I was able to secure actual employment 44 days after being laid off. The paperwork and so forth were signed on a Thursday morning allowing me a few days actual rest and recuperation before returning to the life of a working the following Tuesday. I am happy to report that the conditions of employ are favorable and have netted me a nice, substantial increase in my salary.

Part of my is already at ease with what has happened since the beginning of the year. I was craving change. Change in my work, change in my attitude towards work. This was change forced upon me, but it was something that I embraced. The timing could have been a bit better, the chance to sock away a few extra dollars has passed due to the length of time it took to get re-employed but I'll have to see how things work out once the new level of pay has been going for a few months.

Family of a distant sort:

My cousin is back home on shore leave for last week and this one. It is interesting to see her so very different in attitude than when she left. I would have called her quiet and reserved (despite not living with her from day to day, such traits are cornerstone of that side of the family) but now it seems far more appropriate to say that she is confident and less quiet. Her opinions are made far more manifest with words; she allows for her presence to be felt in a room in a way that was not there before. I find myself seeing her look me in the eyes while talking about how she was sharking pool to get some cute guys to talk with her. This is a little girl no longer. I am hopeful that the attitude rubs off on her younger sister while the military ambition does not. Their brother has already been speaking of spending time as a solider for the same bargain as his older sister.

There is one puzzlement I have yet to conclude. While upon the high seas, this cousin has been in more than one pursuit of banditry but has of yet not been given any training of firearms. When inquired as to the purpose of such, she has been told that until she is on shore for training of an extended period such will not be given. I find this a troublesome position to take. I would have hoped that even small arms would have been a necessary part of basic training given that it is the Coast Guard's duty to guard.

As for those of closer relations:

For just over fifteen months my sister has been teaching a kindergarten level English class in Korea. Her return was a festive occasion filled with tears and hugs and joy. It was also the first time we got to celebrate that her then boyfriend and now fiance were heading towards that particular conclusion. It was pre-announced this past October once our Mother had concluded her visitations with an official missive going out shortly after Christmas.

Time for a confession. I was not particularly thrilled with this person to begin with. He was fairly into the hipster scene and was not particular to any sort of "go-getter" attitude. The time we got to spend and to get to know one another I came away with the impression that he was a bit of a human banana peel. Which, in unfortunate mouths, became his nick-name. Others, perplexed with this rather childish observation needed only to meet with him once to understand the obviousness of it. It was not my will to cause harm in calling him this; at the time it was merely my way of categorizing him and his mannerisms. But should I post in the future about how I am on the outs with my sibling, I believe that this shall be the whole of the cause.

Mostly because as much as this experience of living abroad has changed my sister, it has likewise changed him. He has a grip now where it was a mere dishrag before. There is looking when speaking that was not there. There is, well, a backbone, though none can tell how much it has been tested before now. He has survived, if not thrived, for close to three years (the first year and a half done prior to my sister's joining him and much against her will to see happen) outside of close family and in foreign circumstances. If there was ever a chance for him to be tested by the world, short of being in the military, I think that would do it.

We will see how they do now that they are back stateside. Their first order has been to secure employment and to find a place to live. Current words have indicated a choice to reside close to where my wife and I lived for a couple of years downtown. My mother is not pleased with the choice.

Which brings me to the weekend:

Merriment ensued. Plans mutated until the last minute but were happy that it executed all the same. Friday night brought nearly everyone of the local clan into and under my roof. The regional designs of smoked meats with tangy sauces applied was feasted upon in addition to slivered potatoes cooked in lard. My cousin and all but her brother stayed late and got introduced to Rock Band. My sister and wife were able to sneak away to talk for almost an hour. My ears did not burn. Much.

Saturday found us playing host again. To friends who came with the intent of passing many hours in pretend worlds, late into the night. Such occurred again yesterday with much of those plans only congealing at the last minute. I missed getting together with the guild in the Worlds of Warcraft but found myself not regretting it too much.