A connection to the outside world

Something interesting happened this week. My mobile phone died. Just gave up the ghost and died. And you know what? I didn't care. I survived 4 whole days without a mobile phone. Apparently 4 weeks in Cambodia without a mobile phone has left its mark on me. I don't need to be tethered to a mobile phone in order to live! Who knew?!
Sadly, today I took the phone in to Sprint and they fixed it. It will inevitable die again in a few weeks, but that's fine by me. With everything in my life completely up in the air again, I don't need the hassle of being tied down to a mobile phone plan. (I'm incredibly jealous of the entire rest of the world with their non-plan phones. Why do Americans allow ourselves to get ripped off this way?! Do you know how much more we spend on cell phone plans (that don't even have SIM cards) than the rest of the world pays? Seriously, we get ripped off!! Its ridiculous!)
It has been both nice and lonely not having that connection to the outside world. I really only got it fixed because I have so many resumes out there with that phone number on it. Otherwise, I think I could have kept on going for a while without my mobile.
Speaking of resumes and job hunting... It's true. I'm actively looking for a job again after a many months break. I am continuing to do recruiting, and I would love for nothing more than for that to actually full-time support me. But alas, it just doesn't. And now that the Peace Corps looks like it won't materialize for 1 more year, its time for me to "get back to work," so to speak. I've sent out dozens and dozens of resumes for jobs from San Diego to Springfield. And I did interview for an absolute gem of a job this past week. It has everything I could possibly want- great benefits, great salary, perfect location, travel, etc. Not too long ago I jokingly told a friend that what I really want is a job that requires me to live in DC but would let me work from home. Would you believe this job even includes that? One of the benefits is adoption assistance and they don't discriminate against single women!! This job would be a dream come true. But then, so would dozens of the other jobs I've applied for. Really, I'm not that picky.
I've learned not to get my hopes up too much in the interview process. I've been down this road before and it never gets any easier to get passed over. But think some happy thoughts and remember me in your prayers, would ya? I need all the help I can get.
I've loved living in Roanoke. I've had the chance to get to know my extended family in all new ways, and I wouldn't change that for anything. I've learned a lot about asking for help and a lot about self-reliance as well. I've loved working with the youth at church, and making unexpected friendships too. But the one thing I have not had here is anything close to a social life. It gets very depressing at times to have no one to just go be friends with. When things get too desperate I invite myself up to visit friends in DC (4 hours away), but that tends to cost me a small fortune. (And remember, I have little to no income!) I can't do it very often. I need to get out of Roanoke and move to someplace- anyplace - where I can socialize and have a little more fun. All it takes is a job first... right?