Now what?

Here I sit, back in Sonoma, after a month of adventure in Nepal.  It’s been almost a week since we traveled back to the States.  Unfortunately, the trip home was marred by a gastrointestinal upset I developed the last day in Kathmandu.  I won’t go into the details, other than to say it is not fun to be on a long haul flight under the powerful influence of traveler’s diarrhea.  Yesterday, I finally visited my doctor in Sonoma to get a punch of antibiotics.  I’m still waiting for my miraculous recovery.  An old college buddy, Jana, suggested I take a few shots of the hardest liquor I can get my hands on to kill whatever lurks inside my gut.  My upset stomach says no, but I’m starting to consider the suggestion more seriously.  We’ll see…

So, now Gideon and I find ourselves in a strange, uncomfortable limbo-land.  You see, our year of living large is coming to an end.  In a few months, we will be dragged kicking and screaming back to the real world—the world where you have to work for a living.  Yes, we knew it was coming, but we were able to ignore reality quite effectively, especially when we were so far away in Nepal.  Now reality is staring us in the face with its not-so-welcoming raised eyebrows.  “So, you need a job, eh?  Join the club,” it says. 

Our plan is to find jobs and stay here in Sonoma for a few years.  Solid plan, huh?  Yes, except for that pesky “find jobs” part.  Where are they to be found?  Where did the jobs go?  Hello?  Jobs??  Where are you?! 

I’m in the market for a teaching position for the 2010-2011 school year.  I will teach just about anything, to any age group, and I am certified to do so.  All I want is a job somewhere nearby (Sonoma County) that has a bit of pay and health benefits.  Not too much to ask for, right?  I just want to teach. 

Gideon is looking for a law position with a firm or company in the area, preferably with a focus on patent law.  He’s casting a wider net as far as location is concerned is looking as far south as Palo Alto.  Thus, the rub.  I want to stay in Sonoma; Gideon would be satisfied to stay in California.  Hmm. 

At the moment, with few prospects on the horizon, we find ourselves moping around on the Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Doom-and-Gloom.  We suddenly feel oh-so-connected to the U.S. economy, or lack thereof.  We are unwilling members of that growing club: the unemployed.  It’s an uncomfortable place to be, and we don’t plan on being in this club for the long haul.  So, now we will throw ourselves whole-heartedly into the job search… just as soon as we get back from one last little foray to Colorado to ski with Gideon’s family.  No sense in rushing back to reality, right?