Gillespie Clan Treehouse

Woof.

So, I haven’t been too vocal about it, but I’ve decided to leave the University of Washington’s Design Program (maybe I wrote about this before, but I’m too tired to check, and definitely don’t remember it at this point). It wasn’t a good fit for me, and I spent more and more time pulling out my hair and less and less time going, “hey, that’s something I’d never heard!” It was one big clash: personality, philosophy, design aesthetic, learning style, lifestyle, etc. Instead, I’m going to be taking a Business/Administration degree through Central’s Satellite Campus at Everett Community College. I start next quarter, and will be taking night classes.

I’m bummed that the program didn’t turn out to be right for me, but I think I’m much happier and healthier – and I’m going to learn how to run a business, which is something I would have had to figure out the hard way once I graduated.

In the meantime, though, I had a lot of free time (obviously, judging by the fact that I canned so much fruit and jam that it takes up half the shelving on one side of the garage) – so I started thinking about maybe a job. Brian insisted I get something more interesting than being a barista; so I did what my personal commandment always says, and waited for it to come up. I’ve been watching Craigslist of late – admittedly because I’m looking at all the free/cheap dogs available for adoption – and one day, an ad for a position at a doggy daycare came up! 10 hours a week, 8:30am-10:30am, Monday through Friday. I called about it, and went in for an interview the next day. Cassie, the owner of the daycare, is awesome! She was wearing a Rock Band t-shirt, and we spent half the interview talking about our favorite zombie movies and games. She hired me on the spot, and I started work the next day.

Now I get up, go to work, play ball with 15-20 dogs of all shapes and sizes, clean up after them and love on them. I can honestly say I’m happier scrubbing dog poo from the floor than I was commuting to Seattle five days a week. Boris comes with me (he’s still not sure he likes being forced to share his person with that many other dogs), and every last dog in that place is a character and a half. It’s already really rewarding, and I’ve only been there for a week.

I’ve also been working as a landscaper for Dennis’ mom – her yard needed an overhaul, and man, am I haulin’. It’s tough work, but it’s exciting to see what was essentially a weed patch transforming into a garden! I’ve enjoyed having physical jobs this summer, because they’re such a departure from everything I’ve been doing for quite a while. I got a little burned out on design for a bit, since I felt like I couldn’t get anything right for my classes. Now, I’m easing back into the artistic world via my friend Vicki Carver – who is an all around kick in the pants – and helping her get ready for the Big Red Barn Art Festival on October 17-18. If I can get my act together, she’s offered to let me exhibit in the next season’s art show – what an incentive to get rockin’ again! In the meantime, we’re painting signs and generally having a great time together.

I’m so well taken care of. I’m so loved. I’m so blessed. I’m so happy. And man, am I tired! But tired like a happy, played-out puppy.