Epitome of Irony

"Timing is everything" people say.

This week - that was true. And it was all completely ironic.

Last Friday, I was informed that my co-worker Alison is leaving for another job. No one had a clue she was looking, and it was especially funny to me since I had just had a job interview myself on Thursday evening.

Monday morning, after 3 years of slavelike servitude, I was promoted to Alison's position (Administrative Assistant to the Vice President). I couldn't say no - it would look suspicious - and I had heard nothing from my interview (which was incredibly weird, by the way).

Moving on. Tuesday morning, I get a call from the school I interviewed with and I'm offered a position there. Didn't really know what I'd be teaching, but a teaching job nevertheless. I asked to have some time to think about it and I asked for phone numbers of some of the teachers in the English department so I could speak with them about teaching at Wade Hampton (again, my interview was very weird and I needed more info).

So, I spoke to the teachers (all lovely people, by the way) and they told me I'd be teaching 10th grade. 10th grade. Did I say 10th grade? Yeah. 10th grade. It's a MAJOR testing year for students in high school. I've pretty much always been opposed to the current testing system. I got online and checked out some practice tests for these 10th graders in SC. Yep. Definitely don't like the testing system.

So, after several hours of thought and sitting on the fence (both jobs were now offering the same pay), I decided that all my work over the past few months to teach high school was a bit of a waste because I really, REALLY, would rather teach college. That's just where my heart is. I thought my heart was just in teaching, but it really is teaching a certain age. Plus, I like having more freedom. I'm not too keen on America's current education system. I can't really condone entering it. I'd fight it every stinking day, and I wouldn't last long. What can I say? I've become a non-conformist.

So, this morning, I officially said no to the teaching position. I will stay in "the job from hell" for awhile longer. At least until I can get back into a college teaching position (which can't possibly happen before January at this point) or something better comes along. I have learned the hard way to wait for exactly the right thing. It will eventually happen. I just need patience.

If only I had more of it most of the time.

Yippee!

I've got a teaching job interview tomorrow! The reign of terror (aka - my current job) may finally be at an end!

Ramblings from an Irate American English Major in Defense of British Literature

*Disclaimer: Those who have not read the Harry Potter books should stop reading right here. Only if you have read the books will you appreciate the sentiments laid herein.

I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on Wednesday night. To keep us all sane, I will keep my comments to a minimum, but they must be shared.

Visually: stunning! The action sequences and the major fight in the Ministry of Magic looked EXACTLY as I pictured it in my head. I couldn't have been happier with that.

Acting: Good by Daniel Radcliffe (Harry). Book 5 was really all about Harry, and the movie did really reflect this. Dan did a good job playing an angry teenager with too much on his emotional palatte.

Plot: HACKED TO PIECES! SHREDDED! VISUALLY PLUNDERED AND RAPED!

Ending: I can only say this: my soul howled in protest. Damn Americans and their trite, happy endings!

J.K. Rowling should be sued for mismanagment of her own material! What could she possibly need more money for?

And that, my friends, is all I will say, here, about that.

In Between

Ever feel like you're on this plain of existence that totally doesn't match that of everyone else you know? Like you're living in The Matrix? I do.

I'm in this weird inbetween stage of life where I'm not happy where I am and all attempts to move forward or away from my current position doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. Like I'm on some sort of hamster wheel - spinning but not really going anywhere.

I'm still waiting on my PRAXIS scores, but I have put out a few "feeler" e-mails regarding teaching jobs. So far, 2 out of the 5 e-mails have recieved a response: position already filled. I'm beginning to think getting a teaching job this fall won't happen. I feel a bit bummed at this prospect because twice now I've really tried to re-enter teaching (once through a PhD program and now through the PACE (emergency certification) program) and neither attempt appears to really be getting me the hell out of my current job. What's the use of having a Master's degree and filling out all this paperwork and studying like a crazy person and taking these monsterously expensive tests if it doesn't help me progress in life?

I know. I'm whining. But damn it, I've worked hard to change my place in this universe and the universe keeps saying, "Ha, Ha! You can't catch me!" Well poo on you universe!

I apologize to those of you who read this and have much greater (and no doubt, more worthy) isses to complain about. I know I'm lucky to be healthy and have food and a roof over my head, but then, I wouldn't be American if I didn't whine about my life, right?

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!