I tried finding environmental work, there wasn't any. So I went into teaching. Did subbing, got into a teaching credential program (yay student loans), almost 3 years later, and I was getting nothing. This morning my phone rang at 10 a.m, it was a school district I had applied for a job at (and been rejected by) just a week ago.
Apparently, a teacher in another school in the same district, in the same position, was forced to retire suddenly, and when I say that I mean they called me approximately 45 hours before the first day of school started. They had looked at the applicants for the job I didn't get and pulled my file; apparently I was a strong second choice. I was asked to come in about 3 hours later, to interview for a possible long-term subbing job of 3-4 weeks, at which point I would be allowed to formally interview for the job. 4 weeks of subbing every day is about $2100, and I was happy for the work, so I went down (driving in my undershirt so I didn't sweat through my clothes).
I went in and interviewed (my fly open the whole time, didn't find out til later) and they asked me to step out so they could consider me. This is something I've never had happen, I'm usually sent home and told I will be called after an, so I'm quietly going insane in the waiting room. Five minutes later they ask me to come back in and tell me that they're not going to bring me in as a long-term sub, but they hand me an offer letter right there and then for the position. Full-time, benefits, retirement, the whole kit + additional kaboodle. My take-home pay will be approximately DOUBLE what I've been getting on unemployment.
I'm not gonna lie, I cried a bit. Things have gotten to the point where I've only been eating once or twice a day, and I've pretty much gone through all of my canned goods and long-term frozen meats. But now I've got a paycheck coming in two weeks that could wipe out half my credit card debt (I can't do that, cuz rent and whatnot).
But the BEST PART was surprising my fiance. I'm engaged, I forgot if I told you guys that, but I got engaged in April. We've been putting off setting a date, because I didn't want to commit to a family until I was stable enough to support us. So after filling out forms AND giving Shirley in HR a hug (prior to signing the sexual harrassment policy) I went to the store. I bought some flowers, and a big piece of cake in a box like you get at the store bakery, and I had them write 'June 22nd' on it. I took it over to her house, and played it cool, told her they'd maybe let me know about the teaching job.
She loved the flowers, she always does, and then I brought out the cake.
Her- 'Whats this?'
Me- You remember how we've been waiting to set a date?
Her-
BWAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! (while spinning in a circle)She spun around a minute or two, and I was impressed. 'Wow, you figured that out quickly.'
Her- Figured what?
Me- Hon... do you remember WHY we couldn't set a date for the wedding?
Her- ...
BWAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! (crying and hugging me)So yeah, that was a pretty significant five hours. I've been going over my paperwork, and tomorrow I have to go get fingerprinted (again) and then I'm going to go see my classroom. I'm hoping the teacher I'm stepping in for has left things in a servicible state, but we'll have to see.
At any rate, I need to be up in 6 hours, so you all have a good night.
