Advice Needed again: the RAT

Thanks everyone for their advice in response to the last post. Now I need new advice:

As I have mentioned before, I am staying in the basement right now. As such, I have the typical basement windows--where there is a hole dug out of the ground and then the window lets in a tiny bit of sunlight (but mostly you just stare at the window well). So, anyway, today I looked out the window and here's what there was:

a RAT!!

Just kidding, it wasn't that big. It was more like this:

The truth is, it didn't freak me out that much. I used to have a pet rat. The only difference is, this one could be carrying the bubonic plague. No big deal. I began to watch him (or possibly her, I don't want to gender stereotype here):

As I watched, I realized that he was running around in circles. He was trapped in the window well. Poor little thing. So now what?
I thought about my options. Here's what I came up with:
1. Rat poison, finish him off quickly
2. Let him starve to death in the well.
3. Help him get out.
So the problem with both number 1 and 2 is that I will then have a DEAD rat to fish out and that is disgusting. I'd rather have him escape on his own.
So I made a ladder. I took a board and put it at the smallest angle I could and figured he would just climb right out and go find his family and live happily ever after.

Problem is, he can't figure it out. He gets on the bottom of it and can't figure it out. Does he think that I am tricking him? Is it too steep?

So now what? Any ideas?
I need advice FAST before he starves to death.

Advice Needed...

So I need some advice. I realized that I just graduated with my Master's degree, and I have NO clue what I want to do in life. I am about to finish teaching at the local college, and will be joining my hub in the small town (I'm very excited--living out of a suitcase in my mom's basement is only fun for so long)...

So I feel like that scene in Dumb and Dumber. Here it is on youtube (just the very first part of this clip). But the main dialogue goes like this:

"I can't believe we drove around all day and there is not a single job in this town. There is nothing, nada, zip."
"Yeah, unless you wanna work 40 hours per week."

Seriously, who does wanna work 40 hours per week?

Ok, so here I am left wanting a job that is 20 hours per week, very flexible hours, some of the hours can be done at home....does this job exist? Yes, it is called being a graduate student research assistant. That's the job that I had until I graduated. Now what?

I can possibly continue teaching at the local college. My application is in. And truthfully, teaching one class probably won't be that bad. It's not 40 hours at least. But, the main problem is, I don't LOVE teaching. It's ok. but I don't love it.
How do I look as a teacher?

I don't actually wear glasses, but I thought I would look smarter and more like a teacher with them on. Hopefully my students would peg me for at least a little older than I am. I try so hard to not let them know I'm 25.

So I also applied to teach an online class. That seems pretty easy. You don't even have to go anywhere. I can stay in my pajamas if I want. The problem with this, though, is it takes absolutely everything fun out of teaching (getting to know your students) and leaves everything lame about teaching--like designing the course, grading papers, and worst of all--responding to angry emails:

Note 1: This is a direct quote from a real email I actually received (spelling error and all)
Note 2: Those are angry bolts coming out of the computer.
Note 3: That's a computer

So, online teaching really doesn't sound fun.

OK, so I need to ask myself what I REALLY want to do.
I found a journal from seventh grade where I said I wanted to be a brain surgeon when I grew up. Now the idea grosses me out:

(not to mention the years of medical school I don't want to do)

I think my dream is to actually be Ira Glass's (from This American Life) assistant. I would do pre-interviews and fact checking. It would almost be like I was a detective--except a lot less scary and a lot more fun.
I can see the headline now:

Besides the fact that I would need a LOT of experience before I could get the job--not to mention at least a class in journalism--I think this is one of those LAME 40 hour per week jobs.

So, other ideas...

Artist? um, well you've seen my artwork.

Musician? um, haven't touched that clarinet since high school graduation

 

A triathlete? um, Can't ride a bike so well. Fall off WAY too easily.

OK, guys, here's where you come in. I NEED some advice. What on earth should I be when I grow up? (and I think "when I grow up" is about NOW--that's the problem).

My current life.

Missing Camm. Grading papers.
This is me:

My little girl turned 1!

Dear Ruby,

It was just one year ago that I met you for the first time. Daddy held you first and I've never seen him so happy. He was radiating with happiness as he got to know his new little girl. When he placed you in my arms, I couldn't believe how precious you were. You had just come straight from heaven to be in our family. This past year has flown by, but it has been probably the happiest year of my life. It has been so much fun getting to see all your "firsts". I love watching your personality develop. I am so glad you're my little girl and will always be my little girl. I love you.

Love,
Mama

Here's some pictures of the only birthday you'll ever have where you get to be naked and eat your own cake:

"uh, what is this?"

"Oh no! Some fell on the ground! Don't waste it!"

"I need it for my hair!"

"Hmmm...do you think I could do this again tomorrow?"

Washing her off in the kiddie pool

Odin, Ruby and Aminoa

Sharing her presents with her best friend.

SKYPING--this post is actually an update on our lives, rather than a random story

I had to come back to Utah to finish the semester teaching, so Camm is forced to join our family only through skype. Tonight he took care of Ruby while I cooked dinner. This was the screen shot of what he saw. I feel like it is a picture from Rugrats where you never see the adults' faces. I told him his job was to yell so I could hear if Ruby did anything dangerous. Also, Granny got Ruby the baby doll today and she loves it! She carried her baby with her EVERYWHERE. When we ate dinner, Camm watched through Skype and said, "Don't you think there's ANY way you could give me some of that?"

Salsa^6 Surprise

Setting: Cold, dark, Sunday night: February 26th, 2012--the night before I began life as a big 25 year old.We were in our church gym sitting in the famous church folding chairs:

 

It was a little Sunday social that my congregation had monthly--a chance to get to know each other and have a snack. This month's snack were chips and salsa. So there we were eating our chips and salsa with Ruby happily playing on the floor:

After I finished my first bowl, Ruby started to get a little bit tired. I suggested to Camm that we leave to put Ruby to bed, but he informed me that he needed another bowl of chips. I decided to be patient and let him get another one as I tried to keep Ruby calm.

What surprised me was how SLOWLY he ate that bowl. It was as though he'd never had chips before and he savored every one in his mouth. When he finally finished it, I suggested we leave. "You know Moll, I really want some more." Ok, though Ruby was getting fussy, I thought I could handle it. Just one more, right?

Again, I could count to 100 in between each nibble. I stared at him wondering how he could eat so slowly. When he FINALLY finished, I thought we were free. "You know what Moll, this is really good. I'm going to get some more," he explained. I began to lose that patience I thought I could keep. I was dancing around trying to keep Ruby under control.

"OK, Camm, we have salsa at home. When you're done with this bowl, we HAVE to go."

"No Moll, I think I just need one more bowl."

"Camm, look around you. No one else has even had seconds. And you are having fifths?"

"Yeah, it's really good. and I need to help them get it off their hands. What are they going to do with the leftover salsa anyway?"

Ruby was mad, I was confused.

You'd think five bowls would have been enough, but he slowly downed his sixth bowl. I decided to stop asking him if he would ever finish and figured that I may as well get out a sleeping bag and camp out in the church. But, before I could make any specific plans, Camm stood up and said, "OK, let's go." It was so abrupt that it caught me by surprise. I looked at the clock--seven o' clock sharp. We got in the car and we drove the four blocks home. When we pulled up Camm honked then started laughing. "Uh, what's going on Camm?" He didn't respond. I walked into my house and:

SURPRISE!!!!

Camm had thrown me a surprise birthday party and inside were a bunch of my friends/family. 

The salsa fury in my mind immediately turned to joy as I realized it had all been part of the plan!

Thanks to Camm for planning an awesome 25th birthday for me!

PS--Don't forget to vote for my blog by clicking here. Vote for me every day if you can! Just click the brown banner on the right hand side that says "Top Mommy Blogs". I used to be ranked #48, but now I'm down to #69...ACK!

PS--I got the chair from this site

I moved to a small town.

I think the story of this internet installer here really illustrates what most people are like.

After a couple days in Oregon we decided we'd gone long enough without internet (connection to the outside world). The complex where we live had recommended the name of a local company. I picked up the phone and called to get a quote.
Ring Ring Ring
"Hello," he answered the phone. I was confused because it sounded like a personal hello and not a company.
"Uh, I was trying to get in touch with the internet company."
"Yeah, this is Dave."
...I guess Dave is the internet guy...
"Hi Dave, um, we just moved here and we need internet. I was wondering if you could give us a quote."
He began to rattle off some numbers and then said, "Look, I just need to sit down with you so I can lay it all out."
"Well, I think I'm going to call some other places too."
"Look," he sounds exasperated, "there aren't any other places."
Without the internet or a phone book, I was forced to believe him.
"Uh, OK." I sigh, "I guess we'll come in..."
"Oh no, I come to you."
Oh my.
So an hour later the truck pulled up.

 Dog in back. It actually said that on the side.
Wow. In he walked with all of his stuff.
He looked around the house which is very bare since we moved from a furnished place and have nothing.
"So you don't even have a kitchen table?" he asked. I could tell he thinks we're nuts. But we probably have almost mutual feelings for each other.
He leaned over on the counter to write his stuff out and I could see his belt.

I'm not in Kansas anymore...or maybe I am in Kansas.

The truck is courtesy of this site