It's a Reality Summer

There's not much to watch in the way of scripted television this summer, and granted I could be more studious and choose to read rather than watch TV. However, after working HARD at a job that is - well - just a job, not exactly my favorite thing to do - and a little bit stressful with this crazy economy...when I get home the last thing I want to do is read, even for escapism. I'm much too lazy for that. Thus, I have turned to reality TV, not my favorite but it does fulfill my natural voyeristic tendencies. Having majored in psychology, I enjoy people-watching, seeing how people interact with one another and present themselves.

The first of my summer reality shows - yes, I confess - I am watching another season of The Bachelorette. After watching Deanna pick the wrong guy a year ago...and then watching Jason become super jerk...I am now watching Gillian be blinded by the singing and southern charm (gag) of Wes (who unfortunately is from my home state, TX - so disappointing). And tonight she sent home three other Texans - one who is a great guy, Jake; one who is a great guy but a little too young and aimless, Robby; and one who is probably a great guy, but is overshadowed by his annoying foot fetish, Tanner P. But she kept Wes...ugh...I want to punch this guy in the face, kick him in the shins, tar and feather him and tie him up by his ankles. Can you tell that I don't like this guy? He is solely on the show to further his lame music career - and let's be honest - he's not that good, there's a reason he hasn't produced an album yet. And the show only plays one line of this song he's supposedly written "for Gillian" - pretty sure it's for any woman who will buy his schtick. As for the other guys she has left to choose from, they all seem fairly okay - it'll be interesting to see how the home dates go and get a glimpse into the families of these guys - although it looks like song-boy Wes introduces her to - surprise - his band as opposed to his family...ugh...cannot stand this jerk.

I'll introduce you to my next reality addiction tomorrow...sleepy time now

And so the adventure continues...

Having been back to Houston for Memorial Day weekend and being thoroughly chastised for not having updated my blog since adopting Suzie, here is my update:

Work: Thanks to my wonderful, long-time friend Robin - I interviewed for a position with the Dallas branch of the company she works for in December and began working in January. I am now entrenched in the thrilling world of insurance adjusters and attorneys as I schedule and assign doctors to review medical records for work comp and auto liability claims...yes, that is sarcasm - however, I am absolutely grateful to have a job in this crazy economy and while this is not my favorite thing to do, apparently my boss is appreciative of my work ethic and is already looking to promote me to a team leader position. Do not be afraid - this will not deter me from my overall goal - to quote Jim from "The Office": "Because right now, this is a job. If I advance any higher, this would be my career. And if this were my career, I'd have to throw myself in front of a train." There you have it...thus my next topic...

Alternative Teaching Certification: This process is going to take a bit longer than I had originally hoped, but I am not giving up. The summer session that I wanted to take ended up being a week long intensive from 9am - 4pm each day - which considering I do not have any vacation days (just a few "personal" days that accrue each month), I can't really take off a week from work to go to the classes. Also, Texas changed part of their alternative certification requirements at the beginning of this year where the applicants have to complete all 30 of their observation hours prior to beginning teaching. Thus, on top of still needing to take the courses and obtaining the observation hours - in all likelihood I will not begin my teaching career until the fall of 2010. Which, that's really not too bad. Right now I'm in the process of getting my college transcript sent to the Texas Teachers program and studying for the exam, so that I may begin the classes this fall. Also, I should receive some vacation time at the beginning of next year which will more easily allow me to obtain some of my observation hours. Observing a classroom for a full day equals 8 hours, as well as opportunities to tutor, the hours should add up fairly quickly.

Church: I visited two churches, which I realize is not exactly an array to choose from but it's still more than the one I visited and attended when I moved to Kentucky - this time I at least gave myself an option...I visited The Village with the Altendorf sisters. Many may know this as the church where Matt Chandler is the pastor. It is a rather large church with five services and full of many people in my age group; it is missional and truth centered - but I wasn't quite feeling it. All those people around my age - well it felt a tiny bit like a meat market for the pretty people. Granted, I didn't really attempt to get involved, and only visited one home group - which I actually liked because it was an all-girls group - it just was not for me. At the same time I was visiting that church on Sunday evenings - I would visit 121 Community Church on Sunday mornings. 121 almost immediately felt like home - that's pretty much what sold me. It was hard that first Sunday to get up and go there all by myself (at The Village, I could at least attend with one or both of the Altendorf sisters), but I have gotten to the point where I miss 121 on the Sundays I am unable to attend. I have visited one LifeGroup so far, full of older single women who have been precious to me as they are almost all teachers - and have been an amazing help as I continue on towards my goal of teaching. Knowing that I also need to engage with other people in my age group, I intend to visit another LifeGroup that meets on another evening and is a mixed group. That is one of many things I like about this church, the LifeGroups are organized by women's, men's, mixed, and couples. There are not any "singles" groups, so we are mixed in with people of all ages for the most part - couples and singles alike. Also, this church has a very distinct missions approach with missions in our community, in the US, and abroad. I am looking into a way to get involved in the local missions by helping out with the middle school girls with 121's La Communidad group on Monday evenings. I just have one more step to go in the process of becoming a member of 121 - which I feel very comfortable with calling my new church home.

That is pretty much all the "news" I have up to this point. I promise to regale you with stories of my current job soon...I have a co-worker who I often want to beat up because of his utter laziness and lack of attention to detail, or really just his lack of attention to his actual job - so pray for me!