The winds of change are blowin'

Been really busy which isn't really a good excuse for why I haven't blogged. It's sorta lame really, BUT I have been busy!

I've had a BUNCH of job interviews!!! See, I told ya! Good busy!

I was offered a job with Macy's but had to turn it down because it was not enough money and not enough hours. That was hard because I tried so hard to get an interview to then have to turn it down was rough. But it had no benefits either!

I also had a job interview with a dog training school at a vet. It sounded good but.... well, while I love my dog, I don't think it would be the best fit for me. I don't want to get pooped or peed on. Or bit. And i didn't want to deal with idiot dog owners who were 20 sorts of upset that Duke the Dog wouldn't mind or behave but after 10 minutes I would know it was the human's fault, not the dog. I wasn't offered either so my feelings might've come through in the interview.

I had an interview at a library but from the time I applied to the interview the job description changed and it was to be a substitute library assistant at a huge city library and their regional branches. Yes, a substitute. So, like with sub teaching, there would be no set schedule and not guaranteed hours. Can't live on that!

There are a few more but they're very promising and I don't want to say anything to jinx it. But cross your fingers because I think I might have something!

Mags

No hospitality during an interview

In addition to my shitty outcome of the teaching gig, I had another interview. I applied online for a not named hotel chain for a low level management position. I actually was called by the corporate HR person and on the phone she told me the following:

• there were various positions open: guest services, marketing/sales, and in HR
• there are 6 hotels in my area and all of them have openings
• their goal is to place a person in the hotel closest to where a person lives, if possible
• the positions are mostly day shifts, mostly M-F, and mostly 8a-5p, though there will be occasional times of working evenings, weekends or holidays, depending on the position, but these times are rare
• I would be interviewing panel style with a member of the corporate marketing/ sales department, a corporate HR person (not the woman on the phone), and 1 or 2 hotel managers from the area. After the panel interview I could have individual interviews with any or all of these people.
• the positions pay between $10-14 per hour depending on the job
• all people will be hired at the interview, or will hear before the end of that day
  

Sounds great, right? I even took an entire day off since I had to drive 2 hours for the interview.

The reality, however, was this:

• the only position available was "guest services representative" which was primarily "front desk clerk"
• the only hotel with an opening was the one I was at
• the hotel with the opening is about a 25 minute drive from where I would be living
• the hours were day shift, second shift and third shift. It was all rotating so I wouldn't be working just one but maybe something like: Monday days, Tuesday and Wednesday on second shift, off on Thursdays and then third shift on Friday and Saturday and be off on Sunday. This would also not be a set schedule- it could change week to week, day to day. This is obviously NOT weekdays nor is it days. AND the woman who interviewed me said everyone works all holidays or is immediately discharged.
• I arrived and was introduced to 4 women and then the one who was a hotel manager took me to a supply closet with 2 chairs for an interview because she "didn't have any space elsewhere." Uhhhh, we're in a hotel and there was no room to convert into a meeting room???? And there was no panel interview at any time.
• it pays minimum wage
• I wasn't told either way if I was hired or not when I left
  

The woman who interviewed me was the manager at that hotel. She asked me typical interview questions and wrote down all my answer either word for word or she abbreviated. And she wrote in loopy, huge handwriting with neon orange pen. Just an observation.

She couldn't believe I had hours toward my master's degree but said it in that way where she wasn't impressed at all, but it came with a nose wrinkle and a look of disgust. Or jealousy.

She told me that it was a residential hotel with most clientele having an average stay of 7-15 days. Most clients were men ages 35-44 and she looked at my naked ring finger and emphasized it was NOT appropriate to fraternize at any time with guests. And then she arched her eyebrow at me. Well, gee if I can't screw the guests why would I want this gig?

She also said that every single person does laundry or cleans rooms daily and she doesn't want there to ever be "laundry drama". I'm not sure what that means. I mean, it's laundry. How much drama does laundry cause? She mentioned about 20 times during the 15 minute interview that she did not tolerate drama in her hotel. Uhhhh, okay.

AND she was the manager who worked 365/24/7 and expects no less from her small team of staff.

She briefly mentioned that there are benefits but none of them are available until the 6 month mark, but PTO starts accruing on day one, but can't use it for 6 months.

She then sent me on my way and told me if I was going to be hired I would know by Friday.

Uh, no. In no way would I want to work for this organization. At all. Ever. No.

Nor will I stay at this hotel. At all. Ever. No.

Not the best exposure to the hospitality industry.

Mags

A job is a job is a job...an interview is an interview is an... oh whatever!

Yesterday I interviewed at my school for an opening as an English teacher. I still don't have a license in my state but since I'm supposed to go to school and take those 6 hours to have my teacher certificate by Christmas, I was a perfect candidate.

My principal said he was going to do "due diligence"- he wanted to interview everyone and follow all the proper protocols so he could pitch to our Superintendent that everyone wanted me for the job.

So I interviewed with him as well as the other 3 core teachers with whom I'd be working with daily. I did pretty well in the interview- my principal told me later I did very well and stayed true to what I believed and presented well to the committee.

I was going to know by tomorrow if I got the job.

My principal called me tonight and I didn't get the job. The Super said she will NOT get an emergency certificate for anyone if there is a qualified candidate. She will not me a break. My principal felt like crap but it was the way it was. He said he really wants to see me get a certificate and he and the committee found a way to get a job as soon as I was certified and as soon as one was open.

I dunno.

It's disappointing. even an old principal called the Super on my behalf to no avail. I've worked for this woman for 3 years and can't catch a break. Apparently, she told my principal she would love to see me teach but I need to prove I want it by getting my certificate.

It must be nice for her to sit and make these rules and choices. She makes about $70k a year; she can say that but she must not care nor realize that to go to school I need money but to have enough money I need a job. Catch-22.

Shot down again.

I could bitch and moan but it doesn't matter anymore.

Maggie

Random rantings

The other night I was writing a blog post with my laptop open on my lap, and one head phone plugged into his MP3 player. My phone beeped so I read the text and looked at Tweets. There was a Tweet about a book I wanted so I grabbed my Nook to order it directly on my device because it's easier to do. My boyfriend was teasing me, asking me if I wanted another piece of technology since it didn't appear that I had enough in my lap all at once.

If a place offers "Free Wi-Fi" then why is a password required? And when inquiring about the password, no one who works there knows what it is?

I wish people would do their damn jobs. We get 15 copies of two different newspapers at our school every day for student use. These are free to our school and to our students. I called and talked to the person in charge of the program to tell her we would be on a July break for 3 weeks. I've worked with this woman lots of times before. I gave her the dates that we wouldn't need delivery. She took all the info; this woman is usually on top of stuff, never giving me the brush off and is always prompt in returning my calls, and is usually very helpful. So I told her we didn't need papers for three weeks and I thought we were good. Until I got back to school this week and learned from the janitors that the papers were delivered every single day for the entire 3 weeks and they had to be recycled, or worse, trashed. I was so irritated. I hate all that waste!

I am totally jonsing for an iPad. I want one so badly!

Right now dieting is so hard. I've done it for how many weeks yet right now I just want to eat scores of junk! I need MORE will-power! I keep telling myself that nothing tastes as good as thin feels but... I want Lemoncelo cake.

I have no tolerance for stupid people and those who don't do their fricking jobs.

So many good books are out right now that I can hardly stand it! And to top it off, there are about 50 movies coming out between now and Christmas that I want to see. I need to just be able to stay home and do nothing but go to the movies and read. I should be paid for that. i keep sayin'!

I applied for a job yesterday, out of town and out of education. I have no idea what I'm thinking except that it's not here and not dealing with kids.

Mags

Weird Job Interveiw

I interviewed for a job at work the other day. That sounds weird I know, but the residential program has a new program and I was approached and asked if I might be interested in hearing about a job. I said sure and went before a committee who basically seemed like they were trying to sell me on the position.

I'm not sure how I feel about it. I don't want to take a job just because of money or insurance, which sounds really weird since I've been bitching about money and insurance for years. BUT I LOVE my current job and it makes me so happy! I don't know if I want to take a job that, while it will be a pay boost (though I don't know how much yet) and have benefits, it's also going to about quadruple my stress level and I will be on call for periods of 24 hours at a time- a lot.

I also had an awkward and uncomfortable discussion with the CEO about "personal responsibility" and "spirituality" and "emotional maturity" and I didn't really like it. That's sent up lots of red flags, and I'm seriously thinking of taking my name off their list because of that little talk. This is a very political position and it will be working and living in a fish bowl for a year. There are people who want the new program to fail and other who want it to succeed and I just am not sure any of that suites me very well.

No one's offered me the job, yet, however, so I'm not counting any chickens before hatching.

What I really wish is that the person who is going to operate a new school program would take another job anywhere else, and then I could run the school and afford to get my last 2 classes for my certification. My prayers are "please let Mr. Person- Who -Is -Going- To -Run- The -School get another job so I can run the school".

Or maybe I'll just stay here as the librarian.

Mags

2012- the year of the JOB

I've started job hunting with a vengeance. I just cannot financially, mentally, emotionally do this any more, and I need a full time job with benefits and some serious cash. I can't keep working 4-6 jobs and still not have it all come together- even though I'll probably still need a part time job after I get a full time to just get myself out of this financial hole I've dug.

I stayed at Alcatraz because I love it and I honestly thought it would lead to something full time but it just isn't. I thought this is where God led me but I think not. Guess if I can think He brought me there I can think He's telling me to heck with it. I also thought ITSam and I might get married and I could still work there and be on his insurance and financially we would've been fine. That plan obviously didn't work. So, I've kicked job hunting into gear.

Between last Friday night and Monday afternoon I applied for 17 jobs, all of which I found on Career Builder. These are all over my home state, except for one and it was in Nashville. Of these 17, they are all things I am qualified to do, and all but one are outside of education. I've decided I want full time, out of education, with health benefits, NOT sales, and I have a minimum salary requirement. I will work any shift and I don't mind weekends or evenings.

Since I did this, I got 2 flat out rejection letters. One was pretty generic and the other told me they had some better qualified of the 500+ applicants they received. WTF?!? 500 PLUS applicants? Who said the economy was looking up???? Wow...

I heard from 2 people. One hiring director said the position was just part time, even though the ad was for full time. Crossed that one off. One lady said my salary requirement was hiring than what the position offered but she was passing my resume to her area manager who would have an opening next week. So... just a hurry up and wait there.

I haven't heard from any of the others yet.

As I apply for jobs, I see one company might have 3 or 4 positions I'm interested in but I have to fill out a separate application for every job. UGH! I'm doing it but it sure would be nice if there was a button to click to apply for them in bulk.

I also wish I was an engineer, in the medical field, knew something about online marketing strategies, truck driving, or knew something about computers because after I sort out the crappy jobs ("work from home!", " online full time now!", " get paid to work from home!") and then toss out the military positions and the part time positions, the bulk of what's left is in one of those fields. And I am so not qualified for any of that.

Africa is off the table right now. I got an email from my cousin who worked for the FBI who suggested that because of "internal strife" and "unstable government structures" and "US military predictions" that I stay out of there... while I combed the international news looking for headlines regarding these things in the specific areas I was looking at I came up short. I emailed her back and she "knows things" the rest of us don't. Guess I'm crossing Africa off the list for now!

So far, I've stayed here in my home state but AlaskaSam suggested I apply for a job in Anchorage. I am. I will. I'm going to. Tonight, I think. That could be... interesting.

I really, REALLY want to work in Ireland or England but I have no idea how to go about that. It's on my list to learn.

Operation JOB is in full swing. If any of you have any connections to anything that I might be able to do, email me with specifics please!!!

It's time to move on.
Mags

Random Sunday thoughts

I've been dreaming of buying new clothes. I even think I finally have achieved a professional look I want to carry on. So now, if I could get some money I'd go shopping. I love trousers and with heels, and blouses with cardigans and either necklaces or scarves.

Mac wants to see Arthur. I hated the first one and just do not like Russel Brand. Has anyone seen it and thinks it's worth taking him to see?

I discovered that if I open my blogger dashboard using Microsoft Explorer as my browser and I write and publish a blog post, there are no spaces where I hit the enter key to signify paragraphs. It makes the post one huge, giant paragraph. Another reason I hate Explorer.

I had a fight with ITSam yesterday- long story- and am considering ending this romance. XRayGIrl said if we were married would it be worth divorcing over and it just might. Anyway, when I get up this morning my computer and my wireless won't work. Is that a sign? I hate signs.

And then Mac came downstairs and before I could even open my mouth to ask him if he knew how to fix the computer, he held up one finger and said, "Mom, hold that thought. I'll fix it after I pee" and he did. Ha- to hell with signs!

I have a headache in the same spot, over and over again. I either have a tumor, lots of stress or need new glasses. The last time I had new glasses was in summer 2008. Might be about time to have the specs checked, eh?

Because we have summer school, I actually don't have the entire summer off like most people who work in education. I do, however, get three weeks to take at my choosing. If I am wise, I can use 13 of those days, the 4th of July holiday, and 8 hours of comp. time and be off from July 1- 24 which will feel pretty good to me. I'm saving 2 of those days to take Mac to college on Aug. 19-20.

I'm not sure I even want to get dressed and leave the house today. I have a good book and I need to do laundry. I want to make some cards with Daddy-O. I have food laid out for dinner. I'm thinking I might just be a worthless layabout for the day.

Speaking of card making, ever since I did the workshop at lunch with the kids at school, I've been making cards at home with Daddy-O. It's tons of fun. I really like it. There's even a card making workshop I want to go to in Northern Civilization. (SisIL you'll be hearing from me on this!)

And finally, please pray for me, send me good luck, go a dance, chant, rub Buddha, whatever you do because I applied for a job at the local prison. One of the Universities in my state has a program so inmates can earn college degrees. They actually staff an office at the prison and it has an opening. The administrative assistant there fills the role of secretary, registrar, financial aid liaison, and admissions reps. While you all know I LOVE working at the library, I need a full time job. With health benefits. I need MONEY. I'm hoping that with my brother's connection (he knows this guy because my Bro works at the prison and Bro told me about the job) and my ability to usually interview well., I'll be made an offer. Please please please.

That's it for the Sunday ramblings.
Maggie

Guess which dwarf I am today? (Other title: The news that isn't)

A few weeks ago I made a vague reference to something that could be good but I didn't want to jinx it. Well, at this point, I've surpassed the good feelings and don't really feel like anything I say here could jinx anything, at this point.

I had a job interview on Jan. 31. An interview within the Alcatraz corporation but not on this campus, but in Northern Civilization. It would have amazing hours, killer benefits, be permanent full time, and make about double to double and a half (can I have double and a half???) the money as what I do now. When I interviewed it was like the job description was plucked right off my resume. I am PERFECT for this job. It was made for me.

I could barely constrain myself from drooling over this job (though I did manage.) I thought I interviewed like a pro. I was there for 3 hours, met the team, and given the tour. She told me she had 1 other candidate to interview and she would submit names to her director. She left me feeling like it would be my job but she was going through the process of interviewing because she had to. Of course, she didn't give it to me but it just felt like she was going to hire me. The interview was THAT good. At the end she said I should know an answer either way, by Feb. 11.

Well, Feb. 11 has come and gone with no answer because the director went on vacation. She got back on Monday, Feb. 14. Though a woman on my current campus who works with the woman I interviewed with said she liked me. The woman I interviewed with liked me, that is. Yes, with all these women and no names, I realize this is rather convoluted.)

Then, on Wednesday, I ran into the woman who interviewed me here on my campus (she was here for a meeting). We made small talk and I just bluntly casually said I was waiting to hear from her. She said, and I quote, "I submitted my candidate list to N***** and am just waiting to here from her." Then she wouldn't make eye contact with me. Our chat before had been fine before that but then she was all lack of eye contact and skittish with me. From her body language, intonation, her non verbal cues, and her word choice, I am pretty sure this is not going to be my job.

And we do not have some sort of company HR procedure that wouldn't let her tell me there. She could've said my name was on the list. I think the omission is the answer. She might not want to tell me in the middle of a cafeteria lunch that I didn't get the job but there would be nothing wrong with telling me I was on the list with the other candidates.

I've decided what's worse than the interview is the not knowing.

And I still don't know. I would be satisfied with a "no" at this point, just to put me out of my misery.

Guess it's not such a great, big, wonderful newsy possibility after all.

Grumpy Maggie

Still stressed, still whining

I hate those days when nothing really goes according to plan. Yesterday was one of those days. I had great expectations for my Tuesday but it all went to hell in hand basket.

I originally took yesterday off from work because I was supposed to have a doctor appointment and I was supposed to take a scrapbook class. The scrapbook class was actually after work but the doctor appoint was in Northern Civilization and during the work day. So last week I took the day off and scheduled a substitute.

On Friday of last week, the Planned Parenthood I go to for my physical called and said that from now on they don't do annual physical appointments on Mondays and Tuesdays. Due to budget cuts they need to re-schedule me on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

I figured I would go ahead and take the day off anyway, maybe go to Northern Civilization earlier in the day and hang out at the book stores or in my favorite park with a Starbucks if the weather was nice. Daddy-O talked about going with me as well.

Well, last night Daddy-O decided to not go with me, due to finances. Then the scrapbook store called and canceled my class because not enough people signed up! Well, damn! I gave some serious thought to calling my sub and canceling, just going to work but I couldn't find her number anywhere. I consoled myself with the fact that I could use a mental health day and would stay home with my laptop, in my jammies, drinking coffee and doing a mass resume mailing in an effort to get a new job.

Well, that didn't work. Partially it was my fault, I realize.

Mac woke up with a HUGE headache, sinus pressure, clogged nose, ear ache and sore throat. I told him he could stay home and sleep but he had to go to school because he has play practice this week. The show is Thursday night and this is dress rehearsal week. I know he's been so busy and tired, burning the candle at both ends with school until 315, cheer leading 330-6pm and then play practice 6-9pm Then homework after that. So, I figures he was very run down. I also know that right now the sinus issues for folks are off the charts bad right now with our freaky weather. The Weather Channel TV station was even talking about the sinus/ weather problems here in the Midwest right now. So, I told him he could stay home and sleep half a day.

Around 11:30am he announces that he doesn't "have" to go to school because the rule of "no school= no activities" is only for sports. So he ended up staying home all day. That totally messed with my mental health time because he started filling out college applications which meant he hit me with twenty questions. Then he wanted to know if he could re-take the SAT and when and it costs $50. Then College 2's application cost $50. It was all about money. I finally told him to shut up, go away and leave me alone.

I also had a huge conversation with Mac's cheer leading coach about tomorrow. There's an athletic awards dinner. He has to be there, dressed up. Also, he has lifting and it's a dress rehearsal for the play (the play is tomorrow night), and he has to bring a covered dish. Damn it, I can't catch a break. I did pack his gym bag, making sure he had everything he needed so we don't have to run back and forth, making extra trips. And I got a brownie mix for his contribution to the meal.

Then last night I decided to watch a movie called The Ultimate Heist and nowhere on the box did it way it was a French film that had been dubbed over. Badly dubbed over and very boring. By the way, it sucked. What pisses me off, is that a few of the French actors speak English and they didn't even do their parts in the voice over. It's pretty terrible. Jean Reno is in it and he didn't do his English either. Suckage.

I did get some job applications done; that's the good part. Not as many as I wanted but at least I got some done. So much for a relaxing, mental health day.

Feh.

Maggie

Day 1- I love teaching, right?

First teacher day...

• Rocky start because the computer in my room had no printer. It was also not connected to the network printer. And the school's IT guy was at a meeting. So I called the campus IT guy (It wasn't ITSam; he's off work today) who came over and installed printers for me.
• Half of the time my log in works and half the time it doesn't
• We had a good teacher "rah rah" meeting and I learned lots.
• my brain took in so much I feel over loaded
• the lady for whom I'm covering was at the meeting today and doesn't want me to get her stuff out, which I was sort of counting on, so now I have to bring my own stuff because I have empty walls and empty bookcases. (By stuff I mean her classroom library, her posters, etc. I don't have a firm reason why she doesn't want me to use it but she alluded to the fact it could be because she doesn't want me responsible for her stuff if something were to happen). Which means I have to make a trip to the garage to find SOME of my stuff. I'm not bringing all 37 boxes of books...
  
• I'm coming to the conclusion that teachers are... snotty. They sit in their own groups and don't let other people "in". They are very clique oriented. I don't mind that, really, but it just was a firm reminder today. I'm okay with that but it was just off putting.
• I have 3 sections of freshmen English and 2 sections of juniors. I have a total of 54 kids for the entire day. I get a whole prep period, and additionally I get an 80 minute prep/ lunch combo period.
  
• I feel like I'm going to either throw up or cry from nerves. I want to do a good job and I'm just a wreck. I spent plenty of time prepping and I've done this for about 10 years so I don't know what my problem is.

About the interview:

• it seemed to go well. The woman who interviewed me said she wants to hire me and she just has to check with HR to make sure she doesn't have to interview other candidates. If not, the job is mine.
• It's a second shift receptionist position: Fridays from 4-10pm and on Saturdays from 230-10pm. This is every third weekend only. Not bad. She thinks it pays $9 an hour. Not bad for about 14 hours a month.
• I'll know something about this by next Wednesday.

I'm really tired. I was at school by 7:15 am today. I was up most of the night worrying about today. I think I got about 4 hours of sleep. I got home from school around 545pm today. I'm feeling sleepy and exhausted and, like I said, nervous to the verge of vomit or tears. I'm going to go and make sure my black pants are clean. And fix dinner. Why in the world did I think I would be in the mood to cook dinner for 5 people tonight? I think lack of sleep might be adding to my stress level.

Tomorrow is the first kid day. Bring it.

Mags

Short and sweet... and more later tonight!

Today is the first teacher day at school. I promise an update tonight!

Ummm, and did I also mention today I have an interview for a part-time job, too?

And it's thunder storming right now. Maybe rain means "Good luck" to me since I had three interviews and 3 offers last week when it was storming...

Follow up to this morning's post: "2 interivews, 3 jobs... explode"

I had the English teacher at Alcatraz interview today. I felt like it went well. It was casual but serious. It also, almost, had that *wink wink nudge nudge* feel to it, like it was a game because they were so happy with me. Who knows, I could be wrong, but I feel like it went really really well. And I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach they're going to offer it to me.

I did learn three things about it:
1- it's going to be for 6 weeks and no more. There isn't even a hint or a clue it could be longer. The other teacher is VERY committed to coming back
2- It would be for three sections of freshmen English and for 2 sections of Junior English
3- it would all be for sub pay. Yes, it would be a totally temp. position for substitute teacher pay= $52 a day. Grading, lesson plans, teaching, prep, all for the low low price of $52 a day.

Guess I'll be hearing from everyone in on Wednesday. Since school starts AUGUST 12!!!

2 Interviews, 3 jobs, Maggie's head explodes

I have two job interviews today. I had one this morning and another yet this afternoon.

This morning, I had an interview with a program that oversees all the special education kids in the county. They work with the school corporations to make sure all services are being provided to the kids. They also hire some teachers and some aides and assign them to classes at certain schools. This is the place I worked for last school year who assigned me to the middle school.

I had two things happen at this interview. One, I was offered a job because I was, technically, still employed with them. The other thing that happened is that a different local school corporation has a job opening so they interviewed me. This all makes complete sense, right?

The job I interviewed for is to be an aide in a different middle school. I would be working with 7 and 8 grade kids in math and English. I'll know tomorrow if I'm offered this position. The pay for this is about $1.50 less than what I make now and the insurance SUCKS! This job would be for the entire 2010-2011 school year.

If I don't get the middle school aide job, I do have a fall back. I have a job. As an aide to a blind second grader. I would spend all day in second grade with this child. The insurance SUCKS but it's a continuation of what I make right now, money wise. This is also a full school year position.

So, tomorrow I'll get a phone call and be told I have a choice between the two, or that I can have the blind child job.

Let's throw this in the mix as well. I have a job interview today at Alcatraz. I'm interviewing to fill a maternity leave for an English teacher. It could be 6 or 9 weeks; they aren't even sure yet. But regardless, it's temporary but it would be teaching, and it would be all me teaching in my own room. At teacher pay. But temporary. (the science thing is a no go for two reasons. 1- I don't have enough science credits to get an emergency certification for that. 2- I don't have a teaching license here in this state so they can't get me a waiver to teach it.)

The English teacher interview is this afternoon at 3:15pm. Guess I'll know more then.

Temporary jobs? Less pay? Second grade, seriously, second grade? Crappy benefits?

My head hurts,
Maggie

What I should be doing today vs what I will be doing

I do not want to see Charlie St. Cloud. I thought it was about something else and I agreed to take Mac to see it- for some reason he only wanted to see it with me- and then when I read what it was about, I totally don't want to go. I don't even like Zac Efron. And if I try to bail or suggest something else, he'll be a butthead. But I have so many other things I'd rather be doing.

One of the other things I'd rather be doing is cleaning the garage. Maybe I should rephrase that. I wouldn't rather be doing it but it needs to be done. it needs to be done because I have crap all over the place in said Daddy-O's garage. And because my brother has some furniture for me and wants it out of his garage so he said he bringing it here on Wednesday. Whether I have a place for it or not. O-kay!

I also have something I NEED to do. I need to rework my resume and write a few cover letters because I might have an interview on Tuesday. For a science teacher job. That's right, you read correctly: SCIENCE TEACHER. Go ahead and laugh. I'll wait.... Alcatraz's science teacher quit suddenly and they only have 2 applicants. In my State, according to put weird department of education, I could be granted a 1 year teaching certificate even though I have 12 science credits to my name, and six of those hours were Ds. Yeah. But they think I could be a better fit. So the interview team is going to interview to other 2 candidates and if they decide they don't like them, they'll bring me in. So I maybe have a job interview on Tuesday. I need to get my info to the principal tomorrow morning so instead of seeing the movie I should be working.

On top of all this, I'm also going to ITSam's folk's house for Sunday dinner. Mac is invited to go too, but we'll see if he actually does. I realize I could say no, but I want to go to dinner. it's fun, it's good and it means I don't have to cook.

I have a feeling what will happen is that we'll see the movie, have Sunday dinner and then I'll have the evening to do my resume stuff. Nothing like a little weekend procrastination to spice things up. Bummer, no time for the garage...

Pity Party for One, please

The plan was to move back here to Civilization in December 2008 and have a full time job with benefits in or very near my hometown in about three months. I would then rent an apartment or a house and stay here until Mac graduated from high school. Then I would either continue, or I would see where my wanderlust took me next.

Well, as the title implies, things didn't go according to plan.

I have applied for at least 200 plus jobs in the last 18 months and none have come to full time fruition. I receive lash praise from colleagues and students each time I enter the teaching arena but I have no teaching license in my home state and need money to afford school to do this, which is a Catch 22= I can't afford school since I don't have a full time job and I can't get a full time job in teaching without a license. And, apparently, I can't seem to get a full time job OUT of education because everyone and their brother is still unemployed. Fuck that the experts say about employment being back on the rise; anyone unemployed in the Midwest will tell you otherwise.

And of that over 200 jobs I've applied for, about 90% are outside of education, so yes, I'm apply all over the place, trying just about anything as one might be known to do when one is desperate.

This summer I'm teaching at Alcatraz and I've applied for a job at a local mental health center, still having not heard anything. I was given a sterling recommendation so I hope that will at least merit an interview, IF they decide to look at people externally. But when the summer ends, it seems I'm back on the substitute teaching list if nothing else comes along.

This summer I had high hopes of living and working in Ireland, but that fell through; I was having help on that end to find a job and a place to live but to no avail. I would've been happy as a live in au pair or a house sitter and a bartender, but the person who was helping didn't seemed to inclined to really "help" so it just became another dream, another disappointment.

I hate it when nothing goes according to plan.

I'm trying to find work and it's not working. I'm stressed to the point of breaking. I'm on the verge of tears all the time. I get home from school and want nothing more than to sleep from 3pm until I have to get up the next day. My uncle (and aunt) where here a short time ago and my uncle adds to my stress... because I don't have a job. Well, duh. If I could get one, at this point, don't ya think I would? It's always on my mind and having it in my face doesn't help.

I worry about EVERYTHING. ALL the time. Sometimes I think it would be easier to crawl into the deep dark recesses of my mind and think about what it would be like to not have to worry about it all, and what I could do to make life easier for everyone, self included, eventually. Those thoughts aren't usually good. I feel like an inmate who's been left in charge of the asylum.

This isn't where I wanted to be or who I want to be. Sometimes, though, a person just doesn't have any means to control... anything.

Mags

From 0 to 2 in less than 24 hours!

Okay, so now.................................. I have 2 job offers, both are full time until the end of the school year only. So it's full time permanent employment until June 2010.

Apparently, the woman who had all the experience ended up getting a full time job and didn't want the maternity leave, so it's back to me. I can have it it I want it. Remember, it's teaching four periods of 7th grade writing, and 1 period of 7th grade reading. The other job I was offered is as a special education aide, where I assist as certain group of kids during the school day; I move from room to room with them. These are mostly 8th graders, with a handful of 6th and 7th thrown in during a private study hall for special education kids only called "resource."

So what do I do? Feed back would be helpful, if anyone has any insight to provide. I like the way you people think so the scope of your thought process would be appreciated.

I've compiled a PRO and CON list below to help ya'll out. (SpEd will be the special education paraprofessional job and Eng. will be short for the English teacher job)

PROS:
SpEd: I like the kids. I also like my immediate supervisor. I like the challenge. There is no homework to grade, unless I want to make some extra work for myself, but it's not necessary. I would know how much I'm getting paid by the hour and I would have benefits. Everything would go into affect on Monday- pay and benefits, etc. I wouldn't have to apply for an emergency certification at all. There is a chance this position could turn into a job next school year as well; a slight chance but still a chance. I get to "teach" a reading class, even though I wouldn't be the teacher of record I would still get to be the person doing the lessons and actual classroom insturction during 2 periods a day.

Eng: I would have my own classroom and space. I would be the teacher in charge and of record, doing my own thing. I would be teaching! This position pays every other Friday. If I were paid "salaried" the money and benefits are MUCH better than the SpEd position. I like the 7th grade teachers; they're a nice and positive team.

CONS:
SpEd: I wouldn't have my own classroom or space; I move around so there's no space to call my own. I have no background in special education so I'm nervous. I only get paid for days when there is school because it's an hourly position, rather than salary, so if school is canceled for a snow day, I lose a day's pay. They only pay twice a month: the 15th and last day of the month and they run 2 weeks in arrears.

Eng: I would have to see if I qualify for an emergency certification and I woulnd't know the results until around February because it's a convoluted and complicated process. If I didn't get an emergency certificate, I would get paid sub pay with NO benefits for doing all the same work as a full time teacher; so think teaching, lesson plans, meetings, grading all for $65 a day if I DON'T get it. I'm not super impressed with my immediate supervisor (who I had an important meeting with over all this in about 45 seconds as he walked from the the gym to another building and he told me to see someone else if I have questions. Hmmmmm). If I do get an emergency certificate it is good for one school year only so I would fill this temp Eng. job for 5 months and I would no longer be eligible for a emergency certification again since it's a one time thing. There is less than a 1% chance that this could be my job again in the fall- slim to non for job security. And I would not have the opportunity to teach for anyone else since I wouldn't used up my one and only "emergency teaching" certificate.

Okay, there are all the facts that I can think of right now. If I think of anything else, I'll pop it into the comments section. I have to make a decision by Monday.

No matter what I'm psyched that I'll have a job for 5-6 months! Finally a little stress relief! Trust me, I'm happy dancing over that prospect but still nervous about making the right choice since I seem to often make so many wrong ones.... ya know?

Windfall,
Maggie

Another job update, about the same job, sort of

So ya know how I told ya 'll I didn't get the maternity leave but I've been subbing for a special ed. teacher who quit? And they school system didn't know if they would rehired another special ed. teacher of it they would make it a full time aide job? But until they decided I was subbing for the dude who quit? And they were supposed to let me know what they were going to do last Wednesday, before Thanksgiving Break?

Well, I still don't know anything.

The powers that be got together and brought me in and said, basically, they were leaving the full time posting for the full time special ed. teacher job up for one more week and if they didn't get anyone, then they would make a decision. But they gave me a job description for the aide position and told me about the money and the benefits. But they assured me they weren't hiring me yet, because they could get a qualified candidate for the special ed. teacher.

Ummmmmmmm, ok? So I'm subbing all this week and all the powers that be will meet again on Friday, with me, to let me know the "final" decision. Yeah, right.

They up side is that I know I'm subbing every day this coming week. That's a good thing; subbing= money!

The pessimist in me says the way my luck runs is that someone will step in at the last minute. If that happens, I'm officially re-working my resume and my job search to get out of education and back into the public sector- forever. Oh, well. So who knows what next Friday will REALLY bring?!?

Still subbing,
Maggie

Job follow up

Remember I had the shortest job interview in history to finish that maternity leave for a middle school English teacher which would've run the entire second semester?

Well, the follow up to that is in a few parts. The head principal actually did interview me properly, then he said he wanted to talk to the Superintendent.

He talked to her and she wanted me to jump through the hoops to see if I would qualify for an emergency certification. The Principal couldn't tell me if I was going to be hired under a substitute contract if I didn't qualify; we were to just see if I could.

So I was given a PILE of paperwork to fill out and they were sending it in.

Then yesterday the Principal called me to his office and told me that a former teacher was going to cover the leave. She had taught in that system just last year but resigned to get married which didn't happen (sucks to be her). She wants to come back to this school system and this was the way for her to do it. She's taught middle school before, taught that grade level and that program before, is licensed in this state, had been in the system, AND has a Master's degree. It makes sense to hire her. I would if I were in his position.

He went on to tell me that since a special education teacher resigned they need someone to cover her classes until the system either a) hires a special education teacher replacement, or b) makes it into a full time aide position. Until then, the Principal asked me if I would be a permanent sub until the matter was resolved. And because it's special education, I won't qualify under the emergency certification process for that because... it's special education (special teaching rules mandated by the state for this), so having me fill that job under emergency cert. cannot happen, but I could sub for that position until it was filled. He also said if they went with the full time aide, then he would recommend me personally to the Board of Directors for the job, if I wanted it.

After the week I've had, all I'm going to do is recap it and not give an opinion. That is the status of my job follow up.

Out of sorts,
Maggie

Potential Careers

I could be the cheese girl at a Bob Evan's meat and cheese kiosk in the mall. I could stand there and say "cheese?" to people as they walk by. Or, I could just take all the samples and wonder around the mall and do some shopping and have a little snack. But I think I would resort to teenage boy humor if I had to sell summer sausage. Heeheehee- I just typed 'sausage.' Hmmmm, moving on. Okay option number 2.

I could be a pirate. I think it would be a good way to loose weight what with scurvy and vomiting from seasickness all the time. And I could have a cool name like "Maggie the Pirate Wench". I look good in bandannas and I've always wanted to learn to sail and fish. I like Jimmy Buffett music, and rum. I could be a pretty good pirate. Okay, that stays on the list.

Sears Photographer. I like to take pictures and I've seen their equipment so I know any trained monkey could do it. But about the time I had some pre-schooler who refused to smile and his mommy says in a syrup voice, "widdle Jimmy is pretending to be mad", I would bonk both on the head with a random stuffed animal. And besides, if a trained monkey could do it, I would be out of a job in a few months anyway. Moving on...

Wal-Mart Greeter. I don't meet the age requirement. And do I really need to list about hating people, animals, small children, old people and Wal-Mart in general. Na-da- off the list. What else?

Black jack dealer- now I think I could be good at this. I would like the booze and the tips and the mob. I've never been to Vegas before! I would NOT like the math involved. I can't add that quick, even to 21 if I'm under pressure. And I couldn't work for anyone called a 'Pit Boss'; that's too much like pitbull. Ewwww. And we don't have blackjack anywhere near here anyway. Unless I could do something like this in private, in Daddy-O's basement... Hmmmmm. I'll move this to the 'maybe' column.

Missionary. I like to travel and I like to help people. It provides free room and board. I do have a passport. But there is that one little issue about God. That could provide a problem. And I could get sent to a country at war or with no indoor plumbing. Nope. Cross it off; I can't pee outside and I know I couldn't pee outside if people were shooting at me.

Bounty Hunter. I like this in theory, metaphorically, and in a literary sense. Otherwise, I would suck because I'm scared of being hurt, of guns, of being hit, dying, having people shoot at me, and anything else that could go wrong. It would be nice to have a sidekick and have people be afraid of me.

that's all I got. Any other suggestions?

Fuck Career Builders,
Maggie the Pirate Wench

I'm not sure you can call it an interview

Today was the big interview and I went in with a positive attitude that I was going to MAKE them WANT me. I had my resume and sample lesson plans. I had researched my status as far as licensing in this state. I had killer answers for questions about discipline, my education philosophy, classroom management, and teaching style. I had spent 45 minutes on the phone with the woman who's job I was interviewing for and grilled her over information about the 2 programs. I had a list of the standards for the classes I would teach. I was READY to kick butt and not even worry about taking names.

My interview was 3 minutes.

The assistant principal welcomed me in, said he spoke to the teacher in question and knows she briefed me on her classes, he said he knew my licensing status, and asked me if I had questions. I was so shocked that I said no but I did regroup and pointed out that since I had taught before I knew how to write lesson plans and meet state standards. I asked him if he had any questions for me and he said no, since I was a familiar face in the building. He told me he would let the head Principal know I was 'interested' in the position and tell him I would be in the building tomorrow, and he would give me an answer next week, either way.

Interviewee dismissed.

Ummmm, so. Well, between you and me, you all know I did want the job but after no many "no's" I didn't want to get my hopes up to high and hope. Well, maybe that was a good thing since all signs seem to be pointing to... well, pointing in not such a positive direction. I dunno.

I wouldn't say I'm usually a pessimistic person (I have my moments like anyone else but I wouldn't say it was my general attitude toward life... until the last 10 months I guess) but this doesn't sound good.

Guess we'll see by next week, eh?

Carpe diem,
Maggie