So much has happened since my last post in which I pondered the Dark Road ahead of me. At that time I had ideas, but I really had no clear idea of where I was going. Well, August was quite eventful. Essentially, my life went from the dark back country highway to the express way. Things sped up to a near blur of people and places and then my exit came up quite fast...
Manitou Springs.
Yes, I have moved out of my parent's house and I now have a small studio apartment in Manitou Springs, CO. How did this choice come to pass, you ask? Well, here goes the story:
As the end of August approached, my younger brother was quite busy getting ready for college --> my Alma Matter! I spent some time helping him out, but I couldn't get over one thought that crept into my mind. Soon, I would be living at home alone. Just me and my parents and jobs are scarce where they live. I got nervous and so checking for positions in areas that I liked and weren't too far away became a daily activity. One day I stumbled upon an opening with the Manitou School district. They needed a computer tech to help out in the labs and some classrooms. I was qualified. I was interested. I got excited and applied. However, the school year was quickly approaching, so I would need a place in Manitou soon if I was going to be available for this position. I spent a weekend apartment hunting and found a great place. I gave a verbal agreement and awaited a call for an interview.
Then...well, you know the saying "don't count your chicks before they have hatched"? Yeah...
I did not get a call.
I had a small panic attack because nothing seemed to be working out. Perhaps I had made a wrong turn? I began to think this again and again...
When I voiced my concerns to the leasing agent of the place that I liked, she understood--but could not hold the place for much longer. I had just about resigned myself to failure and making a big U-turn in my life when...the leasing agent mentioned that she had a smaller place available for cheaper rent and it would be easier to move into! Suddenly, things lined up and I was reassured that despite my near speeding out of control, things were right and I should keep following this path.
So...living in Manitou:
It has been good so far. I got back a part-time job that I had before in my favorite ice cream shop and still know people there. It is hard work and not great pay, but it is something while I continue my job hunt. Manitou is great fun. Very quirky people and some fun ones live and work in the area. I am slowly getting to know people and have found a great bar that will become my "spot". Kinfolks is a outdoorsy kind of bar were people mingle, kids run around bar stools, and dogs of all breeds are welcome. The micro-brews are diverse and the live music is both frequent and good! My kind of place.
Yet, I need income first to meet my bills before I become a regular at any place. So, I am looking for another quick, part-time gig to help with the bills and I am searching for a little higher paying tech support position in the area. I have experience here, I enjoy it, and I am pretty sure that I could get great money doing it! So, that is life now. A little crazy with all the changes in scenery and a little uneasy with the lack of financial security, but always exciting!
Oh, I have also refined another goal for life!
-Sommelier-
I have been taking simple tasting courses in Manitou and talking with a local wine store owner and level II Sommelier about this. (PS- Swirl Wine Emporium is great!) She pointed me in the direction and gave me a little info about the certification process for sommeliers. It is really amazing! If you are at all interested, check out the details of the Master Sommelier certification. It is an amazing and rather difficult process, but I think that this could be my in for the business. The first level simply requires some extensive studying and then a slightly expensive two-day course and a final multiple choice test. I can do that in my spare time and work towards this while working either a "real" job or a series of part-time gigs. Of course, attaining level II is quite a bit more difficult. Level III requires 5 years experience and approval from the academy. Now, level IV is nearly impossible. Level IV is the Diploma Level and Master Sommelier level. This can only be achieved by invitation from the academy! In fact, to date there are only 171 professionals world-wide who have achieved this honorable specification!!
So...I apparently have lofty goals!
This will be a fun focus for my time and will open doors for me even at the First or Second level. Until then, I forge ahead and enjoy plenty of downtime when I am not working or job hunting. Thank goodness I am a movie freak and have assembled quite a collection (at least 150 films!).
So the path continues to be unsure, but I have just reached a small rest stop, passed a group of road signs, and met some people who know something about the way.
Press onward my friends and we will all get where we are going.
