This week has been pretty crazy. It was my last week of training as a Gymboree Teacher. I’ll be working about 20-25 hrs/wk. for a while, and my 1st OFFICIAL day on my own, is tomorrow! It’s been really trying ~ driving to south Austin many days / wk for training for very little pay. But today, the GM told me I did so great that she wanted to pay me at the full rate. *Yeah!*
She also said I could bring my own music to rock out to while I clean, after everyone leaves…and bring my favorite books to read to the kiddos, as long as it relates to the curriculum. *Yeah!*
I was so tired today. I cried at many things, prob. because all the pressure from training and performing while being critiqued, all came to a kind of pinnacle ~ and my body just became weak – and my eyes (as my dad would say)…began to leak. :0)
But that’s ok. I am learning so much- about the development of children, what certain age groups need, how to humble myself more when I don’t want to do something (like clean the whole play room with an apron, or drive so far to work), how to play to different audiences – types & ages of kids and also to capture attention of adults… and much, much more. I’m learning more about how prayer & all-out, unabashed worship, when I’m stressed, acts as a natural calming agent – like a spiritual chamomile tea. I do like my morning commute time – that’s one thing I’ll miss now, transitioning to my permanent schedule in Round Rock & some days @ Shoel Creek & Anderson.
My husband has been so helpful. He had plans and cancelled them when he saw my “downward spiral” today, took the kids with him to Barnes and Noble & Dairy Queen, and let me have the quiet house to myself, to eat & sleep…and yes, be merry. As I enjoyed the solitude, I prayed that the kids would come back content and calm and give us no problems w/bedtime – and that very thing happened. We watched Cars for a while and Bray sat by me, putting his arm around my back and smiling. Angel followed his lead, doing the same to him from the other side of him and asked me to put my arm around them too. We all just cuddled together. Then I paused the movie with no complaints ~ bedtime was smooth with great reading time (Cain & Able & Noah’s Ark for B. & “Biddle Bird” for A. – one of her favorite books, I sing to her). I’m filled up again…just in time to lay my head down for the night. *Yeah!*
Tomorrow’s my 1st day at the Round Rock Gymboree, But God has gone before me, helped to prepared my way, and given me more of his grace – grace that I’ve needed to extend to myself, as I make all the rookie mistakes. I am very grateful for this new part-time job, my friendly, understanding co-workers, and for an opportunity to contribute financially and to learn new teaching skills.
Chelan 