People often ask me what type of personality I have. It’s variable. It depends on my mood, quite honestly.
I have been A, B, C, maybe even D. Now this X Woman needs to get a job.
The only job I really enjoy is being a college professor, but it’s too late for me to get a job for January. So I’m applying for the spring/summer/fall semesters.
Anyways, I also enjoyed tutoring. I used to tutor juvenile delinquents. It was very rewarding, even though they made me tutor math. I had to quit because the math got out of control. I don’t like math.
When I was like 7, my dad tried to teach me what a negative number is. As I often joke, I only really understood that when I went to college and looked at my bank balance.
My poor father, may he rest in peace, tried to teach me all kinds of math in high school. He once said calculus held the meaning of life. I’m not sure I get that, but OK.
I got a D- in calculus in high school because my counselor wouldn’t let me get out of Advanced Math. She said it was better to get a C in Advanced Math than an A in regular math. I think she was racist and thought I could do it because I’m Indian. She didn’t understand that math class was actually giving me anxiety because I never did my homework and couldn’t pass the tests.
But she was right; I got into college. So there’s that. That was back in the day, when you could fail your classes as a senior and the colleges didn’t care. Apparently, it’s really hard to get into a college like the University of Michigan these days. I don’t think I’d get in today.
When my dad saw my report card senior year, he was astounded; I was in like AP Physics, and I almost failed that too. I had these genius guys do my homework for me.
I had never seen my dad be so angry at me as when he was told about my senior year grades. He told me he might not pay for college. I will never forget what my dad said to me before I left for college. “If you engage in alcohol, drugs, or sex, I will cut you off.”
Well, that didn’t work out exactly as he planned.
There’s another place I used to work where I could tutor. They offered SAT and ACT prep, as well as school tutoring. Look, I am not good at standardized tests, but before I got this job, they actually gave me a mini SAT; I really freaked out. But apparently, I passed. I might go back there and see if they are hiring; they were always hiring. They were kind of mad when I quit.
I quit because the kids were all so privileged; I liked working with the juvenile delinquents better. They were so grateful someone cared about them. They came from broken homes, and they were so humble. I loved them.
I taught this one kid Algebra 1 up to Algebra 2 using Khan Academy.
Don’t ask me how I did that, but I managed. He was so grateful; he told me before he left that I gave him a gift of an education that he had never had before.
Photo courtesy of shusma dixit via Scopio
I was so touched. I’ll never forget him; it makes me want to cry.
I can’t go back to that job because they exclusively want me to teach math most of the time, since that is what kids struggle with the most. I just can’t do it again. Did I mention I hate math?
I often think of jobs as slavery, especially if you don’t enjoy them and you are not making decent money.
I had an interview a few months ago for a job teaching, like, very young children with disabilities. I know that would be rewarding, but I didn’t take the interview because I need to teach at a higher level. I know I’m a snob.
I’ve heard that teachers who teach special education are the happiest people on earth. That is amazing to me, but that is not my jam.
I did tutor a little bit recently, ESL, which is also really fun. Especially when I teach conversational skills. I just talk to these people; we just chat. I once tutored this really rich South Korean guy, and he told me to put all the books away and just talk to him, so he told me about his life, his wife and children, and his penthouse apartment. He showed me pictures of his place that his company was paying for; it was out of control. He was funny and very sincere.
That was private tutoring; I should probably go back to that company and see if they are still hiring. Anyways.
People always ask me why I don’t get a job at Starbucks or something. Have you seen what those geniuses have to do? It’s like the military back there; they are making drinks with a dab of soy milk, no sugar, three pumps of caramel. They make the drink in like two minutes. It sounds like a living hell to me. I don’t think I’m smart or fast enough to do it.
On top of that, they have real bedside manner; their customer service is so amazing. They know me very well at my Starbucks, and they are always so nice! I couldn’t be that nice at 5 in the morning. Sometimes I can’t sleep and go there that early, and they are always smiling.
My aunt once asked me why I don’t do DoorDash. I know I love to drive, but not in traffic or when I have a destination. I’m very bad at geography. Google Maps drives me crazy with its shortcuts and stupid things it makes me do.
And delivering food I can’t eat would be a problem for me. I think it would make me crave it, and then I would just order something for myself while I’m at the restaurant. Really.
I could get a job writing and working from home, but I already do my own writing, and I want to get out of this house some more.
Photo courtesy of Siddharth Arora via Scopio
There are a lot of AI jobs that pay really well, but I tried a couple where you analyze what the AI is doing, and I was confused. I wasn’t sure what they wanted from the AI or what they wanted from me.
So anyways, it’s time to join the real world again.
I’ve really enjoyed just sitting around writing, but as I have mentioned, nobody is ready to pay me for this yet. Yet.
nina
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A couple of friends and I started a podcast called 2 Curries and a Ranch. Listen here: https://2curriesandaranch.riverside.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts.
Imagine two loud, dramatic, hilarious Indian women explaining to a white man what it's like to grow up and live in America. Join us for laughter, deep thoughts, and witty banter about life, love, and culture. We tell it like it is, with honest, bold, and funny stories, discussions, and arguments. We explore boundaries and challenge norms. Join us for a good talk.
We have a new episode out: How To Make A Podcast
Jeff (solo) walks through everything him and the two curries learned about podcasting.