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New Horizons

I did a weird thing today. I put my application in at my kids' school district to be a substitute for support personnel (things like teacher's aide, cafeteria worker, office staff, health office). I've been increasingly stir-crazy in my 10-year stretch as a medical transcriptionist working out of my home, and the lack of interaction when I actually work as much as I should, is taking a toll on me. It's strange because I actually really need my own space at times, but all-in-all, I am a people person.

I've actually considered my transcription job a dream come true, an answer to prayer, a blessing that I was handed by God. When Brainy Boy was tiny, I was still working at my 50-60 hour a week career, dragging home exhausted and feeling like I wasn't doing a great job at anything. I wasn't able to continue putting insane hours into my work but I was gone from home to much to be Mom as much as I wanted. After months of begging God for an answer, He literally dropped an at-home transcription job into my lap. It's been a blessing ever since. I've always been thankful to be able to sit down and work whenever fit my schedule best and sick days have never been a problem. I've also been acutely aware of the scores of women who relate that they would love to have a job like mine, and I've never lost sight of the advantage I have.

I'm finding though, that after 10 years of looking at the same screen with the same earphones plugged in, the tedium is causing me to lose momentum. I'm finding every little excuse to hop up and change the laundry over, answer every phone call that comes in, recheck my email (again), see who is on instant messaging - anything to add a little variety. So I'm thinking it might be time for a change of scenery. I figure that if I'm a substitute, I can take a few days here and there, try out a few different assignment options and see how it goes. For now, I'm keeping my transcription job, and frankly after handing in the papers this morning, I began to have my doubts. I came right home after working out and sat down and typed till the kids got home. I kept noting how I made twice the money in half the time that I would in an outside "no brainer" job, which is all I'm really looking for at this point. I even considered applying for a part-time bank teller position (which I think I would totally love except for the getting held up at gunpoint thing that happened to my sister), but the schedule wouldn't coordinate with the school calendar quite as nicely.

So we'll see how this goes. I'm not sure what I think yet, but who knows - by the time they verify that I am not a serial killer and get my fingerprints on file at the FBI, I just might have pecked what is left of my fingers down to nubbins, maybe I can just direct traffic as a crosswalk guard or something.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Good for you Jennifer! You would definitely make a great addition to the campus if they needed you!
~Sue
Anonymous said…
I can see you doing any of those things, and being good at it plus enjoying it, knowing you like I do - much more than I can picture you typing with no people interaction. I hope it works out for you!
PandaMom said…
Being at your kids' school would be a fun break and all the people you'd get to talk to would find out about all the "amazing" people you have met through your blog. HA!
tim said…
you'll be a blessing to all the little guys and gals. hope it works out. the finger-printing is not so bad except for the big cop holding your hand.
Rochelle said…
Sounds like a great idea Jen. I'm sure the typing from home can be stifling at times for a 'people' person.
Unknown said…
I say follow your heart and no need to look back. I know you will be such a blessing where ever you go. Best Wishes.
Anonymous said…
Wow Jen, time has been good to you and your family! I'm glad you're doing well. You've just inspired me to get off my butt and create a blogspot for my crew. I hope you get the new job - it sounds like it would be perfect for you.

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