Kids cause (very) thick skin

I work with kids of all ages at camp and for the past few months I've also been working at a local elementary school as a recess monitor. I absolutely loving it at this school and the kids never sees to amaze me with their pure curiosity and lack of tact. They are the only beings that see and ask things as they are with no dancing around a subject nor regard on how things may sound.

Regards to my hair:
I have short hair, very, very short hair and boy have I become very confident in myself. Each afternoon, sometimes more, I'm asked the same question, "Are you a girl or a boy?"

Regards to my watch:
I go through watches at a ridiculous pace no matter what fancy brand I buy. After my last two watches killed over I decided to go to Meijer and purchase a cheap watch. The latest comment is, "Hey, that's the same watch (insert name) has!"

Regards to my size:
I'm not even sure why or how this came up but boy was this kid's substitute teacher furious he asked, "What size shoe do you wear?" I personally thought it was funny and wanted to hear why he wanted to know.

Have you had any hilarious, embarrassing or weird questions or comments from kids? Feel free to share your moments below.

I will live for today.

I will live for today.
I will live for.
I will live.
I will.
I.

My love, or lack there of, with job applications

I may be Miss peppy and positive but applications are ridiculous, no ifs ands or buts. Seriously, why in the world would I spend time on a resume highlighting my relevant work and experiences when I have to then spend two hours filling out an online application in addition to my resume and cover letter?

Things on applications I will never understand.

(I reluctantly understand the online application is a tool for HR to see things in a pretty format where they can easily search the document and verify a person’s background thereby eliminating a large pool of applicants from the interview phase.)

1. List your educational background, starting with high school. – You don’t actually care what I did before college, why start now? Not to mention that oh say, I have it typed in my resume, mentioned in my cover letter and per your request, I uploaded my transcript.
2. List your work experience in the last 10 years starting with the most recent. – This is a two-part annoyance. First, TEN YEARS?!?!?! Yes, spelling the 10 out for emphasis on this one people. (Sorry AP stylebook.) Unless I’m applying for a federal position with super secret clearance, I’m not sure why this is needed. Honestly, you’re going to do a background check anyways, why waste your time? Plus, as much as I’ve loved everywhere I’ve worked, I don’t keep up with each and every person to know their current title or even if they still work at the same place. I can list a few at the top of my head that don’t. Secondly, you ask for my job, title and a description of what I did. Um, hello?!?! I wrote that in my resume, thank you for looking.

Okay so maybe I don’t completely hate the online system. It’s nice to be able to go back and apply for more positions at a place that keeps your application on file. I may not enjoy the time it takes for even the lowest on the totem pole position but the questions the application asks are relevant. But please, narrow the selection down with your questionnaires and background info. To be honest, I’m interviewing you and the culture of the place just as much as you’re interviewing me for the position. If you still like me, yes, I would love to sit for additional hours filling all this out. God knows if I’m hired I’m going to be handwriting everything all over again in the new-hire paperwork.

Keep your algorithms and neatly typed documents but keep it like a (well written) survey: short, sweet and to the point in the most unbiased way possible.

Thank you,

A girl who hopes she didn’t just shoot herself in the foot with this post.

Trust in something, trust in your gut.

Why do we associate that personal feeling of what to do, with our gut? Why is the gut placed high on a pedestal acting as a balance between right and wrong? Well whatever the reason, Gibbs would be proud.

However, I don't believe the gut feeling should be the sole decision but I'm sure it's different for each person. For me, I like to combine research and planning before I consult with my gut; I want it to have all the information before making its' decision.

My gut has aided in my adventure through my life and across the nation. I'm always shocked yet never surprised by my gut. Presently my gut is telling me to put all my eggs in one basket. Although I cringe at the thought, I feel it is the right thing for me to do. As the outdoor education season is soon to end, I've applied to quite a few jobs, no, several jobs and fellowships. There is one in particular I'm looking the most forward to. Not to say the other opportunities aren't great, but this one feels right, better.

To wherever I wind up, I'll give you my best and I promise that I only applied to positions where I could see myself making a difference and enjoying the new location.

To my gut, my budget would like you to feel more positive about higher paying jobs. To my heart, disregard that previous statement. Do what will make an impact in the lives of others and yourself no matter the dollar sign. Maslow's hierarchy says I need the basic needs first and that's all the dollar sign needs to be used for.


Thanks as always for being a part of my adventure,
Jenn