Employment: Year Two

My second year of employment is officially in the books!

I spent the last week hibernating recovering. I obsessively watched DWTS youtube videos (no judging!), stayed up late, slept in, napped, wore the battery out on my iPad, got a pedicure, hit up a Zumba class, grocery shopped in the morning, and, of course, exercised everyday. It has been wonderful, but it's back to the grind starting Monday. I was crazy and signed up to work ESY (Extended School Year -- aka summer school). It's extra money and only four mornings a week, so it'll be ok. I'm working with my supervisor which should be equal parts entertaining and torturous. Focus on the money, Sarah!

Looking back on the past year, I am amazed by how unexpectedly wonderful it was. I didn't anticipate Year Two being much different from Year One, but I was so very wrong.

• I made friends this year. Relationships that barely started last year had a chance to flourish this year. I had lunch plans and Target dates and hilarious text conversations with truly wonderful people. My Army Oklahoma BFF walked into my life on the second week of the school year and nothing has been the same since. I swear it was fate. She didn't spend much of the year in the classroom next door, but that sure didn't stop us (and subsequently our husbands) from becoming fast friends. She and I spent all day Thursday together and never was there an awkward moment. It is really awesome having friends where you live.
• Brian was around this year. I started the year without him, but within the month he was home again. It was an adjustment (as it always is), but we were both happy to figure out the dynamics of a dual-income household. I know he's proud of me, too.
• It was important to me last year to let my work speak for me so I stifled my personality quite a bit around my colleagues. This year I had a better handle on the personalities in my school and I was more secure in my abilities, so my personality came out a bit more. This resulted in better relationships with teachers/staff and just all around more fun. I didn't hide in my classroom quite as much!
• Many of my students were the same this year from last year which was a blast. I love the part of my job that requires me to love these little kids, especially the ones who may not be getting enough of it outside of school. I could see the excitement in their eyes when they realized I would still be their "speech teacher" this year. How can you be down on yourself when you have 45 students looking up to you every day?? The hugs, drawings, and notes were always appreciated.
• And one last obvious perk of another year of work: watching our savings account slowly build. It may not work for most people, but for the time being we are still able to live solely on Brian's pay and put mine away for the future. Now if only I could stop spending so much money at Target so as to not put this plan in jeopardy...

So, goodbye 2013-2014 school year! It was great fun. Next year may very well bring changes (many different things happening in my school system which has the potential to change my assignment), but I'll be ready for it.