Sad State

Well, I suppose I am among the million or so other people who wake up every morning and wonder where they will look for work today. I have applied at numerous places including the position I am most qualified for, high school English teacher, and no one is calling me. Except of course the last place on earth I ever wanted to work, especially at Christmas time, Walmart. Ah well. In times like these, I guess any work is better than none.

And what about this unemployment business. I received regular benefits for three to four months and now, while others around me are getting extension after extension, I am not eligible for any other benefits. Go figure. I will have to sell something to make a payment on my Christmas layaway at K-mart. Maybe now is a good time to tell my nine year old that Santa doesn't exist.

So, my job interview is tomorrow at 10:30 and the position is nights and weekends so I may not see my kids until after Christmas. Maybe by next semester there will be a need for me at a school nearby. I can only hope.

Can't Get Enough

of
the smell of fresh coffee
or the early-morning-coolness
of tiles underfoot

of
laughter
over bacon and eggs
and
the smiles that linger
in the wake

of
the warm taste
of chocolate-chip cookies
with a glass of iced milk

of
a good book
and
a deep chair
to snuggle in

of
the new smell
of a baby

of
a cool creek bed
on a hot summer's day

of
the healing-power of tears
and
the memories
that keep them flowing

Jobless again

Well, I feel like I am joining the ranks of all the traditional age college students who have recently graduated and cannot find a job. I just pulled a three month stint at a local High School. Took over for a teacher who retired and was hoping the budget cuts would allow me to stay. The thing is, as a new teacher, I was already making less than the retiring teacher so why did they have to cut me? Anyway, I think it is going to be tough to find anything now with so many experienced teachers looking for jobs as well. I had an interview Monday, two assistant principals and the principal all present at first. Maybe I am exaggerating but it seems that they did not realize I only had three months experience until we were in the conference room. Then, the principal got up and left the room! Of course, the other two stayed but still...How obvious of an answer is that?
Now I am four classes into an MFA and rethinking. Maybe I should switch to an MS in Educational and Instructional Technology. It seems like on-line is the wave of the future...

New Job

Well, it seems that some professions are still hiring. I just got a job teaching English. And even though I will be coming in at the end of the school year, I have a good feeling about it. It is hard to believe that this dream is coming true but I am afraid to pinch myself just yet...

The beginning

Well, this is the end of the first week in my first grad class. I am excited. I really think the value of online classes has been highly underrated, especially for writers. Some writers, myself included, are much better and more comfortable with the written word than with the spoken word. Online classes gives me the opportunity to say what I mean without fear of rejection. At least, I won't be able to see that rejection on the face of my classmates. I may see it in their written response but the distance allows me not to take it personally. Does this make any sense or does it sound like I ma trying to justify my choice of an online MFA to myself?

I still like the face to face interaction of the traditional class room and I am certainly going to miss it, but I can go to school in California without leaving my living room! Besides I believe there are a few professors from my past that I can rely on to help me clarify something face to face if need be.