one week down

So I entered back into the work force this week. It was a big adjustment getting dressed everyday! I really slipped into full unemployment mode there for a while. I really have a generous boss - when I was interviewed and we discussed my hours, I requested that I be able to either take Titus to school or be able to pick him up. Furthermore, I told him that on Tues & Thurs, I need to be able to pick him up due to Ray's work. He created a schedule just for me. I now work M, W, F 10 am to 6 pm and Tu, Th 10 am to 3 pm. I get to take Titus to school everyday. I love it.

I also love what I'm doing. I have this deep desire to help people. It is so rewarding to meet with my students and help them along their path of self-development. In just one week, I'm pretty enamored with D. who comes every day to work on her GED, L. who is a very bright, quiet woman who wants to go to massage school but can't until she passes her GED. Both are motivated by wanting to be able to be better providers for the little ones in their lives - a granddaughter and a son. They are lovely women. I'm blessed to be their teacher and guide on this part of their journey.

Of course, it is nice to have students say in just a few hours with them that they feel encouraged and respected by how I talk to them and how I'm explaining the rationale of their educational paths. I love it. I am able to combine my counseling skills and educational skills in a way that people are hungry to experience. It gives them hope to see how they can get to their goal and make their lives what they know they need to be. When I was preparing to see my first client during my counseling internship, my supervisor said "give them hope". I've never forgotten that. And over the years, I've become more adept at assessing the strengths people have, hearing their fears and desires, and speaking words that bring comfort. It is so powerful to understand their motivation, hear their goal, and lay out a plan for how they can get there. And then, enter their journey with grace and love and kindness. Can you tell I love my job?

Then there are my ELL students - a physician from Argentina, a mom and her adult children from Honduras, a man from Mexico and his friend...they are working so hard. And it is so fun to spend time with them learning English. I have a lot to learn in my effort to be an effective teacher for them, but it will come. And I have a great co-teacher, Patricio...a journalist, musician, and political junkie. What a cool group of KIND people I get to spend time with!

The nice thing is that I'm not feeling any new job honeymoon-high. I'm too beat up from my last gig to think that all will be peachy. But, I'm certainly appreciating the good things about Whatsoever.

And one last thought...yesterday my boss came in and said I'm getting a raise. It's been a good week.

coolest valentine ever

whatsoever community center

So today I met with one of the directors at the Whatsoever Community Center. (The center is in an old school on 12th St, not far from I-435. They have been around nearly 100 years...yes, a century of community based social services.) I had responded to a Craig's List posting for an early childhood teacher working with infants to 18 month olds. I thought it might be a nice way to be around babies. The director had emailed to set up an appointment and suggested that they might have another position for me to consider.

Anyway, the other job is a hybrid of GED teacher (more like case manager/tutor), job skills/computer skills trainer, and ESL teacher. I am so excited about the possibility! I have wanted to work in ESL for a long time, but have never had the right opportunity. Plus the educational and counseling elements are a great fit. I really think I would love working with this team and could put my all of my assets to good use!

I'll be meeting with the executive director and youth services director some time this week. Keep us in your thoughts. It isn't easy being unemployed!

Our new Prez in his new ride

Streaming inauguration

Hulu is offering steaming, live online coverage of the inauguration on Tuesday. Check it here or on Hulu's Web site:

the big part-ay

Monday night we were the guests of our friend, State Representative Trent Skaggs, at the Missouri Governor's Inaugural Ball in Jefferson City. It was a blast. The building is magnificent and was packed out with people dressed to the nines. Offices line the perimeter of the first two floors and tables full of food and drinks lined the halls. Here's a little pictorial sampler of our night.

the beatles

ray has successfully passed on his love of the beatles to titus, who now goes to sleep every night being serenaded by the fab four. last night, when putting him to bed, titus said to me. "mom, every time i see cate or ella i start singing this song." want to guess what it was? "I Want to Hold Your Hand". he's got it bad.