A bang-up job

I'm the computer lady.

Yes, I know that I'm the first person you think of when your computer has a melt down and you're wondering where to turn for help. Not. In spite of this, I applied for, and got a computer para-pro position at the 3-5 building in the district I was subbing for. I assist the teachers in teaching technology standards and will eventually work with them on planning and teaching lessons that integrate technology (SMART board, laptops, etc.). So far I'm enjoying it and the teachers and staff all seem very nice. The best part is that I basically have the freedom to take this job where ever I want. A lot of the teachers are afraid of technology and it's my job to help them use it in their daily teaching. So far I've been spending a lot of my "tech integration" time playing with the SMART board, researching educational websites, and figuring out all the programs and software we use. Week 1, a success...despite being rear-ended on my way to the brand new job on Monday.

I brought my...pencil!

I'm a teacher again. For a while anyway. It was sort of like I never left, aside from the months of indecision, and searching, and interviewing, and agonizing. My new first graders are not really mine at all. They belong to Mrs. C and she will be taking them from me in November. I'm enjoying it now, being a part of a school, starting the new year, and teaching each day, but trying not to think of what will happen when it's over. First of all, I'm already getting attached to these kiddos, something I naively thought I could avoid. Secondly, come November, I'll be right there looking again. Although, there's not as much uncertainty as there was even a week ago. I know now that I won't have my own classroom this year. Also, I have some prospects after this job. Worst case, I'll be able to pick and choose certain schools to sub in and try them out. It's been a good, yet exhausting week. I'm still working full time at the crew, which means I didn't get to see Mr. Bananas at all Tuesday or Wednesday. We played today though, and he took 3 steps!! He's going to be walking any day.

This is for you Katohater, some more nuggets to philosophize over:
What is love?
Where is the soul?
What is the meaning of life?

Jenna...we love you no matter what. You had your reasons, and ultimately it's none of our business. I'm sorry you were unhappy for so long. And, just so you know, you can "for a saw bananas everyday."

Must be the full moon...

What is with all the crazies? We won't even talk about Tuesday night at the crew...it was that bad with crazy customers. But today? Okay, so you're cool. You're mediocre looking and you have some cronies you call buddies that follow you around. You're sarcastic and love to show your buddies how clever you are. You come into my store. Do I bother you at your place of work? Do I make snide comments and treat you like you're less than dirt, and then ask if you're hiring? Do you really want a job? Maybe if I acted like you, and gave side fives that turned into awkward hand-holding at my interviews I'd get hired.

Okay, so you're shopping with your daughter. You don't want help...you don't NEED help from the "girls" in the store. You come out to find a new size or item for your daughter and look lost. I ask you if I can help you find something. You don't stop, or look at me, or act as though I'm a human being who is paid money to help people like you find what they are looking for. You want to do it yourself. That's fine, but don't treat me like I'm following you around the store putting on the high pressure sales. I apologize if this upsets you, but when you come into my store, we will try to help you.

Okay, so you're a security guard. I don't know if you get paid enough, but from my understanding, your job is to keep the mall and its occupants safe. I get it, you're working the late shift, you probably don't have to do much. I ask you to assist me in securing my store. You don't really respond in a way that makes me feel secure...in fact you hardly respond at all. What? You can't look at me? You can't respond to or even acknowledge a simple "thank you"?

All I have to say to you all is:
That don't impress me much.

Some pics of Jack

Camping with Fred Bear.

Driving Daddy's Truck.

Eatin' Cheerios.

Bein' cute.

Showing us Hopson, his little bunny.

At the water table.

Frustrated Incorporated

Wow, the time gets away from me being back home. Not as much time to sit on my computer and blog...or much of anything else. This summer has flown by and now I feel like a bundle of mush, held together by fraying nerves. While it's great to be back, I underestimated how much I'd miss Arizona. I DO NOT miss the heat, but I do miss most other things. Most notably, my job. I felt so good about my career and the work I was doing every day. I was a part of a community, a family that watched out for me and cared about me and welcomed me from day one. Now I have nothing but doors slammed in my face. I have interviewed at five different schools, made it to the second round for 3, and nada. Meanwhile I'm desperately sending out cover letters and resumes all over Kent and Ottawa county, attending sub meetings, preparing for a long term sub job, and working at the crew (where, by the way, I feel most wanted and appreciated these days). Oh yeah, and then trying to carve out some time with my wonderful family. I can't believe Jack will be 11 months on Sunday...he's almost a year old! Where has the time gone? On top of all this, without a teaching job we will need to continue with our living situation as it is now. We are eternally grateful to be able to live here, but it's wearing on us all...and it's all my fault. Basically, as soon as I get a teaching job, we can begin to think about our future again. At least in Phoenix we were making progress on paying down our debt and in our careers. Why can't our choices in life be made simpler? Why does everything have to be a trade off? Yes, I'm with my family and friends, and Jack is with his grandparents...so why do I feel more unhappy now, than I have in a long time?

Keep it secret, keep it safe

Being back in the mitten has been outstanding. Despite some major adjustments on the homefront for all involved, things have gone rather smoothly. Dave is back at work at Sears, and I have begun working part time at the crew again. Jack has adjusted nicely and is a very happy boy most of the time. And we've gotten to reconnect with many of our friends and family already.

I am keeping up the job search, although postings have been few and far between. I had an interview yesterday for a job share position at a school that's 45 minutes away. This is certainly not the ideal situation, but it's a start. I won't know if made the cut for the 2nd interview until after the 4th of July. I also have an opportunity for a full time position at the crew. Decisions, decisions! I do love being back there, it's a great place to work. And I love the freedom it offers...if I want to go out on a Wednesday night, I can.

For now, I'm just happy to be home. It doesn't hurt that it's summer and I get to spend more time with my Bubba! And I'm loving this weather...bring it Michigan!

Happy Easter

Hope everyone is having a nice Easter. Here, it's just another day. Maybe if Jack were older. Definitely if we were around family. I feel like I've been vacuum sealed for three years. Like life just stopped and here we've been in perpetual summer. But so much has happened in three years...it's kind of crazy. I'm so glad to be coming back home. There are many things we'll miss here...well, some things we'll miss here. Mainly Zac and Teresa and Mr. B. I guess I'll also miss having a job...but let's hope something materializes for me back in GR! I should be working on cover letters. It's so hard to sit down and do these things. It needs to be so perfect and I don't know where to begin. You have to sell yourself and I'm not good at that. I don't like sounding arrogant. I guess you have to start somewhere, right? So here goes:

To Whom It May Concern:

You need to hire me as a teacher at your wonderful school. I'm awesome. No one else will do. I care about my job and am darn good at it. I work tirelessly and obsess about doing things the best way possible for my students. So if you care about them, hire me.

I know it seems like I'm not taking this seriously, but I am. It's just that the whole thing is so silly. I could write whatever I want. Just check my references, they'll tell you.

Anyway, hope the Easter Bunny was good to you!