Growing up is hard to do...

when you are a kid, all you want is to grow up. Yet, once you do grow up, all you want is to be a kid again.

I have three girls. The oldest is 11. She is always asking when she can wear makeup, and why I make her do certain things. She always thinks I am so mean because I tell her to enjoy being a kid. Then I remember how I reacted the same way when my parents did the same thing to me. Yet now I understand why my parents said it to me, and why I say it to my children. And i also wish I hadn't tried to grow up so quickly, that I would have enjoyed being young and innocent a while longer.

Even though kids have a hard time growing up, I think we "grown ups" have just as tough a time growing up. After all what does it mean to be a grown up? What qualifies someone to be a grown up? Is someone a grown up just because they graduated high school? turned 18? 21? Because they get married? Have children? Just what makes a grown up?

I recently graduated college. As a 30 year old woman, I am now wondering does this make me a grown up? If so, does that mean my fabulous Hubby isn't a grown up since he has not completed his degree? Or what about those multi-millionaire entrepreneurs who never finished high school? Are they not grown ups? Or take the person who graduated college, but is what is called a "professional student" Is that person a grown up just because they have a string of letters behind there name?

According to Dictionary.com, grown-up means reaching the age of maturity, or characteristics suitable for adults. Who determines that criteria? Just how is a grown up supposed to act. after all, for a kid, the term can be glamorized into someone who is free to make their own choices. Or it can be a derogatory term that evokes the image of a boring, robotic person. One who is always nagging about what is "appropriate" behavior. An adult is someone who is hard working, always demanding others work. An adult doesn't know how to have fun. So does a grown up have to be an adult?

As I said, I graduated recently with my degree. I also managed to get a job. And yet, I don't feel any more grown up than I did last month. Or the month before that. Am I an adult now? Or am I just a grown up? This growing up thing is hard work. How am supposed to do it when I don't even know what a grown up is?

Butterflies

So I had my first interview on Monday for a teaching job. I was scared to death! You know, the really nervous feeling in the pit of your stomach where it feels as if you have several thousand butterflies trying to beat you to death with their wings, yeah that feeling. I have not interviewed for a job in more than 8 years, and that interview was really informal.

So i prepared myself the best I could. I walked into the conference room and there were five different people there. Yeah my only interviews have been one-on-one. I felt like I ws testifying before the grand jury and the execution squad! And in the first 5 minutes of the interview I find myself shaking so hard I couldn't speak straight. So I took a big breath and said "I'm sorry this is my first interview and I am a bit over excited and nervous" I could have slapped myself! What kind of an impression is that! But They all laughed. and we movd on. I started to relax and we just talked for 30 minutes. I felt pretty good when I walked out of the room (I know I for sure nailed one question. And I shocked them with a few things as well). They told me I would hear from them with in the next couple of days.

So Tuesday comes and goes. No word. Believe me, I know. I checked my email several times. I checked all of the email account I have. I even checked my DH's account for some strange reason. I sent an email to the principal thanking him for taking the time to interview me and all that stuff.

Wednesday, Nothing. I was a bit worried.

Thursday. I convinced myself that my rejection letter was in the mail. I mean everyone knows that if you get hired, you get called really quickly. But if you are not going to be hired, they won't ever call you and you get a letter in the mail. I was so convinced of this, i was telling my MIL and SIL that I wasn't getting the job and started looking for other openings. I mean I shouldn't have been so hopeful. It was my first interview. And did I really say THAT! And WHY did I say that, or that? Of course they won't hire me. They would have to be crazy to, right?

See where I am going with this?

So, on with the story. Thursday night I am minding my own business, getting ready to meet my DH for dinner and go do whatever it was we had decided to do, when my cell phone rang. I answered it and it was the principal calling me. He asked me if I was still interested in the position. I said yes. He said they would like to tentatively offer me the position. He said it was tentative because I had to interview with the superintendant, but that was really just a formality. He asked if I was available tomorrow. I said sure, we made the arrangements, and I then hung up the phone.

I then did what any sane person would do at that time: I jumped up and down screaming and laughing. Then I tried to call my DH. Then I tried to call my babysitter. (Neither answered, by the way. How rude of them!)

So today was that second interview. I was much more relaxed. I mean I had been told this was just a formality, so there was no reason to be nervous, right? Yeah tell that to those butterflies who once again had taken up residence in my tummy. However it did go well and I left with the assurance I would be called later today with their decision

20 minutes ago that call was made. I have been offered a contract! Yep. Me! And the best par, they offered it to me before they saw my grades, without my placement file, without talking to any of my references or seeing any of my portfolio. I must be a good talker. Either that or they are desperate, or crazy. I haven’t decided which.

Or am i the crazy one? I still don't know the pay scale. Or the benefits. Or when I start... Oh no. Those butterflies are back!