Wait!  Don’t go.  You’re in the right place.  If all else fails…use a hammer has just had a bit of a makeover.  What do you think?  You like?  It’s not yet permanent.  I’m still experimenting with the new theme and haven’t decided whether I’m keeping it, but it’s growing on me.  In any event, go check out the new About pages while you’re here and let me know what you think.

Why the change?  This has been a good week.  But this past week things have been changing.  I’ve started exercising again (motivated, in part, by the discovery that I had gained six kilograms since April).  I’ve started making progress with my reading for my degree.  I’ve started writing again (okay, so I opened a new document on my pc and stared at the page for half an hour – that’s the most writing I’ve done outside of this blog for months).  I’m just, like the epic song by Nina Simone says, feeling good.

What brought about this change?  I’ve applied for a job.  I don’t get to do that often as jobs in my field are not that common (something they neglected to mention in the faculty brochure) and many positions that do get advertised exhibit a gross misconception of what I (and all my classmates) have been trained to do.  So, finding a position for which I’m actually willing to apply (i.e. one that doesn’t contain a job description that’s impossible for one person to fulfill, a non-existent salary and the necessity to relocate to another part of the country for a one-year fixed-term contract) is cause for celebration in itself.

But this job is perfect.  It’s in a small town nestled in the mountains in the Western Cape.  The job focuses exclusively on counselling, which is what I’m doing my degree in.  And while the appointment is made by a local church, the job is to serve the community, the type of work I’ve wanted to do since I was at college.  The last time I was this excited about a potential job opportunity was two years ago (sadly I didn’t get that one).

After almost a year of trying to write and study (and really struggling), this just feels like a step in a new direction, like doing something that has the potential of a short-term pay-off.  I might not get it, I know, but the mere act of sending in my application makes me feel more positive about life, as if change is possible.

What you see here is my way to celebrate.  I’m re-inventing this blog even as I’m trying to re-invent myself.  The content will stay the same, but it will be framed a bit differently.  For one, hopefully the title now makes sense 😉

And the timing is rather symbolic.  Today marks the first day of spring over here (though you won’t say it judged by the plummeting temperatures and snowfalls) and spring has always been a time of rebirth.  It is also the first day of the month in which I was born.  How apt wouldn’t it be if this month ushered in a genuine new chapter in my life?

(Between you and me, I’m also desperately hoping that, should I not get the job, this month will not mark the biggest crash of my life.  Hope with me that I get it.  If you believe in praying I’d appreciate that as well.)

Today also marks the launch of the blog’s brand new Facebook page.  The link to like it is at the bottom of the page.

That’s it for today.  Everyone in the States, enjoy your holiday tomorrow and good luck to everyone starting school the day after.

Coming up this week: another Song Title Challenge, some overdue awards and a kinky movie review.  Have a good one.

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