searching for answers

I have often wondered why I now have a job in California and not in Arizona. I tried for over 6 weeks to get a full time job in the Phoenix area. All I saw were contract positions of 3 - 6 months with a possibility of being brought on full time if they like you. I just can not do that anymore. I need security where I know I will have a job to go to after that time. I just can not keep dealing with having to look for work after my contract is up.
On Friday I asked Jen to tell me if I did the right thing, moving here to California and taking this new job. She said that maybe the job was offerred to me because now I can concentrate on making a difference for others. To help them finally get out of their environment and suceed in life. To better themselves by going to school and then getting a job. For them to finally realize that there is something better out there. I will admit I am now back into a position that is based on my bachelors and I know I will be very good at. I will be teaching and I definately enjoy that. The supervisory part will be ok also. But I will be very busy.
I still miss my house and Arizona. I put so much work into the house and I now can not even enjoy that. What about my children? Bart called and told me he thought I was crazy for moving again. But when I told him the circumstances he accepted the move and said that was probably the right thing to do.John called me last week. He was at the Phoenix airport waiting for a connecting flight back to Kansas. I missed another opportunity to see him. He leaves for Iraq in about a week. Sarah has been real good with my move. She did say she wants to come to see the AZ house and we will have to schedule time when both of us can be in AZ. She did say the flight would be costly when all of them come so it might be awhile before she can make the trip.

my first day at work

I found that traffic is not too bad after 9 am as I was driving to work. There were times I had to slow down but all-in-all the traffic was no different than Phoenix.
I met allot of nice people today. I shadowed 4 of them. The first part of the morning was spent taking me around the school meeting some of the instructors and looking at the classrooms more indepth. I also sat with a director who is incharge of making sure the students stay in school. She showed me some of the documents they use to list students who have not attended for a certain amount of days due to family problems, transportation problems, etc. I will be calling some of these students eventually. But I will also be working with the instructors on this too. The program directors and other directors have a 3:30 meeting certain times during the week/month to discuss these individuals.
I finally got assigned a desk at the end of the day (I will be moving to a different area soon because they are reorganizing where the program directors are sitting). I have many documents to read. I also was working with IT in getting all of my passwords sorted out so I can access all of the different systems and software.
So, you ask, do I like this job? My answer is yes. I have allot to take care of but I think I can manage and even have a bit of fun at it.

Its official pending background check

The meeting I had this morning with the president of Heald College went extemely well. I did not even have to give my teaching poresentation. They made everything official. I start on Tuesday after the background check is processed.

The drive to San Jose

I drove straight through leaving at 4:11 am and arriving at 5:30 pm. The drive was uneventful. I did go through Lake havasu (sp) City and passed the London Bridge. The lake and surrounding area is beautiful. I thought that the route I was taking would send me through minimal mountain passes. I was wrong!! As I was taking the western routes from I-5 they were all mountain passes. My ears were popping as I was going up and down in elevation. The scenery was fantastic but I was worried about my car. But relieved when it had no problems.
The weather here is much cooler than Phoenix. I had to wear a sweater last night. I think I will miss the heat. I do miss not being able to enjoy my new home. I have only lived there for 6 months. But new things await me and I will still go home on holidays and vacations.
This morning I am off to meet everyone at Heald College

The day before - Getting ready

I finally have a job (Director of Business for a college) after looking for 45 days. Unfortunately it is in California. Who would have thought that I would have a Arizona house and now a California home. I have to meet with the school president and others on Thursday - 9/18 to sign papers and give a presentation

There are so many things to remember before leaving and I will even be traveling light!! I took the car to be serviced - oil change, check the tire pressure, etc and I found I have some hoses leaking plus I need a new air filter, top the fluids, flush the radiator, etc. This is a setback time and money wise. Now I am waiting for the auto service to call. I hope they have it ready before they close today.

While I was waiting I created the presentation for Thursday. It is a job aid on the Microsoft Office ribbon for Office 2007. I just needed a quick 10 minute presentation to show my teaching skills and I figured this would be the easiest one to discuss.

The lawn service workers have finally installed the water system and new flowers and palm trees in front of the house. Other plants had died previously because the previous lawn service had turned the water down so low. They do this just as I am leaving so others in my family who are staying in AZ can enjoy them and I can't. Oh well, such is life.