I haven't posted in a while. I've been...happy. I really, truly am happy and that is such a wonderful feeling. I usually blog a lot when I'm stressed or procrastinating. Or if something crazy exciting happens. Nothing crazy exciting has happened, but rumor has it Xanga is in some nebulous state of May Be; May Not Be, so I'm posting.
Hi.
The reason I'm wonderfully content is my job. Take that all y'all who try to hook me up with men! I don't need a man to be happy! Pah!*
I wrote about my job once, a few posts ago, and it was a long one about how it came to be. I'm surprised as many people read it as they did. Or maybe they skimmed. Skimmers. LINK
In case you didn't read, didn't skim well, or just plain forgot, I am now (in addition to a Mistress of Music) a Behavioral Therapist for autistic children.** It's amazing. A year ago, kids were very nearly another species. It's not that I didn't like them (some of the really annoying ones I didn't), it's just that I didn't know how to relate to them. I usually just stood back and watched them go about their childishness with an awkward half-smile thinking they're cute but what in the world would I do with one? I just wanted a dog.
I still want a dog. But now I can relate to little kids. I don't know yet about older kids, but the 0-8 range is working out at the moment.
I got an autistic two year old to potty while on the toilet this week. *smug* Of course, he wasn't aiming down and urine arced gracefully through the air and down onto my clipboard and notes. *less smug* But, he pottied on the toilet!
I spend my days getting and giving hugs, tickling little cutie pies, and blowing bubbles. I do actually work, but it's not the drudgery of some of my previous jobs. I never wanted to be an elementary school teacher (still don't) but I'm having tons of fun with a job that lets me cut construction paper with tiny plastic scissors and use glitter glue from time to time. It's a job where I can get up and run around when things start feeling tedious. I just grab the kid's hand and say, "Let's go for a walk!"
But there are two things that make this job the best. I get to see my work produce results, and those results are helping someone who has been shunted out of "normal" society.
Even when I have a frustrating time with a kid who's having a rough day, I still smile at the thought of coming in the next morning.
It feels so good to be happy.
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* I'm going to take this opportunity to clarify that I am not a lesbian.
** In case you're curious...pics of my job: LINK
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p.s. Thank you, @rainydaystay and hubby for helping out Oklahoma with your artwork. :)
