First off, I need to clarify my last post (I should have done this sooner, but better late than never, right?). When I said I'm "jealous" of my sisters and need to "gear up" when I visit them...this doesn't mean that they are not wonderful sisters. While I played (and still play) the role of the "little sister" pretty well, my sisters are always there for me.
52 weeks ago today, I realized that a "hope" of mine on the "love scene" was hopeless. I was pretty bummed and the Reddigs had come into town to take me out and tell me that they were expecting their second child. I was elated and then utterly depressed because now both of my sisters were pregnant...and I was alone. I remember Katie saying something like, "This has to really suck for you...so we decided to get you something!" They had picked up 2 new karoake CDs for me...including "Comin' to America" by the one and only Neil Diamond (TODAY!!). Anyhow, I then remember going back to the Keel homestead and Katie calling Liesel to tell her the news...I then got on the phone to tell Liesel my "news"...and even though I knew how excited she was...she knew I was hurting big time and allowed me to cry to her about the whole situation. So my sisters are basically the best when it comes to sisters. Sure we had our fights and cases of extreme honesty (Guess, what I'm thinking right now?)...but they're my sisters and always will be my best friends. And I'm lucky to have them, their husbands and now children in my life!
And now for the decision. I have decided that I will not be returning to Teach For America as a Recruitment Associate. The recruitment team is an incredible group of people, but I cannot join them for another year of working into the evening and over the weekends for 7 months out of the year. The position has been an experience that has taught me more about myself and people than anything else I've done - and I am thankful for that. Teach For America is quite an organization with a great mission, but I cannot deny the things that I denied these past 7 months again. I'm looking at positions in the Chicago area and perhaps also in Madison depending on where my prayers tell me to go. So the job search is on.
In other news: I won a free trip to an exotic island...no joke! However, it order to claim the prize I have to show proof that I make over $40,000/year. Ha!! No exotic island for this girl :).
~mitzi
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
do, do, do....
So it's been a while and since I now realize the vast following of blog readers that I have (my family) - I figure, I should probably update this once again. And seeing as how I still don't have a digital camera - I can only entertain you with my oh-so witty posts!
Life has been much better this past month. I just got home from the double baptism of Dom and Rose in Dayton - as always , it's great to see the family (3 sets of grandparents there for the two new Catholics plus the parents!!). Seeing family, also, makes me re-evaluate where I am in my life. I really have to gear myself up for visits to my sisters - mainly because I get so jealous of their lives and what they are doing with their lives - they're raising their children and taking care of their husbands and households...and well, I'm sitting at a desk trying to make a difference here at Teach For America...so while it is all in my own head and a friend of mine always tells me to "not be jealous of my sisters" - I am. It's my weakness and I have to work through it with every visit.
But in this past month, I've started to feel much better about where I am...now this doesn't mean I know where I'm going - just where I am right now. I've realized that right now, I need to focus on what I am doing ... and for me, that's my job. I've really started to enjoy my job. Yes, it is stressful. Yes, it is still long hours. But now it's exciting. We're approaching our 4th and final deadline for applicants which means recruitment is in full-force. It reminds of an election in so many ways...except instead of bringing out the votes - we're bringing out the applicants. Each day I have to figure out what I can do for our team to some how motivate someone to take the chance and apply.
I think the best part of the stress - is that I know what I'm doing now. Back in October, I was really bitter about the long hours and little pay because I didn't feel like I was really equipped with the right training/skills to do what was being asked of me. Now, I do...and I'm trying figure out the whole long hours/little pay deal still...but I feel like this is where I'm suppose to be.
I also celebrated a birthday last month...my 23rd. It's weird how 23 seems so much older than 22, but I know that is because I'm just another step farther away from the "college life"...and taking yet another leap towards independence. Ha! Anyhow, my birthday this year was one of the best ever due to some awesome folks from throughout the Midwest. Calls from TFA friends on campus from Iowa City to Louisiana to Notre Dame to Wisconsin, Amy in Ames, Blair in Houston, several from the Lawrence/KC area, Buschelmans in Dayton, Reddigs in Madison, and the Keels in Oklahoma.I'm truly blessed to have friends and family near and far that remember me on my birthday.
In other news, it's freezing cold here in Chicago...it was -14 yesterday on my way into work. Cuddle Duds are now a necessity to head outdoors! My kitchen sink pipes are frozen...so unfortunately I can't do dishes...luckily, my bathroom pipes are still running!
That's the update for now...just trying to live life and stay warm.
~mitzi
Life has been much better this past month. I just got home from the double baptism of Dom and Rose in Dayton - as always , it's great to see the family (3 sets of grandparents there for the two new Catholics plus the parents!!). Seeing family, also, makes me re-evaluate where I am in my life. I really have to gear myself up for visits to my sisters - mainly because I get so jealous of their lives and what they are doing with their lives - they're raising their children and taking care of their husbands and households...and well, I'm sitting at a desk trying to make a difference here at Teach For America...so while it is all in my own head and a friend of mine always tells me to "not be jealous of my sisters" - I am. It's my weakness and I have to work through it with every visit.
But in this past month, I've started to feel much better about where I am...now this doesn't mean I know where I'm going - just where I am right now. I've realized that right now, I need to focus on what I am doing ... and for me, that's my job. I've really started to enjoy my job. Yes, it is stressful. Yes, it is still long hours. But now it's exciting. We're approaching our 4th and final deadline for applicants which means recruitment is in full-force. It reminds of an election in so many ways...except instead of bringing out the votes - we're bringing out the applicants. Each day I have to figure out what I can do for our team to some how motivate someone to take the chance and apply.
I think the best part of the stress - is that I know what I'm doing now. Back in October, I was really bitter about the long hours and little pay because I didn't feel like I was really equipped with the right training/skills to do what was being asked of me. Now, I do...and I'm trying figure out the whole long hours/little pay deal still...but I feel like this is where I'm suppose to be.
I also celebrated a birthday last month...my 23rd. It's weird how 23 seems so much older than 22, but I know that is because I'm just another step farther away from the "college life"...and taking yet another leap towards independence. Ha! Anyhow, my birthday this year was one of the best ever due to some awesome folks from throughout the Midwest. Calls from TFA friends on campus from Iowa City to Louisiana to Notre Dame to Wisconsin, Amy in Ames, Blair in Houston, several from the Lawrence/KC area, Buschelmans in Dayton, Reddigs in Madison, and the Keels in Oklahoma.I'm truly blessed to have friends and family near and far that remember me on my birthday.
In other news, it's freezing cold here in Chicago...it was -14 yesterday on my way into work. Cuddle Duds are now a necessity to head outdoors! My kitchen sink pipes are frozen...so unfortunately I can't do dishes...luckily, my bathroom pipes are still running!
That's the update for now...just trying to live life and stay warm.
~mitzi
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