Pack Your Suitcase

When I was younger, I loved to pack

I loved the excitement of figuring out what I needed to bring along for whatever journey I was about to embark upon.  Whether it be a mission trip to Maryland, or a family trip to Bay St. Louis, I loved to pack. 

After a summer of living out of a suitcase, and four and a half years of never staying in the same place for more than a few weeks, I am tired of packing.  I'm tired of loading everything I can think of into a bag, knowing that I'm going to forget something, only to have to unpack it all again a few days later. 

Don't get me wrong, I still love to travel.  I love being in a different place for a little while, and the adventures that come along with that.  The problem is, I don't get as excited about the packing part anymore.  I should be , but I don't.  Maybe I've gotten to used to traveling and it's lost some of its flair.  This makes me sad.  

Maybe its because I hate to plan, and packing involves planning.  I often do not pack, for this very reason.  I go out of town with a laundry bag, in hopes that I might find a place to do laundry and wear whatever happens to be in the bag.  

This is basically what I'm doing for my vacation to New Orleans / South Mississippi this week.  

I really hate to pack.  If you can't tell, I'm procrastinating because I should be packing, right now. 

Yay for an income!

I have a job.

A real, big girl job.

I am going to be teaching in Westwego next semester.  It should make for an interesting and exciting experience.  

Once again, God has provided in a time when I had a great need.  He's pretty good about that :)  

Though the Human Resources people couldn't tell me what grade level and subject I have, I know I am going to be in middle school social studies, so it should be lots of fun.  Isn't it amazing how things can all fall into place?  

So here I come world, one semester in Westwego, then it's off to New York, now that I know I will be able to set aside some cash for a move.  

Apparently, the Catholics Love Me

Turns out, BOTH of my job interviews were with Catholic schools.

Idiot me had a miscommunication with the Saint Charles people, and it was in fact, a St. Charles Catholic school. 

From what I heard in both interviews, the guy from the Archdiocese that I interviewed with thought I was AMAZING, and not only sent out my resume, but called each school to recommend me.  Both interviews went very well. Not to brag, but I'm pretty good at charming people in authority...  One of those talents I've always had...  

Problem.

Neither school has January openings, and I still haven't heard from any of the public schools I've applied with. So please be praying that something comes along in that area.  If not, I have decided to sub in Belle Chasse, because they are apparently desperate for substitute teachers.  

"Welcome to the real world," she said to me, condescendingly

I have two job interviews tomorrow.

That's right, two.

I also got a call from a school in LaPlace that wants me to teach Reading, but that's going to probably be a no.  

So yes, this whole "real world" thing is starting to hit me.  I feel completely unprepared for what is to come. I am also facing the fact that I will have to decide between multiple options should a job offer actually arise.  I got three calls in two hours, so I am pretty sure that they can't be all that I will hear from.  

So, lets just say my interview with St. Cletus goes well and they offer me a job.  GREAT.  Working right down the street, what could be more convenient?  But the thing is, they don't pay very well, being a Catholic school and all.  What happens if I accept their offer, then two days later get a call from Jefferson Parish or Plaquemines Parish and THEY want to interview me and offer me a job.  What then?  Both of them pay about 10,000 dollars more per year than St. Cletus.  That's A LOT of money to turn down, especially when I am trying to save up to move to NYC.  

So yeah, please be in prayer as I face these sorts of decisions.  This is the real world, and it's scary and big and exciting and fun all at the same time.  

Nearing the End

So I've skipped several weeks in my attempt to keep the world, or the two people who read this, updated on what is going on with my student-teaching.  Not that you are all desperately concerned, but I'd like to think that my effort to procrastinate will help you in yours.

I can't say that I've thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Though my kids are WONDERFUL, I have just now, three weeks before the end, begun to feel like I am prepared for the day when I show up.  I used to wake up each morning with a queasy feeling that wouldn't go away until I knew I had done everything right and the day would go smoothly.  Then, if ANYTHING at all would happen to make me think otherwise, the rest of my day would be ruined.  

I am ready for a classroom of my own.  One where, if I screw up, the only one who has to know about it is me.  I have become an expert at covering up screw-ups over the years.  I have also learned many ways to prevent said screw-ups from happening, and the past week has felt like a whole new ball game.  

As ready as I will be for an escape from Westdale Jail, and live in the grande beauty of the NOLA again, I am going to miss those kids like crazy.  They have been amazing!  I teach the most wonderful 7th graders.  Every day, their sweet faces warm my heart no matter how rough things are.  As easy as it will be to leave, it will be equally hard to leave those kids :)  

I am truly blessed, even when I feel stressed...