Swamped with work...

It seems like it is all that I can do lately to keep from going crazy. I am so overwhelmed with school work; it seems like it will never end. In fact, I am taking time out of my homework schedule to write this long overdue blog. Not much has changed since I posted last. I am still studying to be a teacher. I am still student teaching in the fourth grade. One big thing that happened is that I went through the temple for the first time in August. I went through the one in Rexburg while we were on vacation at the cabin. It was really great because my Dad's parents were able to be there. I knew that it would be a crazy day, but I had no idea how exhausted I would be at the end of it. I don't think that I have ever been so tired in my life. I was ready to drop by the time the day was over. It was still great though.

I was also able to attend my best friends wedding in September. I was one of the bridesmaids and was able to attend the sealing and everything. I also made a lot of new friends in the process. I met Bethany's other friend Jessica and we hit it off really quickly. I was also able to get to know Andrew's (the new husband) sister (who were also bridesmaids) and they were really great girls. The wedding was sort of a three day deal. On day one there was a bridal shower (Beth got a lot of great stuff and we had a lot of fun); on day two there was a dinner called "The Night Before the Knot" (which I was unable to attend because I fainted in my kitchen that morning--it was nothing, just exhaustion and a slight infection); and finally, day three was the wedding and the reception. All in all, it was a great experience and I was glad that I was able to be a part of it. So, now it is back to homework and trying to find time for a life in between (good luck Stephanie)!

Promises, Promises...

It seems that every time that I promise to "keep up" with my blog, the more distracted that I become. It has been a very busy stressful time for me lately. Here is a recap: I am now working two eight hours a day at my real estate job (which doesn't seem like much--but those days seem to last forever). I cannot wait until my last day at work, August 6th baby! I am also still in school full time. I had a massively huge project due this week, which will be reviewed by officials of the State of California Education Department. I sort of feel that I out everything I had into making that project perfect and now I don't even want to look at the rest of my homework. I am nearing the end of this semester and I look forward to going to Idaho for vacation in August. I finished my last day of student teaching, for this semester, at the end of June.

I have been with that fourth grade class since January and it was a bitter-sweet farewell. The kids were ready to be done with school, and they had been crazy-hyper so I was ready for them to be done with school also. However, they were my first class and I am going to miss them all so much! I cried when I had to say goodbye to them at the end of the day. There were 25 boys and 7 girls in that class and I grew to love them all. I knew each of their personalities, several of my boys were class clowns, and their strengths and weaknesses. All the girls would follow me around and offer to help me with things because they wanted to be near me. It was really sweet.

As hard as it was to say goodbye, I hope that I have this same sort of connection with all of my future students. My Master Teaching was awesome too! She was so supportive and was willing to help me with whatever I needed, and she was always willing to let me take over the class when I needed too. I can't wait to work with her again in January! So, now here I am waiting for this term to end so I can begin a new one. I feel apprehensive about what is to come and stressed about what I still need to accomplish. I wish you all well and may your lives be less complicated than mine is right now! ;P

Life updates...

I know, I know...it has been a very long time since my last post. Let's just say my life has gotten very busy. I started my teacher credential program at Cal State Fullerton in January. My courses are online and I have regular projects and papers that I submit. On top of this I have seminars in Fullerton every term. Twice a week I have fieldwork. I go to an elementary school and observe the class, make copies, work with small groups, and generally help out when needed. Once a month my advisor comes to observe my work while I teacher a lesson to the class. I have also been working one the days that I am not doing school work. I work eight hours on Mondays and Wednesdays and four hours on Fridays (usually because my big projects are due that weekend and I like to use Fridays to really finish them). So, needless to say, my life has been quite stressful as of late.

I did give my boss notice that I would be leaving the first week of August. My assignments will be getting progressively harder and I am afraid of what might happen to my school work if I keep working at my job. It is a difficult and complex job, real estate investment, and so I wanted to give my boss a lot of notice so he could find someone and train them until I leave. The last girl I worked with didn't give him enough notice before starting school, I guess...the whole thing was weird, and he complained about it for months. Now, however, I am thinking that I gave him way too much notice. He has been saying things around the office that bug me. He says things like, "the market is really bad right now and if we run out of work you are going to have be the first person I let go." I understand this, and it wouldn't bug me but for the fact that he says it almost everyday. He tries to make people feel guilty about everything. He is causing me unnecessary stress and I don't know how much longer I can take it. He is bugging my coworkers as well; but none of us can say anything because he is our boss. So many of us have talked about quitting over the last month. I really don't need any more stress in my life right now. I dread going to work each day, it wasn't like this in the beginning. The days last so long. I feel like I have no time to think anymore.

Okay, there was my vent session. My family has heard way more than that, believe me. Other than that, things are going well. My family is fine and my dog is good too! My sister goes back to school in about two weeks so I expect that I shall truly become a recluse. Here's hoping the social life picks up soon! Although I have no idea when I would fit one in. I'd better sign off, I need to be working on my ever-present homework. Take care and peace out!