Happenings in Bradwell-World 8/21/2007

Hey guys,

What's happening? Greeting from Bradwell in the Tri-Cities. I finally figured out this blogging thing, so I decided it was time to update my info. Currently, I've been hanging out in the Tri-Cities, WA, having a blast and putting my life in order. I left the U of I to student teach in the fall of 2005. Upon graduating in December 2005, my life hit the fan.

My plan had been to substitute teach going into the spring of 2006, but paperwork from the UI, additional paperwork required by WA, and a 11 week processing time for my police background check slowed me up. I was jobless for too long, which led to being evicted from my apartment. I moved in with my brother and his family for about 6 months while I got my stuff in order.

So I got a full-time job at Cinnabon (I also worked there coming out of high-school in Federal Way, so I had past experience).At the same time, I got all my teaching paperwork squared away with some more help from friends and family. I also got some car help, as my car was suffering at the time and I had to manually jump-start the car every time (Shift indicator switch that tells the car what gear it is in went out). Eventually I got to a point where I could finally aford to go out on my own again.

As summer 2006 came, I had two goals: get an apartment, get a full time teaching job. Both those prayers were answered. I got a place on the edge of Richland, and I got a teaching job in Sunnyside (40 min drive).

So now I teach music in Sunnyside to elementary kids, sing regularly for my church Bethel, play in the Tri-Cities Big Band with one of my mentor teachers, and have fun. I also am the primary teacher for a summer band camp in Kennewick which supplements my salary nicely. Oh, I also took Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsay to get control of my money spending and am now doing fairly well financially too. Life is good.

Other than that, I have a cat now named Theodore ("Gift from God"), but that's another story. I try and visit my parents once a year, which is tough seeing as they are in Canada, and way up north to boot. I am still single, and am not really looking too intently. I figure being single while in debt is fine. Once I am out of debt (no more than two years hopefully), then the search really begins. I just re-upped on my apartment in Richland for another year, and am preparing to start my second year in Sunyside, with a raise.

Hey, I'd love to hear from you all through the blog, or e-mail listserver. It's not hard to do either. If you want info how check out http://www.uithetachialumni.com/, e-mail Ben Hornbacher (if you have his e-mail) or e-mail me at KingSaxomo@hotmail.com, and I'd love to start hooking you up. Thanks.

Peace out,

Bradley S. Barwell #513