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I Don’t Think?

This past week proved to be a typical winter in the Poconos. Just as we were starting to believe that we got let off easy, winter struck. Arianna had an early dismissal on Tuesday and then was off from school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The lovely weather also closed Len’s company on Thursday and Friday and left me unable to send or receive my work via Fedex due to the closure of roads in our area. With the entire family home, work to be completed, sledding to be done, snow thrones to be built, and hot chocolate to be made, our schedules have all been disrupted a bit.

So after an unexpected winter break, I set my iphone alarm last night in order to wake up early enough to get Arianna off to her Odyssey of the Mind practice before school today. The competition is this coming weekend and the pressure is on, especially with the lost days of preparation. My alarm was set for 6:30 and Len’s was set for 7:00. At 6:48 I was grabbed by the arm with a startle. Len said to me in a panic, “Jen, I don’t think you woke up!!!”

“Hmmmmm. Really? What gave that away”, I wondered. “Could it be my body still laying here beside you, sleeeeeeping??”

Despite oversleeping (because I set my alarm for 6:30PM), I woke up laughing this morning. Not only did I wake up laughing, but we made it to Odyssey on time.

The Fedex Truck

My feelings about the Fedex truck have changed now that I work full time from home. In the past, I used to look forward to seeing the truck. If it pulled up, someone in the house was bound to receive a long awaited order, a gift or a surprise. Perhaps the box would contain a new decoration for the house, a new toy for my girl, or a plug-in gadget for Lenny. Whatever it was, someone would have a smile on their face. Now, to me the Fedex man means medical chart after countless medical chart – aka hours of coding for little old me. I dread the site of that truck now. Of course he seems to know if I’m running late, because he shows up early and he seems to know when I need him, because he comes late. Errr!!!
Where is that truck?!

A WOW Paper

In my daughter’s class when a paper is handed in that is perfect and done neatly, the teacher gives them a WOW.  Arianna will come home proudly and state that she got a WOW paper that day.  That’s how I feel today.  I couldn’t sleep last night, so at 4:00am I went downstairs to tackle the box of medical charts that invaded my sleep.  Since I began coding 3 weeks ago, coding numbers go through my mind endlessly.   I coded about 45 charts in the dark of the early morning with eyes that were still unable to focus, never mind read the scribble of rushing doctors.  To my surprise, when I had my charts checked today, I kicked Butt.  It was a WOW paper day for me.  Phew.  Now maybe I can sleep tonight  – if only there weren’t 100 more charts sitting on my floor. 

Ode to My Ego

Well over the past week or so, I decided to try out substituting for High School students too. Ok, I didn’t actually decide to – Lenny signed me up but that’s another story. (Realize as you envision me in a high school setting that I am about the height of an average 5th grader.)
As usual, I imagined myself hating teenagers, however to my surprise they are polite, well mannered and usually respectful. They also opt to call me Mrs. P. and ask me to help them with their work.

I was teaching Biology on Thursday, when this group of girls came in the room and thought I was a student standing at the chalk board! The one questioned my age multiple time and thought I was kidding when I said I was 31. She thought I was a new classmate. I think that’s taking it a little too far, but we’ll go with it. It actually happened today again as well. Geez, if I’m going to pass for 18 years old, I’d better dye my grey hair!!!!!

Jobs

‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ had to be one of the most difficult questions for me to answer as a child. I always knew I wanted to be a mother and a wife, but that’s not what people mean when they ask that question. I had no idea what I wanted to be then and I’m not sure that I have one specific answer to that now.

In past generations people stayed at one job for most of their adult life. Things are different today, but many people although jumping from company to company stay within the same profession. I tend to walk my own path in life doing whatever, whenever the timing seems right.

Among other things, I was a cashier at a toy store, a sales person at a clothing store, a gymnastics teacher, a deli worker, a waitress, a legal secretary, an office worker for a group of plastic surgeons and a full time Mom. Together, Lenny and I have been Landlords, Investors and Laundromat owners and operators. We are always looking for the next thing together.

One thing that has never changed is my passion for children. This week I began looking into my newest job venture – substitute teaching. I am in the process of filling out piles of paperwork and getting all my documentation in order. I have to take a course that I cannot get into until January, but I am excited and looking forward to yet another experience in life. One of my goals is to always be home when Arianna is off from school. What better job is there?

I love that I can say that I’ve tried most everything I ever wanted to try. Some might not understand how I cannot name ‘what’ I want to be. That would imply that I want to be just one thing. I want to be many things.

A Distant Memory? Maybe not . . .

Ahhh, school days. It was long ago and far away. At least it was for me until last Wednesday.

Have I mentioned that being home without Arianna and Lenny is not for me? I equate it to being in solitary confinement for 5 days straight. I guess in many ways I just prefer chaos.

Last Wednesday I went on my first interview in about 10 years. That was fun. After wooing them with my brilliance and great confidence (LOL), I was told it would take a few days to get my official certification in place. (Yes, they hired me!) A few hours later they called and told me I was ready to go. To my surprise I was working the next day and have every day since then.

I currently travel to many different schools, teaching many different grade levels and classes. Last week, I reluctantly signed up for a job at a middle school. Let’s just say that I myself was not so fond of middle school kids when I was one, so I had very low expectations for that day. (My motto is that if you have low expectations for things, you’ll hardly ever be disappointed – It’s more likely that you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Think about that.) Anyway, I truly was pleasantly surprised by all 10 classes of middle school teenagers I’ve taught so far. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the high school students will surprise me as well.

I specifically remember one of the substitutes the boys in my school used to torture when I was young. I always felt so bad for poor Blinkie. I’ll have to make sure I keep them in line and let them know that I don’t deal with any garbage!!!