Thursday, August 31, 2006
What a fortnight!
What a strange two weeks this has been. Two weeks ago this morning I witnessed a fatal car accident on the way to work. I was pacing a service truck on Route 3 heading east. As we crossed the Westmoreland County line he swung out across the lane then corrected himself. A few moments later he did it again and hit an oncoming car. The little black car spun, flipped, and came to rest on the shoulder. I hit the brakes and stopped in my lane. Strange thing to focus on, but I couldn’t find my hazard lights ( I found ‘em next day). The woman in the black car never had a chance. All I could think about later was how quickly life can cease.
The next day after work, I set out for Chatham, NY, to see Elizabeth in summer stock up there. I was excited, but the images from the accident kept flashing through my head. This was my first road trip, and solo at that. Someone was watching out for me, though, because I made it up and back safely. The only ‘incident’ involved getting lost in the Bronx. Many thanks to the super nice manager at the Hess on Nereid! You earned a couple extra stars in your crown that day. The area near Albany is very pretty countryside. I recommend the entire Hudson Valley for gorgeous views. Elizabeth found time to talk with me and make me feel welcome and comfortable despite a grueling rehearsal and performance schedule. It was all very ‘inside the actor’s studio’ -ish and I loved every minute of it. Then another 500 miles back on Sunday. Praise God, I made it!
The following morning at work, my boss came over, sat down, smiled apologetically and said "Sarah, it’s just not working out; I’m letting you go." Apparently I wasn’t aggressive enough and not learning the job fast enough. I agree with the first because that’s my personality, but the second is wide open for debate. So that was that. To anyone who has ever gone through the same thing I’m with you. What hurts most is the feeling of shame and loss of confidence. I was back on the hunt for a job within hours but I’m just now recovering my self-esteem and sense of worth. I’ll probably never know the real reason why Julie fired me but I’ll never forget how it felt. Still, the month at her company was not a waste. I learned a great deal about the business environment in VA. It’s an employment at will state so you have little protection against arbitrary hiring and firing. If you work in IL, count your many blessings.
Last weekend I went with my priest to Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. St. Pauls, my new church, is involved with a project to build an orphanage in Mirebalais, Haiti. I learned more about Haiti in one hour there than I have in my entire life. Not something I’m proud of. But I’m excited about the project and hope to help them with fundraising; maybe even go there with the group in November!
The final news is I have applied to be a substitute teacher and am now an employee at Comfort Keepers, a companion and personal care service for seniors. I don’t have my first assignment, yet, but I think this is the path I need to take. I’m nervous, but it feels right. My big mistake when I first arrived in King George was focusing on structure and routine—I wanted a job or occupation that would mimic my routine in Chicago. 9-5 weekdays, errands on the weekend, church. My new schedule will be erratic for the next nine months but it’s better training for the Peace Corps. And it’s going to be MUCH more interesting!
The next day after work, I set out for Chatham, NY, to see Elizabeth in summer stock up there. I was excited, but the images from the accident kept flashing through my head. This was my first road trip, and solo at that. Someone was watching out for me, though, because I made it up and back safely. The only ‘incident’ involved getting lost in the Bronx. Many thanks to the super nice manager at the Hess on Nereid! You earned a couple extra stars in your crown that day. The area near Albany is very pretty countryside. I recommend the entire Hudson Valley for gorgeous views. Elizabeth found time to talk with me and make me feel welcome and comfortable despite a grueling rehearsal and performance schedule. It was all very ‘inside the actor’s studio’ -ish and I loved every minute of it. Then another 500 miles back on Sunday. Praise God, I made it!
The following morning at work, my boss came over, sat down, smiled apologetically and said "Sarah, it’s just not working out; I’m letting you go." Apparently I wasn’t aggressive enough and not learning the job fast enough. I agree with the first because that’s my personality, but the second is wide open for debate. So that was that. To anyone who has ever gone through the same thing I’m with you. What hurts most is the feeling of shame and loss of confidence. I was back on the hunt for a job within hours but I’m just now recovering my self-esteem and sense of worth. I’ll probably never know the real reason why Julie fired me but I’ll never forget how it felt. Still, the month at her company was not a waste. I learned a great deal about the business environment in VA. It’s an employment at will state so you have little protection against arbitrary hiring and firing. If you work in IL, count your many blessings.
Last weekend I went with my priest to Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. St. Pauls, my new church, is involved with a project to build an orphanage in Mirebalais, Haiti. I learned more about Haiti in one hour there than I have in my entire life. Not something I’m proud of. But I’m excited about the project and hope to help them with fundraising; maybe even go there with the group in November!
The final news is I have applied to be a substitute teacher and am now an employee at Comfort Keepers, a companion and personal care service for seniors. I don’t have my first assignment, yet, but I think this is the path I need to take. I’m nervous, but it feels right. My big mistake when I first arrived in King George was focusing on structure and routine—I wanted a job or occupation that would mimic my routine in Chicago. 9-5 weekdays, errands on the weekend, church. My new schedule will be erratic for the next nine months but it’s better training for the Peace Corps. And it’s going to be MUCH more interesting!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Bunny Talk
I never saw mist in Chicago.
When my job here started two weeks ago, I was forced to get up earlier to work out. I wear a reflective belt and small flashlight when walking along Round Hill because it’s still dim outside. As the sun slowly lights the sky, long swathes of mist hang over the open fields. It’s a joyous feeling and I want to run across those fields and see if the mist will cling to me . . . but I don’t because there are ticks.
It’s beautiful out here, even when it hits 103 with humidity you can cut with a chain saw. My mom’s crepe myrtles are finally coming out. The magnolia is shooting up, but no blooms, yet. The cement ducks on the front porch change outfits every month. We have two regular visitors of the bunny persuasion. Dubbed ‘Big’ Bunny and ‘Little’ Bunny, Big Bunny lives in the woods and sticks to eating my Dad’s vegetables and clover if my Mom holds off mowing long enough for it to sprout. Little Bunny lives near the drive and enjoys dandelions and watching us drive in and out.
‘Tis a quiet life, yes. The Movie Gallery doesn’t have any Bollywood, not even "Bend it Like Beckham." I am bereft. I’ve even been reading mysteries—real ones, not the kind where the terrified heroine is pictured flying across the heath in a filmy nightgown with an ominous castle in the background (picture may or may not include darkly handsome man in breeches). Anyways, I’m catching up on my Miss Marple.
It’s not so bad. In fact, there is a great deal of good. I didn’t realize how much pressure I was under in Chicago until I came here. Apparently that is what it means to be independent. That’s why people go back to living with their families or they get married. It’s less stressful if someone is there to help you face life.
I’ll be on my own soon enough and I may never have this opportunity to be with my parents again. So I’ll water the tomatoes, talk to the rabbits, and make the most of life.
When my job here started two weeks ago, I was forced to get up earlier to work out. I wear a reflective belt and small flashlight when walking along Round Hill because it’s still dim outside. As the sun slowly lights the sky, long swathes of mist hang over the open fields. It’s a joyous feeling and I want to run across those fields and see if the mist will cling to me . . . but I don’t because there are ticks.
It’s beautiful out here, even when it hits 103 with humidity you can cut with a chain saw. My mom’s crepe myrtles are finally coming out. The magnolia is shooting up, but no blooms, yet. The cement ducks on the front porch change outfits every month. We have two regular visitors of the bunny persuasion. Dubbed ‘Big’ Bunny and ‘Little’ Bunny, Big Bunny lives in the woods and sticks to eating my Dad’s vegetables and clover if my Mom holds off mowing long enough for it to sprout. Little Bunny lives near the drive and enjoys dandelions and watching us drive in and out.
‘Tis a quiet life, yes. The Movie Gallery doesn’t have any Bollywood, not even "Bend it Like Beckham." I am bereft. I’ve even been reading mysteries—real ones, not the kind where the terrified heroine is pictured flying across the heath in a filmy nightgown with an ominous castle in the background (picture may or may not include darkly handsome man in breeches). Anyways, I’m catching up on my Miss Marple.
It’s not so bad. In fact, there is a great deal of good. I didn’t realize how much pressure I was under in Chicago until I came here. Apparently that is what it means to be independent. That’s why people go back to living with their families or they get married. It’s less stressful if someone is there to help you face life.
I’ll be on my own soon enough and I may never have this opportunity to be with my parents again. So I’ll water the tomatoes, talk to the rabbits, and make the most of life.
