A Rough Patch

Dear blog readers,

I haven't posted in a long time and I'm sure you can imagine why. I spent a week in Bilbao with Lillian visiting our little sister Cathy who's studying there for the semester. The trip was truly incredible - one of the best weeks of my life. We had the most happy, refreshing time together and I'll be posting pictures of it soon.

I spent this past weekend in Chicago where my littlest sister Angela made her First Holy Communion on Saturday. This is a big event for Catholics and we celebrated with a big party for family and friends. I had missed my family very much and it was a treat to see them and my best friend Maggie, who came over for the festivities.

Since I got back, though, I have to admit that I've hit a rough patch. My current job is on a one-year contract that ends in June. I recently found out that I won't be hired to stay on full-time after that. On the one hand, this is a blessing in disguise. I already knew that I didn't want to continue working in political journalism for much longer and the end of my contract will give me a chance to seek work in other fields. But I can't help feeling down on myself and on my job performance, wondering if I did something wrong that caused them not to hire me, even though I know this decision was practical and not personal.

I'm also stressed about the thought of having to find a new job. The reality is that I'm not even sure what kind of job I want to have. I've wanted to be a journalist since my first week of college, and while I plan to continue writing no matter what job I get, I'm coming to terms with the fact that full-time journalism might not be the best fit for me. Which leads me to ask myself, with increasing panic, Then what is? I honestly have no clue. I know I want a job that allows me to contribute positively to the world and where I get to work with people. That's awfully vague, though, and one co-worker warned me that all I should look for at this point is "a job that pays the bills and that I don't hate." Well, that sounds a little dour but it's probably sound advice.

All of this is to explain why I haven't posted since getting back. I will put up the Spain pictures and First Communion pictures soon, but please bear with me if I'm not as chipper as usual in the days ahead. On top of all the job stress, I'm still combating jet lag and feeling a little bit like a zombie today.

But it wouldn't be a post from me if it didn't end on a cheery note, and indeed I have some very good news to share as well. Lillian accepted a job in Delaware and just moved out there this week. Her boyfriend will be working for the same company and he is set to move in June. Now they'll only live an hour and a half away from me! Frank and I are already plotting fun visits and double dates for the four of us. We can't wait.

Even better news, today is Frank's last day of law school finals! He's been stressed about them for two weeks and I'm so happy for him to be done. His life will be much easier and more restful now. To celebrate, we looked up a recipe for Panda Express orange chicken (a dish we both LOVE) and we're making it together tonight.

Thank you for your patience!

~ Tess