It’s been about three weeks since I’ve been back. It seems a whole lot longer than that. So much has happened. To start off with, the first weekend I was home I had a terrible ear infection. The inside of my ear was swollen shut, causing the area around my ear on the outside to swell, causing my jar to hurt, making me not eat… It was a terrible week that it lasted. I called off work one day, went home early another, had a sick day at school… I couldn’t hear anything out of it, causing me not to talk much since I couldn’t hear myself. It was one crazy week.
The next week I had an interview at Concord’s preschool. It was a pretty big church and I really liked the people there. Apparently I impressed them because they kept saying, “good answer” … “Wow..” I’m a better interviewee than I thought! That was on a Thursday and they called the following Monday to offer me the job. They kept saying, “What can we do to persuade you to come here?” That was encouraging. They wanted me to start my own class of 3 and 4 year olds and I would have a total of 6 kids. GLORIOUS. That would have been wonderful. They also wanted me there in the morning to greet the parents when the kids first arrive because they thought I’d be great with that. However, pay wasn’t much. I could probably make it work and I would have taken it (maybe).. but I didn’t. It also just didn’t feel right when I was there. And it felt more like a daycare. I DO NOT want that. I didn’t get my Master’s to be an over-priced babysitter.
So you’re probably asking yourself, “She didn’t take the job? Is she crazy? Does she know how teaching jobs are few right now? Knox County is talking about cutting 30 teachers!” Well, that Wednesday (last week) I had another interview at the ECLC (the preschool on campus that I worked at during my undergrad). That interview went great (it was different than your average interview because these two knew my answers already). That just seemed right though. So… things needed to be figured out to give me answers about other things.. And about a week ago I accepted the job! I have my very own, grown up, “big girl” job. I couldn’t be more excited. I sign papers on Monday (I think? I have a meeting at least).
Since then, I’ve been looking at places to live. On campus housing isn’t available for ridiculous reasons.. that would have been nice to fall back on. About ten minutes from campus, I looked at an apartment set up on the second floor of someone’s house. The outside is shady, but the inside is really nice. And my friend is looking to rent out his basement, so I’m also looking into that. I need to lay everything out and see what would be the best choice.. haven’t done that yet. Also, a friend of mine is needing a place and a roommate… yesterday we just looked at a house my friend and mentor teaching is renting. We both loved it (I think she did too?). It’s in a central location. It would take me about 30 minutes to get to work, but that’d be okay. If she gets the job she’s interviewing for, it’d take her about 30 minutes as well. We’re now waiting to find out if they girl that looked at the house before us wants it or not. We will see!
My Internship is also about over. The last day with my students was Friday and there are two inservice days that I go to Monday. Wednesday we defend our thesis, Thursday/Friday we correct it, the following two weeks is class, then NO MORE SCHOOL!! EVER! At least, that's the current plan.
So that’s my life, thus far. I’m going to be living in Knoxville!!!!! I HAVE A JOB!!! Grad School is almost over. I can’t wait. The next phase in my life will be starting. I’m scared. I’m nervous. I’m excited.
Thank you all for your continued prayers!
