As I stated last post, this past Monday was my return to school/ work. I was a bit depressed, and I felt defeated. Nothing had come of my degree yet and then out of nowhere, I was offered a vacant position teaching science at my school, and I accepted of course. This is the break I've been waiting for.
I'm not deluded into thinking this is a dream. It can quickly become a nightmare. This is the hard part. I also know the only reason I'm tasting this success is because I was their last hope to have a teacher in that position. I guess we all get to see what I'm made of. I am determined to make them realize I should have been their first pick.
I am at a point in my life where I have more comfort and leeway in what happens next. If I hurry, I can still do the BLET in January and possibly be in another dream job come Fall, or I can stay with this for awhile. Mr., or Officer? Which one do I want the most? Either way, thing I want the most is closer to really happening.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
180
Today was my first day at work. It felt like the walk of shame you have to take when you just blew up a public toilet. I wanted a better job before August and it didn't happen. So I returned to work to a ton of surprises. First off, they moved my room to a little dumpy ass-smelling room slightly larger than the janitor's break room. I had no prior warning. I didn't know we had an all-day meeting today and I was late for it. I came in and more than a few people were staring at me like I wasn't supposed to be there. Yep, I was feeling pretty damn awkward.
After a few minutes, I pieced it all together and everything made sense. Out of the loop, downgrading my room after three years without so much as a phone call. It is my turn in the barrel this year. I will get "cold-shouldered" out. Oh well, more incentive to make my possible career in law enforcement happen. They can't break me.
Then I was approached by my boss during our break. The very woman who has only spoken to me six times in five years. I figured I was in deep doo-doo. She asked if I graduated, I said yes. She asked if it was a science degree and I said yes, it is a biology degree. She then explained that one more of our teachers quit and we needed a replacement. The person she hired quit over the weekend. If my stuff lined up, she would recommend me for the spot. This would almost double my pay and make many things I want for myself happen much sooner. I had given up on teaching. I figured I'm not the type and frankly, I'm most likely not and never was. I would be stupid not to take it should it come about...more to come.
After a few minutes, I pieced it all together and everything made sense. Out of the loop, downgrading my room after three years without so much as a phone call. It is my turn in the barrel this year. I will get "cold-shouldered" out. Oh well, more incentive to make my possible career in law enforcement happen. They can't break me.
Then I was approached by my boss during our break. The very woman who has only spoken to me six times in five years. I figured I was in deep doo-doo. She asked if I graduated, I said yes. She asked if it was a science degree and I said yes, it is a biology degree. She then explained that one more of our teachers quit and we needed a replacement. The person she hired quit over the weekend. If my stuff lined up, she would recommend me for the spot. This would almost double my pay and make many things I want for myself happen much sooner. I had given up on teaching. I figured I'm not the type and frankly, I'm most likely not and never was. I would be stupid not to take it should it come about...more to come.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Cheapskater
I have found I am not happy unless I have an active goal or two. One of them is to prepare for the BLET, so I must workout as though it is my religion. The next one is to improve my financial standing. I'm not even in the ballpark of getting a better job for a year or more, so I must conserve what I have.
Much like dieting, you take note of where your money goes and where you can "trim the fat".
Here are a few things I've discovered, and they are no-brainers for the most part, but sometimes, we just don't think and that is where it all goes to Hell.
1. Are you paying for things you can do yourself?
Americans love luxury and convenience. We will pay somebody to do many thing we could do on our own. If you don't have the time, that's one thing. How many of us say "I don't have time" but spend hours a week online or in front of the TV?
Here's a few examples of what I can do for myself:
Tune up car.
Change motor oil.
Paint House.
Cook
Clean
Mow
Computer repair/ upgrade.
Wash car.
Repair flat tires.
You can easily think of many things you can do in your own spare time to save hundreds a year! Just do it your damn self.
2. How often are you eating out?
Eating out is the bank account scourge and should only be done sparingly. Four people eating fast food can start at 30 and go into the hundreds! Careful shopping and meal planning can not only have you eating cheaper, but healthier too.
Example: Going somewhere early? Pack the kids up and go to the nearest fast food place for breakfast you won't get out under $25 for a family of four. With that $25, you can get (where I live): 2 dozen eggs, 2 gallons of milk, a family sized box of Bisquick, two boxes of instant oatmeal, a loaf of bread and a pack of bacon and eat for a week. Even if you eat out once during that week, there is still over $100 weekly. That's just breakfast.
When it comes to eating, there are almost countless ways to cut the cost. Clip coupons, chase sales, buy in bulk...the list goes on and on.
3. Upkeep! Are you tires inflated properly? Is your car tuned up? Are the seals around the doors and windows of your house in good shape? These things can cause all sorts of problems with efficiency. A poorly maintained car drinks more gas, and a leaky house eats up heating and cooling costs. The upkeep will pay for itself.
4. Start early. Getting a late start causes you to drive harder. This puts more strain on your car and eats at the fuel efficiency. Cars get better than their rated mileage, but you have to drive a certain way.
Speaking of starting early, plan ahead too. Many things are cheaper if done in advance. Airline/ hotel reservations, car rentals. None of them will negotiate the day of the rental, many of them will several months in advance.
5. Are you paying for things you can get for free?
Like to read? There are libraries. Most public libraries have movies and music, you just have to wait in line.
How about a gym membership? You pay cash to drive across town to spend 20 minutes on the treadmill. I'll bet there is a road, park, or sidewalk very close to you that is free to use. Every city I know of has some kind of park with fitness equipment.
Anyway my goal is to be dirt cheap and I have a lot of downtime to figure it out.
Much like dieting, you take note of where your money goes and where you can "trim the fat".
Here are a few things I've discovered, and they are no-brainers for the most part, but sometimes, we just don't think and that is where it all goes to Hell.
1. Are you paying for things you can do yourself?
Americans love luxury and convenience. We will pay somebody to do many thing we could do on our own. If you don't have the time, that's one thing. How many of us say "I don't have time" but spend hours a week online or in front of the TV?
Here's a few examples of what I can do for myself:
Tune up car.
Change motor oil.
Paint House.
Cook
Clean
Mow
Computer repair/ upgrade.
Wash car.
Repair flat tires.
You can easily think of many things you can do in your own spare time to save hundreds a year! Just do it your damn self.
2. How often are you eating out?
Eating out is the bank account scourge and should only be done sparingly. Four people eating fast food can start at 30 and go into the hundreds! Careful shopping and meal planning can not only have you eating cheaper, but healthier too.
Example: Going somewhere early? Pack the kids up and go to the nearest fast food place for breakfast you won't get out under $25 for a family of four. With that $25, you can get (where I live): 2 dozen eggs, 2 gallons of milk, a family sized box of Bisquick, two boxes of instant oatmeal, a loaf of bread and a pack of bacon and eat for a week. Even if you eat out once during that week, there is still over $100 weekly. That's just breakfast.
When it comes to eating, there are almost countless ways to cut the cost. Clip coupons, chase sales, buy in bulk...the list goes on and on.
3. Upkeep! Are you tires inflated properly? Is your car tuned up? Are the seals around the doors and windows of your house in good shape? These things can cause all sorts of problems with efficiency. A poorly maintained car drinks more gas, and a leaky house eats up heating and cooling costs. The upkeep will pay for itself.
4. Start early. Getting a late start causes you to drive harder. This puts more strain on your car and eats at the fuel efficiency. Cars get better than their rated mileage, but you have to drive a certain way.
Speaking of starting early, plan ahead too. Many things are cheaper if done in advance. Airline/ hotel reservations, car rentals. None of them will negotiate the day of the rental, many of them will several months in advance.
5. Are you paying for things you can get for free?
Like to read? There are libraries. Most public libraries have movies and music, you just have to wait in line.
How about a gym membership? You pay cash to drive across town to spend 20 minutes on the treadmill. I'll bet there is a road, park, or sidewalk very close to you that is free to use. Every city I know of has some kind of park with fitness equipment.
Anyway my goal is to be dirt cheap and I have a lot of downtime to figure it out.
agony of da feet update
Yesterday, I practiced my new breathing technique while out jogging. We started so late that I couldn't time our intervals, so we decided to run hard and then walk. I really pushed myself and I feel it today. That means I'm not going hard enough usually. Sore means I burnt those muscles and they are sending a message back to the brain saying we need to build up. I can honestly say running works damn near every part of your body and it is hard as Hell when you do it right. Yesterday was a good run and I want more. When January comes around, I will be ready.
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