to teach or not to teach...

that is the question. i had dinner with marlo and jenn last night, and marlo mentioned that fba needed english teachers desperately; apparently all of their jr high english teachers are leaving. i don't know if they've hired anyone yet, but marlo was really trying to get me to go teach there. i told her the only position i'd even consider was 8th grade, and i said i'd interview, but i couldn't promise anything. while i love teaching, and i know i'll go back and do it some day, i feel pulled to do something else right now. i need to recharge my teaching batteries. plus, i would love to live among adults for a little while (as opposed to 12 year-olds). however, how can i turn down an interview? especially one that God throws in my lap? i have had 2 teaching job opportunities fall into my lap (if this one does), and i haven't sought out either. does that mean something (rhetorical question)?? anyway, no word on any of that yet.

i still haven't heard back from the canadians at smart company (yes, that is the actual name). they make the interactive white boards that we use at school, and i've used one for 4 years (i was the first to have one in my room...let's be honest, i'm just that cool). anywho, i applied for a training job with them thinking i'd get to travel a little bit (or a lot) and be with different people all the time, which is kinda cool (even though i'm sure it could get old/lonely). unfortunately, i have no experience with the corporate world, so when someone says she's going to call for a phone interview on a certain day, is not able to, and then doesn't get back to me, i'm not sure what to make of it. schools like to hire quickly and get it over with, so you usually know within a few weeks (or less) if you've got a job, but this has been going on for almost 2 months now (since march 25 or so). i have other things in the works, so i'm not stressing about this (and i have absolute faith), but i am noticing things about myself in this process: 1. that i expect a lot from people in the way of communication...possibly too much. i'd like to think it's just a courtesy thing, but maybe that's just the way the business world is, and i'm not used to it; and 2. not everyone believes s/he can help, so s/he would rather avoid me than feel like s/he had failed me.

the only experience i have in business (which is quite a bit actually) is working for my dad. in my family, customer service was of the utmost importance...the rules were simple: 1. the customer is always right; 2. if the customer is wrong, refer to rule 1. therefore i am used to bending over backwards to make people happy (or at least act like i am, which is actually an art).

so it's weird to me when people don't do seemingly simple things like return phone calls and emails. example: the principal at the school in austin where i interviewed emailed me to get references. i responded that i had prayed all weekend, and i didn't think i was the best candidate for the job (it was elementary school, and i prefer the older kids who can understand sarcasm). i thanked her for her time and told her i'd see her in june (when i'm training their teachers on their new computers). that was monday. have i heard anything from her...nope. and i'm not asking for much. really, i'd just like to know that she got the email. if i were in her position, i'd fire off a very short email saying something like this, "thank you for your honesty, and good luck with your search. i'll see you in a few weeks." but i'm not sure if that's what people do. my guess is no. and this training job for smart: hr girl (rebecca) called last wed to schedule a phone interview for fri. i emailed her back thurs to reschedule for monday (b/c i was in austin interviewing all day fri). she emailed back saying she understood and she'd get back to me with a time. haven't heard from her. do i assume she has found someone for the job, or do things just go that slowly (in other words, is she that busy)? I certainly don't want to stalk/pester her, but i don't want to sit around and do nothing either.

anywho, that's my lack of news about the job search. i am VERY blessed to have an opportunity to work over the summer doing fun stuff (day camp at school...i teach cooking, bible study, book club, and jewelry-making), and i know everything will be fine. God works in crazy ways, and i am constantly learning about myself in this process, which is great. everything happens for a reason...