Another trial...

Well, I have to say...I thought all my struggles were finally getting resolved but today a giant pine tree behind my condo fell and smashed through the roof of my complex completely destroying some of the beams in my ceiling and part of my patio. Damages are estimated at $30,000 and the repairs will take at least 3 months to complete. Fortunately, I have insurance that will cover it but my house is a complete disaster. It looks like a hurricane hit it.

I'm not looking for sympathy but I could really use some prayers right now. I know other people have gone through hard times too...but in the last year the following has occurred:

1. Fell down a flight of stairs and ended up in the ER
2. Got hit by gang members going 70 miles per hour in their Ford F150 (4 days after falling down stairs)
3. Water heater blew up
4. Heating and plumbing had issues
5. I've been threatened with lay offs on and off all year
6. I tree has just smashed through the roof of my house.

Am I forgetting something?? I'm sure I am...

On the brighter side of things, my neighbors were incredible. They are helping me take care of all the issues with the insurance and two ladies stayed with me for over 5 hours today as we looked through rubble and the tree people came out to remove the tree (which took over 2 hours because it was that heavy and huge). I feel so grateful to have insurance with the Home Owners Association; instead of it being completely devastating it is now just a huge inconvenience (and slightly traumatic to see the home you've been establishing for the past 2 years destroyed).

I am still confident that 2009 will be a good year. I just really need some prayers and support right now. It's emotionally taxing if nothing else and I'd really appreciate a little break from all the stress.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

A note from my dad

The best things in life are free...and this one happened to arrive by email :-)

Hi Megan,
Although I'm always busy ( just finished writing a letter of recommendation for Laura Pulido for a scholarship) I try to be a little self-reflected and I think it is perhaps even more appropriate to be so given that it is my birthday. So it is in the spirit of self-reflection I want to thank you for being a daughter (as if you had a choice!). You are a wonderful daughter, with amazing talents and intelligence. The best birthday present I could receive is the happiness of my daughters. I believe things are going to work out for you whether it is at Reseda, Chaminade, or some place else. Thanks again for your birthday wishes and for the Hobbit (which I will be listening to). See you tomorrow!
~ Your 55 (??!!) year old Dad

Chocolate dreams...

So I'm trying to be better about my diet and exercise... but I can't help it when there is chocolate around I just go nutso! My mom bought me these mini-hersheys, and when I'm driving home from work I'm dreaming of one of those little hersheys! So I guess I have to accept that I'm a choco-holic...the other sweets need to go tho!

P.S. Happy birthday Dad! I love you!

Happy Bday to the rents

My mom & dad celebrate their bdays on Tuesday & Wednesday so we went out this evening to celebrate! Dad surprised mom (and me and Bre) by taking us to The Melting Pot...it was my 2nd time going there--sooo yummy and fun! It's fondue...to the next level...lol. For their bdays I got my mom a new Appetizer cookbook and my dad the LOTRs on tape (audio books)--I may have to borrow that! Hehe.

As far as updates for me go...it's hard to believe January is almost over. We're about to start semester #2 and I'm so grateful to have a job at least till June. I never thought I'd have to be grateful for something like that when I entered this profession but I truly am. When I see all the suffering out there even in our own country it amazes me how blessed I am. I truly think that the more educated of us are having an easier time (tho not everyone). It's definitely another inspiration to push my kids to get the most education they can get for when times are tough economically.

Bre's entering her last semester of HS! I am so happy to be her teacher so we can share this time together before she goes away to college. I honestly don't know how that's going to be not having her around all the time. As of now, I see her 6 days a week! M-F at school and Sunday for church! It'll be weird only seeing her a couple times a month :-( But I'm happy for her because this will definitely be her way to get a great job as a manager one day. She's setting her sites on nothing less than $100,000 a year...lol.

Kim & I will be going to Vegas in March cuz she has a free hotel room for her conference! She'll be speaking on the UFC for a Popular Culture conference--pretty cool eh? So I'll tag along one weekend with her...it'll be nice to get out of here for a lil bit. I really want to do something fun for my 25th bday. Any thoughts? If you have ideas send them my way (reasonably priced ideas of course! lol)

P.S. I'm thinking Phantom of the Opera! Any takers?

Good news!

LAUSD has informed me that my job should be fine at least till June! Yipee! That spares me a lot of anxiety and fear for the next 4-6 months of my life! We'll see what happens after that!

On the lighter side...

When do I begin realizing that I'm getting old?

When I stop thinking the young guys on the CW are cute and I start favoring their TV fathers.

Let me demonstrate...would you go for Exhibit A (the 2 older men) or B (the three 20 somethings)?....






I think the answer is obvious...


...at least for a girl going on 25. The men please!!

Saturday School

Well, in an effort to boost my paycheck in case of a layoff I've accepted a Saturday school position from 8-12:30 starting on February 14th...ugh! I have to teach students who failed 10th grade English...but hey, at least I'll get 16 hours more pay each month!

A Poem by Whitman

FACING WEST FROM CALIFORNIA'S SHORES

by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

ACING west from California's shores,

Inquiring, tireless, seeking what is yet unfound,

I, a child, very old, over waves, towards the house of maternity, the land of migrations, look afar,

Look off the shores of my Western sea, the circle almost circled;

For starting westward from Hindustan, from the vales of Kashmere,

From Asia, from the north, from the God, the sage, and the hero,

From the south, from the flowery peninsulas and the spice islands,

Long having wander'd since, round the earth having wander'd,

Now I face home again, very pleas'd and joyous,

(But where is what I started for so long ago? And why is it yet unfound?)

Updates on job situation

Well, the update is that there really is no update.

The district is calling for the option of laying off all non-tenured teachers, but they are saying this is something they really "don't want to do." Whatever that means. I understand that we're in an economic crisis but there's several questions I have.

1. Why aren't other districts laying off droves of teachers? (ahem, perhaps they knew how to budget their $$ better? Hmm?)

2. Don't they realize if they let teachers go mid-semester that it will create utter chaos in the school district? (which will lead to a definite decrease in the quality of our kids' education).

3. How is it even ethical to let a professional (who has a BA, MA, credential, and years of experience) go with only two weeks notice?

4. I Owe Yous? Apparently they are thinking of giving I Owe You's to teachers during the month of May...um, will my mortgage company accept an I Owe You? ....Yeah, I didn't think so.


Alright, so that's my rant for the day. I'm just frustrated that the people running this operation haven't figured out that there are big areas to cut before cutting teachers! For example:

1. LAUSD owns a TV station that is worth 64 million. Need I say more?

2. BTSA: This is a program for new teachers to clear their credential instead of them taking classes. It costs the district millions to operate every year. Uh...just have us take classes! We can afford the cost of a few CSUN classes. We can't afford to loose our job.

3. Periodic Assessments: These are standardized exams but they aren't the one that count at the end of the year (hardly anyone even looks at them and they don't mean anything!). They are 3 tests that we give out periodically to measure the kids progress. Don't we all have like 3 degrees? Can't we write our own tests? This program costs the school district 144 million dollars a year!

4. I don't want to even mention how much the big wigs make compared to my paltry salary. When's the last time they wrote a lesson plan? I'd like them to go down to Watts for a day and try teaching kids who yell, "Mother...Bleep!" in their face as they try to teach them Algebra. Then we'll see if they think we're paid enough.


That being said, I sincerely hope and pray that everyone's job is safe, that the people making these decisions will do what's best for students and teachers, and that this entire nation will find some relief. Hopefully Obama will have some clever ideas fast! Come on January 20th...I hope California catches a break.

Placerita Canyon Hike

Ah, I love being outdoors! Today's hike with Kim was so fun...we started at Towsley Canyon around 8:20 this morning and then went to Placerita and hiked till about 12:30. We probably did about a 7 mile hike all the way around. The weather was beautiful..a little chilly in the morning but it warmed up.

I really want to go skiing or snowboarding sometime soon. Obviously this is not top priority with all that's going on with my job but once things get settled in that department I definitely want to keep trying new things! :-)

So many things ahead...

Well, I go back to work on Monday so I'm trying to enjoy the last couple days of freedom till I find out what's going to be happening with my job.

Tomorrow--Going on a hike with Kim! Yay!

Sunday--Church & then potluck with girls

Hopefully I will find something out on Monday or Tuesday when I get back to work because there are so many unknowns right now! I'm nervous but also excited to see what direction God is leading me in. I know I have the support of my girlfriends and family and that makes me feel more at ease as I go through this odd time. But I'm looking forward to positive changes--even if they are a little hard at first. Please continue to pray that God shows me where I'm supposed to be.

Thanks everyone!

Need a temporary place to stay?

I'm looking to earn a little more $$ in case I get laid off sooner than expected. If you (female only) or someone (reliable) that you know would like to rent a room from February-August (or potentially longer/shorter depending on your situation), let me know. I own a beautiful condo overlooking a lake. My complex has 2 pools, 2 saunas, 2 jacuzzi's, tennis courts, and amazing grounds. I have a lovely living room that overlooks the lakes, kitchen, laundry service (washer/dryer) in my unit itself, and a nice sized bathroom (we would have to share though because there is only one). Some other nice features: beautiful patio/view, vaulted ceilings which make it feel much larger than it actually is. Plenty of storage space we could share especially considering it's a temporary situation.

Remember, this would be a temporary situation, but I would be willing to give a good rate, and the room is already fully furnished.

If you're interested email me at: megan.mcmahon@yahoo.com.

Thanks.

Prayers needed

I just found out that LAUSD will be laying off people even sooner than expected. Previously they told me I would have a job through the end of the school year. This would allow me to find another position. But I got an email today from the district saying that they will be laying people off mid-year. I have a feeling I might be on the chopping block since my seniority is low and I was already on the list for the end of the year cuts. I really don't know what I'll do if I loose my job mid-year. I have my condo I have to pay for. I know I need to trust God. I just feel like I'm being constantly tested--every day. Whether it's the heater and toilet breaking down at the same time or stuff related to my job, I ask myself what is going to happen with my life? I am expecting changes...and I have gotten used to the fact that this is my last year at Reseda HS, but I was not prepared for the possibility of being let go in February.

I know it's just a job and it's just money and it's just a house, and there are so many people throughout the world suffering a lot more than I am, but I really ask you guys for prayers right now. I want to have a job I love and I want to enjoy my life...I suppose that's what everyone wants right?

So yeah, I guess I just really need some prayers right now. Prayers and support. Thank you.

My guilty pleasure...

Every Monday when I wake up and realize I have to go to work for another five days, I think to myself..."It's okay, Gossip Girl's on tonight!" (I'm cringing as I acknowledge this!). It's so ridiculous...I know. But for whatever reason I love the characters. Whether it's Chuck Bass or Blair Waldorf, I just have to know what's happening in the lives of these Upper East Siders. It's the perfect get away from a serious world that's worried about the economy (these kids not only go to clubs in Manhattan--they own them!). And while I do not consider myself materialistic, the show has an allure...the allure of not worrying about anything other than their silly lives.

So for all the...well, idealistic talk that I have...I am a bit trivial now and then. Well, at least from 8-9pm every Monday night ;-)

I have to be well-rounded don't I?!

In the words of Emerson and Aristotle...

"Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better." ~Emerson

"We are what we repeatedly do." ~Aristotle

I like these two quotes because they summarize two areas of my life that I am focusing on right now...well, it's more like one area. I find myself desiring more and dreaming more for my life--not more in terms of material possessions (though that's always nice) but more experiences. I have been blessed with good friends, family and some wonderful opportunities so I do not mean to sound as if I am alone and bored. Quite the contrary.

But. I do feel that this year will present me with some new opportunities--every year does. Unfortunately I do not always seize the things which are placed before me or allow myself to take hold of the things I really want in life. I've been keeping a private journal now for 2 months (which I write in almost every single day). I think, however, that by blogging some of my less private thoughts and feelings online I will be held accountable to something--even if it's just the cyber world. By next year that this time I want to be able to have said I have done something...something worth writing about. Whether it's finishing my book (and hopefully getting it published) or possibly going to some 3rd world country to volunteer...or something a little less grandiose but still equally satisfying. I look forward to what life is bringing me. And for some reason, unlike other years, I am hopeful that this year I will have the courage to get what I want out of life.

First post!

Well, I've decided to start blogging because I love reading Erika's blog and it's a great way for me to see what's going on in her life...way better than MySpace or Facebook cuz I can actually read about stuff happening in her daily life. So yeah, anyways...it's 2009 and I'm convinced that this is going to be a great year. My head is swimming with ideas for how I want to make this year so much better than years past (not that years past have been bad).

Here are some thoughts:

1. I've joined a hiking group...let me know if you'd be interested in going. I'm thinking twice a month. They're Saturday mornings and usually start at like 8 or 8:30 so that's why I don't want to do it every week.

2. Volunteer: I've been told my generation is the narcisist generation & I'm determined not to be that! I've looked into some helping seniors things...again, let me know if you're interested (everything is always more fun with friends!)

3. Get a new job: This isn't really my choice...LAUSD is laying off thousands of teachers due to the economy. I'm looking at either private schools or the Las Virgenes School District. I hope I get hired somewhere I'll love!

4. Go to a country concert...yes, you heard me. I am craving a Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, or George Straight concert...any takers?

5. Finish writing my book by the end of summer (more to come on this)

6. [If I get a new job] Volunteer abroad--I'm thinking India for several weeks over the summer.

7. Have fun!!!! (this should be #1...lol)

So anyways, what did I to today? I had lunch with the MEEN girls (aka: me, erika, emila & nicole). Erika gave us matching necklaces! So sweet...thanks girl! We then went shopping at the Topanga Mall and just enjoyed each other's company...it was so good to see them cuz we missed each other during the holidays. Last week I got to go to Santa Barbara with Kim and I'm looking to find some fun things to do this week cuz I have 1 more week off before going back to work.

Okay, so I'm into quotes and this one I find particularly beautiful...it's from the Lord of the Rings...and yes, I know...that definitely classifies me as a nerd but if you saw me in my Senior Seminar (on the LOTRs) you'd know just how into this I get...haha.

“All that is gold does not glitter
Not all those who wander are lost
The old who are strong do not whither
Deep roots are not reached by the frost
From the ashes a fire shall be woken
A light from the shadow will spring
Renewed be the blade that was broken
The crownless again shall be king.”