Originally posted on Thursday, but internet here sucks. Yet somehow here it is.

Jul 25, 2009 19:01

Dear Friends,

Just thought it had been a while since an update. 
Coming home to a post-economic collapse has me feeling strangely upbeat. 
"Funemployment" here we come!

Despite not having any work, we have been so busy.
Let me count the ways:

1) Beginning Woodshop Class:  We are learning to use all the major power tools in a very nice woodshop located at the UC Davis craft center.  They have a "smart" table saw, called "Saw Stop."  The way it works is when anything that conducts electricity comes into contact with the blade a block of aluminum snaps up and instantly stops the blade.  So, if metal, green wood, or your finger hits the blade, it will stop!  I was so happy to find a smart saw there, as using a regular table saw literally gave me nightmares.  The class actually got to see the saw in action, as one of the other girls nicked her finger and was bleeding all over, but was just fine.  After getting some iodine, she went right back to work.  Unfortunately, that means the table saw is out of action for a little while.  But, I love the bandsaw better, anyway.  Everyday I leave the woodshop on top of the world!

2) 1st Aid/CPR/AED adult and infant:  I thought it would be a good idea to get one of those little Red Cross cards to aid in the job search, but besides that, it's something that I've always wanted to do.  Knowledge is power, and all that jazz.

3) Nick's application to teach throat singing:  UC Davis has a community education program called the Experimental College, and on a whim, Nick decided to propose a throat singing class to them, and they took him up on the offer!  Since then, they've been demanding more information about Nick's experience, and how the class would be structured, and his interview is tomorrow!  Go Nick!

Other than that, we're always trying to drum up extra gas money.  So far we recycle, use coin star machines, and are thinking about selling some textbooks.  If you have any other suggestions they'd be welcome.

After a job interview yesterday morning, I'm starting to reconsider my ambition to teach children.  Is it really necessary to be artificially upbeat and obnoxiously bubbly to work with kids?  Also, why do their classrooms need to be so small and loud?  Isn't it just as annoying and distracting for the children as it is for me?  
It was a job to teach autistic children.  I got the feeling the interviewer thought I was too, I don't know, reserved, to work with the kids.  Also, she seemed to think I wasn't very observant, as I wasn't able to point out their deviant behaviors well enough.  To me they mostly just look distracted and anxious, as anyone would be in such a noisy chaotic room, right?

-tash
 
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