This past week has been a blur.
Driving around in the new car has been fantastic. It is a great vehicle. I still don't have a name for it. Could I just be that low on my creative juices to not be able to come up with a name? Happy car was such a great name. Is there some sort of cut-off for coming up with a car name? I feel like if it goes another week or two and I do not get inspiration - then that's it...it's nameless. But that would be horrible. Oh well.
School has been alright. I have felt really tired lately - so I have been going home early. I think it comes down to the saying the same lesson 5 times in a row. Mind-numbingly painful. At least this week we are finally taking the state assessment. But my students really do not care about it. Would you care about an 80 question multiple choice test that has no bearing on your educational progress? They don't see money coming into the school for meeting AYP as bearing on their educational development. I'll be happy to get back to at least teaching 2 different lessons a day.
Thursday night I had another new teacher meeting. That was 2 hours that I probably won't get back. At least there are only 2 more of these meeting left in the semester. The next one is not until April. Hurray!
Went to my first FRG meeting. Yep - been in the army nearly two years. First official FRG event attended. It was nice to get out of the house. Also good to chat with some other wives about what is going on.
Spent about 4 hours on the road yesterday. Now the new vehicle is totally complete. Crossbars installed for our next move (now we can store things on top of the vehicle) and running boards. Yes, I'm short - sometimes I need a little boost.
I managed to get all of my lessons and work ready for the week after spring break. I intend on spending portions of this week working on my Teacher Work Sample. Monday through Wednesday will be spent watching students take tests on computers. I think I should be able to manage some sort of attempt at starting the darn thing, right? I really have no desire to write another 25 page paper. But I suppose it needs to be done. Aren't 10 classroom evaluations throughout the year enough? Now I am starting to get angry about it. My apologies.
Andrew is coming home in 2 weeks!!!! Goals: Clean house (I'd rather do that than write this paper), Get tags for the new car, Write a huge chunk of this paper, get some exercise in (i hope it gets a bit warmer outside), maybe get in some knitting, finish reading book 4 of Dark Tower, oh and update more.
Day 43
I spent most of today at a dealership in Wichita.
First, never trust Google directions from Manhattan to Wichita. It tells you take the most obtuse roundabout travel route. There is another route that can get you with a half hour to spare. Plus, Google tells you that same route will take a half hour longer than the route it wants you to take. Sometimes you steer me very wrong dear Google maps.
Back to the action. The dealership was fantastic. All of the salesmen there were kind and attentive - compared to the dealership we went to in Kansas City a few months ago. It is one of the first Volvo dealerships in the country. How crazy is that!
This was my first foray into purchasing something without Andy here. Needless to say a bit of a mishap. Everything went along swimmingly until it came to the loan. I tried first just to get the vehicle on my own - but with the mortgage and my teacher's salary it didn't work out. But my credit is great from what they told me. So I said okay, let's include Andy and his income. Here comes the whammy - it's Saturday. If you don't fit the easy bank formula for the understaffed bank on Saturday, you are not going to get financing. Me and my power of attorney (ie, extra bit of paperwork) were not going to win the day on this one. Can't process it on Saturdays. If it was Monday, no problem. But I can not get there on Monday.
Plan B. Call up USAA. I will sing their praises up and down the snowy streets of the Little Apple. They are a fantastic bank. Right there, on the spot, I (and my power of attorney) get approval for the loan with a lower monthly payment then the dealership was giving me (which was pretty dang low to begin with). Then, USAA squares away all of the insurance paper work as well. I did it all by myself on the phone. The salesman was impressed - he said I was extremely professional on the phone. I guess because I didn't get entirely mad at the situation and start yelling and screaming at people. That is an accomplishment for me - normally I would have been an uncontrollable mess. Wow - zen and buying a vehicle.
This trip started at 9 am. By 4 pm, I moved everything from Happy car to a new black XC90. Happy Car has served me well, and I think will now have the opportunity to serve someone else well. But we have been ready for a new car for a long time. The time was right. Goodbye Happy, and welcome to the family - well damn I don't have a name for this new car. I'm sure one will come to me in time.
Since I passed most of the day in the dealership, this means that tomorrow I have to spend the day hunkering down on work. Boo.
First, never trust Google directions from Manhattan to Wichita. It tells you take the most obtuse roundabout travel route. There is another route that can get you with a half hour to spare. Plus, Google tells you that same route will take a half hour longer than the route it wants you to take. Sometimes you steer me very wrong dear Google maps.
Back to the action. The dealership was fantastic. All of the salesmen there were kind and attentive - compared to the dealership we went to in Kansas City a few months ago. It is one of the first Volvo dealerships in the country. How crazy is that!
This was my first foray into purchasing something without Andy here. Needless to say a bit of a mishap. Everything went along swimmingly until it came to the loan. I tried first just to get the vehicle on my own - but with the mortgage and my teacher's salary it didn't work out. But my credit is great from what they told me. So I said okay, let's include Andy and his income. Here comes the whammy - it's Saturday. If you don't fit the easy bank formula for the understaffed bank on Saturday, you are not going to get financing. Me and my power of attorney (ie, extra bit of paperwork) were not going to win the day on this one. Can't process it on Saturdays. If it was Monday, no problem. But I can not get there on Monday.
Plan B. Call up USAA. I will sing their praises up and down the snowy streets of the Little Apple. They are a fantastic bank. Right there, on the spot, I (and my power of attorney) get approval for the loan with a lower monthly payment then the dealership was giving me (which was pretty dang low to begin with). Then, USAA squares away all of the insurance paper work as well. I did it all by myself on the phone. The salesman was impressed - he said I was extremely professional on the phone. I guess because I didn't get entirely mad at the situation and start yelling and screaming at people. That is an accomplishment for me - normally I would have been an uncontrollable mess. Wow - zen and buying a vehicle.
This trip started at 9 am. By 4 pm, I moved everything from Happy car to a new black XC90. Happy Car has served me well, and I think will now have the opportunity to serve someone else well. But we have been ready for a new car for a long time. The time was right. Goodbye Happy, and welcome to the family - well damn I don't have a name for this new car. I'm sure one will come to me in time.
Since I passed most of the day in the dealership, this means that tomorrow I have to spend the day hunkering down on work. Boo.
Day 41
Yikes. I am remiss - but that is not a new story.
Mom came out to visit last Saturday. It felt really comforting to have someone else in the house. Even nicer that she decided to help out with all those little chores around the house that I have been awful keeping up with. Most nice - having actual dinners during the week. Silvio enjoyed the company and not being locked up in his crate all day long.
Needless to say, I am lonely and sad by myself again. The stress has built up again today. I feel it in my shoulders and neck.
I just need to keep my cool through tomorrow afternoon. Yesterday and today all of my students have been more than wacky. I am trying very hard to be the zen master. So I spent half of my classes not talking. Waiting for them to settle down. You know what - I'm okay with that. I told them if we don't cover everything, that's cool with me. You are still having a test next week. It's up to you if you want to know what is going to be on it. But I will not talk over you.
This weekend looks to be exciting. We may or may not be getting a new vehicle. I feel excited about it - but also really intimidated by it. I don't have my person by my side to help with all of the decisions. I hope that I can get us a good deal.
There is so much more I could write but my brain is muddled after a full day of teaching and driving mom back to Kansas City and then back to Manhattan. I think turning to bed early is a good idea.
Mom came out to visit last Saturday. It felt really comforting to have someone else in the house. Even nicer that she decided to help out with all those little chores around the house that I have been awful keeping up with. Most nice - having actual dinners during the week. Silvio enjoyed the company and not being locked up in his crate all day long.
Needless to say, I am lonely and sad by myself again. The stress has built up again today. I feel it in my shoulders and neck.
I just need to keep my cool through tomorrow afternoon. Yesterday and today all of my students have been more than wacky. I am trying very hard to be the zen master. So I spent half of my classes not talking. Waiting for them to settle down. You know what - I'm okay with that. I told them if we don't cover everything, that's cool with me. You are still having a test next week. It's up to you if you want to know what is going to be on it. But I will not talk over you.
This weekend looks to be exciting. We may or may not be getting a new vehicle. I feel excited about it - but also really intimidated by it. I don't have my person by my side to help with all of the decisions. I hope that I can get us a good deal.
There is so much more I could write but my brain is muddled after a full day of teaching and driving mom back to Kansas City and then back to Manhattan. I think turning to bed early is a good idea.
Day 30
Wow a whole month. Gone, over with, kaput.
I was hoping that Andy's R&R would come up over the summer. It does not seem like that will happen. More likely, it may fall in March. March is the best month if we can not get a summer month. I have a whole week of Spring Break, and if Andy's leave matched up with that in some manner it would be fantastic. The downside is that I think I am finally settling into this whole - by myself routine. I fear that R&R coming up this soon will totally throw me off. Everything that I have worked for this past month will need to be redone when Andy leaves to go back there. It will probably take me most of April into May to get myself all figured out again.
I feel a bit odd talking in terms of months. That would put me nearly halfway through 2010 already. Crazy thought.
I think I might be able to apply for my initial teaching license this summer. Yep - upgrade that restricted license to an initial one. That is if in fact I can pass this Teacher Work Sample and my last class on the Exceptional Child. Haha exceptional - far from it really. I have not started this Teacher Work Sample. I keep putting it off. I have everything at my fingertips. I should not mention it again unless I actually have starting working on it. It is due April 26. Huh, April - the way I am talking...that is not that far off.
I watched The Inglourious Basterds last night. Mr. Tarantino - why must you be so bloody? I do not think the movie was bad, I just did not catch on to it like Kill Bill. I must say though you have a talent for picking some fantastic music to accompany your stories.
I am 3 episodes into the second season of the Tudors. Watching instant Netflix is wonderful. I really like this series. Sometimes a little too sexual but that's what it was all about for King Henry. Interestingly enough, my next DVD from Netflix will be The Other Boleyn Girl. I can see how the two compare. Not sure when I will get to watch it because I have Parent - Teacher Conferences this week. After that, Julie and Julia will be coming. Hurray for a foodie movie.
Currently, I am mad at the Weather Channel. Can you not get a forecast even close. I'd really like another snow day. I am serious. I would actually do some sort of work if I had one. I doubt it will happen. With that in mind, I should get my behind to bed so that I am ready for the start of another week.
Day 26
I am still sick. Still going to work because I feel horrible leaving this group with a substitute unless I really have to - like on Friday when I have to go for a day long seminar.
But the topic for today's post is the interesting debate that my 6th hour class got into. No - it has nothing to do with mathematics. Apparently while I had been reviewing the topic of lines, which I assure you is not a light subject, my students got into a bit of a debate about STDs - specifically gonorrhea. The group was good enough to let me finish my review before attacking me with this lively debate and asking for my opinion.
Do boys get gonorrhea?
The boys say no, the girls retort yes - how can a girl get gonorrhea from sex if her partner didn't have it before?
For some reason, I get to be the tie breaker. I tell them girls get it and boys get it, although it can lay dormant in boys for longer than it would in girls. I really think you should discuss this with your health teacher.
Can we go to see the health teacher? But what about getting it from a toilet seat? Yeah, what about toilet seats?
Yes, you can catch it from a toilet seat. The disease has a certain length of time before it "dies" from being in the air too long. The disease likes fluids. Why don't you go see the health teacher?
We really can?
:::sigh::: Yes go see the health teacher. (A group of 4 go.)
They all come back so happy and proud of themselves spouting out std statistics. And proud of me - seems I know a thing or two about "stuff".
Nice way to end the day even if I don't feel well.
But the topic for today's post is the interesting debate that my 6th hour class got into. No - it has nothing to do with mathematics. Apparently while I had been reviewing the topic of lines, which I assure you is not a light subject, my students got into a bit of a debate about STDs - specifically gonorrhea. The group was good enough to let me finish my review before attacking me with this lively debate and asking for my opinion.
Do boys get gonorrhea?
The boys say no, the girls retort yes - how can a girl get gonorrhea from sex if her partner didn't have it before?
For some reason, I get to be the tie breaker. I tell them girls get it and boys get it, although it can lay dormant in boys for longer than it would in girls. I really think you should discuss this with your health teacher.
Can we go to see the health teacher? But what about getting it from a toilet seat? Yeah, what about toilet seats?
Yes, you can catch it from a toilet seat. The disease has a certain length of time before it "dies" from being in the air too long. The disease likes fluids. Why don't you go see the health teacher?
We really can?
:::sigh::: Yes go see the health teacher. (A group of 4 go.)
They all come back so happy and proud of themselves spouting out std statistics. And proud of me - seems I know a thing or two about "stuff".
Nice way to end the day even if I don't feel well.
Day 22
I was going to write on Day 20 - but I felt exhausted. I have been having a lot of trouble sleeping. I have been waking up in the mornings...up to a half hour before I need to. In no way have I felt rested all week. I even woke up this wonderful fine Saturday morning at the moon-is-still-up hour of 4 am. What the heck is that all about?
I believe I picked up a cold from my students. Several of them have been in an out all week complaining of their throats hurting. Yesterday I spent the day trying not to be loud in an effort to keep my voice. I do not think it helped.
I ordered free mailing boxes from the post office (they are free). I've been waiting to get them all week. I have a thing or two I would like to mail to Andy, but do not feel like going out and buying a shipping box. God I am lazy.
I need to get my routine more settled. I think it is coming along but I really need to find some time to get on our elliptical machine more than once a week. I really do not want to have to go buy a larger pair of pants. Not fun.
I was a bit sad today when Andy told me he wasn't going to be on the KSU vs KU basketball game. I had gotten my hopes up to catch a glimpse of him. I need to stop doing that to myself. I have another 11+ months to go of this stuff. One of my students told me I should read Dear John - it's so good, it even made me cry in school today. To which I replied, just for that reason... no. I can not read that book.
I also fear that I am starting to become a shell - I am a person just going through the motions. My students pull me back every now and then - yes, they can be intelligent if they want to be. Rare. I should try to go exploring - I am sure there are neat things to do. I am reluctant with all this school work though. Maybe during the summer - June and July. Big plans - but we all know me - not so much the explorer.
I finished up reading the Gunslinger (again). I read it last year but did not really get into it. Andy has taken to reading my books so that we can talk about them. Problem is that I have issues with talking about books. I always have. It isn't that I do not enjoy reading - I do. I think it comes down to some grade school conversation where some teacher said I just do not have good comprehension skills. Andy has read all of Harry Potter and has started reading Ayn Rand. I on the other hand have not even come close to reading his books for a couple of reasons. 1. for the reason I stated above, 2. Stephen King scares the bejeezus out of me, 3. I very rarely read historical or philosophical manifestos (history the other subject I have no brain for). Reading nonfiction does not to much for me either - unless it is scientifically related.
So in an effort to feel closer to Andy's brain, I am reading the Dark Tower Series. The Gunslinger improves on second reading, but I still do not feel in it as one says. We will try book 2 and see if it pulls me in some more.
Babbling - go be productive me...
I believe I picked up a cold from my students. Several of them have been in an out all week complaining of their throats hurting. Yesterday I spent the day trying not to be loud in an effort to keep my voice. I do not think it helped.
I ordered free mailing boxes from the post office (they are free). I've been waiting to get them all week. I have a thing or two I would like to mail to Andy, but do not feel like going out and buying a shipping box. God I am lazy.
I need to get my routine more settled. I think it is coming along but I really need to find some time to get on our elliptical machine more than once a week. I really do not want to have to go buy a larger pair of pants. Not fun.
I was a bit sad today when Andy told me he wasn't going to be on the KSU vs KU basketball game. I had gotten my hopes up to catch a glimpse of him. I need to stop doing that to myself. I have another 11+ months to go of this stuff. One of my students told me I should read Dear John - it's so good, it even made me cry in school today. To which I replied, just for that reason... no. I can not read that book.
I also fear that I am starting to become a shell - I am a person just going through the motions. My students pull me back every now and then - yes, they can be intelligent if they want to be. Rare. I should try to go exploring - I am sure there are neat things to do. I am reluctant with all this school work though. Maybe during the summer - June and July. Big plans - but we all know me - not so much the explorer.
I finished up reading the Gunslinger (again). I read it last year but did not really get into it. Andy has taken to reading my books so that we can talk about them. Problem is that I have issues with talking about books. I always have. It isn't that I do not enjoy reading - I do. I think it comes down to some grade school conversation where some teacher said I just do not have good comprehension skills. Andy has read all of Harry Potter and has started reading Ayn Rand. I on the other hand have not even come close to reading his books for a couple of reasons. 1. for the reason I stated above, 2. Stephen King scares the bejeezus out of me, 3. I very rarely read historical or philosophical manifestos (history the other subject I have no brain for). Reading nonfiction does not to much for me either - unless it is scientifically related.
So in an effort to feel closer to Andy's brain, I am reading the Dark Tower Series. The Gunslinger improves on second reading, but I still do not feel in it as one says. We will try book 2 and see if it pulls me in some more.
Babbling - go be productive me...
Day 17
Anger and Frustration
I am frustrated with myself because there isn't enough time in the day to do all of the things that I used to get done 3 weeks ago. What was so seamless with two people is so difficult by myself. I can not seem to get into a rhythm that gets any sort of results. I know I should try to put little tasks down for each day - like today I dusted. I am hoping maybe tomorrow afternoon I can vacuum quickly. I try to pay the bills whenever they come in - as quickly as possible. I really would like the house to stay in working order - but if I am working, I'm not completely confident that will happen.
I am frustrated with work. That is not a wholly new concept though. I just keep telling myself that there are now 16 weeks left in the semester. Just over 80 school days left. For the next 20 or so of them, state assessment prep. Then only 60 days more until I am done. Sometimes I wonder why it is that I chose this, but that is a discussion for another day.
I am angry at the army. I love my husband - he is fantastic. But I can not understand why the army does not see this. Why do they see the need to put him to work "clicking slides". Really?? His years of schooling prepared him to click slides for someone else's presentation? What's worse is he has already had this experience before during his last deployment.
Why send him away for a month and half to get schooling in a new area (right before deployment) and once he gets downrange tell him he won't get to use his new skill at all? That is a month and a half of time that we lost to be together. What wrenches me even more, even though I was sad about him leaving, I was happy that (yeah I know dorky) he was happy about all this new schooling and getting to work on that stuff while he was over there. Why would you do that to someone? Set them up and then pull the rug out from underneath them.
Oh wait, I forgot. I'm talking about the army. The army has never really made any sense for me anyway - why should this be any different.
Now that I have myself all riled up - I suppose I should get to bed -> I intend on being cranky for my students tomorrow.
I am frustrated with myself because there isn't enough time in the day to do all of the things that I used to get done 3 weeks ago. What was so seamless with two people is so difficult by myself. I can not seem to get into a rhythm that gets any sort of results. I know I should try to put little tasks down for each day - like today I dusted. I am hoping maybe tomorrow afternoon I can vacuum quickly. I try to pay the bills whenever they come in - as quickly as possible. I really would like the house to stay in working order - but if I am working, I'm not completely confident that will happen.
I am frustrated with work. That is not a wholly new concept though. I just keep telling myself that there are now 16 weeks left in the semester. Just over 80 school days left. For the next 20 or so of them, state assessment prep. Then only 60 days more until I am done. Sometimes I wonder why it is that I chose this, but that is a discussion for another day.
I am angry at the army. I love my husband - he is fantastic. But I can not understand why the army does not see this. Why do they see the need to put him to work "clicking slides". Really?? His years of schooling prepared him to click slides for someone else's presentation? What's worse is he has already had this experience before during his last deployment.
Why send him away for a month and half to get schooling in a new area (right before deployment) and once he gets downrange tell him he won't get to use his new skill at all? That is a month and a half of time that we lost to be together. What wrenches me even more, even though I was sad about him leaving, I was happy that (yeah I know dorky) he was happy about all this new schooling and getting to work on that stuff while he was over there. Why would you do that to someone? Set them up and then pull the rug out from underneath them.
Oh wait, I forgot. I'm talking about the army. The army has never really made any sense for me anyway - why should this be any different.
Now that I have myself all riled up - I suppose I should get to bed -> I intend on being cranky for my students tomorrow.
Day 14
Go me - two weeks down. Isn't that amazing? I am actually surprised at how quickly it has gone - although some moments have taken longer to get through than others.
Managed 3 weeks done with the school year. By my calculations, there are only 17 more left to go. There has been a little hoopla at the school recently. First, there was an inspection of the school cafeteria. That did not go over to well. Apparently, lots of poop, flies, and rodents. Consequently, I have a lot of my students asking for money more than usual or complaining how much they can not go to McDonald's anymore for lunch. And yes, I have told them no on the first account, and there is always Panera and Taco Bell for the second.
Secondly, the days off for snow have caused an uproar. Now, I have no issue making up the day at the end of the year. Mind you this means coming in on June 1st. But apparently this is not the option. There was a big Board of Ed meeting where they decided to extend the school day by 12 minutes (5 minutes earlier start time and 7 minute later end time) - thus ensuring that we are covered for 2 more snow days and we get out by May 28th. This does not really bother me either. But my students were not happy. Most of them have difficulty showing up to first hour anyway at 7:45 am. There has not been word as to how the minutes will get added to the schedule. But if they decide to just extend first hour and 7th hour I am totally down with that - I have PLC and Plan time both of those hours.
I pretty much laid out the next month or so of teaching. Hurray, for giving my students the opportunity to learn all of the standards before they take the state assessment. I hope that they will do well. I have a sinking feeling about that but I am trying not to get dragged down by it. My students in general - gosh, I feel like I finally get one group to understand the simple idea that this is school, and the group who figured it out the day before totally forgets. I can not win with this group. It must be bad. When I attend the district new teacher meeting and they ask the new teachers what the title of a movie for the first year would be called, I responded with the Class of 2012. The district heads asked for an explanation - which I gave them. There response was surprise, laughter, and ooooooh, that class. Good luck with that. But I shouldn't complain. I wouldn't want a boring class. Drama just suits me - even though there is no drama in mathematics.
Major home battle - I noticed that one of our outside lights above the garage is out. I went out two days ago - climbed on the ladder, and spent 15 minutes trying to figure out how to get the lightbulb out. No success. Today, I was staring at another homes' garage lamps whilst walking Silvio and figured it out. So I got out the ladder again. Carefully climbed up and after about 15 minutes of unscrewing screws that I couldn't see (no way in heck I was climbing up that high) I managed to get the top off the lamp and the light bulb out. Now I need to go to Home Depot to buy some similar bulbs and I will be up on the ladder again.
You can send thanks for this post to my Double Bloody Mary that I just had. At least I no longer feel the aches and pains of the week of school anymore.
Managed 3 weeks done with the school year. By my calculations, there are only 17 more left to go. There has been a little hoopla at the school recently. First, there was an inspection of the school cafeteria. That did not go over to well. Apparently, lots of poop, flies, and rodents. Consequently, I have a lot of my students asking for money more than usual or complaining how much they can not go to McDonald's anymore for lunch. And yes, I have told them no on the first account, and there is always Panera and Taco Bell for the second.
Secondly, the days off for snow have caused an uproar. Now, I have no issue making up the day at the end of the year. Mind you this means coming in on June 1st. But apparently this is not the option. There was a big Board of Ed meeting where they decided to extend the school day by 12 minutes (5 minutes earlier start time and 7 minute later end time) - thus ensuring that we are covered for 2 more snow days and we get out by May 28th. This does not really bother me either. But my students were not happy. Most of them have difficulty showing up to first hour anyway at 7:45 am. There has not been word as to how the minutes will get added to the schedule. But if they decide to just extend first hour and 7th hour I am totally down with that - I have PLC and Plan time both of those hours.
I pretty much laid out the next month or so of teaching. Hurray, for giving my students the opportunity to learn all of the standards before they take the state assessment. I hope that they will do well. I have a sinking feeling about that but I am trying not to get dragged down by it. My students in general - gosh, I feel like I finally get one group to understand the simple idea that this is school, and the group who figured it out the day before totally forgets. I can not win with this group. It must be bad. When I attend the district new teacher meeting and they ask the new teachers what the title of a movie for the first year would be called, I responded with the Class of 2012. The district heads asked for an explanation - which I gave them. There response was surprise, laughter, and ooooooh, that class. Good luck with that. But I shouldn't complain. I wouldn't want a boring class. Drama just suits me - even though there is no drama in mathematics.
Major home battle - I noticed that one of our outside lights above the garage is out. I went out two days ago - climbed on the ladder, and spent 15 minutes trying to figure out how to get the lightbulb out. No success. Today, I was staring at another homes' garage lamps whilst walking Silvio and figured it out. So I got out the ladder again. Carefully climbed up and after about 15 minutes of unscrewing screws that I couldn't see (no way in heck I was climbing up that high) I managed to get the top off the lamp and the light bulb out. Now I need to go to Home Depot to buy some similar bulbs and I will be up on the ladder again.
You can send thanks for this post to my Double Bloody Mary that I just had. At least I no longer feel the aches and pains of the week of school anymore.
Day 11
I made through to double digits. I suppose you can call that an accomplishment.
I have been waking up most mornings feeling sick. This morning was especially awful. I am pretty sure that it is just how my body is handling everything. I am naturally a bundle of stress and I internalize everything. Go figure that I feel like poop every day.
At least there are only 3 more days this week. I am kicking myself in the behind because I spent a lot of time getting materials ready for a the next couple of weeks. I found out that I need to spend the next nearly 4 weeks prepping for state assessments, which are the first week in March. Is that seriously how quickly things are moving along? Once the assessments are over, then it is spring break. What?? Spring Break. But then I have to go about 10 weeks to go - shoot maybe I'll manage to cover like 2 more units in that time. There are 12 total in the book slated for the year. I will have managed to thoroughly cover about 9 of them. Not so hot considering the speed some of the other teachers are at. Oh well, I should not compare. But I suppose the good thing is that most of the prep work for state assessments is already laid out for me. I do not need to make it all up.
My parents have some time locked away for Disney over spring break. I think I might go. I might just need a change of scenery.
Oh it isn't a big secret as to the large purchase - if you do not count last night's large online clothing purchase. We are thinking about upgrading one of the cars to a larger (SUV type) vehicle. I would feel safer with a vehicle that is higher off the ground and has all wheel drive. Andy wants something with a V8. After driving a few, I agree with him that most of those big vehicles need an 8 cylinder to really move the vehicle. Too bad, there are really only 6-7 SUV types with V8's in them. Even worse, with that price-tag I could probably by 2 or 3 of those tiny little prius'. Not that we can really use a Prius - especially when we move.
Blah. Bed time I think.
I have been waking up most mornings feeling sick. This morning was especially awful. I am pretty sure that it is just how my body is handling everything. I am naturally a bundle of stress and I internalize everything. Go figure that I feel like poop every day.
At least there are only 3 more days this week. I am kicking myself in the behind because I spent a lot of time getting materials ready for a the next couple of weeks. I found out that I need to spend the next nearly 4 weeks prepping for state assessments, which are the first week in March. Is that seriously how quickly things are moving along? Once the assessments are over, then it is spring break. What?? Spring Break. But then I have to go about 10 weeks to go - shoot maybe I'll manage to cover like 2 more units in that time. There are 12 total in the book slated for the year. I will have managed to thoroughly cover about 9 of them. Not so hot considering the speed some of the other teachers are at. Oh well, I should not compare. But I suppose the good thing is that most of the prep work for state assessments is already laid out for me. I do not need to make it all up.
My parents have some time locked away for Disney over spring break. I think I might go. I might just need a change of scenery.
Oh it isn't a big secret as to the large purchase - if you do not count last night's large online clothing purchase. We are thinking about upgrading one of the cars to a larger (SUV type) vehicle. I would feel safer with a vehicle that is higher off the ground and has all wheel drive. Andy wants something with a V8. After driving a few, I agree with him that most of those big vehicles need an 8 cylinder to really move the vehicle. Too bad, there are really only 6-7 SUV types with V8's in them. Even worse, with that price-tag I could probably by 2 or 3 of those tiny little prius'. Not that we can really use a Prius - especially when we move.
Blah. Bed time I think.
Day 8
Came complete with phone calls galore. It was damn foggy out - literally all day.
But I managed to get a package sent, and buy a ton of frozen meals. I love cooking - but it's no fun if you are just cooking for yourself. Besides, getting all the necessary ingredients is the same if not more than the frozen meals. I think I should be set for a little while - well at least until my Lunchables run out. Yes, yes - I eat lunchables. But I get the Deli Select style lunchables with actual lunch meat, none of that processed stuff.
I didn't get much done in way of school work - I got a journal entry done for my internship and am getting some laundry finished now. So I guess the day has been productive. Thankfully I have another two days left.
As for the thoughts from yesterday, it seems like the district is going to have a shortfall in the budget next year. The plan is - that the district is thinking about taking away our PLC time to cover for it (essentially we go from teaching 5 classes to 6 classes a day). In the PLC time, the teachers are able to get in all the training sessions (like sexual harrassment), discuss things like career clusters, diversity, NCA, and do student interventions. I have a feeling that if they take it away, there goes my job. I'm not the only person with that feeling either. I don't intend on posting much more than that for now. But it would be such a waste to have gone through all this extra schooling, get my certificate, then not have a job next year. Oh well, I'm sure I could find something else with which to bide my time.
Random - We have a Netflix subscription. We have been holding on to Be Kind Rewind for a while, and I actually got around to watching that today. Not a big fan of Jack Black in some of his other movies, but this one was actually really good. A little goofy, but really cute. I am trying to fill up my queue with movies but I have not been paying attention to movies at all. Needless to say, I have no clue what to watch. The next three movies are The Hangover, UP, and The Ugly Truth. Any other movies I should add to my list (I think we only saw New Moon, and Harry Potter in the theater - oh and Star Trek)?
But I managed to get a package sent, and buy a ton of frozen meals. I love cooking - but it's no fun if you are just cooking for yourself. Besides, getting all the necessary ingredients is the same if not more than the frozen meals. I think I should be set for a little while - well at least until my Lunchables run out. Yes, yes - I eat lunchables. But I get the Deli Select style lunchables with actual lunch meat, none of that processed stuff.
I didn't get much done in way of school work - I got a journal entry done for my internship and am getting some laundry finished now. So I guess the day has been productive. Thankfully I have another two days left.
As for the thoughts from yesterday, it seems like the district is going to have a shortfall in the budget next year. The plan is - that the district is thinking about taking away our PLC time to cover for it (essentially we go from teaching 5 classes to 6 classes a day). In the PLC time, the teachers are able to get in all the training sessions (like sexual harrassment), discuss things like career clusters, diversity, NCA, and do student interventions. I have a feeling that if they take it away, there goes my job. I'm not the only person with that feeling either. I don't intend on posting much more than that for now. But it would be such a waste to have gone through all this extra schooling, get my certificate, then not have a job next year. Oh well, I'm sure I could find something else with which to bide my time.
Random - We have a Netflix subscription. We have been holding on to Be Kind Rewind for a while, and I actually got around to watching that today. Not a big fan of Jack Black in some of his other movies, but this one was actually really good. A little goofy, but really cute. I am trying to fill up my queue with movies but I have not been paying attention to movies at all. Needless to say, I have no clue what to watch. The next three movies are The Hangover, UP, and The Ugly Truth. Any other movies I should add to my list (I think we only saw New Moon, and Harry Potter in the theater - oh and Star Trek)?
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