It's been a little minute...

It's been a little minute since I have checked in, so here I am.  I'll try not to get TOO long-winded here.

Today I got my COVID booster, a flu shot, and a tetanus shot.  Why not go all in, I guess?  I may have regrets tomorrow, but for now I'm ok - just a little sore.  After I got home I went skating and did some laundry.  Super exciting day, no?

Earlier this week I failed my CAD (Certified App Developer) Exam.  On the bright side, I failed it JUST BARELY.  I was actually pretty shocked that I failed it because I felt good about most of the questions, but after getting my breakdown back it looks like most of the questions I missed were in one section (all sections have to be either above 70 or above 75 to pass), so missing more in one section is what got me.  My scores were passing in all but one category.  But at least I know what to work on!

I am weirdly not upset by this failure.  College had me stressed and kicking my own ass every time I didn't do as well as I felt that I should have, but this whole environment is so different.  It's not going to cost me thousands of dollars or months of time to re-take the exam, and those things happening were real possibilities in college because there were no do-overs.  I can take this exam a couple more times before I'm in trouble.  I think I'll pass on my next try, though, because I was already close.  Kelsey keeps reminding me that I was sick and not on top of my game last week and over the weekend, which is true, so it just is what it is.  🤷🏻 

Other news?  I feel like it has finally sank in that I'm here for a while... that this is my life.  Like, I'm gonna be here for more than 3 months, actually.  From August - November is training, and then I'll be put on a transition team for 2 - 3 more months before I am able to come back and work from home.  I'm not excited about that, but I'll be ok.  I just really miss my family.  Shaun, the kids, the animals, my house that I love, the new friends I've made... it was a lot to leave behind.  But Cincy is charming.  I'm in a very nice area in a nice apartment and everything is clean and well-kept here and in the neighborhoods around me.  I'm making friends here, too.  Kelsey, obviously.  But there are also some cool people at work.

Shaun is going to visit me soon.  I'm planning to be home for the holidays, so there is that.  Hopefully it will break up some of the away-ness and make it easier to hang in here.  I'm not thinking about leaving or anything - this is the kind of opportunity that you don't pass up.  But it's not easy.  I guess if it was, then more people would do it.  And I did not spend 5 hard (yet rewarding) years in college to earn an opportunity like this only to say "Nah."  I'm here.  I'm settled.  I'm learning.  It's hard, but I can do hard things.  It'll be ok.

Anyway, that's about all that's on my mind.  I'm about to get ready for bed because it's late-ish here.  I hope you all are doing well.  If you're not, keep trying!  That's my plan, anyway.  Goodnight.  ❤️