The Wall of Pudding

    I am currently unemployed, sort of. This Fall, I finally started graduate school and got the brilliant idea of also taking an H & R Block tax class to get a job preparing tax returns for this coming tax season. Mommy hasn't had homework in 30 years. I'm rusty as hell, putting it mildly.  I've also been dodging the substitute teaching this year so far. The pandemic was one reason but my biggest problem was the fact that the school changed how people are teaching, too. I have no clue how to teach online!

   The tax class largely wrapped up around Mid November so I technically have some time to squeeze in a day at the school here and there. The issue is working up the courage. I haven't done any jobs yet this school year so the fuzziness and fear of the unknown are looming large. It's not a comfortable feeling when you're walking into a situation where there is no training. Is it any different at the college level? Is the whole thing just learn by doing? Technology has been giving me nothing but grief since the pandemic began so I'm not exactly thrilled with the prospect of learning new software, too.  

   Sometimes, decisions are made for you. It turns out that due to rampant increases in covid cases, the school has gone all virtual. This means that no one will be there to teach, and there goes the substitute teaching gigs, for now, at least. H & R Block could very well be the only game in town, work wise. This is helpful, of course, because now I  can focus my time on my graduate school project and getting my house in shape. There is never a time outside of vacation, when 'unexpected free time' is really free. It just means I get to take care of other things I couldn't get to before.

   This particular Fall having extra time will be a blessing. I may actually get the chance to enjoy the holidays more than last year. It seems they fly by all the faster when you're wrapped up in the preparation. Starting earlier may really happen this year. I never used to like the idea of starting Christmas decorating around Thanksgiving. This year I get it. We need the bonus of anything festive to help fight depression and stretching out something pleasant. I won't start saying Merry Christmas to anyone before December 1st though.