Today I am feeling very thankful that I am not in that anxious place from 2 posts ago: Looking for a job and studying for the EPPP (the beast of an exam for licensure in psychology that ruled my life for the better portion of a year).
As I looked forward to my trip to Kauai, my friends convinced me that Kauai would be much more enjoyable if I had the EPPP behind me. They said that I would love Kauai so much I wouldn't even worry about my results. As usual, my friends were ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!! I studied with the manic frenzy of a squirrel collecting fallen nuts before winter. I tried to make it a good experience: I took flashcards to the local pond & watched baby ducks as I committed useless facts (only half kidding) to memory. Then in an event that I can only describe as "hazy" I sat for the test. Two days later I left for Kauai. 
The trip was fantastic. I went with 3 of my favorite people on earth: Kat (grad school friend), Paul (her husband) and Pat (my love). I only thought of the test a few times, and thanks to Kat's positive influence most of my thoughts were around the idea that I had to have passed. Also, I had already landed my job--and they were cool with knowing that I was studying for the test and hadn't set a date to take it. In short, they would have provided me with supervision in the event that I hadn't taken the test (or, God forbid, failed it). This period of time provided me with ample opportunity to face my fears of not being "good enough." I came to realize that there was this big part of me that just couldn't believe I had finally gotten to where I wanted to be for so many years. I had internalized the voice of naysayers.A week after returning from Kauai, I got my passing results in an e-mail. I made the announcement to my family, my friends, my incredibly supportive supervisors, and my verbally abusive supervisor (God did that feel good). I made mental note to myself that I should not skip down the halls. Nobody likes a poor winner.
In another rush of activity, I packed my bags for a move to Spokane and began my new job. In my first week I headed to the Seattle area to take my state exam. I passed it and my license came in the mail a few short weeks later.
So here I sit--licensed, employed, and somewhat settled. The house is unpacked, I've found a local gym, and Pat & I have already come across potential friends. It seems the majority of young professionals in town are married and have kids, so that is limiting to a couple with (a) no intention of getting married in the next 12 months, and (b) no intention of spawning in the next 3 years. Nonetheless, things are looking good.
, Big plans for the future? I'm stealing an idea from Sharron, a friend from grad school. She mentioned that she's never read Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice," and that this is a "must" before fulfilling her goal of reading "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies," which of course is a must before watching the movie. 
It seems that there has been some trouble with production, so I'm sure I will have plenty of time to fulfill this goal. It is really nice to have time for pleasure reading again. It is also nice to finally want to read again.
