Somedays I can't run fast enough

I'm not sure it's running, but I know myself, I go through this flee phase every once in awhile. It's that time of year again. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's because my life feels unimportant and stagnant. Maybe because I fantasize about 80% sunshine 100% of the year. Maybe it's because I realized I could get my old job back in CA, make 3 times more money teaching then I do in my current position. I didn't actually quit my job. I have a teaching credential in CA, not MN. There's nothing I can do in MN next year to make that kind of money. Nothing.

But there's a reason I left in the first place. MN is how I want to live -- community, theater, supporting the arts, co-op's, lively local music scene, neighborhood bars and restaurants. My family is here. I have a solid network of friends and colleagues here. And I feel pretty tangled up in a insane literary circle that I love and appreciate.

But here's the problem: I called the University I graduated from in 1998. I inquired about a teaching license. Apparently, the procedure has changed since I graduated, and my alma mater doesn't even offer a degree in English anymore, it's a degree in Communication Arts and Literature. Therefore I need to take Speech Comm classes. In addition, I am required by the education department to take two classes in "teaching middle school." Are you fucking kidding me? I also need to take two exams -- one subject matter exam, and one professional education exam. I looked online, I will not get my results back until May 31. Whether I pass these lame-o exams or not is not really the issue. If I wait until June to apply for teaching position, chances are slim...

Here's what's really fucked up: When I graduated, all I needed to do was send in a check for $100, and they would have sent me my license.

In addition, I have a clear credential in CA.

So I called the principal at the school I used to teach at in California. They connected me to HR, who wanted to interview me over the phone, on the spot. I can get a job from the district, with a significant increase in pay. PLUS I talked to a guy I used to date (who is now married with two kids, so it's not what you think...) but we talked about investment properties in Long Beach and I mentioned the teaching job... he tld me he owns a studio in Riverside that's be vacant for 4 years. He told me I could live there for free.

Now I'm so freakin' confused because there's no way I can't teach in MN until Fall 08... and the really fucked up thing is I still won't be able to teach at the high school level, but I can teach at community colleges and 4-year universities.

Did I mention that the average temp for January and February was zero degrees? Did I also mention that we're supposed to receive somewhere between 10 and 18 inches of ssnow this weekend?

So what do I do for a year?