It's only been two weeks this time!

I'm doing better!  Okay, in real life, not a whole hell of a lot has happened, but I'm watching the Avs-Lightning game (I LOVE that I can get Altitude on DirecTV!) and am apparently in a typing mood.

So, if you don't know... Actually, I don't want to start there.  We'll come back to this later.

So, I have started as a personal trainer.  I don't like it.  Before I gripe about it, however, let me own some of the blame.  I clearly didn't ask the right questions when going through the interview and hiring process, so I didn't have all of the information necessary to appropriately set my expectations.  I thought I'd have a more consistent schedule.  I thought I'd have more to do when I'm there.  I didn't realise that there would be days when I'd have two clients.... four hours apart.  I go to work for an hour and a half, leave for three, go back for another hour and a half.  I learned that I am to clock off between clients when my manager adjusted my time card to clock me off for time that I had been clocked in for, and been doing busy work in the club.  I am looking at this written down and wish I'd asked more questions.  In addition, the job itself is not nearly as... stimulating?  Exciting?  Rewarding?...  as I'd thought it would be.  I find my eyes wandering about the club when I'm with a client.  Looking at the way people are lifting, the cars passing outside, the clock, the TVs.    I already hate this post because it sounds like griping, and I don't mean for it to come off that way, but really, my current hope is that I will make back the money that the training cost me, then get back into the classroom.

I suppose I should address that (yes, I realise that I started a topic at the beginning and promised to return to it.  I still promise that).  I did get to spend four weeks in a sixth grade Lang Arts classroom.  It was incredible.  Goodness I miss teaching.  I want to get back to it.  I have a meeting next month with the HR Recruiter for one of the local school districts.  Evidently my name is attached to really positive reviews throughout that district at this point, so I'm anxious to find out what my next steps should be (I know I have to take the PRAXIS and take a Human Relations Training class to get my full NE license).  I have really enjoyed my time in the classrooms in this district, and I hope that by next fall, I can be teaching full time.  We shall see, however.

Okay, so sadly I will not be in CO for Christmas.  As a matter of fact, I probably won't be in Denver (aside from passing through) until the end of February.  I did, however, hold out so that I'd at least be in Grand Lake from my birthday through New Year's.  That means that I'll be in Denver long enough to be on I-76 and I-70.  I will also fly into Denver in early February for Boy's Weekend with Dad and Jay.

Okay, so awhile back, I said I was gonna add "Only in Nebraskas" to the end of my blog posts.  I managed to do that once, I think.  I am regularly reminded of this one however...

Many stoplights in and near the west side of Omaha have "Be Prepared to Stop" signs that are a couple hundred yards ahead of the stoplights.  I don't get it.  It's not like they're hidden stoplights.  In fact, the lights on the signs (yeap) start flashing just before the light turns to yellow.  I CAN SEE THE DAMN STOPLIGHT!  I'm sorry, I can't buy into this doing anything besides wasting resources.

That's all.  I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas (of Hanukkah) and New Year's with your family and friends.  I'll talk to you all soon after the break!

Update

HI!

Okay, now that we're over that, I figured I'd update from a couple of posts.  Many of you know this, but now everyone can know.  As of one of my most recent posts, I was slated to start as a Personal Trainer for one of the 24 Hour Fitness locations here in O-town.  The day I was supposed to start, I actually started a long term sub position.  In a middle school.  Yeah.  So, prior to this job, I thought middle school kids were the devil and I had no interest in teaching at that level.  After nearly a month (four incomplete weeks) at Millard North Middle School teaching sixth grade Language Arts... I would have no problem teaching at the middle school level.  Wow.  I... I'm in shock at that last statement by me.  My former co-workers (both volleyball and teaching) have to realise what I'm saying here.  I was so anti-middle school, but I will be applying at MNMS in the event that I decide to apply for a full time teaching gig in the fall.  I suppose that is sort of a big announcement.... that I like Omaha enough that I want to be here.  Great town.

Okay, other news.  I posted specifically tonight because I've been feeling a bit of melancholy tonight.  Tis the season, and as my social life has been... slow to develop here... I have to admit to feeling a bit lonely.  While cocktail parties and holiday parties are hosted by my dear friends in Denver, I will be missing them.  I love O-town, don't get me wrong, but I dearly miss all of you right now.  I have no plans for the Christmas/Birthday/New Year's timeframe, but I'll do everything I can to come home come hell or high water.

Not a lot of great interest to add since the last post.  FINALLY had a measurable snow here.  Lots of stories, but thank goodness Markeya made it safely here... with some help!  It's interesting because I am baffled by Omahans' inability to drive in the snow.  Does it not snow often enough here?  Are cause/effect relationships hard to handle?  I don't get it.  Anywa, I played in, and won, a co-ed volleyball tournament on Sunday.  It was rad!  Went to one volleyball practice and landed two recruits.  Epic win.  

I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season with family and friends.  I mostly posted to tell you all how much you mean to me, and how dearly I miss all of you in Colorado, or California, or any place else.  All of you who are taking the time to read this, I am so grateful for your continuing friendship and support.  I'd love to hear from you via text or email.  THANK YOU!!!!!