(Almost) Monthly report

I'm up early again. It is rare that I'm able to sleep in on a Saturday anymore. 5:30-5:45 a.m. is my usual weekday alarm, and so it extends into my own time as well. I've been laying in bed for 20 minutes, and all I can think about is my to-do list. I like my new job for the most part, except when I have the kid I want to just shove into his desk (no I don't take this action, I just think about it sometimes after hours of disrespect shown to me.) I digress...

Where was I?

Oh yes. Where did my own time go? I haven't even been able to get to the grocery store in 2 weeks. And the list still isn't made either. The coupons are cut though! And last week, Wallace decided to eat my expensive teacher dress shoes, and I can't find time to get to the store to replace them. Then there's Saturdays. I rarely used to work on a Saturday, but this year is another story. In fact I had professional development last Saturday and today (btw, every Saturday btwn now and Jan 31 is booked with work except during the holidays). During the week, school is out at 3:45, but I'm lucky if I get out of the building before 7, and then I still have work to do when I get home. Especially now because week before last they added another prep to my load. Now I'm teaching 4 IPC classes, 1 sheltered IPC (kids new to the country), and 1 biology class. And then to be working all that time and still be behind... it wears at me. But I hold on to the fact that they say it gets easier with time, and it's all really worth it once you have "the moment." The moment when you reach the unreachable kid.

It happened yesterday.

He's a 3rd year freshman. Yes, that's right. He's 17 and in the 9th grade because he chooses not to do any work in ANY class. I don't want to say too much because this is still a public blog, but yesterday, in my class... he WORKED THE WHOLE TIME! I put them in peer study groups to review their 6 weeks exam. Groups of 4, matched according to high, medium and low scores. The high scoring student was assigned as the tutor, and they were not allowed to ask me a question unless no one in their group could figure out the answer. It was a marvelous break for me too since I wasn't the one doing the teaching. I just had to keep them on task. And for this kid, I wasn't the one telling him to get to work, it was his peers. And he was slightly motivated by thinking he would get back a magazine I had taken up the previous class. That wasn't my agreement though. I want to see more work first.

So yes it's worth it, but it is a hard job.

One last note: Sorry I have been a bad blogger. Just plug me into to your RSS reader. I do hope to get back more often eventually. I still read all of your blogs through Google Reader during lunch and before I fall asleep.

Training so far

There is a lot for me to say, but there is not a lot of time to say it. In fact, I am still in the middle of my first lesson plan, and it is after midnight now. In short, I am CRAZY busy now!! This past week began my teacher training.

If you asked me a week ago if I really thought I could do this gig, I would have said, "Um, I'm not so sure. I'm scared and nervous, and I don't know if I signed up for the right job." Even though it's only been a week, the training so far has really boosted my confidence. I know that I am in a great program, and for that I am so thankful. I may have to drive really far every day or take the train for the next year (or two), but the foundation that I am receiving is totally going to be worth it!

I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the teaching community at a school (still yet to be identified), to the time when it doesn't take me 5 hours to complete a lesson plan, and to the smiles on the kids' faces when they understand a concept. That will be so rewarding! And I can't wait until I can once again say, "I love my job."

Hurry up and wait

Well, closing is indeed July 8, financing is done, insurance almost chosen, we have 8 boxes packed, the fridge is ordered and scheduled for delivery July 13 (bought with no tax on that Energy Star weekend), and the lawnmower was found and purchased (at a steal - thank you closeouts). Now it is just sort of hurry up and wait. This weekend we were kind of bored when we ran out of boxes to pack into.

This is my last week in the lab, and teacher training starts Monday. I will be rudely awakened at 5 a.m. for 7-8 weeks, so I can catch the train in time to be there by 7:30, but it will save a TON of money in gas. The job fair was this past weekend. I interviewed with several schools, but I'm still waiting on a secured position. One school really seemed to like me. It would be considered a rough school, but the department head seems to really know what he's doing, he also went through the AC program so I would get a lot of support and encouragement from him, and Scott and I could ride to work together every day (more gas savings). I hope someone calls soon.

That's a quick update.

Going back on my word

In one of my most recent posts I said I wasn't going to spend the eco stimulus rebate that the government just gave us. Well, I'm about to go put down earnest money for a house that we put an offer on last night. Yes, that's right, we might buy a house!! I think we'll hear back this morning about that also. The owners aren't out yet, so we are flexible on closing. We have to give 2 months notice at the apartment anyway. But we did suggest a tentative date for July 8, our anniversary. Now wouldn't that be cool!!

And yes, I got a spot in the teacher training program for this summer. It starts June 16, and I'll be in the classroom in the Fall. Don't know what school yet.

So there's some good news!

-Next up, Wallace is in training school now and doing well.
-Becca and Jonathan came up for a visit last weekend with the baby and we had a great time. She spent her money on a new laptop since she will be quitting the job at the school.
-We're headed to Austin sometime this weekend to see the family. It feels like it's been way too long. Don't know even when we're leaving yet.
-We might go buy a lawn mower tonight if the offer is accepted. They're on sale right now. We can always take it back if the deal falls through. Yay, a lawn mower! Have I mentioned how much I enjoy mowing the yard?

That's all for now.

Interview today!

My interview for the Alt Cert Program is this morning at 9:45!! I hope I have good answers to their questions. Send good vibes (and prayers) my way.

Rebate... check

Well, the government is keeping their word this time - the $1200 rebate check just showed up in our checking account. And it's on time. I'm happy to have the money, but I don't like the circumstances. I don't remember if I mentioned this before or not (and I'm too lazy to look it up at the moment). I don't like the fact that the government is giving out money they do not have. They are in a deficit already. It's like they are living on credit which is a bad example for America.

In other news, we are back safely from our vacation. We had a blast! Pictures must be downloaded, then posts will come. I might spend $25 of that rebate check to renew my Flickr account. The rest is not going back into the economy. Sorry. Unless I don't get a job and need it to buy gas.

Oh yea, and DISD called yesterday to schedule an interview... finally! It's not until May 13 though. Why do they have to keep dragging it out? If they want to interview me, why can't I come in today and interview already? I really had almost given up on them as acceptance letters were supposed to be in the mailbox yesterday. I mentioned that to the lady who called and she remained silent (?). It seems they are disorganized. I hope this isn't a bad sign of things to come if I am selected for the program.

I've been meaning to blog...

...but I haven't yet had a break after taxes. My mother-in-law arrived the very next day. She left yesterday, but then we went to visit our friends last night because they are moving today to Scotland.

...about the horrible storm from two weeks ago. Losts of pics to show the damage.

...to say that I still haven't gotten an interview for teaching. They are supposed to have all letters out by May 1, and I leave for vacation in 2 days (which I told them). I guess God has other plans for me. I just wish I knew what they are.

...to tell you we're going to NYC on Friday for our early anniversary vacation. In case I got that teaching job, I wouldn't have been able to miss days this summer. We're excited to get away.

...to say I'm getting nervous about the no-job thing coming, but trying to trust God. I looked at our budget today to see if I could go to school for nursing. Even if I worked part-time, we would be short several hundred dollars/month, and it would interrupt a very important plan that we have in place and are doing a good job at.

Guess what?!

I have an interview with a forensics laboratory at 1:00 today! I am so pumped! More later...

Blah blah blah

I just haven't had much time to blog lately... or much to say.

The tax job is going well. I'm currently working three weeknights and 9-5 on Saturday. I love it, but it does leave me with less time for things that need doing around the house and less quality time with Scott. So that is definitely a challenge.

I did find out on Monday that I am for sure losing my lab job at the end of June. The grant has not been refunded so that leads to a reduction in force. I hope he finds other funding or the lab will eventually have to shut down. My boss has been doing this for 20 years, but I know he is not ready to retire. These times are hard though as the government is drastically cutting back research funding.

So this increases the pressure to find something else. As Ginger told me, at least God put it on my heart a while ago to start looking. I hope I find something soon, so my stint here can be over sooner. Just today someone tried to tell me how to do something very basic in the lab, as if I didn't know. I can't stand to be insulted like that! It just makes me want to quit. But we need a paycheck.

I am waiting to hear from Dallas ISD about the teacher training opportunity. I am going to look into other jobs as well though. My heart isn't 100% into teaching. But I know if I get chosen I will give it my best.

And to fulfill my responsibility for our tax office March Marketing Madness, I must ask 5 people a day: "Have you done your taxes?"

Tidbits

• Going to Temple: We're leaving in the morning to go to Temple. I don't have to work for 3 days, and it's time to go hold that baby! I'm so excited! We're going to attempt some pictures. It would have been best to do them before 2 weeks old because she would have for sure slept through them. Now, at 5 weeks, we'll just have to see.

• Tax job: The tax office job is going really well. I love it! Just wish I could do it full time. Our first peak is over. It was dead in the office last night (I only had one client), so I did our taxes. We figured we owed because of self-employment tax on Scott's income in between the jobs last year. That's what I estimated early on. Well, I was silly and estimated using my full salary. When I entered just the taxable portion last night, well... we're getting a refund! What a nice surprise! And we had money saved to pay. Now it's definitely time for new glasses.
  

• Accident update: The chiropractor finally released me from care this week. I feel so much better now. It was my first experience with a chiropractor, and it was a positive one. Those adjustments do more for pain than anti-spasm medicine ever could. Now I just have to settle with the insurance company. Joy.

• House?: The settlement could be a little bit of money, so between that and the tax rebate that's coming, we have decided to finally start saving for a down payment on a house! Exciting. Don't know how soon we can buy, but it's foolish not to start the process with the prices falling every week now. Maybe we can catch a great deal (price and interest) come this time next year! Of course, it's awfully hard not to buy a new laptop :-) Not a MacBook Air though. I'm not sold on that idea yet. Nice form factor, but poor execution if you ask me.

• Career: I have received most of my transcripts now. My application deadline for the teacher prep program is Mar. 21, but I'm aiming for next week. They usually give acceptance answers a week or so after receiving the app. I'm going for the Dallas program. It makes the most sense. Wish me luck!

• Guess what? I got my first jury summons in the mail. I'm nervous. It's in about 3 weeks.

• Shiny ring: We got Scott's wedding ring re-plated as per warranty. It looks so beautiful again!! We were in shock at how shiny it is! Now he doesn't want to wear it since it is inevitable that it will get all scratched up again. Honey, that's why I bought the warranty. We can have it redone as often as we want forever!

• The flu: Oh yea, I got the flu last week! First time ever. It was the first year I ever got the flu shot too (in prep for seeing so many people at the tax office). Of course, then we find out the shot cocktail totally missed the actual mutation this year. Go figure! I was miserable for 5 days. One day my fevers climbed above 102 for several hours! It was not fun. I'm still getting over the residual congestion crud. Luckily Scott managed to avoid it so far.

• Sis moving here: Scott's sister and her husband are moving to Dallas in a couple of weeks!
  

I guess that's a wrap. Talk at you later. Now hopefully I can go back to sleep.

Career thoughts

I've still been struggling with career choices. A large part of me would still like to pursue nursing. The main drawback at this point is it would still be at least another year before I could start a program because of the stupid 5-year rule. The rule that says certain courses, like Anatomy & Physiology, have to be taken within 5 years of matriculation. I had A&P almost 10 years ago now. So I would have to spend a couple of semesters retaking some classes. This semester was out because of the job with Block. And I need to get out of this lab as quick as possible. The other part is the cost. It's expensive, I would have to get loans, and I wouldn't be able to work full-time.

The current path on my radar screen is still teaching. I recently came across the opportunity to enroll in a summer certification program. It runs June-July, and then I would start in the classroom in August. I'm going to that info session on Feb. 2. I missed the one the day Kylee was born. I just have to find out costs and details about the time commitment. I wouldn't be able to hold a job for those 2 months, and I basically would not get a paycheck for 3 months. So that will take some careful planning. But I'm thinking even if we fell into some sort of deficit during that time, it would work itself out after the first few paychecks because they will be quite a bit larger than my current check. I would rather stay ahead as we go though. I hate debt.

I did find out that I would have to teach science my first year after which I would get my official certificate and could then take another test to teach math. So I would likely target teaching high school biology. Not exactly what I want to do, but do-able.

There is an education service center here that offers exam prep courses for a reasonable fee. I would try to take that course and then take my certification test as early as possible to leave room for a retake in case I do not pass the first time.

So I could teach for a few years, have kids, see where we are then and continue teaching if I need too. Then I can always pursue nursing if I want to later. I can work on one class a semester alongside teaching even. It just makes the most sense right now because of logistics and cost.

So that's what I'm thinking right now. Although, things at Block are going well, and I'm enjoying it a lot (and making a name for myself at least in my own office). The District Manager has noticed me too, so who knows, maybe something could come about there. I've been praying, asking God to throw something in my lap.

New idea

All is well around here. Wallace is ever growing. He outgrew his walking harness so we had to get a new one. It's a little too big around his neck, but that's okay. I bought him a shirt on clearance at Target, and he needs a large! I think their sizing system is way messed up - this is not a large dog! He sometimes sleeps with us, but as of late he likes to jump off the bed about 2 a.m. And since he cannot readily make it back up onto our tall bed by himself, his jumping warrants him going back to his crate. You think he would learn.

Anyway, to the new idea... I just enrolled in a tax preparation course with H&R Block. I think I actually know most of what they will teach and could probably test out save for the few details I need to learn. So I will take the whole thing. If I score well enough, they might offer me a job as a certified tax preparer! I met people yesterday who all started by taking this course, and they have worked their way up in the company. So we'll see what this will lead to for me. If nothing else it could be an extra source of income for tax season. More money is always nice. And hey, we all know how much I love to do taxes.

So for 3 hours a day for the next month, I will be preparing myself for these possibilities:

• a new career
• extra income
• a stay-at-home-mom side job

Best of all, my boss is allowing me to change my work hours so I can take this course! What a great boss I have!

What about vet tech-ing?

I am still always looking out for new career opportunities. Today I saw an ad on craigslist for a veterinary technician. Since having Wallace, I have realized again how much I like animals. Normally this is a certified position, but the ad says they are willing to train. And it's only 7 miles from the apartment vs. 19! I sent the person an email telling them that I'm looking for a career change and talked myself up a bit. We'll see what happens. I have no idea what it pays.

Thoughts on job and career

I suppose it's time for a new post. Sorry for my lack of participation in blogdom lately. Thanks for continuing to stop by and visit us here. I think this will be a topical post.

Job:
Still boring, but I'll expand on the issue of the problem. My boss is writing a grant, so that is his first concern, as it should be. It's due in July, so I do not see my situation being rectified until then. In the meantime, I come in and do my duties and then sit.

Career:
I'm also considering teaching. I considered this last year too, but now I am revisiting the idea. So I spend some of my sitting time researching available jobs and alternative certification programs. This is a cheaper solution than nursing because the cost of the program is less and can be paid out of my first year's paychecks. It would also pay about $12K more than what I make now, BUT insurance costs are really high compared to what I pay now. At least as far as I can tell from the different districts websites. Plus, I need to add Scott to my plan, and that would knock my paycheck down to almost not any more than I now take home. So, do I want to completely change careers for not any more money when it looks at first like it is a lot more money? But, those summers off really sound nice about now.

Nursing pays more in the long run, but in the long run I really would rather stay home when I have kids. Scott and I are just hoping God helps us make that possible. So, I don't think going to nursing school is the solution right now. But also, in the long run, after kids, I might rather be a nurse than a teacher. But by then I would need refresher courses anyway, so I could always redo courses then and then get a nursing degree. Aaaaaahhhhh! I don't know.

I have a degree in science, but if I go into public education I really would rather teach math. Algebra to be exact, preferably in 7th or 8th grade. Since I don't have a degree in math the only way to do that is to first get certified to teach science then go back and take the tests for math and see if I pass them. I think I just need to go talk to some district offices and let them help me plot my course. If this is what I decide to do. I think I would be good at it.

I may also have to wait until the spring to start because part of the certification requirement, at least at one program I'm looking into, is to observe a classroom for 20 hours, and there isn't much to observe right now. Plus I still need my current job in the meantime.

Well, that's what's in my head right now. I might make some more posts later. I have other things to say about other topics too.

Any advice? Sometimes I wish I could just start over completely. Then I would be younger too. I NEVER thought I would not know what I want to do. I always had a plan.

Frustrated

I have been sitting at work for nearly two weeks now with not much to do. I might be working what would be considered part time hours, if that. It's boring. A person can only surf the web so many hours in a day. I have talked to my boss, but he gives me nothing else.

So naturally I'm going back to contemplating a career change, now that I'm not in grad school anymore, and I don't want to go back. It's just not my goal anymore. And I think I need a break from the lab. I've been doing this for 10 years now.

I've been considering nursing, but then I'm turned off the idea because I would have to retake some courses. Several, and add a few more. At least a semester and a half worth. And courses that I passed and don't want to repeat. Only necessary because the entrance requirements state they must be completed within 5 years. Hello! Not necessary! I just need a career change. I don't need to repeat half my college education to do so. So that makes nursing a lot less appealing... and leaves me VERY frustrated!!!

In the meantime I just love on my puppy and act like it will all go away.