Ride the change or change the ride

Some decisions were made recently that should be noted. Andrea and I will still be getting married and I will still be getting a visa for her to enter the states. The only difference is that she won't be entering with me in July. Some very important doors have been opening for her recently and we both decided it's in her best interest if she takes advantage of certain opportunities that have presented themselves and meet me in the states at the end of the year. Which means, I will be focusing 100% of my efforts to return to the states after my contract finishes in June, instead of looking to other foreign lands.

While Andrea is taking advantage of her opportunities, I'll be taking advantage of my own, namely going back to school and getting my teaching credentials. The decision I have to make now is: Where will I be? I've narrowed it down to four places (not in any particular order): Denver, Tucson, LA, and San Francisco. All four places have their own specific advantages and disadvantages. But ultimately, the driving factors for finishing my credentials will be twofold: if I can find a (teaching?) job and how costly and quick the extended education will be. The programs I've investigated thus far have varied between 9 months and one year if going full time, costs unknown. Which brings up another decision I have to make: do I work while going to school or not? That decision narrows the locations down to two, maybe three places.

The bottom line is I have to make a decision soon because registration to many credential programs will end within the next month or so.

A simple answer to a simple question about a profound subject

This morning I celebrated Andrea's birthday by asking her to be my wife. She said yes. Today also happens to mark the 18 month-a-versary that I met her for the second time for the first time. If that sounds confusing, it should. I originally met her in a gym about two years ago but only said hello to her (I was talking with a friend in a local gym who she also knew and was apparently meeting there). Then on September 6, 2004 (about 5 months later) she and I happened to be walking in opposite directions through a local park when we recognized each other, started talking, and then went for coffee. The rest has been historic bliss for me.

During my recent plight for finding gainful employment, I came to the conclusion that Andrea and I would be much more successful by being a married teaching couple than two crazy teachers in love. And, knowing that if overseas employment wasn't a possibility, returning to the states as a married couple would also be much easier from an embassic perspective than two crazy teachers in love. Oh, and I'm crazy in love with her too (that goes without saying). So all the arrows were pointing in the direction of marriage and it also felt right to propose on her birthday for some reason. I'm very happy and feel very fortunate.

So the idea is to get all the paperwork necessary for the visa application turned in as soon as possible. I understand that the process takes between 3 and 4 months. Which means we will be getting married quickly with a justice of the peace, then planning a more 'traditional'(?) wedding wherever we end up.

If you would like to read a more romantic story of the recent events, you can visit Andrea's page.