Where Experience Means Nothing

    Moving to the Pacific Northwest has really been a blessing for my family and for me personally.  I've been exercising everyday, eating healthier, and have gained confidence I'd forgotten I had.  This, however, is not a discussion of those wonderful things.  This is a rantings of a frustrated almost 40 year old unemployed for the first time in 14 years woman.
     As many of you know I'm unemployed.  My last check from HCS will appear in the account at the end of the month and after that....nada!  I've been searching for teaching positions since before we moved and have continued to do so since we moved.  I have taught for 13 years but it seems as though that means nothing to the state of Washington.  I get that systems aren't hiring; I'll sub.  The part of the process that frustrates me is that 1) I must retake the math portion of the PRAXIS because I missed Washington's standards by TWO points and 2) I have to take an English Language Arts test to become certified to teach English.  I've been an English teacher for 13 YEARS for crap's sake!!!!  Really, my experience, qualification, and history mean nothing?!  Is it like this in other professions?
     Anyone who's been licensed in any profession knows that there is always a cost involved.  Well, this one has been the most expensive.  Keep in mind I've taught in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky and still hold licenses in TN and KY.  In order for me to attain my WA TEMPORARY license (which I have) I had to pay $88 to submit the paperwork.  Additionally I had to be fingerprinted which was a tame $68.50.  Now here's the most frustrating part:  the math portion of the PRAXIS $35, and the English Language Arts test $155!  For those of you keeping track that's $346.50 (yes I used my calculator) and I don't even have a job or professional license.  My TEMPORARY one expires in 180 days...that's January!
     Do I want to teach?  Not really.  I was looking forward to the move West so I could get out of education but momma needs a job.  I've applied to at least 35-50 non-education jobs since I've been here and still I am unemployed.  It seems the only thing I can do with two degrees in education is teach!  Shocking!!  Avery starts school Sept. 5 and in the meantime I'll do what I do every morning for two hours: check internet job boards, make phone calls to see if they're hiring,  stop by to fill out an application, and keep my fingers crossed.  I know something will come about as it always does, but for now frustration reigns supreme.

The Face in the Mirror

Recently I met a woman who has been undergoing oral treatment for Thyroid Cancer.  We discussed some of the negative side effects associated with drugs meant to keep you alive.  It was nice to talk to someone who actually understands what if feels like to look in the mirror and not recognize the person staring back.

I remember very clearly the day I looked in the mirror and I didn't recognize the face staring back at me.    Everyone has an idea of who they are on the outside and when that image doesn't match what you're seeing it's quite unnerving.  The drugs I was taking to keep me alive were wreaking havoc on my body.  I had dark side burns, not a good look on a woman, chin whiskers, and about 20 extra pounds.  The hairs could be waxed and the weight could be lost but my self-esteem was damaged; I didn't know who I was anymore.  Rather than take steps to alleviate the problem, i.e. exercise and diet, I made excuses..."At least I'm alive" or "It's hopeless because of the prednisone."  I continued to make these excuses for the next several years.  People say it takes a village to raise a child, well, I think it takes a group of awesome girlfriends to raise your self-confidence and help you love yourself again.

Although I didn't necessarily enjoy living in the state of Kentucky, I'm so thankful we ended up there because I met the best friends I could hope for.  We all came into our friendship with our own various body issues...big booty, chunky thighs, pudgy belly...you name it we bashed it!  We decided we'd do something about our bodies and began working out at least three days a week.  We would walk, jog, zumba, lift weights, or interval train.  It's amazing how much fun exercise can be when you're working out with friends.  As many of you know I'm a pretty positive person and this attitude transfered to our workouts. I made a rule that we all had to say something positive about our bodies during our sessions.  It started as something quite simple but the affect on my psyche was drastic.  The two versions of myself began to mesh.  I began to focus on what was awesome about me and focus less on what needed improvement.  Thanks to my friends I started to feel like the person I knew I was.

Enjoying the beautiful Oregon sites on another hike

I still have chin whiskers which require waxing; I still have a pudgy belly and the DeWitt butt and thighs but these days I exercise because it makes me feel good.  I don't worry about the number on a scale because it doesn't dictate how I feel about myself.  I don't compare myself to images on the t.v. or in a magazine because they aren't me.  I'm 5 ft. tall and take three immunosuppresent drugs including prednisone...a supermodel I am not.  I want to set a good example for Avery and be a hot sexy momma for my hubby!  These days the outside matches the inside and I love and recognize the face in the mirror.  I'm one hot momma!

What'dja do this Weekend?

Every Monday morning at offices and business across the country this is the topic of conversation.  If you would have asked me this question four months ago my response would have been "worked around the house," "went to Bardstown Road," "hung out with the neighbors," or "not much."  These days, however, my answer is quite different.

Vancouver, Washington has been the best change for my family.  On any given Saturday or Sunday you may find us challenging ourselves on a hike, shopping in the Farmer's Market, climbing at the indoor rock gym, or discovering new restaurants.  We live a much more active and outdoor centered life, quite a change from Kentucky.

This past weekend began with Paddleboard lessons at Lake Vancouver.  The scene on the water Saturday was surreal; standing on the paddleboard I could see Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens.  The only distinguishing characteristic of the two is that Hood is pointed and St. Helens is rounded due to the explosion.  We left from there to catch the tail end of an air show which featured the Thunderbirds.  From there we caught a free Japanese festival at the oldest Buddhist Temple in Oregon.  Next was the search for food.  Those of you who know us well know we plan a good portion of our travels around food.  Yelp! is the best for finding awesome food.  Anyway, Kenny & Zuke's was a fantastic find!  It's a deli with the most amazing pastrami I've ever eaten.  I even tried pickled cow tongue; it was quite good!

Sunday we decided to hike at Eagle Creek National Park.  Compared to the other hikes we've gone on this was mild in comparison meaning there were no switchbacks or significant increases in elevation.  What the hike lacked in intensity more than made up for in the "holy shit" factor. The trail meanders along the Eagle Creek where some of the trail was no wider than 3 feet.  There were  jagged rocks and outcroppings along most of the trail and at certain points there was a thick cable to use as a handrail so you didn't risk plunging to the bottom of the gorge!  The most gorgeous find was the Upper and Lower Punchbowl.  These are a set of waterfalls where people congregate to swim, take risks, and lounge in the sun.  The Upper waterfall drops about 50 ft. and the Lower about 9 ft. The pool in the Upper is only about 12 ft. deep so jumping into it isn't recommended; however, many do and end up sorry they did.  The Lower is the more tame of the two and the safest for those not wishing to injure themselves.  With that said Avery took the plunge after much debate!  Such a daredevil!  I couldn't be shown up by my kiddo so I decided to jump too:)  The water was a frigid 60 degrees which shocked the system but felt good the longer you stayed in.  The hardest part was climbing up the cliff face from the water!  Good thing we've been practicing our rock climbing!  We hiked a total of 9 miles, ended up with aching legs, sore feet, and amazing memories!

Hang on to that rail!

KC getting as close as possible to the waterfall

My two favorite people

The water was about 60 degrees but it was 94 outside; it felt good!

My husband of course brought wine for us to have with lunch.  Thanks to Naked Winery who makes wine in plastic bottles for easy transport.

My fearless kiddo taking the plunge

Momma's turn

Upper Punchbowl.  KC and Avery had to swim in the chilly water to get to that island; notice the doggie in the foreground. 

One of the many beautiful sights along the way

I snapped this quickly as my family was standing on the edge of a cliff.

The move from Kentucky to Washington has been quite a transition.  We left behind awesome friends, family, a job, and all things familiar.  What we ended up with was a new respect for the beauty of Mother Nature, corny I know, a new closeness as a family, and many more weekends worth of Monday morning stories to share.