Nine.

I'm no longer mourning the loss of leaving Japan. I've gone through the five stages of grief:

1. Denial and Isolation.
   At first, we tend to deny the loss has taken place, and may withdraw from our usual social contacts. This stage may last a few moments, or longer.
2. Anger.
   The grieving person may then be furious at the person who inflicted the hurt (even if she's dead), or at the world, for letting it happen. He may be angry with himself for letting the event take place, even if, realistically, nothing could have stopped it.
3. Bargaining.
   Now the grieving person may make bargains with God, asking, "If I do this, will you take away the loss?"
4. Depression.
   The person feels numb, although anger and sadness may remain underneath.
5. Acceptance.
   This is when the anger, sadness and mourning have tapered off. The person simply accepts the reality of the loss.

And now, I'm finally at a place in my transition where I am excited about where I've been and where I'm going.

I have a job, people.

A J-O-B. Let me tell you how awesome God is: I was hired at one of the best charter school systems in NYC, KIPP (Knowlege is Power Program). In July I will be starting as the Theatre Arts teacher for their brand new High School, KIPP College Prep.

Let me recap: I got a job, during a recession, in the arts, teaching my passion, in NYC.

Redamndickulous.

I'm excited, and can't wait to actually be IN the city. But that won't be for a while. In an effort to be an adult, I've decided to stay at my folks place in Jersey and commute into the city for work. (Wait! Hear me out.) That way I can SAVE money for a few months, so I am able to move into the city and do it right. I haven't lived at home in over 10 years, so it's taking some getting used to, but it helps to remind myself that this is in fact a season, and an investment in my future. I especially have to remind myself of this when dealing with my mother. A woman who I could devote an entire blog to.

So that's me in a nut shell right now. Joyous over a new job, planning my great escape from New Jersey and getting my exercise on.

Now that I've emerged from post-Japan cocoon I'm ready to get my blog on again. So buckle up, yo. The ride starts now.