Call me crazy...

Let's rewind a few years...I have thought about being a teacher for several years.  I chose not to when I went to college because my parents were teachers. I didn't want to hear, "Oh, just like your parents."  I wanted to make something out of me, for me, unattached to anyone else I know.  So, I went through college.  I loved learning about communication, mostly because we got up in front of class and gave informative speeches.  Ever since graduating from college I have gone back to this website for earning a post-bac teacher licensure.  I literally go back once every three months and re-read the entire website.  I have not really mentioned this fact to anyone.  Partially, because I think I might be crazy to consider going back to school full time...8-5 Monday-Friday in a classroom.  After all, we have a house and God willing would like to start a family.  The timing of it all just isn't perfect, but I am not sure if and when it ever will be.  In fact, my fear is if I don't pursue it now, it will be one of those things I always wondered "what if?"

I think I would be a good teacher for several reasons.  I like kids, a lot.  I enjoy being creative. Hence my cards.  I like making a difference.  A teacher has a schedule of when to be at school and when to go home.  I understand there is homework at night, I even helped my mom do grading when I lived at home.  I have been a substitute teacher and I enjoyed it.  In fact, I worked in the special education classroom.  I have also been a Sunday School teacher and Girl Scout Leader.  I appreciate being able to help others learn and see more of the world. 

I guess I just worry that what if I do this and then decide I really was crazy?  I suppose this fear is based on what others will say.  I know I will always be able to find a job, but I don't just want to find a job, I want to be really happy.  Going through the job search now, I feel like I have really limited my options because I know what I like to do and what I don't like to do.  I am young and think this is the time in my life I should make these decisions.  The program is a one year program.  When completed I would also have a partial MA in education.  I would only be 5 classes short, I'd have 5 years to complete those, of having another MA.

This has really been weighing on my heart and I haven't told very many people.  It would mean big changes as far as leaving work to attend school full time for a year and then going back through the process of finding a job.  Sure, the pay is not amazing, but let's be serious for a moment, all my work experience is in the non-profit field.  As a volunteer coordinator there is not a lot more for me to make.  It would be comparable to teaching, without an MA. I am of the thinking if there is a will there is a way.  I have until December to get my application materials in. A lot could happen in that time, plus I always have the option of being accepted and changing my mind.  I am not sure why this is even a debate for me.  I guess I worry to much about what other people will think and spending a year on a slim budget.  I would probably try to pick up a part time job in that time to supplement financial aid.  Anyway, that's what's on my heart...

The Wait is Over

Well, a little before 1pm I got the call. They offered the job to another candidate and the candidate accepted. The HR lady said she had feedback from my interview.  She said all the feedback was that I interviewed really well and was a very strong candidate.  Of course I was already out of town for work and all alone. I drove to the far end of the parking lot and cried and texted for a few minutes.  Even though 90% of the time I am a fairly confident person, stuff like this still shakes me. I'd love to think I am a little tougher skinned, but I still just wonder what it was that made the difference between getting the job and not getting the job.  I keep thinking about what Whitney said on a comment before the interview- that God is preparing me for whatever is next in my life. I just have to trust and find comfort in the idea I must still be at my current job for a reason.  Not sure what that reason or purpose is and I may never know...I guess I just hope I am making a difference in someone's life.

Out and About

As I have mentioned, we've been out enjoying the sunshine, nature, and splendor Colorado has to offer. On a couple of the trips I have even been able to take pictures! The first few are from Pinewood Reservoir and the last few are from our top secret fishing hole.  Okay, the top secret fishing hole is out at the ranch. It was amazing! In under 2 hours we both caught 10-15 little fish. We released them.  J and his friend caught two larger bass.  We smoked them for dinner last night. It was so yummy! Anyway, enjoy the pictures.

Just waiting

I had my interview this morning.  I was glad I got there a few minutes early because I was waiting in a different spot than where they were waiting and it took the guy trying to help me find my way a little bit to get it figured out. Despite the fact I pointed to the bulletin board and said maybe I should be in that conference room.  Anyway, eventually a nice lady led me to my interview.  I walked in to the room and sat at a table in front of not 3, not 4, but 7 individuals.  They started by saying they were on a time crunch...which tends to make me uncomfortable.  Then they asked me to tell them about my professional highlights. Next the firing range started. All the questions were tell us about a situation where blank happened, how did it turn out. Every single question was situation based.  Finally, they asked if I had questions and I asked what made a person successful on their team. I also asked about volunteer feedback, like do they have an evaluation for the volunteers.  This was interesting because she said they are researching that and hope to role that out in the near future.  I felt like I got lucky asking about that.  Anyway, the interview was over. I think it last just under 45 minutes.  I left without really knowing if I did excellent or just okay. I know I did my best.  When we walked out the same lady who walked me in, who I found out is a volunteer, said I interviewed really well.  I was also told HR would call at the earliest on Friday and the latest on Monday. Now I just wait.  I will be disappointed if it doesn't work out, but I know at this point there isn't much I can do, besides write a thank you note.  So that's it, my interview in a nutshell.
P.S. I think we definitely walked by the morgue going to the conference room. Creepy.

Bradgelina...

I was driving home from getting my manicure this evening.  I am always fascinated when I see personal plates on a car.  I think it stems from my love of word games. I always like to figure out what the person is trying to say. In fact, recently we have been thinking of personal plates on my car.  I was thinking of bttrfly, but that could be better fly or butterfly. So, I have not settled on whether to get that or not. Anyway, this evening I saw a license plate that read, "vrgnjen".  I sort of giggled.  Some girl named Jen must be really proud of being a virgin. Good for her, I'm not sure I'd get that on my plate.  As I got closer to the car I realized it was an older couple.  That's when it hit me, that older couple was Virge, probably short for Virgil, and Jen, probably short for Jenny or Jennifer.  They were the cutest old couple and I bet they were really happy to proclaim their love on their license plate.  I'm just glad that neither of my grandparents names when put together shorten to virgin. I also wonder if they are cool like Bradgelina? Either way, it's pretty cute.

Checked Out

Today I went to our local Kinko's to shop for some paper.  I found my paper and stood at the checkout for a few minutes.  Finally, a manager (tall, grey haired man with a 1990's hair cut, probably in his early 40's, just destined to be a manger at a Kinko's here in town) hollered over, "Do you need help?".  (No, I don't need help, I like to stand with my credit card out in front of me at a cash register with no one to help me as a hobby. This crossed my mind, but instead I said something more polite.) I reply, "Yes, I just need to check out."  The man hollers back, despite the fact he is less than 5 feet from me at this point, "I'd like to check you out."  He said it in his cool, I'm a Manager, ha ha, sort of way as he accented the word like. I didn't say a word. I just handed him my card as his face turned three million shades of red and he babbled back, "I guess that didn't come out right, I meant I'd like to check you out, that's still not right, I mean, I can check you out, or how about I ....." At this point there was really no saving him.  I just giggled and said, "It's ok, I knew what you meant."  He then says, "Wow, this is probably the most embarrassing thing I've done in a while."  I laughed quietly and said something like you will think it's funny in a few days.  He thanked me for my purchase and I walked out the doors and busted out laughing.  I'm not sure if this is one of those things where you had to be there, but it was hilarious to watch him stumble over his words, I'm sure he was glad I didn't slap him.  Anyway, I hope you find some amount of humor in my story of being "checked out".

Recognition

Hello dear friends...
I am sure I am going crazy at work, so I pose a question to you.  In all of the places you have volunteered, how have they recognized you. Please, do not lump them all together, list like Hospital- Fleece vest in wrong size and thank you note, Church- Jello with nicely sliced carrots, lutefisk, and lefse, etc.  I am genuinely interested in this...so I feel like if you answer I should buy you a drink the next time I see you...yes, a nice drink.
Also, did you feel adequately thanked?

Of course I have a mad volunteer who feels she has not been properly thanked. I will share with you the ways we have thanked her, but will do that in a separate post. I think we have been generous, but I could just need more education on the subject, so am opening up the above questions.

Thank you in advance for your time and participation in my study.  I will THANK you by purchasing you a nice cocktail, mojito, margarita, etc. and THANK YOU PROFUSELY IN THIS MOMENT!

P.S. How does spell check not know three IMPORTANT words: mojito, lutefisk, and lefse...seems to me like spell check doesn't know what delicious is.