I had a job once. It seems like it was many years ago, although it’s only been a year and half since I quit working. I was working as a paraprofessional (aka teacher’s assistant) at the local elementary school. I worked primarily with special needs kids, and I enjoyed the job. During that time of working, I had a thought one day that I could run the media center at the school as well as anyone. This thought developed into a career decision. I decided I wanted to go back to school to get a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science. So, I enrolled at Valdosta State University, and am taking part in their online degree program. I’ve enjoyed it so far.
This decision resulted in me not going back to work at the school. I thought I wouldn’t have enough time to devote to my studies, that having a job and being in school would distract me from both. I had proven this theory earlier in my college life. When I tried to work and go to school, I found that one or the other took up the majority of my effort. It’s hard for me to balance the two things, being ADD and easily distractable. Either work or school had to be eliminated, I chose work.
So, what does a person do when they haven’t got a job, and their schooling doesn’t require quite as much time as they thought it would? How does one occupy oneself day in and day out? I’ll tell you. First, they devote at least a day or two (or more) to useful endeavors. In my case, I started volunteering at a couple of libraries in town. This has the useful aspect of getting me out of my house, and providing me with good work experience. Second, the person learns how to clean house. One spends an endless amount of time vacuuming, sweeping, scrubbing, dusting, mopping, and washing clothes. This is useful in that it’s healthy to live in a clean house, and, even if one is not paid for this labor, at least it gives one something to do. There is also yard work for the more ambitious among us. Third (this is my favorite step), the person spends time getting to know their television set very, very well. Now, most people who know me know that I can watch the same movies dozens of times and be perfectly content. Is it a bad thing to be able to quote an entire movie word for word? I think not, I think it sharpens my memory skills. (No comments from the peanut gallery!)
Imagine my surprise when I began to tire of watching the same movies over and over. How could this be? A movie good enough to watch once is surely good enough to watch 50 times. Alas, that is true only if you space out those 50 times. I was faced with a dilema. By virtue of not having a job, I couldn’t go out and by more movies, and our rental store is not exactly the best. What to do? It didn’t take me long to think of a plan. I knew my grandparents were using Netflix, so I decided to try it out. I bless the people who thought of Netflix, I get four movies (or tv series) at a time and can keep them as long as I want. I don’t have to pay for every movie and I don’t have late fees. It’s the perfect system. I no longer have to be bored with my movie selection. I can refresh it occasionally. Netflix is helping me keep my sanity. This may make me a geek, but I was born one so that’s ok. I love Netflix and I think you all should try it,
Readers, remember to get out of the house every once in awhile. Go to your local library, the grocery store, or the park. Enjoy the outdoors. Also, get a treadmill. Nothing better than mixing exercise and television!
