Day 3: On My Own in Oklahoma....How to Make a Living?

My Trip to Oklahoma on my own, Day 3 2/2

With my Brother-in-Law home, I wanted to give them both privacy and space. I headed out early for breakfast as I had another list of tasks to accomplish. My first goal was to open a bank account. I chose a local community bank to begin my financial transfers. The bank was very accessible with kind friendly people. CNB is small enough to have local branches, large enough to be connected to the financial banking network, and tech savvy enough to complete transactions online. Although most banks have these capabilities, it was their customer service that stood out.

Receiving a text from my sister, she was curious of my whereabouts, so, I told her I was headed to breakfast. She recommended a nice local diner called Ron’s Lumberjack Cafe off the main highway. I invited them both to join me for breakfast. Even though it was a bit of a distance for them, they agreed, and I headed to meet them. The cafe is cozy and unassuming, offering a home-cooked breakfast with eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits, pancakes and other traditional western breakfast. Service was decent, just like the bank, very kind, respectful people. My sister and hubby met me and the relaxed atmosphere encouraged open and honest conversation about our lives. Headed out to the car, my sister's remote stopped working, and they weren’t able to get into their vehicle. The best solution was to head back home and get the extra key. At times small inconveniences can be handled with a non-emergency reaction.

Since I was back near Sissy’s house, I reserved a cabin at the local RV park for the next couple of nights. Spacious enough for one person, inside offered a comfortable bed, small kitchen and bathroom with a quaintly decorated forest bear motif. The quiet of the park gave me an opportunity to relax and reflect on my day, as my day was nowhere over yet. Headed out once again, with my P.O. Box, and bank account set up, I needed to find employment possibilities for when I move here, so as a certified teacher, I headed to the local school districts.

Although the first school district was a small district office combined in a high school location, I noticed a big sign at the entrance of the property. The summation of the message was: We know how to protect our children, by any means necessary and we have been trained in all possible defensive techniques. Wow! What a difference from California, where I, as a teacher, was constantly reminded of how to protect my students from intruders by hiding in the dark under desks, and maybe IF there was a chance, throw books and staplers as the intruder enters the classroom. Here, at this Oklahoma school, the sense of security, real or just perceived, was a welcomed sight.

Going to the second school district was just as welcoming as the first. Although a bit further away from where we are planning to live, it is well within a reasonable driving distance. At this school district I had a direct conversation with the superintendent about becoming a substitute teacher in Oklahoma. The humorous thing that he said to me was, “I don’t know what the pay scale is for substitute teachers when they are certified, we usually don’t have certified teachers just subbing” (substitute teaching). The pay scale for substitutes is 1/3rd of my district in California, and would definitely be a culture shock and change of mindset to be paid what averaged out to $10 per hour. But again, that is an option, and that is why I was inquiring.

My job search didn’t end there, as there is a local junior college nearby and it was on my list to investigate. I have plenty of experience and certification to work at a junior college, so that was my next stop. The college, Carl Albert, was established in 1933, originally named Poteau Junior College. In 1971, it was renamed in honor of then-Speaker of the House, Carl Albert and carries the name to this day. It is a small but spread out campus, as it is obvious it has grown since its founding. There are added dorms for students to increase attrition and reduce commuting hours. I blindly walked around asking several different “department” window clerks where I would find someone to discuss employment. Eventually I was guided to the Human Resources department where I met a very nice administrative assistant, who then introduced me to the actual HR director. Such a pleasure to speak to him as he had a varied history and obvious commitment to find the very best people to instruct and support the students. With a position open that I would qualify for, they both strongly encouraged me to apply, but in retrospect the timing just didn’t fit, as I wasn’t ready to start a job before actually moving. Also, the commitment they would need from me to adequately fill the duties of the position wasn’t there yet, so I wrote an email thanking them both for the welcoming attitude, but wasn’t ready to apply. Maybe, once we move to Oklahoma, this college would be a great place to commit to the community.

Feeling hopeful in finding employment in the area once we move here, I headed toward the local store to buy supplies. My sister then called and said the family was going out to dinner at a local Chinese restaurant. I accepted the invitation, and met my niece’s family, well, most of them, those who were able to attend. It was a nice get together, and evening. Afterwards, I continued to the store and bought a few food items, as my cabin had a small kitchen. One more visit to the cats to clean and say hello, and then called it a night. WIth breakfast in the fridge, I was ready to reflect on my day: A very productive day