MY First Day

Last night I did a giddy little dance because I was just that excited.  I got a job.  It's a little job, but it's a perfect job. 

Last month I started looking for something very part time (having learned my lesson last fall/winter).  I sent out a bunch of resumes and emails, and in the process, I remembered that a friend of a friend worked for some kind of non-profit doing educationy things.  I emailed her to see if she had any ideas for me.  It just so happened that they were getting started with their program for the school year and had some openings.  I sent her my resume and scheduled an interview. 

My interviewers (I'll call them A & A) were ready to offer me a job before we even met.  My experience, degrees, and passions are exactly what their program needed, and their flexibility in terms of time and space were exactly what I needed.  I get to work with students three or four days a month at times when Zach can be home so we don't have to hire a sitter.  In addition, they created an extra role for me, and so I also get to write curriculum from home. I'll work a total of 15 hours per week -- perfect!

Basically, the organization helps underprivileged high school kids to prepare for college.  Their (soon I'll start saying 'our') success rate of kids who actually graduate from college is 95%!  I'll be tutoring, doing "college readiness coaching" and writing a current events curriculum.  I get the impression that they want that aspect of the program to grow as I'm ready to take on more hours.  I am so geeked! 

Today I had a training, and I was thrilled to go.  I've never been so excited to sit through a meeting on a Saturday.  I mean, for one thing, it was paid, and our budget could really use a little breathing room.  Toward the end of the day, A asked me if I could stay after for a minute and she was all, "I'm sorry to make you stay.  I'm sure you're eager to get outta here."  And I was really thinking, "Um, can I stay a little longer, please?" 

The program doesn't actually start until October 9, so as I was leaving I said, "So... I guess I'll see you in a few weeks..." but then A & A had a brainstorm and asked if I would like to log some hours helping them write their curriculum.  I said, "Yes please!"  So I'm off and running! 

I feel like myself again, doing something that I'm good at and passionate about.  I have high hopes that I will be able to find that ever-elusive balance through this new endeavor.