::commences cha-cha::
So, I don't know where I left off, but after I finished my MA in philosophy, I moved from the UK to Portland, OR in 2008 and after a couple of months I got a job at a non-profit here that I thought was going to be temporary but has turned out to be the best job I've ever had. It has a billion ups and downs, but the work that we do is amazing, and I am really grateful to be a part of something I care about so much. And when I'm not working, I'm volunteering for two or three other organizations, and it's great to be so dialed into the non-profit sector--which is where I'd be happy keeping my career trajectory for the foreseeable future.
Much like shrift, I have tricked myself into looking forward to going to the gym by watching terrible television (Teen Wolf! The Sing-Off!) on my iPad while I'm on a machine. Unfortunately, my knee condition worsened, so now I'm wearing double braces any time I do significant activity, which is a lot of the time. I haven't had a CFS flare since 2009/early 2010, though, so that's a big relief.
Last year, my sister and BIL also moved to Portland, so I have family close by, and miz erin_obscura is just down the road for weekly tv-and-bitch sessions. I have a dog, a cat, and a dog-nephew, and I spend a lot of time writing and reading. It's not precisely where I thought I was going to end up five years ago; I was pretty sure I'd be staying in the UK (thanks, "recession") but I really can't imagine doing anything else, now. I'm happy and fulfilled! It's pretty awesome.
I get up to Seattle to folks three or four times a year, and down to California once or twice a year, and still love to meet up with any Buffistas I know are coming through town. I still love and miss you all! I just don't know how to keep up with things when I'm doing all this stuff.