Life In The Land Of Oz

I figured it was about time I wrote about the newest adventure in my life (especially since John said that I would be writing soon in his last post.....and that was a few weeks ago.)  So, sometime after the new year I received an email saying that Manhattan Area Technical College was in need of a developmental psychology instructor for the current semester.  Next thing I know, I go in for an interview, they hire me, and - and here's the kicker - class starts the following day.  (Yes, they were very desperate, and I was a warm body.)  But hey, I figured that it was a great opportunity for me and it would be steady work for the next few months.

Since then, I've been teaching developmental psych to 20 pre-nursing students at the tech college two afternoons a week.  The library has been flexible with my schedule  and I have even been able to pick up some more hours at the there as well. (It's been a new experience at the library - instead of children's, I'm now working adult circulation/reference and managing their interlibrary loans....and doing a storytime every once in a while.)  I did have to give up substitute teaching, which for the most part, I am quite happy about.  I do miss seeing some of the kids though - particularly my one special kindergarten class.  But it is so lovely to no longer receive 6 am wake-up calls asking if I want to take a sub position.  And it seems like such a luxury knowing when or if I will be working each week!

That being said, I had no idea what exactly I was getting into teaching this class.  I never gave teachers enough credit.  Coming up with lesson plans is hard work and extremely time consuming.  Most of the time, I am getting things together the night before...staying up until all hours trying to make a powerpoint (not to mention trying to learn the material myself!)  I think John feels a bit vindicated, because now I realize how much work he has to do preparing to teach his classes. And plus, now he doesn't have to feel so guilty about doing work and not spending time with me.  (Now we just argue about who gets to use the computer.)

I'm putting in tons of time and energy, but most of the time I'm not really sure if I am connecting with my students or not, or if I'm a good teacher.  And I never quite know what is too much for them, or if I am pushing them too hard.  John has to keep reminding me that this is not a four-year college.  I definitely feel like I am in unknown territory here.  Tomorrow I give their first exam - and I'm not sure who is more anxious about it - me or my students.  I'm terrified that they are all going to fail.  Especially since I found out that the other instructors make all of their tests take-home or open-book.  Apparently, I am the very mean and cruel instructor who is giving them an in-class exam that has an essay question on it.

(Prayers and good thoughts are greatly appreciated.)

-Leah

P.S. Thanks to Erica for leaving us our very first comment on our blog!  :)

  So yesterday marked our 6 month anniversary, and though Leah always tells me she feels like we've been married a lot longer (I'm never sure how to take that) I still feel very much like a newlywed. While school (it's been awhile since I've last written- I did in fact make it through the first semester mostly intact and mostly successful) and our respective jobs (look for a blog about Leah's latest challenge) have placed time at quite a premium for us, the best part about each day for me is getting to come home to her beautiful face (and also the dogs, but their faces aren't as beautiful).

  Married life, even at its stressful points, is still better than my life was when I was single. And I was never someone that minded being alone. Moving halfway across the country to attend a grad program that just really isn't what I expected it to be has been difficult to deal with. Leah has made the worst of those days infinitely more bearable, and having someone that you know you can count on - and that counts on you - makes life so much more enjoyable. Starting off a marriage with the stress of moving and school and finding new jobs in a strange place will either make your relationship stronger or tear it apart. For us it has been a blessing, even though everything hasn't gone smoothly, it has solidified our love for one another. Who knows what will happen with grad school, jobs or where we reside? Quite honestly, it really doesn't matter, because none of those things come close to being as important in life as the person you choose as your partner, and will choose every day for the rest of your life.

FYI- Make sure you remind me I said all of this when we celebrate a year, in case I forgot. Just kidding Leah.


- John