Job

About a week and a half before I left for Texas I was talking to an old friend of mine online. And like many conversations people have with friends they haven't seen in some time the topic of jobs came up. I told this friend I had been out of a job for quite some time (about a year and a half to be exact). He then proceeded to ask me if I wanted him to check if there was something available where he worked. I told him sure not thinking anything would really come of it.

The next thing I knew I was sitting at an "interview" for a job at 1am. Yes, you read that right my "interview" was at 1am. See this wasn't for any old position. It was for a graveyard position. The reason I also call it an "interview" is because it wasn't much of an interview. Basically, I sat there while this man did everything he could to scare me away from this job. I pegged him as a jerk from the beginning and that opinion hasn't changed, it's only been solidified.

As you might have guessed he offered me a job on the spot. The only problem was I was leaving for Texas the next week. I told him as much and he told me to call him as soon as I got back and he would see if he had something for me. The next week just before I left for Texas my friend contacted me and told me I had a job and would start once I came home. I was relieved and devastated all at the same time. J.R. and I desperately need the income but I really didn't want to have to take this particular job.

I got home from Texas only find that I actually didn't have a job. I spoke to the manager and he informed me that he didn't currently have anything for me but he hoped to have something in the next week or two. (As you might guess there's a fairly high turn around for a job with hours like this.) I was again relieved that I didn't have this particular job but was met with the dilemma that I still needed a job and fast.

I spent the next week in a mad rush to find a job in hopes that I wouldn't have to take that job when he eventually called me. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Friday night at 12am this manager called offering me a job.

I'm very thankful that I finally have a job again. I'll just be even more thankful when I can find something a bit more convenient. The one thing about this schedule that has been nice is the fact that we only have one car at the moment. It makes figuring that out a whole lot easier.

So for now I sleep while J.R. is at work and he sleeps (or tries) while I'm at work. We're making it through. It's not very easy as we don't get to see each other very much. It's just going to take some extra work to stay connected with each other. We are also consoling ourselves in the hopes that this is simply a temporary state of affairs and that something better will come along soon.

Oh and if you've made it this far I'm sure you're wondering what in the world I'm doing that I have to have such crazy late hours. I'm doing data entry at a medical lab. I thought it would be horribly boring and repetitive, but its not. It's actually pretty challenging and keeps me on my toes which is nice considering the hours. However, I do feel terribly old as most of the people I work with are quite a bit younger than I am. You'd be pretty stunned at who all handles your lab work.

So that's what I've been up to the past couple of weeks. Despite not being thrilled with the job I have, I am happy that I do finally have a job. I praise God for always being faithful and providing for J.R. and I, even if its something I don't really want to do.

Christmas Already?

I can't believe that Christmas is a week away! This month has flown by. I'm just about done Christmas shopping which is great. Once I'm done the wrapping will start. We've kept things pretty low key this year. We obviously can't afford to go all out. But I'm ok with that. Besides the whole presents thing is not why I love this time of year. My tree has been up since the day after Thanksgiving. I love it!

Ok so that is a picture from last year as you can see there are presents and I just said I hadn't wrapped any yet. But nothing has changed from last year as we have an artificial tree and we have no camera at the moment.

Not too much has happened in the last couple of weeks. I did finish my creative writing class. I'll be honest I didn't put my full effort into the class after the first couple of weeks. I'm sure I squeaked by with a B. I should have gotten an A. I would have gotten an A if I had really tried. But they are right when they say its hard to go back to school. I didn't think it would be for me but it really was getting back into the swing of having assignments due and that sort. I'm used to giving out assignments not doing them. :) So that's over and done with. I'm glad I did it. I did learn a lot. But I'm also very glad its over with.

As far as working, well, that hasn't been going too well. If you remember a few months back I said I had a job. I was very excited about it. And I do have a job. It just doesn't do much good if you aren't actually working. That's right. They haven't given me any students yet so even though I have a job, I'm not working. That sucks. We are still muddling through and God is continuing to be a faithful provider.

We are looking into moving. Where we aren't sure. We're praying about that one. We don't know if we are supposed to move into a place locally that is a little cheaper (though we'd really like it if our landlady would drop our rent, we'll see about that one. I'm pretty sure she doesn't want to lose us as renters. But I also know she's pretty cheap.) We'll just have to see what God has in store for us. I'm excited and anxious about it. I just want some answers already. :)

Finally, the last few weeks my family has been in a mad rush to plan a quick trip. My mom got news that her dad wasn't doing too well. She's been telling me for months that she feels like she needs to go see her dad. So that phone call from her mom sealed the deal. The day after Christmas we are borrowing the church van (thank God for that!) and heading to Colorado. Pray that the roads will be clear for us. We definitely don't want to have to drive through the snow and ice.

It's been over 8 years since we've gone to see my grandparents. The last (and only time) they came to see us was when I graduated from grad school. Yep that's right they didn't even show up for my wedding. I don't totally blame them. The travel is really difficult on them and my grandmother freaks out at the traffic here. They live in a little town out in the country so Southern California is a huge change.

It's going to be a big surprise. My uncle (who I haven't seen since I was 10) is going to be there. My aunt has decided to go as well. Some of my cousins might even show up which would be nice. The more the better. I'm also pretty excited about showing J.R. around Colorado. That has always been home for my family (even though I haven't lived there since I was 4.) He's never been and it's just so beautiful.

So that's what's been going on with me the last few weeks. There are a few more things. But I'll get to them later.

I GOT A JOB!!!

I GOT A JOB!!!!! And yes I'm yelling that at the top of my lungs. Finally, finally, finally. I'm really excited about it. I got a call yesterday from a tutoring company. They noticed my resume on one of the many job search sites I signed up with. It's only part time work. But I get to schedule my own hours and pick what I want to tutor. She also informed me that they have a lot of clients in the area. So it looks like I'll have a pretty easy time staying busy.

It's probably going to take a few weeks before I actually start. I have to get all my information in, do a livescan (fingerprints) again for the 4th or 5th time. Plus I apparently lost my Social Security card. Not sure how I did that. But now I have to wait for them to send me one. Hopefully it won't take too long. But the important thing is I have a job!! Woo Hoo!

I was really excited about simply having a job. Then I began to calculate how much I would be making if I worked the full 25 hours they'll allow me to work. I was stunned. I wouldn't need another job. I could work part time and make just as much, if not a bit more, as I was working at a full time teaching job. That's a little sad. But I'm really excited about it.

I'm completely flabbergasted at how great God is. He is exceeded my expectations here. I plan on still looking for maybe another part time job or I might sub. We can use all the extra money we can get. I'd really like to get completely out of debt. That would be a big relief. I can't hardly express how excited I am and how grateful I am to God for His every provision.

A New Chair, a Job Update and a Second Birthday. Oh my!

We got my parents chair!! Yea!!!!!!! I'm very excited about that, as we were down to one wheel the past week. Seriously! It was pathetic. Now I don't have to balance when I sit here all day. And really there is no balancing on one wheel you just kind of sit there leaning forward the whole time. Funny but pathetic.

This weekend I went to my friend's baby shower. It was really nice to see some of my friends from work again. They basically all went to the college where I'm hoping I get the job. I was able to learn some valuable information. Apparently, that school takes forever to hire. For instance, one of the girls at the shower works there. She put in her application in December and didn't start working there till mid-February! Wow talk about slow. Good news is I put my application in August. So it's October now. Hopefully I'll hear something soon. This is THE job. It's the one I really want and think that's mine.

Also, I found a teaching job there this summer, US History, right up my alley. I then learned they wanted a master's in that subject. Wasn't surprised by that but I got all excited about it without reading everything. Silly me. But (yes there's a but) one of my friends is teaching Math there right now and only recently received her master's in education. Hey! I have my master's in education. Maybe they'll let me have that job. It's truly my dream job. It's not till next school year so I have a bit to go there. But that would be awesome. So here's to more hoping.

Finally, I must commemorate this day as it is a very special day. It's J.R.'s second birthday. He's now 14 years old. Say what? No, I didn't rob the cradle. That would be just gross. No, today is the day that J.R. celebrates his new life cancer free. It was 14 years ago today that he received his bone marrow transplant. After months of chemo and radiation, a short remission, and then a relapse, numerous procedures, including a couple of bone marrow harvesting (trust me you don't want to know how they do that), a shunt placed in his head (which is still there, creepy), loads of drugs (almost was put on cocaine for a 3 day nose bleed), about every symptom in the book, and season tickets to the Kings (hockey) from Make A Wish, they finally used his own bone marrow (harvested during his remission) for his bone marrow transplant. 14 years later and he's doing great.

I must say I'm so glad I didn't know him back then. I don't know if I could have handled going through all that with him. Just looking at the pictures makes me tear up. And just so you know how amazing God is and how he works through every little thing. I began praying for my future husband when I was 12 years old. J.R. was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 13. We are a year apart. God works in mysterious ways. So happy second birthday babe! I love you!

The Sad and the Good

This week was a sad week. Our Disneyland passes expired. We've had them for two years now and really enjoyed them. But we can't rationalize spending all that money this time around so we let them go. Friday after J.R. got off work (he gets off at 1:30 on Fridays) we went to Disneyland for one last time. We had a blast. That new Toy Story ride is so much fun. For us it was really nice having the passes because we could always go just to have a nice dinner or it was just a place to get away from it all. So we will miss having our passes. Hopefully we might get them again sometime in the future.

Finally, I wanted to say how amazing God is. I've really been trying not to worry about our whole financial situation. God continues to tell me that He is my provider. I believe it but when you don't see where its going to come from its scary. A few weeks ago my friend gave me the following scripture.

But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

It's a great scripture but I have yet to fully understand what it means for me in my situation. I know it has to do with my job and that situation but I'm not sure what it means for it. So I guess I continue to wait. (Ha! No pun intended.)

But as to why God is amazing (sorry got a little sidetracked). Last week I got a call asking if I would be willing to participate in a survey. I said sure as I don't have anything better to do. Oh yeah and they would pay me $200. Um yeah I'll give you my opinion for $200. So that's what I did yesterday. I sat in on a study group about cars of all things. There's also the possibility for more money if they decide to do an in home interview. So I am just grateful to God because I know He's going to take care of me one way or another.

I Have A Plan!

Or at least I hope I do. I'm sure my plan won't be as inspirational as Martin Luther King's famous speech or as devious as some cartoon criminal. That title has been rolling around in my head for the past two days and it always makes me think of those two things, which is kind of funny considering they are almost polar opposites. Anyway, enough of my lame attempt at wit and on to the PLAN.

Thursday I was being lazy (as usual) and decided to look up the requirements of the Graduate program I am looking into. I have been thinking about going back for a few weeks now but I was silly and never looked to make sure I could even get into such a program. One of the requirements is 18 units of non-freshman English. I figured I wouldn't have a problem with that but I checked on my transcripts just to make sure. Wouldn't you know I miss that requirement by 3 little units, one measly little class. Now I'm sure I could still get into the program because there are a couple of competency courses that I need to take. However, school is supposed to start in about a week and a half. That's all a bit quick to get everything done to start by then.

So rather than stress myself out I had a great idea. I went online and found myself a Beginning Fiction Writing class. It sounds like fun, it would give me those 3 little units and the best thing of all? It's online. Perfect. So I immediately applied for the community college and am awaiting their approval so I can register for the class. The amazing thing about all this? I didn't talk to J.R. to see what he thought. I didn't call my mom to get her advice. I didn't hem and haw about it and over analyze it. I just went for it. So very unlike me.

At this point the plan was to take this one class and use this semester to prepare for starting school in the spring. It just felt like things were clicking into place. Yes, I still don't have a job but at least I have some semblance of a plan. Then I called my mom and told her of my wonderful plan. She was happy about it and thought it was a great idea. A few minutes later she called me back after talking to her boss/friend, D. D had the most wonderful idea and I truly believe it may have been from God. She told my mom that I should look into getting a job at the school I'm hoping to attend.

I initially was a little hesitant. I had already looked at possible jobs at this school and really hadn't found anything. However, I think I may have been so focused on teaching and hadn't quite let that idea go and I completely missed a great job. The job is an enrollment advisor. I can't even been to express how excited I am about this job. When I was doing my undergrad work, I worked in the Registrar's Office at my school. I loved my job there. It was probably my favorite job, aside from teaching. So when I saw this job it seemed like a perfect fit. I would still be able to work with students, but this time college students. Teaching college has been a goal of mine before I even began teaching my first day. I realize this isn't really teaching college but I will be working with students. All those thoughts of somehow losing part of my identity because I'm not teaching flew out the window with the prospect of this job.

I am really so very excited about the prospect of this job. Another added bonus is that I may be able to go to school there for FREE if I get this job. I wasn't too sure about this when I heard it, but I have a friend that works there and according to some she has said she and her family can attend for free. How amazing is that? It just feels like things are finally clicking into place and its a very exciting time not just in my life but also in the lives of my entire family. I had been dragging my feet getting my resume done. I really felt daunted by the task of finding a new job. So I was taking my sweet time. When I found out about this position I immediately finished up my resume and applied as quickly as I could.

I don't know how everything will work out. I don't even know 100% if this is what God has for me. But something in me tells me this is it. My excitement alone and the fact that things just seem to be clicking into place seem to serve as evidence. So here's hoping that this is what path and plan I'm supposed to take. I sure hope it is. And honestly even if it's not I'll be ok. As long as I am in God's plan for my life I know I'll be fine. It just feels good to finally feel like I have some sort of direction.

Job

Last week I found out I didn't get either job I interviewed for. I was a little frustrated and nervous. I'm not sure where to go from here. I put in my application at a few more schools. However, those were the only two jobs in the area. The vast majority of all the other jobs I found were in the San Diego area.

I'm not quite sure where to go from here. It's not like I don't have a lot of options left, because I do. However, most of them end in my not teaching this year. It's a possibility I'm ready to accept. However, it's really not something I want to do. If I don't teach this year it won't be the end of the world, though I will feel like I have wasted years of education and work to get where I am. I know it's not in the least bit true. I was finally feeling like I was beginning to figure out this whole teaching thing.

Whatever may come, I know that God is in control and He has a plan. I know He will take care of us and that things will work out just fine. It is fairly unnerving not knowing what the next step will be. I'm not sure where to go from this point. What I do know is I need to find a job one way or another.

Interviews

The last two days I've had interviews. Both drastically different from one another. I was not nervous at all either before, during or after. Thursday I interviewed at previously mentioned private high school. I was amazed at their campus. It actually looked like a school campus, as opposed to the hodgepodge of buildings at my previous school. On top of that, it is beautiful and huge. I guess it has to be pretty big considering it has kindergarten through high school (though my previous school also had preschool through high school but guess it wasn't quite as well thought out and planned). I was strangely at peace through both of these interviews.

The first interview went very well. I met with the principal. He seemed like a very good guy who was on top of things. It really didn't seem like an interview, but more like just a conversation of us both getting to know each other. At the end, as is typical, he asked if I had any questions. I don't think he was prepared for the number of questions I had. Don't get me wrong I didn't have this huge amount of questions. However, I had almost as many as he did. Though most of them were simple questions. While I was asking my questions, I gave him my portfolio to look over. I don't think he knew quite what to think of it. I'm not sure many of his applicants know to even have a portfolio. That was about it. I feel that I did the best I could. Now I just wait. I did discover that I would be making $6,000 to $7,000 more than I was at my previous school. That would be SO nice.

Friday was my interview with the public school. It's been a while since I've been in that setting. There is just a completely different vibe in the public sector than in a Christian school. I honestly don't know how I feel about going back to a public school. It's not even about any possible discipline problems. It's more about the atmosphere and environment. This interview was before a panel. Crap. I hate that. It's so much more intimidating. I was interviewing with the principal, vice principal and the head of the social studies department.

One of their first questions was why I left the middle school. The principal informed me that that initially sent up red flags for them. I can only assume that he was referring to my switch from the public school to a private school. Crap again. I didn't know how to answer. I sat there my mind moving a mile a minute trying to come up with a good explanation. Nothing. So I went for the raw truth. I told them that I was a Christian (obviously considering I worked at a Christian school). I told them I felt like God told me to move on and that He was calling me to another place for the time being. I told them that it was an act of faith for me because He even had me quit my job before I found a new one. The other teacher was sitting there nodding his head as I explained, that made me feel better. At least I had someone there who understood what I was talking about. The principal and vice principal? Well, not so much. I don't think they really liked my answer but oh well.

Now some may say that wasn't the smartest way to go. And they might be right. However, I don't regret answering the way I did for a few reasons. One, I'm not going to be ashamed about my beliefs. I'm not going to force my beliefs on someone else. But I'm not going to shy away from them either. If you happen to think I'm crazy for what I believe, well that's ok. You're entitled to your opinion as much as I'm entitled to my beliefs. Secondly, if my answer to this one question turned them off so much that they don't want to hire me, I really don't want to work for them in the first place. Finally, I know that God is in control. If He wants me to have this job, this one silly little answer is not going to stop His plan for my life.

This interview was quite a bit shorter. It only lasted less than 30 minutes. After they asked their 6 questions, they gave me the opportunity to ask some questions. I took that time to not only ask my questions but also show them my portfolio. The history teacher was really interested. He was even taking some of the projects out and looking through them. I was happy about that. The principal even took the time to read through some of my recommendations. I wasn't expecting that, especially after my experience the day before when that principal just glanced through it. As I was asking my questions the principal kept telling me I had great questions. So that was a good sign. He also told me several times that I had an excellent portfolio. Score! I had worked really hard getting all that stuff together. I'm glad someone was able to appreciate it.

So anyway. This post is incredibly long (but what else is new for me), sorry about that. Kudos if you've made it all the way through. All that to say that both interviews went fairly well. Not exactly sure when I'll hear anything. Oh yeah, obviously the public school would also be a large pay raise. Yeah, try almost $20,000. (Yeah, I'm crazy. I took a $20,000 pay cut when I left public school. My sanity was well worth every penny.) So I play the waiting game again. There are a few more openings I discovered that I am going to send my application. If I had to choose between the two jobs, I honestly don't know which one I would go with. Right now my gut is telling me I would probably stay with the private school. That whole atmosphere and environment is well worth the pay cut. But who knows what God has in store for me. Time will only tell.

Job Update

As of right now I have been out of work for a little over a week. I sent out quite a few applications almost a month ago. Sometimes schools take a while to get into gear, especially with the end of the school year approaching. Well, school is now out and now I play the waiting game.

In the meantime, one of my friends informed me that another private school was looking for a History teacher. Sweet! So I contacted them and their principal sent me an application. O.M.G. This was the LONGEST application I have ever seen in my life! When all was said and done it was 9 pages, 9 PAGES! There were 25, I repeat 25, essay questions. I swear it was like they wanted to forgo any real interview and just have me write out my responses to their interview questions. Because its a private school they can dig a little deeper and ask more personal questions. One of the questions was "Please write out information you feel our school should know about your family or family background." Excuse me? How does that pertain to a job in any way? Ugh. I didn't answer it. I told them there was nothing I felt they needed to know about my family. I finally finished that torturous application and emailed it. Thank God that is over with.

Last Friday I got a call from a public school to set up an interview. That was encouraging. My interview is on Friday. Then Monday I got a call from previously mentioned private school. I missed their call and called back. I haven't heard back from them yet. If I don't hear from them today I will be calling tomorrow. So I'm not worried about it. I know that God will provide the right job for me.

I am a little perplexed about whether I want either of these jobs. I don't know if I want to go back to public school. I was miserable, I mean miserable there. So I'm a little scared about going back. I realize its a different school in a different area. But my last experience obviously taints any future job hopes in a public school. The pay is incredibly much more. That would be nice. Since we are already used to living off practically nothing, J.R. figured out we would be able to pay off all our credit cards in one year, ONE YEAR. Wow! That would be fantastic. Especially considering I would really like to have that done before we have children. That would make life so much easier.

There are also pros and cons of the private school. I enjoy the private school environment much more, obviously. That is a big plus for me. It's my sanity. They don't pay as well, though I'm hoping because this is a much nicer school that their pay will be a little more than my last job. The other downside is the students at this school have a reputation for being snobs. I didn't come across much of that at my last school. Most of the students there are very down to earth. For many of them their parents struggle to keep them at a private school. They are not in the least bit spoiled, at least in comparison. So that brings on another battle with spoiled children and their parents. Something I've become used to but this would be on a grander scale.

So that is the state of my job search at this point. I'm not too concerned about any of it. I know God is in control and he'll place me where he wants me to be. I'm just nervous about both schools offering me a job. I'm not sure what I would do then. I'll just have to trust that God will show me where He wants me to be. Because honestly, I don't want to be anywhere else.

4 MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL!!

That is all.

New Job

A couple weeks ago my principal pulled me into his office to have a talk with me. He started by telling me this wasn't a good thing. Thanks for alleviating my fears buddy. I figured it was a problem with a parent. One of the downsides of working at private school is the parents can become very demanding and some even outrageous in their demands. Boy was I wrong. He shocked me when he told me they were going to have to let me go. After that point most of what he said was a blur. He said that enrollment is down and in not so many words told me anyone could teach my classes (thanks for the vote of confidence there). So I am out of a job as of June 13th. How appropriate it's Friday the 13th, not that I believe in such silliness.

So I'm now trying to find a job at a time when most of the schools, if they are even hiring, have made their decisions. I'd really rather not go back into the public schools. But if that's my only choice I will. But even in that sector there aren't many jobs available. Most of the jobs available are in Palm Springs. No thank you. I found one in San Diego at a charter school (sorta a private school but receives public funds too). I wouldn't be to upset about moving down there. Though I would miss my friends at church.

There is one job I found that is actually my dream job. It's an online History Teacher. How fantastic is that? I get to do basically everything through the computer. I'd also have to have office hours for anyone who would need tutoring. Not a bad deal. The only problem? This job is in the Seattle area.

For the past few months J.R. and I have been talking about moving there. However, we always felt that it was just a dream or something that, if it happened, would happen in the future. We both really want to get out of California. I'm tired of living here and I definitely don't want to raise my children in this culture. It's a miracle that J.R. is on board with this as it would require him to leave all his family. But there we are, seriously considering it. I'm going to apply for the job and just see what happens from there. We are praying that God's will is done. So if he wants us to move great, if not we'll be ok with that too.

There are a couple of downsides to this. We would have to move away from all our friends and family. I would dearly miss my friends. The upside? My parents aren't opposed to following us up there. That is fantastic. I really don't think I would be able to live so far away from my mom. So we'll see what God has in store for us. Neither of us are very sure and are just trying to see where He will lead us.