Scallops and Job Applications

Hello Everyone - Marissa here.

Our first update and already we've had three readers! Thanks Katie, Jen and Kara!

This past week has been pretty mellow - That's what Spring Break is for. So far, I've been to Illinois to visit my Mom and Uncle and his family. I've also visited Nathan, my brother in law. It's always nice to visit everyone.

Other than the visiting, there is no exciting news to report. Aaron continues to apply for Biologist, Botanist, and Ecologist jobs around the United States. He currently has a little over 25 applications out and we are both patiently waiting with our figures crossed. Some of the places he's applied to include the Forest Service, USGS, Fish and Wildlife, and the private sector. These place are found in New Mexico, California, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Maryland - So who knows where we will end up! Landing that first job is the toughest part but we are trying to remain positive (its hard at times) that something will happen soon! Something could happen any day now and we are strongly looking forward to it!!!

I continue to substitute teach here in Rolla. The work has been very steady so far and so the job has proven surprisingly lucrative. Being a substitute teacher is trying as every day is like the first day of school - you don't know the entire routine or childrens names and you have no relationship/rapport with the children - so its difficult. Some days are better than others but in general its pretty hard work.

In other news - I have discovered my love for scallops! Aaron, Nathan and new friend Matt and I went to a Thai restaurant where I tried Squid and Scallops for the first time. I've been scared to try any seafood because of allergic reactions I've had when I was a kid. So far I can eat shrimp, lobster, crab (my favorite), scallops, squid, salmon, halibut, tuna and hopefully many more to come. I'm going to eventually try clams and mussels.

Also, Aaron bowled his very first strike while bowling with friends this past friday! Woo hoo. :D

Thats all for now.

Love you all,

Marissa and Aaron

Why the blog? - an introduction

Family and Friends!

Aaron and I admit we are not the best at letter writing, emailing and phoning. So, in order to allow friends and family near and far keep abreast of events in our lives, we devised the plan to start a blog.

The ultimate goal is better communication! We hope to fill this blog with stories, pictures and adventures - the substances that make our lives together quirky, interesting, lively and loving.

We will try our best to update this blog weekly. Also, we will both try to author posts on here.

Hopefully this idea is well received - Here we go!