School

Can you believe that I am thinking about going back to school?

I can't believe it myself, but this time it is directly related to job training.  I really hate my job.  I really LOVE my little nursery singing group, and after a short talk with my volunteer supervisor, it was realized that I would be really good at teaching music to nursery children.  He said that he would love to hire me, but the government doesn't want to fund me (the reason I have this volunteer position in the first place). Unfortunately, short of getting £6000 for a music franchise or passing out fliers, the best way of doing this would be to get some kind of Childhood Education Certification.  The certification takes about 2 years, and the tuition all depends on if you study on-line or at College (between £450-£6000).  In either situation, you also have to do around 400 hours of work in a childcare setting which is allot, but fair.  So far I have undertaken about 16 hours with my class, so I am on my way.

What I find so funny is that I have always wanted to do teaching.  I have always been good at music.  This would have made so much more sense to have done 15 years ago, but no.

American Expat

It finally came, my Indefinite Leave to Remain Visa, and I am now officially an American Expat.  It does feel weird that now it is unlikely that the Home Office will invade my home and send me back to the U.S.  Now I can skive off the government just like everyone else, but at the moment this seems unlikely as....

...I got a new job.  Well it isn't really new.  I have moved Costa stores.  I will now be working at the Shipley Costa Coffee, the difference is that this Costa is a franchise cafe, so I had to apply and be put on a test run like everyone else.  I have been told that working for a franchise isn't that much different from the corporation.  The main difference are, we don't get the perks of the Whitbread empire (the people who own Costa), the franchise can (and will) pay more, and the franchise can cut some corners (ie, not put as much syrup into your Vanilla Latte).  The franchise is expected to uphold the Costa Standard (except for the syrup thing, can you tell I am mad about that?) and therefore puts their baristas on the same courses as a Whitbread barista. 

I decided to move because they are able to give me more hours and as I am the only one, besides my manager, who has worked at a Costa I will be involved in the training of the other Team Members. They are able to give me the promotions in a short period of time because the store is brand new, and it is only a 15 min walk away from my house.  Oh yeah, and after 3 months I get a pay raise. 

So hurrah, I guess. 

American Expat

It finally came, my Indefinite Leave to Remain Visa, and I am now officially an American Expat.  It does feel weird that now it is unlikely that the Home Office will invade my home and send me back to the U.S.  Now I can skive off the government just like everyone else, but at the moment this seems unlikely as....

...I got a new job.  Well it isn't really new.  I have moved Costa stores.  I will now be working at the Shipley Costa Coffee, the difference is that this Costa is a franchise cafe, so I had to apply and be put on a test run like everyone else.  I have been told that working for a franchise isn't that much different from the corporation.  The main difference are, we don't get the perks of the Whitbread empire (the people who own Costa), the franchise can (and will) pay more, and the franchise can cut some corners (ie, not put as much syrup into your Vanilla Latte).  The franchise is expected to uphold the Costa Standard (except for the syrup thing, can you tell I am mad about that?) and therefore puts their baristas on the same courses as a Whitbread barista. 

I decided to move because they are able to give me more hours and as I am the only one, besides my manager, who has worked at a Costa I will be involved in the training of the other Team Members. They are able to give me the promotions in a short period of time because the store is brand new, and it is only a 15 min walk away from my house.  Oh yeah, and after 3 months I get a pay raise. 

So hurrah, I guess. 

I know I shouldn't but...

I made the mistake of adding an RSS feed to my google page for archaeologist positions within the Forest Service and other US government bodies.  Now it is getting to the time of year where they post job positions and surprisingly there are a number of permanent positions in my pay grade (which, I may add make more money than Richard).  It is really hard not to apply but a couple have really tempted me and I applied.  Now by telling people I applied sets me up for not getting the job (I don't usually believe in superstitions, but this has seemed to be a trend in my luck with jobs) but I am doing it anyway.

I will show you the jobs that temped me (all of these positions are permanent and at the GS-07 level which are the requirements for me to possibly take a job.  No use in applying for a temp job while I have a little Sprout.  I will point out that while the positions state that they not exceed 13 months, this is usually the probation period and when you read the details they say the job can extend into 4 years):

Job Title: Archeologist

Department: Department Of The Interior

Agency: Bureau of Land Management

Sub Agency: BLM - BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Job Announcement Number: OR-DEU-2011-0051

SALARY RANGE:	$40,894.00 - $53,166.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD:	Wednesday, March 02, 2011 to Thursday, March 17, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0193-07/07
POSITION INFORMATION:	Work schedule is full time. This is a term seasonal position not-to-exceed thirteen (13) months.
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:	07
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy(s) in one of the following locations: Salem, OR
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:	All U.S. Citizens - No previous Federal Service is required.

Job Title: Archaeologist

Department: Department Of The Interior

Agency: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Job Announcement Number: FS-427423-AK11

SALARY RANGE:	$33,013.00 - $40,894.00 /year
OPEN PERIOD:	Tuesday, March 01, 2011 to Monday, March 07, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:	GS-0193-05/07
POSITION INFORMATION:	Full Time Career/Career Conditional NTE 13 months
PROMOTION POTENTIAL:	09
DUTY LOCATIONS:	1 vacancy - Sherwood, OR
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:	United States Citizens

I was tempted because both of these positions are in Oregon.  Given I have limited experience with Oregon Archaeology, who knows.

AECOM (whom I applied for, for a job in Leeds, they wrote back saying they were interested but someone better came along and that I should apply for something else):

Requisition/Vacancy No. 57104BR Position Title Archaeological Technician Job Category CULTURAL RESOURCES Capability Design + Planning Office Region USA - West Office Location US - Sacramento, CA

Sacramento is right up my alley and would include Great Basin archaeology (which I am most proficient in.  Also, Richard would have an excellent chance of getting a job here).  But the company it's self is excellent.

The truth is, I just can't get a job in the UK, mainly due to my non-existent knowledge of British Archaeology and history.  And honestly, I have no interest in it.

Know I know that people will say that this isn't really fair to Richard, but let's face it, if I am offered a job with better pay and full benefits, isn't it better for me to be the bread winner. It is annoying to me that when you get married the woman puts her career on hold for the man (I know that has not been the case for us, but Rather Richard's opportunity came first). Plus with Richards background, he should eventually get a job (I know the job market in the US is horrible, but that doesn't matter if I am pulling more money than we are currently).

We have been meaning to try to move to the States, but have dragged our feet because it all sounds like a hassle.  But the first step is one of us getting a job, so why shouldn't that be me?

Anyway, I know I shouldn't but am.  Plus even if I am offered something and can't take it, it makes me feel like I am still in the running.