So I've been sitting on my couch this evening looking for job postings at international schools and in So. Cal. A few possibilities...
I sent an email to the school in DC to say, "Remember me!!!" and "I enjoyed speaking with you during our interview." The Asst. principal responded today with a "I enjoyed speaking with you, too. I'll let you know if there's something else we may need for your file." It sounds all positive. But then I start to think about each word and sentence and what her mood may have been when she wrote it. Was she really feeling positive and happy about our conversation? Or did she just take 2 seconds to write a response to me? At first glance I was feeling positive about it and happy for the response. And now....I'm second, triple, and quadruple guessing my first thought.
When will it end???
Where I know that I will end up where I'm supposed to end up...I cannot help but want that process to hurry itself up a bit...well, A LOT! I'm not a patient person, you see!
Anyway...The more I look at the school in DC, the more I feel it might be a good move. I just hope that the administration at the school feels like I would be a good cadidate for them! I've never been to DC and I've never really spent much time on the East Coast - only a week in Boston - and I'd like to see that side of the country....so, patience needs to be a viture I am searchng for! It's a hard one to come by...
Stay tuned for more news on the job front....hopefully something will be coming of all the resumes and applications that have been sent out soon.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tired eyes
Yep, been looking on the internet for the past two days...searching for a job. Man I love searching for new jobs! NOT! But it's a fact of life and very much a reality for me at the moment.
Eventually I hope that I will land a good teaching gig somewhere! And by eventually, I really mean, SOON! I sent out loads of resume's yesterday! And all over the world. Yikes! Didn't really want to go to another overseas gig so soon, but....it may just be what I have to do in order to get a paying job....we will see!
Don't even know why I'm still on the computer....the eyes hurt and so does my head. it's time to just lay down and chill for the evening...
However, I want to make a phone call first....We'll see how the evening ends up....hopefully the morning goes well. At least it's only a 4-day work week! Woohoo!!!! Gotta love that!
Eventually I hope that I will land a good teaching gig somewhere! And by eventually, I really mean, SOON! I sent out loads of resume's yesterday! And all over the world. Yikes! Didn't really want to go to another overseas gig so soon, but....it may just be what I have to do in order to get a paying job....we will see!
Don't even know why I'm still on the computer....the eyes hurt and so does my head. it's time to just lay down and chill for the evening...
However, I want to make a phone call first....We'll see how the evening ends up....hopefully the morning goes well. At least it's only a 4-day work week! Woohoo!!!! Gotta love that!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
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!
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!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Writing Prompt
So I have a few frustrations to vent, but I'll do that later....first I'll give this writing prompt a go from MamaKat:
3.) Why won't you forget? List six true sentences that begin with the words 'I'll never forget...' Then use all six of your sentences in a paragraph, poem, or longer descriptive piece.(writingfix.com)
1. I'll never forget playing in the waves as a kid on the Oregon Coast.
2. I'll never forget meeting Eric.
3. I'll never forget the fear and excitment of moving to Germany.
4. I'll never forget the friends that have made it into my heart.
5. I'll never forget the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower.
6. I'll never forget my trip through France with Eric.
3.) Why won't you forget? List six true sentences that begin with the words 'I'll never forget...' Then use all six of your sentences in a paragraph, poem, or longer descriptive piece.(writingfix.com)
1. I'll never forget playing in the waves as a kid on the Oregon Coast.
2. I'll never forget meeting Eric.
3. I'll never forget the fear and excitment of moving to Germany.
4. I'll never forget the friends that have made it into my heart.
5. I'll never forget the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower.
6. I'll never forget my trip through France with Eric.
Never Forgetting...
Of all the things I'll never forget
These are some of the top
Playing in waves
on the coast of Oregon
Was always truly fun.
France is great
I love that place,
The tower by Eiffel
Seemed surreal
Traveling with Eric was
Equally surreal,
But, fun and cool
All the same.
Remembering the moment
Eric and I met,
Brings a smile to my face.
The same thing happens
When thinking about
All the friends that I have made.
They will be in my heart
For such a long time!
Taking chances and
Moving to Germany
Was a hard and
Scary thing;
However, I am
Glad that I did it,
And wouldn't change a thing!!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
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!
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!!!
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!!!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Remnants of the wall...
I was in Berlin this weekend with my parents. It was very interesting. My first time over there. We got to see a portion of the wall that is still standing. Most of the graffiti is gone from this section but you can still see some of it.
Since this is the 20th year since the fall of the wall there were other more well preserved pieced of the wall on display. It's quite amazing what was done with that wall. 150km around the city. And to keep people from escaping through the river which runs through the city, they put this spikey metal fencing in the water that would tear someone up if they jumped in. ugh! What a load of crap.
The one semi-nice thing that we read was that guards wouldn't shot directly AT someone trying to jump the wall. They didn't necessarily believe there should be a wall...
Since this is the 20th year since the fall of the wall there were other more well preserved pieced of the wall on display. It's quite amazing what was done with that wall. 150km around the city. And to keep people from escaping through the river which runs through the city, they put this spikey metal fencing in the water that would tear someone up if they jumped in. ugh! What a load of crap.The one semi-nice thing that we read was that guards wouldn't shot directly AT someone trying to jump the wall. They didn't necessarily believe there should be a wall...So...what a bit of culture this weekend. It definitely makes you think. And I'm happy that I didn't grow up in a city or country that did that. I feel bad for the Germans that had to live separated from family. Or that died trying to get to the West side.
Food for thought....what would you do if you found yourself in a situation where a wall was put up to keep you from going from one place to the next?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Why did I do it?
Why did I do it? Why did I leave the states and come to Germany? I don't know, I guess it was because I was ready for a change. I guess it was because I was ready to have an adventure. Why did I go to a country that speaks a language I knew nothing about? I guess it was mostly because they offered me a job.
Why did I leave the desert, where the sun shines pretty much 365 days a year to come a country where it rains tons and the clouds make it gloomy most of the time? I suppose it was for a completely new way of life. I've enjoyed it, don't get me wrong. Well....not all the rain or cloud cover, but the days that the sun comes out are precious! I definitely love those!
Now....why am I leaving a job to come back to the states where I don't know if I'll have a job? Huh? Good question. It started out because I was ready to come home and be closer to family a friends for at least a year (a sort of coming back to the basics kind of year), but now I'm starting to become nervous about finding job.
I did it, and I don't regret any of it. I'm a changed person because of it!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
CD Release
My friend Abie Perkins has just released a CD entitled: Abie Perkins: Thinkin Bout U
You can purchase it here.
Please go and check it out!
You can purchase it here.
Please go and check it out!
Locked out!
I spent the morning cleaning my kitchen...and I mean CLEANING!!! I used bleach...this is how clean I wanted my kitchen. My parents are coming to visit this coming Thursday so I was trying to get my major cleaning done today so that on Wed. I can just do a quick vacuum or so...
I finished my kitchen and realized how hungry I was. I didn't have any food - I had just cleaned out my fridge of all gross yucky food and there wasn't anything in the cupboards either. I decided to just head on down to the market to get the shopping done early. I grabbed my coat, and my purse, my umbrella, and my backback (you have to either bring your own bags to stores in Germany or you end up paying for them!) and left the apt. Now, I usually do a double check for my keys before my door is closed....I did the check AFTER my door clicked closed.
THANKFULLY, I gave my spare key to Martine. I called her and she was home (yes!) and so I made my way over to her house in the pouring rain instead of going to the store. I got there and the good friend that she is, invited me to have some lunch with her and her son. That was so great, as I was quite hungry. We ended up chatting a bit and just hanging for a little while.
She had to go and pick her daughter up from school and so she dropped me off at the market with my spare key in my hands....
I must say, it's a very smart idea to always have a good friend with a spare key. It has come in handy a few times, I must say!
So....thanks, Martini for having my back today!
I finished my kitchen and realized how hungry I was. I didn't have any food - I had just cleaned out my fridge of all gross yucky food and there wasn't anything in the cupboards either. I decided to just head on down to the market to get the shopping done early. I grabbed my coat, and my purse, my umbrella, and my backback (you have to either bring your own bags to stores in Germany or you end up paying for them!) and left the apt. Now, I usually do a double check for my keys before my door is closed....I did the check AFTER my door clicked closed.
THANKFULLY, I gave my spare key to Martine. I called her and she was home (yes!) and so I made my way over to her house in the pouring rain instead of going to the store. I got there and the good friend that she is, invited me to have some lunch with her and her son. That was so great, as I was quite hungry. We ended up chatting a bit and just hanging for a little while.
She had to go and pick her daughter up from school and so she dropped me off at the market with my spare key in my hands....
I must say, it's a very smart idea to always have a good friend with a spare key. It has come in handy a few times, I must say!
So....thanks, Martini for having my back today!
Back to childhood
I just started to follow Mama Kat's Losin It blog. She's got a great way of writing! I'm enjoying it! I found that she's got a little writing prompt to do. So here it is:
You can go back to your childhood for one day. What day and age do you choose?
This is interesting because I've just done a writing lesson (a memoir) with my first graders. We are studying the past and the present - how things have changed. I figured it would help them understand the "past" if they took a "picture" from their past and wrote about the moment. In order to teach that, though I had to think of a moment from my past. I didn't have the picture to help me as it's in a storage unit (I hope!) in Palm Springs, and I'm in Germany....kind of far to go searching for a picture. But I remember this day or rather this moment.
"Check out my new camera!" I said to Sandra. I had just gotten a new Polaroid camera and was enjoying taking pictures with it. "Here, let me take your picture." I swung the picture back and forth until the picture popped out and showed it to Sandra.
"That's so cool!" she said. "I'll take one of you!"
"Let me see the picture!!" I exclaimed after Sandra took the Polaroid picture of me posing by the clothesline. It was summer and Sandra had come over to play for the afternoon.
"Sandra, go stand over there," I pointed to the garage, "and make a funny face." She did. After the minute or so it took for picture to show up, we were laughing at ourselves. I stood on my head and Sandra took a new picture. "It's actually funny when you turn the picture over as if I were standing," I said. We laughed some more.
This went on for ages - well, at least until the film ran out. We thought we were pretty cool models. We used the clothesline pole to help us sometimes, with our poses (I think we might have been good pole dancers had we just had the music!)
*Being ten years old, with a good friend and a Polaroid camera was fun. Looking back at those pictures today (or when I move back) I remember how much fun the world was. No fears and no embarrassment.
Now, I didn't write all of that for my students. I wrote a portion of it, and then I wrote a version that was fairly dull so that they could see the difference and try to go with a more excited memoir of their own. It's fun to go and look at the past - especially when it's good memories!
You can go back to your childhood for one day. What day and age do you choose?
This is interesting because I've just done a writing lesson (a memoir) with my first graders. We are studying the past and the present - how things have changed. I figured it would help them understand the "past" if they took a "picture" from their past and wrote about the moment. In order to teach that, though I had to think of a moment from my past. I didn't have the picture to help me as it's in a storage unit (I hope!) in Palm Springs, and I'm in Germany....kind of far to go searching for a picture. But I remember this day or rather this moment.
"Check out my new camera!" I said to Sandra. I had just gotten a new Polaroid camera and was enjoying taking pictures with it. "Here, let me take your picture." I swung the picture back and forth until the picture popped out and showed it to Sandra.
"That's so cool!" she said. "I'll take one of you!"
"Let me see the picture!!" I exclaimed after Sandra took the Polaroid picture of me posing by the clothesline. It was summer and Sandra had come over to play for the afternoon.
"Sandra, go stand over there," I pointed to the garage, "and make a funny face." She did. After the minute or so it took for picture to show up, we were laughing at ourselves. I stood on my head and Sandra took a new picture. "It's actually funny when you turn the picture over as if I were standing," I said. We laughed some more.
This went on for ages - well, at least until the film ran out. We thought we were pretty cool models. We used the clothesline pole to help us sometimes, with our poses (I think we might have been good pole dancers had we just had the music!)
*Being ten years old, with a good friend and a Polaroid camera was fun. Looking back at those pictures today (or when I move back) I remember how much fun the world was. No fears and no embarrassment.
Now, I didn't write all of that for my students. I wrote a portion of it, and then I wrote a version that was fairly dull so that they could see the difference and try to go with a more excited memoir of their own. It's fun to go and look at the past - especially when it's good memories!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Pale, down, and out...
Yesterday began with me sniffling and feeling a bit poorly. I managed throughout the day, albeit with friends and co-workers telling me how pale I looked. By the end of the day I was so done. I had a headache, I felt hot, and I couldn't really concentrate on much. But...I had a "team meeting" to go to. I managed to stay for a few minutes to give the info we had to give and then I went to, once again, work on the yearbook.
I was so grumpy working on the yearbook. For one, I got up to the Library (Martine's domain) and she was trying to add a picture to her library portal or something...I'm not sure. But she wasn't "with" me on the yearbook stuff. So I got grumpy. I left my meeting to come up to her area where her team meets (and this team is dysfunctional - I didn't really want to listen to them) and she wasn't really ready to start working. I didn't want to stay too late working on the yearbook as I was thinking I should get some sub plans ready in case I didn't make it in today. Good forethought on my part - I DID stay home today.
So as we're working on stuff, I just get more grumpy and sluggish. We finish what we're doing and only have a few more things (literally) left to do on this yearbook and I make my way downstairs to my classroom to write up some lesson plans. I get that done and I can barely make it home. It's raining and gross. I'm done. I can tell I've got a fever and yet I have to keep going.
Once inside the sanctuary of my home I collapse on the couch with my warmed up leftover tacos and eat. This perks me up a bit. As it's 6pm and I never stay at school that late! I head to bed around 8.
This morning I wake up and hit snooze. Then I hit snooze again, and again, and yet again. Now normally I have a 1 snooze limit. I just couldn't get up. My body needed sleep and I just didn't think I should TRY to manage the day like I did yesterday. So I finally get up long enough to call my boss and let her know. Then I lay back down and fall asleep for about an hour. It was nice. When I finally get myself up out of bed, I feel better.
For the better part of the day I rested on the couch, or in bed, and then tooled around the apt washing dishes or taking a bath. I'm tired and I have a headache, but I don't feel like I did yesterday. I'm going to school tomorrow, so...I figure an early night will help and tomorrow I'll be feeling ten times better!
I was so grumpy working on the yearbook. For one, I got up to the Library (Martine's domain) and she was trying to add a picture to her library portal or something...I'm not sure. But she wasn't "with" me on the yearbook stuff. So I got grumpy. I left my meeting to come up to her area where her team meets (and this team is dysfunctional - I didn't really want to listen to them) and she wasn't really ready to start working. I didn't want to stay too late working on the yearbook as I was thinking I should get some sub plans ready in case I didn't make it in today. Good forethought on my part - I DID stay home today.
So as we're working on stuff, I just get more grumpy and sluggish. We finish what we're doing and only have a few more things (literally) left to do on this yearbook and I make my way downstairs to my classroom to write up some lesson plans. I get that done and I can barely make it home. It's raining and gross. I'm done. I can tell I've got a fever and yet I have to keep going.
Once inside the sanctuary of my home I collapse on the couch with my warmed up leftover tacos and eat. This perks me up a bit. As it's 6pm and I never stay at school that late! I head to bed around 8.
This morning I wake up and hit snooze. Then I hit snooze again, and again, and yet again. Now normally I have a 1 snooze limit. I just couldn't get up. My body needed sleep and I just didn't think I should TRY to manage the day like I did yesterday. So I finally get up long enough to call my boss and let her know. Then I lay back down and fall asleep for about an hour. It was nice. When I finally get myself up out of bed, I feel better.
For the better part of the day I rested on the couch, or in bed, and then tooled around the apt washing dishes or taking a bath. I'm tired and I have a headache, but I don't feel like I did yesterday. I'm going to school tomorrow, so...I figure an early night will help and tomorrow I'll be feeling ten times better!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Being truthful
So, I spoke with Eric, who is my, not really sure what he is beyond a friend at this point. I mean we were in a relationship and now that I'm so far away....it's kind of hard to have a relationship through that kind of distance. We are still friends, though. We email and talk regularly.
I called him last night as it'd been awhile. We spoke about many different things, but one of them was my job search. I had to tell him that I'm looking for jobs in other international schools. I didn't want to tell him that, because in my mind's eye I already see myself living back in Palm Springs. I see the two of us seeing each other regularly and just basically seeing where it all might go.
It was hard to tell that I might not be coming home. He seemed taken aback by the statement. He actually sounded sad. Especially when he asked how long the contract would be. It put me in a funk, I must say. I'm a bit depressed by this. He was able to be supportive about my searching elsewhere, but, I think he was disappointed that I might not be back. I can say that I'm just as disappointed myself.
I've already seen how I want to have my condo looking. Where I'll place things...putting certain things in a different place than before. I have plans of hanging out with friends at certain restaurants that I've missed. And I've planned to see Eric a lot!! It'll be very hard to do these things if I'm not there!
So, sadness has started to well up in me because of this and I'm frustrated that I might not find a job in the desert or surrounding area. I hope that I can. It's where I'd like to be!!!!! I don't blame Eric for sounding upset about my not coming back and being equally upset that if I did end up with another international teaching job, it would probably be another two years before I'd be back.
I don't want to be in this funk....but I suppose that it was best I told him now rather than too much later. At least he knows now. We'll see where this leads us!
I called him last night as it'd been awhile. We spoke about many different things, but one of them was my job search. I had to tell him that I'm looking for jobs in other international schools. I didn't want to tell him that, because in my mind's eye I already see myself living back in Palm Springs. I see the two of us seeing each other regularly and just basically seeing where it all might go.
It was hard to tell that I might not be coming home. He seemed taken aback by the statement. He actually sounded sad. Especially when he asked how long the contract would be. It put me in a funk, I must say. I'm a bit depressed by this. He was able to be supportive about my searching elsewhere, but, I think he was disappointed that I might not be back. I can say that I'm just as disappointed myself.
I've already seen how I want to have my condo looking. Where I'll place things...putting certain things in a different place than before. I have plans of hanging out with friends at certain restaurants that I've missed. And I've planned to see Eric a lot!! It'll be very hard to do these things if I'm not there!
So, sadness has started to well up in me because of this and I'm frustrated that I might not find a job in the desert or surrounding area. I hope that I can. It's where I'd like to be!!!!! I don't blame Eric for sounding upset about my not coming back and being equally upset that if I did end up with another international teaching job, it would probably be another two years before I'd be back.
I don't want to be in this funk....but I suppose that it was best I told him now rather than too much later. At least he knows now. We'll see where this leads us!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Sunny Saturday
Tis wonderful when you wake up on the weekend to find the sun shining! The sun has now been out for 3 days in a row....it's a miracle! It may still be COLD but, I'll take it if the sun is going to remain!
I'm off, yet again, to school to work on the yearbook! Yippeeeeee! NOT! But, as we work a bit more each day, it becomes so close to being finished! I think Martine and I need to have one or two HUGE margaritas after this is done and over with.
As for what else is going on....the week was stressful and now it's over. THANK YOU! I am glad to have the weekend here. It's a good sign. And now that it's finally spring, and it looks like spring, I feel like things are looking up. I still have a lot to accomplish before the end of this month, but....I'm getting to it slowly but surely.
I have put out a few feelers for jobs this week as well. One in Monaco (boy it couldn't hurt to live on the Mediterranean, could it?) and one in Sydney. We'll see what comes of either one! They would both be fun. And where I really want to be home (or stateside, really) I also want to know that I have income coming in! It will all be sorted out soon enough, I'm sure - at least I hope so...
Well, have a fabulous weekend and enjoy the sun! I'm definitely going to enjoy it! Who knows how long it will stay.
I'm off, yet again, to school to work on the yearbook! Yippeeeeee! NOT! But, as we work a bit more each day, it becomes so close to being finished! I think Martine and I need to have one or two HUGE margaritas after this is done and over with.
As for what else is going on....the week was stressful and now it's over. THANK YOU! I am glad to have the weekend here. It's a good sign. And now that it's finally spring, and it looks like spring, I feel like things are looking up. I still have a lot to accomplish before the end of this month, but....I'm getting to it slowly but surely.
I have put out a few feelers for jobs this week as well. One in Monaco (boy it couldn't hurt to live on the Mediterranean, could it?) and one in Sydney. We'll see what comes of either one! They would both be fun. And where I really want to be home (or stateside, really) I also want to know that I have income coming in! It will all be sorted out soon enough, I'm sure - at least I hope so...
Well, have a fabulous weekend and enjoy the sun! I'm definitely going to enjoy it! Who knows how long it will stay.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Calm Friday
Well, at least I'm hoping for a calm Friday. I have two prep periods today with a lunch in between, so....shouldn't be too horrible. It's been a long, and stressful week. Ok, actually only the last two days have been LONG and STRESSFUL!
It's yearbook stuff! I'm done with it! I'm fed up, and I don't want to continue. I'll give back the money if I could be allowed to just hand it over to someone else! But we're so tantalizingly close to be finished....I'll see it through. I promise!
As for the calmness that I am seeking today....the sun has shown itself today already at it's only 7am. Good sign!! My friend is putting on a Peter Pan Story time in the Library after school! Cute! And I'm looking forward to the weekend. All in all this should help in the calmness today!
Here's to a happy Friday for everyone! Enjoy!
It's yearbook stuff! I'm done with it! I'm fed up, and I don't want to continue. I'll give back the money if I could be allowed to just hand it over to someone else! But we're so tantalizingly close to be finished....I'll see it through. I promise!
As for the calmness that I am seeking today....the sun has shown itself today already at it's only 7am. Good sign!! My friend is putting on a Peter Pan Story time in the Library after school! Cute! And I'm looking forward to the weekend. All in all this should help in the calmness today!
Here's to a happy Friday for everyone! Enjoy!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Gripes...
Although I feel as though I've already griped about this topic, I have a few more gripes! The school yearbook...ugh! I'm frustrated beyond belief right now. I can't believe that what is going on.
Martine and I were checking up on what we had sent to the company publishing our yearbook. We wanted to make sure we were on the right track. However, the response we got was not all that great. The woman that is our helper person - Judy Jo - told us that we didn't "package" the document the right way. Now I'm not one to disagree....actually, I'm totally one to disagree! I emailed her back today and said that we followed the "packaging" procedures the way they were outlined and was confused about why it didn't help. Anyway...we haven't heard back from her as of yet. Or at least not by the time we left school. Hopefully we have a response by the morning.
So this morning, as I was reading Miss Judy Jo's emails, I became more and more upset. By the time I got to school, I was so frustrated that I was ready to cry! I went up to the Library to just give the "oh my God, I can't believe this crap!" look to Martine, but she was in the same mood as I and didn't want to talk. I don't blame her, because I don't think I could talk then either. I feel like I just needed to know that we were both feeling the same thing.
Now...as the day and evening has worn on, I've become a bit more calm and cool and collected - still pissed to high heaven, but....at least I'm feeling a bit more rational about it all! I am feeling as though this experience is not worth the extra 90 euros I get each month! Too much stress and too much time spent on something that, in my opinion, isn't a necessity for elementary school kids!
Ok....gripe over!!
Martine and I were checking up on what we had sent to the company publishing our yearbook. We wanted to make sure we were on the right track. However, the response we got was not all that great. The woman that is our helper person - Judy Jo - told us that we didn't "package" the document the right way. Now I'm not one to disagree....actually, I'm totally one to disagree! I emailed her back today and said that we followed the "packaging" procedures the way they were outlined and was confused about why it didn't help. Anyway...we haven't heard back from her as of yet. Or at least not by the time we left school. Hopefully we have a response by the morning.
So this morning, as I was reading Miss Judy Jo's emails, I became more and more upset. By the time I got to school, I was so frustrated that I was ready to cry! I went up to the Library to just give the "oh my God, I can't believe this crap!" look to Martine, but she was in the same mood as I and didn't want to talk. I don't blame her, because I don't think I could talk then either. I feel like I just needed to know that we were both feeling the same thing.
Now...as the day and evening has worn on, I've become a bit more calm and cool and collected - still pissed to high heaven, but....at least I'm feeling a bit more rational about it all! I am feeling as though this experience is not worth the extra 90 euros I get each month! Too much stress and too much time spent on something that, in my opinion, isn't a necessity for elementary school kids!
Ok....gripe over!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Transitioning Moments
What do you do when you have to cover your butt, but you don't really want to do that? What I mean by this is: I'm searching for a teaching job. I'd like it to be back in California where my condo is currently and sadly sitting empty. I'm in a holding pattern with one school, and because of that, I'm starting to look at other schools (international schools - and other states) to work at. I would prefer to go home. I've been away for 2 yrs and am homesick. But...in a weird way, I'm kind of excited about the prospect of living in another country....
So....here lies my quandary. Do I forge ahead and cover my butt so that I have a paying job next year, or do I hold out that there will be a position for me in California? I think I know that answer, but that answer is putting me at odds with myself. I want a job, but I want it where I want it. So....I suppose that I'll still have to be patient and wait for a position to show itself to me and then....we'll see where I end up. I guess I just need to let the breeze take me where it will take me!
I really don't enjoy transitions....but the thought of a new adventure is kind of alluring!
So....here lies my quandary. Do I forge ahead and cover my butt so that I have a paying job next year, or do I hold out that there will be a position for me in California? I think I know that answer, but that answer is putting me at odds with myself. I want a job, but I want it where I want it. So....I suppose that I'll still have to be patient and wait for a position to show itself to me and then....we'll see where I end up. I guess I just need to let the breeze take me where it will take me!
I really don't enjoy transitions....but the thought of a new adventure is kind of alluring!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Saturday Morning
A little poem to bring in the day...
On Saturday morning the weather was dull
The air was cold and the birds sat still
But all the colors surrounded my skull
And made me think of sharing some skill.
All around me there seemed to be quiet
Then a plane shot overhead and roared
No sighting of the plane in the dim light
But through the clouds it surely did soar.
Sleep was what I wanted today
But the world wanted me awake
for what I really cannot say
Become clear for goodness sake!
A list of items to be done
Is filling my mind right now
Twill be hard without the sun
To complete all with a bow!
Yawning, stretching, all in all,
I know that it will be okay
I would love to go out and hit a ball
But I cannot do that today.
So here I end to get to work
Upon that list that lingers
I will really try to not shirk
my jobs today with my fingers.
On Saturday morning the weather was dull
The air was cold and the birds sat still
But all the colors surrounded my skull
And made me think of sharing some skill.
All around me there seemed to be quiet
Then a plane shot overhead and roared
No sighting of the plane in the dim light
But through the clouds it surely did soar.
Sleep was what I wanted today
But the world wanted me awake
for what I really cannot say
Become clear for goodness sake!
A list of items to be done
Is filling my mind right now
Twill be hard without the sun
To complete all with a bow!
Yawning, stretching, all in all,
I know that it will be okay
I would love to go out and hit a ball
But I cannot do that today.
So here I end to get to work
Upon that list that lingers
I will really try to not shirk
my jobs today with my fingers.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Joy of Friday
I absolutely love Friday's. Let me tell you a few reasons why:
1. It signifies the weekend.
2. I have 2 preps with lunch in between (so basically I don't see my kids for about 2 1/2 hrs today - bliss *sigh*)
3. Frequently there is alcohol being served after school in the teacher's lounge to help us unwind from the week (you can't do this in the states!!) Supposedly some of our Irish parents are going to teach us how to make Irish Coffee the Irish way after school today - too bad I don't like coffee, maybe they'll let me just have the shot??
And today, so far, the sun is peeking out of a thin layer of cloud cover (my spirits are raised already because of that!). The rain has stopped so the kids get to go outside for recess today!Yippeeeeeeeeee! 19 first graders stuck inside all day is NOT a good thing!
Even though I have some homework to catch up with, and my apt needs to be cleaned this weekend, I'm looking forward to enjoying this Friday for what it will bring! At the moment it's definitely bringing me joy!
I hope that everyone out there has just as pleasant of a Friday as I hope to have! TGIF!
1. It signifies the weekend.
2. I have 2 preps with lunch in between (so basically I don't see my kids for about 2 1/2 hrs today - bliss *sigh*)
3. Frequently there is alcohol being served after school in the teacher's lounge to help us unwind from the week (you can't do this in the states!!) Supposedly some of our Irish parents are going to teach us how to make Irish Coffee the Irish way after school today - too bad I don't like coffee, maybe they'll let me just have the shot??
And today, so far, the sun is peeking out of a thin layer of cloud cover (my spirits are raised already because of that!). The rain has stopped so the kids get to go outside for recess today!Yippeeeeeeeeee! 19 first graders stuck inside all day is NOT a good thing!
Even though I have some homework to catch up with, and my apt needs to be cleaned this weekend, I'm looking forward to enjoying this Friday for what it will bring! At the moment it's definitely bringing me joy!
I hope that everyone out there has just as pleasant of a Friday as I hope to have! TGIF!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Weather, weather, weather....
I'm so ready for spring I can taste. It's so close....the crocus' are starting to bloom. But today is a great example of German weather. It started out cloudy - not raining - just cloudy. Then there was a bit of a break in the clouds and the sun shone through for a bit. While the kids were at their lunch recess, a freak cloud burst happened and it started to pour - all the while you could still see blue skies and the sun. Then it stopped and the sun shone once more. The same thing happened at the kid's last recess. As they were coming in, another raincloud burst upon them! It was so crazy!
As I came home from the store the sun was out and there was a pretty blue sky with a few clouds scattered here and there. As the sun set, though, the clouds start to come together....I'm sure there will be another bit of raining tonight!
I'm done with the crazy German weather. I would like to be in the desert right now where the sun shines all the time and the sky is more or less empty of clouds! That would be fabulous....I guess I just need to wait a few more months for that one to happen, though, won't I?
As I came home from the store the sun was out and there was a pretty blue sky with a few clouds scattered here and there. As the sun set, though, the clouds start to come together....I'm sure there will be another bit of raining tonight!
I'm done with the crazy German weather. I would like to be in the desert right now where the sun shines all the time and the sky is more or less empty of clouds! That would be fabulous....I guess I just need to wait a few more months for that one to happen, though, won't I?
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