Good News

In my parents' ward the dear Relief Society sisters do this thing called "good news" along with the announcements and such before the lesson starts. Anyone who has good news is invited to share it, and so far it's been stuff like "my son got his mission call" or "my daughter is 2 weeks pregnant and I'm going to start announcing it to the world NOW because I just can't hold it" or "I went one more week without killing my teenager" (not that anyone has actually said that last one, but I know they're thinking it.)

I had some good news myself but chose not to share it. My good news is this:

I'm getting out of here!

Thing is, people in Alaska are really sensitive about their state. And when someone doesn't want to live here they kind of take it personally. It starts like this:

Alaskan: So, are you looking for jobs up here?

Me: Not really, no.

Alaskan: Why not?

This is the part where I used to say that I don't want to live up here.

Alaskan: Well why not?

Me: It's too cold for me.

Alaskan. NO IT ISN'T! THERE ARE PLACES IN THE LOWER 48 THAT ARE COLDER! I WILL LIST ALL OF THEM TO YOU NOW!!!

So now I just tell them that there are no libraries in Alaska and that it breaks my heart. They accept this.

Or I tell them that I'm not getting any younger and must move where I can find me a man before my eggs turn black. They accept this. And encourage it. It's not like they have any sons to offer me.

I should say, though, in defense of the Alaskans, that everyone has been wonderful to me since I've been here. No one has given me any crap whatsoever about being single. People I haven't seen since high school tell me that I look beautiful. This is probably because I looked naff in high school, but still. It's nice to hear such things. And they ask how England was and seem generally interested to hear about my plans and stuff. So yes. They are cool and supportive. I'm still leaving, though.

I'm moving in with Jenny & Ed. Like she said over on her site, they're moving back to Provo at the end of October and have found a great three-bedroom apartment. I will pay them some rent and babysit their children, and they will cook for me and give me a big bedroom and a bathroom to share w/Savvy. And even though I've really loved hanging out with Mom and Dad and being spoiled and eating good food, it's time. They were taking bets weeks ago on when I would leave, anyway.

Good things about moving back to UT, even if it's possibly only temporary:

• It's easier to go to job interviews when you're not living in flipping Alaska.
• My stuff! Yay, my stuff is there and I get to have it back! Yay!
• My friends! Yay for my friends!
• Boys who are not 8 years younger than me
• Lots and lots of cheap college cars for sale
• My course-testing job, which should be enough to cover rent
• Lack of moose
• Lack of waist-deep snow
• Coney's Frozen Custard

I'm flying down on November 6th, right after the big book sale to which I am commited. Can't wait to see everyone!