Thursday, August 23, 2007

When I Grow Up...

A long time ago in a state far far away, I was a teacher. I went to school for many years to become a teacher, taught third grade for a while and then found myself completely burned out. While I absolutely loved my time in front of the kids actually teaching, I was completely overwhelmed with practically every other aspect of the job. Yet here I am several years, and a couple of unfulfilling jobs later wondering if I should go back to the classroom.

I miss working with kids. I miss thinking of creative ways to explain a concept so that my students walk away at the end of the day knowing more than when we started. I miss witnessing that "oh, I get it!!" moment.

So why am I still in retail? Fear. I'm afraid that teaching here would not be different enough from my experience in California and I would be just as miserable as I was there. The only thing I know with absolute certainty is that I can not continue doing what I am doing forever. I feel my gifts and talents beginning to atrophy within me.

As I continue to sort all of this out, I am open to suggestions. If you think you know what I should do with my career, please share, even if it is outlandish, even if you don't actually know me I'm open to hearing your thoughts too.

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Epiphany

I recently had an epiphany that led to an apology. It all started with a trip to the fair. I accompanied my friend Judy and her family to the fair to watch the Moto X show (If you are not sure what that is watch the video below, even if you do know what it is watch the video because its cool). We enjoyed watching it so much Judy and I went back the next night to watch two more performances!

A few days after the show I had the epiphany: I am just like my mother! You see my mom loves watching NASCAR. She's traveled several hours on several occasions to watch major races. I have mocked my mother on a rather frequent basis about this (which is where the apology fits into the story). I realized that watching cars fly around a track at break neck speeds and watching motorcycles do flips in the air are really not that different. I AM just like my mother - and I'm proud of it! We both are sideline adrenaline junkies.