Current mood:	boundless
Current music:	Sonic Youth- Superstar

Life
So I'm done. I just finished my last class and I graduate on the 16th, assuming they find nothing wrong with my thesis. I gleefully quit my job on the 10th, or rather, I've quit and that's my last day. I leave for Europe on the 20th. I have the gear and I have the money, so I'm going. Beyond all that I have no idea what I'm doing with the rest of my life.

I know I'll work on getting published, and that's about all I have nailed down as a plan. I have a really solid piece of work to try and get out there, a respectable amount of fiction. And I probably have a good solid collection of poetry if I get it all together. I have a few ideas for future things I want to write. I'm about as optimistic as I ever let myself get.

As for a career, I'm at a crossroads. The Phd program won't be happening this fall. I was actually more relieved than I thought. It's not something I'm currently committed to doing, but have not yet written off for next year. It's something I might do depending on how the whole publishing thing goes. If I get published I might not need it to get the kind of job I want. As it is, I've narrowed down my options. My first option is teaching for a community college. That would be my first choice. It might prove to be kind of tough because I don't have much in the way of teaching experience. I could probably be an adjunct professor, but that would serve me about as well as a hole in the head... as it wouldn't even come close to paying my bills. The student loan people would have to come hunt me down.

I'm also considering getting ESL certified to teach abroad in Japan, or Argentina, or Brazil... or something. I don't know much about this process yet, but I'm doing my best to look into it. If nothing else it would give me classroom experience and a chance to travel. I'm on the fence with this one until I learn more about it, which is proving pretty aggravating.

And lastly, and probably the most controversial choice, at least for me, is teaching high school. A very big part of me wants to run for the hills at the thought of this. For as long as I can remember I was adamant about absolutely not teaching high school. Never, ever, did I see myself considering this. I didn't like high school much when I was actually in high school, and I don't fancy going back. It would be different, obviously, but I keep imagining a slew of kids who aren't serious about being there (because god knows I wasn't), a rigidly set curriculum, and horrible pay. And yet, about the only things that appeal to me are that I could potentially get into a program that pays me for my student loan payments while I get my credential, the bliss that is summers off, and hopefully move a student or two to potential greatness. Damn my inclination to improve youth, even just a little.

I told myself I won't think about this too much until I come back June 30th. I'm really going to have to pick something by then. If I'm not awarded some junior college offer, it may come down to me drawing an option out of a hat. I guess that's better than pulling one out of my ass.