Well, even though I didn't end up moving to Colorado with my ex, I still have been considering getting out of North Dakota at some point. I've been thinking a lot about either Minnesota or Wisconsin as alternatives, and possibly even my home state of Pennsylvania. Of course, I'd need to land a job of some sort before I move, but leaving my current state is definitely on my mind. Don't get me wrong, North Dakota is a great place to raise a family and the overall lifestyle is pretty laid back, but I want to be someplace that has a more interesting landscape. North Dakota is flat, barren, brown, and cold as hell. Essentially, boring. Drinking is pretty much my only past time, and jobs here pay below what most states do - especially teaching jobs which is what I'm looking for.

Hopefully, I'll be out of here in the next few years.

Well since my last post, these are the things that have happened to me:

1. Broke up with my girlfriend.
2. Got back together with my girlfriend.
3. Broke up again.
4. Decided not to move to Colorado.
6. Got promoted at GameStop.
7. Started drinking a lot of alcohol.
8. Turned 25. Yikes.
9. Have continued to drink a lot.
10. Typed this post.

The End.

So I'm going to be moving to Colorado by the end of July. My girlfriend and I have been planning this for a while now as we both have been eager to leave North Dakota, but now that the trip is finally drawing near, I'm kind of nervous.

Neither one of us really has much money saved up or any kind of serious job in sights either. I've spent the past year working as a paraeducator at a small school outside of Minot, and also as a Lead Game Advisor at GameStop for 2 years now. My girlfriend works as a shift manager at a local grocery store and also as a waitress, so we're not exactly rolling the in dough if you know what I mean. I'm hoping to transfer to another GameStop once we move and then eventually find a steady teaching job in the Fort Collins area. It's a scary prospect, though, believe me.

Fortunately, my girlfriend's dad lives in Fort Collins, and he is willing to help us out a bit once we get there. We're really fortunate to have someone in the area to give us some tips and guidance, because otherwise we'd be going in completely blind and basically broke. In the long run, I think that moving to Colorado will be the right decision and give us more opportunities for success. However, taking that first leap of faith worries me.

But, then again, I always have been a bit of a worrier. Here's to the future...

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I was going to post the last Octocat Adventure I found on YoutTube, but it can wait.

Today I was thinking about how by working 2 jobs (I am a teacher's aide 30 hours a week and also work 20 hours or so in a retail environment on top of that) I portray 2 completely different people. For six hours a day, I'm in a classroom assisting students who struggle academically. While it's not always easy, it is almost always rewarding and I feel like I'm making a difference in a kid's life - even if I'm not exactly working as a full time teacher (I do have a valid North Dakota teacher's license by the way). Then, not even two hours after I finish my teaching job, I change into my usual GameStop uniform and drive back across town to the mall. While there, I assist customers, give advice on purchases, try to sell game reserves and magazine subscriptions, and of course, work a register. Again, while not always easy or totally rewarding, I enjoy what I do and make the best of it.

Both jobs require strong social skills, a solid knowledge of the subject matter, and a positive attitude to succeed. However, in both jobs, I'm doing two totally different things, and assume the role of 2 totally different personalities. Yeah, I'm ultimately the same person, but Kyle the teacher and Kyle the Game Advisor are not the same person. Even further, I take on a similar, but slighty different personality/attitude when with friends or family - which strains my being even further. How does this happen? Why am I not the same guy no matter what situation I'm in? Am I the only one like this?

I wonder these things sometimes. I also wonder if I'm crazy, but that's not really for me to decide is it?

ITS OCTOCAT ADVENTURE 3

ITS OCTOCAT ADVENTURE 2

ITS OCTOCAT ADVENTURE 1

So I've finally started teaching as a substitute. It's been a unique experience, no doubt about it. Basically, I log onto a website and select which available absences I'd like to do, or else wait for an automated system to call me up and ask whether or not I'm interested.

I kind of feel like I'm a mercenary or something, constantly hunting for my next job. Or a freelance writer, waiting to submit my work to whoever will print it. The pay isn't bad, but it is sporadic and unreliable - so I've ended up supplementing my income by continuing to work at GameStop. That isn't so bad either, but whenever someone I know sees me in there, they ask me what the hell I'm doing working at a video games store when I could have a "real" job somewhere else.

This annoys me and also embarrasses my co-workers whose full time job IS working at a shitty retail store putting up with dumb ass customers. People can't seem to get the hint.

Otherwise, life is good for the most part. I moved into a new apartment (which was kind of a forced issue... that's another story) and have almost gotten 100% unpacked and settled now. Money is tight (c'mon, I'm a poor teacher remember??) but I'm surviving. I recently noticed that there are 10 openings for elementary ed. positions next fall in Bismarck, ND so I'm currently working on putting together a resume and applying. If all goes well, I'll have a job lined up for a few years at least.

Yay.

Last Friday was my last day of college ever, though truthfully I haven't been in the classroom as a student since July. I've spent the past 12 weeks student teaching a class of 5th graders. It may sound daunting, and believe me, it wasn't always a cakewalk, but I have to say that it has been - possibly - the best 12 weeks of my life.

Well, at least in recent memory.

It's really strange how easy it is to get attached to a group of kids. Maybe I'm just a freak, or maybe I'm a wuss, but after a while, you start to become accustomed to seeing the kids every day. Talking with them, joking with them, and teaching them... It's a unique experience that I'm so glad I have the opportunity to enjoy.

It's also nice to finally be done with college. Of course college rocked, but I think I've matured enough over the past 4 and 1/2 years to realize that there's more to life than beer and ramen noodles. At the same time, it's incredibly scary contemplating the changes which will be happening in the near future, which will shape my life for the next few years. I don't know if I'm fully ready to be 100% independent - but I don't have much choice either.

Wish me luck.