Back at it
Well after a year hiatus, I am back to working on my book. I think that after working on it for 2 years I just needed to take a long break so that I could become passionate and inspired to write again. I’ve continued to do research, but it was more of a stalling tactic than anything else, but recent events have allowed me to realize it is time to get my butt back in gear.
At work on Friday, it came to my attention that a 14 year old I work with closely has ‘disordered eating’. She starts high school next year and this is THE AGE where either her ‘disordered eating’ tips over the edge and becomes a full-blown eating disorder, OR she for whatever reason lets it go and is fine. She had a book list of all eating disordered themed novels and according to her mother has been visiting pro-ana sites, along with other red flag behaviors I fear the direction her ‘disordered eating’ is heading is into the real deal.
Not only does this break my heart, but it is also forcing me to realize I need to get back to work on my book. I really hope to promote some sort of change in boarding schools and other schools in general by writing my “tell-all” book by hopefully gaining a lot of media attention to sort of force their hands into changing.
Luckily, her mother is aware of what is going on, and is willing to listen to my advice and the advice of the professionals her daughter is currently seeing. I’ve seen so many parents in denial about this that her reaction was unexpected and refreshing. Having her mother take this seriously is such a rarity, that it keeps my hopes up that this girl will be okay. My contract is up May 31st but I hope to continue to be there for them and support/help in anyway I can. Tomorrow, her mother and I will discuss this further and we’ll take it from there.
This afternoon, I am back to writing.
Please feel free to comment with your experiences, thoughts or suggestions.Thanks!
ahh I LOVE having a keyboard on my phone! Makes a world of difference- yes yes I am way behind the times
I’m feeling inspired. I think
I’m feeling inspired. I think today after work I’m heading to panera to work on my book! Finally.
Theres no business like show
Theres no business like show business… I want to be a television host.
Hell is empty. All the
Hell is empty. All the devils are here
So this weekend I discovered
So this weekend I discovered that someone is impersonating me on facebook. I’m a little weirded out. And curious.
My credentials? I’ve lived it.
I’m going to use that line a lot this weekend.
So, I went to a boarding prep school in New England for High School. It was a unique experience that I wouldn’t trade, but it seriously shaped me into who I am, some ways not for the better. Sure boarding school gives students the opportunity to achieve academic and athletic success in ways that most day schools are ill equipped to offer, but throwing a bunch of hormonal, impressionable perfectionists together under one roof with minimal supervision? Things are bound to happen.
ha. THAT was incredibly vague, but I am positive that throughout my blog, book, articles and appearances, I will go into further detail about such “things”.
In other words… Stay tuned.
The point of this post is to say… I am in the process of applying for an English teaching position at one of these schools. Its not in the ISL, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the experiences of these students won’t be similar to mine just the same. I’ve JUST graduated from college this MAY, but I really feel like I would be a terrific asset to this school. Yes, because I’ve lived it. I would know more than anyone else what these kids are going through. I know my primary role would be to teach them proper grammar, build their vocabularies, and to stimulate critical thinking, but what I would be most excited about is the chance to be an ear and role model to these students. I, above most, would know the signs and symptoms of those students suffering an eating disorder or in the early stages of an eating disorder. There is nothing I want more than to be able to help in some way. I don’t want anyone to go through that, and even to have someone to talk to about it helps some.
Part of me thinks I am completely crazy to even be considering throwing myself back into that kind of environment. I know it will be totally different on the teaching side, but still the memories and inevitable flooding of all those pubescent feelings and failures are threatening.
On the other hand, I REALLLLLLY want this job. I would be starting next week. The pay isn’t great. I wouldn’t have weekends off. But my housing would be paid for, and so would 3 meals a day. It would be great to further my research for my book and I may actually help some people out. It would be an overall great experience.
I can’t help but think about it and get really excited for it. Which is something I should be avoiding since there are two other candidates up for the same position who have already interviewed for it. I have not. So far I’ve just been in email contact with the assistant Headmaster. I’m waiting to hear back from him.
ugh. I am obsessing over this job. Why can’t he email me and ask me to come for an interview already??? Then I can stress about the interview. PLEASE?
“ What are my credentials? I’ve lived it. ”
