10.16.2006

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!

16 comments:

Anonymous said... [reply]

I just want to warn you, I did see a moose at Silver Lake this summer.

Panini said... [reply]

YEA!! YEA! I'm so glad you're coming back!!

Nemesis said... [reply]

You know what, DP, that's okay. I can deal with normal-sized moose. It's the Alaska moose, which are about twice as big, that I can't handle. Not that I'll be trying to pet the Utah moose or anything.

Hi, Panini! I'm glad you're back to blogging!

Anonymous said... [reply]

Alaskan: WIMP, WUSS, PANSY, QUITTER
Nem: Nunh unh
Alaskan: Yes hunh

Library pay in Alaska: $50K+
Library pay in L***: $23K

$23K jobs in AK: part-time receptionist, Subway sandwich artist, any fastfood burger place, part-time panhandler...

Cicada said... [reply]

I'm excited for you to come, but loathe to give up your boyfriend and your mattress.

goddessdivine said... [reply]

Yay!!!!!!

So excited to see you.

I think Coney's should be at the top of the list :)

Jenny said... [reply]

I am SO excited to live with you! It will be so much more fun than the last time we did that, don't you think?

TannerJ5 said... [reply]

So you should NOT pet the moose in Utah.Or hunt it.Or strap it on your back.

N.F. said... [reply]

Blogger bites. I had this whole neat comment for you---and Blogger ate it. Piece of crap.

Desmama said... [reply]

You are arriving just in time for my birthday. What a lovely gift.

Kelly said... [reply]

Congrats! Sounds like a good move for you.

Jenny said... [reply]

Did you like the 3 Swans book?

Your Host said... [reply]

Congrats on the move, Nem. And to think.....I can hardly wait to get out of here!

Th. said... [reply]

.

Come live in San Francisco with us.

We also have Jack London connections.

Jamie said... [reply]

In my ward they do good news/bad news. You can imagine how that goes. There's always at least one elderly woman talking about another friend that just died, or at least one woman that wasn't treated nicely by the neighbors and how she rose above it, etc. One thing consistant though is that they're all sobbing the whole time. I think that's a sign that my ward should just switch to good news from now on.

Cali said... [reply]

Hooray you are back, well kinda. So I haven't read your blog in a while. When are you coming down?

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