Surrounded by water and not a drop to drink

So I had a lot of interviews last week, and this week not as much. I have been trucking along with Kindercare and I think I may get that job. I have submitted for a background check and my fingerprints, and I the center director said that I should be able to start next week, so I hope that happens. And on Tuesday, I have an interview at Wells Fargo, for a teller job, and I hope I can do that too. If I can do one in the morning and one in the afternoon, I think that would be awesome. 

SO I will keep posting, but if you want to know what I am doing about my weight, check out jessandtashagetskinny.blogspot.com

Thanks!

Interviews galore!

So this week is the week of selling myself. I have had an interview every day so far, Monday till Thursday. Monday was at Kindercare-this is the job I really want. Its full time, teaching, in a great environment and I love the center. Downside, its a hour away each way. Tuesday(today) was at United Day Care- I don't really know about this job, it is a part time position from 3:30-5:30 m-f, but it takes me almost an hour to get there, so is it worth it? In the interview, she mentioned that it could become a subbing position. eh. Wednesday (tomorrow) I have an interview at Children's Workshop- funny thing about this one is I submitted my resume at 11 am, got a call for the interview at 1:30 pm, missed it, but called her back at 4 and has the interview tomorrow. I am excited. Its full time, and in FOCO which is not as far as northglenn, but I really don't know much yet. we will see how tomorrow goes. Then Thursday, I have my second interview at Kindercare-which will involve more questions and hopefully a job offer. I have some materials I need to bring to it, like a transcript and physical, which if I can find time I will get done tomorrow. I just really hope this brings me to an offer, but we will see. 

So I am working hard, getting myself out there. I will keep you all updated. 

Wake-up call

I have just received the wake-up call of a lifetime. Now before I get into this I must say that I know that I am overweight. I also know that I have gained a significant amount of weight in the last 3 years. I am not saying that I didn't see this coming, I am saying that I didn't realize how bad it has gotten until just now. 

When I started college, I weighed roughly 190lbs. I was criticized for being fat but honestly I felt healthy. I knew I wasn't in the best shape of my life, but I was happy with myself. Since then, I have gained a lot of weight. (for privacy purposes I won't say exactly how much) I know my clothes are tighter and I could feel things getting bigger, but I didn't really notice because in my head, and when i look in the mirror, I see me, at 190lbs. What's funny is there is actually a term for this, but it is generally used in terms of people who suffer from Anorexia Nervosa. Its called Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Again, don't think I am a hypochondriac that likes to diagnose myself, but I really see a different body when I look in the mirror. It is not until photos that I realize that I do not look like what I think I look like. Because of this, I don't think I have realized exactly how much weight I have gained. Here is photo comparison. 

What I think I look like (High School Grad 5/2005)

What I do look like (College Grad 5/2009)

I am shocked. Why did no one tell me? I really had no idea until I just looked at this picture. I have thought about applying for the biggest loser before, but truly after seeing this, I will absolutely be applying. I can't 

believe I let it go this far. I am in shock.

I am on my way

So I did it. I graduated. Now, unfortunately, I just have to finish school before I can get my diploma. Sounds funny right? Well I had a class transferring fiasco, so I have to take the class I already took elsewhere, and retake it a unc. Unfortunately that means I won't get my diploma till august, but I walked on saturday. oh well. I still feel very accomplished. So many of you, like 2 people, who read this, may be asking yourselves "What's next for Jess" Well, I think that I shall enlighten you. 

So while I (almost) have a bachelors degree, it is kind of in nothing... its in "Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts with an Earth Science Emphasis and a minor in Reading". WOW what a mouthful! Anyway, this really qualifies me for nothing. I can, however, and will choose to use it to become a teacher. It gets me 90% of the way to that, so thats good. Unfortunately, in order to become a teacher, you have to have a license. This I have not. I could have continued at UNC for another 2 years and possibly gotten it, but to be frank, (who is this Frank character everyone references when they decide to be straightforward about something? can't we just say " this is what I am saying because I am a straightforward person, and not have to blame it on Frank?..... back on topic) where was I... oh! I didn't have the patience or drive to really keep working for another 2 years. SO I decided to peace out after 4, earning a baloney of a degree, in order to pursue my real passion in life! Unemployment! 

just joking...

not about the unemployed part... but about that being my dream. I am not Claire for goodness sake. 

So I am looking at a few options. They will be called option 1 and option b. 

Option 1. I could (and will) apply for my Alternative License Statement of Eligibility in August, when I get that piece of paper declaring me smart. This will allow me to look for a real teaching job under the pretenses that I will earn my license in the first year that I am teaching. 

PROS: I get to teach. I get paid. 

CONS: I am less qualified. I don't feel qualified. 

So this option allows me to jump in head first without training, and kinda "learn as I go". This is a great option, financially. But as far as my readyness to do it go, its a nogo. I have taken teaching courses, but I have never been in a live classroom. ergo, I will walk in the first day and probably be the first kid to pee their pants. 

Option b. I could (and will) apply for the Post-Baccalaureate program at UNC to obtain a license. This would entail going back to school full time for one whole year, 3 semesters, and emerging with experience teaching and a license. I would get the experience in the classroom to make me feel comfortable, and I would have a license. 

PROS: Pretty much what I just said. Confidence and License. Could defer student loans :) Masters degree :)

CONS: opposed to getting paid, I have to pay. 

So this option will allow me to feel prepared and really learn how to be an effective teacher, while getting me half way to a Masters of Education in Elementary education, which in the long run earns me about 10,000 more a year. 

So this is what I am trying to decide. at this point, I am gonna try for both, see which one bites first. I have pretty well ruled out fall hire, unless someone dies unexpectedly, so maybe a spring hire (again due to sudden death, or pregnancy) would be a good plan. 

Its kinda nice to lay it all out there, so I can really assess my options. 

OH as for the year of unemployment ahead of me. Well goodness I have applications out everywhere. I am looking at preschool teaching, working as a school assistant or school secretary, a bank teller, an administrative assistant, prostitute, everything and anything I can think of. If you know of anyone hiring in the greater denver/noco area, let me know. 

Until next time, I leave you to ponder my future. As for right now, its really uncertain. But isn't life always?