I've decided to extend my stay to the 18th of December now. There were a few reasons, most of them centered around financial reasons, a few were touched on my sadness of leaving. In the end though, it made sense to stay a few weeks longer, and everyone seems happier about it. As a bonus, I can now attend the Christmas party. Any ideas on a generic, under $10 gift I can buy?

Because I am staying, I'll be getting another paycheck and a half (though, most of that extra paycheck will go December's rent and utilities). More importantly, though, I will be able to claim employment insurance. This is a massive relief.

So, now I can start thinking about the future.

It's funny. Lately, it seems like I've been falling in love with MW all over again - not that ever fell out of love, mind you. Far from it. Maybe it's the excitement of knowing that we will be together soon(ish), that we will both find jobs, and live in the same city, and pick up where we left off. Maybe it's that by next week, we'll have been dating for a year. I don't know the reason, and I don't care, frankly. It just feels good.

...and Christmas is coming up. For those of you who haven't put it together yet, don't expect anything too fabulous from me this year. I'll do what I can, and you will just have to forgive me. Unlike some people, I completely endorse the notion that Christmas is about gifts. Giving, and receiving. I do actually attend mass every Christmas, so I do buy in, somewhat, to the spiritual aspect of the holidays, but mostly, it's about the bling. All this to say: Just a forewarning from me. If you would like anything on a smaller scale, please pass it along!

Sorry to jump all over, but I just had to mention: Ironically enough, there has been 3 pregnant young girls uncovered of the past week at the local high school. That's TEN PERCENT of the graduating class here. The girls are 12, 15, and 16. One of them is actually one of the 2 doctor's daughters (can someone correct my grammar on that?). Two of these cases are (technically) statutory rape (one boy was 17, one is 22). Once again, I was one of the last people to hear about them. I don't take it personally, but, again, I'm duplicate a lot of services here, so I'm usually the last resort for high school girls. Hearing this, part of me just wants to throw up my hands and shake my head. Actually, most of me does.