And Now You Don't
Do you remember that time I was working? Yeah....me too. I was doing my ACT prep, bumbling along as best I could. Was I the absolute best teacher? No. But I tried hard and I think at least a few kids learned something.
I get my first real critique on Wednesday at noon.
I got pulled from my school Thursday (my day off) at 4.
So while I'm not technically "fired", I still might do some proctoring in a few weeks, but still. I call it being "pseudo-fired".
Doesn't make me feel any better. I also don't really want them to call me for substitute work. It freaks me out in a very real way. (to expand upon in a different entry)
So there's that. I was employed, and now I'm sort of not. Gives me plenty of time to finish up my grad school applications and whatever.
We're all in this together, right?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Working 9 to 5
While I'm not actually working 9 to 5, I am now working.
I am doing my ACT prep at a school here in Michigan. I want to keep it vague, until after the position is over. This whole thing is guaranteed to end March 5th.
It's somewhat rewarding sometimes, when a student understand something on the test or figures out something they were having trouble with.
On the other hand, I was called "nice but boring" the other day, which bothered me more than it should. I was trying to go over geometry-not always the most fascinating of subjects.
But whatever happens, this whole experience will be good for me, and it's definitely better than not working. Or even working at the coffee shop. I have different responsibilities and a different set of "woes", if you will.
I'm just happy that however it happens, my life is moving forward. It's reassuring that this year will be better than last.
I am doing my ACT prep at a school here in Michigan. I want to keep it vague, until after the position is over. This whole thing is guaranteed to end March 5th.
It's somewhat rewarding sometimes, when a student understand something on the test or figures out something they were having trouble with.
On the other hand, I was called "nice but boring" the other day, which bothered me more than it should. I was trying to go over geometry-not always the most fascinating of subjects.
But whatever happens, this whole experience will be good for me, and it's definitely better than not working. Or even working at the coffee shop. I have different responsibilities and a different set of "woes", if you will.
I'm just happy that however it happens, my life is moving forward. It's reassuring that this year will be better than last.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Life's Better With Company
I'm still very unemployed, and both scared and exhilarated at the same time.
Today my dad drove my mom to the airport, which was very nice. While I could have done it myself, it was snowing (not wicked hard, but reasonably decent) and it was nice to just go along for the ride, as compared to doing all the work myself.
The other day my parents and I saw Up In The Air. There is this scene with George Clooney (sigh) and Anna Kendrick (the girl who plays Jessica in Twilight). They are on an airplane together, and she is working on her laptop.
I admit, she is typing fairly furiously. In all honesty, she is banging the crap out of her poor laptop. George asks (basically) "What did your computer ever do to you?" and then it hit me.
This is how my mom thinks I type. Bang. Bang. Bang.
My laptop didn't do anything to me. I just "type with purpose" (as Anna says to George). And I type quickly.
Sidenote-See Up In The Air. It's a timely film for this particular moment. Especially living in Detroit, and now that I've joined the ranks of our unemployed. Some of the film is funny, some of it really isn't, and it ends on a bittersweet note.
As George says in the film, "Life's better with company". It's a good note to end on.
Today my dad drove my mom to the airport, which was very nice. While I could have done it myself, it was snowing (not wicked hard, but reasonably decent) and it was nice to just go along for the ride, as compared to doing all the work myself.
The other day my parents and I saw Up In The Air. There is this scene with George Clooney (sigh) and Anna Kendrick (the girl who plays Jessica in Twilight). They are on an airplane together, and she is working on her laptop.
I admit, she is typing fairly furiously. In all honesty, she is banging the crap out of her poor laptop. George asks (basically) "What did your computer ever do to you?" and then it hit me.
This is how my mom thinks I type. Bang. Bang. Bang.
My laptop didn't do anything to me. I just "type with purpose" (as Anna says to George). And I type quickly.
Sidenote-See Up In The Air. It's a timely film for this particular moment. Especially living in Detroit, and now that I've joined the ranks of our unemployed. Some of the film is funny, some of it really isn't, and it ends on a bittersweet note.
As George says in the film, "Life's better with company". It's a good note to end on.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Moving Forward and Why It Scares Me Shitless
As we have learned, I quit my job at the coffee shop last year. I put in my two weeks notice and my last day was over a week ago.
In the meantime, I was hired and then given no information on a new job. But that isn't the point of this entry.
I have now become "unemployed". I have joined Michigan's vast amount of unemployed people. And I am simultaneously terrified and unafraid. I know I can't go back to the coffee shop. The atmosphere is toxic to both me and the people around me. I become someone I don't want to be around, and I know how unhappy it makes me. In turn, I make most people around me miserable.
This is my declaration. There has to be a point where someone stands up and says "Enough." My life this year will be better for this and I know it.
I'm closing my eyes and jumping. I am saying "enough" and moving forward in the most scary and wonderful way.
I am unafraid. And I am scared shitless.
Promise to go on this ride as a group. It'll be fun. I swear.
In the meantime, I was hired and then given no information on a new job. But that isn't the point of this entry.
I have now become "unemployed". I have joined Michigan's vast amount of unemployed people. And I am simultaneously terrified and unafraid. I know I can't go back to the coffee shop. The atmosphere is toxic to both me and the people around me. I become someone I don't want to be around, and I know how unhappy it makes me. In turn, I make most people around me miserable.
This is my declaration. There has to be a point where someone stands up and says "Enough." My life this year will be better for this and I know it.
I'm closing my eyes and jumping. I am saying "enough" and moving forward in the most scary and wonderful way.
I am unafraid. And I am scared shitless.
Promise to go on this ride as a group. It'll be fun. I swear.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
How many blogs can I start (and not finish)?
Emily: I'm trying to hold myself accountable with Krav/training now
Emily: as in, http://emily-2010.blogspot.com
Emily: I look like a slacker if I don't do something for a few days now
Alexa: OH HAI. For realz-while I don't Krav, this is a good idea because I am a lazy shit and shouldn't be
Emily: I wonder how long it'll last, though
Emily: we fail at our other blog
Emily: ...and this conversation should go on it.
Alexa: Obvs. But I popped the 2010 cherry thank you very much
Emily: That you did.
PS: I'm going to Maryland for 10 days (leaving tomorrow morning) and I packed a small bottle of Tapatio in my suitcase. I don't trust my small-town stores to have it there. Priorities.
Alexa: I'm so proud of us. 2 entries in 2010 and it's only Jan 6th
Alexa: So far, so good.
Emily: as in, http://emily-2010.blogspot.com
Emily: I look like a slacker if I don't do something for a few days now
Alexa: OH HAI. For realz-while I don't Krav, this is a good idea because I am a lazy shit and shouldn't be
Emily: I wonder how long it'll last, though
Emily: we fail at our other blog
Emily: ...and this conversation should go on it.
Alexa: Obvs. But I popped the 2010 cherry thank you very much
Emily: That you did.
PS: I'm going to Maryland for 10 days (leaving tomorrow morning) and I packed a small bottle of Tapatio in my suitcase. I don't trust my small-town stores to have it there. Priorities.
Alexa: I'm so proud of us. 2 entries in 2010 and it's only Jan 6th
Alexa: So far, so good.
Monday, January 4, 2010
2010 Bitches!
And I now will pop the cherry on the 2010 posting for this blog.
A few things-Christmas was delightful. I received a GPS to let me know where I am going while driving, which is nice. Especially since I tend to be clueless when driving. I hope it's sort of a metaphor for my life-while before I generally was lost, now I have some sort of direction.
On December 30, 2009 I had my last day of employment at the coffee shop. I had put in my 2 weeks notice, and it all came down to that fateful Wednesday. We should note that it was fantastic. While the job that I was hoping to get has sort of changed (a long story for an entry that isn't this one), I think this is the 2010 kick in the ass to change my life. Whether it be a new job, grad school or whatever. I need something else.
And on that note-your turn Emily. Pop that 2010 cherry. It's delightful, I swear.
A few things-Christmas was delightful. I received a GPS to let me know where I am going while driving, which is nice. Especially since I tend to be clueless when driving. I hope it's sort of a metaphor for my life-while before I generally was lost, now I have some sort of direction.
On December 30, 2009 I had my last day of employment at the coffee shop. I had put in my 2 weeks notice, and it all came down to that fateful Wednesday. We should note that it was fantastic. While the job that I was hoping to get has sort of changed (a long story for an entry that isn't this one), I think this is the 2010 kick in the ass to change my life. Whether it be a new job, grad school or whatever. I need something else.
And on that note-your turn Emily. Pop that 2010 cherry. It's delightful, I swear.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Krav Maga Orange Belt
Last Saturday, I passed my Krav Maga Orange Belt test! Five hours of hook punches and side kicks and bearhug defenses and ground fighting—glad I had a great partner to work with!
Before test...
...and after.
Friday, October 16, 2009
We're going on a cruise in early 2010
Me: Alexa
Me: I officially call it:
Me: we are a Duo
Me: a cinema-worthy duo
Alexa: Done.
Alexa: I cannot out-call that call
Me: I officially call it:
Me: we are a Duo
Me: a cinema-worthy duo
Alexa: Done.
Alexa: I cannot out-call that call
Friday, October 9, 2009
This is a Michael Jackson post
I'm laying on our new squishy, soft, cloud-like couch watching my Michael Jackson: Live In Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour DVD for maybe the third time in a week.
My This Is It movie ticket is already in my wallet, awaiting the Tuesday, October 27 at 9pm (Pacific Time) premiere. I will be wearing a Michael Jackson t-shirt and sparkly glove that night.
When I was little, I remember my mother liking Michael Jackson and being excited about his song/video tied into Free Willy. I decided I also liked the song, video, and performer around that time. Yeah, mom was onto something with this guy.
That was in 1993. I have liked Michael Jackson for 16 years. It's more impressive when you realize that I was not quite six years old yet when Free Willy came out. That's sixteen years of my twenty-two years of life.
When I was sixteen, my little sister and I did a duet jazz dance class together. On Day 1, we said we wanted our recital piece to be to "Beat It," and we wanted to use hats. We practiced at home using our mother's old cassette tape. Not long after that, I decided I needed "real CDs" (I only had a handful of albums then, mainly Backstreet Boys and such). My first purchase: Michael Jackson Number Ones, and I believe the Numbers Ones music videos DVD was actually a gift from my mommy.
Mother and I were hardcore TEAM MICHAEL during the 2005 trial, and jumped around with each announcement of "not guilty." I looked at the cost of airfare to go to London for the O2 shows (mother said that was too unlikely). Then I was outside UCLA hospital an hour after he was pronounced dead. It's weird that that is as close as I could ever be to him.
So yeah. Sixteen years. 72% of my lifetime.
My This Is It movie ticket is already in my wallet, awaiting the Tuesday, October 27 at 9pm (Pacific Time) premiere. I will be wearing a Michael Jackson t-shirt and sparkly glove that night.
When I was little, I remember my mother liking Michael Jackson and being excited about his song/video tied into Free Willy. I decided I also liked the song, video, and performer around that time. Yeah, mom was onto something with this guy.
That was in 1993. I have liked Michael Jackson for 16 years. It's more impressive when you realize that I was not quite six years old yet when Free Willy came out. That's sixteen years of my twenty-two years of life.
When I was sixteen, my little sister and I did a duet jazz dance class together. On Day 1, we said we wanted our recital piece to be to "Beat It," and we wanted to use hats. We practiced at home using our mother's old cassette tape. Not long after that, I decided I needed "real CDs" (I only had a handful of albums then, mainly Backstreet Boys and such). My first purchase: Michael Jackson Number Ones, and I believe the Numbers Ones music videos DVD was actually a gift from my mommy.
Mother and I were hardcore TEAM MICHAEL during the 2005 trial, and jumped around with each announcement of "not guilty." I looked at the cost of airfare to go to London for the O2 shows (mother said that was too unlikely). Then I was outside UCLA hospital an hour after he was pronounced dead. It's weird that that is as close as I could ever be to him.
So yeah. Sixteen years. 72% of my lifetime.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Emily, The Couch Destroyer
I know, I know...we suck at updating, but I hope this tidbit is worthwhile:
Today, I disassembled a couch in the hallway. It was either that, or use some ropes to lift it out over the third-floor balcony.
My old roommate Lizzy has gotten married and moved out, so new roommate Tanya moved in. Today her furniture arrived—"adult furniture," if you will. As in, a real couch/chair/ottoman set, that is not from IKEA.
Amy's old white leather couch was slowly dying and sinking into itself, so it was time to say goodbye. But the couch wasn't ready to leave us. It fought its way out into the hallway, and refused to fit into the elevator at any angle. Then Amy informed us that they definitely hoisted it into the apartment with an improvised balcony rigging system.
So there it sat, in the middle of the third floor hallway, as we girls called/texted/facebooked for help. We were ready to rally up some troops to help with the balcony mission, when Amy got frustrated, grabbed a boxcutter knife, and attacked. She cut the back leather panel off the couch, then returned for a hammer. Soon we were hammering out the inner framework, ripping off the leather, and otherwise causing havoc in the hallway.
But we did it. We smashed off the end pieces and most of the back piece, until it was small enough to fit in the elevator.
Bye, bye, couch.
Today, I disassembled a couch in the hallway. It was either that, or use some ropes to lift it out over the third-floor balcony.
My old roommate Lizzy has gotten married and moved out, so new roommate Tanya moved in. Today her furniture arrived—"adult furniture," if you will. As in, a real couch/chair/ottoman set, that is not from IKEA.
Amy's old white leather couch was slowly dying and sinking into itself, so it was time to say goodbye. But the couch wasn't ready to leave us. It fought its way out into the hallway, and refused to fit into the elevator at any angle. Then Amy informed us that they definitely hoisted it into the apartment with an improvised balcony rigging system.
So there it sat, in the middle of the third floor hallway, as we girls called/texted/facebooked for help. We were ready to rally up some troops to help with the balcony mission, when Amy got frustrated, grabbed a boxcutter knife, and attacked. She cut the back leather panel off the couch, then returned for a hammer. Soon we were hammering out the inner framework, ripping off the leather, and otherwise causing havoc in the hallway.
But we did it. We smashed off the end pieces and most of the back piece, until it was small enough to fit in the elevator.
Bye, bye, couch.
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