just a day, just an ordinary day

while big events catch people's attention, it's the mundane routine that we all deal with on a daily basis right? some are more exciting than others, but here's mine:

for the past 2 weeks, i've been housesitting for 4 "clients"...this included 5 dogs, 1 rabbit, and numerous house plants. 2 houses were removed from the docket in the past two days, leaving only 1 dog left to care for (plus plants...but they don't really count). on top of work, it can make for a semi-exhausting and mentally stressful running around town, coordinating bathroom stops and walks, making sure pets don't escape or create messes, etc. and of course, staying at someone else's home (which can be a mini-vacation in some instances) can also be awkward and uncomfortable...and let's face it, it's just not the same restful sleep as when you're sleeping in your own bed! but the paychecks i get when the families come home (and their appreciation for having someone there to take care of their house & pets) does make the job worthwhile--it's a pretty good job to have overall. part of it is my own fault for taking on too many jobs at once, but i hate to turn anyone down in fear of losing their business later. i've been thinking of starting a "business" and advertising my services, but don't have a local cell # yet, plus i'm doing just fine right now with word-of-mouth referrals. so hopefully it keeps up; i need to pay off my student loans, pending tuition, and credit card bill!

in addition to working & housesitting, i am also getting my wisdom teeth surgically extracted this weekend, which means going under anesthesia & being knocked out of commission for a few days while i recover, plus a week or so of soft foods while the sockets heal and close. (fingers crossed no dry sockets!!) it's taking me out of work for a few days, but hopefully not too long since i have an old friend from high school coming up for a week-long visit and i'd like to hang out with him. blueberry festival is coming up in a week, in addition to my "informal 5-yr reunion" that i'm not sure i'll be attending. all while recovering and not eating normally! great...

on the up side, work is still going great. our kids have been wonderful & fun to work with, plus i love having afternoons off (even if i don't appreciate the small paychecks...). i think it's been decided that the last week of summer school when we only have one student, i'll be working with that student while the other para goes to her elementary school and works with the kids she usually sees during the school year. the only stipulation is that the one student i'll be one-on-one with is autistic, and the only experience i have in that realm is what i've seen at work these past 4 weeks. it made me hesitant at first, but i'm looking forward to spending more time with him and experiencing autism firsthand, even if it will be a challenge. but how else are you supposed to learn, except for jumping in feet-first? besides, it's only for a week.

the next few weeks include (besides the aforementioned details) a math training workshop, filing paperwork and finishing my application for grad school so i can hopefully start classes soon, more housesitting before the school year starts in 4 weeks. it's crazy that it's almost that time again! i can't believe that it's almost been a full year since i moved home and started my job...hopefully the fun will continue and end the summer on a good note, as well as make for a great upcoming year!