This is where I work. At least right now. As some of you might have read, in previous posts, I will be retiring in June. I feel conflicted about the decision to leave, but I am not sorry to be going. Before this ‘work’ I was employed by a gas and electric company, but teaching was what I always wanted to do. I got sidetracked. Never did go to college. Not til I was 47 years old. Then, due to the fine art of downsizing, and after 25 years of service, I found myself out on the street, pounding the pavement. Thanks to luck/karma/coming to my senses, I met a wonderful man who agreed to support me while I ‘went to school’. Yes. Finally. College. After much studying and babysitting, to supplement our income, I graduated COLLEGE! YAY! And due to the kindness of others, I landed a job almost immediately. Now, 10 years later, my adolescent dream winds down. For various reasons. Though I don’t plan on going for my masters – not that there’s anything wrong with that – I do plan on starting something new and different. Just don’t know what, yet. I was lucky to have one dream come true. There’s no rule that says I can’t go for two. Or more…
Stop by Jake’s and see what other bloggers share about their idea of ‘work’.
Dear Bliary 
Amazing story! You’ve lived out one dream already, and have plenty of time for more. Lucky — and tenacious — and optimistic —
All that good stuff behind you, wind in your sails, ready for the next adventure.
You go, girl!
Thank you, T2T! I plan on making the best of it.
Good on you for going after it !!! I went to university in my late forties…so I know how hard it can be to get back to study !!
Good for you! The brain doesn’t ‘remember’ like it use to , so it ain’t easy. ( and me a college gra-gi-ate”)
Excellent work there, Where knowledge came from to begin future work 🙂
Thank you, Jake. Looking forward to the next Sunday Post.
There is life after teaching. Sometimes it’s difficult to imagine. But I am living proof that an actual life exists outside the classroom, and it’s just as much fun!!
YES you are! And hopefully we’ll get to see each other more and do lunch and yak and yak and fool with our electronic stuff. YAY! You can teach me everything you know.
A setting that looks all to familiar to me 🙂
Soon to be a thing of the past 😦 & 🙂 Retirement! YAY! Thanks for visiting, Colline
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Congrats on your achievements and many happy adventures ahead 🙂 Judy
Thank you, Judy. Bring on the fun!
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Congratulations with. Whatever you choose, I believe you will excel in it. You have the heart and determination. That with all that you learned will bring you success. I wish you all the best! Thanks for sharing. Have a blessed day my friend.
You at so kind! Thank you. I sure hope your right about the heart and determination. Peace. Gem
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I am retired and I love it. I worked 30 years and could not wait to retire.
I’m pretty done with work myself. I think it’s time to kick back a little. We deserve it after so many years of work :-). Good for you! Enjoy.
The work should be fun and yours seem like it is. To be a teacher is not only a job, it is a way of life, a dedication. It is the most grateful job 🙂
Gratifying in many ways. Exhausting too :-). Turns out to be more ‘political’ than I had imagined. I thought this profession would be different. Silly me. But I’m so grateful to have had the chance to teach. Now, onward and upward…
Hi Gemma, because I love your site, if you go to my link you will find awards waiting for you..
http://cobbies69.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/3-awards-thank-you-100/ I am a little ill at ease with this because I am never sure how people will react… please enjoy
Gerry, I am Very grateful. I just need to wait til school’s over to get to about four awards I haven’t posted. It’s crazy at the end of the year ( all year? ). I DO want to get to them, and I know what you mean. I worry about passing it on because there IS so much involved some times. These blogs sure can keep you going! Thank you so much. Soon…I will get to then soon.
Teaching can be very rewarding and exhausting! I enjoy never knowing what to expect and each day can be a little different even though you are in a routine. It allows me to be creative and immature some times. Teaching is more than a 9-5 job that fills my weekends, nights and even my dreams. I am a long way from retirement…
So what do you think you will miss the most? I can take a good guess at what you won’t 😉
The kids. For certain. They are amazing and say some of the funniest things, like: I know why we have off Monday, Mrs. McCourt. It’s Martha Looking Clean Day!
In case you hadn’t guess, Martin Luther King Day. But being a teacher, I’m sure you figured it out. Lol
I’m curious. What will I NOT miss? 😉
Wow, how pensive is this. I’m 46 and have a 16yo son – it’s just the two of us, just me raising him, but he’s on the verge, meaning a couple of years, of getting out in the world and just LIVING! And where will he have time for dear mum?
This post had me thinking so much of where i’ll be at 65, and retiring. I hope my son will be around. I’d love to have just a three day job, & write otherwise, but I guess that’s what you wait for retirement to do. I wish you the best in retirement. It really is time, now, to make the most of your life.
Thanks for this piece, it was really reflective.
Noeleen
http://www.VodkaWasMyMuse.wordpress.com / http://www.WordsFallFromMyEyes.wordpress.com
My son was 5 when we went out on our own. It’s an interesting journey, sometimes, but you keep on keepin’ on. I’m 60 and he’s now 26. He turned out real dang good. We had help along the way. Some good people and a love between us that’s indestructible. I don’t know what I’ll be doing now. Hopefully it will involve writing and photography, but whatever it is, I plan to make the best of it. 🙂 and he’ll be aomewhere nearby.
Enjoy. Stop back…