YEEEEEAAAHHHHH! I got the job as a Teachers' Assistant at the Rocky Mountain Deaf School! I am so E X C I T E D! I start on August 12th. The interview was about 45 to 50 minutes long and done by two teachers and the principal. Sheesh I've never been interviewed by more than one person before! Very challenging questions thrown my way and I surprised myself by some of the thorough answers I gave in return.

One I think I'll remember for a while, they asked if I saw something the teacher did that I didn't agree with how would I handle that situation. I told them that I would deal with it internally first by asking the teacher in a neutral tone for an explanation/clarification of why certain behaviors had been enacted. I emphasized that it would have to be "neutral" because if I gave away that I disproved of something the teacher may then go into automatic defense mode and no beneficial solution would come from that. I could see it in their faces they were impressed all the while trying to 'smother' that expression and be strictly "professional" for the interview purposes.

They said they'd let me know by next week if I got the job or not. I thought sheesh, what a long agonizing wait but then they text me the next day and told me the job was mine and they all agreed to offer it to me shortly after I left the interview. Apparently I wowed them.

Not only does it pay slightly better but also comes with medical benefits! So I am set for a job next year to do during the day and will be taking my college classes at night.

Life is good!

Yeah I know I haven't blogged in a while. Let's see what is new. Well the school I work at Baker Middle School is closing down at the end of this year. Not enough finances or students to keep it open next year. I've been exploring other job opportunities. Two are looking really good. One would be to continue working at another school under the Denver Public Schools district AND get benefits starting in September. Most Paras don't get benefits but because I know sign language they've considered me a real asset and are willing to offer up more in hopes I'll take the job. They have two deaf girls in their program and none of the current paras as well as the teachers themselves know sign language so you can imagine the NEED for one who signs. The second possibility is at Rocky Mountain Deaf School and they not only pay a little bit better but also offer benefits. I have my interview scheduled for next Tuesday, let's hope it goes well!

A longtime good friend of mine is moving from Washington DC to Denver. He'll be staying with me until he gets his own apartment and a steady job. I sure hope he likes it in Colorado. We have always talked about the possibility of him relocating here someday I just can't believe that day is this Saturday! Though I will miss my privacy and my space, I know life will also be enriched because he'll be around on a consistent basis in my life, so it's all good.

School is getting in gear though for the Fall. I am really excited to go back and finish up the transfer classes so I can get started on working towards a Bachelors Degree. Filling out FAFSA is becoming such a headache for me though. I keep bothering PlanetK with a million questions how to go about it....I'm sure she's sick of me by now. I had no idea that it wasn't free to fill it out online. They're charging you 80 frickin' dollars to get started. Um...excuse me but 80 dollars just to fill out an application for financial aid? What is wrong with this picture?! If I had 80 dollars lying around do you think I would be filling out an application to begin with?! What the BLLEEEEPP?! Whatever. I'll just fill out a paper application and mail it in. Sheesh.

On an intellectual note, I went and saw Maya Angelou the other day. Wow what an experience! She spoke about family influence in her life, her wariness of white people growing up, her transformations from child to womyn. She has "earned" 55 Ph.Ds! Most were earned through honoring her and she did attend Columbia University I believe....I brought her book afterwards and have yet to read it. One thing for certain though, her singing "This little light of mine....I'm gonna let it shine...this little light of mine....I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine...let it shine" will forever be engraved in my memory. She sang it so sweetly and with such conviction of belief in herself and in the rest of us. For all that we can achieve and become in this lifetime. She is a living example after all! I believe she also said she knows four or five different languages and travels all over to give her speeches. When asked what it takes to be a writer, she answered three things: "Something to say, the ability to express it and the courage to express it all" She simply amazes me.

Panthea and Pan are doing great! Pan is his usual friendly, love to LOVE cat. He loooooves to be near my head if I am sitting down. He'll climb up to sit behind my head...sometimes I wake up in the mornings and he's above my head on the pillow with his paws in my hair. Panthea is such a Cancer though which is driving me insane lately. She'll love on Pan for a minute then turn around and bare her fangs and hiss at him. She'll wait for me to turn on the water and then after I do decide she doesn't want a drink after all. She comes up to me and asks me for attention so I pet her and then she turns around and threatens to attack my arm. Moody moody moody! Typical Cancerian I guess. I sure hope I can handle another one moving in this Saturday! I should be able to, thanks to Panthea and PlanetK heh.