job search and good deeds

I wouldn't say I'm a highly motivated person. I take the back, I am when I want to be. And apparently, all of a sudden, I am a highly motivated person. I have turned into a doer, not a wisher. Which brings me to my first item of business. My job search.

I can't very well move back to Ohio jobless, although I realized that it might be a reality because the job market is so scarce out in the OH. I don't know if there are an influx of retirees, or what, but Lady Luck has shined on me. Since Monday, I have applied to SEVEN school districts (gasp!). Not all of them have specific positions for me, but dagum, I've applied anyway! Here's the running list so far:

• Westlake City Schools (I applied in March when they had an opening for 2 positions, was told I was going to have an interview, hopefully over my Spring Break, but due to some discipline issues they needed to handle, has post-poned this; however, I did just email the principal, hopefully putting a little fire under his butt).
• Bay Village City Schools (my alma matter, which is hiring an English teacher)
• Parma City Schools (where I student taught -- advertised generic positions available)
• Avon Lake City Schools (where my sister lives -- looking for 3 Summer School teachers and a Swimming coach, score!)
• Fairview Park City Schools (no positions listed, but why not?!)
• Rocky River City Schools (no positions, but again, why not?!)
• Elyria City Schools (where I was offered a position but turned it down to come out here to Satan's Kitchen -- no positions listed, but the principal LOVED me [what's not to love] and I'm hoping to win her over again)

So that's that. Hopefully I'll get a bite or two. Also, my friend Shelby has a friend whose brother is a principal in Cincinnati, and while living in The 'Nasty is less than desirable, it's slightly more desirable than no job at all... So, do a dance, cross your fingers and say a prayer that I get an interview in one of these places ... please please please.

Yesterday I did something that was totally uncharacteristic of me. In fact, it was quite Stephanie - like, which I called her immediately after I did it to report. I called Chipotle to complain and in the process, got free dinner for me and my friends. As you well know, dear reader, I adore Chipotle, and frequent it quite, well, frequent. I was in our local Chipotle last Friday at approximately 7:30pm, alone, getting take-out (the reason behind why I was alone is a separate story, for another day). I ordered the usual, a chicken fajita bowl with a side of chips. Feeling frisky, I decided to get a side of guacamole to go with it. Therein lies my complaint. It was bad. Not impalatable, but just not Chipotle-good. The avocados were perfect -- tender, buttery, delicious. But that's all I could taste! There was no lime, no cilantro, no onion, nothing! Just avocado!

So I called the store yesterday, asked to speak to the manager, and in a calm and loving voice told him that it wasn't the best guac I had ever had, in fact far from it, and I am a Chipotle and guacamole guru. He apologized profusely and offered for me and my friends and family to come in anytime this week and our dinners were on him! Ha! It made me feel so good that I was helping him, and he was willing to ensure I remained a customer.

The same day that I called Chipotle, I also was grocery shopping. While I was in my local Safeway (which is my favorite grocery here, but slightly out of the way), no fewer than 6 employees greeted me, asked me how my day was, asked if I needed help, and told me to have a great day. How wonderful! The lady in the produce department even helped to answer some questions I had about jicima! And she even took one from the display, cut into it, peeled it and offered me a sample! How perfect! Then, as I was checking out, the little checker-outer called me Ms. Johnson and told me to have a great day! I love him! So, because of this, I'm going to send a note to the manager telling him that his store is AMAZING!

I hope this inspires you to tell someone they did a good job, or let someone know that it wasn't what you expected. Because it makes you feel good, and you just might get something out of it!