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.