First off, to spare the suspension: No baby yet…but LOTS of great, love-filled energy. 🙂

So, where are we today, building the groundwork for 2013?

Well, I have quit my job as manager of The Regeneration Station and have decided to go back to school and teaching. I’ve really missed teaching at Ivy Tech and would like to return to the community college setting. I’ve also really missed academia, so I’m taking a couple online courses for my masters through IU. There aren’t many graduate school options around here, so I’ll probably finish my online program since I’m only a few classes away, and then look into other local options. I’m feeling drawn to work on my PhD, but I’m not sure what in. I’m just letting myself explore this semester and see what I love.

Leaving the shop was a really really really hard decision to make. I felt like I was letting the company down and giving up. But I finally just had to realize that I wasn’t doing what I loved, and I couldn’t deny it any longer. I still LOVED my job and time at The Regeneration Station, and I want to continue to be involved in the company and the upcycling movement. Through my time at the store, I realized that upcycling (especially furniture) is really a passion of mine. One that should be pursued and fulfilled. That being said, I also learned that I don’t want the responsibilities and stress that come along with running a small business like that. At least not right now. I can’t fulfill the needs of a company like that when I know that there are basic needs of my own that aren’t being met. I need to take care of myself before I can help others.

If I’m not slinging mattresses and selling upcycled furniture, then what am I doing now? I’m officially a full time student. (i.e. I took a little extra out in student loans to help pay rent for the semester.) So I’m diving head first into academia (and finally getting those journal articles submitted). I’m also diving head first into my writing. I finally just need to get it all out there and stop holding myself back. Same goes for singing and songwriting. 😉

So I’m taking a semester for me. Time for me to explore the things that I love and give my soul the attention that it needs. I’ll still be on the lookout for work opportunities and see what arises. I have faith it will all work for the good. Normally it does when I just surrender.

There’s so much more in my head and heart that I can’t wait to share, but I think that’s a long enough post for one day. 🙂

So much love!
Kim