Happy holidays…not so happy unemployment

It appears that I will be unemployed next semester. I was supposed to teach a class, but only 3 students enrolled so it was cancelled. Bummer. Been looking at some other schools…I hope that someone has an open position somewhere. I really miss teaching already…its not the best paying job I can get, but I enjoy doing it. Sure, there are hassles involved (like all jobs) but it is the most rewarding job that I've ever done. Just for students to say they enjoyed the class means a lot to me. Plus I get used to seeing the same people every Tuesday and Thursday for 16 weeks; it seems a little weird not to. And a little sad that I probably won't ever see most of them again.

Needless to say, this lack of job thing has been a bit stressful. Especially during the holidays, when money is already tight (isn't it always for grad students?). I'm hoping I can find something part-time in the area; otherwise I may have to go and get that full-time job that I was planning to get when I finished my dissertation. There are no openings remotely close to akron, either. Not even adjoining states. Really don't want to do it, but I guess if I have to, I have to. Going to exhaust other options first.

Although this has sucked greatly, I really appreciate all of the help and support I've gotten from friends and family. Thanks J

What grad school does to you…

Friend: "what did you do last night?"

Me: "i did something crazy"

Friend: "what did you do?"

Me: "I graded papers until 3am"

Friend: "sounds like a crazy nite"

Me: "Oh yeah! The stapler, the white-out, the red pen, and a whole bunch of paper clips; all of the cool office supplies were there! Except the 3-hole punch; his schedule was jammed. Didn't need him anyway."

Friend: "U crazy"

Me: "Well at least I haven't named my stapler or anything. I would name him Butch, but he's not that strong – can't take more than 20 sheets at a time. I may dump him soon tho, for one that can take 50. I would name that one Butch".

Friend: "Wow. Should I be nervous or scared?

Me: "See where 9.5 years of post-secondary education gets you?"

Sicky is icky

I've managed to get myself sick. Lost my voice completely. Couldn't even teach today. Luckily, I have generous classmate that taught for me. This is the first time in 4 ½ years of teaching that I've had to have someone cover for me because of illness. Hard to teach though with no voice. Add coughing, fever, headache and really sore throat = no go.

I also got the wonderful news that I've been rejected from the health insurance plan I applied to. Great. I don't consider myself a sick person; I have a chronic condition that requires medication and infrequent doctor visits. With medication, I don't have any symptoms. But the insurance company does not classify me as healthy. Never mind I'm an appropriate weight for my height, work out 4-5 times a week and have resting heart rate of 63. I understand that I would have to pay more for health insurance (because I actually use it). That's a given. But deny me coverage? That's just unfair. I'm hoping I'll find something in the next 28 days…cobra runs out then. Going to apply for a few more…wish me luck.