Time to get started

Officially, the school year started yesterday in one of the districts I sub in, and the other one today. At this stage of the game, I'm not holding out a lot of hope for a job offer to come through, so it looks like I'll be subbing and tutoring yet again this year. Crap.

It's been a frustrating summer, since I knew I was getting going too late to really be effective. And the tutoring hours actually went up a bit, so that cut into my time. Then all at once, Laura got sick (inner ear infection, she's fine now) and my computer's hard drive crashed (expensive repair, but I have a new one now, and they were able to save all the data, thank goodness), both of which put a further crimp on things. At least I got the one interview, so I'm not a total pariah...

At any rate, I need to work my butt off again for the next few months to get us back in better financial shape. But we will probably refinance our home later this year, and if I sub and tutor full time, I can actually get more money in a month than we need -- yes, it actually looks like we're going to get through this summer in decent shape, thanks to all that I socked away into savings. So if I can build up our reserves, I'm going to cut back on tutoring, and even take a day off or two from subbing, in the new year. That way, I hope to devote more time to applying for jobs. And I'm going to cast my net much wider than usual. Yes, I'm going to look for jobs out of our area, and Laura and I have agreed to move if someone wants to offer me a job out of this area. I'm not happy at that, but it may be time to shake our lives up a little bit anyway. We've been in this house for over seven years now, and I'm getting tired of beating on the door and not being let in more than a crack. If I'm going to be a successful teacher, it's clear that I can't do it without a lot of effort and willingness to make sacrifices. Fortunately, Laura's with me. So, we'll see what happens.

But for now, I just need to get in as many hours as I can at both jobs. So if anything should happen, I'll be sure to let you all know!

Two weeks and counting...

School starts (in the districts I sub in, at least) in two weeks, give or take a few days, and it's looking less and less likely that I'll get a "real" teaching job in that time. So I'm resigned to subbing and tutoring for a while longer. I am extremely unhappy with that, but I don't see any alternative right now. Once the new year starts, however, I will cut back my tutoring hours a bit and work more on job hunting. And Laura's already said that she'd be willing to move next summer if it means my finally getting a decent job, so I'll be casting my net much wider than usual. At least all the applications I have in already should mean a lot less work to do for those districts next year...

I don't think I got the job

After the interview last week -- which went well, although I know I didn't hit it out of the park -- I was told I'd hear by the middle of this week if I got the job.

Looks like I didn't get it.

Damn.