My Chocolate-Induced Revelation
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Two and a half peanut butter-cappuccino brownies later, I’ve figured it out: my blog has gotten boring because my life has gotten boring.
I’m gainfully employed and I don’t hate my job. This in and of itself is a major improvement upon last year (remember The Shop?), but more importantly, I love what I do. I love my students (even my sometimes-snarky teenagers), I love having my afternoons off to write and best of all, I actually look forward to going into work every day.
(And lest my excitement over today’s snow day suggest otherwise, I would like to point out that I was thinking only of you, my so-called public, and of my commitment to post something new every weekday morning.)
My dad always told my brother and me to figure out what it is that we love and then figure out how to make a living at it. Well, my friends, I’ve already done that part. After much trial and error (and gnashing of teeth at the hands of the screw-ups over at Temple University), I have managed to turn my passions into my career—and not just any career but one that actually utilizes my college degree, allows me to pay my bills on time and feels like I’m making a slight difference in the world, even if it’s only introducing a few dozen inner city kids to the music of Tchaikovsky whilst praying they don’t chop off their fingers with their new wooden nutcrackers.
Of course, I have bad days. Yesterday, for example, I had to send three kids to time out—or what would be called “time out” in a normal classroom. I call it the “take a break until you’re ready to start dancing again” corner but considering that I recently hung a rather large, rather colorful world map on this particular wall, being sent to the “take a break” corner is hardly a deterrent. I should probably re-think my classroom discipline procedures but until I develop the ability to start yelling at three year olds (which is something I hope I’ll never actually do), I’m going to just keep plowing along with my Sponge Bob stickers and keep my fingers crossed.
So where’s the problem? Well, I love my job(s) so much so that I don’t do anything else. I also spend a fair amount of time shuffling back and forth between the various schools and studios where I teach (and the coffee shops where I spend my afternoons) but really, this is just an excuse for that fact that my social life in Philadelphia is non-existent. In fact, aside from last weekend’s Young Friends retreat, I can’t remember the last time I did anything for myself.
But you date! You cry in protest.
But you write a blog!
But your life is like a movie!
(And no, that last one isn’t just me being egocentric… several of my friends have expressed that very sentiment, usually followed by something along the lines of “My life is soooo boring!”)
Well my dear readers, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. My life is not like a movie. At least not right now. It was different while I was living abroad, which is why I’m writing a book about my time in the UK (and still begin one out of every four sentences with, “When I was in London…”) but currently, I go to work, come home, write and go to bed. Occasionally, I schedule a date to break up my daily routine (fingers crossed for Thursday night!) but if my life seems in any way exciting, it’s only because I write it this way.
Of course, if you’ve made it this far, you already know this (whereas it took me two and a half peanut butter-cappucino brownies and a side helping of self-reflection to figure this out). And so it is that I find myself making my first public New Year’s Resolution: I need to cultivate some hobbies—some real hobbies (and no, blogging and dating do not count).
PS: Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment on yesterday’s post. And inbox full of comments always makes me smile 🙂
Fieldwork in Stilettos 
14 Responses to “My Chocolate-Induced Revelation”
Wrote last week how I wish my life was a movie. But then you wouldn’t get to eat the popcorn 🙂
I am still slightly in the middle of a movie-esque romance and trust me…it isn’t at all like the movies. What I wouldn’t give for a boring night at home just watching a movie with said man… Boring is sometimes REALLY good!
Have their been further developments???
Before you think of your next hobbie, find some inner peace! It is important. Xx
Wait, what? Peanut butter-cappucino brownies? Life is NOT fair.
Haha, I just posted the “recipe” on Facebook: one part cappuccino flavored No Pudge brownie mix, one part dollop of peanut butter (liberally applied when brownies are fresh out of the oven) and one part absolutely shameless eating habits 🙂
Someone’s going to be searching for No Pudge brownies at their local grocery store.
Psst: that someone is me.
You are not boring one bit! I’M boring, I do the same thing, work, go home, pass out, I haven’t even had the motivation to write before I pass out and sleep. I think you have a great ability and gift with words, and I get a kick out of all of your posts.
But, hobbies are totally fun, so find something you love with the passion you have for your work!
I also must say I love that you beat all your dates with bowling and stuff. I do the same thing and get a kick out of winning all the time. 😉
Haha, you just need some cappuccino brownies- then you’ll have no problem staying awake to write 🙂
Well, your new theme is about as boring as a sock in the eye, so not to worry there.
From my own fictional perspective your blog was always, well, not boring, but not exactly the stuff that thrills are made of, you know, like hot sex or spaceships exploding. Yet I have remained an avid reader. I would not miss an installment. It’s really a well-traveled, articulate, endearing kind of uppity sort of story that likes to fondle the sausages but never buy and then complains when there is nothing to eat.
Hmmm… I’m still trying to wrap my head ’round the socks and sausages and sex but I think I get what you’re saying 🙂
I am glad you took your Father’s advice or at least remember it, he sounds very insightful… His only good relationship advice is don’t settle and do not sell yourself short, (you’re not short). Which college, which career, all important but you can always make the best of any choice or decision. A spouse, Ahh that is different and is very important to get right. It makes all the difference in life, A good career is great, but if things are not good at home, a good gig will not make up for that, an conversely when things are not what you wish they would be professionally or in any arena you find yourself in, if life is good at home, Life really is good. Boyfriends are cool, but they may be “practice” for the one you wish to spend life with, so look around….. but don’t settle.
geez…(eyes rolling) she hasn’t heard that before 😉
Wow landlord, that was harsh, I thought you may have agreed with my whole, “don’t screw up when selecting a spouse” bit. LOL, 😀