Query Letter Progress

SOOOO....one query letter I sent out about my story got the "NO" reply. But I wasn't too surprised as I wasn't really sure that Lit. Agent really took Children's books....it didn't say she didn't take 'em so I thought, "what the heck?" The one place that had asked for my story...well, after researching that company a bit further I have come to the conclusion that it's not the place for me. They send out form letters ONLY...nothing personalized to you or your story. AND they want you to find an editor and a have critique done to your story before they'll ask publishers to look at it....kinda wacky if you ask me! I thought that puplishers had their own editors and the agent was the critique of the story. So...needless to say, even though they "want to move forward" on my story, I don't want to move forward on them. FYI the company is called WL Children's Agency....although they do go by a few different names. It's all a little crazy. Plus...they don't have an address or phone # contact. They don't share the author's they've helped to publish....it's all a little odd.

I've been onto quite a few different Lit. Agent's sites and they all (well, I suppose the legit ones) show the author's that they've published. They also have a phone# and address attached to their site.

It was just a tad too shady and after the research...even more shady. So...I'm doing it the hard way (which is probably the only way there is) and sending out the query letters to lit. agents and hoping beyond hope they like what they read. I have a few weeks (like 5 more) to wait and see if I hear back from one place....if I don't by that time, then it's another no go. But...that's ok. It takes a lot of "no's" to make a writer appreciate it more when the "yes" comes, right??!!

Also...still waiting on job offers! I sent out an app to a school in Greece. It's a British School so they will give preference to Brit teachers, but....I may make their shortlist. That would be great because if that happens, then they would fly me to Athens (at their expense) to do a lesson and interview. I think if they gave me a shot they may just like having me on their staff! We'll see though. I could hear this coming week one way or the other from them. Fingers crossed and a few prayers sent up that I've got what it takes to be apart of their staff!

Well, off for a walk this morning...maybe, If I can get myself up and out the door. I am meeting a friend for lunch later and I'd like to feel like I've done something somewhat productive before that. Plus I'd like to get my house a bit cleaned...my parents are coming for a visit this week. They'll be here either tomorrow or Monday. Either way, I need to clean! If I can get it all done today then I don't have to do much tomorrow! Too many things to do!

Ok...I'm. Going. For. That. Walk. Have a fab Saturday everyone!

Knotted all up!

Ok, so I've had a crazy weekend....packing and cleaning and getting in "last" looks of my lovely German Village. I've been sad, happy, excited, and sad all over again. Now I'm waiting to see if I got the job I interviewed for last Monday. Sometimes I hate being on a 9 hour time difference!

I look at my email and....nothing....my tummy is completely knotted up. I'm nervous. I hope that I got it. It would fill the rest of my summer with relief!

I guess I should just chill out and be patient. The last time I was feeling like this was when I was in London waiting to see if I got the 2nd interview. I ended up having a fairly prophetic dream....the principal telling me "Of course we want you to work for us!" Or it was something like that. I wonder if I should wait and see if I get another prophetic dream....UGH!!! I. Do. Not. Like. To. Wait. Patience is SOOOOOO not a virtue of mine. I keep hoping it will miraculously become a virtue but, alas, it hasn't happened. Although I suppose sometimes I'm more patient than I used to be.

So I decided to sit down and blog about this moment. I am hoping that I can say how happy I am tomorrow....Because hopefully I can say that I will have a job tomorrow.

Ok, so, I'm trying to have faith and think positively and all! I. Can. Do. This. Be patient that is. Or at the very least, I can try!

Skype

Yep, so I had my 2nd interview this evening for a great job that would be perfect! I would love to teach in this school. It's opening up its doors this Sept. and the curriculum is what I've been doing for the past two years, as well as it being a duel immersion German/English school...I have just a little bit of experience with the German....Can't speak a lot but, I can speak some...

So the interview was over Skype....if you've never used Skype, it's pretty cool. It's basically a computer to computer phone call, but you can have video viewing options. So....way back when we were younger and people used to say that one day you could be talking to someone on the the phone and see them....well now you can. It's crazy!

I had the interview with the principal and five of the board members who are parents for the school. Crazy!!! But I hope it went well. We will see in a week's time one way or the other.

Fingers crossed that this went well. It would be a fabulous opportunity to go into this school. And not only that, I could finally relax. Knowing I have a job at home will be nice and I could then just focus on the rest of the things I need to do. Like moving!!!

Only 3 1/2 more days of school. I cannot believe that it's finally here. How crazy is that? You wish for this day after New Year's to arrive and then it shows up, almost out of the blue...Friday is going to be a mega sad day....lot's of really cool people that I'll be saying goodbye to! Ugh! I hate goodbyes!

Finally, I can do Writer's Workshop....

Interview is over....claming down now....Won't find out until next week if I make the cut for the 2nd interview - which really counts for getting the job!

Now I can take some time to write to MamaKat's writing prompt:

For some crazy reason, I think I tend to choose number 3 the most when I write these prompts. I wonder why that is? Lucky number? I always thought my lucky number was seven. Huh? Something to think about.

3.) Describe a memorable gift. Why was it important to you?

I received a journal from my boyfriend, at the time, a few years ago. He had gone to Europe with some buddies for the summer and had picked up a journal from Florence, Italy. He had saved it for my birthday. It was so sweet. He had whipped the present out of his bag one evening and lay it on my chest. I was taken aback, but when I saw it was a leather bound journal I was completely touched. He knew I wrote in a journal often. He had been thinking about me during his summer vacation....it was just so sweet.

I didn't start writing in it right away as I had more of my previous journal to fill in. When I did start writing in it - as I still am doing to this day - I think back to that evening and smile! It's a good reminder of a great gift and a wonderful gesture from a great guy! I still love that guy....can't wait to get back to the states and see him again!

I love gifts that come to you from someone who took the time to think about what it is that you like and know about who you are. A journal was just the most appropriate gift to give me....I simply love it!

LA....here I come??? (I hope!)

I am nervous....I have an interview in about 45 minutes. It's at a school that would be fabulous for me. I soooo hope that the interview goes well. Not only that, they are willing to do the phone interview thing as I'm still in Germany. I'm so glad for that.

I've made my notes and I've gone through them. My tummy is filled with butterflies....ugh! I hope that it goes well, because I was hoping to do one of MamaKat's writing prompts this week. I haven't done one in awhile.

I cannot, however, think about much else at the moment than my imminent interview. Fingers are crossed, prayers have been sent up. I have friends wishing me luck all over the world....

Well, I'll keep you posted on the news as it arrives. I just need to calm down....maybe a cup of tea would be smart! That might help calm the nerves. Yep...off to make tea! Too good of an idea to pass up!

Some good news....

So....I have a few interviews (FINALLY) set up. One is on Tuesday for a school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Crazy. I'm not really all that sure I want to go to Asia, but...if that is where the wind is going to blow me, then....I suppose I'll have to see what happens.

I also have an interview for a school in San Diego! Yeah! Although it's a good 2-2 1/2 hrs away from my condo, I don't care. I would be back where I was hoping to be. So...we'll see about it all!

Life is complicated right now, though. I'm SOOOOOO ready to come home. I'm SOOOOO done with being here. But I'm scared about the change, especially since I don't know where I'll be. If I knew where I'll be then I'd be at least a bit ok with the change. But....without knowing, I don't know, I'm freaking out about it.

I'm sad to leave friends. I'm scared of that last day when we all do say goodbye. When will we see each other again. Will it just be a Facebook relationship, or will we talk on the phone. Will we be able to work out visits? Huh....just too much. Plus I have report cards to work on and loads of other very boring paperwork that needs to be finished!

YIKES!!!

Homesickness sucks at a time like this! Hope I get over it soon so that I can focus on what needs to be done.

No Go....

So I had had an interview at my old school....it was a longshot as it was for a position I'm not completely qualified for, but....worth a try nonetheless. I didn't get the position and I'm bummed about that. I was hoping, even though I knew I probably wouldn't get it. Ugh! I did have another interview with a school way across the country, and we'll see about that one!

I'm searching for more international schools just in case I can't find a job back in the states....boy is this frustrating! Interviwing and all is not fun...

Ok, wish me luck for future interviews, and a hopeful job offer to come my way soon!

Interview over

Well, so that wasn't too bad. It was nothing even remotely like the last time I interviewed for this school. I guess it does pay to be a known entity sometimes....We'll see. I think I did ok with my answers to the questions. It's so hard to do this over the phone. It's always easier to see everyone and gauge their reactions. I have to wait a week and then phone back and see what the status is on me. We'll see.

Good thing I have another interview set up for a school in Wash. D.C. We'll see about that one, too!

I'm still a little shaky, but....I hope that it wasn't too bad. I guess I'll find out from Andee, at least, how she felt it went.

Fingers crossed this works. I loved that school and I would really love to be back there. It was a great atmosphere and it would be wonderful to see and work with those people again.

Here's hoping!

Interview time

So, I have my first interview tonight...I'm nervous. It's for a school I worked at before, but that doesn't mean I'm in yet. It's for a different type of position so....I just hope that it all goes well.

I've been trying to do some research and think of things that can help me, but...until I actually get into the interview and start talking with everyone....I won't know. OY VAY!!!

I. AM. NERVOUS. The butterflies are starting in the tummy....wish me luck!!!