Thursday, July 12, 2012

Signs?


In 2006, I was living and working in Texas.  I was an adjunct instructor, meaning my position depended on need and budget.  By July, I would be out of a job, so I started applying everywhere.  One of the places I applied was the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

In the meantime, I was also tutoring people through another company.  I was put in contact with some DuPont factory workers from Mexico who needed to improve their English, so I met with 2 or 3 guys in the library a couple of times a week.

One day, I was in the library waiting for one of my students to show up.  I had recently applied for the job in Alabama.  I was looking through the books on the shelves and saw a book on spell casting.  I decided to pick it up and flip through it.  I picked it up off the shelf, and something fell out of the middle.  I bent down to pick up the object, only to find an Alabama quarter! 

Shortly after finding the quarter, I was hired for the job in Alabama.  It was a sucky experience and I would rather eat a dog crap sandwich than go back to that place, but the point is, I got a sign from the universe.  I strongly believe that that quarter was a sign.

Fast forward to this year.  I hate where I am right now.  I think the program is a sinking ship.   I half expect to be let go because of the numbers, but who knows.  Enrollment is down this summer, and I've no idea if it will increase in the fall.  

I have applied for three or four new jobs.  I have applied for jobs in Florida, Kentucky, and Ohio.   The Ohio job is the one I really want because of its location.  It's close to home.   

Over the weekend, I went to Kroger to do some grocery shopping, as you do.   When I got out of the store and into my car, I noticed that the car across from me had Ohio license plates.  Could this be a sign?   Honestly, where I am, Ohio license plates are about as common as West Virginia (mine).   I see a few Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, or Texas plates around here, but I don't recall ever seeing Ohio before.

I hope this is a sign that I will hear something favorable soon.  I haven't heard anything yet, and I am growing more and more discouraged with each passing day.

If anyone has any good "new job" vibes to spare, that would be fantastic.