Time to play the "Waiting Game"

First, I would like to start by apologizing for any typos that may be in this post. I recently had my nails done and typing has become quite difficult. :P

The "Waiting Game." Not as fun as Trivial Pursuit, Monopoly, Connect Four, etc. I'm sure you get the picture. On Thursday, I mailed out my application for a temporary license in Alaska. I really was hoping to do that sooner than the beginning of March (I've had the application filled out since January), but certain blisters prevented me from getting fingerprinted.

Contents of Application Packet:

1) Application - Basic Information, Endorsements
2) Teacher's License - Original Copy ($20)
3) Transcripts - ($10)
4) State Recommendation Form - This needs to be filled out by the FL Department of Education. The document states that I completed an approved alternative program for my teaching license. There are two different forms; the state form and the institutional form. The EED (Alaska Dept. of Ed.) told me that since the community college that offers the program I completed is not on their "Approved University List" I must complete the State Recommendation Form. This was actually quite simple. I wrote a letter explaining what I needed and put it in an envelope with the paperwork and a self-addressed return envelope. I received the papers back in a week.
5) Fingerprint Card - Alaska sent me this, as well. All I had to do was go down to the Sheriff's office, pay $5, and have them roll my prints.
6) Notarization - Free, since Wachovia loves me. This just states that I did not lie about anything.
7) Application Fee/Fingerprint Processing Fee - Expensive. Got a Cashier's Check. Pretty simple.

Getting fingerprinted was the problem because I had a nice blister on my thumb. I was worried that my fingerprints would not be accepted because a nice gap was in my thumbprint. I waited until the blister was mostly healed, and then took my fingerprint at work (since we take fingerprints occasionally). What was the blister from, you ask? Playing video games. Talk about dedication to my job. ^_^

Now my application is on its way to Alaska! It actually should already be there by now. I put the application in a priority envelope and they said it would take 2-3 days. From what I have seen on the EED website, they are pretty quick about reviewing applications. Hopefully I will have my yellow card (the AK temp license) by the time I go to Anchorage in April. The plan is to make myself more desirable by already holding a temp license. It shows how serious I am about getting a job in AK. After that, all I will have to do is take those two courses in Alaska history and culture. Like my aunt says, "Beat me, tie me down, force me to take those classes." Lol. Those classes will be AMAZING.

So, the job fair is April 15th and 16th. Two days. Will and I will be in AK for 6 days. We have a schedule made as well for what we are going to do!! The day after we arrive, we will be taking a 22 mile (we can do it!) bike ride along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.














I honestly would rather see a bear than a moose. Either way, bike riding is pretty safe, so no huge chance of injury to prevent me from attending the job fair.

Friday/Saturday is the job fair. Yay! I have 20 application packets made for my top school districts.

Sunday, William and I are going SNOWBOARDING!! We specifically chose Sunday because it is after the job fair, so it will be okay if something breaks (actually, it isn't, but at least I'll have a job). Neither of us have been snowboarding, and William does not remember seeing snow. We are going to Mt. Alyeska, in Girwood (42 miles south of Anchorage). There is a bus that will pick us up from a mall area and take us to and from the resort for $60pp (this includes the lift ticket as well). $35pp for snowboard, boots, and helmet rental. Significantly cheaper than what we were originally going to do (4 hour ATV tour for $185pp).


Monday we might decide to recover from snowboarding, or maybe take a bike ride over to Far North Bicentennial Park, right at the base of the Chugach Mountains. I am going to take so many pictures that I'm debating on buying another memory stick for my camera. I figure, though, if I upload all of my images onto my computer every day, I can make room for more without buying a new stick.

Tuesday, we fly out of Anchorage but won't back in Florida until Wednesday. Yay for overnight flights.

We have a very large suitcase, so hopefully we do not need a second one (although the snowboarding clothes might take up a lot of space - if we need to bring another, it is not like it will break the bank). We each get a carry on and a personal item - I will have my backpack (with all of my application folders, my portfolio, and in-flight entertainment) and my purse. Will is going to carry the computer case and the camera bag. The backpack I have is pretty awesome. I got it from Marshall's for $15 and it is UnderArmour...and it's pink.

Not too shabby! It fits everything, too! What is even better is I can use this on the bike ride and not have to worry about carrying a purse! <3 Marshalls.

So, in a nutshell, the only thing that I have left to do for this trip is wait for my yellow card and then tweak my Letter of Introduction. Right now, there is a part that says, "I have applied for a temporary Alaska license" or something along those lines. If I receive the card before I go, I have to change that sentence to, "I hold a temporary Alaska teaching license."

"I applied for a license." <-- Good, but kind of lame.

"I have a license." <-- 1000000000x more awesome.

April needs to be here RIGHT NOW!!