Catching Up

Why, hello there! Long time no see... really though, I apologize. You know when you have that feeling where anything you write will just be plain and uninteresting, or you feel like your writing is so below mediocre that anything you put down will have a reaction like "meh"?  I'm going to take a minute (or thirty) to write as best as I can about these past few weeks; maybe even about the present day, as well! ;)

Let's start with Halloween. I was granted everything I hoped for in making Halloween as close to home as possible. Paul and I went to my sister's house (a usual spot for us to hang out) and we carved pumpkins as well as cooked and salted the seeds with my nieces and nephews. It was a great time!

Paul and Little Love

Little Boo carving her pumpkin.

Little Boo getting advice from Dad.

Little Boo's finished product.

Paul carving our pumpkin. Can you guess who it is?

If you can't, it's supposed to be Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc.

 We failed on the teeth, but it still looks cool... kind of.

The pumpkin carving could not have been more fun, it was great to be with the family. The next day it was their turn to have fun! Along with getting ready for Halloween, my sister and her husband had a party of their own to go to, leaving Paul and me to babysit,  but not before getting some pictures of their awesome costumes (...or are they?... costumes, I mean.)!

As my mom would say, "Far out!"

Great look. Great people.

Now on to the babysitting. So many fun moments happen in this house. From playing on the Wii with the kids to watching the Munsters and playing outside. There has never been a dull moment in this house, not. ever.

These are some pictures that were taken during and after pumpkin carving.

We caught Little Dude working out in the study and taking care of some business emails.

Then it was time to play!

When my sister and brother-in-law were out for their 80's Halloween party, the kids were busy watching a show fit for the Halloween mood.

Little Dude watching the Munsters with the kids and Paul.

After Halloween was over, it was back to the grind of Student Teaching. I had taught the whole time and had the classroom to myself for 2 weeks while my mentor teaching worked hard on future lessons and charts that would be needed after I was gone. The week of Halloween was the time to release the class back to my mentor teacher slowly as not to cause too much change in one day. It went from teaching the kids most of the courses to teaching them one course by the end of the week. It was so great for them to have their permanent teacher back and it was great for me to learn more from her. Before, I was just watching my mentor teacher and writing notes while she taught. After I got to teach and experience all the challenges with the class and teaching certain things, I learned so much more. It was nice to have my eyes opened, not just watching to see what material she taught, but how she differentiated the education for each student or group of students.

The next week was for observing other teachers and seeing how they handle their classroom and what kind management they implement. I was very impressed with a lot of the classrooms I visited. I also realized how great my own mentor teacher's classroom was. The students, overall, knew what was acceptable and what was unacceptable. It was not too strict and not too free. It was perfect for them. It makes me think how, not only differentiating education is important, but also how classroom management can change with each year of each couple of years. It is what kind of learning environment best fits the students.

After this observation week came to a close, it was time to say bye to the students. However, I could not do that yet, so I went in Monday morning to make copies and see if Mrs. R needed anything. The next day was my final exam for the school I attended and received my certification through. It went very well and I passed, but not before freaking out and trying my best to concentrate on what I was looking to discuss.

I had time to relax afterwards and I have not been more happy to read books for pleasure. I missed it. I went to the library and picked up whatever I thought looked interesting. I read The Red Door by Charles Todd, then The Carousel by Richard Paul Evans (the author of the Christmas Box and The Locket, as well as many others). After that, I read This Fine Life by Eva Marie Everson. In the span of five days I had read three books. 

Now I am home in Colorado and I am starting to reread To Kill a Mocking Bird. It's been a while and I'm sure that every time I reread a book, there is always something I missed or didn't quite catch the first time. It's like seeing a movie when you are a kid and then re-watching it as an adult and getting the deeper meanings. 

Anyways, next up on my list: Pride and Prejudice,  The Screwtape Letters, The Help, The Scarlett Letter (I wish I could say I have read this one... but alas, I have not and I am so interested.)

I hope I have caught up on everything that has happened. I also hope to be better in the future. Hope all is well with you and that you have a warm and comfy rest of the week! God Bless!

Counting down to Halloween

It has certainly been a while since I experienced the joys of halloween and the treats that come with the day/night. Little kids running around in scary, silly, or just plain cute costumes. The smell of wet, autumn leaves on the ground and the excitement of caramel apple treats and flannel shirts being worn. This is my image of Halloween. The oranges, blacks, browns, and tan colors come to mind. It's almost like Halloween is in an "antique" type lens for me. Things are old and the weather is chilly. Turtlenecks and overalls are worn. Apple picking has already taken place, then picking the perfect pumpkin on a farm.  I am always so excited for Halloween. I always say that this year will be the year I will carve a pumpkin, cook the seeds, salt the seeds, and eat the seeds just like my mother used to do for me up until high school when became too cool for that kind of stuff. I miss those days. The nights after coming home from trick or treating and the house smelling like cinnamon and pumpkin pie. The decorations my mother put up in the fall to make our house look and feel as cozy and as mountainy as it could. One day, I want to be back in the fall where my mom is and experience it all over again. But until then, I shall try and get this fun going by myself! ;)

Since the school is having the Drug Awareness week, they conveniently tied it in with the silly socks day, 50's day, silly hat day, etc.  Today is the day to dress up as a cowgirl or cowboy. Yes, the teachers are allowed to participate and oh how I did! This day has made me feel happy again for Halloween and has motivated me to be more involved in the Halloween festivities! I'm so excited for halloween now and I cannot wait to come up with another costume of my own! .... any suggestions???

Oh what a day...

Yesterday was a beautiful, bright, lovely day. It was "silly hat" day at the school. It was perfect. I arrived ready to teach with my nephew's flat cap (awesome hat by the way) on backwards with the bill on the side so I looked cool. Sorta.

 Drug Awareness week is the reason for the silly hat day. And then throughout the week there is a rock'n rollin drugs away (50's attire) day, silly socks day, cowboy/girl day, and finally a jersey day (wearing your favorite team's jersey). As I awoke bright and early Monday morning, I thought to myself that this week was destined to be absolutely, without a doubt... awesome!!!

Monday was probably the worst day of my life...ok, worst day of teaching. The kids were hard to control, I was out of my mind putting addition signs on the board instead of multiplication signs, students were trying to see how close they could get their lead pencils to their eyes without poking themselves (that was most definitely a failure), and there was a misunderstanding with one of my kids about their ride home. It is safe to say that when that school day was over, I was relieved like no one's business!! BECAUSE.... I was going to the World Series game!!! Oh yeah, I was ready to get out of there and watch some baseball. 

I was so excited, that as I was backing out of my parking space at school, I backed right into another car. True story! I then pulled right back into my parking spot, got out of my car,  and walked calmly inside the school building... talking to myself. I would tell you what I was saying, but I really cannot remember. I think it had to do with a lot of oh my's and oh S's but I'm not positive.

 Guess what I did next? I went to find my mentor teacher (DUH)! I calmly walked...briskly back to the room. She wasn't there. I went to another teacher's room whom I depend on a lot. Her lights were on but her door was locked. I knocked. No answer. I then went to another teacher who is also a mentor to one of my friends and she was so sweet in asking if I needed anything. All I thought to do was to find Mrs. R. That's it. Find Mrs. R. After not telling her what I needed or what was wrong and that I just wanted Mrs. R, she called the front office and had them page my mentor teacher on the intercom to go back to her room. I met her halfway. I think I was shaking. Anyways, long story-short, all the teachers accompanied me to the car and even the husband, of the lady's car I hit, came. There was nothing but a little scratch, thank goodness!! Alright... so that was fun.

Onto the next adventure. I get changed, but I don't have a Texas Rangers shirt... soooo

I said yes to matching with the boyfriend.  

Sometimes it's fun to be the underdogs.

Our seats were great. We were on the lower level by first base.

And I secretly rooted for CJ :)

By the end of the day, I was extremely exhausted; but, I was so happy to have gotten through the day. I got to see the Rangers play the Cardinals, eat a bag of cotton candy as well as cheesy fries (separately, of course), and wear matching t-shirts with someone that means the world to me. :) Yesterday was good...

very good.

Too Much to Write

This past week was my first week with no other adult in the classroom... just me. Yippeee.... yaaa-no. My goodness was it crazy! Anyways, I shall have more stories up soon but here is something I'd like to share with you. The firefighters came on Friday to tell the kids how to best behave when there is a fire at their house or anywhere. My kids, as well as I (duh), were eyeing the fire fighter suit that they had behind them while the presentation was going on. When they brought it out, my kids were wishing they could try it on. I, myself, had always wanted to know what it felt like to be in such a big heavy suit, ever since I was their age so I was just like them, sitting up and trying to get a better look at it.

As the firemen were about to try it on, they pointed to the principle to come and see if he'd like to try it. He was really enthusiastic throughout the talk. He stopped, dropped, and rolled on the hard gym floor for the kids when the fireman told them what to do if they were on fire. Throughout my student teaching experience, I've noticed Mr. C's dedication to the elementary schoolers and his interest on how to best educate them. He has also been a very great guy in taking care of the teachers and employees at the school. Anyways, while he was trying on the suit, he couldn't fit into the boots. So guess what?

The firemen pointed to me!!! I was so confused at first because I had no idea what was going on. Did they need help getting the suit on him? Were one of my kids doing someone wrong that I needed to discipline? Anyways, I went up there and I got to try the fireman's suit on... ME! That was so much FUN!

I was so proud!

This is my Fire-woman Barbie Doll Look. In stores soon!

More stories to come... 

Feels like a first day.

    The weekend has come and gone, and the whole time it was here, I was dreading Monday. The Monday where I would have to say goodbye to my mentor teacher and take over the classroom all day, by myself. I was at ease when I left on Friday because my mentor teacher and I had gone over the lessons and what I would be doing (just like a mother would do when she is packing up her child's bags for them to leave for college... it kind of felt like that actually lol) during the day. She got everything I would need for the reading and we went over the stories and as well as the lessons. It was perfect. 

Then came the weekend. I made myself not think of the planning or anything all of Saturday. It worked. I had fallen asleep Friday night while grading papers and the next morning, they were pushed away until Sunday. I had an enjoyable Saturday and I got to see one of my old soccer teammates. She flew down from South Bend, where she goes to grad school at Notre Dame, for the weekend. It was lovely to see her and spend time with her. There are so many great stories to tell regarding with that friendship and I shall tell them one of these days ;)

Anyways, Sunday came and I had my materials for math. I planned for the week and I was content. Then I went to get my big, fat, notebook with all the other lessons contained in it. It was nowhere to be found. I would have handled it well if this was missing till Monday morning when I needed it, but this particular lesson was going to be observed by my supervising professor, so I was freaking out. Long story short, I had left it on a desk in the classroom on Friday with it opened and ready to plan.... Monday morning came and I planned that lesson in 5 minutes! Thank goodness Mrs. R helped me get everything together before we left for the weekend. The lesson went alright and my professor said I did well so I'm thankful to have made it the first lesson of the first day I got the kids all to myself in class.

 So Monday was a success. Tuesday was a little harder because we had to go to the library during reading time and we had the counselor come in and talk to us during our writing period. Therefore, teaching time was limited and I did not get to meet with all of my reading groups. I have some things I have to catch up on but I think I have been doing well so far with taking over the classroom. 

On a separate note, I am thinking that getting back into reading for fun is a good idea. One of these days I am going to spend the whole afternoon at the library and check out books I've never heard of and some I have. Yes, I will!

Hope your week goes well and that it's as fun as mine! :D

A funky mood

I like to clean. I like to paint. I like to play guitar. I like to exercise. I like to draw, listen to music, write poetry, sing, etc... It is unusual for me not to get in certain moods that make me want to do these different things. Moods that make me want to cuddle up in my bed, watch a really cheesy movie, and eat chocolate, to moods that make me want to go out and catch a rabbit or start a band. This past weekend, I experienced one of my many moods. My friend, Jo, my apartment-mate, Gabi, and I took a little drive this past Saturday afternoon just outside the city. On the way back, as we were driving on the highway on an overpass, I looked down and saw this old brick building that was right behind a few new fancy apartments.

I wish I could have looked closer to see where exactly it was and see what a building like that was doing still standing, but we needed to get back. When we returned, I found myself wanting to do something I haven't done in quite a while. I wanted desperately to take pictures. I wanted to tell stories with these pictures. It didn't matter where, as long as I had something fun to take pictures of. 

Jo and Gabi were extremely gracious in letting me tell them where, when, and how the pictures would be taken... of them. Yes, they let me drag them down the road to a beautiful place where I go sometimes to sit, think and just be... and now take pictures. 

When I have these moods, they usually stay for about an hour or two and then they disappear. So we got ready fast. On our way out, I picked up a camera from my friend and we were done in an hour and a half. The timing was perfect. The pictures? Well, I was a bit shaky and nervous, but I think they turned out alright. I am so thankful to have friends like Jo, Gabi, and Kelly (whose camera I borrowed) because without them, I would not have been able to settle this particular mood.  

You girls are beautiful inside and out. Thank you for letting me share your beauty :)

Happy Thoughts

Today is a day to think of  nice, happy things. Random things that make me feel content.

Here are some off the top of my head. 

* home in the mountains

* soft, comfy, socks (well, any kind of socks)

* finding new bands/ new music to listen to

* activity boxes filled with clean sheets of paper (construction paper), crayons, markers, paints, brushes, fun stickers, glue, tape, glitter, etc...

* snuggling under lots of covers with warm socks and hot chocolate in hand.. and watching Goofy or Mickey Mouse Christmas movies 

* family reunions

* clothes that are worn right out of the dryer

* chocolate milkshakes

* coloring

* smiles

* new casual dresses

* sore muscles from working out

* chic-flicks where the woman is completely nuts

* saxony carpeted living rooms

* playing guitar and singing with my sister

* people watching

* pink things

* Snyder's sourdough pretzels with a glass of milk

* writing in cursive

* Heart to heart talks

* short nails

* the beach

* Cheers nights

* organization

* sing-along songs

* good hair days

* energy

* puppies

* letters

*crazy dancing

These thoughts help me get through days like  today and help me become hopeful in tomorrows :)

I Miss You

This weekend brought back good memories. Memories from events that happened these past couple of months all the way back to four and a half years ago. Nostalgia kicked in this weekend and I never realized just how much I miss you. 

I miss the times when you turned the hallway lights off in the dorm and put two trash cans in front of my door so when I walked out of my room to go to the bathroom... I died.

I miss the 2am drives to Wendy's for chocolate milkshakes.

I miss the all-nighters writing psychology papers with you and falling off of chairs... I miss you saving your laptop instead of catching me.

I miss busting out in song at the most random times and you joining in... sometimes.

I miss you spending the night on the bottom bunk and letting me sing weird songs before falling asleep.

I miss us giving everyone nicknames that do not make sense... at all.

I miss our long late talks in the hallway when I got locked out of my room... more than once.

I miss learning new dances with you.

I miss us people watching... and then getting caught.

I miss getting lost in downtown Dallas... every time we went.

I miss going to chic-fil-a with you on late Saturday mornings.

I miss the snow days when we would cuddle up in blankets, watch sappy movies, make pancakes, play in the snow, take our "family" pictures, and have snowball fights.

I miss seeing you everyday.

Most importantly, though, I just really really miss you...

both of you.

Thank you for coming out and spending the weekend here. I cannot wait to see you again!

My World... never dull.

Yesterday I traveled to another University to take my first Texas certification test. This experience was, to understate it, an interesting one. I had never attended a school with more than 500 students until I went to college, and that had 1300 undergrads. So going to this other University was a little nerve-wracking because firstly, I was all alone. Secondly, I was taking a very important test. And thirdly, it was a normal college school day; meaning, it was really packed.

Well, I'm one of those people that greets everyone when I walk down sidewalks, even more so at schools. So if you were that tall guy that was coming out of the building the same time a girl with brown hair, gray basketball shorts, a long blue T, and sneakers was walking in, I was that nut who smiled at you and said "good morning." And what a lovely morning it was until you ruined it with your mean face! KIDDING! 

Anyways, I did find my way to the room where I took the test and right when I was finished, I left. I wish I could end it there and be all cool like that, but sad to say, I'm far from that path. As I left the building and walked to the crosswalk, I called my mother. I got her voicemail so I left a message. As I was leaving a message, I heard someone behind me as well as the words, "Right, right." In reality he was  saying, "On your right, on your right", meaning, "I am going to pass you and continue on in front of you."  But when I hear someone say, "Right," I look that way... duh. Well, when someone looks back behind them to their right OR to their left, they tend to lean in that direction more than they think and start walking that way. He yelled (the "ahhhh!" sound), I saw his board, then I saw him fly off his board. Since he didn't have the right footing, he nudged me a bit while he flew and as I processed the whole situation in my head,  an inappropriate word came out of my mouth loud and clear. When he got back up, he came over to me and asked ME if I was alright. I was so flustered at this point that all I could do was say, "uhh... ya", and continue walking. I almost killed this guy and I don't even think a sorry came out of my mouth... only the Holy S word.  Oh yeah, and this all happened while leaving a voicemail for my mother... sorry, Mom. 

To continue on with this experience, I get to the parking lot and I walk to my car.... it's not there. So I walk to a different spot in a different parking aisle... same. Okay, so this is the time you get out your cell phone and pretend to answer it so as not to look uncool. It's what has to be done when you're a total idiot and cant remember where you parked your small Saturn. So, I am "on the phone" for the next 3 minutes while I'm walking around in circles, in a huge parking lot, where many of the school's students are either coming or going... with their cars. After these 3 long minutes of talking to myself on the phone, I hang up on myself and dial my roommate. She answers (thank God...I can only talk to myself for so long when I'm in public). Anyways, we talk for about 4 minutes and I finally see my car after walking up and down a few long aisles... okay like 5. Now it's time to start the car.... don't worry, it started and I got home safely! :)

So, it is safe to say that in my world, it is never a dull moment... ever.  

On a random note, here's a picture thought for you:

This is the beautiful couple I get to see when I go home for Thanksgiving... my parents!!

T-Minus 3 Days

Well another week has started and I'm already wishing it would finish. Thursday is my first test towards teacher certification here in Texas. The university I go through to take this test has a 100% passing rate. Therefore, if I do not pass, they will have a 99.99% passing rate and I shall, forevermore, be known as the .01% who did not pass. Yes, I do not feel any pressure whatsoever. None.... I'm lying.

On a much better note, this weekend was the first weekend I actually went out with friends... since June. Great timing huh? I guess all of this stress about studying made me go crazy and I had to get out of the apartment. I had a wonderful time with my roommate, but also with one of my very good friends whom I hadn't seen in quite a while. I put my books away for a few hours and went out. Next weekend, I shall try again to spend more time with friends and family. Time management needs to improve. Big time. To prove I socialized, here is a picture of my dear friends:

Gabi, Matt, and me

Fun times.

So it's back to the grind with student teaching and studying. I do not have coaching so that is one less thing on my plate and I am thankful that I made the decision to resign... for now. I spent Sunday studying and relaxing. I even got in a short nap which is a funny story in itself. I fell asleep, only to dream about warming-up for a very important soccer game. As I was warming up, I looked over to the other half of the field and saw that the other team was doing all of these fancy tricks and not making one mistake.  I was stressed out of my mind because my teammates weren't even on the field yet; and there I was, warming up (by myself) and seeing that the other team is freaking amazing... bottom line: even my subconscious is stressed out.


So here is the countdown: T-Minus 3 days until my test. 

These are my friends I got to study with on Sunday: Caitlin, Blaise (silly, Blaise), and Gabi

And I shall keep studying!

Another Reteaching Lesson... Learned?

Alright, so I retaught a lesson. They retook a test. Fail. I've never heard of teachers having to reteach twice. My professors had said something about having to reteach and reteach and reteach (using different approaches every time), but I had never pictured having to do it twice, let alone more than that. I just thought that if the students didn't get it the first time, the second would do the trick. Hahaha... good one. So I am onto my second reteach and this time, the format of the test will be changed. One of the other teachers on the 3rd grade team had said that the way the test was set up did not benefit the students in any way, so she made another one. Thank goodness because I am now desperate for the students to understand!

About this 3rd grade team, they are awesome! Every time we meet to plan... (ahem) every day, it's always fun. They get work done (they really do!), but they are great to get help from as well as talk to. There is another student teacher (who graduated with me) in the same grade and we both agree they are awesome! 

My mentor teacher, Mrs. R, took these pictures of me reteaching (the first time). We broke the kids up into small groups so when I teach a lesson, they get more attention from me and stay focused a lot easier. 

Tomorrow's test should be better :)

In other news, tonight was my last night of coaching soccer. I had been driving down south (2 hrs there and back) once a week to coach 4-6 and 7-10 year olds the beautiful game of soccer. I had to resign because even though it was a blast coaching and teaching them, it was also a big time commitment for me. Therefore, I sent in my two weeks notice a couple of weeks ago. It feels great to have done that, but I'm also thankful for calling it quits. Now I have more time to study for my content teacher certification test as well as plan for the upcoming lessons. Soon, I'll be taking over all of the lessons so I need the time as well as the energy. The Texas State Fair is also in town!! I've never been; this should be fun! :D 

Story of the Day

Yes, yes, an absolutely beautiful card made especially for me from one of my third graders :)

And what, you may ask, does it say on the inside?

"Roses are blue

and Violets are red

I need to go to the bathroom..."

...charming boy. Just charming ;)

An Explanation for not knowing the word, "Explanation."

This past week, I learned that saying a word and writing it on the board are too different things for kids. We took a test (a math test) and I specifically told the students that they will be doing their work in the "Explanation box." They nodded their heads as if they were saying, "Yes, the explanation box; we understand!" Little did I know that even though they understood what I said, they did not know where the
"Explanation box" was, or where to locate said box. Yes, it was labeled explanation box, but I had never written it up on the board for them to identify the word and the sound. So, I had at least 7 questions, each kid pointing to the word "explanation" and asking what it said. Well, I can honestly say that I have learned MY lesson and will now put the words on the board, point to the words written on the board, and say the word that is written on the board.

In other news, I am now addicted to PInterest, which is a website designed for anyone who has many interests and who wants to pin interesting things (get it? PIN-TEREST?...ha clever) they find on the web up on a pin-board...or 8. You can have as many pin-boards as you want and you can categorize them in whatever way you'd like. For example, one of my pin-boards is labeled "Classroom Ideas" and there are many crafts, anchor charts, and other fun things for any type of classroom posted on there. There are also other fun, new, and interesting pictures on there that will surprise you every time you go on there. It's great!

In personal news, I have been studying for my Content exam for teacher certification. My weekends and weekday nights have been busy with the study book and I will hopefully be ready to test next week! Nervous?! OH YES! 

I am also excited, like I have already said, for THANKSGIVING!! I have to keep myself from counting down the days till I get to go home to Colorado. Although the cold is not appealing to me, my family definitely makes up for it.  

Paul and me in Colorado 4th of July Weekend