5 Things We Will Miss in Emporia

I've blogged before about how I've never really felt at home in Emporia. I've never even really considered a permanent stay in Emporia. That is still true, even more so now that I finally have a job lined up in Wichita and will be moving in the middle of next month. However, there are still some things that Laura and I will miss about Emporia.

1. Wheat State Pizza (http://www.wheatstatepizza.com/) - The best pizza we've ever had. You can get either white or wheat crust, but when you're there, why get anything other than wheat? Every other pizza place does white crusts. The wheat crust is simply phenomenal. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll open a store up in Wichita.

2. ESU Coworkers - You couldn't really ask for better coworkers. They have their flaws and quirks like everyone else, but I wouldn't have enjoyed my time at ESU nearly as much if it were not for them. They know who they are.

3. Dayton's Hobby Shop - This shop in downtown Emporia has served our hobby and craft needs from model paints to doll stands for Transformers. It's locally owned, and although more expensive than the bigger box hobby stores like Hobby Lobby, it has a different atmosphere that we like.

4. Via Crucis - This is the group that Laura plays flute for at local area churches and occasionally other functions. Liz, Mindy, Rick, and Brian have been great, especially with the kids. Liz cantors at the Mass that we normally attend, and every time after Mass, Rachel wants to "go see Liz."

5. Emporia State University - The campus is beautiful and grows on you after a while. If the leaves change and cover the ground before we leave, I'll have to actually take my camera there this time and get some pictures.

No Ribbits For Me, Thanks

This past week, I was offered a job working at Ribbit Computers in Wichita. Despite my desire to move to Wichita to be closer to family, I ultimately decided to turn the job down. With a little help from some friends and family, I decided that the offer was not better than what I currently have.

I find it difficult to weigh my decisions based on what's best for my family, as opposed to what meets my goals. One of my goals, in this case, is moving to Wichita. Don't get me wrong, Emporia is a great place, there's just something inside of me that tells me it isn't "right" for me or my family. We have found it somewhat difficult to make friends that are our age since we are no longer in school. Although our house feels like home, the town does not feel like home, to me. The only two towns that have ever really felt like home were Harper and Hays. I'm guessing it's due to the experiences that I have had in both towns. I'm hoping that those same type of experiences will manifest in Wichita as well, as I still hope to find employment there.

I suppose one could say that the reason Emporia does not feel like home is partly to blame with me. I could try harder to make friends with people - such as the neighbors to the east, who are around the same age as myself and Laura. Or I could do more to fit in with the community, such as volunteering for one the many community service projects that are available. The other side of the coin is that I have never planned to stay in Emporia very long. I have always said that once I get enough experience to be hired somewhere else and make more money - we're out of here.

I am grateful for the opportunities that Emporia has provided for us. My current job is the most obvious example. Others include the City Band that Laura plays in during the summer and the church band that she plays in throughout the year. The people that we have met through church events, though nowhere near our age, we are thankful for knowing. Even the old neighbor lady to the west of us, who offers us her basement when the weather gets rough. These things and people will all be missed when we move (see, there I go again: I said "when" instead of "if").

I'm hoping that as my family grows, my experience increases, and I mature - I will find it easier to make decisions that are best for my family. Until then I rely on the expertise of my parents and other relatives, whom I appreciate more and more as the years pass.