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!

2007

Another year comes to a close...too bad I haven't been keeping up with my posts enough to really remember it!! Just as an update...I passed all of the tests that I had been studying so hard for a few months back. I have also been accepted to the CalTeach program through Cal State Fullerton. I start the program on January 7, 2008. It will take about 16 months to complete and then I will be a certified teacher!! I still work at Pacific Trend Properties and Restoration as an Office Assistant. It is very busy work and my boss still hasn't hired someone new for when I start school. My program has the classes online and then I will be student teaching part time every day for the whole program. So, I will only be able to work part time. I told John months ago about the program and he was supposed to be looking for someone new...yet still nothing! I am curious to see what my life will be like next year. Part time job, part time student teaching, and online classes. I think I will be busy!

It seems that the end of the year brings lots of changes and lots of new movies that the studios hurry to get out. Recently, I saw both "Enchanted" and "The Golden Compass." I really enjoyed "Enchanted." It was a real return to the Disney classics. I would watch it again, and I will probably purchase the DVD. Now, for "The Golden Compass." I have never read the books so I went in with no expectations and no idea what the story was really about. I had seen many trailers and the movie looked really great! Plus, my rebellious side really wanted to spite all those boycotters who kept spamming my email with "Boycott this movie, it kills God and religion" emails. So, I went into the film with an open mind and was ready to love it. I only liked it a little.

I felt as though I was missing most of the plot. Like the only way I would truly enjoy and get everything out of the film was if I had read the books. The graphics were amazing, of course. I liked a lot of little details of the film. The only thing that I had a real problem with was the lack of character development. Through the whole film I felt like "why do I care about these characters? Why do they have these relationships with each other? Why are they motivated to do the things that they are doing?" I felt like the film was pushing these relationships on the characters and not really explaining them. For example, without giving too much away, there is a scene near the beginning of the film where Lyra and Nicole Kidman's character are shopping and trying on clothes and doing very girly bonding. The scene is scattered and random and seems like it was just a last minute decision to put the scene in there. I don't think that I am explaining how I felt about it very well. But I am sure when you see the scene you will understand what I mean. I know that the studio was planning on sequels, and I liked the film well enough that I am perfectly willing to see them. But I don't think that they will happen because of the box office results. I did poorly, from what I hear, in the U.S. and only slightly better oversees. I guess I'll just have to read the books to find out what happens.

I don't know if I will get another chance to post this year. So, in case I don't, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I wish you all the best and I hope that you are all blessed and content this holiday season. I also hope that the new year brings you everything you want it to!!

The Results Are In...

I PASSED!!!! I just got my results a few days ago. I took the CSET on September 15, and I passed all three subtests! YEAH!!! Every time that I think about it I still feel shocked. Only 60% of those who take this test pass it...And that is including those who have taken it more than once already! I am so relieved! I took the CBEST a few weeks ago and will find out how I did in two weeks. Either way, I get to start my teacher prep program in January! Thank you to everyone who kept me in their prayers and wished me luck!!

CSET

I am taking the CSET this Saturday at 7:15am in Orange County. It was kind of a rush decision on my part to take it. And because of that, I only have a week to study. So, I am not entirely hopeful about what the outcome will be. I keep reading forums that have people saying that they took it five times, because they kept failing it. I can't believe they do that; it's not a cheap test. I have five hours to take three sub-tests. I really hope I pass; but I don't think that I will. If I could at least pass one, that would be good. I don't know when I will post again...My stress level be incredibly high, and the fact that I will be very distracted! So, wish me luck, pray for me, and all of that! I hope you are all well!

Birthday!

So, today was my birthday. My sister was away at school (actually she was on a trip from school) and my brother was gone. I also had work today. On my way to work the cast of "Wicked" was singing live on the radio. When I got to work I found balloons and a card waiting for me. It was a no stress day at work because we had gotten a week's worth of stuff done early because the boss, John, was going out of town. Then John took us all out to lunch at Macaroni Grill. It was really nice. The waitress sang happy birthday in Italian to Angela (my other boss--her b-day is on Sunday). Then we got this really good cake. Plus, I got paid! All together it was a very good day at work!

I got home to find that my mom had decorated and had bought a beautiful cake for me. When my dad got home we opened gifts. I got two books and some candy from my sister; a stress-relieving neck pillow; stress-reliving lotion, soap, and bath salts; a sign that says "FRIENDS;" "The Un-sinkable Molly Brown;" "Thoroughly Modern Milly;" and "Into The Woods." Then we went to dinner at P.F. Chang's. It was really good. The three of us shared the lemon chicken, the ginger chicken, and the kung-pao chicken. We also got these wonton things. When we got home we were very full and we crashed for a while. Then I decided that I needed to go out and deposit checks and things.

So, my mom and I went to the bank, and then we went to Target. Finally, we went to Barnes and Noble so I could get some things. I got "Kiss Me Kate" (a movie I've been wanting for a while), and I got a book that I used to read as a child called "All Of A Kind Family," I've been looking for it forever. So, although this day was great, I am beat now and really need to go to sleep. When I wake up I will have been 24 for a whole day. I'm old. I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Goodnight all!