Those were my exact words when people asked what I thought about my first teaching job being in Tiffin, Ohio. I kept telling people it was only one year. I could handle that. That was five years ago. Everyone always told me that life flies by after you graduate. I didn't think it was true. I knew that college was amazing and I couldn't imagine anything better. In fact, I forbid my friends from mentioning the month of May my senior of college because that meant it was over. And, as much as absolutely LOVED OWU and DZ, I have to admit Tiffin has been better. I think it's directly related to a steady paycheck of more than $100.
I'd like to take a minute to talk about why I've enjoyed living here so much. I just had a little cook-out to say goodbye to friends. About 45 of my closest friends and family members were there. There were people there from every part of my life.
Without further ado, here is my list of why Tiffin is just dandy. . .
1. My family. I didn't grow up in Tiffin, so I didn't get to see my grandparents or extended family too much as a child. Living here fixed that, and I'm so happy I got the chance to do so.
2. Heidelberg University, especially Dr. Diane Armstrong. I took one elective course at the 'Berg while I was living here. In that class I met six amazing women who have become some of my best friends here in town. I will miss our 4:30 dinners where we order everything from appetizers to dessert because we're at the table so long!
3. Reino's. Just because it's great.
4. The amount of parades. Who knew a town needed so many?
5. The Ritz Theatre. A place where I've honed my love of theater, made great friends, and had too many laughs to count. Also, I think it's amazing that a small town has such a great theater. Many people here don't realize how wonderful and rare it is. Treasure it, Tiffinites.
6. Tiffin City Schools. Obviously I love TCS because of the paychecks they gave me, but there are other reasons. I'm leaving town for another teaching job. I only got the job because of my teaching skills and accomplishments. I became the teacher I am because of TCS. I couldn't have embarked on this adventure without the help of staff, teachers, and administrators.
7. Tiffin Middle School. I list this separately because I made more friends at TMS than any other place in town. I'll miss everything from rainy bus duty to breakfast pizza to the lunch room. I can't explain why the lunch room was so great; you just had to be there. Oh, and the students were pretty awesome too.
I apologize for this tome to Tiffin because I'm sure many of you won't care if you don't live here. But, this is why I can move to Alaska. Life is a road in which every turn counts.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Lunch with a vet
This past Friday I had the opportunity to have lunch with Errol Miller. He is a retired teacher from Wooster who happened to spend two years in rural Alaska as a teacher and administrator. He brought his wife, Kathy, and daughter, Kalina, to lunch also. I took my mom and brother. The six of us had a nice time and I learned A LOT!!!
They told me some pretty scary things:
1. Fish ice cream is a common treat. The main ingredients are fish and Crisco. . .
2. I will be expected to know how to skin a moose and clean a fish.
3. I will be expected to work for free outside of the school day.
4. In their village (which was not Eek) every native woman over the age of 3 had been sexually assaulted at least once in her life. Every single woman.
Some not so bad things they told me:
1. They would go back in a heartbeat, as long as the school was on the road system.
2. I will become an expert shopper. (Like I'm not already?)
Another interesting thing they told me was about currency. Checks are generally made out to cash and can be passed around like cash. For instance, if I were to write a check for $50 to someone, for say fish, that person could then give the check to someone else to whom they owed $50. Checks sometimes never clear in the bank account. Can you imagine?
After talking to them, I feel better, but also a little more apprehensive. I think it's good that I got to hear these things that are not so good. It lets me know that it won't all be roses when I get there. However, I am still very excited and happy to have this opportunity. I now just have a healthy dose of reality.
They told me some pretty scary things:
1. Fish ice cream is a common treat. The main ingredients are fish and Crisco. . .
2. I will be expected to know how to skin a moose and clean a fish.
3. I will be expected to work for free outside of the school day.
4. In their village (which was not Eek) every native woman over the age of 3 had been sexually assaulted at least once in her life. Every single woman.
Some not so bad things they told me:
1. They would go back in a heartbeat, as long as the school was on the road system.
2. I will become an expert shopper. (Like I'm not already?)
Another interesting thing they told me was about currency. Checks are generally made out to cash and can be passed around like cash. For instance, if I were to write a check for $50 to someone, for say fish, that person could then give the check to someone else to whom they owed $50. Checks sometimes never clear in the bank account. Can you imagine?
After talking to them, I feel better, but also a little more apprehensive. I think it's good that I got to hear these things that are not so good. It lets me know that it won't all be roses when I get there. However, I am still very excited and happy to have this opportunity. I now just have a healthy dose of reality.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Hometown Fame
Well, perhaps fame is a little too strong of a word. My mom informed me a few weeks ago that she had let our hometown newspaper, The Times-Reporter, know that I was moving to Alaska in case they wanted to do a little article on it. They did, and I e-mailed an intern named Rachael for about a week with all sorts of information. I truly expected that this story would be on page 12 of the Sunday paper. It was actually on Page 1 of a Thursday edition. I was a little embarrassed, but it was also fun. Follow the link to read the article. You may notice a few Tiffinites in the picture!
http://www.timesreporter.com/homepage/x135736337/Northern-exposure
A few funny things have happened since then. I got home from Atwood Lake today and my brother had called. He told me that there was a message on my parents' phone from a man in Wooster, Ohio, letting me know that he too had left home and taught in Alaska. He wanted to let me know that I could call him if I had questions. I'll fill all of you in on the call later.
However, the strangest thing that has happened because of the article has to be that a man called my parents and told them that his son had moved to, believe it or not, EEK, ALASKA, from UHRICHSVILLE!!! I can't believe that I'm not the first person to move from Uhrichsville to Eek. How is that even possible? Although his son has passed away his grandsons and great-grandchildren still live in Eek. I understand that they are pretty thrilled that I'm coming. My mom even spoke to another relative still living in the Tuscarawas County area. Strange, huh?
I'd also like to let everyone know that I heard of Sarah Palin's resignation. Although, I am a devoted Democrat, I must admit that Palin was actually a decent education governor. I cannot comment on any other facet of her term as I haven't researched it. I can't say that I'm terribly upset about her resignation.
http://www.timesreporter.com/homepage/x135736337/Northern-exposure
A few funny things have happened since then. I got home from Atwood Lake today and my brother had called. He told me that there was a message on my parents' phone from a man in Wooster, Ohio, letting me know that he too had left home and taught in Alaska. He wanted to let me know that I could call him if I had questions. I'll fill all of you in on the call later.
However, the strangest thing that has happened because of the article has to be that a man called my parents and told them that his son had moved to, believe it or not, EEK, ALASKA, from UHRICHSVILLE!!! I can't believe that I'm not the first person to move from Uhrichsville to Eek. How is that even possible? Although his son has passed away his grandsons and great-grandchildren still live in Eek. I understand that they are pretty thrilled that I'm coming. My mom even spoke to another relative still living in the Tuscarawas County area. Strange, huh?
I'd also like to let everyone know that I heard of Sarah Palin's resignation. Although, I am a devoted Democrat, I must admit that Palin was actually a decent education governor. I cannot comment on any other facet of her term as I haven't researched it. I can't say that I'm terribly upset about her resignation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
