So for those of you still interested in our life, I'll let you know what is happening in Tito & Cassieland.... (It's a really fun place by the way, and if you want to visit the cost is only $100 for a one-day pass.) What, you mean you don't want to pay to visit us? It seems a feasible source of income in these trying times... hahaha I know, I know it is time to find a real job, right?
Anyway. Tito left two evenings ago from Columbus OH, on a bus to Mobile, Alabama. His report is that bus travel in South America is much better than the U.S. But he is there now and will be heading out into the field to co-lead a canoe expedition Outward Bound course for 8 days. The group he is leading are Veterans ages 25 - 35 that are transitioning from being in the military to students on campus at West Virginia University. It is through Outward Bound Discovery which is the program he worked for, for 3 1/2 years in Florida. After that he will be headed back to OH for some interviews and then back on the road from April 1 - 4th to the NIRSA (National Intramural Recreation & Sports Assoc.) conference in Charlotte, NC where he has about 6 interviews set up. After that... who knows... we are hoping for a big break like maybe winning the lottery so that we don't have to worry about jobs anymore. (big dreams in tito&cassieland)
Cassie left our Ohio home yesterday in Tony's Ford Escort. THANKS BILL & SUE, TIM & KARREN, CHEYENNE & GARRET I really enjoyed my time in Ohio continuing to get to know you all better, I love my new family! I haven't driven a car in 7 months, so the day was full of excitement! Just kidding, the drive to CT was a straight shot once I got to the PA border and I had a wonderful visit with the Corvino's in Port Jervis which made my day! They fed me wings with real bleu cheese dressing (S. America does not do wings well) AND NY pizza.... one of the things I had been craving! Thanks Betty & Bob it was great to catch up! I arrived to my parent's house in CT around 10 PM. I currently have the house to myself and am going to complete much of my grad school applications this week and next week.
Many of you are curious as to where Tito and I are applying to schools... it has been a challenging process to look at where and what and why and how since we have been home. But by cross referencing available outdoor recreation jobs/graduate assistantships/hall director positions (for Tony) with accredited master in social work programs (for me) we have come up with a list that of course is ever evolving. So I will put a list here, but NO ONE SHOULD get any hopes up of anything because really we are hoping we catch a break somewhere and know that we may have to be flexible in these economic times. So here is the list of where I am applying to MSW programs right now:
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
University of New England (Portland Campus, ME)
Texas State University, San Marcos (near Austin)
Denver University 4 Corners Program in Durango, Colorado
New Mexico Highlands University, Albuquerque (by far the cheapest)
being looked at are:
University of Tennessee
University of Kentucky
*Tony is either applying to jobs at the same schools or has opportunities in the same geographical area and there are a few others he is looking at that are different, too.
PHONE UPDATE: Just to let you all know Tony and I are currently back in cell phone service, though we are trying not to use them very much. Tony currently has text messaging blocked on his phone and I am looking into it as well. Also we are only trying to use our phones after 9 pm and on weekends except for job-related things etc. My cell service is VERIZON and Tony's is AT&T so if anyone has those services feel free to call accordingly anytime. (thanks)
I am very excited to be home to see family and friends... and will try to update this blog with pictures soon. Love Cassie :)
I got to go visit my friend Jen yesterday and meet my new little friend Caitlyn Elizabeth Grabel! She was born February 9th. She is so sweet and I get to be her (Fairy) God Mother :)
We enjoyed watching the snow from the aiport, but soon we were anxious to get home. So we crossed our fingers as they were calling stand by passengers for the next possible flight... (there were over 50 of us) and by the grace of God or something, our names were called! We arrived into Columbus, Ohio last night around 9 PM. We are at Mom and Dad Stafford's house. While we were at the airport we watched lots of hours of CNN, it sure is different here from when we left. Not the best of news with all the lay offs etc. Anyway we will be in Ohio until the 11th of March. Tony heads to Alabama to work an Outward Bound course and I will be driving back to CT to start applying to MSW programs and look for work in the meantime. 
