What Next?

Hi Internet,

Can you believe October is almost OVER?! I can't! Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and then Christmas, and before you know it... 2013.

So, I've been thinking and trying to figure out what next.

(This might be long, I feel a need to get somethings off my chest, apologies in advance.)

I went to my 10 year class reunion this summer. I was really dreading it, but a few good friends convinced me to go. I'm glad that I did. On graduation night we had a poster where we were supposed to write where we would be in the year 2012. It was painful to read what my naive 18 year old self wrote 10 years ago. I'm supposed to be married to a wealthy lawyer with 2 kids.

That has not happened.

It's been hard to mourn what I thought was going to happen. I still very much would love to be a wife and a mother. That goal is still first and foremost in mind. I have an overwhelming desire to be in the PTA and make Mickey Mouse Pancakes and go on dates with my husband to the Nutcracker.

But for whatever reason, that hasn't happened in my life.

For a long time I was angry and hurt that I haven't been blessed with those things in my life. I finally realized that I couldn't sit around and wait for those blessings to come to me, they may not come right away and waiting would be a waste.

So, I decided to go back to school. I found something that I love to do, that I'm great at, that consoles that hole in my heart that wants to have a family. I really love my job and my students.

But I've almost finished school, and now I have to figure out what next. I honestly never thought I would be in the position that I'm in, having to make the choices that I do. Remember, at graduation, I thought this would all be behind me in 2012. :) 

I wish I could say that I know exactly what to do. Have a plan. I always need to have a plan!

I'm fortunate in that I have limitless opportunities. I could pursue graduate degrees, I could teach in rural Alaska, I could teach in Fairbanks, I could teach anywhere else. (Except Georgia and Utah, cause they don't accept my teaching certificate.)

But none of those options feel 100% right.

And maybe that is because it's not time to make any decisions. I really hope that's the case, because I graduate in May and I'm going to need to make SOME decision. haha

So, right now I have to have patience and exercise a little faith.

I'm so bad at that.

I'm an instant gratification kinda gal. I like instant streaming on Netflix and instant pudding.

So, I've been trying to wrap my head around what having faith looks like. How do I put it into practice in my life. 

So, I'm gonna keep moving, and trust that the Lord has a plan for me.

Because I Love Those of You Who Don't Live Across The Pond

Hi Internet,

My nose is healing well. I think I'm gonna make it out without any major scarring. WHEW!

I've been meaning to post this, but I keep forgetting/run out of time.... So, here it is.

Remember how I LOVE Downton Abby? 

 And it's like my favorite show?

 And we've had to wait SOOOO long to see what happens to Mary and Matthew?!

Remember how you thought you'd have to wait til Janruary 2013 to find out? 

WRONG! 

It's playing right now in the UK! YES!! I've been watching with my friend HERE, and it's GOOD! 

You're Welcome!

You may send your thanks in the form of well wishes, prayers for me finding a husband and naming first-born children after me.

You May Call me Humpty Dumpty

Hi Internet,

Remember that one time that I posted yesterday, but had a little accident so I decided to post twice in one month. Yes, today is that day.

So, this morning, I slept in, as I usually do and my mom came to wake me up. (Because she's a good mom like that.) Well, as she was walking downstairs she slipped and screamed, so I lept out of bed, covers all over the floor to help her. I got to her, had her bend her leg to make sure nothing was broken, grabbed her hand to help her up. The next thing I remember, I was waking up with my head on the floor and my feet on the stairs asking my mom "am I asleep?"

Apparently, I got up too quickly, passed out, fell down a flight of stairs and broke my fall with my face. And in the process broke my nose. 

This would be me, shortly after the incident.

Lovely huh?

The irony of it all was JUST last week I was telling my friend how paranoid I am of breaking my nose (after he threw something at my face) I must have jinxed myself. 

On the plus side, I think the boys in my class might find my battle scars to be extra spooky/cool for Halloween, no?

Questions AND Answers

Hi Internet,

Here's your blog post for October. With the rate I'm blogging, I hope you savor it and make it last until November.

Life has been crazy. Being a teacher is hard work dude! Especially 1st grade. And while you are taking classes.

A few people have asked me what the difference between a student teacher and a student intern is, so I decided I would enlighten you all. (You are welcome in advance.)

In most teacher education programs your last year of university you spend half of your time learning methods of teaching. You learn methods of teaching math, social studies, etc. The second half of your year is spend student teaching.

Well, at the school I attend, they have combined those 2 semesters into a 1 year internship. It has its pros and cons.

Pros:

I get to be in the same class for an entire year.

I get to build relationships with my kiddos.

I get to see what the first days of school actually look like.
Some states require a year of student teaching to be certified. CHECK!

Cons:

I can't work.

I have to go to school AND be in the classroom and do homework AND lesson plans. UGH

I have to pay to work for free.

So, I am in university classes 2 days a week and with my kiddos 3 days. I really love those little guys. Even though I've had a cold for like a month straight and some days I'm too busy to go to the bathroom.

And since a post without a picture is boring... here's a gratuitous Grandma Krystal Picture of me and my grandkids at a wedding this summer.

And now, off to bed so I can try to recharge my immune system.

Recess Duty... Brrrr!

Hi Internet,

Greetings from a frazzled first grade teacher! I'm loving first grade but it's a LOT of work! We have been in school 14 days and have been busy, busy, busy!

Here's a picture of me and 2 other interns at my school on our 1st day! Awww!

Today my mentor teacher went home sick, so I got to sub for the afternoon!! (Exclamation points are because I got to fly solo, not because my mentor was sick. I hope she's better by tomorrow cause I have no clue what we're doing tomorrow morning! Don't worry I have a copy of the lesson plan... JUST in case!) I really love my job! 

I love going out to recess... But today was a bit chilly AND I found out I received a grant.... SO, I think I want a new coat.

Votes/ Opinions appreciated!

Well, I'm off to bed, who knows, I might be flying solo again!

Back to School! (Because I Promised Spraz)

Why Hello Internet!

I'm sad to report, summer is over.

BUT! 

You know what that means?! 

Today was my first day as a student teacher Intern!

I've been so giddy with excitement, buying school supplies, reading books, visiting UT* and finishing my BLASTED English class!*

But today I got a taste of what it feels like to go to work and do something you love. 

We crawled around organizing materials, lugging textbooks, rearranging desks and hanging bulletin boards. 

I just feel happy!

Here are some pics from the day!

Enjoy!

*Posts about my vacay to come. Have no fear.

My Desk. Must Decorate. ASAP!

The Room. My teacher has a LOT of stuff!

My First Bulletin Board of the year!

My Poor, Neglected Blog!

Hi Internet.

Where has summer gone?! And when is it going to get hot in the 907? It's been a miserably rainy summer! But. On the bright side!!!

Guess who has some FANTASTIC news!!?!?!?!?!?!?

I DO!

I got my Student Teaching Internship Assignment!

I got........

1^st Grade

When I got the E-mail I was frantically searching to see what grade I would be in and then, I saw it.

 I got a little teary. 

I really love the little guys.

In my interview I requested 1st grade and I was told there was no was I was going to get 1st cause I had worked in Kindergarten previously.

But apparently, that was false!

 After working in Kindergarten and taking some Special Education classes I came to realize that I really like early grades for a few reasons:

1. Kids LOVE coming to school

2. I know how to do the math!

3. Great Books! Amelia Bedelia, Nate the Great, Junie B. Jones, GOOD STUFF!

4. As a teacher you can train and guide parents on how to be involved in their child's education and help establish routines and behaviors that will benefit kids though high school

5. Early intervention for learning disabilities. I feel like I have a pretty good eye for finding students who may need help, and I think if caught early, it's often more easily corrected and less traumatic.

So, Bring it Class of 2024!

(Ewwww! That sounds like the year the Jetsons lived!)

And Now.... Some gratuitous Auntie Pictures. :)

Sleepy Baby

Never too early for Aunt Aubrey to start styling your hair!

 

Han LOVES to be the Helper

Baby girl LOVES the swing!