The Waiting Game

So, I haven't posted in a while. Well, eight months is more than a while. But I was so preoccupied with performing well in my job and making myself invaluable that I haven't had time to update my faithful readers with the saga of my life in Quebec.
And this particular rant has nothing to do with Quebec itself, just with small towns - more specifically with companies in small towns.
When I accepted the job offer with my company, I was so excited to get a job that didn't require me to perfect my french that I said yes to their offer... without even so much as thinking past the "We are pleased to offer you..."... i.e. the salary or the vacation or the benefits eligibility or profit sharing stuff. I got a job! Great! Life is grand! Now I can contribute to the mortage payments, car payments, credit card payments, utility bills and grocery bills.
Gulp.
I forgot to read the fine print, aka the actual remuneration being offered by the company.
After working for seven years, and having completed two bachelor's degrees, I am now making a mere $4,000 more than I was in my very first job in Halifax, which was actually with a non-profit organization!
That's just nuts.
So now I wait.
We had our performance reviews, I pleaded my case for more money, quoting my value to the company and providing solid comparisons.
I really want more money.
I think I deserve it. In fact, I know I deserve it.
But now I must wait.
UGH.
It sucks that these salaries are run of the mill for smaller towns. Just because my mortage is cheaper than a house would have cost us in Toronto, the price of gas is the same; groceries and healthcare needs are the same; Winners prices are the same here as at Yonge and College and my car payments don't decrease because I'm not fighting traffic on the 401!!! And less salary does not incenticize me to work any extra hours (although I say that as I sit at my desk at 6:53pm - this is just a break from all I have to do!).