1. After three weeks at my New Job, I came to a realization about myself: Commutes make me grumpy. Particularly when they involve traffic and rude people. When I accepted this job, the 30-45 minute commute seemed easy, an opportunity, even. I imagined myself listening to books on CD and enjoying a a leisurely trip each way as I prepared for, and unwound from, the school day. It would be a glorious time to spend alone.
The reality of it is I usually spend that time completely frazzled, running late, and avoiding collisions with drivers who seem to forget that turn signals matter and tailgating is mean. And while my time is spent alone, but I'd much rather spend my time sewing for my Etsy shop, neatening up our apartment, or cooking something delicious.
Someday, I'd love to work from home and have a thirty-second commute. No more stressful drivers, no more near-accidents, and no more spending my precious time in a car. A girl can dream, right?
2. Birkenstock clogs, bright socks, and stretchy headbands are all the rage here. And, apparently, so are side ponytails. Guess that means no more side ponies for me.
3. The girls here are awesome. They are sweet and kind and friendly. They do not come any more perfect than this. They even laugh at my jokes sometimes. My coworkers are pretty fabulous as well. They are open-minded (huge for a private school!), hilarious, and unbelievably welcoming. Blah, blah, blah...happy, happy, happy.
4. But! Despite number 3, I am worried that I made a mistake in my Big Job Decisions. I had four job offers. It was a difficult, difficult decision to make. Inevitably, I wonder, "What if school X would have been better? What if I had worked at X? Would that job be more flexible? Would I be better off there?" I'm sort of a masochist, really, and I should probably just stop thinking sometimes.
5. I am quite jealous whenever I talk with seniors who are in the process of looking at and applying to colleges. College was so. much. fun. The freedom, the great classes, the flexible schedule, the awesome people, living on your own for the first time, and just so much growth and wonderfulness all packed into four years! Sigh. I get even more excited when I hear their considering my (amazing) alma mater. I could write a love letter to my college experience.
6. No one has mentioned my clear nose stud. Guess that means it's okay? Sweet.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
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Ugh I hate that people have forgotten that blinkers exist and are quite useful. I hate how people get mad when I end up going in front of them at stop signs because they didn't use their blinker. It is so easy to use a blinker just use it!
ReplyDeleteYou'd probably be at job X thinking the same things about it if you'd have taken it. I am the same way always wondering if something else would have been better or if you made a different decision how would things be working out.
One of my professors was talking about his undergrad at U of Dayton this week. He seemed to really like it too!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not into commutes either. My current job is a 40 minute drive. I used to work at a place that was a 15 minute walk away, it was brilliant! Being within walking distance is a huge plus, I think :)
ReplyDelete"Birkenstock clogs, bright socks, and stretchy headbands are all the rage here."
ReplyDeleteSounds like they're straight off the set of Gossip Girl.
I used to have a 30-45 minute commute. I've worked from home for two and a half years now, and I don't know if I can ever go back to commuting.
ReplyDeleteLove your new layout. Jealous that I don't have the time, patience, or skill to learn how to make one myself!
ReplyDeleteThis year I have a baby, not a job in a high school. Today he is one month old and FUSSY. I really, really missed HS life today. Especially passing time between periods because they are so much fun, and the prospect of Friday night football. Neatening up the apartment isn't quite as fun, IMO, because the lamps and vacuum and such aren't interactive and don't have hopes, dreams, or gossip to share!
So... jealous!!!
My commute is exactly 15 steps. And I have to say it is all it's cracked up to be :) Anytime I hear someone talk about their commute I shiver. Heidi is right, I'm not sure I can ever go back.
ReplyDeleteJust keep in mind, your someday will come. And it will be awesome!
Don't let yourself go there! My husband recently turned down a job change and has been regretting it ever since. I keep telling him "You made your decision. No sense beating yourself up over something you can't change!" Just keep looking back and dwelling on the reasons WHY you chose this school. I hope you have a FAB school year.
ReplyDeleteBTW, found your blog through KylaRoma, she suggested it to me and I'm glad she did! If you get a minute, stop by mine. :)
xo
Oh yikes, I'm sorry about the commute not being what you hoped. Is there any way to turn that around? What if you brought a travel mug and a tea bag to work every day and made yourself a cup of tea for the ride home? If you listen to podcasts you can burn those to a CD or MP3 disc and listen to one a day on the way home too? Then while you might be frazzled on the way in, you can leave the day feeling positive and a little pampered.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Lauren, don't let yourself second guess this choice- with the information you had at the time this was definitively the right choice. And you really won't get a feel for what it's like until a month in, so don't close the book on it. From what I know you're there for the students, right? And if they're great kids, that's the most important part.
You know, aside from the driving. =)
You make ME want to start working in a high school, and that's something I thought I would never say, haha. I'm so glad things are going well, minus the commute and the second guessing yourself (but I think that's normal). College talk is always exciting; I'd love to go back!
ReplyDeleteCommutes are the pits! They don't seem like a big deal, but they really can ruin a perfectly good day. Any options for public transportation? Carpools?
ReplyDeleteI get jealous of those kids looking at colleges too! That was such a fun and exciting time. I feel the same way when I see them and their mom or dad in stores with baskets full of dorm room gear.
ReplyDeleteDoes the fact that your commute is destroying our planet contribute at all to your grumpiness? If not, it should!
ReplyDeleteOkay, #4? STOP DOING THAT IMMEDIATELY.
ReplyDeleteAnd #5? Sigh. I totally agree. That's how I feel when my camp counselors are headed off to college. I'm all, "wait! TAKE ME WITH YOUUU!!!"
I think I would be really jealous of the students if I worked in a high school.
ReplyDeleteTotally sympathizing with the commute here. I also am wondering what I have gotten myself into, but. . . I'm pretty sure it passes.
ReplyDeleteI'll let you know if I see side ponytails at my school! They start later next week. :)
You are too cute! Love your blog and love your story. Look forward to reading more about it all :)
ReplyDeleteAww I hope your commute doesn't get you too down! My biggest coping mechanism has been to use that time to chat with my mom on the phone. It makes it go by so much faster, and I just the chance to catch up with her pretty much every evening. Or I did download some Learn French podcasts to help pass the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your job is going relatively well. It sounds like everyone is nice, which is a HUGE plus.
It's so hard to make a choice and then feel like it was the right one. But it sounds like you picked a great job! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and like it very much! Love finding other teacher blogs (plus I have 62 first cousins...)
ReplyDeletexx Laura
It sounds like the new job is going well, even if you have some questions and don't like the commute. I'm happy that you're getting this experience and enjoying the time you have with the girls.
ReplyDelete(:
When I think about my regretted decisions I think about the movie Sliding Doors. If you haven't seen it I recommend it --
ReplyDelete