Come on, Baby don't you want to go...

I've officially come to terms with the fact that I will not be living in Colorado just yet. And you know what? I'm kind of okay with it. I really missed my family these past 2 weeks. I've never visited Colorado without them, and it just didn't feel the same. I usually get alot of hikes in, or sight-seeing, or skiing. Not this time. This was such a "work-work-work" trip. I guess it kind of gave me the feel of what it would be like living out here on my own, and I just don't think I'm ready for it. I love the vacation part of Colorado. I don't think I'll be ready to officially live out here until I can REALLY make a living for myself. I was so limited these past couple weeks because I just didn't know where I was going (figuratively, not literally...I did have an awesome GPS!) This next year I just need to buckle down, focus on my career and furthering my education, save up alot, and next summer I can reevaluate if I'm set to really be on my own in Colorado - to have a stable job AND enjoy the mountains I love so much with some fresh powder beneath my skis. :)

Until then, I need to figure out what I'm going to do about shopping. Now that I'm making good money, I am going to be very tempted to hit up the mall more often. No bueno! I was on bananarepublic.com, which has the cutest clothes ever, and before I knew it, I had a shopping cart so full of cardigans and dresses that the pages were taking too long to load. Yikes! Good thing I stopped myself before pushing "Check Out..."

Next week is the big 23, and I plan to do some retail therapy then. Maybe in the greatest city on earth...Sweet Home CHICAGO!!!

awesome read :)

Two posts in one day! Woah! I'm becoming a nerd ;)

I forgot to mention last time...I just finished reading an awesome book. It is a history-related fiction novel titled "Mademoiselle Boleyn" by Robin Maxwell. Such a good read. Maxwell studied Anne Boleyn's life before she became King Henry VIII's second wife that made him leave the Catholic Church. She grew up in the French court, amongst scandal, liberalism (for that time period), and women challenging their roles. So fasciniting to see what could have created the queen-in-making. It's an easy read, and I couldn't put it down for a few days. It's highly suggested ;)

Job hunting gone awry...

On August 2, I flew out to Colorado to do some job hunting at schools. Talk about a migraine and a half! Sometimes, in education (sadly) its not what you know, its who you know. And well, I don't really know anyone high up in schools in Colorado. So my plan was to just walk into schools, resume and portfolio ready to go, and ask to speak to someone about any open positions. If there were no open positions, I was just going to ask to leave my resume with someone that can contact me for future employment.

Of course, every secretary I meet says that the Principal or hiring person is in a meeting. In every school throughout Colorado. At all hours of the day. How convienent. I mean, I get it. I understand how annoying it is when people just pop in unannounced. I worked in customer service. Solicitors are annoying. I guess I was kind of like a solicitor in some way. Selling myself basically. I just started to feel really let down after only a day.

I want to live in Colorado. More than anything in the world. When I was little, my friends would want to be models or vetrinarians. I wanted to be a ski instructor. I still think it would be AWESOME to do that for a living! But my first passion is education and history. Second is the mountains. Skiing, hiking, rock climbing...love it all. I want to combine my two passions one day. But not this school year I guess. After a week of job hunting, it was clear that I just waited too late in the game to get out to Colorado. I should have come in May. Shoulda, coulda, woulda!

However, on the more positive note, I have made a plan for my life for this next year. I was offered a permanent substitute teacher position at Lincoln-Way East High School (my alma-mater)!! It's awesome money, full time position, and they asked if I could coach a sport and be involved in 2 activities, which would bump me up on the pay scale even more. I always said that if I stay in Illinois, I would want to be at Lincoln-Way. :)

However...I need to teach one day. I can't be a permanent sub forever. Thus, my life plan to make myself more marketable for next year:

1. Learn Spanish. Being bilingual will be a HUGE boost to my resume.
2. I am 3 classes away from being certified in Language Arts. I will finish those 3 classes and then I can teach Language Arts and History! Double whammy ;)
3. Become certified in more than one state. Most states just require paper-work. Adding my certifications will make me more marketable to relocate if needed (hopefully to COLORADO!!).
4. Get a puppy. Yes, I know this has nothing to do with schools - but I want a puppy. Now is a good time :)

This last week in Colorado, I am going to relax with my family and enjoy myself. I don't know if I should even go into the guy I met that lives out here. Spent some time with him and it just did not work out...we both were on completely diffrent pages. I need to be single for a while. That's what your 20's are for anyways, right? :)

Newly single, new job, new life plans...just need to stay positive now and count the little blessing in life. I need to remember that when I push my own plans to happen, God laughs. All in due time will I be out in Colorado. I'll be trying every single school year, and I know one day it has to happen.

Somehow, I successfully made it through the job hunt with a job offer - not actual teaching, but in a school nonetheless. One step closer to doing what I really want! So maybe I'm not pushing adulthood away that much ;)