Transitions

When I was in college, getting that truly useful degree in Speech/Theater, I knew, I just KNEW, that I'd never need to get a day job. I'd be living in New York, working on Broadway, hobnobbing with the hoi paloi every night and waking up at noon the next day to shop on Fifth Avenue, then rush to the theater to give another Tony-worthy performance.

Because in College, unlike High School, you really DO know everything, and you're paying good money to prove it. Or your dad is. WhatEVER.

So now, here I am, a middle-aged woman with questionable skills figuring out what to do with the rest of my time granted on earth. I'm not ruling out theatre, but working in theatre usually involves late nights, and as much as I would love to be out past dark, I treasure bath and bed time. Plus we've started reading "Harry Potter", and I want to find out how that whole deal works out. So I'm looking for something I can do when JH is at school. I have mad skills - I'm great with Photoshop and Illustrator (well, I'm proficient, at least), I know my way around computers, I type probably 80 wpm (I haven't timed myself recently, I'm just going by the fact that my fingers look blurry to me when I'm typing. I'm either really fast or my eyes are going. Which isn't too hard to believe.) I'm hard-working, friendly, and adaptable. And I'm excellent at "acting as if". For example: "Mom! You aren't the boss of me!", to which I think "Don't I know it", but I "ACT AS IF" I am. (See! All that theater training WAS useful!)

I opted to stay home with Joe-Henry until he went to school full time. We did the math for daycare, and what I could earn wouldn't cover how much it would cost to send him someplace every day. Plus, I felt that we had tried for so long to have a child, I really ought to see what it was like to hang out with him. I won't say I loved every minute of it. Well, I won't say that now, but I know that later on, when I look back on those days, the memory of him severly trying my patience will become precious to me. Right now though? He's still precious to me, but I'm finding my mind wandering a bit, wondering what it's like to be able to finish a project, or do something other than dishes, laundry, search for lost toys, plan dinner, be the nurse, be a clown, etc. Don't get me wrong - I have no doubt that even when I DO find employment outside the house I will still be doing all those things, I just won't be doing them for the six to eight hours I'll be somewhere else interacting with the hoi paloi.

I'm excited about this new phase, and looking forward to seeing what it brings. I'm also excited to have a paycheck. Not because I want to spend all my money on shoes. No, it'll just be nice to see those creases in the center of my husband's forehead relax a bit. I'm also looking forward to giving JH a new way to introduce me when we play "Jeopardy!" every night. Because now I'm getting one of three things: "Joe-Henry's MOM!", or "A Volunteer at H. Elementary!" or "A Person Looking For A JOB!" Ummmmmmm, yeeeaaaahhhh.

So wish me luck. My resume is up to date. I've got two things to wear to interviews. And I have knowledge about a wide array of subjects.

I won at Jeopardy! just last night!