Hot Dog & Hamburger vs. Burrito & Taco

So this is my unofficial first week of school. I'm spending time at a middle school observing and helping with opening up a classroom for the beginning of the year. There may (probably not) be a post about that later, but that's not what today is about. I'm sharing a story today!

via

The teacher I'm with has two classes, AM and PM. She had the kids make name tags to sit at their desks. She was describing the difference between the hot dog and hamburger paper folding methods to her morning class for these name tags. She then mentioned an alternative description that would be more relatable since we live in San Diego. A hot dog fold could also be thought of as a burrito fold. Then she had the kids guess what a hamburger fold could be thought of. I confidently said quesadilla, the rest of the class said taco. Whomp whomp. 

The afternoon class did the same thing. Same spiel. Same description. When it was time for kids to guess what hamburger was...I didn't say anything. But I listened. And a kid in that class said quesadilla. While the rest of the class said taco. I said "yes!" and pointed at the kid who said quesadilla because at least one other person in the class was on the same page as I was. It made my day :]

Happy Thursday peeps.

Why I Resigned...

School.

Shout out to Lebron!

It's August, and I officially start my teaching credential program this month. The hours of school and student teaching conflict with my office schedule. So I decided to take a break from work (until I run out of savings) and totally focus on school. I'm happy, excited, nervous, anxious, and scared to start this program...all at the same time. 

Happy and excited. For so many reasons. I've wanted to teach since I was in 7th grade. (2000) I spent 7 years in college, with a course schedule that looks similar to my high school course list. I owe that to my liberal studies major. With the exception of college softball, some electives, and my personal life...school wasn't that exciting. But I got it done and got one of my first pre-requisites checked off for my program. This time around, when I start school...I'll be taking classes that relate to what I want to do with my life and directly relate to my career. Andddd after 14 years, this program is the last step before becoming a teacher! I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Nervous. Because this program is totally different than anything I've done both with my undergrad and work. So even though I've asked tons of questions about this program and what I'll be doing, I still have no clue what's gonna happen. 

Anxious. One of my favorite sayings about anxiety is it's not fear of the future, but wanting to control it. Any one that knows me knows that I like to have every minute of my life planned out. So I was a little anxious when the coordinators of our program interrupted our question and answer session of orientation and said "trust us"which I totally should since this is their 23rd year doing it. So I'm still a little anxious because (as of now) I have not control of anything. Once I figure out the school schedule and get into a groove, I'll be fine...but that moment is not now.

Scared. That whole not having a job thing...scary. Because that means no income. But I've still got bills. I should have done a better job of saving money but I suck at that. Also...this whole money thing kind of means I'll be giving up some stuff. Like season tickets. And going out to lunch/dinner and drinks with friends. Concerts. And maybe a gym membership. And Netflix...after I catch up on some shows. Hahah. It'll all work out. Some how. But I don't know how.

Since I haven't consistently posted, I haven't given many updates. I spent all summer working on prerequisites for this program. Bachelors degree: check. CBEST: check. Multiple Subject CSET: check. CPR certification: check. Fingerprints & Certificate of Clearance: check. Letters of recommendation: check. English CSET: Half check. I found out on Monday that I passes that the 2 (of 4) subtests I took in July! The other 2 are scheduled for September...so I should probably start studying now!

Happy Wednesday peeps :]   

I Don't Have A Job

I started working in an insurance office the summer of 2006 as a fresh faced 17 year old high school graduate. 8.5 years later...I've resigned. Friday was my last day.

Super awesome quality photo of my farewell dinner.

That job was the most consistent thing in my life in that time. A time when friends came and went. And came back again. Family and home life wasn't always peachy keen. School was a roller coaster of passed, failed, and retaken courses. But I always had somewhere to be Monday morning. And for that, I was thankful.

There were pros and cons to having the job I did at my age. 

The cons were not making any friends my age at work because everyone in my office was in their 40's/50's/60's:: And the friends I did have all worked server or retail jobs...so when we were up late hanging out, they all had the luxury of sleeping in until 10 or 11 because their shift started in the afternoon instead of 9/9:30 am:: Also...insurance. Something that's not so fun to work with when you're a teenager/early twenties:: I made some good money. And saved none of it::

I was bummed out this last year because even though I wasn't in school, I wasn't given the opportunity to work full time. Which would have been extremely helpful in keeping some of my sanity since my workload nearly doubled but didn't have enough time to get stuff done. I started to resent work. What made it worse is getting a second job (that I never told my first job about) that I was obsessed and absolutely in love with and realizing I was so overrrrr my first job. 

The pros were working with people I got along with. And didn't have to deal with workplace drama. Or people talking crap about each other. Because everyone at my office was a grownup and didn't have time for that nonsense:: Everyone liked sports:: My work schedule was consistent. I worked M/W/F 9:30-5:30. Well not always M/W/F, sometimes it was T/TH/F...depending on my school schedule:: My schedule was super flexible. With work and life. Like baseball, or beach days, or dancing with the stars tapings. I didn't need to really ask for time off or release shifts and hope someone picked it up. As long as I gave my boss some notice and wasn't crazy behind on work, I was good:: I have something of substance to put on a resume:: Weekends off: I made more than the average college student:: Paid holidays:: I had job security (see: 8.5 years) because I rocked at what I did:: Freedom. Because I was so good at what I did, I was able to fart around the internet and still be able to complete all of my tasks for the day::

The first part of the blog makes it sound like I hated my life, but I honestly had more good times than bad. And I learned so much. About insurance...which I will inevitably have to get for myself when I become a grown up. As well as some professional experience. Which rocks. It was an awesome feeling knowing that I was being treated to a nice dinner and celebrated for my time at work rather than just getting the door slammed in my face. Now that part of my life is over..and it's onto the next step of my life...wish me luck!

*Title of this post is a total lie. I still have my Safari Park job and will be working that until Labor Day weekend. When I'm done there...I won't have a job.