Category Archives: my job
I Graduated. Now What?
My Master’s Degree arrived in the mail. I think I’m happy about that. The last six months of my program were awful. I wasn’t sure I’d graduate. I almost didn’t. I missed the graduation application deadline so I had to go through a long, tedious process of reapplying. Then, two weeks before my graduation date, I find out that I wasn’t eligible for my degree.
Luckily, things were worked out and I did, in fact, graduate. So now what? What does a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership mean for me? I’m not exactly sure. Really, I have absolutely no clue. People with my degree would normally work in public school administration. But that job isn’t for me.
I desperately want to get out of the classroom. I have no desire to teach anymore. But I don’t want to be a school principal.
Only God knows what’s next. I’ve asked him many times, but he hasn’t told me anything. So, I’ll place my degree in a brand new frame and hang on the wall in my home office and wait.
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Filed under my grad school, my job
Social Media Resume! What’s That?
I’m preparing for a career change. But I’m having a difficult time. It’s not the job search that’s giving me trouble. There are plenty of social media jobs that I’ve located…. everything from “digital media specialist” to “social media director”. I’ve found a number of jobs that have caught my eye. I’ve even applied for one or two. It’s just my resume that’s giving me such a headache. That stupid, one sheet scroll. It is the current bane of my existence.
I’ve held the same position for the past 11 years, so I haven’t thought about my resume in a long, long time. Moreover, this new position that I’m looking for is much different than my current career, so my resume needs a complete overhaul. It’s difficult. I don’t know how to sum up all of my endeavors into one silly sheet of paper.
I’ve requested sample social media resumes from friends that work in the field. And I’ve sought advice from others. So, I have lots of help. Yet, I’m still stuck. Every time my fingers lay on my keyboard to type, nothing happens. And I end up on Facebook for hours posting about my troubles instead of working on my curriculum vitae.
What’s a girl to do? Dammit! If Oprah would just hurry up and call me I’d not have to worry about such things. I’d just pack up my family and head on over to California to the OWN network and start filming my brand new show. A girl can dream, can’t she. Oh well, I guess I should stop procrastinating and log back on to Microsoft Word to begin working on that stupid, dumb, ugly, resume. *insert sad face here*
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Longing for the Weekend
Yesterday, I walked in my house and immediately got happy. It was weird but I started smiling once I opened the door to my garage. I’m usually relieved to be home after a long workday, but yesterday was different. Being in my home and staring at my carpet brought a visible smile to my face.
I’m having such a rough time. I don’t know if it’s the changing job locations at the end of 2010 that I still haven’t adjusted to, or my mother’s death that I’m trying not to think about. But my spirit has shifted to a bad place. And all I want to do is be at home….with my family.
My weekends are magical. I get to wake up early and lie in bed until I fall back to sleep. Then one or two, sometimes all three of my little monkeys wake me up and beg for breakfast. I don’t mind being awakened by them at all because I know we have the whole day together to do whatever it is we choose to do.
I wish everyday could be like the weekend.
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Filed under my job
A Heavy Heart
Doing something that you’ve never done before is terribly frightening. I’m about to embark on a new venture and I’ve found 100 different ways to talk myself out of it. I’m scared. My heart is heavy. But I must move forward because if I sit still I might burst at the seams.
My life has to change because I’m miserable. Waking up every morning is so depressing to me. I thank God for allowing me to see another day and I’m certainly happy to be able to earn a paycheck. But I hate my job so much that I can’t hide it anymore.
I’m so unhappy at work I get a headache almost everyday. And the weird part is I’m doing a great job. My students’ test scores were “excellent”, so I was told. I was recognized with a few other teacher for having the highest test scores in the whole school. And guess what? I don’t give a shit. I really don’t.
So, it’s time for me to do something that I care about -something that won’t give me a headache or make me miserable. Exactly what? I’m not ready to share yet…because I haven’t figured out what that is. But for now, I’ll just go to the nearest gas station and buy a lottery ticket. Keep your fingers crossed!
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Filed under my job
Slight Headache with a Side of Vomit
I’m so sad my baby girl got sick at school. I went to pick her up and she immediately looked at me and burst into tears. She complained of a terrible headache and cried all the way home. Once we arrived she disappeared down the hall and I didn’t see her again until I heard her meekly call my name.
My girl was bent over the toilet with her head immersed in the bowl. She had vomited. I stood there rubbing her back while she continued to dispense her lunch into the toilet.
Once her stomach was empty I helped her change clothes and brush her teeth. I gave her strict instructions to lie down in her bed. A few minutes later I go up to check on my girl and she had fallen asleep. She was snoring softly so I gently touched her forehead to check for fever. She was cool to the touch.
I knew that sleeping would make her feel much better and I wasn’t too worried because she didn’t show signs of fever. But I quickly, and without hesitation called into work. I informed my job that I would, in fact, be out the next day. I smiled the entire time I was on the phone -surly thought to be deranged.
During our “sick day” my girl and I danced in the bathroom while doing our hair, turned the TV up as loud as we could and sang with the commercials, walked through Target and had lunch in the mall’s food court. It was magical. We were both thrilled to be taking the day off.
Now, I’m not one for wishing any type of sickness on a child, but sometimes a slight headache with a side of vomit is all you need to make your day a little brighter.
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{re}Treat Yourself
I’m so overwhelmed. I’ve been this way for a long, long time. It seems that I’m always on the verge of tears, or a nervous breakdown. My attempts to hold it all together are steadily failing and I’m cracking under pressure. Seriously.
My job is getting the best of me and I’m contemplating NOT signing my contract for the upcoming school year (haven’t I said this before?). Lauryn Hill wrote a song a few years ago called “I gotta find peace of mind”. Well, if there are any working mothers out there who have found their peace of mind I certainly wish you’d help me locate mine.
My life seems like a big jumbled mess of what I desire to do and what I’m required to do. Oh! If I could just win the lottery…..
And just before I check myself into a mental institution from the stresses of daily life that have driven me mad, Stacey Ferguson comes and saves the day. She is the creator of a brand new event that caters to women like myself who are trying desperately to balance it all.
{re}Treat Yourself-a lifestyle redesign getaway for working mothers taking place on April 13th and 14th 2012 at the AAA Four Diamond Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, VA is just what I need.
This event will offer busy mothers workshops on topics such as: fitness and relaxation; meal planning; developing support systems; home and office organization; and more.
It sounds like this is the breath of fresh air that I need to regain a sense of self and restructure my unorganized, hectic life.
If you are like me and need to find a little peace of mind click here to register for{re}Treat Yourself. It will be phenomenal.
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Office Romances Suck
There are certain wild and domesticated animals that will pee in certain spots to show ownership. We call it “marking your territory”. I learned about this practice in grade school during science class. But my teacher neglected to tell me that not only do animals mark their territory, but humans do it as well.
The off thing about dating a coworker is that the water can get all muddy and then, aside from dealing with the stresses of a maniacal boss you are now faced with a potentially wild animal- like partner who spends too much time peeing around you as to let the entire office know you are taken.
This is ridiculous. And it is precisely the reason that so many companies have strict policies against dating. Becoming romantically involved with someone makes you lose your mind and get all silly and irrational. And you job is no place for silliness or irrationality.
It sometimes happens that one person will develop stronger feelings that the other. So, God forbid you partner takes issue with you having lunch with a coworker. There they go peeing all around you to mark their territory just in case your lunch companion happens to be a little prettier, or more handsome.
It can turn out to be quite a mess, especially for immature people. So can everyone just keep their zippers fastened and skirt tales down when it comes to coworkers? Office romances suck!
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Filed under my attitude, my job
The Color Purple
I’m an English teacher. I’m sure most of you knew that. It’s my job to read lots and lots of books. I have to know the characters and plot inside and out so I can accurately present that information to my high school students.
I’ve read many classic novels throughout the years- everything from Shakespeare to Elie Wiesel to Sandra Cisneros. My personal collection of books has grown exponentially. I love books.
But there’s one book in particular that I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read. The book has been made into a movie. I’ve watched it countless times and I’ve even seen the Broadway play version of the book when it came to Atlanta. Needless to say, I’ve memorized the sequence of events and can tell you almost everything there is to know about The Color Purple.
I’m so ashamed to say that I’ve never read this award winning novel. But a few weeks ago, I stared at the book as it sat on my shelf and decided that it was time for me to read it.
It started off beautifully. I flipped page after page reading about characters I knew so well. I could not put the book down. And after just two days I only had a few pages left.
My heart beat quickly as Nettie drove up to Celie’s house with her children in tow. As I read their embrace tears flowed down my eyes.
Why was I crying? I knew exactly what would happen. I had seen this story played out numerous times. I knew Celie and Nettie would finally be reunited. So why was I emotional?
I guess that’s the power of literature. Alice Walker wrote this story so beautifully and I was able to connect with Celie in such a way that even though I knew the outcome I was overwhelmed by the power of Walker’s writing.
The book was wonderful. I’m so glad I finally took the time to read it.
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Notes From An English Teacher (I’ve Been Found Out)
As I struggled to explain the ancient feud between the Capulets and Montagues to a class filled with 26 uninterested fourteen- year- olds one student looked up at me and said “Mrs. Grant, it was a mushroom”. Totally confused, I blankly started at my student and said “huh?” He softly said, “never mind” in an attempt to thwart my wrath for disrupting me during my lecture. They know I hate that.
After a minute or two I thought back to my student’s statement and fear came over me! I realized that I had been found out. My student had discovered my latest YouTube video!
I tried to maintain my composure but my heart was beating faster and faster just as the dismembered old man’s heart beat with increasing speed in Edgar Alan Poe’s The Tell Tale Heart. I began to sweat. I was angry. I was embarrassed. I HAD BEEN FOUND OUT!
Just a few days prior( with the same group of students) a girl exclaimed before the class that she had Googled me and lots and lots of “stuff” came up. I called her a stalker and went on with my lesson. I didn’t think much of it because she had not mentioned anything specific she’d ”found”.
But the mention of the “mushroom” had me totally discombobulated. I felt so violated. I felt so exposed.
You must understand. In my classroom I’m a hard-ass, no nonsense teacher. I don’t let my students get the best of me. I barely smile and try to stay away from small talk. I’m all about business- William Shakespeare, Maya Angelou, Robert Louis Stevenson, Lord Byron. I teach and teach and teach until the bell rings. Then, another class comes in and I do it all over again.
But online I’m a complete nut who makes crazy YouTube videos wearing furry hats. On my blog I use profanity frequently and display my wry sense of humor.
My students CANNOT know about me. They cannot know that I’m…….fun.
What am I to do? I’m sure they are reading this right now. If they are I have lost all control of my classroom. I feel like I need to run and hide.
Get off of my blog dammit! Leave me alone! Let me have a life! Go read a damn book or something. Do your homework. LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!!!!
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If I Wasn’t Afraid
I wonder what my next career will be. In a few months I’ll graduate from Georgia State University with a masters degree in Educational Leadership. Naturally, one would attempt to gain a position as an assistant principal in a public school system. But I’m not sure if that’s the path I want to take. As a matter of fact, I’m POSITIVE that’s not the path I want to take.
I started graduate school because I began to feel stuck in the classroom. Teaching can do that to you. After 11 years as a teacher my classroom walls have started closing in on me and I’m getting a little claustrophobic.
Before Oprah decided to start her network she asked herself, “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid”? I need to ask myself that same question, but I’m afraid. J I’m scared to think of what I would actually do sans fear because I might just get bold enough to do it.
Let’s see….If I wasn’t afraid I’d quit my job and dedicated myself to my writing. I’d finish the book I’ve been talking about for years. I’d submit my writing to various publishing companies and wait for a huge writing contract.
If I wasn’t afraid, I’d send my resume to Essence magazine and make plans to move to New York City to become a staff writer.
If I wasn’t afraid I’d workout everyday with no regard to sweating my hair out and walking around with an afro.
If I wasn’t afraid I’d tell people when they say things to hurt my feelings instead of holding my hurt in.
If I wasn’t afraid I’d go to every open casting call held in Atlanta. I really want to be on TV.
There are so many other things I’d do if I wasn’t afraid. How about you? Has fear affected your life in any way?
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