No work

I waited awhile to post this because I haven't wanted to deal with the implications.

There is no dream teaching job.

Yes, that's right friends, I have no job for next year. Most of you know that I was really hoping for a job in the area because:
A) There was a woman retiring
B) The teachers there wanted me (since I student taught there and had experience and fit in well)
C) They have the best English Department in the world
D) It's my dream job

But the all-important E has trumped all and prevented me from attaining my dream job.
E) Budget cuts in education all across Iowa

Ugh. Are we really going to put a price on education? These budget cuts have cost this English Department 1.2 positions (not to mention positions all over Iowa). This means their curriculum must change because they don't have the amount of teachers to continue implementing their current curriculum (which is great, I must add). Yes, change is good, but I can't help but think this is not a change for the good. They will most likely have to sacrifice some of the great work they do at the school in the English Department. I mean, seriously, I taught juniors and they were learning things I didn't even hear about until my junior year in college. Consider how much more prepared they are for college than students from other schools. And believe me, I can see how much more well-prepared they are just in the college freshman I have this semester.

Anyway, I digress...

Here are the implications of this development: Chaz and I are jobless. We are free. We have no ties. We have no prospects. So what will we do? Here are options:

A) Go overseas—While this is something we've always talked about doing, I can't help but feel that it would be really difficult on our marriage. We've not even been married a year, and we're still learning about each other and about our marriage (as we will be for the rest of our lives, of course). But, I'm afraid if we only had each other and went somewhere without another couple (or at least someone else we know), we'd kill each other. I know it would be so tough if I only had Chaz to be around and didn't have other people to socialize with. I know that we'd meet people and we'd be able to fellowship with friends after we make them, but I would just feel a whole lot better if we went with someone we already knew and had that community already in place. However, this is a good time to do this option seeing as we have no ties currently and it would be wonderful experience.

B) Move—We have a couple of options with this one, however, no jobs. We know that we'd want to move somewhere with people we know (Colorado...Minneapolis...), but we have no job options. There is always the option of subbing, but I would prefer to have a job instead of just subbing for a year. I mean, we could always just sub around the Central Iowa area, after all. Plus, my parents are none to excited about this, but I can't let that stop me, can I? It would be a way to gain a new experience and experience some more of the world (which is what we should do now since we have no ties really....except for the nieces...darn those adorable nieces).

C) Stay and find another job—I love living in Ames, and I know that I'm so comfortable here that it scares me to go elsewhere. However, should I stay in comfort when I have the option of exploration? Probably not, but I'm a bit afraid of leaving my comfort zone. Anywho, we do have the option of staying here and just trying to find other jobs. Chaz could work for a coffee shop....I could find, well, SOMETHING. Or we could always sub.

D) Stay and go to grad school—While it's a little late to apply to grad school, my friend tells me I could probably get in just because I've been around the program for so long (and I'm working for the program right now). I could also have the opportunity of getting an assistantship, meaning I would get paid nearly as much as I would with a teaching job. However, I'm of the feeling that if someone should go to grad school, Chaz should get the opportunity first. Plus, if this is a time where we can just go and explore the world, should I sacrifice that to stay and continue my education (which I'll want to do later, most likely)?

We are leaning no way right now. We have no idea what we're going to do. What are your votes?