Hey everyone! Happy September! The last few weeks haven't been calm at all. So much has been going on. The good, the bad and the plain not so good.
So, if there was one thing I would categorize in the bad it would be the fact that since last time I blogged, I have had tonsillitis for the grand total of 3 times! I actually had it a week ago and then I caught it again on Friday. Yesterday I looked in the mirror and my left tonsil (lately it's been my right one that's needed the steroids) was taking up half of my throat. I saw a doctor and now I'm feeling a little too lively because I'm on methylprednisolone (doesn't the first half of the name make you want to get on some too?!?) and antibiotics.
Now, if I had to pick something to categorize as the plain not so good, it would be that I quit my job two weeks ago and I am now moving to Richmond, VA (that part actually falls into another category). My official last day of work was on Friday (September 9th) and I left for several reasons.
1. I was being treated unfairly in regards to the other staff. As y'all know, I have been sick this Summer. Anyone who knows what tonsillitis is, knows that along with not being able to work when first being sick (like before you have had the opportunity to see a doctor/ taken your medicine) you also shouldn't have to work. However, that wasn't how it went down. Along with being stressed out about getting sick and being paranoid about germs, I was stressing over having to lose my job because I would fall ill and need to take 1 day off because I couldn't work with a 102+ fever or swollen, infected tonsils. This also didn't make any sense because all the other staff seemed to be able to take time off and it wasn't a big deal while I had to pay an arm, a leg and an eye every time I needed to take time off.
2. I initially decided to quit because when I became sick again two weeks ago, while I taking a day to recoup., another individual was hired in my place (I was going to mention that I was promoted to a lead teacher a month before) and I was put back in the toddler room. I have absolutely nothing against the new teacher in the transition room, I think she is great. However, what I do have a problem with is not being made aware of such a staff change and it being done to punish me because I have to take time off (it's illegal to work with children while you have a temp. higher than 101) because I was sick (seriously, it's not a common cold. It's TONSILLITIS. I just love to think about how it's an infection and how I, oh so luckily, keep contracting it. Especially when it's most common for children, ages 5 to 15 and I'm quite a few years above that age demographic. So, out of all those fancy statistics, I'm that one lucky individual who doesn't apply to them and in this case, I'm that one lucky individual who has managed to contract tonsillitis for the grand total of 13 times. Sorry, official rant over.)
Anyways, I chose to stand up for me and my health. I firmly believe that no individual should have to not only worry about losing a job over health (I would understand if I called out because of a cold. It's called Dayquil and ride it out for 3-5 days) or having to spend a fortune correcting their health. That's another frustrating aspect. A parent who is an insurance rep. offered insurance coverage through the company. After I was sick one time, I lobbied for it. I had the parent come in again, I picked out what plan I wanted and I heard from higher up was, "I didn't understand the paperwork." It was a double edged sword. I along with anyone else doesn't deserve to be disrespected or stressed out.
As I've processed how I've felt about it all, I've actually felt more positivity coming from this move and job change. It all seems to be shifting towards something better and something much happier.
So, if there was one thing I would categorize in the bad it would be the fact that since last time I blogged, I have had tonsillitis for the grand total of 3 times! I actually had it a week ago and then I caught it again on Friday. Yesterday I looked in the mirror and my left tonsil (lately it's been my right one that's needed the steroids) was taking up half of my throat. I saw a doctor and now I'm feeling a little too lively because I'm on methylprednisolone (doesn't the first half of the name make you want to get on some too?!?) and antibiotics.
Now, if I had to pick something to categorize as the plain not so good, it would be that I quit my job two weeks ago and I am now moving to Richmond, VA (that part actually falls into another category). My official last day of work was on Friday (September 9th) and I left for several reasons.
1. I was being treated unfairly in regards to the other staff. As y'all know, I have been sick this Summer. Anyone who knows what tonsillitis is, knows that along with not being able to work when first being sick (like before you have had the opportunity to see a doctor/ taken your medicine) you also shouldn't have to work. However, that wasn't how it went down. Along with being stressed out about getting sick and being paranoid about germs, I was stressing over having to lose my job because I would fall ill and need to take 1 day off because I couldn't work with a 102+ fever or swollen, infected tonsils. This also didn't make any sense because all the other staff seemed to be able to take time off and it wasn't a big deal while I had to pay an arm, a leg and an eye every time I needed to take time off.
2. I initially decided to quit because when I became sick again two weeks ago, while I taking a day to recoup., another individual was hired in my place (I was going to mention that I was promoted to a lead teacher a month before) and I was put back in the toddler room. I have absolutely nothing against the new teacher in the transition room, I think she is great. However, what I do have a problem with is not being made aware of such a staff change and it being done to punish me because I have to take time off (it's illegal to work with children while you have a temp. higher than 101) because I was sick (seriously, it's not a common cold. It's TONSILLITIS. I just love to think about how it's an infection and how I, oh so luckily, keep contracting it. Especially when it's most common for children, ages 5 to 15 and I'm quite a few years above that age demographic. So, out of all those fancy statistics, I'm that one lucky individual who doesn't apply to them and in this case, I'm that one lucky individual who has managed to contract tonsillitis for the grand total of 13 times. Sorry, official rant over.)
Anyways, I chose to stand up for me and my health. I firmly believe that no individual should have to not only worry about losing a job over health (I would understand if I called out because of a cold. It's called Dayquil and ride it out for 3-5 days) or having to spend a fortune correcting their health. That's another frustrating aspect. A parent who is an insurance rep. offered insurance coverage through the company. After I was sick one time, I lobbied for it. I had the parent come in again, I picked out what plan I wanted and I heard from higher up was, "I didn't understand the paperwork." It was a double edged sword. I along with anyone else doesn't deserve to be disrespected or stressed out.
As I've processed how I've felt about it all, I've actually felt more positivity coming from this move and job change. It all seems to be shifting towards something better and something much happier.
So this was one of my special buddies, Mickey. I also had a student named Mickey and I will definitely be missin' them both.
This was one of the decorations I put up that I was most proud of when I became a lead teacher. It was probably one of the happiest moments which working at the Center. I could control my own classroom and decorate how I chose. As a teacher's aid in the toddler room, small, not-so-important things like picking the nap-time music felt like a triumph.
This is my other little buddy, Luke. These were taken last week. The night before, for some weird reason, I couldn't help but think of all my favorites and even about the one's who drove me crazy and how much I was going to miss them.
Childcare is really something I do because I love children and the bonds I make with them. It feels so fulfilling when I can say, little Lilly or Todd (those are just random names) recognize me as a caretaker in their life and they not only respect me but they grow and learn with + from me.
These are pictures from my last move. It went smoothly but I am a little frustrated that I am moving so quickly after just moving in with my friend Candace. It's been a month. Danielle doesn't do all that re-packing because she enjoys it.
2. Adventures and The Good
Along with being sick since I last blogged, I've also been on lots of adventures and taken lots of pictures..with Josh :)
I would say that if there was anything going right in my life right now, my relationship would be it.
This is from a random mini-trip to Downtown Harrisonburg. We had some awesome burgers.
The above pictures are from a trip Josh and I took where we drove down Skyline Drive (which is an adventure in itself), explored an abandoned and decrepit visitors center and motel (the motel was horrifying. Human feces and roaches..everywhere. ) stayed in a cabin, went shopping at a flea market and explored Luray, VA.
Skyline Drive was absolutely beautiful, one major reason it's a national park. We attended the Blackberry Festival, hiked to a waterfall and I fell on my face on the way back, stumbled upon a forgotten cemetery and enjoyed a breathtaking sunset. I was absolutely exhausted at the end of the day. My 1hr nap turned into a 13 hour sleep.
These were taken on a night Josh came to visit. We had dinner and walked along the old Staunton train tracks. There was a bridge above them with lights. I saw a photo opportunity.
This was a sweet little thing that my sweet guy sent me.
On this weekend, Josh and I went to the Cary Town Watermelon Festival and we went to visit his Aunt in Williamsburg. It was alot of fun!
This weekend was a little low-key. We spent Saturday in Staunton and on Sunday we attended this Fantasy Football event at Buffalo Wild Wings. Now, anyone who knows me well, knows I don't watch, read about or know anything about football. If Josh successfully got me involved, it sorta means something and speaks for itself. However, my book that I'm currently reading and a couple cosmopolitans also came in handy.
This weekend we went to the Goochland Drive-In to see Pete's Dragon and Finding Dory. Fun Summer activity. On Sunday, Josh and I went to Washington DC! We went up on AMTRAK, went to Cosi (because again, if you know me well. You know the #1 place I'm always going to eat at in DC is Cosi), We took the Metro and attended a Washington Nationals game. Originally we were sitting behind first base but as the heat was rising and the sun was shinin' down on me, my right tonsil became swollen and it was just hot in general (hence the hat) so we moved into the shade. Then, I began to pump in the water, pray that I was just feelin' a little funny and after the game, we went to TJ Maxx, Anne Taylor, H&M and ate some dinner while we waited for the train.
It was an adventurous, exciting weekend. I wouldn't of wanted to spend it with anyone else. DC is a special place to me and I finally had an opportunity to spend it with someone special, after Sarah and KC Blake of coarse. :)
Anyways, now y'all know the update on what's goin' on. Lot's of change but I'm also excited for it all! Lot's of change in my life up til recently, hasn't been very positive. This is one of the first and few times I can say I have been excited and felt not as anxious about the change. Thank you, have a fantastic week!
