So I’m back to life as normal.  The trip was great, and it was wonderful to see my son again on Facetime last night in his new dorm.  He looked so happy and relaxed.  His hair has already doubled in length from last week.  I wish him well in his classes – he’s going to have to learn some study and note-taking skills in a hurry if he’s going to compete with his classmates in this Air Force college environment.  Ray and I did remind him last night that now his classmates are “the enemy,” that in an academic environment like this, only the best go on to greater things and the rest either wash out of get menial jobs.  Such is life in the military.  Rank has its privileges, but so does academic success.

On my end of things, I worked one day last week, which was a nice way to ease myself back into substituting.  I have a two week assignment starting on Monday in a class that is chaotic.  I hope I survive.  Also, my #2 choice for school districts had a long-term sub job open up in History, so I applied.  If I get the gig, I’ll be there until the end of the school year.  I must admit that I’m not thrilled about the idea of a long commute to get there, but this district does pay well and they do have great resources, plus, the school was my Alma Matter.  Really, I’m just sort of spoiled, having a middle school and high school within walking distance of my house.  Most teachers commute.  Sure, Milpitas is my #1 choice for this, but if Milpitas doesn’t have any permanent jobs opening next year, the sad reality is that I still need a job somewhere, so why not branch out now with a long-term assignment that might put me in good graces in another quality district.  Milpitas already loves me; why not allow Mt. View love me as well.  First though, I have to get the gig.  Even if I don’t though, I’m sure the Milpitas district will keep me busy this year; they are really low on substitute teachers because they kicked out a bunch of bad subs at the beginning of the year, and other subs became full-time teachers this year.  Alas, I was not among that latter group.