An end, a middle, a beginning

I realize that I've been negligent in my posting this spring. I've found that one faces a bit of disillusionment in the spring of the first year of teaching. It doesn't even have to be a whole year, but about 2/3 of the way through I found myself having thoughts like "I went to school for this?" and "Are we there yet?" and "How can it be only FEBRUARY?!" I'm entirely convinced that in the 6 weeks of March and early April, less learning takes place than over summer vacation. But overall, I feel that I've had a wonderful first year of teaching in the real world. I taught last year, but this was the first year that I've ever worked in an un-sheltered situation, on my own, with a real paycheck, real boss, and real responsibility. The school, staff and principal that I had the opportunity to work with was amazing and I've decided to stay another year. Originally this was just a step in the door to a higher paying job, but the happiness and success that I experienced this year can't be bought nor guaranteed with money. So I will return. Yesterday was the last day of school and it feels very surreal to be finished. This is my end for the time being.

My middle news is that I work at Kohl's a few evenings per week. I started in March, realized I hated it, wanted to quit, but decided to stick it out until the end of school. Then when I handed in my 2 week notice, they convinced me to stay on for the employee discount. I only have to work once every 30 days to utilize said discount, so I figured that I can handle this. It's really quite enjoyable now that I've straightened out the "I can't work late because I'm a depressed monster without sleep" issue. Now they know not to schedule me past a certain time and we're all much happier. So there's a tidbit that not many of you may have known.

On Tuesday I start a summer part time job as an office "temp" doing some secretarial work. Which I love, by the way. When/if I'm done teaching, I will be an administrative assistant. Being the organization fiend that I am, secretarial tasks are right up my alley. The company is called KAT productions, and they do public health education and event planning for Native Americans. The company is owned by the sister and brother-in-law of the Speech Pathologist at my school, whom I have become VERY good friends with this year. I'm super excited.

Also on the summer agenda are summer classes for professional development and a "lane change", trips to other states despite the incomprehensibly high gas prices, and pursuing the crossing off of books on my list of classic books to read. I'm very pleased and excited.

So that's the update! My apologies for the massive gap in posts. It's been quite a spring. But I'm back. And I'm ready for a great summer. Woo Hoo!