Keep Persevering!

I don't usually look at my horoscope, but for some reason I glanced at it today.

Professional efforts may be thwarted now, no matter how hard you work. It's like you are trying to roll bowling balls up a steep hill and you quickly reach a point of wondering if it's really worth the effort. Regardless of the lack of results, it's important that you keep working, for you are setting the stage for larger opportunities to come to fruition throughout the year.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday. Thanks mom!

Anyway, my wonderful, thoughtful, and loving friends had a small get together last night in honor of the day I was born. Rachel and Jamie made a wonderful dinner, and Kim and Rachel and I ended up dishing about Harry Potter. Rachel hasn't ever read the books (she's not a fan *horrors*) so she didn't mind hearing how it ended. Jamie on the other hand, is currently reading the last book, so he can't/doesn't want to hear the ending. It's going to be interesting now that Rachel knows how his book ends...

Back on track. I knew that I wanted to see Hairspray when I first saw the trailer, so that's the movie I picked for my birthday. Apparently, some of my friends don't trust my choice of movies. Rachel really wanted to see it, and Jamie came along, cursing the day I was born. But by the end of the movie, he was singing my praises once again. It is really one of the cutest, funniest movies that has come out in a long time. If you get a chance, go see it! I give it two thumbs up!

It's Official...

I've officially turned down the job at Newport. On paper, this was a perfect job. When I got there and here all the non-written parts of the job, like the part where I teach pre-K and act as an aid for reading classes, I knew this wasn't all it was cracked up to be. The principal also kept saying "I don't mean to make excuses, but..." and I knew he would never side with me on anything. Also, the school is not on probation for test scores yet, but I wouldn't doubt if they ended up that way soon. I really didn't want to be a part of an atmosphere where I would be limited with what I could do with the students. That is not what I want to do.

On the other hand, I have been recruited to do HIGH SCHOOL! Can you believe it? If you know me at all, you know that I have always said I don't want to work with any one who has gone through puberty! But, Rachel's mom has suggested this position to me. It's at a charter school, so I don't have to be certified (a relief since that has been something I've stressed about for the last two months) and it wouldn't be just choir. I'd get to teach a little drama (nothing new to me) and do pre-college counseling for the students. After working in the Undergraduate Programs Office in the business school for as long as I have, I know what a student will need to do in order to get into college! The bad thing about this job: I won't even know if there is a position until all the students have registered for class. Depending on enrollment numbers, this charter school may not be hiring any new instructors.

I did e-mail Dr. Misenhelter yesterday about the possibility of starting my Master's in the fall. I know that I have a job here with Barbara if I need it. And if that's where God wants me to be, then I will work my hardest and do the best I can do in this position. I know that God is in control of my life and He won't let me fail!

Tough Work Ahead

I have a job offer! I'm turning it down. I interviewed at Newport for an opening for a Music teacher and found out that it requires a lot of extra, non-music-teacher stuff. I don't want to do that. So now, I'm focusing on staying in Fayetteville, which means getting a full time job, preferably with benefits. I'm still holding out hope that the charter school in Farmington will hire me, but that is going to require a lot of prayer to pull this through. The school is down eleven students, so the board doesn't want to hire anyone else. They will know within the next week or so exactly how many students will be returning. Depending on that number, the position may or may not happen. Bummer.

So pray hard! I really, really need it.

JK Rowling Is My Hero!

If anyone knows me at all, they know that when a new Harry Potter book comes out, I'll be at Wal-Mart at 12:01 AM the day it is released, and I will have it finished within two days. With the release of the seventh and final book in the series, of course I wasn't going to change my plans. However, I did devote some time to my friends on Saturday afternoon. After being harassed about being anti-social (even though this was one of the biggest days in literary history), I put my book in my bag and headed out the door for some much needed sun and relaxation. I have to admit, the time out of the apartment was beautiful.

By the way, after two nights of not closing my book until 4:30 AM, I have finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. If you would like to discuss it with me, please e-mail me; several of my friends haven't finished it yet, and I would hate to spoil the ending for them!

I Have Another Interview...

But I'm not saying where. Some people will not be very happy about it. I sent my application and resume to the principal, and he called me within the hour. So I might be taking this as a good sign. The interview is Monday afternoon, so I'll keep you all posted. Anyway, this weekend is Harry Potter weekend! Bring on the 700+ page book and a pool!

Song for the Day

I heard this song on the radio today, and I really liked it. Thought I'd share...