Posts Tagged "Job"

Mexican Pizza on a Whim

Posted on Feb 1, 2012 | 4 comments

Hi Friends. This was one of the best dinners I’ve ever made. And it just materialized at the last minute in my kitchen! You see, I had Matt turn the crock pot on this morning, with a bottle of TJ’s bbq sauce, a can of beer, and some pork shoulder inside.

But I didn’t really have any ideas as to how I wanted to eat it. I usually like saucy meats over rice, but had the urge for something different. So the bbq pork mexican pizza was born.

Pulled pork on a habanero-lime tortilla, with coby jack cheese, corn relish, shredded carrots, and kidney beans. To-die-for.

As for week three of my new job, I’m feeling a bit more with-it, although still quite overwhelmed. I’m more familiar with faces, I’ve got the building down pat, but the school psychology model is just soo different than what I’m used to. All the teachers are incredible, and since most of them are fresh out of school, they are trained in the latest interventions. And there’s progress monitoring out the wazoo. Data was a scary word for some of the professionals in my Boston schools, but everyone collects data down here. Now it’s scaring me! I’m like the least educated person in the building. But I’m enjoying the challenge and my brain comes home tired each day. Tired, but hungry for mexican pizza and documentaries.

Matt picked out a documentary for this evening’s entertainment, so I’m off to find out what it’s about. Night.

School Psychologist

Posted on Jan 18, 2012 | 13 comments

Whew. That was overwhelming. Somehow I went from being an administrative assistant to having major responsibilities in a matter of days. I’m not sure I was mentally prepared for the intensity. Teachers were already stopping by my office for consultation! After six months in a desk job though, I could probably use a challenge, and the day flew by! There’s definitely a lot of energy in the school system. And the people are wonderful!!! I’m excited and scared at the same time.

I came home to recovering Matt who nearly fainted of nausea and dizziness this morning. I feel bad that I wasn’t around to help:( I made up for it in dinner though. I threw together some comfort mac and cheese, with a wonderful sun-dried tomato chicken sausage, and roasted brussels. It really hit the spot this evening.

I think some House Hunters will be a nice night cap. Another new day tomorrow! k night.

The Patient

Posted on Jan 17, 2012 | 10 comments

Lucky for me, I had one day off between the holiday and starting my new job, so I could take care of the patient. Matt had a simple surgery on his knee today to fix a soccer injury. It was scary when then wheeled him into the back wing! But, he’s doing great now and was pretty funny when he first woke up.

We’ve spent most of the day hunkered on the couch. It was actually quite nice to be forced to relax. I took an afternoon nap, ate lots of cereal, watched Midnight in Paris, and went for my first run in weeks at our apartment gym.

And work starts tomorrow! I think I’d be more excited if Matt weren’t stuck home on the couch – I’d rather be cuddled up watching movies. But seriously, I haven’t really had time to think about the new job between finishing the old one and my weekend trip. I think I’ll be very excited once I walk through the halls and see all the kiddos. I’m expecting to feel quite overwhelmed as well, given that I’m jumping in in the middle of the school year. But I’m up for the challenge. Wish me luck! Adios.

The Next Step

Posted on Dec 31, 2011 | 25 comments

I didn’t mean to leave you guys hanging about my new job, but the holidays got the best of me! So without further adieu: I’m going to be a school psychologist!

I’m sure no one is really surprised, seeing as I just graduated with a school psychology degree in May. But for many months, I struggled with the decision of whether or not I really wanted to be a school psychologist. You see, I became very disenchanted with all of the testing, and since the role of the psychologist varies by state, I decided to try something new after moving to assessment-focused NC. Looking back, I think I was blinded after being completely burnt out from 3 years of intense school psychology. In some ways, I see the past six months as a blessing in disguise though, because my experience working in a desk job has helped me come to appreciate many awesome aspects of school psychology:

1. Shorter work day.

2. Decent pay.

3. SUMMERS OFF (and winter + spring breaks)!!

4. More interaction with people and less staring at a computer screen.

5. Even though it’s sometimes boring writing, the job does involve writing, which is something I like. And I get to use my brain!

6. Working with energetic and sometimes cute kids.

7. And most importantly, helping children and their families is a much more satisfying way to spend my time.

I think my generation likes to believe that there’s a perfect job out there for all of us. And while I certainly believe that there’s a job for me that’s very, very close to perfect, I do need to be reminded that there are parts of every job that I’m not going to like. There are still many aspects of school psychology that I don’t like and that I’m not looking forward to. But, for now, there are more things I don’t like in this job than in that job, and that’s the best I can do at my age and with my experience. I also cringe at the thought that I slaved through graduate school (and spent lots and lots of dollars) for nothing. I know many believe that no degree is ever wasted, but it sure feels that way – I have all this specific information in my brain that can help children and I’m not using it! People have always told me that there are lots of different things you can do with a school psychology degree. What they failed to mention though, is that you have to have quite a few years in the schools under your belt first! Perhaps paying my dues in the schools will lead me to my dream job.

The job I took is part-time, so it will allow me to get my foot back in the door while giving me some time to explore other interests. I’m proud to have landed a job in an incredible district and I’m excited to have my own school and my own kids! I’m extremely future-oriented, so I’m trying to to focus on the present and not next year or the next ten. More free time in my life, a more meaningful work day, my own office (!), bullets on my resume in a field that I generally like – that’s enough for right now.

Waiting to Exhale

Posted on Dec 15, 2011 | 29 comments

I just took back time in my twenties. I quit my job (well, gave four weeks notice). I figured I’d rather be poor and happy than have regrets. Don’t worry, I have something small lined up. I’ll surely miss the lovely ladies in my office, and I feel a lot of sadness about that. For now, I’m gonna go drink a beer and keep telling myself that I’m a dreamer and a go-getter and not a quitter. I finally can breathe again.