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MaamJay -> RE: January Roll Call (1/3/2009 7:23:46 AM)
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Well, things are looking up here! 2008 was a tough one, with Mum getting sick, needing to get her house cleared and then dying quite suddenly, necessitating several long flights which killed My back. Also not getting the job that seemed so right for Me at the local Uni ... and Master getting pushed out of His day job too! The local music scene has been very hard to break into, and while the gigs We've done have gone well, there's not been enough to keep Us up financially. I was toying with the idea of finally getting around to doing a PhD in science education ... people have been on at Me for years to do it, but it wouldn't have been feasible in My previous stressful living situation. Master is so wonderfully laidback and supportive, I can contemplate it now. So I applied to 2 different Universities in the hopes of getting a place and a tax free scholarship from at least one. However, with not much paid work likely to be available locally, in any of Our collective endeavours, We also made the decision to put the house on the market and buy a 5th wheeler RV and take off to see Australia!
And the good news is ... I got offered a scholarship! Amazingly from the more prestigious of the 2 Unis that I tried, the one I didn't expect! However it is the one where My primary supervisor is Professor so I am sure that helped no end, although having worked successfully at the other, I thought My name might have filtered more easily into the higher echelons there. I did rate well on their reserve list which apparently would put Me quite likely to still get a place there, but I will happily accept the definite offer and let someone else get bumped up! I'm one happy lady! While the scholarship isn't fortunes, it definitely wouldn't finance Us staying in the house, it should go a long way to keeping Us on the road, especially if We camp at a lot of the free sites that are available all round the country. And the money left over from the house sale, plus the inheritance once Mum's house is sold (a few complications there but hopefully they will be sorted soon) can sit in the bank and earn some interest which will further help to keep Us going. We're planning to buy an RV with a back section in which We can cart the PA gear and instruments (and I can have a little study desk) so will also be looking for work as a "touring band". Hopefully predictions of more work in more remote areas where people will be glad of a new band passing through will come true!
Still not sold the house and We can't really buy the RV till We do, but it's early days yet. Have had an offer but way too low, despite the economic crash, this isn't a fire sale! Had another looker today who seemed interested, let's hope they come up with a reasonable offer. NOT looking forward to the sorting, packing, selling and storing one bit ... but the ultimate goal will be worth it. Master and I are such good travellers together, it will be good for both of Us.
Also finally met the boy I was talking to for most of 2008 and he was worth waiting for. No idea if it will ultimately work out for him to be 24/7 with Us, but enjoying seeing him when I can, playing with him, and training him. Where there's a will there's a way I figure!
So yay, things are looking up here. Hope they are for everyone else too! Good luck to those looking for jobs ... and those looking for partners! And for those who are blissfully in love with theirs, spending time with them now or planning marriages ... may 2009 be the best year yet for all!
Maam Jay aka violet[A]
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