, she started on July 18th. Basically, this means that we’ll be living apart for the near future. She’ll still return to Iowa on Thursdays, or we’ll meet up in Hannibal occasionally for the weekend, as that’s the half-way point. Brooke will be staying with her sister, who also works in the area. Meg will be staying with me here in Iowa, as daycare is substantially cheaper here than it is in St. Louis. My Mom was kind enough to come visit for this week to help transition me into “semi-single parent” mode, and Meg will stay with Brooke’s parents for a few days next week before starting at daycare again.
Me staying up here a bit longer will also ensure we actually get something out of that garden we’ve worked so hard on!
Hopefully this transition won’t take too long. Believe me, this strategy isn’t the ideal way to carry this out, but we’re going to make the best of it. Again, this wasn’t exactly “The Plan,” but we’re looking at it as an opportunity to return to the friends we made over the 5 years we lived there, and to be closer to family that want to see their granddaughter/niece more often! I’ve applied to various positions in the St. Louis area and have some contacts across the city that are keeping their eyes and ears open for me. I should start hearing back on the first crop of applications in the next week or so, I hope. Certainly, all your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
Thus, we’ll probably post some updates here over the coming weeks (hopefully not months…). We see this as “fate,” of sorts, as many of our close friends are moving back to the St. Louis area and things are aligning relatively well for our return…with the notable exception of me having a job, of course.
So, this is our “New Reality” for the time being. Certainly not a perfect situation, but one we know we have support in dealing with.
What point could there be troubling?
Head down wondering what will become of me?
Why concern we cannot see
But no reason to abandon it
The time is short but that’s all right
Maybe I’ll go in the middle of the night
Take your hands from your eyes, my love
All good things must come to an end some time
But don’t burn the day away
Don’t burn the day away.— “Pig;” Dave Matthews Band