While reading this article, I was shocked by one of the final paragraphs: Of more than 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide, more than half live in either Brazil or Peru, Survival International says.
When I saw the picture online of one of the tribes which has not been contacted, I could hardly believe it. Our society has advanced tremendously over the course of several millenia. This entry that I'm writing will be visible for anyone in the world with internet access to see. I'm connected to millions if not billions of other people this way. Yes, I am quite sheltered, and I'm more privileged than most of the world, simply because I live in this country.
I suppose that's why I have such a hard time believing that there are people out there- over 100 different tribes of people- who have never been exposed to anything I've known in my life. To me, it almost sounds like the stuff featured in movies. Hmm.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Slightly less productivity today
So I mailed out two other applications this morning and sent an email to the arts supervisor for one of the corresponding applications. Unfortunately, I did not fill out the two other applications I'd planned to do today.
Instead, I met my dad at his workplace for a lunch date (yummy Mexican food, complete with margaritas!) before I stopped by the bank. Good conversation and free lunch = pleasant afternoon.
In the last few hours, I've practiced music for an upcoming choir tour and I've made a HUGE mess in our house as I tried to sort through stuff I brought home from GradSchool. It's in different places around the house, and I've got to get a handle on it (and hide as much of it as possible) before BestFriend comes tomorrow!
That's right, folks! BestFriend, who has never actually visited me at home, will be arriving for a superfun Girls' Weekend here at the home of my parents. Already, I've been investigating fun outdoorsy activities since she loves the water ... and there will be some fun trips to the big nearby city, especially now that I've found my pass for the city's popular transportation system. (Unlike CoolCity, where I lived during my years at AlmaMater, I do NOT feel comfortable driving around in my "home city.")
So ... a modified to-do list after yesterday:
1) Shove stuff into boxes, and label them so it's easier to sort the stuff when I have more time. Oh, and hide those boxes in the basement.
2) Remove computer and printer from kitchen table (because the family's printer isn't working and I needed mine yesterday) and place them somewhere out of sight.
3) Change the sheets for BF.
4) Change my pet's cage.
5) Solidify plans a bit more for at least tomorrow's outing, after I retrieve BF from the airport.
All this, and Westley and I have a phone date - at any moment- which will likely last at least an hour. Hmm.
Instead, I met my dad at his workplace for a lunch date (yummy Mexican food, complete with margaritas!) before I stopped by the bank. Good conversation and free lunch = pleasant afternoon.
In the last few hours, I've practiced music for an upcoming choir tour and I've made a HUGE mess in our house as I tried to sort through stuff I brought home from GradSchool. It's in different places around the house, and I've got to get a handle on it (and hide as much of it as possible) before BestFriend comes tomorrow!
That's right, folks! BestFriend, who has never actually visited me at home, will be arriving for a superfun Girls' Weekend here at the home of my parents. Already, I've been investigating fun outdoorsy activities since she loves the water ... and there will be some fun trips to the big nearby city, especially now that I've found my pass for the city's popular transportation system. (Unlike CoolCity, where I lived during my years at AlmaMater, I do NOT feel comfortable driving around in my "home city.")
So ... a modified to-do list after yesterday:
1) Shove stuff into boxes, and label them so it's easier to sort the stuff when I have more time. Oh, and hide those boxes in the basement.
2) Remove computer and printer from kitchen table (because the family's printer isn't working and I needed mine yesterday) and place them somewhere out of sight.
3) Change the sheets for BF.
4) Change my pet's cage.
5) Solidify plans a bit more for at least tomorrow's outing, after I retrieve BF from the airport.
All this, and Westley and I have a phone date - at any moment- which will likely last at least an hour. Hmm.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Update from a few hours later
Not only did I complete the application for my home district, but I wrote a new cover letter to the supervisor for the arts for another position about 4 hours away (for which I'd already applied online) ... AND I mailed out a complete application package to yet another district about 3 hours away, a position which I only discovered online this morning (and their deadline is Friday)! I feel quite productive! Yay!
Still to do:
1. Complete online applications for two other local districts.
2. Write a letter to my district's art supervisor, notifying her of my application.
3. Stalk job postings.
4. Apply to a few other districts in my state.
And for the non-job-finding-related list:
1. Clean my room, my parents' house, everything.
2. Get money from the bank.
3. Plan amazing and crazy adventures for BestFriend and me, since she arrives in less than 48 hours! Woo-hoo!
Still to do:
1. Complete online applications for two other local districts.
2. Write a letter to my district's art supervisor, notifying her of my application.
3. Stalk job postings.
4. Apply to a few other districts in my state.
And for the non-job-finding-related list:
1. Clean my room, my parents' house, everything.
2. Get money from the bank.
3. Plan amazing and crazy adventures for BestFriend and me, since she arrives in less than 48 hours! Woo-hoo!
New Day, Fresh Start
Already, I've completed the easy-peasy application for my home district's system. The one secondary opening I'd heard of was already filled internally, which means that there is now an opening at the elementary level. While I love kids at that age, and I enjoy working with choirs of that age, I'd rather not teach mainly general music to all 600+ students at the school, especially when choir is not the main aspect of that type of position. My graduate degree focused on working with choirs, and I really want a job where I get to do that!
Maybe I shouldn't be so picky.
I mean, my criteria now is as follows:
Type of position: Secondary vocal (prefer high school level, but would try to get experience at junior high level if that's all that is available)
Location: Not too far from home -- by that, I mean within a 6-hour radius of home, although preferably not too far from GradSchool (where Westley still is, which is 5 hours from home); also - I'd love to be near a city (within an hour's drive) because of the cultural opportunities available there, but- no urban schools for me- I do not have the personality nor any desire to teach inner-city
The main problem I've encountered thus far (at least, from what I suspect) is that I have no formal teaching experience. It doesn't matter that I likely have more experience in my field than almost any other new college graduate in my field (graduate assistantship, professional internships, substitute teaching experience, performance experience, a couple publications, membership in several venerable professional organizations, etc). In spite of all of those things, I do believe the fact that I haven't actually taught in a public school before makes me significantly less desirable.
I've just gotta keep reminding myself that God has a plan for my life. And, as is usual in my life, everything turns out much better when I let Him lead. :-)
Maybe I shouldn't be so picky.
I mean, my criteria now is as follows:
Type of position: Secondary vocal (prefer high school level, but would try to get experience at junior high level if that's all that is available)
Location: Not too far from home -- by that, I mean within a 6-hour radius of home, although preferably not too far from GradSchool (where Westley still is, which is 5 hours from home); also - I'd love to be near a city (within an hour's drive) because of the cultural opportunities available there, but- no urban schools for me- I do not have the personality nor any desire to teach inner-city
The main problem I've encountered thus far (at least, from what I suspect) is that I have no formal teaching experience. It doesn't matter that I likely have more experience in my field than almost any other new college graduate in my field (graduate assistantship, professional internships, substitute teaching experience, performance experience, a couple publications, membership in several venerable professional organizations, etc). In spite of all of those things, I do believe the fact that I haven't actually taught in a public school before makes me significantly less desirable.
I've just gotta keep reminding myself that God has a plan for my life. And, as is usual in my life, everything turns out much better when I let Him lead. :-)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Rejection
Today, I received a polite rejection letter from the district for which I interviewed last week. I felt like my interview had gone very well; I represented myself, my education, and my experience clearly and professionally. I laughed with them in my interview. I was excited about the position, I liked the location, and I really thought I would at least get called back for a second round interview, if not a third round interview. So ... I'm disappointed that I'm not the person they are seeking. And stress has come back to claim its place in my life as I am full force back in the job search.
Off to console myself with Twizzlers and TaB. And the season finale of Grey's Anatomy since I haven't seen it yet.
Off to console myself with Twizzlers and TaB. And the season finale of Grey's Anatomy since I haven't seen it yet.
Friday, May 23, 2008
I'm old enough to have a reunion?
Word is out on my high school class's reunion "group" site. Apparently we have a reunion in a few months.
I love how the class president said that the council had met to decide the date. Funny that I'm hearing it after the fact, and I was class secretary for three years. Hmmm.
Another strange thought: My mom took my dad to her 5-year high school reunion shortly after they began dating. I remember hearing that story while growing up ... and it seems really odd that somehow I'm now old enough to be going to my 5-year reunion. Weird. :-)
I love how the class president said that the council had met to decide the date. Funny that I'm hearing it after the fact, and I was class secretary for three years. Hmmm.
Another strange thought: My mom took my dad to her 5-year high school reunion shortly after they began dating. I remember hearing that story while growing up ... and it seems really odd that somehow I'm now old enough to be going to my 5-year reunion. Weird. :-)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
And I did just fine!
First real job interview EVER went well! There were maybe 2 moments where I couldn't quite think fast enough ~ for those, I forgot to follow BestFriend's advice to take a few seconds after a question was asked to formulate my answer before letting word vomit take over. Eh.
Still, I got a positive vibe from the committee. They complimented me on my stellar academic record, and they seemed impressed by what the answers I gave to their questions. I'm thinking I'll at least make it to the second round of interviews. I feel really good about this potential job. It's in a good district, and the administration strongly supports the arts. I really liked my potential colleagues (two were in on the interview process, and another taught a class I took in undergrad). I've still got to submit other applications elsewhere (so that not all my eggs are in one basket), but I think I'd want this job if it were offered to me. So ... yay! :-)
Still, I got a positive vibe from the committee. They complimented me on my stellar academic record, and they seemed impressed by what the answers I gave to their questions. I'm thinking I'll at least make it to the second round of interviews. I feel really good about this potential job. It's in a good district, and the administration strongly supports the arts. I really liked my potential colleagues (two were in on the interview process, and another taught a class I took in undergrad). I've still got to submit other applications elsewhere (so that not all my eggs are in one basket), but I think I'd want this job if it were offered to me. So ... yay! :-)
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