Unemployment

In October I quit my job of three years to complete an internship and finish my master's program. I loved this job and since everything was so hectic when I left (already in the middle of the student teaching internship) I wasn't able to wrap things up with all of the people I had been working with. People I worked with in different states probably think I just dropped off the face of the earth -- well, I'm sure they know now since there is someone else in my old position! Anyway, the whole thing was a whirlwind. So, imagine the relief on December 8th when I finished everything! What in the world would I do with myself?

Week 1-2

Pre-Christmas festivities and fun. Plenty of time to decorate, cook, and celebrate! These first few weeks Tyler was in awe of me. I think he actually said, "Wow, those purple lines under your eyes are gone!" And it was true! I had been running too hard since May and this down time was much needed.

Week 3!

Snowy Christmas and travel to the O'Connors annual gathering of the extended family where many competitions and activities are carried out. For example, my father-in-law chooses a book for his children, nieces, and nephews to read each year by the next Christmas. When we gather, we have a test on the book! It may sound like a downer, but everyone loves it. Tyler wins the most. This year's test was on Lassie Come Home which is about the original Lassie in Scotland -- and there is no Timmy! European Lassie. We have also read The Jungle Book, To Kill a Mockingbird (I won that year), All Quiet on the Western Front, and next year we are reading Goodbye, Mr. Chips. I hear it is wonderfully sad.

Week 4 +-- After the holidays, I realized how much time I had. I applied to substitute at schools around town and have been tutoring some neighborhood kids.

We went to Vegas and to Phoenix for the National Championship game. I believe this trip further indoctrinated me into the O'Connor family. My first true roadtrip with them. Driving from Vegas to Phoenix is a 5-hour drive for the non-adventure lover. That is why our bright blue mini van took the 8-hour option down Historic Route 66... where we took a lot of pictures:

I am on top of an Arizona boulder!

It was worth every minute: World Champs!

(accd to Tyler)

Pros of Unemployment:

1. Spontaneous travel

2. Reminding myself how to cook

3. The world is my oyster!

4. Re-organization of my life

5. Time to reflect on the whirlwind that was 2010 -- so I don't forget it!

6. I met my mailwoman and my garbage men!

7. I am here when people need to come by the house for various reasons.

Cons of Unemployment:

1. No tengo dinero!

That is the only one, but it is a biggie!

Actually, #2. is missing the day to day interaction with co-workers/students/etc.

So, 2 cons.

I am enjoying this time, but will have a refreshed mindset towards work when I am back in the "employed" category on the nightly news statistics.

____________________________

"Better watch out for those man-eating jackrabbits and that killer cacti..."