New Year

Well, I'm officially over the Christmas Blues. Yay! Thank God that's over, eh? ;) So, what's going on with me lately? Here are a few things:

I recently applied for a promotion at work and it was between myself and one other person. The other person got the promotion. Even though the other person has been there a lot longer and had a higher degree than I do, I feel I've done more for the specific group this promotion was to deal with and think I'd be better in that particular position. I also think if I'd gotten the promotion the other person would've left to go work elsewhere. I can't say as I blame the boss, as I very well might do what he did, figuring on this way as a way to keep both employees - for now. Overall, I'm okay with it, although it does make me consider my perceived worth at this institution. As it stands, my salary is extremely low. I understand we've been under some serious budget cuts in the past several years, and I understand higher education pays "a dime a dozen" instructors crap for pay. I also LOVE my job of teaching, but it does irk me knowing many jobs for uneducated workers earn MUCH more pay than I get for a job that requires a Master's degree.

Also, as a late Christmas present, I ordered a Roomba - you know, those robotic vaccuums? Roomba is awesome so far! I've only had it 2 days now but wow, he sure picks up a lot of stuff from the carpet.

The semester has started and so far it seems like I have a decent batch of students. I hope all goes well with them and I hope they make excellent grades by giving me good, quality work. :)

The weather outside is really turning colder and I've been slowly working on raking up the remains of what was a forest in my backyard. The decaying leaves and roots are about 4-5 inches thick and it takes a lot of energy just to rake up a little bit into a pile. I have a feeling the backyard MIGHT get done by springtime. =/ Maybe I'll hire a few day laborers to come rake when it gets closer to spring. I want to plant grass so one day it will look like a nice green yard instead of a brown disaster area.

In gaming news, I've been raiding a lot again. My main character is now able to go to a place called "Naxxramas" which is a higher and more difficult area than we've ever attempted before. Tonight we tried a boss we've never killed before and got it down to 41% as our best try. I'm confident we'll get him dead soon, as I believe we've figured out the strategy to defeat him already.

On a personal note, I really want to lose some weight. I am uncomfortable with myself again. I tend to go in cycles that are several years long. I build up slowly to a weight that makes me uncomfortable, then I lose weight over a year or two, then the cycle repeats. Here's looking ahead to a slimming new year. This isn't a resolution, as I don't formally make those, but it is a hope. ;)

I also wish YOU all the best in this new year. Thanks for sticking with me. :D