Kontan’s Place

Enjoy the summer

Now that I have a job and we have found a place to live I feel like I can sit back and enjoy the summer. The only problem is we are three weeks away from a move and I need to pack. It’s not a problem really. It’s actually a blessing. I am so happy to not be worried about the job thing anymore. It feels so good to be going to a new school and teaching advanced courses. I’m ready to start preparing, but I have this issue where I can’t settle down to work until everything is done. Going to have to get over this little OCD tendency. I’ve been listening to 1776 for the AP summer reading. So far I am really impressed. Time to buy the book and prepare a few lessons though.

Hard to believe it is really happening.

Feels good.

Down with one obstacle

We got the house! Much relief. Time to really get to packing. Everything is falling into place nicely.

Less than a month

In less than a month we will be living in another state, a state I have never resided in. The last move was a rather large leap for us and it was only one state over. Moving last time I knew exactly where I did and did not want to live. I knew the area. This time we do not have that luxury. The cost of living is more and our knowledge is less. I have been in a tizzy, to the point of being ill. TMI? So sorry. Today we made a leap of faith and chose a house. We’ll see if the app is approved and all will be well with the world. If it is then my stress level will experience a slight drop. As it stands I am not in a good way. What if it doesn’t work out? What if it does? We will have to juggle even crazier school schedules! OK…need to get my mind off this and focus on something less stressful. I’m going to the park. Maybe that will help. If nothing else the girls will be exhausted when we return.

Happy 4th, now moving on…

It is now July 07 and it is time for the fireworks to stop. The dogs have been inside for four days now, going out for only 15 minute potty breaks during periods without popping or explosion. Good practice since they are probably about to be inside dogs anyway.

Too much time on the net is making me ill…off to relax and stop stressing over the housing sitch. Pray please. I need sanity.

The Interview and Home

My interview was Tuesday. I felt rather confident that this was the job for me and that admin had to be really interested or she wouldn’t have me spend the time and money to come for a face to face. I made it clear that I did not want to come if I was not being strongly considered. I didn’t want to be rude but a 550 mile drive with gas prices hovering near and over $4 is not what I call the best use of my money. If I’m going to drive that far there had better be a beach involved or a life changing opportunity. No beach, but a life changing opportunity there was.

I detailed day one with my post To the Cabin in the Woods. For the truly curious this is where I stayed. The tiny cabin was mine and Wooza-wooza was my sanity friend. Your are five minutes from fast food and a grocery store, but it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere.

After arriving I took a few minutes to relax then began the short journey to my interview site. Since the school is on a university campus I had to figure out which building. I was impressed by the campus. It was not awe inspiring, but it was classic and historical. I love 19th century buildings and the university campus that maintains its historical look. The entire campus had the feel of a place that was part of history. A very helpful university student was able to show me the school of my future. After exploring for an hour or so I headed back to my cabin. The last thing I wanted to do was try to find my way back in the dark. Besides, getting up way early and driving for what seemed like forever makes for a long day. I was ready for a period of relaxation and sleep.

As I posted before it was difficult for me to sleep and I was up at 4 AM on interview day. After several hours of reading and exploring I get ready and traveled to my interview. I find the administrator organizing her office. It was really good to put a face to the name and voice. It was rather informal. She told me more about the school and asked very few questions. The associate director came in and we chatted about the school and they answered my questions. Mrs. Admin took me on a tour of the building and explained the operation process. It is very college like. No bells. The teacher starts and stops the class. No teacher really has a classroom to call their own, but they do have a workspace. We looked at the textbooks I will be using and again discussed the rigor expected.

Back to the office we asked Mr. AD (associate director) what classes I would be teaching. He asked how I would distinguish in AP and Honors US. I found it to be a difficult question to answer. I have high expectations regardless of the class I am teaching. I would expect more research and analysis out of the AP students. In the end my experience was a factor and I will be teaching AP US and Civics. I did not share that teaching the economic aspect of Civics scares me to death. I have had two economics courses and one of those was Economic History of the US, a history course masking as an economics credit. However, my first teaching placement was Government/Economics and I survived. It will be good for me b/c I need to be stronger in this area. It unnerves me that the students are inquisitive and will be a challenge to teach. I’ll survive.

After chatting for well over an hour Mrs. Admin explained that she had a good idea I was the right candidate before the face to face, but felt it was still better to conduct the in-person interview. She also stroked my ego a little by saying that there were over 50 applicants for this position and my application jumped off the page. I think it is my mock trial experience that really boosted my chances. Either way, I have a job and it is time to move.

After lunch with Mrs. Admin I spent the rest of the day exploring. The next task will be finding a place to live and it will be a difficult one from 550 miles away. I’m finding Craig’s List to be an amazing tool in the process.

I don’t know why but somehow the drive home is always worse than the drive to a place. Maybe it is the excitement hype of starting a new adventure vs. ending it. In my case I think it is the fact that I was away from home for three days, ready to be back with my family, but flat out exhausted after seeing the sunrise each day of my trip. I am not a morning person so being up at 3:30-4:30 AM just does not make for a bright eyed, bushy tailed, camper in my world. Between the stress of what might be and all that goes along with it and being alone in a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere, I could not sleep. Up at 3:30 Eastern and on the road by 4:00, there was a long drive ahead. By 5:30 it was time to stop for breakfast. I had to stretch my legs at 7:00 and by 8:45, just outside of Atlanta, it was time for a short nap. 9:15 I was back on the road maneuvering ATL traffic and looking embracing the half-way point. The AL welcome center was a wonderful sight to see. Another quick walk and stretch break and I was back on the road. By Birmingham I was feeling the need for another good rest. Fortunately I had family that was perfectly willing to perk me up for the final two hour stretch. After the day of driving the last stretch felt like nothing.

I didn’t mind the solitude of driving and listening to the newly downloaded AP summer reading (1776, by David McCullough) kept me alert. I know, for some that would be a great snoozer, but I’m a history geek so it was worth the download and beats trying to read through it when I need to be packing.

Now what? We are playing keep or toss, planning a yard sale next week, and searching for a place to live. We have one month. I’ve done it in one week so one month is very doable. The twist is doing it from over 9 hours from the destination.

JP, you gotta get there and be my eyes!

Long post I know, but thanks for stopping by!

New concerns…

Lots to think about and I will update later but…

To the Cabin in the woods

Wi-Fi found! Here’s what I typed last night. Did you know you can publish through One-Note? How cool is that?

4 AM June 30 my alarm sounds. Ugh its early. I have little problem awaking as I am rather excited about the trip ahead. This could be what we are waiting for. This could be the job for me. My goal is to be on the road by 5 or 5:15. The best laid plans…lets just say they better be flexible. I piddled around and was ready to leave by 5:15, but then there was loading the car, and getting coffee to be taken care of. Jem was up to see me off. He hauled my suitcase to the car and checked the tires. Deciding they needed a little air he was kind enough to take the car down the road for a fill up and airing. I didn’t mind leaving a little later, it gave me a chance to finish my coffee. I hadn’t seen the light of day this early in months.

 
 

Just before 6 AM I was on the road, just me and the other insane people who had to travel early. I am not a morning person. The traffic wasn’t bad and I made it to Birmingham in record time. A little congested, but not much, I maneuvered the junction with little trouble. I am dreading Atlanta. At the rate I was travelling it was going to be 10 Central/11 Eastern when I hit the most miserable interstate in the South. Pretty bad traffic, but not as congested as our last trip, I passed through Atlanta with no trouble. Great…halfway there. That was a daunting thought. Over four hours into this journey and I was only half way there. . .not even that really. I drove through Georgia, then South Carolina, with a few stops to stretch. When I hit North Carolina I breathed a sigh of relief. My destination point was under two hours away. The last leg was through the sticks out to the middle of nowhere. A cozy bed and breakfast…more like a stand along the road less travelled. I had the choice of a room at the log house, the modern three bedroom/two bath house, or the tiny cabin. I chose the tiny cabin with the loft sleeping room.

 
 

Pulling up to the cabin I was greeted by Wooza-wooza, the inn dog. No humans in sight. Wooza barks at first, but we quickly become friends. She leads the way up the steps to the door of my tiny cabin. I couldn’t get it to open so I have to go in search of people. Wooza leads the way. What a great host she was. Finding the owners was no trouble. They were very friendly and said I just needed to use more force with the door latch. Ms. B&B owner walked with me back to the tiny cabin to show more a few things. The mini-fridge contained a pouch of organic coffee (woohoo) and the bath salts were going to be a relaxing addition to the jacuzzi experience. The tiny cabin had another little twist… Now for some this may be TMI, but it must be shared so that you can fully understand my tiny cabin experience. The toilet was “green.” I don’t mean the color green. I mean the buzz word of the day green. It was waterless. How does that work? Not a clue. When Ms. B&B showed it I thought it was going to be an insinerator toilet. (Instead of flushing you push a button and it insinerates what is in the pan.) Nope, this green toilet uses compost. You do your business, sprinkle the compost mixture in there, and go on your way. Your thinking that over time this thing is going to smell, right? Nope. I must say, surprised by that. More than you need to know, but I did find it interesting…and a little strange.

 
 

There is no TV here, or ‘net connection. I can reach my interview site in five minutes. Despite feeling like my tiny cabin is in the middle of nowhere it isn’t. I discovered my interview site is not a town or city, it is a village. The university/school is the ONLY thing there. ONLY. The next town over is only slightly larger. If I am offered, and accept, this position I do not know where we will live. Probably about 25 minutes away. So many other thoughts are introduced at this point, but not to be worried about until they are truly a concern.

 
 

It is now 6:40 AM July 1. I have been up since 4:30. Some people like driving. I do not. I don’t mind travelling and I certainly don’t mind being in the car for long trips. As I sit here in my tiny cabin, reflecting on the journey of yesterday, I am quickly realizing that I truly despise being alone. My interview isn’t until 10 AM. Now that it is light outside I think I will see if Wooza will keep me company as I explore the grounds.

the addiction

I can stop anytime I want. I don’t have to have it. I mean, its just my lifeline to the world and we didn’t use to have it. It’s just three days and I don’t need it anyway. OK…fine. I’m a ‘net junkie. I can admit it. However, I do embrace the next three days with limited ‘net activity. It will be wonderful to relax in my cabin in the woods, just minutes from my interview site.

10 AM Tuesday…send good vibes my way!

Still around

I have not dropped off the face of the Earth. Still here, just consumed. Jem is about to start July term, I have an interview Tuesday, and I lack motivation to journal. I have thoroughly enjoyed being home for the summer and relaxing with little to do. If things go well with my interview everything will race full speed ahead and the “little to do” will be just a memory. I like to have many irons in the fire so I do look forward to the chaos. At this point, I hope there is chaos to look forward to.

Grits had gritlets!

This post is to update a previous post: Here Kitty Kitty

I went home to visit family and discovered that Grits, the cat, was huge. Her behavior was a little strange. VERY friendly, nesting, and she was even lactating. A quick Google search produced information leading to the determination that she was due to deliver soon. While visiting I kept an eye on her and set up her delivery box. Panting and nesting, but no kittens. Just before leaving this morning I decided to check on her one last time…my departure time was delayed because it was time for the new arrivals. She produced the first kitten with a yeow, and did everything she was supposed to do. The second kitten came backwards. After getting him going it is obvious that he will dance to his own tune. He had difficulty breathing at first and was slow to move about, but when he finally got his breath he was a crier and mover. The third and fourth came as they should. A little smaller than the first two, they will have to become assertive if they wish to thrive.

This young kitty did very well and delivered four kittens with few problems. Very cute and very cool.

♦edit♦
SHE HAD A FIFTH ONE! Such a good mommy kitty too.