I have papers to grade and lecture notes to review, but I also have a fresh cup of tea and the need for a short session with all of you. Can't promise much, but here we go all the same.
Spring seems to be springing in DC. I doubt it lasts too long, but it is in the mid to upper sixties here this week and I am so grateful. Not that it is overly sunny or balmy (lots of clouds and wind), but the warmth gives me hope. Yesterday I left work at 5p and went with my friend Andie for dinner outside. We set up on 8th Street and enjoyed warm weather, cold beer and good conversation for nearly two hours. It was much needed and appreciated.
I am hoping that the change in season ushers in a change in attitude for me as well. You know the old adage, "If you can't say anything nice..."? I have been following it a lot lately and, as such, find myself without much to say. Airing grievances about my situation to people who can't do anything about it is just complaining and I am tired of complaining. Plus, for me at least, complaining only serves to make me more agitated (as Brian can verify) so I'm just trying to make it through the next few months. I don't have much confidence that I would get any real result from talking with admin, so I pretty much just put my head down and get back to work and am grateful for every little moment of joy my students provide. I am already anticipating how hard it will be to say good-bye to them, but I know that is time for me to leave this place. I can't fight the same fights and keep seeing no results.
And so I find myself, twenty-seven years old and applying for jobs for only the second time in my life. I found an amazing job opening for a program director at the new Capital Visitor Center, but it is a government job and I don't meet the pay grade requirements. I applied anyway, but the handy online application program let me know that I "failed to meet basic requirements," which is a humbling phrase if there ever was one. It's too bad too, because I think I'm pretty well qualified to develop programs and exhibit content on civics and US government for students and the general public, but I guess my lack of a master's in public affairs says otherwise. ::sigh:: There are some other jobs on the horizon, but none that have me as excited as this non-opportunity did. Still, I have four months until I am out of a job, so I'm staying optimistic.
1 comment:
Oh.. I wish it was 60 so sitting outside was an option. It's been a couple years since I've been to DC in the spring and I miss it a lot. Cherry Blossoms... K Street martini's... might have to throw that in again (although harder that it's not a paid trip anymore). I hope you find some great job opportunities for you - and it will be interesting to see where you land. You'll land on your feet - as you always do - but the path is not laid with golden bricks to show you where to go... unfortunately.
Congrats on the year - hope it was a good night out (or dinner in????)
Enjoy some Spring for me...
B
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