Bridge fire avoided!

Well, there is no turning back now. Yesterday I gave my notice at work, and finally let my boss in on my plans for Japan. Up to now, I didn't want to say anything, because I didn't know for sure that I'd be going and didn't want to jeopardize my job if I was going to be needing it! But now that it's pretty clear that I will actually be outa' here in a few months, it seemed only fair to let him in on the secret.

(For those of you that don't know, I've been working as a picture framer, running my own little shop in the back of a big paint store - house paint, wallpaper, deck stains, etc. - and trying to turn a profit that justifies my use of square footage, while getting a crash course in the "surface technology" industry.

My worst fear was that he would be angry and just close the picture framing counter altogether, leaving me out of a job for the rest of the summer. Really, he was very reasonable about the whole thing. As it turns out, he had an offer to buy the frame shop about a month ago, and this turn of events opens him up to considering that offer, while he would not have previously, he says out of deference to me. If that is what comes to be, then I'll be happy that the frame shop will go on, and he'll be happy that he gets to move in some much more profitable rental equipment for the paint business.

Best of all, I guess I've learned enough about paint to be valuable otherwise, because he assured me that I'll have my job as long as I want it.

I'm thinking my last day will be August 24... only 9 weeks away!!!

Just 9 weeks to pack & store all my belongings...
Just 9 weeks to finish loose ends of schoolwork from last semester...
Just 9 weeks to find a home for my 2 cats, and a buyer for my car...
Just 9 weeks to squeeze in visiting EVERYONE - and two weddings!...

HOLY COW.

Anyone out there who really really likes packing??

-Alicia