Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Update

It's been over a year since I posted. Thought I'd drop by and give it an update. My life has been such a whirlwind. Over the last 5 years, I've been "remodeling". I guess you might even say that I turned 30 and went through a quarter-life crisis (I'm planning on living a long time). Five years later, I finally feel like I'm moving forward and am on the other side of the tunnel. I'm on the right "path" again, so-to-speak, and not just spinning my wheels. Or, to be literal, I got divorced, quit my job, went back to school, and changed careers. Next week, I'll be moving 500 miles north, from San Diego to the Bay Area (where I grew up). I'm very excited about moving close to my family again. I haven't been close (location-wise) since I was a teenager.

I decided to be a scientist when I was in 8th grade. That went really well until, at 30 years old, I discovered during my postdoctoral fellowship, that I wasn't excited about my career prospects. I loved doing science in the lab, but something was missing. After much soul-searching, I discovered that "something" was teaching. In 2008, I spent 6 months trying to find a job in biotech. Not only was the economy dismal, but I realized I was dreading potential job offers following each interview. That wasn't a good sign. St. Patrick's Day of 2010, my sister and I went to a psychic in the GasLamp Quarter downtown San Diego. It was the first time either one of us had been to a psychic. To be honest, I didn't think she was very good. However, she did say something that struck me: "Don't take a desk job. It will cause your soul to suffer. You need to be on your feet and moving around. You have a lot of energy. You like children. You should be a teacher." Hmmmm. A teacher? That didn't sound like a bad idea. To be honest, the idea had been growing in the back of my head since graduate school when my professor expressed concern at the amount of time I spent teaching the undergrad course I was TA'ing, rather than spending time in the lab. I had never been brave enough to take the plunge and make the switch. Now I was unemployed and dreading my job prospects. What did I have to lose?

I got my start as a math and science teacher at a small private school in Orange County. A year after not being able to pay my bills, I went back to school. I quit my job to attend the single subject (high school) teaching credential program at Cal. State Univ., San Marcos full-time. The program was extremely demanding and rigorous, requiring a full year of student teaching, instead of the typical 8 weeks (which was one of the reasons I joined the program). I recently earned my California state credential in biology and chemistry and just earned a job up near Palo Alto! I LOVE teaching. Every day is new and exciting. I LOVE the interactions with the students.

I am exuberant about my new life. I'm moving to the Bay Area next week with my 2 dogs and bf. School begins in August. I have SO much work to do. But, one of the things I want to do most is to begin working out regularly again. I let my fitness go completely. I would love to get it back again. It will help me stay healthy and happy during the school year.

5 comments:

Diana said...

Welcome back Rachel!
Best of luck with all things!

Unknown said...

Thanks for being honest about your lack of training and blogging. I recently lost my training and blogging mojo and am trying to get it back. (sprint tri this wknd should help, ha)
I found your blog on the livingtrilife.com website's top tri blogs of 2012 and look forward to reading your archives and the new stuff when you write it. Thanks, Andrea Speedie

Sherry said...

Hi Rachel! It's been so long! So very glad that you are doing well and are happy, happy, happy! Best wishes on your move and please, pop back in every now and then to give us an update. Take care! :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Rachel - I have been following your blog on and off for the last couple of years and am happy you are back on your way. I know what you mean about life transition(s) and to me they happened every decade or so. I am in one right now. I am a bit older than you and at 47 I have the wisdom to look inward and let things come to me. And the one constant thing in my life that always keeps me afloat is my training. You may perhaps follow me at trisylvie@blogspot. All the best in your new surroundings!

Grey Beard said...

Rachael, I'm so very happy you've found yourself, and your calling. Very welcome news!