I got the news yesterday. I passed the Praxis PLT test! I am so glad that I don't have to pay the money and study like crazy again. All I have left to do this year is one more set of observations and my EYE portfolio. Once I get the portfolio, I will be able to chill a little. It is my last hurdle. So, yeah, one more year of being provisional and I will move to my level 2 license. Unless I go for my master's degree, which I might, I shouldn't have any more tests that I need to take for my career!
For those of you waiting for updates on my dating life. Here it is...I hate dating and boys are stupid. Done and done.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Praxis: PLT
I am taking the Praxis: PLT (Principles of Learning and Teaching) exam tomorrow. I have been studying non-stop for about 2 1/2 months now. I have all these facts and names of theorists floating around in my head. I just hope that I can keep them all organized during the test tomorrow! I am really nervous about this test. It was expensive and there is a lot of information on it. I need all the prayers that I can get! I think that the worst part is that I have to wait a whole month before I get the results. I went to a study class the other day. When they told us how long we had to wait for our scores, I said, "So, either we will have a really good Christmas, or a really bad one?" I am keeping my fingers crossed. It was an expensive test and I do not want to have to take it again.
In spite of my nerves, I wish it was tomorrow already. I just want to get it over with. I am not sure if I can fit anymore information in my head. I just want to take the test and be done with it! I also get to drive for about a half and hour to get to the test. And it is supposed to snow tomorrow! Well, at least I haven't been sick all week and have a 103 degree fever like I did with the last major test that I took! I did have parent-teacher conferences this week (which went pretty well--although one set of parents told the principal that I was being too hard on their son. She told them that she knows there son and has seen me teach him. She told them that he was behaving exactly the way that I said he was and that I wasn't being too hard on him.) so that cut into my studying time. I just hope that I can let the test go as soon as it is over and start becoming a normal person again.
Speaking of normal, the dating thing is still happening. After much debate, I decided to renew my online dating account. I wasn't going to; but then changed my mind and thought that maybe just trying it for one month wasn't enough time. I had a date last week that went really well. By really well, I mean that it lasted about 11 hours. I didn't think that it was going to last very long. We were just supposed to meet for hot chocolate. We decided to get lunch instead (it was around 1 at the time). We talked for awhile and then went to get hot chocolate. Before I knew it, it was 7:30 pm. So we decided to get dinner. The dinner lasted until about midnight. He was really easy to talk to and I felt very comfortable. As apposed to my last date, which was fine overall. I was just ready for it to be over. That one still lasted for 2 1/2 hours though. So, yeah, dating online has been an interesting experience. We will see where it goes. ;)
I think that is the latest on my life and all of its drama. I have a pretty one-track mind right now. I hope that changes by 1:00 pm tomorrow when I am done with this dumb test! Take care all!
In spite of my nerves, I wish it was tomorrow already. I just want to get it over with. I am not sure if I can fit anymore information in my head. I just want to take the test and be done with it! I also get to drive for about a half and hour to get to the test. And it is supposed to snow tomorrow! Well, at least I haven't been sick all week and have a 103 degree fever like I did with the last major test that I took! I did have parent-teacher conferences this week (which went pretty well--although one set of parents told the principal that I was being too hard on their son. She told them that she knows there son and has seen me teach him. She told them that he was behaving exactly the way that I said he was and that I wasn't being too hard on him.) so that cut into my studying time. I just hope that I can let the test go as soon as it is over and start becoming a normal person again.
Speaking of normal, the dating thing is still happening. After much debate, I decided to renew my online dating account. I wasn't going to; but then changed my mind and thought that maybe just trying it for one month wasn't enough time. I had a date last week that went really well. By really well, I mean that it lasted about 11 hours. I didn't think that it was going to last very long. We were just supposed to meet for hot chocolate. We decided to get lunch instead (it was around 1 at the time). We talked for awhile and then went to get hot chocolate. Before I knew it, it was 7:30 pm. So we decided to get dinner. The dinner lasted until about midnight. He was really easy to talk to and I felt very comfortable. As apposed to my last date, which was fine overall. I was just ready for it to be over. That one still lasted for 2 1/2 hours though. So, yeah, dating online has been an interesting experience. We will see where it goes. ;)
I think that is the latest on my life and all of its drama. I have a pretty one-track mind right now. I hope that changes by 1:00 pm tomorrow when I am done with this dumb test! Take care all!
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
LDS Singles...
Okay, I did it. I joined LDS singles. I was sitting around thinking how I can really meet people right now. We only have, about three male employees at our school, and they are all married. Everyone in my single's ward seems really young; plus they never seem to ask anyone out, ever. So, I signed up for a free account. When you do that, you can see if people send you a message, but you can't read it. So, people started sending me messages and I just got so curious! I signed up for one month. Just to try it out. I am trying to keep an open mind. If all else fails, at least I might walk away with some funny dating stories to share on this blog! Here is your first one: The site has something called "Flirts." You can send a flirt to someone that you like. It is just a quick emoticon with message like "Wink," or "Smile." One of my first ones was from a 59 YEAR OLD. I don't think so...
I other news. I finally received my Praxis study guide. I will studying in every spare moment that I have until the test in November. I don't know why I decided to suddenly become social! I don't have the time! I love to hang out with my fellow teachers, and I have made a couple new friends in my ward. Look at me coming out of my shell! Maybe it will make the stress of work seem a little less daunting! Sorry this one is short! I have to go study!
I other news. I finally received my Praxis study guide. I will studying in every spare moment that I have until the test in November. I don't know why I decided to suddenly become social! I don't have the time! I love to hang out with my fellow teachers, and I have made a couple new friends in my ward. Look at me coming out of my shell! Maybe it will make the stress of work seem a little less daunting! Sorry this one is short! I have to go study!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Life; or something like it...
Everyday I tell myself that I need to update my blog; and then I don't do it! I guess you guys are just going to have to expect that I won't be writing on a regular basis until work slows down. I know, I know, I had all summer to write. I didn't do much this summer, so there really wasn't anything to write about! I am pretty sure that I can recap my summer in one paragraph:
I went home and immediately threw off my sleep schedule by staying up too late and sleeping in. I told myself that I needed to go running; but didn't because it was way too hot in So. Cal. I got to hang out with my family; which was great! I bought a new cell phone with a touch screen. I went to the beach twice (with Mom and Danielle). Every time we made the trip it was freezing at the beach! On the way back, on the second trip, we got into a small car accident. No one was hurt, but it was a little scary. We were in stop and go traffic and a guy in a van behind us wasn't paying enough attention. He couldn't stop in time and hit the back of our car. I hung out with family some more when we went up to the cabin in Idaho. We went canoeing (Danielle and I saw a moose on one of our trips), rode the quads, enjoyed nature, and relaxed! Then they dropped me off at my apartment and they continued to drive home to California.
I am planning on driving home for Thanksgiving; and I already have a plane ticket for Christmas. I had to fly for Christmas because last year I drove and got stuck in a horrible, traumatic, blizzard on the way back. I can't do that ever again! After the family dropped me off, I got all of my shopping and cleaning done. Then I was bored for two weeks, while I waited for the new school year to start. I did get things ready for school (I did a TON of work during those two weeks); but you can only look at school stuff for so long before you start to go crazy! Before I knew it I was back at work, wondering where the summer had gone.
Since I have been back, life has gotten very expensive. I had so many annual bills due, all at the same time! I am looking forward to getting my budget under control and getting back into the swing of things. I am glad to be back with my co-workers; they are so great. I can't believe how lucky I got with having them on my team! My new class is off to a good start as well! There are a few behavior problems; but NOTHING like last year! I just feel bad because we have yet to have a normal day. I am hoping to really show them what our schedule is supposed to look like by next week. I need to hurry though; my JPAS window opens on September 26!
As far as church goes, things are pretty much the same. Everyone in the ward seems really young, and I feel really old when I am there. I was released from my calling while I was gone over the summer; so I am no longer the temple prep teacher. I can't say that I am too upset. I didn't really want a teaching calling on top of the teaching I already have to do during the week. Plus, it was a lot of pressure! The temple is such a holy and important place. I feel like I am still new at it and am still learning everything that I need to know! However, I did have a "get to know you" meeting with a member of the Bishopric this week (on the same day that I met my first home teachers in a year). He hinted that a new calling would be forthcoming. He said that he has heard me mentioned by others and that I was considered "highly qualified." Whatever that means. I guess it is because I have my recommend and am considered old in a single's ward. ;P
I did make a friend a couple weeks ago. It only took me a year! Her name is Jennifer and it turns out that she lives in my apartment complex. She is very nice and we have fun mocking the flirting of the other girls while we are at church. Hmm... maybe that is not appropriate Sunday behavior...I am giving her rides to church, because she is currently car-less. It forces me to make up on time and not ditch church early. ;P Anyways, hopefully I will be a little more social this year! So, that is life right now. Work and church. I am taking the Praxis test in November and will be attending a class right before so that I can prepare. I just need the stupid study guide that I ordered to show up already! I will not promise to update more regularly; because I am tired of lying. I guess you will just have to check to see if there is anything new every so often! Take care, all!
I went home and immediately threw off my sleep schedule by staying up too late and sleeping in. I told myself that I needed to go running; but didn't because it was way too hot in So. Cal. I got to hang out with my family; which was great! I bought a new cell phone with a touch screen. I went to the beach twice (with Mom and Danielle). Every time we made the trip it was freezing at the beach! On the way back, on the second trip, we got into a small car accident. No one was hurt, but it was a little scary. We were in stop and go traffic and a guy in a van behind us wasn't paying enough attention. He couldn't stop in time and hit the back of our car. I hung out with family some more when we went up to the cabin in Idaho. We went canoeing (Danielle and I saw a moose on one of our trips), rode the quads, enjoyed nature, and relaxed! Then they dropped me off at my apartment and they continued to drive home to California.
I am planning on driving home for Thanksgiving; and I already have a plane ticket for Christmas. I had to fly for Christmas because last year I drove and got stuck in a horrible, traumatic, blizzard on the way back. I can't do that ever again! After the family dropped me off, I got all of my shopping and cleaning done. Then I was bored for two weeks, while I waited for the new school year to start. I did get things ready for school (I did a TON of work during those two weeks); but you can only look at school stuff for so long before you start to go crazy! Before I knew it I was back at work, wondering where the summer had gone.
Since I have been back, life has gotten very expensive. I had so many annual bills due, all at the same time! I am looking forward to getting my budget under control and getting back into the swing of things. I am glad to be back with my co-workers; they are so great. I can't believe how lucky I got with having them on my team! My new class is off to a good start as well! There are a few behavior problems; but NOTHING like last year! I just feel bad because we have yet to have a normal day. I am hoping to really show them what our schedule is supposed to look like by next week. I need to hurry though; my JPAS window opens on September 26!
As far as church goes, things are pretty much the same. Everyone in the ward seems really young, and I feel really old when I am there. I was released from my calling while I was gone over the summer; so I am no longer the temple prep teacher. I can't say that I am too upset. I didn't really want a teaching calling on top of the teaching I already have to do during the week. Plus, it was a lot of pressure! The temple is such a holy and important place. I feel like I am still new at it and am still learning everything that I need to know! However, I did have a "get to know you" meeting with a member of the Bishopric this week (on the same day that I met my first home teachers in a year). He hinted that a new calling would be forthcoming. He said that he has heard me mentioned by others and that I was considered "highly qualified." Whatever that means. I guess it is because I have my recommend and am considered old in a single's ward. ;P
I did make a friend a couple weeks ago. It only took me a year! Her name is Jennifer and it turns out that she lives in my apartment complex. She is very nice and we have fun mocking the flirting of the other girls while we are at church. Hmm... maybe that is not appropriate Sunday behavior...I am giving her rides to church, because she is currently car-less. It forces me to make up on time and not ditch church early. ;P Anyways, hopefully I will be a little more social this year! So, that is life right now. Work and church. I am taking the Praxis test in November and will be attending a class right before so that I can prepare. I just need the stupid study guide that I ordered to show up already! I will not promise to update more regularly; because I am tired of lying. I guess you will just have to check to see if there is anything new every so often! Take care, all!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Summer Plans...
You know, it seems like sometimes I get into a groove where I am just so good at updating my blog; but other times I go months without writing anything! Life has been boring and busy all at the same time. I had my "spring break" from school. I couldn't really relax and enjoy it. I switched between feeling like I should work, wishing I had decided to drive home, and being totally bored. What will the summer break bring?
I did make a decision the other day. I decided to fly home for the summer instead of driving. It will be hard to condense everything that I am going to need and to be without my car. I want to the see the sky and I cannot wait to get to California! It is supposed to be spring here in Utah. Tomorrow it is supposed to snow. Spring...right.
My class has started our Utah CRT testing. We actually did one of the tests last week. We have another one next week, three the week after that, and then one more the following week. I have been trying to put the end of the year in perspective. By tomorrow, this school week will be over. We have four full weeks of school that will be full of testing and things like that. After those four weeks, we are in the last week of school. The last week will consist of two and a half days. So, really, we can't count that week at all. So I only have four weeks until I am officially finished with me first year of teaching! I cannot wait! I want to relax and recover over the summer and start making some serious plans for next year. I already have so many ideas and I can't wait until I have some time to work on them!
My summer plans are as follows: I will be finished checking out of school/work on June 3. On June 8, I will fly back to California (this is a little earlier than I had planned; but I got a REALLY good price on tickets). I will be in California for about 5-6 weeks. Then the family will be going up to Idaho for a three week trip to the cabin. After that I will go back to Utah, and have about two weeks until the new school year starts. The summer will fly by! 4 weeks left of school, 5-6 weeks in California, 3 weeks in Idaho, then the 2 weeks in Utah before the school year starts. Now you know all of my plans! Take care everyone! I will post when I can; but I will be CRAZY BUSY for the next few weeks!
I did make a decision the other day. I decided to fly home for the summer instead of driving. It will be hard to condense everything that I am going to need and to be without my car. I want to the see the sky and I cannot wait to get to California! It is supposed to be spring here in Utah. Tomorrow it is supposed to snow. Spring...right.
My class has started our Utah CRT testing. We actually did one of the tests last week. We have another one next week, three the week after that, and then one more the following week. I have been trying to put the end of the year in perspective. By tomorrow, this school week will be over. We have four full weeks of school that will be full of testing and things like that. After those four weeks, we are in the last week of school. The last week will consist of two and a half days. So, really, we can't count that week at all. So I only have four weeks until I am officially finished with me first year of teaching! I cannot wait! I want to relax and recover over the summer and start making some serious plans for next year. I already have so many ideas and I can't wait until I have some time to work on them!
My summer plans are as follows: I will be finished checking out of school/work on June 3. On June 8, I will fly back to California (this is a little earlier than I had planned; but I got a REALLY good price on tickets). I will be in California for about 5-6 weeks. Then the family will be going up to Idaho for a three week trip to the cabin. After that I will go back to Utah, and have about two weeks until the new school year starts. The summer will fly by! 4 weeks left of school, 5-6 weeks in California, 3 weeks in Idaho, then the 2 weeks in Utah before the school year starts. Now you know all of my plans! Take care everyone! I will post when I can; but I will be CRAZY BUSY for the next few weeks!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
It's Been Awhile...
Sorry, it has been a few weeks since my last post. I had a couple discouraging weeks, as far as weight loss goes. I was averaging .05 lb loss per week, and a couple where I didn't lose anything at all. I hate time like that. They make me want to give up! But I did redeem myself this week! I lost 4 lbs!!! I was so excited! So, now I am pretty much back on track. I set goals for myself and now I am that much closer to meeting them! This brings my total weight loss to 17 pounds lost since the beginning on January!
Work has been crappy. The kids all have spring fever. And it doesn't help that the weather won't cooperate. The kids want to be outside, but we keep getting weird cold, snowy, weather! They are all over the place. I am going to try and stay positive and keep my eye on the finish line that is June 2nd!
On another note, I am picking up my Mom from the airport tomorrow! She will be staying with me until next Tuesday! I have been very busy with regular life stuff and making preparations. I have cleaned my apartment, went grocery shopping, went on a date, and gotten my haircut. Now I just have to organize my desk at school and get my car washed! I keep meaning to get my car washed, but it keeps raining! I refuse to pay to wash my car when there is a storm on the way.
That's all there is for now! I will try to post again soon!
Work has been crappy. The kids all have spring fever. And it doesn't help that the weather won't cooperate. The kids want to be outside, but we keep getting weird cold, snowy, weather! They are all over the place. I am going to try and stay positive and keep my eye on the finish line that is June 2nd!
On another note, I am picking up my Mom from the airport tomorrow! She will be staying with me until next Tuesday! I have been very busy with regular life stuff and making preparations. I have cleaned my apartment, went grocery shopping, went on a date, and gotten my haircut. Now I just have to organize my desk at school and get my car washed! I keep meaning to get my car washed, but it keeps raining! I refuse to pay to wash my car when there is a storm on the way.
That's all there is for now! I will try to post again soon!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
2 1/2 months left!
Well, parent teacher conferences are officially over for the year. I only have one more big hurdle to overcome, and that is the CRT state tests. We start next month and I feel that my class will never be ready! I am just trying to do what I can to keep my sanity and get through the rest of this school year! So, the posts might be short for a while; but I will try to keep up with it!
As far as weight loss goes, I have been sick and out of the exercise routine for the last few weeks. So, losing weight have been a little slow and frustrating. I have been averaging about a half a pound each week for the last two or three weeks. So, I have only lost 13 pounds total. I usually set goals for myself and I wish that I was closer to meeting them.
In other news, I am so close to getting one of my ESL students into resource! I have literally been trying to accomplish this ALL YEAR! Usually the process takes 6 weeks; but because she is ESL, it takes twice as long! It is frustrating because this should have been done for her in first grade! Now she is way too far behind! It is because it takes so long and you have fill out so much paperwork. No one ever has the time. I told her mother that I refused to let this girl get into fifth grade without having this finished. Which is good, because if that happened they would have to start the process all over again. I have a meeting about on Thursday and I am hoping to finish it by then. Wish me luck!
As far as weight loss goes, I have been sick and out of the exercise routine for the last few weeks. So, losing weight have been a little slow and frustrating. I have been averaging about a half a pound each week for the last two or three weeks. So, I have only lost 13 pounds total. I usually set goals for myself and I wish that I was closer to meeting them.
In other news, I am so close to getting one of my ESL students into resource! I have literally been trying to accomplish this ALL YEAR! Usually the process takes 6 weeks; but because she is ESL, it takes twice as long! It is frustrating because this should have been done for her in first grade! Now she is way too far behind! It is because it takes so long and you have fill out so much paperwork. No one ever has the time. I told her mother that I refused to let this girl get into fifth grade without having this finished. Which is good, because if that happened they would have to start the process all over again. I have a meeting about on Thursday and I am hoping to finish it by then. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Booo...
No weight loss this week. This fact makes me a little sad; but, on the plus side, I also didn't gain this week. I am thinking that I was just having an off day when I weighed in and that I will have a bigger loss next week to make up for it. I have been fighting off a cold this week. Fighting, and losing. Today I made it through while battling a fever. So, I got home today and crashed. I have been pretty good about exercising this week; but, due to the fact that I feel like crap, I think I might skip today. Here's hoping for a better week next week.
In happier news, there are only 3 more school days left in February, I have only four day work weeks for the next two weeks, my mom is coming to visit me a week and the end of March, and then I will only have two more months of work after that! I already have no many plans for the next school year!
In happier news, there are only 3 more school days left in February, I have only four day work weeks for the next two weeks, my mom is coming to visit me a week and the end of March, and then I will only have two more months of work after that! I already have no many plans for the next school year!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
5% Goal...
I really should have posted this yesterday, as it was my weigh-in day, but whatever! Yesterday I weighed in and discovered that I have officially met my 5% weight lose goal plus a little! Since the beginning of January, I have lost 11 pounds! Yea! My next big goal will be my 10% goal! I really hope that I can stick with it! It can be really difficult sometimes! I officially hate Valentine's Day because our school had chocolate EVERYWHERE! Plus, in spite of my asking them not too, I got candy from my students. So, I was worried. However, I managed to be good and not indulge!
On top of the Weight Watchers, I have also been trying to exercise. I trade off what I do each day. Some days I will hit the exercise room and use the elliptical, treadmill, or bikes. On the other days I use my Jillian Michaels videos. I love Jillian Michaels, but she totally kicks my butt! I will tell you right now, if you want to discover that you do have abs then do her 6-week six pack video! I am not saying that you will actually get the six-pack in 6 weeks; but you will know your abs are there because they will hurt SO bad the next day! I really hope it pays off! My other favorite video of hers in "30-Day Shred." The workout is 20 minutes (plus 10 minutes for warm-up and cool down). It sounds short, but you are constantly moving. The first time I did it, I can't say that I really noticed a weight loss, but I was stronger and had more endurance. I had also started to see a lot of tone. Try it! Here endeth my sales pitch!
Work is fine. The kids were so crazy on V-day! But we have managed to get back our routine. Today I had my CPR re-certification after school. It was really fast! They have changed a lot of things! I notice this every time I renew. They are trying to make it easier so people will more willing to do it in emergency situations. I think that I have been certified for just over 6 years (I think) and, so far, I have not had to use it (thank goodness)! But I guess a lot of people get so worried that they won't remember everything, or that they will hurt someone, that they are too afraid to get it or do it. My instructor today put it really well, "Don't worry about hurting them. Yes, there is a chance that you will break ribs. But are you really making it worse? If you are at the point where their heart isn't beating and you have to do compressions...they are technically dead. You can't get much worse than that. But if you do compressions, they have a chance of making it." Don't worry about breaking things! It happens! You need to be able to help those in trouble! You can't make the situation worse by doing CPR! As an added bonus, there is that whole good Samaritan law to protect you!
That's about it for this week. I have to judge the district science fair next week, going to the movies this Friday with my awesome team, and hoping that the storm that we have coming in won't get too bad (100 mph winds today that knocked over a billboard and a semi-truck). Oh, and if anyone knows of a good phone that works with DSL filters let me know. I keep getting Internet interference over my phone line, in spite of the filters. I had a tech over to check my line and he told me that sometimes it is the phone that is picking up things. He said it could even be picking up stuff from my neighbors apartment. Booo!!!! Take care all!
On top of the Weight Watchers, I have also been trying to exercise. I trade off what I do each day. Some days I will hit the exercise room and use the elliptical, treadmill, or bikes. On the other days I use my Jillian Michaels videos. I love Jillian Michaels, but she totally kicks my butt! I will tell you right now, if you want to discover that you do have abs then do her 6-week six pack video! I am not saying that you will actually get the six-pack in 6 weeks; but you will know your abs are there because they will hurt SO bad the next day! I really hope it pays off! My other favorite video of hers in "30-Day Shred." The workout is 20 minutes (plus 10 minutes for warm-up and cool down). It sounds short, but you are constantly moving. The first time I did it, I can't say that I really noticed a weight loss, but I was stronger and had more endurance. I had also started to see a lot of tone. Try it! Here endeth my sales pitch!
Work is fine. The kids were so crazy on V-day! But we have managed to get back our routine. Today I had my CPR re-certification after school. It was really fast! They have changed a lot of things! I notice this every time I renew. They are trying to make it easier so people will more willing to do it in emergency situations. I think that I have been certified for just over 6 years (I think) and, so far, I have not had to use it (thank goodness)! But I guess a lot of people get so worried that they won't remember everything, or that they will hurt someone, that they are too afraid to get it or do it. My instructor today put it really well, "Don't worry about hurting them. Yes, there is a chance that you will break ribs. But are you really making it worse? If you are at the point where their heart isn't beating and you have to do compressions...they are technically dead. You can't get much worse than that. But if you do compressions, they have a chance of making it." Don't worry about breaking things! It happens! You need to be able to help those in trouble! You can't make the situation worse by doing CPR! As an added bonus, there is that whole good Samaritan law to protect you!
That's about it for this week. I have to judge the district science fair next week, going to the movies this Friday with my awesome team, and hoping that the storm that we have coming in won't get too bad (100 mph winds today that knocked over a billboard and a semi-truck). Oh, and if anyone knows of a good phone that works with DSL filters let me know. I keep getting Internet interference over my phone line, in spite of the filters. I had a tech over to check my line and he told me that sometimes it is the phone that is picking up things. He said it could even be picking up stuff from my neighbors apartment. Booo!!!! Take care all!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Crazy Kids...
This week was very crazy! As my co-worker, Kristy, puts it, "Life as a teacher is never boring." So true. As a new teacher, I need to be JPASed by the principal twice a year (with two observations each time). Well, I finished up my last of observations this week. Now all I have to do is wait for my scores. In the middle of this, I also had to judge our school science fair and had a BUNCH of student drama. There were tampons in the hallway, one of my boys wrote the f-word in the bathroom and was put on in-school suspension, and two of my boys got into a fight at recess. TOO MUCH DRAMA! Then there are the girls in my class who are ALWAYS having disagreements. Their parents keep calling me asking me to change seats and that there kid is being picked on. I am going to start telling them that their kids need to solve their own problems. I am a teacher and I have 29 students in my class. These girls are taking my time and time away from the other kids in my class every time they have a disagreement. I'm done.
In other news...I started Weight Watcher at the beginning of January. I have done the program once before (years ago). I am not going to meetings or anything; I still had some of the old materials and I am doing it on my own. So far, I have lost about ten pounds. There are some weeks where it feels like everything is happening REALLY slowly. But I am determined to stick with it.
So that's about it. There isn't much else going on.
In other news...I started Weight Watcher at the beginning of January. I have done the program once before (years ago). I am not going to meetings or anything; I still had some of the old materials and I am doing it on my own. So far, I have lost about ten pounds. There are some weeks where it feels like everything is happening REALLY slowly. But I am determined to stick with it.
So that's about it. There isn't much else going on.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Stresses and concerns...
I was a little stressed and overwhelmed tonight, so I decided to update the old blog. I am sure that most of the followers have long since given up on updates...but I still need to vent now and then; so I will continue to post.
I have been teaching the fourth grade for about five months now. It has been a very difficult year. I tell people that I am in boot camp. It feels like I got the toughest class possible for my first year of teaching. I just have to make it to the first week of June. I have low readers, low math, resource students, and a ton of behavior problems in the class. I just try to get through it. I look forward to my second year of teaching, which others tell me is a lot easier.
Life has been difficult in other areas as well. I am experiencing a lot of firsts this year. My first permanent job (in my chosen career), my first car (that I own myself), my first apartment (that is not on a college campus and that I am paying for myself), and my first experience with actual bills. When you add to that the fact that I didn't know a soul when I moved to this new state; it seems a little overwhelming. Then you can add the fact that moving isn't as easy as packing up and leaving the state. You have to declare residency in the new state, tell the old state that you have left, register your car, get a new licence, and tell the old state that you are registered in the new state. I failed to do a few of the above and am now praying that the form that I am putting in the mail tomorrow gets there quickly. I also pray that I won't have to pay penalties.
So this brings us to tomorrow...Tomorrow someone from the district is coming to watch me teach a guided reading lesson. I am not looking forward to this. I am perfectly comfortable being in front of my class; when you add an another adult to the mix, I tend to get VERY nervous. Plus, I get to experience this all over again when my principal observes me teach in a few weeks.
As you can see, I have lots of things on my mind right now. I need a mental break!!! I updated my blog in the hopes that writing down some of my stresses might help me sleep tonight. I am sorry if the spelling and grammar are not perfect. This is supposed to be stress relieving, so I don't want to have to worry about the little things. In the meantime, I will keep telling myself that I cannot change the things that are out of my control. All that I can do is work with the things that I can change.
As a final request, if any of my former followers are still out there...pray for me. I need it!
I have been teaching the fourth grade for about five months now. It has been a very difficult year. I tell people that I am in boot camp. It feels like I got the toughest class possible for my first year of teaching. I just have to make it to the first week of June. I have low readers, low math, resource students, and a ton of behavior problems in the class. I just try to get through it. I look forward to my second year of teaching, which others tell me is a lot easier.
Life has been difficult in other areas as well. I am experiencing a lot of firsts this year. My first permanent job (in my chosen career), my first car (that I own myself), my first apartment (that is not on a college campus and that I am paying for myself), and my first experience with actual bills. When you add to that the fact that I didn't know a soul when I moved to this new state; it seems a little overwhelming. Then you can add the fact that moving isn't as easy as packing up and leaving the state. You have to declare residency in the new state, tell the old state that you have left, register your car, get a new licence, and tell the old state that you are registered in the new state. I failed to do a few of the above and am now praying that the form that I am putting in the mail tomorrow gets there quickly. I also pray that I won't have to pay penalties.
So this brings us to tomorrow...Tomorrow someone from the district is coming to watch me teach a guided reading lesson. I am not looking forward to this. I am perfectly comfortable being in front of my class; when you add an another adult to the mix, I tend to get VERY nervous. Plus, I get to experience this all over again when my principal observes me teach in a few weeks.
As you can see, I have lots of things on my mind right now. I need a mental break!!! I updated my blog in the hopes that writing down some of my stresses might help me sleep tonight. I am sorry if the spelling and grammar are not perfect. This is supposed to be stress relieving, so I don't want to have to worry about the little things. In the meantime, I will keep telling myself that I cannot change the things that are out of my control. All that I can do is work with the things that I can change.
As a final request, if any of my former followers are still out there...pray for me. I need it!
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