Battle of Olustee
Mood:  happy

The Battle of Olustee went well this year.  Here's the website of the reenactment:  http://battleofolustee.org/ .  I'll see about posting some photos of the battle and around camp in my photo section.

I had to leave directly from work to get there, as it was my last day of work, and had a lot to finish.  When I got there I was still dressed for work, and since I was putting up my tent while still wearing a tie the other guys in my unit started calling me "Professor."  Apparently, that's my new nickname.  It's nice to finally have a nickname given to me by someone other than kinds who hated me in high school.

I didn't attend the dance this year.  After what happened last year, I just didn't wasn't interested in going.  Yeah, for those who don't know, I met this very interresting and attractive girl who agreed to go to the dance with me and she totallly flaked on me while there.  I don't know why girls I meet keep ditching me for total loosers.

Job is Over
Mood:  down
Topic: Job

Well, it's the end of February, and the job I took with Chain of Lakes didn't turn out to be perminant after all.  I loved most of my students, and they all learned quite a bit, as did I.

 There is a chance that a perminant position will open up for next year at Chain of Lakes, but I won't know until April.  I sure hope that it does.  I love the school, the administration, and the students.  It is a very professional yet open atmosphere at COLMS.  It is a good example of how all public schools SHOULD function.

I'm Finally A Teacher!!!
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Job
I was called to interview for a job teachin at Chain of Lakes Middle School in Orlando, Florida. The interview went exceptionally well, and was offered the job the next day. I told them I would let them know by today if I'd take the job, as I still had to interview with another school in Tallahassee. The second interview didn't go as well, and they were looking for someone with more experience. So, I called COLMS today and told them I'll be taking the job there. Unfortunately, the job is only temporary, lasting only till mid February. Still, it's experience, and I will finallly be issued my temporary certificate, meaning this job may well open many doors for me in the near future.

What sucks is that now I have to pack all my stuff and say goodbye to Tallahassee. I'll be moving to Orlando this weekend, and will stay with friends until I can find a place to rent.

Happy New Year
Mood:  party time!
I hope everyone has a great new year.

Right now I'm still waiting to hear back from any of the schools where I applied to teach. Hopefully I'll be teaching middle school social studies either here in Tallahassee or Orlando. I'm still waiting to be cleared by the county to substitute teach. They sure are dragging their feet on that.

Happy Birthday to Me!
Mood:  happy
Well, it's my birthday today. I'm now 27 years old. I'm going to celebrate by going out to eat. I don't know where yet, but it will probably be somewhere Italian, like Olive Garden, since there's no Macaroni Grill here in Tallahasse.

Call me "Mister Turner"
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Job
I just completed a training program to be a subsitute teacher here in Leon County, Florida. They told me that I'll be cleared right away and can start subbing the first week of January. It will be great to finally start teaching, and get some references.

Thesis Finally Posted
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Thesis
I checked FSU's website today, and discovered that they finally posted my thesis. It took them more than three months, but it is up and that is what counts.

You can view the thesis by returning to the main page of my site and going to documents and clicking on the title of the thesis, Rearguard of the Confederacy, or you can cut and paste the link below into your browser:

http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-07112005-175844/

I HAVE A JOB!!!!!!
Mood:  on fire
Topic: Job
Well, as you know, I have been searching for a job since April. This week I finally got a job. It's a good one at that. I've been hired by etap.org (Electronic Teaching Assistance Program) to write history lessons for middle school students.

My first task was to rework a 6th grade lesson done by someone else that was, well, not good. The owner of the website liked what I did so much he put me in charge of writing the entire lesson program for 7th grade.

I'm excited about my new job, as it's a great way for me to help kids get interested in history. The hard part will be lowering my writing level enough that 12 year olds can easily understand what I'm saying without having to consult a dictionary every fifth word. But, one thing I've discovered is that I can use some words that I know they won't understand, and by hyperlinking the word to an online dictionary, I can help them improve their vocabulary skills.

One of the good aspects of my new job is that I work at home, and therefore can take my work with me when I travel, or if I decide to move to Oklahoma, I don't have to look for another job.

Moving? The Great Decision
Mood:  not sure
My best friend in Oklahoma has put forth the offer that I move in with him for a while in case I can't find a job here in Tallahassee. This way I wouldn't have to pay rent, and I can most assuredly get work as a substitute teacher. I'm seriously considering his offer, and have set November 7 the date to make the final decision. I still haven't found a job here, and so the only thing tying me down is my lease, which I'm sure I can get out of with little trouble, as they are wanting to turn these apartments into condos.

I Still Haven't Found A Job
Mood:  don't ask
It has been four weeks since I had my last job interview. I've had many prospects, but nothing ever comes out of them. People just keep on stringing me along, not making decisions, dragging their feet on getting back to me; it seems like people just don't want to hire me, because I'm so over-qualified for everying thing for which I apply.

If I don't get a job by the end of the first week of October, I'm going to just go out and find a minimum wage job, like Home Depot or Best Buy. I really don't want to be a master's degree holding 26 year old man flipping burgers at Burger King, but I may end up having to take whatever I can get.