Is It Wrong?
Lots of people wonder why I don’t chafe at having less time off at Christmas or during summertime than most people, especially teachers. I explain to them that I take my holidays when I want them. I take them at non-holiday times. I just inform my boss, make sure he’s found there’s a substitute for me, and go do my thing. But because I don’t take much time off, people wonder how I can keep going. Especially working what amounts to three jobs.
The thing is, I love my jobs, all of them. I love teaching kids to read, and car jockeying, and tutoring kids. I can’t think of anything better than making sure Taehyeok has a handle on compound words. I can’t imagine not bringing in the car at 1888 Semlin for an oil change and planning the best route while singing along to Queen. I can’t imagine not helping Wendy through transitive and intransitive verbs and then discussing dog breeds for a bit.
One thing I can think of is that I must love my jobs more than many other people love theirs. Sure, I watch the clock, but it’s more to make sure that I am, or the class is, on time, than to count the dismal hours. Or to measure how long it’ll take to get a car in and me back on the road with another. I’m not watching like a vulture.
Another thing I think contributes is that everything I do is fairly low-key. If a student doesn’t really get an exercise, we repeat it until he or she gets it. And there’s time for me to explain it as much as is needed. If I don’t get a car back to its home spot, it’s cool.
I am below the basement on the corporate ladder, but Iam never going to be on that ladder anyway. I love my work, everything I do to make money. Is that weird?
Some Stuff | Liz January 22, 2009
By elswhere, January 22, 2009 @ 1:24 am
It is totally the opposite of wrong. It is excellent and admirable.
Enjoyment and low-key-ness make a huge difference. When I was working at a school, I had a lot of vacations, and I needed them. Desperately. I didn’t realize how hard I was working there or how exhausted I was until I left.
Now my job has fewer vacations but it’s much more low-key. I miss having the time to travel, but am if anything less worn out than before. So your post makes total sense to me.
By Deb, January 22, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
Most people struggle for years to find ONE job that they love. You have three. How great is that?
By Liz, January 23, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
Els, I think the low key is really important to me. I hate stress and do not do well with it.
Deb, I feel sort of selfish sometimes. I have three things I love, and there are a lot of people out there toiling with no love.
By Arwen, January 23, 2009 @ 11:24 pm
Nothing selfish about it! Good for you! Plus, it gives some of us hope…
By rachel, January 24, 2009 @ 6:02 am
It’s the opposite of wrong! Now what’s the word for that? I used to know…