good stuff

Last week I had an interview at SMC. Not for a real job, but a huge step nonetheless. I'd give my arm to teach there, so it was pretty exciting. I also interviewed for (and got!) a small job at my school - an extra two hours a week working in the ESL/Distance Learning program office. It should be a fun and beneficial professional experience, not to mention it will bring in some extra money. I could definitely use that.

This weekend has been relaxing, fun and rejuvenating. I feel quite happy and peaceful right now. Almost all of the anger and negativity I have been feeling has dissipated... of course I have my moments, but overall I feel like myself again :)

For better or worse, I actually had a four-day weekend - all of LAUSD had a mandatory furlough day on Friday. Here's what I have done this weekend -

Friday: After some doctor's appointments and a trip to Sylmar to drop off a job application, Zoe and I did the hard hike at Runyon. Then I just hung out at home, watched Vicky Cristina Barcelona (surrounded by Zoe and Gael on the couch), and read Eat Pray Love.

Saturday: Kelly and I led a Michigan Club hike at Solstice Canyon in Malibu. It was a fun hike (not too strenuous) and it ended in a waterfall! Very cool. After the hike I went out for lunch at Coogie's with a few friends. Steak & Eggs Rancheros = yummo! I gave Zoe a bath when we got home, took a nap with the pets, and then went out to dinner at STREET with Chrissy. The moment we walked into the restaurant, there was Susan Feniger! She is adorable and awesome. We talked to her for a few minutes before sitting down. Let me just say, STREET did not disappoint. All of the food was delicious and innovative. I can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu.

Sunday: I dragged my ass out of bed at 630 (not easy) and went to TNT Marathon practice at 8 in SM. We did a nice 40-minute run south along the Strand toward Venice. It was a perfect SoCal day - low 70s, slight breeze, sunny and clear. I met some nice people and saw my friend Chrissy from tri team. After practice, I met September for brunch at Hugo's. We had a great time chatting and catching up :) In the afternoon I hung out at home doing exciting tasks (they actually are exciting for me) such as reorganizing my desk, going through my clothes and giving old items away, cleaning my room, and working on my photo albums. I ended up meeting Amy for dinner at Westside Tavern - very good food, I must say. It was great to catch up one-on-one with one of my best girls. Then we saw a movie, The Secret in Their Eyes, at Landmark. It was phenomenal and very thought-provoking. I highly recommend it.

Today: I'm going to the grocery store shortly and then seeing SATC2 at 2pm with a bunch of girls. I'm looking forward to it!

I wish this weekend would never end... but alas, work resumes tomorrow. At least we only have 3 more weeks, right? Then I'm going home to MD/DE for 2 weeks - can't wait :)

I am grateful for...

Life hasn't been so easy lately. I'm moving on AGAIN (let's not even get into that mess) and I'm continuing this seemingly endless job search. It is discouraging, frustrating, and anxiety-producing. I don't have enough work and don't know when I will. I am scared about a lot of unknowns in the future - where I will work? How I will support myself? Will I even be able to continue working in my field, for which I got 2 MAs for about 3 years? Who knows. Some days I struggle, but I am still trying to focus on the positives, however small they may be.

Something happened yesterday that reminded me of why I love my profession. One of my "favorite" students (I know I'm not supposed to have favorites but I do) attended class for the last time, before he went back to El Salvador where he is a pharmacist. He gave me a big hug and thanked me repeatedly in Spanish and English for all I had done for him. It made me all warm and fuzzy inside. Little does he know that he did a lot for me too - he was such a great student with positive energy and limitless enthusiasm for learning English. He was one of the reasons I got up for work every day, even when I felt like shit and didn't think I could "turn it on" for my students. It is amazing how a single student can add so much to (or take so much away from) a class.

Long story short, later that day he emailed me in Spanish. I will translate --> I want to thank you for the patience you have for teaching this language. You have a great personality and when I return here to LA I am going to find you to continue in your class because you're a good teacher with wonderful intentions and feelings. You are a beautiful woman inside and out. God bless you.

Every time I feel discouraged about my job and my general career situation - lack of benefits, instability, too few hours, bullshit bureaucracy, etc. - I will try to remember Jeffry, his kind words, and his goodbye email. That is why I do what I do. The emotional rewards and sense of satisfaction far outweigh the monetary reward.

The best part of my day

Today, the best part of my day was my ESL class. It was a productive, energetic, and enjoyable 2.5 hours. The best moment was when I made a joke and every single one of my students laughed out loud.

Runyon Canyon: the happiest place on Earth

Yesterday was a perfect LA day. It was sunny, in the mid-60s, crisp and clear, especially after all of the rain on Saturday. I woke up and immediately wanted to get outside, so I took Zoe for a hike at Runyon Canyon. We did the "hard way," which is a real ass-kicker and a great workout. We then ran the whole way down. I felt happy to be outside on such a beautiful day, and lucky that I live so close to the mountains and to accessible, excellent hiking. I felt grateful to have my dog with me (as always). I also felt thankful to have my health, strength and fitness. Hiking and running are wonderful activities because they simultaneously make me feel powerful and free. In sum, starting my day at Runyon Canyon, one of my "happy places" in LA, was awesome. I wish I could start every day there, hiking and running with Zoe!

I also took joy in planning out my "menu" for this week and buying groceries at Trader Joe's, another of my "happy places" in LA. I love spending a good part of every Sunday thinking about food, buying food, and making a delicious meal :)

Fresh Start

As part of my constant effort to be more positive, I have created this blog... I will use it to reflect on life's small joys (and perhaps some big joys too) and to express gratitude and appreciation for many different aspects of my life.

Stay tuned.