I'm moving to Chicago! You heard it first here! Actually you probably didn't. At least some of you. But I've been given the middle school science position at Roseland Christian School on Chicago's South side. Yes, it is kinda ghetto, and no, I'm not going to become a White Sox fan. I get to teach there next year with one of my best friends, who will be a third grade teacher. I'm really excited about moving to a new place and getting into public transit and things. I've also already begun romanticizing about how my students are going to plant a garden in the middle of Chicago's South side and the community will come around the kids and stop hating each other and the Roseland neighborhood will be a beacon to the world of love and harmony. Or something.
That's really about it. This is huge news for me, but it's pretty simple. I hope the rest of y'alls are doing well! Tell me what's new with you. :)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Vengeance from the grave
At the risk of sounding like everyone else in the U.S. right now, regarding cinema entertainment, Iron Man kicks ass. Major ass. Above is the only line I can remember from the Ozzy song, which obviously gets much further into the story of Iron Man than this movie does. Or maybe the Oz man is just crazy.
No Kansas City. The school where I was hoping to go finally got back to me, saying they'd filled the position, and not with me. I sent a quick email to another school there which had posted an opening, but it's apparently just not meant to be for me next year. So now I wait to hear back from Korea, New Mexico, and a new school I just talked to in Chicago. Chicago would be an awesome location with regards to friends and family in the area, and I already have visions of the community garden I want to plant at my inner city school. But I do have a tendency to get ahead of myself.
My church is meeting on Tuesday, regarding voting to shut down. I do think it's the best thing at this point. I feel really badly for my parents, though. True, I grew up in this church, and once it's gone I'm no longer a member of any church (aside from the Church, of course), but I'm leaving soon. A very high percentage of the social interaction my parents have revolves around church activities or at least friends made at church. That seems to be sort of what happens after you get out of the school loop, I guess, unless you work at a place that really enables you to make meaningful, long-lasting friendships. But Mom and Dad have a bit of an uphill struggle with regards to figuring out what's next for them. I'm praying.
I get to go to Chicago this weekend! My sister is graduating and since she's not coming back home after grad, we're all going out there to watch it happen. I could care less about the ceremony, but the prospect of getting out of town and seeing new things and different people for a while makes me virtually dizzy with glee. Despite living in a city of almost a million people, I'm getting pretty bad cabin fever. Probably doesn't help that the temperature today got up to 97.
It's so crazy to think I've been out of college for a year. I think I know less about what I want now than I did then.
No Kansas City. The school where I was hoping to go finally got back to me, saying they'd filled the position, and not with me. I sent a quick email to another school there which had posted an opening, but it's apparently just not meant to be for me next year. So now I wait to hear back from Korea, New Mexico, and a new school I just talked to in Chicago. Chicago would be an awesome location with regards to friends and family in the area, and I already have visions of the community garden I want to plant at my inner city school. But I do have a tendency to get ahead of myself.
My church is meeting on Tuesday, regarding voting to shut down. I do think it's the best thing at this point. I feel really badly for my parents, though. True, I grew up in this church, and once it's gone I'm no longer a member of any church (aside from the Church, of course), but I'm leaving soon. A very high percentage of the social interaction my parents have revolves around church activities or at least friends made at church. That seems to be sort of what happens after you get out of the school loop, I guess, unless you work at a place that really enables you to make meaningful, long-lasting friendships. But Mom and Dad have a bit of an uphill struggle with regards to figuring out what's next for them. I'm praying.
I get to go to Chicago this weekend! My sister is graduating and since she's not coming back home after grad, we're all going out there to watch it happen. I could care less about the ceremony, but the prospect of getting out of town and seeing new things and different people for a while makes me virtually dizzy with glee. Despite living in a city of almost a million people, I'm getting pretty bad cabin fever. Probably doesn't help that the temperature today got up to 97.
It's so crazy to think I've been out of college for a year. I think I know less about what I want now than I did then.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
All I want is to have my peace of mind
In my recent attempts to redefine myself, which have included getting bangs, joining a gym, doing my laundry every two weeks (rather than every three), and learning how to maintain my own vehicle, I also got myself a new phone which also serves as an MP3 player. So now I'm one of the cool chicks at the gym with her earbuds in as she sweats away on an elliptical machine. But the joke's on everyone else. I'm sweatin' to Boston, Regina Spektor, and The Black Eyed Peas.
I'm still working on jobs for next year. Right now the one that's acting most interested is the position with Rehoboth - I interview again with them tomorrow. Apparently this one is going to be more formal? I'm nervous. But I'm still holding out for the KC job, and Justin Van Zee has recently offered me an opportunity to take my business to Korea, so we'll see what happens. As I sit here in my bedroom and sweat under the influences of a swamp cooler because it's already 95 out here, I'm coming to realize that I really can't stay in Tucson forever. Love love love LOVE the place, but it's not somewhere that people come to do great things with their lives. It's more of a place where people come for a while and figure out what great things they could be doing with their lives, then go do those things elsewhere.
This morning my church had a meeting to decide what our future direction should be. We've gotten to the point where there aren't enough members to really financially support the church, but more importantly we the members are divided on how this church could move forward, and so no progress has been made in several years. My parents project, and I tend to agree, that there really isn't a happy ending. Most likely we will have to close our doors and walk away with our heads up, unless people decide that it would be better to continue to drag ourselves along until we're forced to acknowledge the truth and give up, with a last rattling breath and death twitch.
My parents and I were talking about it with some friends over lunch today, and it is remarkable how relatively ineffective the Reformed denominations have been in Arizona. It's obvious in CRCs in Phoenix and ours in Tucson, in the fact that there are not any other expressly Reformed churches in Tucson, in the fact that most Presbyterian churches are simply absorbing each others' leftovers, rather than bringing in new believers, in the limited impact the Reformed University Fellowship on the university's campus is having, in the fact that most graduates from Reformed colleges are not going to Reformed churches down here... It's a little puzzling, because, and one of our non-Reformed friends said it this afternoon, Reformed theology is a huge comfort. It's solid and well-organized and Biblical. But Reformed denominations are working on making themselves completely irrelevant in a world that is becoming more and more like Tucson, Arizona. Everyone is moderately transient, multi-cultural, self-involved, and lonely. The Reformed churches have nothing for these people, even though Reformed theology holds a great deal for them. It's sad, but at the same time it's a challenge to the young (in age or in heart) of this tradition to find new ways of making a Reformed perspective in life matter to the people they have around them. Where to start? I'm not quite sure yet.
I'm going to go fix myself some creamy potato soup I made myself yesterday because I'm either sick or have allergies from hell, and regardless I feel like shee-yet. Then maybe I'll pour myself a giant rum and Dr. Pepper. Who knows! The sky is the limit.
I'm still working on jobs for next year. Right now the one that's acting most interested is the position with Rehoboth - I interview again with them tomorrow. Apparently this one is going to be more formal? I'm nervous. But I'm still holding out for the KC job, and Justin Van Zee has recently offered me an opportunity to take my business to Korea, so we'll see what happens. As I sit here in my bedroom and sweat under the influences of a swamp cooler because it's already 95 out here, I'm coming to realize that I really can't stay in Tucson forever. Love love love LOVE the place, but it's not somewhere that people come to do great things with their lives. It's more of a place where people come for a while and figure out what great things they could be doing with their lives, then go do those things elsewhere.
This morning my church had a meeting to decide what our future direction should be. We've gotten to the point where there aren't enough members to really financially support the church, but more importantly we the members are divided on how this church could move forward, and so no progress has been made in several years. My parents project, and I tend to agree, that there really isn't a happy ending. Most likely we will have to close our doors and walk away with our heads up, unless people decide that it would be better to continue to drag ourselves along until we're forced to acknowledge the truth and give up, with a last rattling breath and death twitch.
My parents and I were talking about it with some friends over lunch today, and it is remarkable how relatively ineffective the Reformed denominations have been in Arizona. It's obvious in CRCs in Phoenix and ours in Tucson, in the fact that there are not any other expressly Reformed churches in Tucson, in the fact that most Presbyterian churches are simply absorbing each others' leftovers, rather than bringing in new believers, in the limited impact the Reformed University Fellowship on the university's campus is having, in the fact that most graduates from Reformed colleges are not going to Reformed churches down here... It's a little puzzling, because, and one of our non-Reformed friends said it this afternoon, Reformed theology is a huge comfort. It's solid and well-organized and Biblical. But Reformed denominations are working on making themselves completely irrelevant in a world that is becoming more and more like Tucson, Arizona. Everyone is moderately transient, multi-cultural, self-involved, and lonely. The Reformed churches have nothing for these people, even though Reformed theology holds a great deal for them. It's sad, but at the same time it's a challenge to the young (in age or in heart) of this tradition to find new ways of making a Reformed perspective in life matter to the people they have around them. Where to start? I'm not quite sure yet.
I'm going to go fix myself some creamy potato soup I made myself yesterday because I'm either sick or have allergies from hell, and regardless I feel like shee-yet. Then maybe I'll pour myself a giant rum and Dr. Pepper. Who knows! The sky is the limit.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl
One of my students has me returning to my roots and really appreciating Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd again. She's an unusual girl, as her other fave bands include Insane Clown Posse and The Cottonmouth Kings. Whatev.
Applications continue for me. Yes Mel, I did apply for a job at Rehoboth, and it's funny that they would grill you on me, because we really don't know each other at all. Hmm. I had an interview with the school in Kansas City on Monday and it went REALLY well. That's got to be my number one right now. It's exciting and scary because if I were to take it, they're actually working on starting a high school, so I'd only have 9th graders, and the next year 9th and 10th graders, and so on. I'd basically be building their science department. Crazy! But awesome? We'll see what happens with all that.
My sister and her bf from MI were in town for Spring Break last week and we did all sorts of Tucson stuff. Things I learned:
- I just can't like baseball. Spring training games are pleasant, but not interesting at all.
- I also can't tan AT ALL. Reference above spring training game.
- My medical billing job really is as boring as I think it is. Taking a break from it was heaven.
- To someone who hasn't been here before, experiencing the Sonoran desert is as exotic to them as the Nicaraguan rainforest was to me. I forget how different it is down here. Sahuaros, diamondback rattlesnakes, and javelina are my peeps.
- I will never have a good NCAA tournament bracket. I pick all the wrong upsets.
- Some DJ produced "The Grey Album" - a mix of The White Album by the Beatles and The Black Album by Jay Z. It's actually really good.
- Spring Break is a lot more awesome when you're still in school.
Word to all you out there who are ready for a change.
Applications continue for me. Yes Mel, I did apply for a job at Rehoboth, and it's funny that they would grill you on me, because we really don't know each other at all. Hmm. I had an interview with the school in Kansas City on Monday and it went REALLY well. That's got to be my number one right now. It's exciting and scary because if I were to take it, they're actually working on starting a high school, so I'd only have 9th graders, and the next year 9th and 10th graders, and so on. I'd basically be building their science department. Crazy! But awesome? We'll see what happens with all that.
My sister and her bf from MI were in town for Spring Break last week and we did all sorts of Tucson stuff. Things I learned:
- I just can't like baseball. Spring training games are pleasant, but not interesting at all.
- I also can't tan AT ALL. Reference above spring training game.
- My medical billing job really is as boring as I think it is. Taking a break from it was heaven.
- To someone who hasn't been here before, experiencing the Sonoran desert is as exotic to them as the Nicaraguan rainforest was to me. I forget how different it is down here. Sahuaros, diamondback rattlesnakes, and javelina are my peeps.
- I will never have a good NCAA tournament bracket. I pick all the wrong upsets.
- Some DJ produced "The Grey Album" - a mix of The White Album by the Beatles and The Black Album by Jay Z. It's actually really good.
- Spring Break is a lot more awesome when you're still in school.
Word to all you out there who are ready for a change.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
I wanna make love in this club
In the spirit of Lent, the season in which we find ourselves, I thought it appropriate to title my latest post in accordance with Usher's latest single. So hot right now...
I'm in the middle of skipping Bible study at the moment in order to send out emails of inquiry to different schools regarding teaching next school year. Locations about which I am inquiring? Timothy Christian School in Chicago, two Westminster Christian Academies - one in Kansas City and one in St. Louis, Calvin Christian in Escondido, CA (that one's for you, Dave!), and international schools in Cambodia, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Hungary, Mauritius (which I cannot find on a map), Mexico City, Nicaragua, Tanzania, and Thailand. I don't really know what I want yet, but I'm pretty sure it's not in Tucson, so I guess I'm looking for somewhere else to wander. I'm kinda hoping that what I want is in Prague, because that would be THE coolest. But I'm excited and terrified regardless of what is going to happen.
Jeffy, Manhattan Christian was hiring too, and I thought that might be a little close to you, but I decided that I wasn't ready to be buried in small town Montana. Unless we decide to fall in love and get married, since we both want to be in love. I could be down with that, but let me know soon, before MC hires someone else! :)
Speaking of marriage, I helped one of my best friends get married a couple weekends ago, and decided that maybe weddings aren't as horrible as I've held them to be for the past 10 years of my life. Renee's was short, sweet, meaningful, and fun. Plus I looked positively fierce in my bridesmaid dress. Fierce = hot, in case you were confused. But anyway, Renee and Brandon were so low-maintenance throughout the weekend and created an environment at their wedding in which all of us there could really celebrate their love and enjoy each others' company. Plus, I hung out with her last night and she just seems so happy... So yay for love and marriage, when done right.
In other news, I still really don't care about the presidential elections coming up. Does this make me a bad American citizen and a little less of a responsible adult? Probably. Don't tell anyone important.
Oh, I've decided as well that if teaching really doesn't pan out, I want to open up a bakery/restaurant/coffee shop and call it @thebakery and serve people all of the food I've been learning to make deliciously. Seriously guys, I just made some beef stew this weekend that is so excellent I can hardly believe it, and I'm resisting the temptation to take a break and try making some blueberry muffins rather than continuing to apply for jobs. If any of y'all (Katy, Steph, whoever) are interested in joining this enterprise (not the Enterprise, Reid, though you are also welcome to join that I guess) I'll keep you posted on my post-college identity crisis.
Love and kisses, and in all seriousness be mindful of this Lenten season and what it signifies!
I'm in the middle of skipping Bible study at the moment in order to send out emails of inquiry to different schools regarding teaching next school year. Locations about which I am inquiring? Timothy Christian School in Chicago, two Westminster Christian Academies - one in Kansas City and one in St. Louis, Calvin Christian in Escondido, CA (that one's for you, Dave!), and international schools in Cambodia, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Hungary, Mauritius (which I cannot find on a map), Mexico City, Nicaragua, Tanzania, and Thailand. I don't really know what I want yet, but I'm pretty sure it's not in Tucson, so I guess I'm looking for somewhere else to wander. I'm kinda hoping that what I want is in Prague, because that would be THE coolest. But I'm excited and terrified regardless of what is going to happen.
Jeffy, Manhattan Christian was hiring too, and I thought that might be a little close to you, but I decided that I wasn't ready to be buried in small town Montana. Unless we decide to fall in love and get married, since we both want to be in love. I could be down with that, but let me know soon, before MC hires someone else! :)
Speaking of marriage, I helped one of my best friends get married a couple weekends ago, and decided that maybe weddings aren't as horrible as I've held them to be for the past 10 years of my life. Renee's was short, sweet, meaningful, and fun. Plus I looked positively fierce in my bridesmaid dress. Fierce = hot, in case you were confused. But anyway, Renee and Brandon were so low-maintenance throughout the weekend and created an environment at their wedding in which all of us there could really celebrate their love and enjoy each others' company. Plus, I hung out with her last night and she just seems so happy... So yay for love and marriage, when done right.
In other news, I still really don't care about the presidential elections coming up. Does this make me a bad American citizen and a little less of a responsible adult? Probably. Don't tell anyone important.
Oh, I've decided as well that if teaching really doesn't pan out, I want to open up a bakery/restaurant/coffee shop and call it @thebakery and serve people all of the food I've been learning to make deliciously. Seriously guys, I just made some beef stew this weekend that is so excellent I can hardly believe it, and I'm resisting the temptation to take a break and try making some blueberry muffins rather than continuing to apply for jobs. If any of y'all (Katy, Steph, whoever) are interested in joining this enterprise (not the Enterprise, Reid, though you are also welcome to join that I guess) I'll keep you posted on my post-college identity crisis.
Love and kisses, and in all seriousness be mindful of this Lenten season and what it signifies!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Squeaky swings and tall grass
Remember that scene from a particular Family Guy episode, when Peter, Cleveland, Quagmire, and Joe walk into a karaoke bar and sing "Don't Stop Believin'", and the whole town is drawn into their musical aura, because, let's face it, who doesn't love that song, especially when it's sung by amateurs? Well, I lost my karaoke virginity to Steve Perry and the rest of Journey the other night. It really is a magical song to stand up and sing in front of a bunch of drunks.
I've been finding myself really lonely of late, in a weird way. Not because I have nothing to do and no one around to care about me. I love my roommates, and they love me, and we spend a lot of time together. My parents are in town and wish they could see me more often. There are plenty of other people in town to spend quality time with, and I do that. I guess I'm missing spending time with people I simply can't spend time with, due to distance. I also wish I could be with those I care about who are lonely because they don't have too many people around who care about them. That hurts me the most, knowing that a friend is in need and being unable to do anything about it.
I'm also lonely for certainty. I miss knowing what's coming next. Not in a mundane sense, but in simply in knowing that I am working toward a goal, rather than working toward finding a goal to work toward. I had that through school, working toward getting a degree and moving on with the rest of my life. Now I'm neck deep in the rest of my life, but don't really have any idea what the rest of my life is about yet. I know this isn't a new feeling, not even to my own experience, but it's really hit me hard in the past few weeks. Being neck deep in anything and not having a plan for either getting out or submerging is an uncomfortable spot. My recurring fantasy of late has been finding a way of becoming independently wealthy somehow (inventing a new cookie, finding a cheap way to implement solar power, starting my own indie band) then spending the rest of my life on a beach in Sonora, Mexico, teaching the children of Mexico how to be marine biologists so together they can save the Gulf of California.
I also want a boyfriend. I said it. Lame and far too typical, but true.
For this week, however, my main goal is to examine myself in the light of Ephesians 4:17-32, confess, and seek to change the things in my life that passage brings out. And maybe work a bit harder to stop ending my sentences with prepositions, which I've done a LOT in this post, and probably none of you really care about.
I've been finding myself really lonely of late, in a weird way. Not because I have nothing to do and no one around to care about me. I love my roommates, and they love me, and we spend a lot of time together. My parents are in town and wish they could see me more often. There are plenty of other people in town to spend quality time with, and I do that. I guess I'm missing spending time with people I simply can't spend time with, due to distance. I also wish I could be with those I care about who are lonely because they don't have too many people around who care about them. That hurts me the most, knowing that a friend is in need and being unable to do anything about it.
I'm also lonely for certainty. I miss knowing what's coming next. Not in a mundane sense, but in simply in knowing that I am working toward a goal, rather than working toward finding a goal to work toward. I had that through school, working toward getting a degree and moving on with the rest of my life. Now I'm neck deep in the rest of my life, but don't really have any idea what the rest of my life is about yet. I know this isn't a new feeling, not even to my own experience, but it's really hit me hard in the past few weeks. Being neck deep in anything and not having a plan for either getting out or submerging is an uncomfortable spot. My recurring fantasy of late has been finding a way of becoming independently wealthy somehow (inventing a new cookie, finding a cheap way to implement solar power, starting my own indie band) then spending the rest of my life on a beach in Sonora, Mexico, teaching the children of Mexico how to be marine biologists so together they can save the Gulf of California.
I also want a boyfriend. I said it. Lame and far too typical, but true.
For this week, however, my main goal is to examine myself in the light of Ephesians 4:17-32, confess, and seek to change the things in my life that passage brings out. And maybe work a bit harder to stop ending my sentences with prepositions, which I've done a LOT in this post, and probably none of you really care about.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Shine on you crazy diamond
Like, whoa. It's been a while guys.
I'd write an update regarding what's been going on with me, but really nothing much has changed, and reading life updates are really boring, so on to the interesting, witty reparte...
Shoot, I don't have any. I guess a survey-type entry will have to suffice.
Last night I went to one of the diveyest dive bars ever, which was of course equipped with karaoke equipment. I was bummed because I wanted to sing, but didn't know what to do. So, for all of you fun kids out there, next time I go to a karaoke bar, what should I sing? And how intoxicated should I be? And on what sort of beverage? Maybe that will keep you busy.
I'm also interested to hear peoples' thoughts on the Iowa caucus. Why, for the life of me, they consider the opinions of Iowans to be representative of the rest of the country, I cannot imagine.
Stephie, I wish you the best in Meh-hee-ko. Maybe maybe maybe I will be fortunate enough to join you down there at some point.
Time for tea!
I'd write an update regarding what's been going on with me, but really nothing much has changed, and reading life updates are really boring, so on to the interesting, witty reparte...
Shoot, I don't have any. I guess a survey-type entry will have to suffice.
Last night I went to one of the diveyest dive bars ever, which was of course equipped with karaoke equipment. I was bummed because I wanted to sing, but didn't know what to do. So, for all of you fun kids out there, next time I go to a karaoke bar, what should I sing? And how intoxicated should I be? And on what sort of beverage? Maybe that will keep you busy.
I'm also interested to hear peoples' thoughts on the Iowa caucus. Why, for the life of me, they consider the opinions of Iowans to be representative of the rest of the country, I cannot imagine.
Stephie, I wish you the best in Meh-hee-ko. Maybe maybe maybe I will be fortunate enough to join you down there at some point.
Time for tea!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
The sky is burning
So, not sure how much news it's making in the rest of the country, but the San Diego fires are a big deal right here right now, mostly because most people in Southern Arizona consider San Diego their home away from home. But anyways...
On the way to work this morning I flipped to JonJay and Rich (KRQQ, Reid!) and they had on the phone one of the big dj's out of San Diego and they were asking him what was actually going on there and what everybody here could do to help - a noble gesture, to be sure, but these guys are so stupid, I'm sure it was a marketing ploy by their manager. Regardless, the SD dj was describing the horrors of these fires going on around San Diego, saying it was like something out of a movie, how 650,000 people have been asked to leave their homes, how people have been living at Qualcom Stadium for a few days, blah blah blah... Then this guy had the balls to say that "there has never been anything like this, the devastation is just unbelievable." and that, "more people have been evacuated from San Diego than were evacuated because of Hurricane Katrina." I wanted to punch a hole through my dashboard. Serves me right for listening to 93.7.
Yes, the loss of 1600 homes is a serious thing, and I feel for the families that are losing their property. But, people, for real. It is insulting to the victims of Katrina to imply that their tragedy is overshadowed by Southern California suburbanites losing their too-large and too-expensive houses. One person has died in this fire. Very few businesses have suffered. San Diego will be FINE in two years. Many towns hit by Katrina will NEVER recover. @#$&*^#!....
AND, as for something like this never happening before, just because you are an historical idiot doesn't make you allowed to claim that before. Chicago, London, San Francisco...all cities more economically pivotal in their time which were utterly devastated by fire and, in San Francisco's case, earthquakes.
Maybe this is boring to everyone else, but it pissed me off right good. Now I suppose I should work, since I'm at work.
On the way to work this morning I flipped to JonJay and Rich (KRQQ, Reid!) and they had on the phone one of the big dj's out of San Diego and they were asking him what was actually going on there and what everybody here could do to help - a noble gesture, to be sure, but these guys are so stupid, I'm sure it was a marketing ploy by their manager. Regardless, the SD dj was describing the horrors of these fires going on around San Diego, saying it was like something out of a movie, how 650,000 people have been asked to leave their homes, how people have been living at Qualcom Stadium for a few days, blah blah blah... Then this guy had the balls to say that "there has never been anything like this, the devastation is just unbelievable." and that, "more people have been evacuated from San Diego than were evacuated because of Hurricane Katrina." I wanted to punch a hole through my dashboard. Serves me right for listening to 93.7.
Yes, the loss of 1600 homes is a serious thing, and I feel for the families that are losing their property. But, people, for real. It is insulting to the victims of Katrina to imply that their tragedy is overshadowed by Southern California suburbanites losing their too-large and too-expensive houses. One person has died in this fire. Very few businesses have suffered. San Diego will be FINE in two years. Many towns hit by Katrina will NEVER recover. @#$&*^#!....
AND, as for something like this never happening before, just because you are an historical idiot doesn't make you allowed to claim that before. Chicago, London, San Francisco...all cities more economically pivotal in their time which were utterly devastated by fire and, in San Francisco's case, earthquakes.
Maybe this is boring to everyone else, but it pissed me off right good. Now I suppose I should work, since I'm at work.
Friday, October 12, 2007
I got King Kong in the trunk
A new post! Hooray!
My neglect of this blog is mostly due to my lack of Internet for the past month, at least Internet that works with blogspot. Both of my roommates' computers freak out when I try to access this site. So that's my excuse. :)
I'm in Kansas City right now, visiting friends I made while student teaching, and it's making lonely for everybody else I love who doesn't live in Tucson or KC. If I could afford the time and loss of pay, in a heartbeat I would jump in my Volvo wagon and tour the country, visiting California, Washington, Montana, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and then Florida, but probably only so I could go to Disney World. And the Everglades.
It's hard for me to think about, but in all likelihood the career choices I've made and am desiring to make will make it very difficult for me to see some of my friends ever again. If I go overseas or bury myself in an urban ghetto I will be doing what I believe God wants me to do, but potentially doing it alone. That's scary to me. I'm reading The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claibourne in which he talks about what it means to be a radical, and therefore real, Christian, and it makes me tremble with excitement (and a lot of conviction), but that can be a lonely life. I know God provides, but somehow I'm having a hard time convincing myself that what He provides is best for me.
I suppose it's a matter of priorities. If I want to see you all again, I will make a point of doing so, and I needn't worry. Maybe I'm just feeling this way because I slept in until 11 and I'm feeling philosophic while there's no one else around to share it with except Sebastian, my chocolate lab friend. Aww, here he comes now...
Lovin' time!
My neglect of this blog is mostly due to my lack of Internet for the past month, at least Internet that works with blogspot. Both of my roommates' computers freak out when I try to access this site. So that's my excuse. :)
I'm in Kansas City right now, visiting friends I made while student teaching, and it's making lonely for everybody else I love who doesn't live in Tucson or KC. If I could afford the time and loss of pay, in a heartbeat I would jump in my Volvo wagon and tour the country, visiting California, Washington, Montana, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and then Florida, but probably only so I could go to Disney World. And the Everglades.
It's hard for me to think about, but in all likelihood the career choices I've made and am desiring to make will make it very difficult for me to see some of my friends ever again. If I go overseas or bury myself in an urban ghetto I will be doing what I believe God wants me to do, but potentially doing it alone. That's scary to me. I'm reading The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claibourne in which he talks about what it means to be a radical, and therefore real, Christian, and it makes me tremble with excitement (and a lot of conviction), but that can be a lonely life. I know God provides, but somehow I'm having a hard time convincing myself that what He provides is best for me.
I suppose it's a matter of priorities. If I want to see you all again, I will make a point of doing so, and I needn't worry. Maybe I'm just feeling this way because I slept in until 11 and I'm feeling philosophic while there's no one else around to share it with except Sebastian, my chocolate lab friend. Aww, here he comes now...
Lovin' time!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
To do (for the rest of you):
See the movie Once. Don't ask questions. Just do it.
Make me brownies.
Watch Once with me while eating brownies.
Make me brownies.
Watch Once with me while eating brownies.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Chickity check yourself before you wreck yourself
My parents and youngest sister Deborah are gone this week, getting Deborah settled in to be a freshman at Calvin College. It's been harder for me than I thought, partially, I think, because I'm imagining Deborah doing all the fun, go-to-college things while I'm realizing that I will never do those things again. Dordt starts classes tomorrow and I won't be there. It's not a devastating reality to me. But it is a strange one.
Watched part of a movie last night titled Lightspeed. It's a comic book movie, the character created by Stan Lee, whose successes include Spiderman. His successes do not include Lightspeed. It's not so much a bad movie as it is a dreadfully boring movie. Goodness knows I've loved me some bad movies, but boring movies are the worst. Especially when I'm slightly buzzed and irritatingly impatient.
It's also been four and a half months since I've graduated, and though I've found good employment, I have made no further attempts to figure out what's happening after this year with me. I think I still want to go overseas and teach, or something of that nature. At least I think I think I do. But my motivation to get that ball rolling is nonexistent. Possibly I'm impeded by limited Internet access, but I don't really think that's it. Perhaps the fact that I'm making money right now is coaxing me into a complacency with what I do, even though I'm sure I don't want to do this for more than a year. I think I'm also a little afraid to simply pick up and leave for a year, since I've invested a lot of time, work, and love into people and projects here in this country. But when I hear about things going on elsewhere my heart burns to be a part of an experience like that. Dunno. Despite it's being Scriptural, the idea that "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" seems rather cliche. For me, I think it's more that my spirit wants to be willing, but my flesh is lazy.
I wish there was a farmer's market close to my house. I would buy fresh produce weekly, pile it all into the basket on the front of my bike, and ride back home smiling merrily. If I had a bike.
This post has been brought to you by my stream-0f-conscious thought process. My apologies.
Watched part of a movie last night titled Lightspeed. It's a comic book movie, the character created by Stan Lee, whose successes include Spiderman. His successes do not include Lightspeed. It's not so much a bad movie as it is a dreadfully boring movie. Goodness knows I've loved me some bad movies, but boring movies are the worst. Especially when I'm slightly buzzed and irritatingly impatient.
It's also been four and a half months since I've graduated, and though I've found good employment, I have made no further attempts to figure out what's happening after this year with me. I think I still want to go overseas and teach, or something of that nature. At least I think I think I do. But my motivation to get that ball rolling is nonexistent. Possibly I'm impeded by limited Internet access, but I don't really think that's it. Perhaps the fact that I'm making money right now is coaxing me into a complacency with what I do, even though I'm sure I don't want to do this for more than a year. I think I'm also a little afraid to simply pick up and leave for a year, since I've invested a lot of time, work, and love into people and projects here in this country. But when I hear about things going on elsewhere my heart burns to be a part of an experience like that. Dunno. Despite it's being Scriptural, the idea that "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" seems rather cliche. For me, I think it's more that my spirit wants to be willing, but my flesh is lazy.
I wish there was a farmer's market close to my house. I would buy fresh produce weekly, pile it all into the basket on the front of my bike, and ride back home smiling merrily. If I had a bike.
This post has been brought to you by my stream-0f-conscious thought process. My apologies.
Friday, August 10, 2007
We could be so good together...
This post is titled in honor of Reid's mother, who loves The Doors. I've been listening to Alice Cooper's radio show on weekday evenings, which he broadcasts out of Phoenix, and I'm becoming a bigger and bigger fan. Still don't like his music, but I like his style.
So, big news in my life #1: Melvin died this past Sunday, an event which I anticipated as I was watching him the night he took a turn for the worse. Those of us who worked for him and, I believe, his family as well were ready for him to go, since his last month of existence had become pretty miserable for him and, to be honest, fairly miserable for us, too. He was a solid, albeit somewhat stereotypical Christian, and I'm sure he's having a much better time these days. This also means that I get to sleep at night, which is great!
Big news #2: Started my tutoring job this week. It's a good job and I like the kids I'm working with, but it's also stressful beyond all reason as they've dumped about 10 students on me to work with for 6 hours a day, each of them needing a fair amount of personal attention. Once I get used to the system, I'm sure things will get easier, but for now I'm really savoring the time I have in which I am not working.
Big news #3: Went out for teppan yaki the other night, which is the Japanese dining experience in which they have a flat skillet-type surface on which they cook your food right in front of you, with lots of juggling of knives and spatulas and several fire explosions. It was pretty awesome. You should try it sometime.
Tomorrow I'm going to pick peaches. I'm pumped for that because I love peaches. And picking.
I miss people that I don't see every day. Namely almost all of you that read this.
So, big news in my life #1: Melvin died this past Sunday, an event which I anticipated as I was watching him the night he took a turn for the worse. Those of us who worked for him and, I believe, his family as well were ready for him to go, since his last month of existence had become pretty miserable for him and, to be honest, fairly miserable for us, too. He was a solid, albeit somewhat stereotypical Christian, and I'm sure he's having a much better time these days. This also means that I get to sleep at night, which is great!
Big news #2: Started my tutoring job this week. It's a good job and I like the kids I'm working with, but it's also stressful beyond all reason as they've dumped about 10 students on me to work with for 6 hours a day, each of them needing a fair amount of personal attention. Once I get used to the system, I'm sure things will get easier, but for now I'm really savoring the time I have in which I am not working.
Big news #3: Went out for teppan yaki the other night, which is the Japanese dining experience in which they have a flat skillet-type surface on which they cook your food right in front of you, with lots of juggling of knives and spatulas and several fire explosions. It was pretty awesome. You should try it sometime.
Tomorrow I'm going to pick peaches. I'm pumped for that because I love peaches. And picking.
I miss people that I don't see every day. Namely almost all of you that read this.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
It's a five o'clock world when the whistle blows
I got some jobs! Hooray! If I have a successful phone call this afternoon, I will top out at three. As of now, I have two - caring for my old man Melvin, again, and working with a medical billing company. Working for Melvin is about the same as it was before he fell, except lots more not-sleeping, and working for the medical billing company, so far, means talking into a phone headset and typing my fingers off trying to keep up to date on insurance claims. Still not sure I know what's going on there, but they're friendly enough.
If I can talk to someone this afternoon, I'm looking at getting a job as a tutor/teacher for an agency/school in town, working 24 hours a week. I'm really hoping it works out, as I really connected with the woman who runs the agency and I would like to utilize my teaching skills while I am currently waiting to see where they bring me, ultimately.
Speaking of teaching, I got my primary teaching license yesterday. It is crisp and white, with a shiny gold seal on it. Very official.
Back to jobs, if I can get this third one, I'm looking at working solid 65 hour weeks. Sounds fairly innocuous from this side of things, but I have a feeling I will be getting exhausted. However, that is 65 hours a week with nights and weekends mostly free. Which is awesome.
Lastly (?) I'm moving in with some friends from high school in a month-ish, out of my parents' house. I'm excited about it a lot, mostly because we have decided that everything we eat in the month of September will be grilled. Any fave recipes would be greatly appreciated.
This post reads like I'm on crack. Or maybe the July monsoon heat/humidity is driving me slowly crazy. Or maybe I haven't had a cookie in a while.
If I can talk to someone this afternoon, I'm looking at getting a job as a tutor/teacher for an agency/school in town, working 24 hours a week. I'm really hoping it works out, as I really connected with the woman who runs the agency and I would like to utilize my teaching skills while I am currently waiting to see where they bring me, ultimately.
Speaking of teaching, I got my primary teaching license yesterday. It is crisp and white, with a shiny gold seal on it. Very official.
Back to jobs, if I can get this third one, I'm looking at working solid 65 hour weeks. Sounds fairly innocuous from this side of things, but I have a feeling I will be getting exhausted. However, that is 65 hours a week with nights and weekends mostly free. Which is awesome.
Lastly (?) I'm moving in with some friends from high school in a month-ish, out of my parents' house. I'm excited about it a lot, mostly because we have decided that everything we eat in the month of September will be grilled. Any fave recipes would be greatly appreciated.
This post reads like I'm on crack. Or maybe the July monsoon heat/humidity is driving me slowly crazy. Or maybe I haven't had a cookie in a while.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Goin' to the chapel
I love my parents. Today they celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary, and just yesterday they were snuggling after they both got home from work and my mom turned to me and said, "Bethany, I love your dad so much." Priceless.
It's easy for me to take my family for granted. Comparatively, we are a bizarrely functional island in the midst of a vast dysfunctional sea. Many, many of my friends have parents who are separated, divorced, or not happy together, so to have been brought up in such a contented, trusting household is an amazing blessing. My parents have been a shining example to me and my sisters, as well as to our church family, their coworkers, and even the friends I bring home. And it's not because they coexist in a "Leave it to Beaver" type lifestyle. Both work 9-10 hour workdays, which meant we were in daycare a lot growing up. They come home tired, sometimes cranky. But they are so willing to give to each other, which makes them so compatible. Maybe I will never be in a relationship like that, but it's nice to know that, should the opportunity come, I've got a great example in my parents.
Here's to you, Mom and Dad. Happy 27th Anniversary, and many more, Lord willing!
In other news, I went to go see Transformers. It wasn't AMAZING, but it was pretty rockin'. And it's raining outside right now. Not men, but hallelujah anyways.
It's easy for me to take my family for granted. Comparatively, we are a bizarrely functional island in the midst of a vast dysfunctional sea. Many, many of my friends have parents who are separated, divorced, or not happy together, so to have been brought up in such a contented, trusting household is an amazing blessing. My parents have been a shining example to me and my sisters, as well as to our church family, their coworkers, and even the friends I bring home. And it's not because they coexist in a "Leave it to Beaver" type lifestyle. Both work 9-10 hour workdays, which meant we were in daycare a lot growing up. They come home tired, sometimes cranky. But they are so willing to give to each other, which makes them so compatible. Maybe I will never be in a relationship like that, but it's nice to know that, should the opportunity come, I've got a great example in my parents.
Here's to you, Mom and Dad. Happy 27th Anniversary, and many more, Lord willing!
In other news, I went to go see Transformers. It wasn't AMAZING, but it was pretty rockin'. And it's raining outside right now. Not men, but hallelujah anyways.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Better grab an umbrella, I make it rain...
Today's post is brought to you by Fat Joe and Lil' Wayne. And the letter M.
No West Nile. Bummer, eh?
My mom and I were talking last night about the immigration bill that was just shot down. She is more inclined to be skeptical about it than I am, since I am more inclined to be 'liberal' than she is, but even so, we agreed that whoever rose up en masse to defeat this bill, it wasn't people from Tucson. In fact, according to our Sunday newspaper (I've taken to loving the newspaper, by the way), an online group called Grassfire.org is claiming that they are responsible for shooting the bill down, flooding the offices of members of Congress with images of "the scarlet letter of amnesty". Guess where they're based. Oh, that's right. Small-town Iowa.
I really hate that people on both sides of the political spectrum treat this as a black and white issue - conservatives hate the illegals and liberals love them. What those of us in Southern Arizona are able to understand, and I believe John McCain saw this too, is that what is being argued back and forth are people's lives. Small town Iowanians don't read in the paper every week about dozens of people dying in the desert because they were willing to give everything up for a chance to have a better life. I am not calling for open borders, but I am asking that the American people forget their petty political squabbles and have a heart.
What do we do with illegal immigrants? I'm not sure, but I believe Christians, especially those of us so near the border, need to figure out how to love them.
In other news, the monsoon is supposed to start this weekend. Who's excited? This girl.
And I bought Chaco sandals last weekend. This pretty much forever destroys my hopes of becoming a badass with a heart of gold, but now maybe I can be a hippie without the marijuana.
No West Nile. Bummer, eh?
My mom and I were talking last night about the immigration bill that was just shot down. She is more inclined to be skeptical about it than I am, since I am more inclined to be 'liberal' than she is, but even so, we agreed that whoever rose up en masse to defeat this bill, it wasn't people from Tucson. In fact, according to our Sunday newspaper (I've taken to loving the newspaper, by the way), an online group called Grassfire.org is claiming that they are responsible for shooting the bill down, flooding the offices of members of Congress with images of "the scarlet letter of amnesty". Guess where they're based. Oh, that's right. Small-town Iowa.
I really hate that people on both sides of the political spectrum treat this as a black and white issue - conservatives hate the illegals and liberals love them. What those of us in Southern Arizona are able to understand, and I believe John McCain saw this too, is that what is being argued back and forth are people's lives. Small town Iowanians don't read in the paper every week about dozens of people dying in the desert because they were willing to give everything up for a chance to have a better life. I am not calling for open borders, but I am asking that the American people forget their petty political squabbles and have a heart.
What do we do with illegal immigrants? I'm not sure, but I believe Christians, especially those of us so near the border, need to figure out how to love them.
In other news, the monsoon is supposed to start this weekend. Who's excited? This girl.
And I bought Chaco sandals last weekend. This pretty much forever destroys my hopes of becoming a badass with a heart of gold, but now maybe I can be a hippie without the marijuana.
Monday, June 25, 2007
East side walk it out...
While I can't say I'm surprised, I am a bit dismayed. The one job I did have, providing overnight care for Melvin, a very elderly man, has been prematurely terminated. Melvin fell and broke his hip, landing him in the hospital for some time.
When I began to tell other people this, the general response I got was along the lines of, "well, that sucks. Where are you going to get money now?" After getting this response several times, I got so upset that I stopped telling people. Seriously, the issue at hand is Melvin, not my paycheck. This poor old man has seriously injured himself, and is in the hospital now. At 88 years old, I sort of expect that this may be the beginning of the end for him. I called to check on him this past weekend and the girl I talked to says he is not healing well because he is terrified that his family has left him in a nursing home. If he isn't able to start calming down, I'm afraid he really will just give up and die.
I have learned so much about care for the elderly from working with Melvin and his family. This man is almost 90 years old, but he still enjoyed tooling around his house, loving his cat, feeding the birds, and watching The 700 Club. In his prime, he was one of the head professors of the University of Arizona Ag Department. Several of those of us who work with him know that he's still pretty with it. However, his daughter and some of the other caretakers seem to have given him up to dementia, so they treat him like a child, which he obviously resents. I don't doubt that he's anxious about what his family is going to do with him at this point, since they've been less than totally supportive the past few years.
I like to think that I'm pretty active in promoting social justice for people who are unfairly treated. I'm especially good at protesting injustice thousands of miles away. Working with Melvin, however, has enabled me to see that there are likely hundreds of elderly people in Tucson who are neglected, misunderstood, and mistreated, because, hey, they're going to die soon anyway. While North American society may not have the horrible civil wars, class conflicts, and famines that many in the rest of the world do, we certainly do not have time or space to deal with the elderly, or the homeless, or the disabled, or anyone else who is similarly unable to contribute. It's amazing that in other parts of the world, a family may not have food to eat or a roof over their heads, but they have the time and energy to care for Grandpa, or a crippled cousin.
Humbling, really.
In other news, my mother is speculating that I might have West Nile Virus. That's kind of exciting! If it turns out to be something else I will probably be a little disappointed.
When I began to tell other people this, the general response I got was along the lines of, "well, that sucks. Where are you going to get money now?" After getting this response several times, I got so upset that I stopped telling people. Seriously, the issue at hand is Melvin, not my paycheck. This poor old man has seriously injured himself, and is in the hospital now. At 88 years old, I sort of expect that this may be the beginning of the end for him. I called to check on him this past weekend and the girl I talked to says he is not healing well because he is terrified that his family has left him in a nursing home. If he isn't able to start calming down, I'm afraid he really will just give up and die.
I have learned so much about care for the elderly from working with Melvin and his family. This man is almost 90 years old, but he still enjoyed tooling around his house, loving his cat, feeding the birds, and watching The 700 Club. In his prime, he was one of the head professors of the University of Arizona Ag Department. Several of those of us who work with him know that he's still pretty with it. However, his daughter and some of the other caretakers seem to have given him up to dementia, so they treat him like a child, which he obviously resents. I don't doubt that he's anxious about what his family is going to do with him at this point, since they've been less than totally supportive the past few years.
I like to think that I'm pretty active in promoting social justice for people who are unfairly treated. I'm especially good at protesting injustice thousands of miles away. Working with Melvin, however, has enabled me to see that there are likely hundreds of elderly people in Tucson who are neglected, misunderstood, and mistreated, because, hey, they're going to die soon anyway. While North American society may not have the horrible civil wars, class conflicts, and famines that many in the rest of the world do, we certainly do not have time or space to deal with the elderly, or the homeless, or the disabled, or anyone else who is similarly unable to contribute. It's amazing that in other parts of the world, a family may not have food to eat or a roof over their heads, but they have the time and energy to care for Grandpa, or a crippled cousin.
Humbling, really.
In other news, my mother is speculating that I might have West Nile Virus. That's kind of exciting! If it turns out to be something else I will probably be a little disappointed.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
They only wanna do you dirt'
It's Get-A-Job Tuesday! Hoooray! Because Get-A-Job Monday didn't work out so well. I anticipate there will probably also be a Get-A-Job Wednesday. Word.
I know it's ridiculous to do so, but my frustration with attempts to find meaningful and productive employment have made me wonder (just a little) what was the point of getting a degree. I don't need one for the jobs I'm looking at, and in fact I missed out on a lot of work experience while I was in school. Boo. I'm not sorry I went to school, I guess. I'm just really upset at my lack of job-finding skills.
In more embarassing news, I think I may be the only educated person in the country who has no interest in the upcoming elections. I have little knowledge of those who are running, I'm not even sure what the issues are. I know names but not faces, except for John McCain, who I'd vote for automatically at this point because he's my senator and Reid says he's not half-bad. I like to think that I'm uninterested because, in the grand scheme of things, the differences between U.S. presidential candidates are so insignificant compared to other elections running around the world, that it doesn't really matter, the same things will happen regardless. But, really, it's probably more because I'm a bit lazy. And my internet sucks so I'm disinclined to spend a lot of time internet researching. I need some inspiration.
Methinks I might find it listening to Justin Timberlake.
I know it's ridiculous to do so, but my frustration with attempts to find meaningful and productive employment have made me wonder (just a little) what was the point of getting a degree. I don't need one for the jobs I'm looking at, and in fact I missed out on a lot of work experience while I was in school. Boo. I'm not sorry I went to school, I guess. I'm just really upset at my lack of job-finding skills.
In more embarassing news, I think I may be the only educated person in the country who has no interest in the upcoming elections. I have little knowledge of those who are running, I'm not even sure what the issues are. I know names but not faces, except for John McCain, who I'd vote for automatically at this point because he's my senator and Reid says he's not half-bad. I like to think that I'm uninterested because, in the grand scheme of things, the differences between U.S. presidential candidates are so insignificant compared to other elections running around the world, that it doesn't really matter, the same things will happen regardless. But, really, it's probably more because I'm a bit lazy. And my internet sucks so I'm disinclined to spend a lot of time internet researching. I need some inspiration.
Methinks I might find it listening to Justin Timberlake.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Will you still need me, will you still feed me?
So, no job yet. I appreciate the input by all of you guys, especially how it all conflicts and makes things even more confusing for me. Awesome. It's a good thing I wasn't counting on all y'all to tell me what to do.
The one job I do have is killing me. I worked 28 out of the last 36 hours taking care of my old guy. I've slept about 6 hours in the last two days. Last night he was yelling at someone (demons? Muslims? Democrats?) in his sleep, and I got to listen to it for two hours because I have his baby monitor right next to my head. It's also a little rough because he is completely deaf, so I am unable to communicate to him that I already know how to do things, so he explains everything to me two or three times like I'm stupid. I got blamed for doing the laundry wrong, even though I wasn't even in the house when it happened. So I got a ten minute tutorial on clearing the lint guard in the dryer.
I shouldn't complain. It's a good job. But sometimes, when I'm sleep-deprived, it sucks.
On a more cultured note, I am looking for summer reading. Currently, I'm reading The Present Future, which details several issues which are causing the Christian Church culture to become increasingly detached and irrelevant. It's good, lots of food for thought. Any other things I should read? Otherwise, I may be stuck with getting all of my summer culture from Mythbusters, Iron Chef America, and Futurama.
The one job I do have is killing me. I worked 28 out of the last 36 hours taking care of my old guy. I've slept about 6 hours in the last two days. Last night he was yelling at someone (demons? Muslims? Democrats?) in his sleep, and I got to listen to it for two hours because I have his baby monitor right next to my head. It's also a little rough because he is completely deaf, so I am unable to communicate to him that I already know how to do things, so he explains everything to me two or three times like I'm stupid. I got blamed for doing the laundry wrong, even though I wasn't even in the house when it happened. So I got a ten minute tutorial on clearing the lint guard in the dryer.
I shouldn't complain. It's a good job. But sometimes, when I'm sleep-deprived, it sucks.
On a more cultured note, I am looking for summer reading. Currently, I'm reading The Present Future, which details several issues which are causing the Christian Church culture to become increasingly detached and irrelevant. It's good, lots of food for thought. Any other things I should read? Otherwise, I may be stuck with getting all of my summer culture from Mythbusters, Iron Chef America, and Futurama.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Just trying to keep the customer satisfied...
So, it's been a while. I suppose if I do intend to keep in touch with those of you on here, I ought to post a bit more frequently. I suppose.
SO. I need a job. Something that pays more than minimum wage, preferably. Here are the options I am looking at right now:
- GEICO insurance claims adjuster - Basically, I would look at accidents called in and decide fault, as well as how much to pay out for these accidents. Since I have a college degree, I don't have to do the entry-level stuff, even though I would prefer to...
Ups - $17.50 an hour, within biking distance from my house
Downs - lots of decision making, corporate work environment, and my interview wasn't stellar
- US Postal Service Mail Processor - I really have no idea what this job would entail, but I thought I would give it a go. Who doesn't like mail?
Ups - $17-20 an hour, within biking distance from my house, government benefits
Downs - government job, probably pretty menial, also can take 6 months to get hired
- Bookseller at Barnes & Noble or Borders - I'd work the salesfloor, shelve books, help people out, and get to be around books all day.
Ups - being around books all day
Downs - pay only slightly above minimum wage, farther away from my house
- Overnight care provider for ancient guy - I'm actually already working this job, so it doesn't really need to be included, but I did anyway.
Ups - $10 an hour, including time when I'm sleeping, overnight so I can work another day job
Downs - not a whole lot of sleeping gets done, he's deaf and really fundamentalist, lives about 15 miles away
- Barista at locally owned and operated coffee shop - Since I feel that working for Starbucks would be catering to the Man, I can sleep at night when considering this application. And it helps to prepare me if Mrs. M and I open Just Coffee.
Ups - within skipping distance from my house, makes me a barista
Downs - pay only slightly above minimum wage
Any input or suggestions for other opportunities for employment would be MOST welcome. I have loans to start paying in a couple months...
SO. I need a job. Something that pays more than minimum wage, preferably. Here are the options I am looking at right now:
- GEICO insurance claims adjuster - Basically, I would look at accidents called in and decide fault, as well as how much to pay out for these accidents. Since I have a college degree, I don't have to do the entry-level stuff, even though I would prefer to...
Ups - $17.50 an hour, within biking distance from my house
Downs - lots of decision making, corporate work environment, and my interview wasn't stellar
- US Postal Service Mail Processor - I really have no idea what this job would entail, but I thought I would give it a go. Who doesn't like mail?
Ups - $17-20 an hour, within biking distance from my house, government benefits
Downs - government job, probably pretty menial, also can take 6 months to get hired
- Bookseller at Barnes & Noble or Borders - I'd work the salesfloor, shelve books, help people out, and get to be around books all day.
Ups - being around books all day
Downs - pay only slightly above minimum wage, farther away from my house
- Overnight care provider for ancient guy - I'm actually already working this job, so it doesn't really need to be included, but I did anyway.
Ups - $10 an hour, including time when I'm sleeping, overnight so I can work another day job
Downs - not a whole lot of sleeping gets done, he's deaf and really fundamentalist, lives about 15 miles away
- Barista at locally owned and operated coffee shop - Since I feel that working for Starbucks would be catering to the Man, I can sleep at night when considering this application. And it helps to prepare me if Mrs. M and I open Just Coffee.
Ups - within skipping distance from my house, makes me a barista
Downs - pay only slightly above minimum wage
Any input or suggestions for other opportunities for employment would be MOST welcome. I have loans to start paying in a couple months...
Monday, April 09, 2007
Love Today
This is me getting tired of student teaching. I'm ashamed to say that I'm getting tired of my kids, of putting together lesson plans, and even kind of tired of my cooperating teachers. This is me ready to graduate, I'm thinking.
March Madness was not as awesome as it started out to be. Nothing more boring than my two least favorite #1 seeds fighting it out for the final, and my all-time least favorite team winning for the second year in a row. *mumbled cursing*
I'm starting a unit in American history on the Progressive era, which is not in the least innately interesting. I'm hoping I can convince the kids to stay with me by showing them Newsies. Nothing says history like Christian Bale dancing around, throwing newspapers everywhere, and kissing girls that aren't that cute. I'm sure he looks back on that movie with fondness these days...
Sarah got me hooked on Mika. mmmm love that Eurotechnopop.
March Madness was not as awesome as it started out to be. Nothing more boring than my two least favorite #1 seeds fighting it out for the final, and my all-time least favorite team winning for the second year in a row. *mumbled cursing*
I'm starting a unit in American history on the Progressive era, which is not in the least innately interesting. I'm hoping I can convince the kids to stay with me by showing them Newsies. Nothing says history like Christian Bale dancing around, throwing newspapers everywhere, and kissing girls that aren't that cute. I'm sure he looks back on that movie with fondness these days...
Sarah got me hooked on Mika. mmmm love that Eurotechnopop.
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