School. Again. At last.

[Ghost]

This is pretty personal and violates the forum rules because it's barely interesting, hardly helpful and not at all funny. But it needs saying.

The long and pretty bumpy road that I call life has opened, widened, warped a little and become a (still bumpy, but more safe) highway. I started training this week. It's arkward to post this in english, because there's no official word for the job "Heilerziehungspfleger". Carer seems acceptable, though. I'll become a bit of a "jack of all trades" (or, in more common role playing game terms, a bard) specialised in the caretaking, tending, educating and advising of disabled children, youths and adulds. Quite a mouthful if you have to paraphrase a job that has become quite important here in Germany and that can (in our tongue) be easily abbreviated to "HEP".

I don't mind telling that I'd not have thought I'd ever work in this field a few years ago. I always enjoyed working with youngsters; I worked in several holiday camps and always considered myself to be on good terms with "the kids". I also have a couple of skills that have often proved useful, mostly the underrated talent of improptu improvisation and the very important ability to live on caffeine alone. But I thought I'd eventually find a spot somewhere in an editorial office, nice and safe (and pretty boring). I just happen to like words, and considered that a "job skill" that would lead somewhere.

Then again, now that I am here, today, I can't exactly say how content I am. I've just finished a one-year practical training in a supporting school for amaurotics (gee, another word you don't use that often!) and severely disabled children. A friend suggested I'd try this path since he knew how well I go along with kids, and without any intention to sound cool: Working there was a bit like discovering an old pair of shoes in your attic, slipping in and then remembering how comfortable they've been some years ago. And they still are. I decided to walk a few more miles in them.

So here I am. Fresh start, in a way. I'd say one of my greatest problems was that I never found much inner peace and contendedness in the jobs I was told I'd be good at. In this job, however, you get direct results. Children are basically honest. This is also true for mentally disabled persons, only more so. If you do something right, they'll let you know. If you do something wrong, they'll let you know.

A great many friends have helped me to find good footing on the bumpy road. Some of them may read this: Here's to you, lads and lasses.