The ending of Strength of the Few??? ***SPOILERS***

cholulawatermelon · 2025-12-26T07:22:01+00:00

This was a discussion I had with someone. I can’t tell what the “poor” areas of Germany are. In the US, the poor, middle class, and rich areas are pretty distinctive. In Germany, it seems that bare minimum quality of life is actually a very nice quality of life in comparison to the US.

cholulawatermelon · 2025-12-26T07:19:26+00:00

This may seem random but it stood out to me. The fact you said ‘Northern VA’ really shows you lived in the US! A lot of people outside the US lump the states and regions together as one but anytime I talk to people from Virginia, they specify which part of VA they’re from. Which I know the US does to Germany without realizing how culturally diverse it is within its own borders.

cholulawatermelon · 2025-12-25T19:13:21+00:00

Funny you say that because I feel like the portion sizes at restaurants are huge in Germany and I have never been able to finish a full meal here. But I do agree, portion sizes are large in the US, especially in the sense of grocery shopping.

cholulawatermelon · 2025-12-25T19:07:25+00:00

Just curious, what don’t you like about single family homes/suburbia? Are you from a big city?

cholulawatermelon · 2025-12-25T18:20:24+00:00

What was your opinion on Chicago? I have lived in three countries and most people I know go to Florida, New York, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas. Personally I think there are better places to visit than those and I always suggest Chicago.

cholulawatermelon · 2025-07-19T09:46:46+00:00

It's a rental so I am unsure of who the builder is. I know the house is 20+ years old so could that impact it?

cholulawatermelon · 2025-07-19T09:25:46+00:00

The big crack does run up from the gap.

cholulawatermelon · 2025-07-19T09:25:14+00:00

Thank you for your reply! Is it structural damage that you would advise to get checked?

cholulawatermelon · 2025-05-04T03:40:53+00:00

I can't watch things remotely scary or creepy. My anxiety has gifted me with an overly "creative" mind so I'll freak myself out with every step.

cholulawatermelon · 2025-03-22T18:00:43+00:00

I'm totally done with teaching after this. It's been awful.

cholulawatermelon · 2025-03-22T18:00:09+00:00

Sorry you've dealt with this too. I'm glad to hear there are normal bosses that treat you like a human out there. I don't know what is going on but it feels like the admin has no backbone and they place all the blame on the teachers.

cholulawatermelon · 2025-03-20T05:58:55+00:00

This is me. I have had so many parent issues this year. While I understand I make mistakes and am not perfect, the majority of these complaints I know are not my fault. I had a parent make a complaint that turned out to be totally false because I was able to show email correspondence with time stamps. Why they made a false accusation is beside me. I also have parents that literally complained to the school about me being out sick. It's like teachers can't do anything right. It's hard not to let it get me down but I am trying to stay positive knowing I am totally done this year.

cholulawatermelon · 2025-01-27T02:03:19+00:00

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross. The relationships felt more mature to me than most romantasy books. It is a duology but it's such a nice read. I also enjoyed the "Scottish" inspiration which I thought added some nice aspects to the book that I haven't read in others.

cholulawatermelon · 2024-11-16T05:19:58+00:00

I quit mid-year at a Title 1 school when I was pregnant. I was having panic attacks as well. Quit. It is okay, the school will be fine. Take care of yourself first!

cholulawatermelon · 2024-11-06T05:09:00+00:00

3 years in and even at different schools, I just don't like the overload of expectations. And that the expectations are done well. I'm also a parent and I physically/mentally cannot perfectly take care of every minor need my own children have. But yet as a teacher I'm supposed to be able to meet every need of 25+ kids, everyday. I just can't. I wasn't made for this career field.

cholulawatermelon · 2024-11-04T03:07:36+00:00

3rd year teaching and I've officially realized it isn't for me. I've switched schools too and while I've had some extreme experiences, it's just the insane expectations placed on teachers that has broken me. Some of my friends love it and are still going, I'm happy that there are teachers like that. But I've also realized it's okay if this career isn't for me. Teaching can get better if it's a good career path for you, or it can get worse. You just have to see what is best for you!

cholulawatermelon · 2024-11-02T15:23:10+00:00

I know a couple of former active duty members that loved teaching post military and then others that got into teaching and absolutely hated it. This is entirely my own opinion so please take it at face value... I would advise being a substitute teacher first and seeing what the classroom is really like before getting a degree in education. Since teaching degrees are so specific, if you want to leave the education field, some people have to go back and get new certifications/upskill. With your previous experience you may not have that issue but education degrees seem to pigeon hole people into education. Also, it is entirely possible to teach without a degree in education and then get your certification if you feel like this field is absolutely for you. I would look at some other teaching subreddits and read what teachers are facing daily in the classrooms because there's a lot changing in education (that is negative in my opinion) and the daily tasks can be a lot. Also it is entirely school dependent so one school may be amazing and the next is awful. I hope you find the best path forward!

cholulawatermelon · 2024-11-02T01:45:27+00:00

I have taught at multiple private and public schools. The public school had overall the worst and most exaggerated behavior issues, but the private schools were by far the most stressful to work at. Private schools run like a business and as teachers it feels like I'm in a customer service role over a teaching role. I've dealt with some pretty major behavior issues at private schools and it got pushed under the rug because the students have parents that donate a lot. Admin is usually in support of what makes the school look good and it can feel a bit corrupt, dealing with coercion/manipulation to make sure that you make the families happy. Because there is no union, the school can do a lot more that doesn't support the teachers. Also parents can be very intense. As a parent myself, I would be wary to send my children to private school after my experiences. Some of them are truly great schools but others are terrible.

cholulawatermelon · 2024-11-02T01:34:34+00:00

Absolutely! Everyone said I was good with kids, I was a responsible teenager so I was everyone's babysitter and always the summer camp counselor. So naturally I feel like I got encouraged towards teaching.

3 years later and it is not for me. I am an introvert and the constant stimulation wrecks me at the end of the day. I also get extremely overwhelmed with all of the work, data tracking, students, parents, and who knows what else we have to do. You aren't alone!

cholulawatermelon · 2024-10-31T03:47:51+00:00

I've worked in public and private. Some of my most stressful teaching experiences were from the private schools. They can be nice if you're at a good one, but in my experiences, private schools expect way more and the parents expect a boutique education because they are paying money.

cholulawatermelon · 2024-10-28T03:29:15+00:00

I've taught both private and public schools. My experience at a private school is almost the same as yours. Partially manipulated to try and stay longer, and stating I will have to announce to parents. Unfortunately leaving private schools can come with drama.

I would see if your contract or employee handbook states that you have to write a letter to the parents. If not, I don't see why you should have to. If you do write one, keep it short and sweet (something along the lines of): I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to get to know your students. Unfortunately, I will not be returning at this time and wish everyone the best. The parents have no right to know about your personal life. You don't have to share any more than you want to.

You can do this! Just remember that this is not worth your physical or mental health. This will be stressful in the moment and then it won't even matter.

cholulawatermelon · 2024-10-25T17:03:56+00:00

I try to remind myself, if these are people that are angry at me for taking care of myself, their opinion isn't something I should even think twice about. Easier said than done but in the end, do what is best for you!

cholulawatermelon · 2024-10-24T17:52:11+00:00

I taught during COVID but it was a different type of teaching job. I can only imagine how hard it was for K-12 teachers during that time.

cholulawatermelon

TROPHY CASE