Read. Teach. Travel.

I haven't posted in a while, so I figure I'm due for an update. Since this blog in entitled with my three predominant passions, this post will offer a bit of info on each.

Read.
The truth is I haven't really read anything since I finished my re-read of the last three Harry Potter books in October. I honestly haven't had the time or inclination to pick up something new lately. I'm chipping away at my writing sample for grad school and it's been a much more arduous process than I'd expected. Instead, I find myself slipping into the comfort of series I've read before and waiting for their movie adaptations. So instead of an update on what I've read, I'll offer this. Click it. It's a link to the newest installment of Movies in 15 minutes and gives a snarky take on Breaking Dawn: Part 1. If you haven't read them yet, it may be worth your time to first check out the recaps of Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse.

Teach.
In the middle of October I interviewed for two different charter school teaching jobs. One of them informed me in less than two hours that I would not advance in the hiring process - a record for rejection, I think. The other waited two agonizing weeks and then bowled me over in shock when they called to offer me the job. Needless to say, I'm thrilled.

The job itself is a balance of benefits and disadvantages. It's far from home, but the hours are great. It's not classroom teaching, but the pay is exceptional. It's different from other jobs I've had, but this year that may be exactly what I need. I think if a person has never worked in a temporary job situation like substituting, then she can't truly appreciate the luxury of going to the same place every day, knowing the names of coworkers, knowing where the bathrooms and supply closet and microwave are. This job means I don't have to return to a school that rejected me. It means that I feel appreciated and good at what I do again. That, right now, is worth far more than the inconvenience of a long commute.

Travel.
I did take a short trip out to Arizona to see my best friend in November, so I guess that counts as travel. There are a few possibilities on the horizon for the first half of 2012, too, but I'm waiting on some details before I announce any travel. Right now my focus is on earning and saving money so that travel is even an option in the year to come... well, travel and expatriation.