Don't you love it when you do something, only to have something bad happen right after- like what you did was all in vain? I had a feeling that would happen. Again.
First, my car. It is 13 years old and had a good life (I guess). My radio broke 2 or 3 years ago. I just had my spark plugs and brakes and struts changed within the past 4-6 months. And guess what- it still is falling apart! I've been researching new cars online and test drove 2 today, only to be more confused as to what I want. I thought for sure I knew what I wanted- a 5 speed Ford Fiesta Hatchback with such and such options with cruise. Well, of course they don't have what I want, but "they can get it". Of course they can get it. But how much is that going to cost me? Ugh. I'm not up for games, but I sooooo need a new RELIABLE car!
Second, teaching. Last week, I mailed my $120 to renew my teaching license. Got an email the other day that they just need a copy of my professional development (my course) when I get it. Yesterday, I emailed and called and paid to get an extension (because I'm a procrastinator/slacker) on my course. And to top it all off- I got a call this morning from the principal that interviewed me tell me I didn't get the position, but that I was one of 80 something that got interviewed. Yes, I am fortunate to have been interviewed. I'm just sick of all the crap I have to go through to get one! The woman who got the position, the principal told me, had more experience. She also told me that times are tought and good luck. Is that supposed to make me feel better???? I've been doing this for 6 years. SIX YEARS!!! I'm sorry, but I have to vent. This crazy pursuit is driving me nuts and I'm fed up with it.
I just about always finish what I've started. My parents taught me that. It took me 7 years, but I completed my bachelor's degree. It will take me a month or so, but I will finish my course. I will finish out the season at Branbury State Park. But after October 9, I will be pursuing something different. I'm not quite sure yet, but I have to do something. I've been a teacher. Maybe that's all God wanted me to do. I just wish I knew what He had up His sleeve.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
It does the heart good
Whew! What a busy past few days! 10 hours is a long day at work, but luckily I get to do different things throughout the day and everyday is different. Yesterday we had 2 graduation parties, a family reunion (or two) and a local community players party at the park, along with people checking into the campground that was booked because of the triathalon (that was this morning) and Canada's holiday weekend. It was busy, but fun. It had gotten cooler in the afternoon, which I think kept some of the crowds away. There's always next weekend!
Earlier, I was checking my emails and my facebook messages and saw that I had a message from a Juan Rodriguez, a student of mine from Liberty Park Elementary that I had for a month before they moved me from teaching fifth grade to first grade. Here's a copy of his message:
Earlier, I was checking my emails and my facebook messages and saw that I had a message from a Juan Rodriguez, a student of mine from Liberty Park Elementary that I had for a month before they moved me from teaching fifth grade to first grade. Here's a copy of his message:
Hey Ms. Park, this is going to sound very strange to you but I know you, although you may not remember me, I do remember the good times I shared with you as a student at Liberty Park Elementary School. You taught my class and I for a couple of months I believe before you had to switch classes for some odd reson I can't remember, nonetheless, in the short time shared with you, you were extremely loving and caring as a teacher and friend. Just today I stumbled upon a few of my Elementary School Report Cards and I saw your name and with it an influx of childhood memories returned. I'm 16 now and a soon to be Senior in High School and I feel as though I have you to thank for being such a kind person in my life, from listening to The Beatles in class to teaching us about the world around us, you were always a great teacher.
Thank you.
Sincerely, Juan Rodriguez
P.S. I hope this doesnt sound too creepy haha
P.S.S. I hope you're the right Moriah Park and not some other one, if this is the case, sorry for bothering you.
I messaged him back letting him know that yes, I do remember him and what a huge honor it is to be remembered as making a difference in his life. Isn't it amazing what a few words can do? Juan may never know how much his words have meant. As the title says, it does my heart good to hear this from a wonderful young man and former student. He has made my day, week, and year! Thank you, Juan!
Thank you.
Sincerely, Juan Rodriguez
P.S. I hope this doesnt sound too creepy haha
P.S.S. I hope you're the right Moriah Park and not some other one, if this is the case, sorry for bothering you.
I messaged him back letting him know that yes, I do remember him and what a huge honor it is to be remembered as making a difference in his life. Isn't it amazing what a few words can do? Juan may never know how much his words have meant. As the title says, it does my heart good to hear this from a wonderful young man and former student. He has made my day, week, and year! Thank you, Juan!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
there I go thinking again...
The drive back home Sunday got me thinking a lot about what the heck I'm going to do this fall. I had been asked a bunch of times at the wedding by some folks I knew but hadn't seen in a while what I'm doing for work. How embarrassing to say that I still dont' have a full time job with all of these successful people around. What am I supposed to do? And as always, I've been thinking about this for a week or so (no, longer). I haven't been actively looking for teaching jobs (I have been busy, you know). I also haven't been working on my course to keep my teaching license. I haven't been making time for it. I have enjoyed learning new things, but something always keeps me thinking, why am I doing this? In the words of the great singing duo the Righteous Brothers, I've "lost that lovin' feeling".
And it's not like I don't have reason to just walk away from teaching. I've taught for 2 years in South Florida. I've been a paraeducator (teacher's assistant). I've been a substitute kindergarten through 12th grade for the past 6 years. I've done my time. I've played the game. I don't want to do this anymore. I know that I am a great teacher and I love kids and love teaching them, but I don't like the games teachers and applicants for teaching have to go through. I apparently have to be a teacher's assistant in a school and put in my time that way for a school to hire me. Teacher's aids don't do what teachers do! We photocopy, cut out various things, do playground and cafeteria duty. Sometimes, we actually do teach- such as a reading group or help students that are struggling in math. If I would have stayed as a paraeducator, I probably would have health benefits (which I haven't had for 5 years) and most importantly, I would have a teaching job right now. But I don't play their games.
So here I am; a 33 year old, living at home, with $10,000 student loan to pay off (pretty good compared to some others, I must say). I am blessed with a job, albeit a summer job. And, I have a job interview tonight. I am not looking forward to it because I'm having this anxiety/crisis/what have you. Not sure what I'm supposed to say to the folks that will be there. I just have to think and pray hard before I go in, and tell the truth and tell how I feel as nice and kindly as I can. If I don't get this teaching job, no worries. I'll be ski teaching this winter I'm sure.
I wish there was a Starbucks nearby... There's a few in Maine... and that's another idea. For another day.
And it's not like I don't have reason to just walk away from teaching. I've taught for 2 years in South Florida. I've been a paraeducator (teacher's assistant). I've been a substitute kindergarten through 12th grade for the past 6 years. I've done my time. I've played the game. I don't want to do this anymore. I know that I am a great teacher and I love kids and love teaching them, but I don't like the games teachers and applicants for teaching have to go through. I apparently have to be a teacher's assistant in a school and put in my time that way for a school to hire me. Teacher's aids don't do what teachers do! We photocopy, cut out various things, do playground and cafeteria duty. Sometimes, we actually do teach- such as a reading group or help students that are struggling in math. If I would have stayed as a paraeducator, I probably would have health benefits (which I haven't had for 5 years) and most importantly, I would have a teaching job right now. But I don't play their games.
So here I am; a 33 year old, living at home, with $10,000 student loan to pay off (pretty good compared to some others, I must say). I am blessed with a job, albeit a summer job. And, I have a job interview tonight. I am not looking forward to it because I'm having this anxiety/crisis/what have you. Not sure what I'm supposed to say to the folks that will be there. I just have to think and pray hard before I go in, and tell the truth and tell how I feel as nice and kindly as I can. If I don't get this teaching job, no worries. I'll be ski teaching this winter I'm sure.
I wish there was a Starbucks nearby... There's a few in Maine... and that's another idea. For another day.
Saturday's Wedding
This weekend, I was part of my best friend's wedding in Syracuse, NY. It was a beautiful day and she was beautiful. I had my hair and nails and makeup done like the dutiful maid of honor should. I admit, I did enjoy having my hair and nails done. The make up? not so much. Ugh. From what I've read and seen, it's not about the bridesmaids. (thank goodness!) It was my friend's day- her day to shine and be beautiful and happy. I wish them all the best together!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
The art of leaf blowing, picking up goose poo and wrangling gosslings
It's been a busy week here at Branbury. Memorial Day weekend was a busy one, so there was lots to do Tuesday when I got back. It was pretty quiet- no one camping much after the weekend, so we cleaned campsites, the waterfront, and bathrooms. BUT on Tuesday, we had terrible rain and wind storms throughout Vermont. Just up the road was a reported tornado- unheard of in hilly Vermont! Wednesday, we surveyed the damage- a few campsite had major washouts that we couldn't fix with just a shovel and rake. We called in for a tractor and load of rock to repair the sites, which came on Thursday.
After the poo, I got to leaf blow the campground area that had leaves and rocks in the road from the storm. There really is an art to leaf blowing. Depending on which side you want the rocks and debris on, you blow on a diagonal across the road, moving back and forth. I thought that the closer the hose end was to the road, the better. I have learned otherwise. If you hold the nozzle about knee to waist high, you get more surface are being blown at (it's hard to describe in words- I'm going to find a video that might explain better...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UmAY9tL0h0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CYdiU1sMwc
The first one shows a guy using it on a road with rocks- holding it closer to the ground probably because he doesn't want the rocks all over the place. The second video is of a lady/girl blowing leaves-pretty straight forward. When you have debris on the road, you just go back and forth and back up and go forward until you get the debris moved to where you want it to go. And most of all, you look and feel like a Ghostbuster!
On Friday, I helped clean bathrooms and found out that our swimming area had high counts of bacteria so there would be no swimming. I watched hundreds of school children figure out what to do without going into the lake. It was interesting. I cleaned grills and dumped ashes in "the pit" and worked in and around the office. I'm sure I did other things, but I'm tired and the week is a bit of a blurr right now.
Today, Saturday, was National Trails Day- a celebration of hiking trails in the National Forests and State (and probably National) Parks. Admission was free and we had activities including free ice cream (Ben & Jerry's Phish Food!) and Smokey the Bear and the Emerald Ash Borer show up for the festivities. This is all about the evil ash borer- http://emeraldashborer.info/ So an exciting, busy day at the park, right? Ah- no. Rain and really chilly temperatures today kept lots and lots of people inside. We had more state and federal employees than outside visitors to our festivities. Oh well. Free ice cream and a day of not much to do is ok by me. We all worked hard throughout the week that today was a nice little break from the craziness. Oh and at the end of the day today, Heather, the campground host, chased (kindly) a gosling across the street so it would head back down to the waterfront and hopefully to it's family. It wasn't getting there very fast, so I walked behind it as it peeped (not honked or quacked- it was still pretty young) all the way down. It had a hard time walking over the curbs in the parking area, but we made it down. I got it to go in the water, but I couldn't see it's family anywhere nearby. I went in to check the bathrooms and when I had come out, it was back on the grass hunting for food. I left it alone and hoped the rest of the gaggle (I almost said herd, but that's cows and sheep) would come by soon and they'd all swim away. That was my gosling wrangling for the day. Yee haw!
Not only were there the adventures that I just explained, but we didn't have a truck to go around to pick up and move equipment and people and garbage bags for several days this week. On either Thursday or Friday (I'm thinking it was Friday, but again it's a blurr) we got our park golf cart and I was the first to use it. Wicked fun! The assistant ranger when I had picked him up asked, "is this as fast as it can go?" So I floored it. We'll be having some fun with that for sure this summer. Hopefully we won't break it.
So, that's my week in a big nutshell. I was going to write a cool Memorial Day blog, but I didn't get a chance. I spent the day weed whacking around the farm and getting poison parsnip in the process. not good. I've also been doing some thinking about my teaching career- I'll get into that another time. For the centillionth time, my patience is wearing thin. That's all I'll say about that right now.
And yes, centillionth is a word. I looked it up to make sure.
On Thursday, I spent almost 2 hours picking up goose poo on the waterfront grassy area (we don't have much of a "beach"). There was a lot of poo. Thank goodness for the pooper scooper!
After the poo, I got to leaf blow the campground area that had leaves and rocks in the road from the storm. There really is an art to leaf blowing. Depending on which side you want the rocks and debris on, you blow on a diagonal across the road, moving back and forth. I thought that the closer the hose end was to the road, the better. I have learned otherwise. If you hold the nozzle about knee to waist high, you get more surface are being blown at (it's hard to describe in words- I'm going to find a video that might explain better...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UmAY9tL0h0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CYdiU1sMwc
The first one shows a guy using it on a road with rocks- holding it closer to the ground probably because he doesn't want the rocks all over the place. The second video is of a lady/girl blowing leaves-pretty straight forward. When you have debris on the road, you just go back and forth and back up and go forward until you get the debris moved to where you want it to go. And most of all, you look and feel like a Ghostbuster!
On Friday, I helped clean bathrooms and found out that our swimming area had high counts of bacteria so there would be no swimming. I watched hundreds of school children figure out what to do without going into the lake. It was interesting. I cleaned grills and dumped ashes in "the pit" and worked in and around the office. I'm sure I did other things, but I'm tired and the week is a bit of a blurr right now.
Today, Saturday, was National Trails Day- a celebration of hiking trails in the National Forests and State (and probably National) Parks. Admission was free and we had activities including free ice cream (Ben & Jerry's Phish Food!) and Smokey the Bear and the Emerald Ash Borer show up for the festivities. This is all about the evil ash borer- http://emeraldashborer.info/ So an exciting, busy day at the park, right? Ah- no. Rain and really chilly temperatures today kept lots and lots of people inside. We had more state and federal employees than outside visitors to our festivities. Oh well. Free ice cream and a day of not much to do is ok by me. We all worked hard throughout the week that today was a nice little break from the craziness. Oh and at the end of the day today, Heather, the campground host, chased (kindly) a gosling across the street so it would head back down to the waterfront and hopefully to it's family. It wasn't getting there very fast, so I walked behind it as it peeped (not honked or quacked- it was still pretty young) all the way down. It had a hard time walking over the curbs in the parking area, but we made it down. I got it to go in the water, but I couldn't see it's family anywhere nearby. I went in to check the bathrooms and when I had come out, it was back on the grass hunting for food. I left it alone and hoped the rest of the gaggle (I almost said herd, but that's cows and sheep) would come by soon and they'd all swim away. That was my gosling wrangling for the day. Yee haw!
Not only were there the adventures that I just explained, but we didn't have a truck to go around to pick up and move equipment and people and garbage bags for several days this week. On either Thursday or Friday (I'm thinking it was Friday, but again it's a blurr) we got our park golf cart and I was the first to use it. Wicked fun! The assistant ranger when I had picked him up asked, "is this as fast as it can go?" So I floored it. We'll be having some fun with that for sure this summer. Hopefully we won't break it.
So, that's my week in a big nutshell. I was going to write a cool Memorial Day blog, but I didn't get a chance. I spent the day weed whacking around the farm and getting poison parsnip in the process. not good. I've also been doing some thinking about my teaching career- I'll get into that another time. For the centillionth time, my patience is wearing thin. That's all I'll say about that right now.
And yes, centillionth is a word. I looked it up to make sure.
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