First Days of School

When I was growing up, going back to school always signalled the end of summer.  And here I find myself, yet again, going back to school.  Although this time from a slightly different perspective.  Today the teachers reported for duty (although this was not the first time I've been in - one of the reasons I haven't been blogging!).  It was a whirlwind and I know it's only going to get worse.  Maybe if I stop neglecting my blog, I'll stay sane.

Tomorrow is freshman orientation and I am so excited to meet all my students.  I'm also secretly excited to wear my new school outfit and use copious amounts of school supplies.  Maybe I'll even have my mom take one of those first day of school pictures.  :-)

So, happy end to the summer everyone!  And welcome to the fall.  One of the best running seasons of the year.

Good News and Bad News

This summer has really been full of changes.  Changes that keep happening quickly.  And now, finally, I feel like I've gotten things figured out.  And I can tell you what the heck has been going on.

Good News:  I took a lab job at the beginning of the summer.  Yay for full-time employment.
Bad News:  I commute 45 minutes, I work second-shift and I often have to put in extra hours.  I was also supposed to be working Sundays.  I put off registering for races because I didn't know when I'd switch to Sundays.  I'm bummed because I really wanted to do the Danskin Tri this year, but it's on a Sunday and I didn't think I'd be able to do it.  I probably could have.  Oh well.

Good News:  I can sign up for races now because I landed a teaching job (in NH, closer to home, making more money)!  Hooray!!!!!  This is truly what I wanted to do and I am so excited.  I get to see my classroom on Thursday and pick up curriculum materials.  I simply cannot wait.
Bad News:  How could there really be bad news to this one?  Except maybe the fact that I really wanted to teach chemistry and I'm teaching 9th grade physical science instead.  I was offered a chemistry position too, but it was a lot less money and more of a commute so it wasn't worth.  In the end, I'm really happy with my decision.

Good News:  I get to go back to school so to speak.  I get to shop at Staples, one of my favorite places (send gift cards now!) and I get to have school vacations again.
Bad News:  I'm staying at my current job later into August than I wanted to because I'm a sucker and a nice person.  But the trade-off is that we could use the money.

So now that I know what the heck is going on in my life, I feel like I can finally plan out some races for the fall.  I'll update you when I make some decisions.  Thank you for those of you that have stuck around and continue to read this blog.  I know my posting has been rather sporadic.  How are you all doing?

New, New, New!

As I hinted, there have been lots of changes going on around here.  I feel like now I can share some of them with you.

In the world of exercise in fitness, I had my bike tuned up (that was probably waaaaay overdue).  I also got a new helmet and new cycling jersey.  Check it out:

We also got a new car!  We survived the past year with just one car.  It really was great in terms of saving money on gas and insurance and because I was going to school close to home and Patrick was working close to home, sharing the car wasn't an issue.  However, it was time for a second vehicle.  This is our brand new Mazda 3.  We are totally in love with this car (especially the color, notice a trend?):

The real reason we needed the second car is because I got a big-girl job.  Hooray!  It's at an environmental lab in Massachusetts.  I have to commute about 45 minutes and I'm working second shift.  That would have made sharing one car a little more difficult.  Poor Patrick would be stuck at home a lot.  I worked my first full week at my new job last week.  Unfortunately the hours have been long and things may be changing again soon.  We shall see.  In the meantime, it's nice to have a job that pays more and has benefits.  I can't wait until the 4th of July - it will be my first paid holiday!

What's new in your world?  Fill me in!

Finding a Job is Like Training for a Race

This whole job searching business has really gotten me thinking.  So please indulge me while I get a bit philosophical on you.

I think what's been bothering me the most are all the unknowns involved in this process.  It's hard to go from a place where you feel safe and put yourself out there.  I think there are some shared feelings between this process and training for a race.

It's easy to pick a race or a training plan that feels 'safe.'  You choose it because you know you'll finish or because it will keep you in your comfort zone.  But those choices aren't nearly as rewarding as sticking your neck out there and challenging yourself.  And most of the time when you challenge yourself, you usually meet your goal.

So in my job hunt, I'm trying to embrace the idea of finding a job in a field that is new to me.  I want to be open to companies that I normally wouldn't consider.  In some ways I don't really have a choice because I don't want to limit myself, but I do have the ability to take this as a challenge and meet it head on.

And besides, what I'm finding to be worse is waiting to hear back.  The applying that's easy.  It's the praying, wishing, hoping for a phone call that's really terrifying.  Unfortunately, there is not a thing I can do about that.  Like waiting for a race, you just train as best you can and hope it all goes well on race day knowing that you tried your best.  Sometimes you have to recognize that there are factors beyond your control.

How are you challenging yourself?  Are you pushing yourself out of your comfort zone?

The Job Hunt Commences

So now that the thesis project is (mostly) behind me, I've turned my attentions to job hunting.  I think I hate this more than working on my thesis.  There are just too many unknowns and it makes it uncomfortable.  And Patrick is also looking for work, which makes it harder because we'd like to be in the same area, obviously.  So we are both job searching separately and hoping we get lucky and find jobs close to each other.

Add to this the fact that while I really want to go into teaching, I'm also qualified to do lab work.  The teaching applications are long and tedious and it takes awhile to get all those references to actually get letters of reference prepared and sent out.  And teaching jobs move fast.  Most lab jobs I've encountered want you to have your master's or have over 5 years experience.  What ever happened to entry level positions?  

Some positions want you to tell them your salary requirements.  Um, I don't know?  I'd really just like to get paid a fair salary.  I don't want to low ball this and think that I'm a push-over, but I don't want to over price myself so they don't even want to look at me.

Please tell me this gets better?  I'm up to my eye balls in resumes and cover letters.  Any tips or tricks for scoring an sweet gig?

Heading Home

In a little more than an hour I'll be catching the bus to Portland where I'll meet up with my dad and he'll bring me the rest of the way home.  I just can't believe that I'm already half way through the semester!  It feels like every year goes by faster and faster.  I am excited to be going home though.  There are lots of fun things planned, most of them revolving around the wedding.

Tomorrow my mom and Patrick's mom and I will be heading out to try and find them dresses for the wedding.  Keep your fingers crossed that we find some good deals!  I'm looking forward to spending time with them both.

I'm supposed to be working part of my two week break, but I still have not received confirmation from my boss that my paperwork has gone through.  As much as I'd love to not have to work over break, I really need the money.

And next Thursday, my mom and I will be leaving for San Fransisco.  We'll be there visiting her half-brother and picking out wedding flowers.  I'm hoping we get to drink some good wine while we're there.  We're staying until Tuesday and then I should be working the rest of the second week.

Finally, the last weekend of break, Patrick will be coming down with two of his groomsmen.  They're going to get fitted for tuxes and Patrick's best man is throwing his bachelor party that night.  He didn't want to do it this early, but all the boys won't be together again until the rehearsal, so it just made sense logistically.  While the boys are out, I have scheduled a massage for myself.  I figured it's only fair that I get to have fun too!

Somewhere in between, I'm hoping the weather cooperates and that I get some good workouts in.  I have been missing my bike and I'm hoping to get a few rides in, as well as a few warmer runs.  We can all dream can't we? 

What's everyone else up to?  Any big races?  Any upcoming travel plans?

Back To Work

I'm happy to report that Patrick and I are back in NH for the holidays.  We got home on Wednesday night and I'm already back to work.  Well, the kind of work that makes me money that is.  See school is the kind of work that costs me money.  Anyway, I just feel so lucky to have a job to come back to.  I'm able to work full time during the summer, and during Christmas break and spring break.  So what is this fabulous job, you might ask?
Let me give you a hint:

Still don't know?  Well, I don't blame you.  I work at a wastewater treatment plant!  I know, I know, it sounds gross, but I assure you, it's not.  I work in the laboratory and test the water to make sure it's safe to be released into the river.  It's great lab experience and the pay is good.  The picture is actually of our plant.  The sea-foam green "egg" in the picture is called a digester.  It acts a lot like a stomach to process the solid waste that comes in.  And that's only a tiny part of the larger process.  There are all kinds of different things going on, that I find absolutely fascinating.  But, I won't bore you with all that here!

In my job, I'm responisble for testing the pH of the water, dissovled oxygen, e. coli, chlorine, and solids.  I also help with all the paper work that comes with any government agency, along with cleaning and organizing the lab.  I just like to shed a little light on my job because I feel like a lot of people overlook these types of things.  But the fact of the matter is that someone's got to do it!  Plus, there is a certain sense of job security, if you know what I mean. 

Hope you all had a great week and an even better weekend.