School, Sunshine, Sweat, Second Language Learning, Side Jobs, Shave Ice, Sisters, and Blisters

Remember that cheesy quote, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life," well, today that rang especially true for me.

That's right kiddies, if you haven't heard, I'm back at school. I said bye bye to PR last Wednesday and set my sights on a new career in education - ESL for secondary education to be exact. This blog, besides my umpteenth attempt at keeping up a blog, is partially to document the process, and to keep myself writing regularly. Today, I've decided to do a bit of a topical entry - it's my way of cheating and writing completely randomly about things that don't necessarily relate to one another. 

However, it does summarize my day quite well I think.

School

Waking up this morning for my first day of classes was not as painful as I thought it would be - in fact no different than when I would wake up for work at MWC.  But instead of hopping in my car and fighting traffic to downtown, I headed in the opposite direction and literally hopped...well, walked...to UH. 

Sunshine

One of the things that I missed the most about school is walking in the sunshine. The greigey  (that's gray and beige) color I got from sitting in an office most of the day will soon be no more, and hopefully returning is a nice golden brown. Of course that also means I slather on the sunscreen, so fear not, I'm doing my part against skin cancer.

Sweat

One of the things that I missed the least about school is being outside as well. The sunshine isn't so hot, when it is...so...hot.  Neither are the droplets of perspiration at your temple.

Second Language Learning

That is my new specialty 'o choice. So far, so good. The classes seem interesting enough and people seem to be intrigued by the fact that I've left my previous profession to start anew. Or maybe they just think I'm crazy? I'll keep thinking they're intrigued.

Side Jobs

My school day ended with a phone call from a lovely lady who offered me a job! Hooray! I'll be teaching at an after school program for middle schoolers - more details to come later. Don't want to jinx it as I have to fill out paperwork tomorrow before its official.

Shave Ice

Years ago, the first time I was in college I lived 2 blocks away from Waiola Shave Ice. On my way home from class, I'd pick up a shave ice at least once a week. Now I live 1 block away from that evil place. Guess what I had after class?

Sisters

Well, one sister and a cousin. It's quite strange to be going to the same school at the same time with family. Especially when it's quite possible that they'll graduate before you.

Blisters

I can't wear footwear that touches the back of my heel for the next week or so. The flats that are comfortable when walking for a few minutes at a time were not so comfy when it was a half hour walk to class first thing in the morning.  The BF already made fun my bandaged heels. Shoe fail.

Done done done!

Change.  

That seemed to be the common theme for the people in my life - friends, family, coworkers.  New jobs, losing jobs, moving apartments, moving to a different state...you get the picture.  For some reason all these changes seemed more pronounced that in the past.  Maybe because instead of a steady ebb and flow of changes, it felt more like a tidal wave.

Good? Not necessarily. Bad? Not really.  Just a gentle slap in the face to remind us that everything we know, love and are comfortable with is finite.  Keeping us from taking anything for granted.  While storms seemed to rain down on many, the stories of triumph and success were just as plentiful.

With 2009 being a year of change, the only logical thing is to look to 2010 as being the year of reinvention. 

I still only travel by foot and by foot, it's a slow climb,

But I'm good at being uncomfortable, so I can't stop changing all the time

- Extraordinary Machine, Fiona Apple