Time for an update
Let's see. Much has happened since last I posted. I've started teaching, which is awesome. There are a lot of things that aren't perfect. The science wing is under construction, so I'm basically a refugee sharing two lousy classrooms with the entire chemistry department. I have no lab equipment and no technology. The teachers union and the administration have declared an impasse on our contract, which is scary. Hopefully they will mediate and there won't be a strike or something. In the mean time, we don't really know how much we're being paid (i'm getting last year's rate) and the school can't move to a block schedule like they planned. Instead, they have this complex, rotating piece of crap. All of that is less than ideal.
On the other hand, I have excellent students. Even my trouble makers are really bright, and it is so refreshing to work with kids that are capable of thinking critically and making some leaps on their own. Teaching is just as much fun as I knew it would be. I've never been more tired in my life, but I always come home smiling. I'm getting to know my colleagues and most of them are really great. Screw all the bureaucratic, political bullshit; that's not my concern. I love my job.
The other side of the story is my life at home (i guess that's what this is now). It's pretty super lonely here. I haven't been here very long and I haven't gotten out enough to make friends here. The problem with being a brand new "adult" is that pretty much everyone you interact with on any given day is older than you. I'm not sure where to start. This causes me to miss Amanda even more than I would normally, which is a lot. She has become such a huge part of my life that even when I have my best of days, without her here, it's okay at best. The good news, I suppose, is that no matter how much this sucks, it's having zero impact on our love. It seems like there's nothing we can't overcome. She's coming to see me this weekend, so I'm way excited about that.
I joined a choir here to try to fill the void. It's pretty informal, and everybody is way older than me, but at least it's something to do once a week. Music has always been a big thing for me, so it's nice to have that back.
Other minor developments:
-The Bronco now has its 3rd set of plates. Hideous yellow Jersey ones. Also, it is covered in bird shit (which I'm making my students clean tomorrow at the senior class car wash).
-The paychecks have started coming in, so I'm now financially independent (still broke, but independent).
-Lilly got spayed thursday. She's doing fine.
-Mom is getting me a new TV for my living room so that I can move the other one in the bedroom.
-I'll hopefully make it down for another visit to gburg before thanksgiving (maybe Halloween), so I'll see some of you then.
Finally, just in case you haven't had your daily overdose of cute...
On the other hand, I have excellent students. Even my trouble makers are really bright, and it is so refreshing to work with kids that are capable of thinking critically and making some leaps on their own. Teaching is just as much fun as I knew it would be. I've never been more tired in my life, but I always come home smiling. I'm getting to know my colleagues and most of them are really great. Screw all the bureaucratic, political bullshit; that's not my concern. I love my job.
The other side of the story is my life at home (i guess that's what this is now). It's pretty super lonely here. I haven't been here very long and I haven't gotten out enough to make friends here. The problem with being a brand new "adult" is that pretty much everyone you interact with on any given day is older than you. I'm not sure where to start. This causes me to miss Amanda even more than I would normally, which is a lot. She has become such a huge part of my life that even when I have my best of days, without her here, it's okay at best. The good news, I suppose, is that no matter how much this sucks, it's having zero impact on our love. It seems like there's nothing we can't overcome. She's coming to see me this weekend, so I'm way excited about that.
I joined a choir here to try to fill the void. It's pretty informal, and everybody is way older than me, but at least it's something to do once a week. Music has always been a big thing for me, so it's nice to have that back.
Other minor developments:
-The Bronco now has its 3rd set of plates. Hideous yellow Jersey ones. Also, it is covered in bird shit (which I'm making my students clean tomorrow at the senior class car wash).
-The paychecks have started coming in, so I'm now financially independent (still broke, but independent).
-Lilly got spayed thursday. She's doing fine.
-Mom is getting me a new TV for my living room so that I can move the other one in the bedroom.
-I'll hopefully make it down for another visit to gburg before thanksgiving (maybe Halloween), so I'll see some of you then.
Finally, just in case you haven't had your daily overdose of cute...