Ok so

I made sure everything was official and then asked if it would be possible to work less than the ideal 5 days that they were anticipating I work... they emailed me back and said it would be no problem to give me a group of students who are more self sufficient and will succeed without meeting EVERY day. So that makes me very happy and now I am excited to start this new position. I also have another informational interview at the U of M with the staff who work with the incoming freshman for orientation, welcome/move-in week and all of the activities geared toward helping the transition for freshman and trying to keep them from getting into too much trouble their first year away from home, and helping them stay on task academically... We'll see how that goes.

I had today off... I decided to take 4 day weekends every weekend for the next six weeks. Seriously. I took all Fridays and Mondays off (and even a Tuesday off one week), during the end of August until October. I had a bunch of PTO to use and I had to use it or lose it... so I am using it alright... :)

Yesterday I had an awful experience. I went to dinner with a friend and brought my dog. (I know this spells trouble already to most people) But I bring my dog a lot of places if I am going to be outside. So I sat on the patio and kept my dog out of anyone's way by having him lay behind my chair, up against the fence that enclosed the patio space. This way I figured no one would try to approach him and try to pet him as so often happens. (Sometimes Shadow loves people, and sometimes he is afraid of certain people, so I just did not want to worry about him). None the less, a family walked past us, and left the patio space after finishing their dinner. I was happy they walked by without trying to pet the dog, and I kept eating. However, the kid (he was 3 probably), walked around the other side of the fence and stuck his hand through to reach my dog. My dog jumped up and snapped... like he wanted to bite the kid. The kid pulled his hand back (unbit) and started crying. I don't blame him at all. He was scared to death. The dad of the kids picked him up and looked startled. I had already yanked Shadow under the table and put him in check. I turned to the dad and apologized and I don't think he spoke English well but he understood. He seemed to apologize too. I felt SO bad. I was SO mad at my dog, but there is nothing you can do after the fact. And I have no idea what set him off. He likes kids and people in general, most of the time. But he must have felt cornered or something... It's not ok regardless of what he felt. It scares me to death to think about what might have happened had he actually bit the little boy. People can and will press charges and request for the dog to be put down. Even a little 25lb dog. So I need to figure out how to prevent that from ever happening again... I have spoken to dog trainers today, vet behaviorists, and people from Craigslist who wanted to help by offering advice. I don't know what I will do, but I have to keep people from approaching him like he's a harmless puppy. You would not pet any German Shepard or any Pitbull you meet on the street... but people seem to think that just because my dog is little and cute, he is an angel who will toleralte anything and not get scared or lash out. I wish he was and I wish he didn't. But until that day, (so likely forever), I need to protect him from situations that could be bad, and unfortunately, that means meeting strangers in awkward places like cornered behind a table between a fence and a chair, on a leash. Anyhow... this got way too long and too full of venting...

Went out for lunch with a friend today. Took the dog for a walk (as I do daily for an hour), then walked again with my dad... we walked to my grandma's best friend's house (stay with me). My grandma passed away last October, and her best friend who is 90 years old, lives 6 blocks away. My dad grew up with her like an aunt and she is a vibrant, full of life, still living alone, driving, walking a mile a day and missing my grandma like crazy, old lady. (She also loves McCain... go figure). We walked Shadow over there (Shadow by the way, was named after my grandma, who everyone knew as Shadow. I got him the week she passed away and she told me from her hospital bed to name the dog after her after I told her how he follows me everywhere like a shadow... tmi I know). So that was nice. I dog sat my parent's dog Lucy tonight and made Chinese for dinner... fried rice, cream cheese wontons and egg rolls... then watched What Happens in Vegas.. (dumb, as expected, but made me laugh a couple times). I also bought vanilla ice cream from Dairy Queen, and blended it with malt powder and a Butterfinger for a sinful and calorie full treat. Yum.

Ok, this is super long. And I had a dull day... what the?

Now what

So I got the job... part-time (no tuition/free schooling benefits)... Not sure how I feel. On one hand, it will be a great asset on my resume, and a great view inside the world that I hope to work in someday, but on the other hand, I have a full time job, with full time hours and this would be another 10-15 hours tacked on at the end of the day (2-3 hours a day, 4-5 days a week), and my poor dog will be all alone for those hours, plus the commuting time. AND, in the winter, when it gets dark at like 3:30pm, how will I even walk my dog!? Ugh. Now I am torn. This seems like a much bigger commitment than they led on, and with this position being in its rookie year, there are a lot of unknowns... The pay is not stellar, so I would be doing it for the experience... Is it really worth it? I mean with gas prices alone, and driving in rush hour 4 times a day (to and from my full time job 6am-2:30pm, and then two and from my evening job 4pm-6pm), it's almost more of a hassle than a great opportunity.... 5 days a week!? That seems like a lot of driving. Ugh. Now what?

Another interview

So I met with the Director of student athlete tutoring and mentoring, and we spoke for quite a while today. After I learned of the current needs of the organization, and he learned of my background and interests, he called the Director of student Athlete welfare to come in and speak with me. I must say, these informational interviews have been like a window into this world. The people I have met with have been so nice and helpful, and they owe me nothing... I really hope something works out down the line for me. I would love to work at the U of M and I would love to work with the students. I have lined up an official interview for the part time mentor position, for tomorrow... followed by a meet and greet with the athletic staff and other applicants. We'll see what that brings. I am more interested in a position they spoke about today that is more of a "learning specialist", academic counselor, to the football team. That position requires more 'documented' familiarity with the NCAA rules, regulations and eligibility requirements as well as a better knowledge of the Big Ten rules and such. I figure the mentoring job might be a foot in the door for more full time opportunities like that, down the road... One day at a time.

On another note, my best friend from childhood, Adam, plays ball overseas and spends the summers here. He left yesterday to go back to Europe, and I did not get to see him to say good bye... lame. He was busy, as usual, and his girlfriend is likely way more sad and missing him far more than I can imagine... so I have no room to complain. I guess his and my friendship does not change much despite the miles between us. Calls here and there, emails a little more frequent.


Just finished watching Hillary at the DNC. Glad she was so supportive of Obama and uniting of the party. She's a good sport. The RNC will be held here next weekend... I hear it could get a little crazy with protests. I have friends who are cops and they are prepared for the worst.

Anyhow, off to see what else isn't on TV, and head to bed...

More later

Last weekend

Last weekend I went "up north" (as we say in Minnesota) and spent a couple of nights at a cabin that belongs to a friend of the family. I go up there every summer and have gone up there every summer for as long as I can remember. My family goes up there, and my parent's friends from high school come up there with all of their children who are now in their teens and twenties. And even though this tradition started in the 80's as a way for the kids to get to know each other and the adults to spend time together, we all continue the tradition without question. It's two days of relaxing in the sun, water skiing (or watching my loved ones water ski since I am a coward) , eating good food, taking long walks, fishing (as I am watching Uli do in the photo) , and watching the beautiful sunsets.

A walk with the pack

I took Shadow on a walk with the "dog whisperer" of Minnesota. He did great with the pack of dogs that were walking today. We even stopped for coffee and the dogs chilled by themselves. He fed off their energy and it even kept him from trying to chase the trucks that drove by. ;) He realized the other dogs did not care...

That's all for now.

Job hunting season opens

So I am looking for work. Have a job, but looking for something new. Something bigger and better, something rewarding and challenging. I met with the department of student athlete welfare at the University of Minnesota earlier this week, and I could really see myself working there. The people were great, the building was nice and the jobs there are exactly what I am looking for. However, there are no current openings... hmmm. I do have another meeting next week with the director of tutoring and mentors for the student athletes and I am hoping maybe there is a job in that department that might be a good fit for me... I am trying to go out and meet people in fields that interest me, and see what jobs I might be good at... We'll have to wait and see what time brings for me... I may consider doing part time work, and keeping my current job, just to get my foot in the door somewhere.

I have been busy for the past two months with all of my students who come everyday for a summer program, and now that that is over and the academic year is upon us, I am ready to explore my options.

I'll try to update on my progress...