Stepping Out

I am tentatively going to step out of this little mummy blog/toddler bubble that I have created for myself to tell what is happening in the real world of Dal, Hel & Bel.

First, it gives me GREAT pleasure to tell you that Dal will officially be awarded his Master of Arts degree in Asian Studies shortly. I am so very proud of his efforts. The professors invited to mark his thesis were both very impressed and the comments made were quite encouraging. Now, very gently, I will tell you that Dal did not get accepted to any of the Ph.D. programs that he applied for.

We were so sure (cocky even?) that Dal would be accepted somewhere in the states that we bought flights to Mesa. I thought I was moving forward in faith... obviously God thought differently.

And now we have a dilemma. What are we to do with this next year (because Dal is determined to be accepted to a Ph.D. program next year)? The brakes have been heavily applied to our life and now we have to swing this life (that had kind of gained a nice momentum) in a different direction. We have talked, pondered, prayed and sought advice about this problem and we are down to two different options.

Option 1 - Dal is to get a job teaching at a community college in or around Mesa area while we stay in the basement of his parent's house. This would be great for the teaching experience.
Option 2 - Dal stays with his current employer but transfers to Hobart (look it up, people, look it up). My parents live in Hobart. We would hopefully live with them in a self contained apartment on their property.

Yeah, you are sensing a theme too?

I am excited at the prospect of living near family for a while. We really miss that comfort and closeness.

So in an effort to help us choose the correct option I have decided to pit one family against the other. I am not sure what I will have them do yet, I will be taking ideas shortly .... Let the games begin. We shall see who wins(?) Dal, Hel and Bel.