Back to school

My kids are going back to school tomorrow, and so am I. I have signed up for a couple of classes at our college. I like going there, college has a special atmosphere that makes one think he can survive solely on coffee and inspiration. All financial problems, all family troubles or job search concerns fall away before the aspiration of fulfilling one's dream (or, in this case, an education plan). Even if it is short-term, this boost of energy is needed. Without it, accomplishing goals would be impossible.
This time, I am going for an Accounting degree. First time around, I went for an Associate's in Child Development and graduated - almost five years ago. After that I worked for Head Start, until two years ago, when I was attacked. Since then, dealing with noise and uncontrolled environment (those who teach know that's what preschool is) has been difficult for me. So, I am going for the second goal I have. Hopefully, I will be able to make this work field mine... eventually.


Wish me luck!

Officially a writer

I received my first rejection letter, which means, as my husband Joe said, that I am officially a writer. The letter came via e-mail from The Writer's Eye, and, as rejection letters go, I suppose it was fairly gentle. It merely informed me that "unfortunately, we have decided not to publish" my short story and expressed hope that I would submit to them in the future.
That's pretty much the whole deal. But, of course, I did not write the story because I wanted someone's approval; approval is welcome, but the main reason for it was because I could not hold it any more... It was necessary for me.

Short Story

I finished my short story - hooray for me! I have been working on it for the past ten days - thus there was not anything on my blog - and tonight my shaking hand will offer it for the evaluation to the group of writers...
Yesterday I was still revising the text here and there, changing and adjusting words. Finally, I had to stop. If I do not stop myself in time, I usually find myself in a state of panic, rewriting the whole thing and second guessing myself on every word. So, I did myself a favor by shutting down my computer and putting it away.
I hope that the writers in this groups will not "tear me to shreds," so to speak.
Wish me luck! (Maybe, some day I will get published... :)

Another day - Another job

Today I started a new job - no longer am I jobless. The place I am working at looks very nice, the atmosphere is business-like, but at the same time comfortable. The ladies at the office, including the owner, seem very friendly and supportive, but not overly so. What do I do? Hmmm... The official name for it is "Accounts Receivable." This title encompasses working with drivers' manifests, applying payments, filling out deposit slips, issuing credits - in a word, processing every piece of paper that has to do with receivables. 

I knew from the first moment I came that I would have to learn a lot before feeling comfortable with my responsibilities, so I decided to follow the principle that "it is better to stay silent and appear stupid than to say something and confirm the suspicion." With all the swirl of information I began to feel a little discouraged - can I really do this job? But then, again, I have done a lot of prep work for it - why not try the real thing? 

The office atmosphere reminds me a little about the workplace from the sitcom "As Time Goes By." People are not afraid to share the fact that they have families and lives beyond this place, but there is absolute absence of complaining. When I asked questions, I actually received competent responses, direct answers that were applicable to my job - that's another relatively new thing. I have to admit, quite often before my superiors, when I asked a question, answered, " I am not sure... You figure it out." Here, everybody is friendly, yet detail oriented; they don't mind if you share a short story about your family, but everyone has way too much to do to keep the conversation going forever... I am not sure what it is; perhaps for the first time I see a place where everyone, without any exception, has work to do, and it is very definite and concrete. 

I certainly hope I can do this job. I think I can. Wish me luck, everyone who cares. 

The Ending and the New Beginning...

I suppose the Powers that Be heard me - or read my blog about the workplace. Last week I was laid off. Not for anything I had done, no fault of my own (the boss was clear about that), but because there is really not enough work. Through the weekend, I was panicking - after all, this is my source of income, what am I to do?
And then... I came by the college. I received my Associate's with them last year, so why not go on? They looked at my records and sent me to the Transfer Center - to speak to the University Rep. The University Rep spoke to me, and it looks like I may be restarting school by the end of this month! That's provided that my Financial Aid goes through. But - what a great opportunity!
I have something to look forward to.