A year later...

Well, it's been a year since I last wrote a blog post.

Here are some updates (I'll be sure to come back to more in-depth information about these updates at a later time):

1. I no longer live in Baton Rouge. My living situation changed and I'm back in Des Moines. 
2. I have an awesome job at a local university here in my home city. 
3. I'm in LOVE with Des Moines again! 
4. I'm in a long-term relationship with a wonderful man named Ben!
5. I am starting a weight-loss journey soon, which I hope will be documented more on this blog. 

LAByRinth

I have lived in Baton Rouge for only three weeks, but already, I feel improved. This place and my mind are still a maze, but it is something I can make sense of.

I am currently still job searching with some possible callbacks this week or next. It is very scary not having a job, but I think I am making the most of it. I am doing some life planning (well, as much as I possibly can without knowing my next step), resting up, learning my new city, and reconnecting with my old friends/making new ones.

I won't lie, I miss both Denton and Des Moines coffeeshops. I was able to find a non-chain, hipster-ish place close to me in both cities. Here in BR, I found one (from which I am writing this blog post!), but it is hell to get to from my house.

GEAUX

I started this blog thinking it was going to be strictly a travel blog. Certainly laughing about that now. There was a point during grad school that this would have made a decent local travel blog, but...

... reality has set in.

This last year has been a crazy learning experience. I've had jobs not work out, a few months of unemployment, a loss of purpose, lack of funds to cover bills let alone travel, and quite a few come-to-Jesus meetings with my mental health. Iowa has not treated me as well as I would have liked it to. And I just need to get out while I can.

So... I'm packing up in a few weeks and moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A lack of certainty awaits me, which is equally exciting, as it is scary. I have a small support system already established in the BR area. My hopes are that the move lets me focus on myself without putting my failures on a pedestal (the way Iowa does). My next journey awaits, and I hope to share it with you through this blog.