wordinista

So, I had an interview yesterday for a full-time position at the college -- not the same campus I've been teaching at, but a different campus about a half hour north of me.

I think it went pretty well, though I was insanely nervous. I didn't sleep a wink the night before, so I was kind of off-kilter all day. I fretted about what to wear the most, I think. The big question was -- do I hide the tattoo?

I did not hide the tattoo. ;) In fact, I got a manicure and pedicure the day before, so I had happy feet and ankles!

I wore a light blue floral skirt that I adore (it's about calf-length and has this great little flare at the bottom), a white shell, and a light blue summer-weight cardigan w/ 3/4 length sleeves. (Sounds casual, yes, but this IS Florida. We live casual.) I managed to get from home to interview without getting anything on the white shirt. Oh, and I wore heeled sandals that probably put me at over 6' (Not a huge feat when I've got five feet, ten inches to start with. *sigh* Someday I will learn to love my natural height, and will learn not to be self-conscious when I augment my natural height!)

I think it went well. There was an interview part, and then a presentation part. The interview part went really well. I managed to be myself and could answer every question they threw at me. (The only fib? My answer to the question, "Do you like living in Florida?" *blush* I really don't. I hate the heat, the humidity, the bugs, the fact that the entire state is a retirement community... But, I had already gushed about DC when they asked me why I'd chosen GWU as a graduate school. *sigh* I miss DC.)

Basically they asked me to tell them a little bit about my school experience, my work experience, why I chose to be an English major, how I dealt with plagiarism in the classroom, how I teach MLA format, how I teach grammar, what I PREFER to teach (literature), what works I like teaching best (Othello), why I like teaching that work (because Iago is pure f*cking genius -- did not say THAT exactly), my favorite Shakespeare plays (duh, Othello... and Much Ado About Nothing), why (Iago... and then Beatrice and Benedick's rapid-fire dialogue). There were other questions about my graduate school experience -- why I chose to go to school in DC, why I chose GWU, and the ever-favorite "what sets you apart from other candidates?" Blargh. Gotta love the "Why should we hire you?" question. There was more, but it's all a blur right now.

The presentation was nerve-wracking, because I'd been told TWO DAYS BEFORE that I'd have to prepare something. I didn't know who I'd be presenting to, so I printed off my notes for British Romantic poets from a lecture I gave to my Brit Lit 2 class. I tweaked the notes a bit, and considered myself ready. I was a bit thrown off when I didn't have anywhere to PUT my notes, so I sort of had to hold them in my hand, which was annoying (would it have killed 'em to have a lectern?). But, I made it through without stuttering, stumbling, falling, tripping, getting the hiccups, or dropping anything.

Of course, on the whole drive home I was beating myself up, overanalyzing every last word I'd said.

I have no idea how long they're going to convene over this, but I do know that I'm so hugely relieved that it's over. I came home afterward and promptly... well, promptly got asked to do a few favors for a few people who shall remain nameless (though if you know me personally, you can probably guess the nature of the favors and who asked them). But then I got to relax, change into comfy clothes, and veg out.

OOH! And I got a call from a friend of mine whose cat had kittens -- and there's a pure black female waiting for me if I want her! *squeals delightedly*

Now I just have to pick a NAME. I have a short... okay, not so short list.

Amaya ("night rain" ... seems appropriate for a black kitty)
Angelica (feminized version of "Angel" -- because I'm a big BtVS/AtS geek)
Bastet (gotta have an Egyptian name in the bunch)
Bronte (Wuthering Heights. Nuff said.)
Bysshe (a nod to PB Shelley)
Christabel (I love Coleridge. Again, I'm a geek.)
Ilsa (just a nod to Casablanca)
Isis (again -- gotta have those Egyptian names)
Kuroi ("black")
Luna (moon goddess, duh)
Melmoth (a male character, I know, but this is one of my all time favorite novels)
Miyu (hee -- vampire)
Rei ("thanks" or "grace")
Selene (another moon goddess)
Siren (*snicker* Yeah, I know...)
Teles (LOL! Stop laughing!)
Trinity (because when I think of sleek females who wear black...)

magic

You're a magical unicorn! As all unicorns go, magic
unicorns are amazing with enchantments and can
perform spells and all kind of crafts. Magic
Unicorns have horns that if drunk from can cure
blindness, and give immortality. All magical
unicorns are very kind and heart-warming, but
can get temperamental if a spell goes wrong.
Magical Unicorns live in forests where they can
practise all their magic in secret. But, if a
human befriends a magical unicorn, they have a
friend for life.

What kind of Unicorn are you? (With beautiful pictures)
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I am the Siren

A man is often secretly oppressed by the role he has to play - by always having to be responsible, in control, and rational. The Siren is the ultimate male fantasy figure because she offers a total release form the limitations of his life. In her presence, which is always heightened and sexually charged, the male feels transported to a realm of pure pleasure. In a world where women are often too timid to project such an image, learn to take control of the male libido by embodying his fantasy.

Symbol: Water. The song of the Siren is liquid and enticing, and the Siren herself is fluid and ungraspable. Like the sea, the Siren lures you with the promise of infinite adventure and pleasure. Forgetting past and future, men follow her far out to sea, where they drown.

What Type of Seducer are You?
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