Work Take 2

 Jobs I've Had/Places I've Worked:

Babysitter

McDonald's

Sears

JCPenney

Dorm Cafeteria

KFC

7-11

Guernsey's

Domino's

The Main

Soaring Eagle Casino

Sassy Sally's

Nevada Palace

The Brass Saloon

Listening Ear

Mt Pleasant Teaching Home

Morey Charter School

Farwell Area Schools

Water Meter Reader

Timeout Tavern

Substitute Teacher

Ha! When I worked at the Brass, one of the other waitresses showed me how to spin the ketchup bottle so that the ketchup would come to the end, and it would be easier for the customer to pour. So, because I'm generous, I decided to share this new wisdom with another waitress, and while I was demonstrating the technique, the top of the bottle came off! There was ketchup on the walls, floor, and even ceiling - pretty hilarious!

When I was a ice-cream server at Guernsey's, I decided to prove to the younger workers that wet fingers would, indeed, stick to the side of the ice cream freezer; my former babysitter, who was my then manager, had to rescue me :)

As lovely as walking around outside, listening to audio books, and reading water meters is, it's not what I'd call fulfilling. But after having a tremendously fulfilling and taxing job as a teacher for 25 years, I'm currently content to chill a bit.

The best job ever depends on the criteria. In regard to chill enjoyment, my current job as meter reader is a clear winner. When considering positive impact, teaching comes out on top. The most fun and socially enriching jobs would be a three way tie with McDonald's, The Main, and the Casino. But probably my overall number one job would be the sub-job of running the library at the Middle School. THAT checked all of my boxes (except pay :)

One of my best jobs was also my worst. Teaching was great, but administration changes and public sentiment changes made it difficult to find the joy by the end of my tenure.

Nowadays, a part-time gig is right up my alley - with my current jobs of meter-reading and subbing, I'm able to set my hours, and I REALLY dig that at this stage of my life.

Ideally, I'd find a job that made a positive impact on the world - I know that eventually I'll look for something a little more fulfilling. At this point, I don't care a lot about money, though I do need to supplement my income for the next few years at least. I would like a job where I improve people's lives. As I sub more, that may work, but I'm kind of expecting to reenter the workforce in the next year - maybe a para-pro or something.

My DREAM job is to go back and run the Middle School library. THAT would be perfect.

I did think of my work as a calling for years, and it was lovely. Though I thoroughly enjoy meter reading, it's hard to frame that as a calling :D

Really always, but especially now, the internal values are SO much more important to me than the external. Though this probably shows my privilege, money is important, but it's not the most important.

And finally, I do need to work towards a change in my career, but a slow change. For now, I'm content.