Wow, I don’t even know where to begin. Let’s start with an update.
On the school and job front, things have been very steady and stable. I still have another degree after this one to pursue (my dad thinks it’s so weird that a person can like school this much!) but I’m pretty sure I’ll be working at the hospital while working towards that [CRNA] degree.
As for my side teaching job, I really have to say what a blessing it has been to be able to work with such wonderful kids. The hours really work well with the rest of my schedule, the kids are absolutely a joy to work with. PLUS, the money is fantastic. I think I make just as much as I would if I were working at the hospital. Also, working with kids definitely puts my patience to the test as this hormonal bunch really knows how to push my buttons. The youngest child I work with right now is 5 years old and although this is new to me (I generally teach kids who are a lot older), I have to say it is the most enjoyable and rewarding. A once spoiled, violent, little boy, he is now turning into quite a little gentleman. Makes me feel more confident about my future as a parent. 
On the friends front, everyone has been turning the big 3-0 lately as I’m patiently waiting for my turn. Many of my close friends are now married (sans kids), and although most others would feel forlorn about the fact that their friends are all taken, I’m very comfortable with it. I don’t harbor feelings of envy as I do not feel the need to hurry up and become part of a married couple crowd. Others’ plans and timelines don’t have any bearing on my own timeline, and I will continue to march to the beat of my own drum.
My family, as usual, is wonderful. I’m incredibly thankful that they’re happy, healthy, and not as stressed as they used to be. As I get older, I realize just how much they need me, even though they seem self-sufficient. I’m learning to be there for them a lot more, and not just that — I’m thankful my grandfather is still with us and holding on strong, three years after my grandmother’s death. Just thinking about my family often brings me to tears because I just love them so much and don’t ever want to see them get hurt. I love them more and more each day.
As far as writing is concerned, I’ve been writing when I have some time to breathe. Incase some of you don’t know, I am working on a collection of short stories to make into a book sometime in the near future. I’ve been working on it for a while now and well, to give you an idea of how long it is, I’m at page 330 on Word doc. I will most likely give it several more read-throughs and figure out which ones I’m going to keep and which ones I will mostly likely omit. I’m hoping to have anywhere from 12-15 stories in this collection, 15-20 pages each.
As far as other writing projects are concerned, I haven’t been blogging much (obviously), but I did have a freelance project I was involved in. I wrote an article for Audrey Magazine (which was due in October), that will be printed out in their Winter issue. I wrote alongside resident writer Paul Nakayama for their Awful Truth column. I can’t divulge what our topic is but I do hope Audrey readers will enjoy it. I can’t say it is my best work as the style we decided to take on was a tad different than what I’m used to. However, should I be given the opportunity to write for them in the future, I hope to be able to share my many different styles and thoughts. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to write for you, Audrey Magazine! Especially you, Anna! 
Living situation: As some of you know, I’ve lived in a condo in the outskirts of Koreatown for a year and a half now. I am not a huge fan of Koreatown but it’s convenient (i.e. very central) for me. I’ve had numerous issues with my neighbor upstairs (older Chinese man) and had to call the cops even. As I don’t see him selling his home anytime soon, I’ve decided to take it upon myself to move out. Perhaps I can find someone to rent this place out to. I’d been looking around Beverly Hills, Hancock Park, and West LA for a nice one-bedroom apartment and man, the search has been a pain. Trust me when I say I’ve looked everywhere. There have been so many disappointments, and even the ones with high rent have been disappointing. I didn’t know what to do. My father took it upon himself to look in the Koreatown area for me (I guess he feels I’ll be safer around many Koreans?) and he found a few places he wanted me to check out. I decided to view a few of these units and one stood out. It’s pretty much in the heart of Koreatown (which I do not like) but the place itself is very nice. It’s a one-bedroom apartment with brand new everything, and it even comes with two-car parking! (Now my boyfriend doesn’t have to look for street parking!) This place doesn’t have a balcony, which will be a first for me, but I’ve realized I HARDLY EVER go outside on the balcony anyway. The kitchen is big (YAY!!!), the living room is big enough, and the bedroom is big as well. I really like it.
Update: I’m finally moved in! I’m slowly starting to unpack, and everything is starting to look pretty great. Once I am done with all of the unpacking, I will post a few pictures up.
I’m really tired of moving around and I’m hoping this will be my last stop before I get married. Once that happens, hubby and I can move to the Westside together and save up, then eventually get a house in Irvine or Beverly Glen. Those two areas require quite a bit of saving. 
