You're moving to....Peoria????

I've been thinking a lot about the future lately, and how suddenly its not really the future any more - its right here, in my face, with claws and sharp teeth. The 'future' that Josh and I have been working so hard towards - actually getting out of the UP with our degrees and moving to an awesome city for an awesome job.....is here. Its four months away, and I am nervous that our 'awesome' job is Cat, and that 'awesome' city.....is Peoria. And I am not saying that either is bad, because they aren't, but if things were easy, Josh and I would move to Seattle, or Boston, or Chicago, or Denver and I would work for a pharmaceutical company and Josh would work for an aerospace firm. But things arent easy, and often times, we are forced to choose stability over adventure. Cat will be the stable choice - a growing company in a sleepy midwestern city. Not a bad choice, but not an exciting choice either. Of course, we both have to get offers first, but I'm confident that is going to work out just fine. I wish I could fast forward to after the decision is already made! Cat has a lot of good attributes that I should probably point out as well. Here is the short list:

1.) Josh and I will start out making six figures collectively, our first year.
2.) Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance with good coverage for a nominal cost, which begins on day 1 of employment.
3.) Very nice relocation packages.
4.) The cost of living in Peoria is pretty cheap.
5.) Great opportunity for advancement.
6.) Great opportunity for overseas assignments, if we choose.
7.) They will pay for Josh to get his masters, and they will even pay for my second masters degree.
8.) The city is actually very nice, and charming - and what it does lack can be found 1.5 hours away in Chicago.

Thats the major Pro's that Peoria has going for it at this very minute. Plus, if we both get offers and accept them, we really dont have anything to worry about for the whole semester except graduating. Being able to focus on school and not having that 'ar ewe going to find decent jobs in the same city' stress would be so nice. Plus, just because we move to Peoria and work for Cat straight out of school doesnt mean it has to be for life. It can be a stepping stone. Decisions decisions.