US News and World Report

So, all other things aside (impending court date--Friday--for the CTA bus incident, allergies, not knowing where CA and I are going for vacation, possible week-long institute at UConn about gifted kiddos, impending Pesach [meaning Passover] break...), I think I might have found an apartment for next year!

I was initially vehemently opposed to renting studio apartments because I thought it seemed so silly for the "little" space that you were getting. However, the studio I checked out today was on the a teenage (heh) floor of a high-rise building, included valet parking service, had a brand new kitchen (because we know I'm so invested in that...) and had a VIEW of the lake! I can see Lake Michigan from my apartment! I would be able to divide my space easily, and I think it would make a really homey, nice place. There's a small gym and a dry cleaner in the building. It's really perfect for my needs and for the amount of time that I would actually spend in my apartment.

So, I've filled out the forms and hopefully I'll be living relatively swankily next year! (And all for a price that I can actually afford...with money to spare!)

The other thing to draw my attention today was an article that CA sent me that listed over-rated careers. US News and World report is occasionally the bane of my existence, especially when I was a Senior in high school. However, today, I was surprised at was USNWR had to say. I understood what it said about CA's job--he doesn't see a court room, he spends most of his time pouring over inane documents, and he most of the time completely wants to brain people with the amount of work he's doing. Friday nights in the office and not with his dashing girlfriend are semi-regular occasions (which is something I knew when I started dating him). It is not all the glitz and glamor (although I have to admit he has a completely lovely office, and has some very, very nice perks) that people imagine it to be in law school.

But, keep in mind, when I tell people about CA and then mention that he is a lawyer, people are impressed. Keep that in mind, I repeat, as I continue.

I was shocked and amazed to see teacher as an over-rated career path. I agreed with some of the things the article said--teachers are asked to work during the summer, their hours during the year do not necessarily match the pay that we receive, and we do not group by academic level. According to the article (and I will, once again, admit that it's totally right), I have the better end of the stick because I am a private school teacher. I have 16 kids in my room, they're all pretty bright and excited to be there, none of them are ESL and they have engaged (sometimes over-) supportive parents.

However, to rate this as an OVER-rated career? I didn't know that this was a desired career. Please, can you compare medical researcher, architect, attorney and TEACHER? I highly doubt that if I said to someone, "I'm an attorney" or "I'm a doctor" or "I'm a medical researcher, fighting cancer," they would have the same amount of respect for my position as when I say, "I'm a middle school teacher." This isn't just my residual insecurities over my job talking; I honestly don't believe that people who want a position long-term are teachers.

But, let me make an argument for teaching. It's a relatively secure (at least in the private sector) position. I am 90% in love with my job (which is more than a lot of people can say). I work with amazing people, most of whom also love their jobs 90% of the time. I get great professional development. I DO get a lot of vacation. Even with some late nights, no one is ever going to ask me to be there ALL night. It's consistently exciting. The children are beautiful human beings. I see things differently. I spend time laying on the floor reading books twice a week. I do read-alouds, with voices. They make me laugh. I feel beautiful when I am around those children. I am giving back. I am volunteering my time. I am appreciated. I have learned how to appreciate. I can design things. I take pictures. I document their learning. They watch mine.

It's a wonderful job. When I think about leaving it so I can make more money, I am almost nauseous. This is what I feel comfortable with, what I am good at doing. Today, I explained the differences between simple, compound, complex, and complex-compound sentences. I felt like I was doing something; I felt good at it.

So, over-rated, NO. Rated? I dunno.