hey I am so glad to see you back on here i thought you left forever I am very excited to have a bear back in the lair big hugs to you my friends and welcome back

: Oh, no Sweetheart, that wasn't boring at all! I'm so proud of you to have accomplished all that in so short of a time. My Author took 14 years to complete his Associate's Degree in Respiratory Care, Bachelor's Degree in Biology and another two to complete his teaching credentials. So, you have done a wonderful thing. What would your dream job be if it were available right now? Would you ever consider relocating?

Well, slow and steady wins the race, right? ;)

And thank you! It was definitely some work, but I think it will be worth it.

I had intended on working in the nonprofit sector... directing a charity, most likely. I completed my thesis in the nonprofit sector (An Exploration of Human Service Volunteer Training and Retention). But I think I'm not quite ready for that. The pay isn't super high, but the bigger deal is the benefits, which aren't nearly as good as I can get elsewhere (health coverage and whatnot).

I currently have 3 different job offers from a Fortune 500 company... they'd start me at $70,000 or $80,000 for the first year, and then bump that considerably. Plus, their benefits are stellar... lots of other perks too. Like, say, massive 50-60% discounts on cars, diamonds, etc.

But that is SO far removed from nonprofits. It would feel like... sleazy or something.

So... I'm currently applying for Academic Advisor positions at a major university (the one I attended, in fact). The pay is only around $40,000 to start... but the benefits are really really good! Plus lots of time off and a regular 9 to 5 (unlike the corporation that has a mandatory 60-70 hr work week for admins). I'm willing to take the pay cut to be helping people (helping students who will go out in the world and help more people) and have a better quality of life for my family. I've been working long hours for far too long.

I'm currently interviewing (3rd round) for an Academic Advisor dept in Industrial Engineering (this is one of the top engineering schools in the country too). But I've applied for about 6 others. Plus, I've sent my resume for Assistant Director of the nontraditional student aid program.

We'll see what sticks, basically.

As for moving, I'd consider it... but my son is 10 now and pretty much rooted here. facepalm

Here I am! I've been having a rough time of it lately and have mostly just been hopping on to do the basic daily tasks. Just finished physical therapy for the shoulder and I'm getting ready to go back to work a couple days from now, which should relieve some of my current anxiety while simultaneously causing more stress. Going to try to be more active now, though, with Morostide and all. It's a good way to enjoy my low-energy days.

- Eggplant! yay! You are here! You have been busy - good for you! Hope you will be around more :)

- so glad to see you but sorry to hear of health troubles.

- thank you ❤ Love that image of all of us bears a long time ago...those were some fun days in Subeta :)

Ohmy gosh, sweetie!! Welcome back! I have really missed you!!

Do we have a TOT Board yet???

.. I have no idea about a board yet I just now came to peek and see someone trick or treated at my house so I have to relearn how to do the total stuff...make a board and # laurs to it.

.HOLY BANANAS BATMAN...TOT TIME IS NIGH!!! Bwahaha..I want to suck your blood

Thanks, lady! :D I've definitely been busy, but I'll have more time to be here now for sure. Maybe still not as much as before... but a whole lot more than in the past two years.

It has been a minute since anyone called me eggplant, btw! XD

You didn't write anything???

Definitely remember you! Welcome back for Morostide!

: You have a lot of options it seems. I wish you all the luck in the near future as you progress through the interview process. I hope you land a wonderful position!

It's very hard to uproot youngsters.

: I am so glad to see you! I have been lurking the last two months, so I really haven't kept up on a day to day basis. I've been pre-writing in preparation for NaNoWriMo next month, so that takes a lot of my time.

I'm sorry to hear that you you have been struggling, but please know that you have our support here in the Lair. I empathize with you about having anxiety and stress regarding being off work and returning back after an absence. I hope you have a wonderful Morostide. I will try to give you lots of dances, flowers and kisses.

: I love that graphic too! I had a lot of fun making it! (I'm the short one next to ). The thing is, I used to know everybody by their HA, so I didn't label it. I can't remember many of those in the picture off the top of my head now. Though, if I were reminded, it would all come back to me, I'm sure.

Thank you, love! Hopefully, I'll find something great soon! :)

~ Hello!! I remember you! Do you remember me? I mostly lurk these days. How are you?

~ Hello to you!

~ Long time no see! How are you doing?

goes back to lurk mode :)

Hi, love! Good to see you!

I'm good. Just messing around and unwinding. How about you?

~ I'm doing ok. Unmotivated with life lol. But wow you have been busy! Congratulations on all the degrees! I wish you luck with landing a good job! hugs

: Thank you! I really have been busy af. My husband pretty much insisted that I take a break from school. XD

Some day, I'll get my PhD. But for now, a good job sounds about right!

Motivation comes and goes... just listen to it when it comes back. ;)

Yep, I remember you as well! Nice to see you around again.

its Helloween and it seems like christmas with all of these bears coming back to have a TOT good time

Waves :) I remember you

@blackwolf_2009 Thank you all for welcoming me back! I remember you all and have missed you so much! Its been a long couple of years. I hope you guys still want to play with me. The last couple of years have been mostly computerless by choice, About the only thing I did online was email and Facebook. I see a lot of changes and have a lot of questions.

Where can I get a signature and profile made? What's new? What's the bathhouse? Any new ways to make sp, get items? Where's laurie?