Changes Ahead

Since the summer started warming up (after the wonderful rain - I loved it all) we started using our swamp cooler. We had noticed a patch in the ceiling above our refrigerator, but had shrugged about it and moved on. Until the patch started dripping... and falling down. We cleaned up the rubble around the kitchen and called the landlord. He fixed the swamp cooler a day or two later and a week or so after that repatched the ceiling. It made me a little nervous that he just put up some new spackle and tape, but I trusted him to know what he was doing. A few days later, the ceiling was on the floor again, rendering it completely useless to me as a ceiling. *sarcasm is fun* We let the landlord know about it and kept using the swamp cooler when we really needed it. More ceiling fell down, covered with black mold. That's when we realized we had a bigger problem - especially since I've had a severe sinus infection since the first incident with the ceiling (or rather the sudden lack thereof). I went through some strong antibiotics. Then some really strong antibiotics. Infection still won't leave. I'll be seing a specialist this Friday, with the possibility of a CT scan of my head. And now we realize that this mold could have been causing it all (I'll let you know if I actually have the guts to send my landlord - aka my parents' neighbors - my med. bills). He was able to get the leak stopped, but hasn't been able to come over to even see the hole yet. I am pretty sure to adequately deal with the mold that he will need to tear out parts of the ceiling and attic, which I doubt he will do. Our landlord is busy and I am understanding to a point... but I am ill and my apartment smells like rotting dairy. We've decided this arrangement isn't working out. So, we'd like to move.
But... we'll probably only be able to afford the expenses if I sit Fall Semester out. Which would mean missing the Field Study again, which is a prerequisite for all of my geology classes. But, since John is having trouble finding a job down here (you have to know someone, preferable be related to them, to get a job of any worth in Utah Valley) so we're considering relocating to the Salt Lake area and then I could transfer to University of Utah the following semester (or something along those lines). U of U has quite a sophisticated Geology program, including a Geological Engineering degree, which is a splendid possibility. It also does not have the weird early field study class that you must take before all other classes (from what I've seen in the University catalog). Hopefully Johnny could find something better for employment, but if it takes a while he'd have the same drive but we hopefully will have a cheaper apartment that allows pets.
Leaving our friends and family down here would be very hard (though Salt Lake is hardly Spain and we could still see them frequently). But, moving up there is kind of a scary and risky step for us. Switching schools could be tricky (especially since I don't know if I could get back into BYU and I don't know yet if U of U will take me). So, we'll be making many decisions (and buying many air fresheners) over the next couple of weeks. We'll let you know what happens! In any case, though, we'll be together, so it'll be alright. :)