Richard the TA

Last night I received news that I have been selected for a TA position at ASU for a class focused on Zoning, Subdivision Regulations, and Building Codes. What's so great about that? Well aside from giving me some great experience to add to my resume it changes the whole dynamic of paying for my Masters degree. Instead of having to pay the outrageous out of state tuition I now only have to come up with enough to pay for half the in-state tuition rate. That's a difference of several thousand dollars. Even better than that though is that I actually receive a stipend of over $3000 as well. While I'll still look for a part time job somewhere I don't have to worry about money quite so much and things are starting to fall into place. Hopefully I can get an internship for the city of Avondale as well.

The Big Move

Well, we've finally moved and we are now Arizona residents. After what seems like a year of planning (but I guess it was only half a year) we are finally in the Phoenix area, Goodyear to be specific. Although the city is pretty far west of...well..just about everything, it's very nice. Kaiti's parents have been kind enough to let us stay with them until we get back on good financial ground. But I'm excited to eventually move closer to Tempe and Phoenix.
Our POD arrives tomorrow and then we'll finally feel like we live here. It's been difficult to get used to the idea of actually living here since most of our stuff hasn't arrived, but once our couch is here I think it'll finally feel like home.
We've already been to the DMV (twice) and have new Arizona plates and licenses. So, we're pretty damn official. Hopefully ASU thinks so too so I can get in-state residency next year.
So, that's pretty much it. I start school in a little over a month and until then I'll be looking for employment and getting used to 110 + degree weather.