my price: one gyro, no cucumber sauce.

Every now and then I get these bursts of motivation. Whether they involve house cleaning, organization, or job applications, they come suddenly, and go almost as quickly.

My most recent burst of motivation comes after my boss tried to buy my soul with a gyro today. I knew that something wasn't right when she called to ask if I wanted a gyro for lunch. These are usually saved for special occasions, such as mandatory overtime weekends, stuck-at-work holidays, right after big projects get done, etc. So, imagine my surprise when, on an ordinary Tuesday morning I received the offer. I wasn't sure what the occasion was, but who was I to refuse? ... I naively accepted.

I went to lunch to find my toasty, delicious gyro sitting at an empty seat, between 2 of my bosses. How could I be so lucky? Not only was my seat predetermined, but the rest of my coworkers sat nearby, eating their jail-food cheeseburgers (one of the better meals we have!), secretly resenting me for rubbing elbows with the bigwigs. It was a catch-22!

Needless to say, the gyro was enjoyed over small talk. But the whole time, I was wondering what price I was going to have to pay for this treat. And boy, oh boy, it came not 30 minutes after I returned from lunch.

I got a call to go down to the conference room, where my bosses sat waiting. I was told that I now have to come in from 7-3, instead of 8-4. And essentially, I will be working by myself upstairs. Actually, I'd rather work by myself than have some of the help they were offering. But we'll see how it goes. Basically there were a lot of conversations that went on, though I feel like I never have the opportunity to express my own ideas. When I try, my sentences are magically finished for me, or I'm interrupted, or the subject suddenly changes. These interactions are always the same.. and usually I try to avoid them at whatever cost. Note to self: accepting a gyro is not a good way to avoid such interactions.

But basically, these kinds of work days get me thinking about the future...
I was just looking at the applications/descriptions for a job to be a teachers' assistant for English classes in Spain. My friend Ellen is currently doing this program in Jerez, and from what I can tell, she's enjoying it. I get all giddy at the idea of living in Spain again....butterflies, the whole works. And when days like today roll around, there's no where I'd rather be than in a little bodega, sipping on a tinto, and speaking spanish. I tell you, it's the life for me.

And since I have been looking into this TESL stuff, I've decided that I want to start volunteering here at home for ESL programs. The Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council has training sessions and opportunities to tutor ESL students. I think this would be a great way to get some experience before I go and do this in Spain.. and hey, I better make sure I enjoy it if I'm going to do it for a school year!

And such is life..
When I realize my misery (or monotony), I try to make some effort to change it.