One down, eleven to go.

Rent? ☑
Gas/Electric? ☑
Water? ☑
Internet? ☑
Cell phone? ☑

Well, there it is! One billing cycle down. Needless to say, I've been waiting for this. I know it's only the first of twelve, but Sean was right when he brought this up. It's a glass-half-full kind of perspective. To add even more to my already-half-full glass, I only have three more cycles until he's back for R&R! Good things.

I'm in the middle of my new student orientation for University of Phoenix. I have enough to say on the matter, so I'll save it for a new post sometime this weekend. For now, all is well.

You are the moon.

Not much has happened over the past couple days. The funny thing? I like it. I've stayed at home mostly, spending time on my laptop, reading, knitting, watching movies. I had a Netflix & Chinese food night with Elliott! Although, he didn't get any of my food.. so maybe he wasn't as pleased with the evening as I was. But, I digress. I've been spending time alone, and I'm okay with that. Pleased with it, even. While it may seem unhealthy to some - staying in my pajamas all day, drinking lots of coffee, and going outside solely for cigarettes (hey, it's hot as hell here in Texas!!) - I can honestly say that I'm not unhappy with my days. I'm managing to stay in touch with a handful of close friends, a few I talk to everyday. The freedom to do as I please really is refreshing.

I'm considering quitting my bar job. I've already talked it over with Sean. What I originally thought would be a great change of pace for me has become just another stressor. The Jessica I was in Germany, or even prior to, would have been more than happy to serve and tend bar in this place. The Jessica I've become since meeting Sean, however, is more than discontent working in a dingy hole-in-the-wall, serving drunk bikers, rednecks and mexicans, and coming home sticky with stale beer. It's not where I should be at this point in my life, even if the money is good. It's not worth it. I may or may not work at Star Co. again. It all depends on.....

I'm going to school!! Sean told me he'd really been thinking it through, and he wants me to start classes while he's gone. No sooner than his next message was typed had I pulled up the FAFSA site and started applying. I spent nearly 6 straight hours delving into the depths of the internet, looking for scholarships and grants and researching online schools. The next morning, I was woken up by a call from Ai. Since, I've been absolutely inundated with phone calls from schools I requested information from. Now, I'm leaning towards University of Phoenix.. although when I say 'leaning', I really mean diving in. I've spoken with advisers from there, and have officially put in my application. I think this is actually going to happen. I've got my fingers crossed for good news today from them, and for as much financial aid as I can get.

Aside from all that insanity, life is moving slowly. I've finished Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby, and have just started The Idiot by, of course, Fyodor Dostoevsky. I'm listening to Akron/Family, and my cat is being annoyingly affectionate. Today will be today. And tomorrow, it'll be tomorrow.

Alabama?

Yesterday, Sean was told he'd be going to Ft. Rucker, Alabama on Friday (this Friday!) for a week of training. Apparently, there needs to be a PAO present at any training exercise, and since Sean counts for 50% of their office, he got tagged for the job. The other 50% is just some bitter, middle-aged woman. We won't talk about her.

Obviously, I'd keep him here if I could. They're taking a weekend away from us with this training, and there are so precious few of them left. But this might be good for me, I'm trying to look at it that way. A week to myself. I can hang out with some friends of mine from Austin, maybe pick up a little bud and play MW2 here. A week isn't so bad, and I understand that. It's just one hell of a pain in the ass for him. Maybe I'll smoke a cigarette in the bath while he's gone. Don't tell him, though.