A local AP tutoring firm contacted me, with an email line stating they had "Desperate Need for AP Spanish Tutor." Interesting, I thought, and I responded that I would be interested, provided that such contract employment would be on my terms, not theirs (business for me, currently, is not hurting).
My terms being that 1) all classes are held in my home classroom, and 2) my pay is $50/hour.
I received a response inquiring where my classroom was located. Then a follow-up asking me to send my CV and three references. Sure, not a problem...striking me a bit as funny as HE had searched ME out to offer ME a position (evidently responding to my CraigsList ad). However, I said I would send everything only pendent upon my pay being commesurate with my going rates.
He emailed back requesting a meeting with me as soon as possible. I told him that, due to my teaching schedule, I am unable to meet with him before Friday morning. Knowing full well, of course, that his only purpose in seeing me face-to-face was to try to talk me down from my going rates.
He then began to get upset, evidently, in his email, wondering what kind of time I would have to dedicate to his students if the earliest I could come to him is Friday morning. I fired back that I stay at home teaching so that I can be a mother for my two young children as well, 'sir'. That permits me to have students while having my children at home and working around my schedule as, most importantly, a parent first. My students all understand and, above all, respect that in me.
I then said that, if that is not an acceptable arrangement for your company, then we are perhaps not a good match.
He didn't appreciate that response, as I received a rather snide comment back about my "TEACHING SCHEDULE" permitting. I do have students Monday-Thursday afternoon/early evening, then children pick-up from school, dinners to prepare, etc. I have my limits; hence what I have chosen to do--while earning more money than I did at the Uni working their hours. Plus, by now my feathers are a bit fluffed; I did not go to him asking for employment. He, instead, was "desperately seeking a Spanish AP tutor" and sought me out. Then had the nerve to switch the table to feed his own ego? make me seem like the bad guy? I'm not exactly sure, but it didn't work as he has lost one hell of an excellent prospective tutor that he sought and then proceeded to chase away.
It was today that I realized how far I have come in such a short time in my business. Whereas two years ago I would have jumped like a puppy through whatever hoop this man had set out and complied with whatever pittance had been tossed my way, I have learned that my name has gotten out, I have regular students and recommended students alike who I have earned all by myself, with no need for a school or an agency for matchmaking. I don't have to take the crap he was trying to deal out anymore, and I would not have enjoyed working for someone like that. My sympathies to those who do work for him.
In my final email of this exchange I did thank him for his interest...! Queen of the subversive jabs am I!
(and just to let you know---I really, really derive great pleasure from coming out on top of such pettiness!)
martes, 13 de enero de 2009
lunes, 12 de enero de 2009
dreaming of stilettos
They were black, sexy stiletto dress shoes, to be worn with a sexy black dress. I found them and wanted them, even though I have yet to ever wear stilettos.
With my long legs and the perfect length dress, I would be--well, invincible.
*---*
I am going to an Inauguration Ball, hosted by a couple I have been teaching for almost two years who were kind enough to invite their young Spanish teacher to share in next week's fun. My date is a girlfriend, a fellow mother of a classmate of La Princesita who lives around the corner. Black tie; should be a lot of fun. However, I don't really have a black-tie dress.
I have a week. I will see what I can figure out. She-ra suggested I raid the closet of her babysitter, an 18-year old away at college. Is that a compliment or a jab? :)
*---*
I have had a new surge of Life. I feel good, I feel like I look good, and I take my stiletto dream as an embracing of the sensuality I have permitted to reenter my life. Granted, this sexual validation comes from a battery-operation fallus (which I cannot seem to quite get enough of right now) but I choose to see this as a first-of-the-year pick-me-up that usually does not hit until the sun begins to shine with more direct rays in the springtime.
And I feel good.
Now to find a dress. And, if the mood hits, maybe I will find stilettos for the night...but don't hold your breath.
With my long legs and the perfect length dress, I would be--well, invincible.
*---*
I am going to an Inauguration Ball, hosted by a couple I have been teaching for almost two years who were kind enough to invite their young Spanish teacher to share in next week's fun. My date is a girlfriend, a fellow mother of a classmate of La Princesita who lives around the corner. Black tie; should be a lot of fun. However, I don't really have a black-tie dress.
I have a week. I will see what I can figure out. She-ra suggested I raid the closet of her babysitter, an 18-year old away at college. Is that a compliment or a jab? :)
*---*
I have had a new surge of Life. I feel good, I feel like I look good, and I take my stiletto dream as an embracing of the sensuality I have permitted to reenter my life. Granted, this sexual validation comes from a battery-operation fallus (which I cannot seem to quite get enough of right now) but I choose to see this as a first-of-the-year pick-me-up that usually does not hit until the sun begins to shine with more direct rays in the springtime.
And I feel good.
Now to find a dress. And, if the mood hits, maybe I will find stilettos for the night...but don't hold your breath.
sábado, 10 de enero de 2009
I have my bed back
Young Prince has moved out and fully into his Big Boy Bed. Yes, he is 4 1/2. But I had an "until 5 at the latest" rule. Exceptions include nightmares and big storms. Otherwise, everyone OUT!
I am enjoying my king-sized bliss--all by myself.
The first morning I have not yet had to be up and out for any reason, I took advantage to dust off my (former) dead battery case. You know the one--big, purple with pearl action. And ears.
Ah, why I had I abandoned thee? What an absolutely glorious way to begin a Saturday.
I am enjoying my king-sized bliss--all by myself.
The first morning I have not yet had to be up and out for any reason, I took advantage to dust off my (former) dead battery case. You know the one--big, purple with pearl action. And ears.
Ah, why I had I abandoned thee? What an absolutely glorious way to begin a Saturday.
***
In order to fully enjoy the effects of my little purple Peter Rabbit, I have to conjure in my mind the picture of him. The only man I have ever loved; the only one, in the history of my lovers, to have ever raised me to the heights of bliss just by a look. The only with whom I could fight and look forward to our reconciliation...and who would come after me when I never would admit I wanted to be chased. The only who would love to create with me as a team, be it a meal or a project, or even a work of art. The only who could tell by the tone of my written word--not even voice--my mood. The only one felt challenged by me yet not intimidated by my powerful and very complex spirit. The only one who could make me laugh and cry and feel valid no matter what, because of an acceptance of who I am. The only one who physically fit me as if we had been created for each other.
To experience a love like this makes everything else so gray by comparision. Unfair it is, really; nobody else could ever have a chance in my life. Having such a partner by my side like that, I feel invincible. I am learning to find this strength within myself. Some days are better than others, but I know this will be a good year. I am prepared to make it so.
And with a little help from my friend, all the better!
To experience a love like this makes everything else so gray by comparision. Unfair it is, really; nobody else could ever have a chance in my life. Having such a partner by my side like that, I feel invincible. I am learning to find this strength within myself. Some days are better than others, but I know this will be a good year. I am prepared to make it so.
And with a little help from my friend, all the better!
viernes, 9 de enero de 2009
coffee therapy
There is nothing more therapeutic than a morning spent with a girlfriend.
Or two.
Such rich conversations, filled with giggles and sighs, over cups of hot cappuccino are sometimes just what any doctor would order for attempting to solve the world's problems. Whenever this opportunity presents itself, with any of my girlfriends, I find myself mellow, tranquil, calmed and yet with spirit so recharged I feel anything is possible.
I need to make a habit out of this! Let's see how the upgrade to a w(h)ine night next Monday works...
Or two.
Such rich conversations, filled with giggles and sighs, over cups of hot cappuccino are sometimes just what any doctor would order for attempting to solve the world's problems. Whenever this opportunity presents itself, with any of my girlfriends, I find myself mellow, tranquil, calmed and yet with spirit so recharged I feel anything is possible.
I need to make a habit out of this! Let's see how the upgrade to a w(h)ine night next Monday works...
*---*
The problem with an in-house separation is that it can be easy to take for granted that one parent might be around, even when not his night to "have" the kids, so that the other can take part in another activity. This occurred last night when I, assuming there was nothing on the calendar for the evening--precisely because there ISN'T anything on the calendar for that night--made alternate plans. Turns out He had other plans so I ended up not being able to do anything.
Okay, my bad. It wasn't my night off. The problem with this arrangement is, however, that I don't get a night off during the week. His nights with the kids are M/T, mine W/Th, and F goes to whoever has them for the weekend. The issue lies in the fact that he isn't coming back to the house until about 1/2 hour before the kids' bedtime any night of the week. This means, essentially, that every single night of the week is my night "on" and I don't get to make any alternate plans for any night of the week without children. Monday is the only exception; He has Mondays off, so he's in charge of them during that day. He also takes advantage of my being "around" by scheduling medical/counseling appointments for during that afternoon when he should be taking care of the kids. Instead, I am expected to be there to watch them until whenever he chooses to return. I don't feel that is particularly fair, especially when I am the one to have to change my plans around to accomodate him; he never has to change a thing to accomodate me, except perhaps to take a day off once in a while, which he does anyway--so I'd rather not be around when he does.
Rambling. Sorry. This just means that we are not going to be able to maintain this much longer. I have ceased to prepare meals for him. I no longer do his laundry nor clean his floor of the house (except my office that is downstairs right now). Yet I know that, in the end, I will have to be the b*tch and give him the goal deadline: Out by (insert date). And I'll have to find him the place, or he won't do it.
And I need to treat this as if he simply were not here. No activities on weeknights, aside from Mondays, that don't involve the children, because I simply cannot depend on him to take them, even if his night to have them. Not necessarily very fair to me, if I wanted to join a class or something, but fair is apparently not a part of the equation right now.
Or perhaps it is my punishment for breaking this marriage apart in the first place.
The problem with an in-house separation is that it can be easy to take for granted that one parent might be around, even when not his night to "have" the kids, so that the other can take part in another activity. This occurred last night when I, assuming there was nothing on the calendar for the evening--precisely because there ISN'T anything on the calendar for that night--made alternate plans. Turns out He had other plans so I ended up not being able to do anything.
Okay, my bad. It wasn't my night off. The problem with this arrangement is, however, that I don't get a night off during the week. His nights with the kids are M/T, mine W/Th, and F goes to whoever has them for the weekend. The issue lies in the fact that he isn't coming back to the house until about 1/2 hour before the kids' bedtime any night of the week. This means, essentially, that every single night of the week is my night "on" and I don't get to make any alternate plans for any night of the week without children. Monday is the only exception; He has Mondays off, so he's in charge of them during that day. He also takes advantage of my being "around" by scheduling medical/counseling appointments for during that afternoon when he should be taking care of the kids. Instead, I am expected to be there to watch them until whenever he chooses to return. I don't feel that is particularly fair, especially when I am the one to have to change my plans around to accomodate him; he never has to change a thing to accomodate me, except perhaps to take a day off once in a while, which he does anyway--so I'd rather not be around when he does.
Rambling. Sorry. This just means that we are not going to be able to maintain this much longer. I have ceased to prepare meals for him. I no longer do his laundry nor clean his floor of the house (except my office that is downstairs right now). Yet I know that, in the end, I will have to be the b*tch and give him the goal deadline: Out by (insert date). And I'll have to find him the place, or he won't do it.
And I need to treat this as if he simply were not here. No activities on weeknights, aside from Mondays, that don't involve the children, because I simply cannot depend on him to take them, even if his night to have them. Not necessarily very fair to me, if I wanted to join a class or something, but fair is apparently not a part of the equation right now.
Or perhaps it is my punishment for breaking this marriage apart in the first place.
miércoles, 7 de enero de 2009
mistaken signals
I am beginning a new phase of life.
This has greeted me with a new perspective and a fresh, confident ideal of not wanting or needing to find companionship on a romantic level. There is so much freedom in knowing that I don't need to have that to feel fulfilled, and the resulting strength is empowering.
However, I find myself at a crossroads because I think my ideal of finding men to pass platonic time with is just that: an ideal, a fantasy, something that I will probably not find. I recently had the opportunity to watch movies one evening with a male friend, for whom I feel no particular spark but who is wonderful company, extremely handsome and at a similar life stage. It was nice, platonic, no pressure felt and very comfortable.
When relating this evening spent in nice friendly company to my female friends, I am surprised at the reactions; namely that I am being naive to think that any man would not invest time like that if he didn't have deeper interest, in hopes that this would develop eventually into more. "Men can have all the patience in the world until they get what they want."
Perhaps that assessment is correct. Perhaps I am being naive. It would be nice to have a single person, woman or man, to be able to call and get together from time to time and just enjoy each other's company, much akin to how I spent this past weekend with my girlfriend from grad school, but without having to get on an airplane to do so. Even better if that person is also a parent, if only for the empathy and comprehension aspect. I simply have no desire, nor am legally able, to develop any relationship deeper than a friendship level, yet am starting to carry doubts of the existence of this no-expectation type of connection at this stage of life.
This has greeted me with a new perspective and a fresh, confident ideal of not wanting or needing to find companionship on a romantic level. There is so much freedom in knowing that I don't need to have that to feel fulfilled, and the resulting strength is empowering.
However, I find myself at a crossroads because I think my ideal of finding men to pass platonic time with is just that: an ideal, a fantasy, something that I will probably not find. I recently had the opportunity to watch movies one evening with a male friend, for whom I feel no particular spark but who is wonderful company, extremely handsome and at a similar life stage. It was nice, platonic, no pressure felt and very comfortable.
When relating this evening spent in nice friendly company to my female friends, I am surprised at the reactions; namely that I am being naive to think that any man would not invest time like that if he didn't have deeper interest, in hopes that this would develop eventually into more. "Men can have all the patience in the world until they get what they want."
Perhaps that assessment is correct. Perhaps I am being naive. It would be nice to have a single person, woman or man, to be able to call and get together from time to time and just enjoy each other's company, much akin to how I spent this past weekend with my girlfriend from grad school, but without having to get on an airplane to do so. Even better if that person is also a parent, if only for the empathy and comprehension aspect. I simply have no desire, nor am legally able, to develop any relationship deeper than a friendship level, yet am starting to carry doubts of the existence of this no-expectation type of connection at this stage of life.
martes, 6 de enero de 2009
feeling shattered
Oh no...heavens, NOTHING like what was going on Last Year at this time!
I fell down the stairs today.
Fortunately not all 13 of them. Only about the bottom 1/2...ouch. And unlike a seasoned faller who would know to not to fight the feeling, I reached out, grabbed the banister and promptly twisted my body into landing in a contorted heap at the base of the steps.
And they were the indoor, not the outdoor, steps, so it was all my doing and not to be blamed on some random showing of ice.
I somehow managed to drive myself to the chiropractor, where for the second time in two weeks he had me in tears popping me into place. But I am prescribed ice therapy, "as much as I can" tonight as my left shoulder and the base of my neck is completely swollen (dude, no wonder it hurts so bad!) and to, um, 'pop' back in tomorrow so he can torture me a bit more into place.
So I will sit and give thanks for laptops as my neck ices and I plan the rest of the week's classes.
Side note updates:
My weekend away to Georgia was lovely. My girlfriend and I had not seen each other in about 4 years, and we desperately needed some catch-up time. Watched some old movies, one newer flick and did some shopping. Swapped class ideas and voila! We could have technically written that weekend off for taxes.
My mother is up to old antics again. The Christmas Letter included a lovely guilt trip blatantly directed at this Mama Llama about what a crappy daughter I am to keep her grandchildren at such a distance. She has also rejected the name that my daughter, the first grandchild of the family, gave to her. My sister and her husband are angry with her about this as well, and it makes it very hard to even make the efforts to pick up the phone. I'm getting tired of it. I guess the webcam I bought her for Christmas went over like a lead balloon. Can't say I don't make an effort. I just need to smart up and stop making the efforts...
...if she weren't my mother, it would be so easy.
As far as my Rocking Resolution list goes, I am doing well so far. Granted, we're only a week into the New Year, but still...
And with that I go back to the ice.
I fell down the stairs today.
Fortunately not all 13 of them. Only about the bottom 1/2...ouch. And unlike a seasoned faller who would know to not to fight the feeling, I reached out, grabbed the banister and promptly twisted my body into landing in a contorted heap at the base of the steps.
And they were the indoor, not the outdoor, steps, so it was all my doing and not to be blamed on some random showing of ice.
I somehow managed to drive myself to the chiropractor, where for the second time in two weeks he had me in tears popping me into place. But I am prescribed ice therapy, "as much as I can" tonight as my left shoulder and the base of my neck is completely swollen (dude, no wonder it hurts so bad!) and to, um, 'pop' back in tomorrow so he can torture me a bit more into place.
So I will sit and give thanks for laptops as my neck ices and I plan the rest of the week's classes.
Side note updates:
My weekend away to Georgia was lovely. My girlfriend and I had not seen each other in about 4 years, and we desperately needed some catch-up time. Watched some old movies, one newer flick and did some shopping. Swapped class ideas and voila! We could have technically written that weekend off for taxes.
My mother is up to old antics again. The Christmas Letter included a lovely guilt trip blatantly directed at this Mama Llama about what a crappy daughter I am to keep her grandchildren at such a distance. She has also rejected the name that my daughter, the first grandchild of the family, gave to her. My sister and her husband are angry with her about this as well, and it makes it very hard to even make the efforts to pick up the phone. I'm getting tired of it. I guess the webcam I bought her for Christmas went over like a lead balloon. Can't say I don't make an effort. I just need to smart up and stop making the efforts...
...if she weren't my mother, it would be so easy.
As far as my Rocking Resolution list goes, I am doing well so far. Granted, we're only a week into the New Year, but still...
And with that I go back to the ice.
jueves, 1 de enero de 2009
reflections on the old; resolutions in the new
Ah, 2008 is gone. History.
I began the month of December in quite a funk, not only due to the memory of and added loss but also due to what I perceived to have been a failure of a year. I wanted to have acheived my separation in 2008 and that did not happen.
However, I could not see at that point the great strides I have indeed made. What might seem like baby steps to some are huge to me. I have Him talking now in terms of "my weekend" vs. "his weekend" with the kids. I am no longer sitting home and crying during his time with the children; I am being productive, going out, enjoying my life and making the most of the freedom I have, trying to relax as much as possible so as to be a better mother when they are mine again. I am overcoming a fear of going out and doing things on my own; my basic insecurities that have ruled my life for so long are beign dismissed and I am coming out stronger and much more self-defined as a result.
And I am trying to laugh more.
That is how 2008 ended for me. What will 2009 have in store?
I want to build my business up just a bit more, as my youngest will be in school five mornings a week this coming year.
I want to cook more, bake more and eat out less.
I want to depend more on tea and less on coffee to keep my eyes open during the day.
Walk/bike more, drive less.
Simplify my life; less expenses, more experiences.
Develop more self-discipline regarding my computer use.
Define my various paths in my life.
Rid my life of that which is toxic and surround myself with healthy people and experiences.
More salads, less sweets.
More exercise, fewer excuses.
Get my backyard back into shape.
Ensure all in my life know who they are and what their roles in my life are; and conversely define what my role in their lives is.
Ascertain that He and I are playing on the same field, with the same expectations--about which, right now, I have an uncertain vibe resonating deep within me.
Start working on getting over my fear of confrontation.
Go somewhere I have never before been.
A new, different passport stamp? Hmmmm...would be nice!
Be the best mother I can be, and give thanks for these two greatest gifts I have been given each and every day of my life.
Keep a cleaner house.
Love more, live more; worry and resent less.
Let things go.
Be well.
I began the month of December in quite a funk, not only due to the memory of and added loss but also due to what I perceived to have been a failure of a year. I wanted to have acheived my separation in 2008 and that did not happen.
However, I could not see at that point the great strides I have indeed made. What might seem like baby steps to some are huge to me. I have Him talking now in terms of "my weekend" vs. "his weekend" with the kids. I am no longer sitting home and crying during his time with the children; I am being productive, going out, enjoying my life and making the most of the freedom I have, trying to relax as much as possible so as to be a better mother when they are mine again. I am overcoming a fear of going out and doing things on my own; my basic insecurities that have ruled my life for so long are beign dismissed and I am coming out stronger and much more self-defined as a result.
And I am trying to laugh more.
That is how 2008 ended for me. What will 2009 have in store?
I want to build my business up just a bit more, as my youngest will be in school five mornings a week this coming year.
I want to cook more, bake more and eat out less.
I want to depend more on tea and less on coffee to keep my eyes open during the day.
Walk/bike more, drive less.
Simplify my life; less expenses, more experiences.
Develop more self-discipline regarding my computer use.
Define my various paths in my life.
Rid my life of that which is toxic and surround myself with healthy people and experiences.
More salads, less sweets.
More exercise, fewer excuses.
Get my backyard back into shape.
Ensure all in my life know who they are and what their roles in my life are; and conversely define what my role in their lives is.
Ascertain that He and I are playing on the same field, with the same expectations--about which, right now, I have an uncertain vibe resonating deep within me.
Start working on getting over my fear of confrontation.
Go somewhere I have never before been.
A new, different passport stamp? Hmmmm...would be nice!
Be the best mother I can be, and give thanks for these two greatest gifts I have been given each and every day of my life.
Keep a cleaner house.
Love more, live more; worry and resent less.
Let things go.
Be well.
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