So, just as I got a new job, the blog went dead. Partly, I suppose, I was just overwhelmed by two jobs. At the same time, though, I think I needed to take a break - we were dealing with the finding work, transportation, an apartment, and just getting out lives put back together after Tawain.
But here I am now. With yet another new job, a new, new apartment (as opposed to the new apartment, which happened 3 months ago, that we’ve already moved out of), and even a new scooter!
I feel like there’s too much to write all at once in one big post, so I’m going to cut this one off here. I’m back, though, so you’ll be hearing more soon enough.
Woo! I’ve got a conditional job offer from those interviews I had last week! The condition is only that I be able to pass a drug test and a physical capacity evaluation at a level high enough to please the company that provides the workerman’s comp coverage for the library.
I’ve been offered the position of Public Services Specialst in Youth Services at the local library. I am super, super, stoked. I’ll be doing readers’ advisory mostly - being out in the Youth/Children’s sections of the library, answering questions, helping people find materials, blogging (sweet!!!), and possibly even helping some of the programming if there’s time (it’s only a part-time gig, and I work all day Saturday, which I’m told is a pretty busy day).
The best part, though, may just be the schedule - I’ll be working Wed, Thur, & Fri nights from 5-9, and all day Saturday. This means my Mondays are open, and I’ll be able to squeeze in trips to KC for the Sunflower Knitting Guild, which I’m planning to join. Heh. Like I said to Jo and Carmen in the comments of the post I linked earlier, the power and awesomeness of gathered knitters was something I’d only read about before - now that I’ve experienced it in person, I’m not sure why I never went seeking it out before! The little taste I got just at the vendors market for KITH (as the cool kids all seem to call it) seems to have hooked me!
So, this job of mine. It’s not exactly the goldmine of blog fodder like the last one was at times. But, it keeps me busy, and one of these days, I’ll even get paid for it (monthly paychecks! what rotten scheme is that?). It’s interesting, though.
I’m working as a para at an elementary school. I work with special needs kids in a so-called self-contained room, although almost all of the kids leave the room as often as possible to join their peers in the classroom. Our students are mostly dealing with either Down’s Syndrome or autism, so it can get a little weird and shouty and stubborn at times (like, around 1:15 in the afternoon, almost every day). It’s okay, though, since I get to do fun stuff like put one of my kids into a top so he can spin around. Seriously. It’s a big top, maybe 2.5 ft across at the top. He just plops in like you do in a papasan chair, and then he can roll around, almost like his own personal Tilt-a-Whirl. It’s not an everyday thing, but still. There’s a top, it is large enough for a 4th grader to sit in, and he spins around. Cool, huh?
Hey, I’m bite-free!
I know you were just sitting on the edge of your chair, hitting refresh every 10 seconds, waiting to hear if I was okay. Rest easy, okay? I’m fine.
The job is good. It’s a new experience, and so somethings are still weird, but overall, it’s good. I’ve got another interview for a second job scheduled for Monday - it’s one I’d really like, so send the good mojo my way Monday afternoon between 4 and 5 central time. More details on that when I know more myself, as I’d hate to jinx it!
Oh, okay, so I’m running again. (Wooooo!!!!!) My times are fairly slow, and it frustrates me mostly because they’re a bit slower than they were last summer before I left for Taiwan. Of course, back then I did the Couch to 5k before I started in with Hal Higdon’s Spring Training, and this time I just jumped in with the spring training, but still. I want my old times back now, please. But, of course, my legs have other thoughts - not getting injured, perhaps - and insist on going a bit slower. I know it’ll get better, and as it warms up, I’ll be able to start running in the mornings before work (and before eating!), which I vastly prefer to running in the afternoon or evening. In the past, afternoon runs always seemed slower, as if the day’s work (or was it the day’s food?) was slowing me down. It’s okay though. I’ll keep going, and I’ll improve, and I’ll be healthier and happier for it, right? Plus, I’ve got myself a few long-distance training partners to keep me on my toes, pushing me to greater and greater distances. Tomorrow may only be 3 miles, but this fall? Marathon, baby.
Oh, yeah. It’s on.
…although it might seem like I was, since it’s been forever since I posted.
Life has been sort of nuts, what with looking for cars, getting a car, looking for jobs, getting jobs, visiting friends and family, and who knows what else I’m forgetting.
I’m off to my new job this morning. I found a para position in an elementary school in the same district my parents teach in (nepotism is a wonderful thing when it works for you). It’s a special ed. position, so that should be interesting. I’ve never done special education, and it’s a little worrisome. I’m not entirely comfortable with it, but I’ve been told over and over that I’ll be fine and it’s not as scary as I think it might be. And then, Seth tells me what to do if I get bitten. Yeah. That inspires confidence.
Today, I did many things. I got up early and read the newspaper. I made breakfast. I bought a new nike+ kit since my first sensor died. I ran. I applied for a job. Also, Lindsay and I went to Chipotle for lunch. It was tasty. You can see the photographic evidence here: Lunch at Chipotle
Oh my. This is so boring. Tomorrow, perhaps, I’ll write a better post. It might be fictional, though. You’d be okay with that, right? Let me know.
Today was a good day. We slept late, ate some food we’ve been craving (coughTacoBellcough), and I went for a run. It was short, but it felt good, and I’m going to do it again. Not tomorrow, probably, but Thursday for sure. For now, though, although I’m more or less adjusted to the time, I am super-sleepy. Usually as I write these posts near midnight I’m tired, but not sleepy. Of course, usually I’d just finished working 2 or 3 hours ago, and we still not finished decompressing from the work day. I don’t really have that problem just now, what with being unemployed and all (rectifying that situation, or at least laying the groundwork to recitfy it, is the plan for tomorrow), so I’m going to go to sleep now.
Uumph. Last day of teaching - you’d think I’d be jumping for joy. Instead, I’m tired down to my bones, and plan to sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Things I Can Do In The US That I Can’t Do In Taiwan:
- Read nutrition labels and get back to eating better using foods I know and love. Mmm….
Only 2 more working days left! Woooo!
Not much else to say now, though. Still no tickets (eep!), more and more excitement as the trip home draws near. Also, I’m re-reading a fantastic book, so I’m sort of pre-occupied with that. So, yeah. Back to reading.
Things I Can Do In The US That I Can’t Do In Taiwan:
- Buy shoes without the need to visit a specialty shop. My size 10s are way past biggish and well into freakish territory here.
Well, crap on a stick and call it a corndog! The sun came out today! We didn’t get to enjoy it much, since we had to go to work, but the rain-free ride there and back was a pleasant change.
It looks like we’ve found a buyer for almost everything we weren’t planning to pack, which is nice. It’s a good deal on both sides, as she’s getting lots for a song and we don’t have to worry about what to do with all of our stuff.
In other non-news, I feel like I’m coming down with something, and am actively considering going to sleep now, well before 10pm. After all, we’ve got plans to play tourist again tomorrow, so I’d hate to be a big grey cloud (with a drippy nose and gurgly tummy) hanging over our day.
* I miscounted yesterday. We leave on March 3rd!