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Yesterday I got an email from one old college friend from whom I haven't heard in several years and had been wondering about. Shortly after that, I got an email from an old high school friend who mostly stays incommunicado. Then I found out that another old friend kellyfaboo started an lj on the same day I did. Now if Kim would only call, that would round things out.

We're moving again. This makes a different state every 2-3 years since I turned 17. This time, tho, we're moving back to Wisconsin. Since we're going to a town that's down in the lower corner, only minutes from both Iowa and Illinois, I had suggested that we move to Iowa just to round out our tour of the midwest. Rob said 'no' because of the whole issue with state taxes. BTW, we're not in the military.

I'm not a huge fan of moving, but I'm not horribly against it either. I'm getting used to starting over. Though, it would be nice to be in one place long enough to get some RL friends. We even joined Mensa just to be able to meet people, but haven't had a chance yet to attend any meetings.

On the downside, this move halts my northward progression. I grew up in Illinois. At 17 I moved to Florida to go to college. That was a bad idea in so many ways and didn't last very long. Since then, I've been heading steadily northwards with every move (Florida - Central Indiana - Northwest Indiana - Central Wisconsin - Minnesota). I always assumed that I'd end up in Vancouver.

The possible good news is that my sister and her husband would like to move back to Iowa.

It's starting to sink in that I'm leaving this school forever.

Granted, I'm "only" the sub, but I've been working here 2-3 days a week (mostly) for the past three years. The school is a district school (pre-K through 12) with only about 250 students altogether. I've gotten to know most of them very well, especially in the junior and high schools were I spend most of my time.

Today I've had more kids tell me that "I'm the best sub ever." Not only do I highly doubt this, as they've also told me numerous times in the past that they hate me (I make them do their work instead of playing "Heads Up 7-Up"), but I find it a dubious honor since "best" usually means "most lenient." And if I'm the "best sub ever," I want to know what I'm doing wrong.

Still, a lot of kids have been visibly upset at the idea of us leaving. One gave me a goodbye hug; I've exchanged email addresses with several; And others have tried to extract promises that I'll return for the local festivals just to say hi. Sorry, guys--probably not. This town really is in the middle of nowhere and I'm just not going to have enough reason to come back.

It turns out that I won't be subbing tomorrow. Even if I were, it would have been in a different school. So today is my last day at this school. Although there has been much--very much--to not like about this school and the attitudes of the students, I'm still going to miss most of the kids.

In no particular order, and not at all inclusive, goodbye to: Jesse Y., Jesse S., Katelyn, Kaylee, Andrew A., Adam V., Francis, Sam H., Grady, Andrew S., Kelly K., Sarah G., Krissy T., Beth R., Wesley and Warren O., and Brian C. Even if the feeling wasn't mutual, you were my favorites.

Once again, I'm graduating.

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