I finished my portfolio for that interview I told you about. I also told my team members at school that A) I’m interviewing for that position and B) either way it goes, I won’t be back next year. I almost (almost, almost) wanted to cry when saying it, partly because I’m happy/excited, partly because I’m sad/scared. I told them that I need to step away from teaching in the classroom for a little while, to focus on other things, namely my own life. Teaching is all-consuming. Don’t get me wrong. It’s wonderful. Wonderful. But I require myself to give 100% to everything I do. And as we know, mathematically, that can’t really happen. I’ve always said that I never wanted to be someone who was defined by what their job is, and that’s how things are now. I owe it to myself and my friends and my family to be emotionally available. I have no idea what is going to happen. I know what I want to happen and I know how I want the next few years to look, but who knows how it will really go. It’s funny. Normally I don’t do well with being in limbo, but I’m liking not knowing what to expect.
Friday: Did an interview at the Belmont Butcher for West of the Boulevard News (should be up Thursday), stopped by work, praised the good Lord that I had a great substitute, got caught up on grading and lesson plans, met Ross at his parents’ house, went with the mother-in-law to Five Guys, watched a few episodes of Nip/Tuck while grading and knitting, sleep.
Saturday: Did NOT go to the gym, laid around the house, went to celebrate Remus’s 1st birthday (!), ate at Zeus Gallery Cafe, came home and watched tons of TV while Ross was downstairs with MattWhite watching a million YouTube videos, more sleep.
Sunday: Slept SO late, hung around the house, went to church, ate some cookies, went to dinner at Joe’s with MattWhite and his parents (free food!), came home, not watching the Oscars because it’s too stressful for me, gotta go to bed soon to rest up for my first day back at work in a long time.
Here’s a cute thing for you to look at:
This is not my baby or any baby that I know. Nor is this my puppy or any puppy that I know. I’m too lazy to upload cute pictures taken at Remus’s birthday party (there was cake up his nose at one point), so I just thought I’d google “puppy and baby” so you’d have something to look at until I get my act together.
Does anyone else think that Britney Spears is *this* close from kicking the bucket, either by her own hand or by some crazy accident? What with the shaving the head and the in and out of rehab and the Kevin Federline being the stable parent, don’t you feel like E! True Hollywood Story has just written out the script and she’s following it? I feel like any day now I’m going to go to people.com and find out that she did herself off by drinking gasoline or something.
I’m going to feel really bad if that actually does happen. Probably a lot like how Michael Douglas felt after Princess Diana died and he said that the public wouldn’t have the same reaction if Mother Teresa died. AND THEN SHE DID. AND THEN THEY DID. AND HE WAS A WRONG BUT JINXING MAN.
Take a guess…
This is going to be a busy week. On top of playing catch up from last week (BTW, I am feeling wooooonderful now, thank you), I have a million balls up in the air.
First and foremost, the 5th grad SOL writing test is on March 6th and 7th. I will be teaching my rear end off from now until then, trying to fine tune the little darlings. Also, I have a feature due for West of the Boulevard News on Thursday. The guy in charge sure knows how to crack the whip-AND he’s not even paying me. On top of that, my interview requires quite a bit of preparation. Thankfully, I got my work for PharrOut done. And honestly, I kinda love being busy with this kind of stuff.
Since I’ve had two whole posts without a picture, I thought I’d let you see what it looks like when I work. At least when I do writing work. My teaching area is always very organized and uncluttered-you have to set a good example for the little ones. Anyway, here it is:
I love this spot with all of my heart. If you zoom in you can see all kinds of crazy stuff. For example, that piece of paper with the well-blocked off text includes such lovely tidbits as my occassional tracking off weight and measurements, co-workers phone numbers, and a primitive log of my time spent working for PharrOut. Please also notice the beautiful portrait I did of Ross. He did one of me too but, fortunately, that one is blocked by my laptop. Enjoy!
I’ve been picked to interview for a new job within the county. It’s a technology integrator position and, I’m gonna say it, I know I’m right for it. I have to prepare two lessons that I will present in front of a panel. Luckily, I integrate technology into my lesson plans all of the time, so this won’t be too much of a stretch.
Honestly, part of me feels like I just jinxed myself by sounding so confident. But, I really want this job and I really think they should give it to me. The interview is on Tuesday, March 6th at 1:40pm. Please send out good thoughts and prayers.
Ok, it’s actually only 4 work days that I’ve missed, but I haven’t *been* to work since last Friday. When I go back on Monday, it will be 9 days that I haven’t worked. I’m not very good at this, to be honest. I feel like I’m misbehaving or something and that it is totally reasonable for me to go to work and just drag trashcan behind me in case I start puking.
Janie, my mentor teacher, called me today to let me know that the kids are doing really well. She could be lying so I won’t worry about them, and God bless her if she is. She knows if she even hinted about them acting up I would be over there in all of my feverish glory to wield my trembling sword of authority.
This a scarf using “Bamboo Stitch.” I got the pattern (yes, I’m actually following a pattern) from KnitSimple. Jane was kind enough to pass the yarn along to me. I love the color so much because I’ll be able to wear it with both my black coat and my olive-colored coat. I really like how the stitch is coming out, even if my lack of motor skills at the moment have made the edges a little wobbly. Oh well. It’s nothing that some creative ironing can’t fix. I plan on wearing this skinny scarf as part of my favorite type of outfit: jeans, a cute T-shirt, and ridiculously cute accessories. It’s a perfect early springtime scarf because it’s soft and not at all heavy. I’ll be sure to post pictures when I’m finished.
Well, I thought the sickness on Monday morning was just a quick, little, passing thing. Not so much. I felt great Monday afternoon, even great enough to go to Capital Ale House with James and Jennifer. Turned out to be a bad idea. At about 9:00 that night the vomitting and other things started and didn’t stop until I got some anti-nausea medicine at Patient First at 8:30 the next morning. At least I didn’t need an IV this time.
So, it looks like I’ll be out of work this whole week. When I had this thing last year I kept thinking I’d be ok to go in, but now I know not to push it and just use the sick days-that’s what they’re for, right? And considering feeding the dogs exhausts me enough to warrant a 2 hour nap, I think I made the right decision.
My co-worker’s have been awesome. I’m very nervous though because this is one of the last weeks I had to get my kids ready for the writing test. Oh well, I’ll just have to hammer it in over the next week and a half and pray a whole lot.
I hope this made sense. Typing has proved to be very difficult, just like touching my nose with my index finger and walking in a straight line.
Last night Ross and I were in Kroger buying the ingredients for the delicious French Onion soup when we passed by their $9.99 DVD kiosk. AND GUESS WHAT THEY HAD!!!!!!!! This:
My brother (don’t click that link because he NEVER updates his blog. Ahem.) and sister will be the only ones who understand how exciting this is. ALMOST as exicting as getting Follow That Bird! for Christmas when I was 22 years old.
