A New Chapter

I spent most of my time these last two weeks freaking out before, during, and after school.  Most days, by the time I left school in the evening, my car waited, lonely, in the teacher's parking lot.  You see, after accepting a teaching position a few weeks ago, I've been trying to figure what exactly it is that a Reading teacher does.  I think I've finally figured it out (Yes, they teach students how to read! But that's harder than it sounds, mmmmkay?), but the difference between teaching Reading, and teaching English, which is what my training and experience were in, turned out to be larger than I expected.

I have a lot to learn, but after waiting nearly a year to have my own classroom, I am not complaining.  Outside of teaching, few careers would feed my two passions: the first, being my need for a creative outlet, and the second, believing in a higher calling to serve others.  Thus, no matter how overwhelmed I become, I have the greatest motivator of all propelling me: Gratitude. Thank you, God :-)

In other news, my job has moved me to Kissimmee, FL and into my own apartment.  That's right. I am finally doing grown up things in my grown up place..... ie: paying rent, cooking (or..ummm.. reheating Hungry Howies) and  vacuuming the carpet on Saturdays, of course.

After two whole weeks, my internet is finally up and running.  These last two internet-free weeks were dark, dark days, as I was forced to read books for entertainment and spend time in silent self-reflection...Yes, it's sad that it wasn't until I was minus TV and internet (and friends, actually) that I finally got back into the habits and hobbies I had recently abandoned. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to be so engrossed in a book that you fight off drooping eyelids while eagerly turning the pages of a novel, unable to wait another day to find out what happens next.  (I finished The Hunger Games in three days, despite my exhausting work schedule.)

I feel that my love for reading, a love that I had discovered in childhood, has finally been rekindled after a short hiatus.  And now, I'm not sure if it's that I feel myself, again, or that I am coming into a new self; A little of both is true, I suppose.  Either way, I look forward to spending many more evenings, unabashedly reading Young Adult novels, with my undeniably valid excuse, "it's for work."


To my delight, the novels have welcomed me back with open... pages.

Still, internet, it's good to have you back; those trips to Starbucks when I needed to check email (facebook) or do research (on facebook) were getting tiring.  (So, naturally, I complained about it on facebook.)

Side note: I will miss you, you over-priced Caramel Macchiattos.

Tell-All Tuesday

Yes, I've decided to take on the cutesy blog routines that I've seen everywhere-- and although I doubt Tell-All Tuesday hasn't been done before, it is my own spin off of these themed posts.  Sorry in advance, my Tell-All will be more of a journal entry than any type of interesting juicy gossip. ('Cause, it's my blog and I can do what I want to.)

I had just stretched out in bed this morning and looked at my clock : 9 AM.  MMMmm yeah!  A morning where I don't wake up to a shrill ring on my phone, is an excellent morning, in my book.  I know that I should want to get a gig everyday.  I know that I should be more concerned about making enough money to pay my preposterously high monthly student loan bill, and fill my gas tank, and all that nonsense; but on the days I don't get a call to go in, I can't help but silently rejoice and begin to plan out my day, a day blossoming with all the wonderful possibilities that unexpected free time brings--a day at the beach?  Take my nephews to the park?  Create a dance routine to a Lady Gaga song? Oh, the possibilities!

That day, however, was not today.

"This is the Okaloosa County School district calling for 'Jessica Custer'. There is a substitute position available. Press 1 to listen..." The automated message that greets me on the phone directs me from these joyous thoughts, no sooner than they began to swim in my head.  But, by golly, I accepted that job, I pulled on my professional-substitute-appropriate-outfit, I marched into that second grade classroom, I whipped those little hineys into order, and I brought home that dang bacon! Dislaimer: There was no actual whipping of hineys done... nor was there bacon, for that matter.

Upon returning from home, I worked steadily on an application process in an effort to be licensed to teach in this fine state of Florida, checked in with my sick boyfriend (poor baby), and relished a night of staying in composed of Dad's grilled turkey burgers for dinner and finally watching Part 1 of the latest Harry Potter film with mom.

You know, for currently being without a steady job and my own place, life isn't too shabby.

Images of India



Bright, brilliant, beaming smiles
Always so amiably yielding
From every gent, lady, and child.
Leading you to believe
They could do no harm.

Dazzlingly dark, coal lined eyes timidly peering,
Gaunt ghosts of nobody’s offspring appearing
From each ethereal outlet,
And round dusty lanes and bends,
Brazenly beseeching a single rupee from your hand.

Vividly, Sparkling and Shimmering Sarees,
Capture admirers with their charm;
Distracting sordid stares from superior splendor;
That is the meek and tender, radiant women,
From which melodic bangles glint on delicate arms.

Outside train compartment doors corroding,
Are splendidly dark tresses whipping,
As spirited gents do a romantic one-armed dangle
Relishing in the fleeting feeling of flight.
Feeling so light, fleeing from sight.

Such are the vast and vivid visions of an Indian venture,
Of which the natives, know without end.