Saturday, August 30, 2008

Laboring that I have done

It is Labor Day weekend. I have always felt vaguely melancholy at this time of year. The official end of summer, the beginning of real work time, no more days off for months. It is about 9 AM, the Texan is still snoring in deep sleep, the dogs have settled down for the morning nap, and I have "nothing fun" planned for the day. Lots of housework ahead. Yecchh! OK, pity party time is now officially over.

1. Tell us about the worst job you ever had. The worst job I ever had was my first college job as a typist for the College of Engineering in an crammed-full of filing cabinets, 8x10 one-person office (me) far away from any human being, sitting there typing things that truly did not look like any language I understood. It was tedious and it was tortuous to have to be there for 4-6 hours at a time. It only lasted 1 semester and I found something else to do on campus to make money.

2. Tell us about the best job you ever had. It would be a tie between the job I have now, teaching young adults, and when I was a supervisor at CPS working with caseworkers who had lots of children whom we were able to place in adoption.

3.Tell us what you would do if you could do absolutely anything (employment related) with no financial or other restrictions. If I could do my full fantasy, it would be to go to Canada in time to see the trees change with the Texan who could walk and have fun with me as we meandered wherever we want. I would be able to go to Eastern Europe and work with orphanages to improve the lives of children in group care. Teaching English as a 2nd language has always been something I have wanted to do. I would also volunteer at a hospital taking care of and rocking newborn babies. In short, dear ones, all of my fantasy time and activities presume my being retired with enough money to do what I want to, with a fully healthy Texan either with me or at home, depending on his interests.

4. Did you get a break from labor this summer? If so, what was it and if not, what are you gonna do? I was able to spend some time visiting with family and dear friends in Arizona and Indiana. I came back refreshed and feeling deeply nurtured. Tex was able to have a little more energy this summer, so time with him was also more satisfying.

5. What will change regarding your work as summer morphs into fall? Are you anticipating or dreading? Although I really like the work I am doing, I am dreading the pace of the fall. I feel like I have to run to keep up with all the tasks. Please God, no more health issues for either Tex or me this year.

Bonus question: For the gals who are mothers, do you have an interesting story about labor and delivery (LOL)? If you are a guy pal, not a mom, or you choose not to answer the above, is there a song, a book, a play, that says "workplace" to you? I have birthed two children, and it was very hard work. The best part was falling so deeply in love with those babies in the most profound part of my being that I was forever changed, forever loving them for the rest of their lives.

No comments: