Hola amigos! Summer is almost gone! Tomorrow, July begins. How crazy is that? It's already July. The countdown to school beginning is on. I'm a nerd, so yes, I am excited about this countdown :) I love buying school supplies and this year will be unlike any other start of school for me. This year, for the first time ever, I will be starting school as a teacher and not as a student. I was pretty good at being a student. I hope I'm half as good at being a teacher! (Thankfully, it's Kindergarten and they don't have anything to compare me to yet :) )
To celebrate the start of teaching and the end of summer, I get to go to the beach with Kevin and his family. We are leaving Nashville tomorrow to go to Atlanta for the night, go to Spartanburg on Saturday morning, and then be at the beach Saturday night! I'm so excited to get away for a while. I like my apartment but since the babysitting business has been slow this week, I'm ready to get away and have some fun! I'm hoping to see Oma and Opa Friday night and my parents for a few minutes Saturday morning but plans are still in the works.
On that note, one thing I'm learning to be very good at is not being able to plan ahead. I have to be patient and let things come as they may. The control freak in me is fighting this lesson every step of the way :) But since waiting has now taken over in absolutely every area of my life, I think God is trying to drive the point home. He's telling me to take a step back and quit trying to rush things; everything will work out the way He has planned. Fortunately for me, His planning trumps my feeble attempts and will always work out better. So I say, "Go ahead please! I will be patient."
I'm sure there are others of you who are dealing with the same issue of having to wait around for something and I encourage you to be patient. Yes, it is no fun when you want to know how and when things will work out, but it's better to let go and let God. :)
Enjoy the holiday weekend and I'll write more after our trip to the beach!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
A little school work this week
Well it's officially been 1 week since I was hired as a Kindergarten Teacher and I'm still excited :) I'm also a little more frustrated than I was a week ago because I want to know more information about when I get into my room, see the rest of the school, do paperwork to become official, etc, but no one really seems to have the answers to my questions. Nonetheless, I'm still doing little bits here and there. I have a 2nd bedroom in my apartment filled with boxes of books and supplies for crafts and projects (like light bulbs, jars, pipe cleaners, etc.). I need to get this stuff out so I can actually do something with this room! And I want to see my classroom! I'm so excited about getting things ready for my Kindergarten babies :)
I worked in itunes yesterday to start making some playlists. We got to sit in on some Quantum Learning training during Student Teaching and the one thing that really stuck with me was the impact of music in the classroom. She mentioned 3 specific categories: Energizers, Focusers, and Soothers. Energizers are exactly what they sound like: songs that get you up and moving and wake you up! I'm trying to find some good dance type songs. Here's how I choose: I listen to the song and close my eyes; if I can picture 5 year olds jumping up and down to it, laughing, and playing around, then it's an energizer! For Focusers, I'm using a lot of instrumental, classical musical. Research shows that classical music stimulates the brain and instrumental means there are no words to distract you (or at least that's my thinking.) Soothers are calmer, "chill" type songs. I actually tested this out with my student teaching class and it worked wonderfully! For 3 days, I had them on my own. The 1st day, they came in at 7:45 like wild people! The noise and energy was shocking. So the 2nd day, about 5 minutes before they came in, I turned out a low-key song and played it quietly in the background. The difference was amazing! At 8:00, they were all sitting quietly in their seats working and talking softly. It was so quiet that other teachers were coming in to see what I had done :) Needless to say, I will definitely be implementing soothers into our daily playlists!
I am thinking that if I don't hear from Metro soon about getting paper work done, that I'll be heading to the beach with Kevin and his family. It'll be a nice way to celebrate having a job and a last hoo-ra (sp?) before school starts in full swing! I'm still working the details out, so Mom, Dad, and Oma- I will call you as soon as we have a definite plan! :)
Adios!
I worked in itunes yesterday to start making some playlists. We got to sit in on some Quantum Learning training during Student Teaching and the one thing that really stuck with me was the impact of music in the classroom. She mentioned 3 specific categories: Energizers, Focusers, and Soothers. Energizers are exactly what they sound like: songs that get you up and moving and wake you up! I'm trying to find some good dance type songs. Here's how I choose: I listen to the song and close my eyes; if I can picture 5 year olds jumping up and down to it, laughing, and playing around, then it's an energizer! For Focusers, I'm using a lot of instrumental, classical musical. Research shows that classical music stimulates the brain and instrumental means there are no words to distract you (or at least that's my thinking.) Soothers are calmer, "chill" type songs. I actually tested this out with my student teaching class and it worked wonderfully! For 3 days, I had them on my own. The 1st day, they came in at 7:45 like wild people! The noise and energy was shocking. So the 2nd day, about 5 minutes before they came in, I turned out a low-key song and played it quietly in the background. The difference was amazing! At 8:00, they were all sitting quietly in their seats working and talking softly. It was so quiet that other teachers were coming in to see what I had done :) Needless to say, I will definitely be implementing soothers into our daily playlists!
I am thinking that if I don't hear from Metro soon about getting paper work done, that I'll be heading to the beach with Kevin and his family. It'll be a nice way to celebrate having a job and a last hoo-ra (sp?) before school starts in full swing! I'm still working the details out, so Mom, Dad, and Oma- I will call you as soon as we have a definite plan! :)
Adios!
Monday, June 20, 2011
I have a job!!!
Starting in August, I will be teaching a Kindergarten ELL class and I could not be more excited! I had no idea when I woke up this morning just how great today would be. I got up early to work out since I had to babysit all day. 30 seconds after I got out of the shower, my phone was ringing. Normally I would just let it ring and check it later but for some reason today, (and by that I mean- by the grace of God), I answered a number I didn't recognize. On the other end, was the principal I interviewed with 2 weeks ago. She simply asked if I had been hired anywhere yet and said that she was just checking. I was encouraged by this phone call and began to be much more optimistic about this whole job situation. The freeze is supposed to be lifted this coming Saturday so I was beginning to be hopeful!
I went on to babysit and thought in the back of my mind about how much I'd like teaching better than babysitting :) About 12:30, I checked my phone and happened to have an email from the HR Elementary Director saying that she'd like to offer me a position with this school. I was elated! I responded and called to give my acceptance. Over the next few hours, I tried to get in touch with the HR office to find out more details. The only response I got was that the principal would determine the position and an orientation email would be sent soon. Needless to say, I didn't feel like this was very official. I tried to call the school and the principal but didn't get answers at either. So I just sent her an email and asked my questions.
At 4:30, I was about ready to give up and just wait til tomorrow to find out. I figured she must have left for the day. Thankfully, she hadn't and I got an email saying that I would be teaching Kindergarten and she was very excited to have me on board. Now up to this point, I hadn't told a soul that I had been given the position. I was ready to explode with excitement though! I was sitting in the car at the bank and trying to figure out if I could get to Kevin's office before traffic got too bad to try. I wanted to tell him in person and I was about to bust! I got an email from him at that moment saying he was leaving to go to the studio. I think I yelled at the phone because I didn't know where the studio was :)
I decided to head home and figure something out. I called my parents on the way and shared the good news. They were very excited and proud, as was I. I made Mom promise not to put anything on Facebook before I had a chance to tell Kevin and several other people :) When I got home I started the chaotic process of trying to figure out where this studio was. Of course, I didn't have the office number and it wasn't on the website. I finally figured it out and called. I was able to find someone eventually who knew where the studio was and put the address in the Gps. I should mention that while I was doing this, Kevin called. I had to be careful not to sound too happy or give away the surprise. Generally I'm not the best liar but I think I did ok this time :)
Once the address was in and I was on my way, I couldn't find the building. It's an old house and I drove around for about 10 minutes or so trying to find it. I finally found the right house, figured out how to get to the back, found the cars, and parked. Of course when I parked, a man told me that I couldn't park there. Later, he said he was kidding because I think I looked panicked! He pointed me in the right direction and I ran into 3 other men who kindly helped me get where I was going. I eventually found Kevin and he knew exactly why I was there :) (I had told him several times that I was going to have to come find him whenever I got a job b/c I would be so excited!) He was very excited and proud too :)
I think I have sent more texts and had more phone calls today than I have in a single day in a very long time. It's wonderful though. I'll gladly keep draining the battery on my phone spreading the good news! This is such an answer to prayer and I could not be more grateful, thankful, and excited about this opportunity.
I told mom that the day will come soon when I realize that I'm on my own with a 18 5-year olds and I'm responsible for the beginning of their school experience and learning, but for now, I'm just excited about it. I'll panic later; probably the week before school starts :) I cannot wait to begin this journey. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support!
I went on to babysit and thought in the back of my mind about how much I'd like teaching better than babysitting :) About 12:30, I checked my phone and happened to have an email from the HR Elementary Director saying that she'd like to offer me a position with this school. I was elated! I responded and called to give my acceptance. Over the next few hours, I tried to get in touch with the HR office to find out more details. The only response I got was that the principal would determine the position and an orientation email would be sent soon. Needless to say, I didn't feel like this was very official. I tried to call the school and the principal but didn't get answers at either. So I just sent her an email and asked my questions.
At 4:30, I was about ready to give up and just wait til tomorrow to find out. I figured she must have left for the day. Thankfully, she hadn't and I got an email saying that I would be teaching Kindergarten and she was very excited to have me on board. Now up to this point, I hadn't told a soul that I had been given the position. I was ready to explode with excitement though! I was sitting in the car at the bank and trying to figure out if I could get to Kevin's office before traffic got too bad to try. I wanted to tell him in person and I was about to bust! I got an email from him at that moment saying he was leaving to go to the studio. I think I yelled at the phone because I didn't know where the studio was :)
I decided to head home and figure something out. I called my parents on the way and shared the good news. They were very excited and proud, as was I. I made Mom promise not to put anything on Facebook before I had a chance to tell Kevin and several other people :) When I got home I started the chaotic process of trying to figure out where this studio was. Of course, I didn't have the office number and it wasn't on the website. I finally figured it out and called. I was able to find someone eventually who knew where the studio was and put the address in the Gps. I should mention that while I was doing this, Kevin called. I had to be careful not to sound too happy or give away the surprise. Generally I'm not the best liar but I think I did ok this time :)
Once the address was in and I was on my way, I couldn't find the building. It's an old house and I drove around for about 10 minutes or so trying to find it. I finally found the right house, figured out how to get to the back, found the cars, and parked. Of course when I parked, a man told me that I couldn't park there. Later, he said he was kidding because I think I looked panicked! He pointed me in the right direction and I ran into 3 other men who kindly helped me get where I was going. I eventually found Kevin and he knew exactly why I was there :) (I had told him several times that I was going to have to come find him whenever I got a job b/c I would be so excited!) He was very excited and proud too :)
I think I have sent more texts and had more phone calls today than I have in a single day in a very long time. It's wonderful though. I'll gladly keep draining the battery on my phone spreading the good news! This is such an answer to prayer and I could not be more grateful, thankful, and excited about this opportunity.
I told mom that the day will come soon when I realize that I'm on my own with a 18 5-year olds and I'm responsible for the beginning of their school experience and learning, but for now, I'm just excited about it. I'll panic later; probably the week before school starts :) I cannot wait to begin this journey. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support!
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.- Walt Disney
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Just thinking
I know I should be enjoying this stage of life- just graduated, living on my own, babysitting, etc, but it seems like everyone around me is skipping over this straight to marriage. Not that that is a bad thing. I'm happy for them but at the same time, a little jealous. I want something so bad that I can't have right now. Granted, there are a lot of factors playing into the whole situation and there are times when I think rationally with my brain, but tonight I'm thinking with me heart and I'm a little bummed. I also miss my family terribly and that isn't helping.
Life is short, too short to not make the most of it. I wonder why we spend all our time working away from the ones who mean the most of us? Why do we do it? I know we have to in order to make a living and actually be able to live, but it stinks. I don't see the point right now in working our lives away and always pining for more time; more time away from work; more time to spend with the ones we love; more time to relax; I guess that's just how life is.
So I ask, are you happy with what you have now? Or are you missing now because you're too busy looking ahead or behind you? Sorry if it slaps you in the face. It slapped me in the face too. If you find yourself in the same boat I do, I challenge you to make a concerted effort every day to ask the Lord to help you make the most of the day; to help you see the value of today and why He's blessed you with another day. I sure do intend to try much harder to remember that each day is a gift. Everything will come in His timing and one day, reality will in fact be better than my dreams.
*The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.
-Henry David Thoreau
Life is short, too short to not make the most of it. I wonder why we spend all our time working away from the ones who mean the most of us? Why do we do it? I know we have to in order to make a living and actually be able to live, but it stinks. I don't see the point right now in working our lives away and always pining for more time; more time away from work; more time to spend with the ones we love; more time to relax; I guess that's just how life is.
So I ask, are you happy with what you have now? Or are you missing now because you're too busy looking ahead or behind you? Sorry if it slaps you in the face. It slapped me in the face too. If you find yourself in the same boat I do, I challenge you to make a concerted effort every day to ask the Lord to help you make the most of the day; to help you see the value of today and why He's blessed you with another day. I sure do intend to try much harder to remember that each day is a gift. Everything will come in His timing and one day, reality will in fact be better than my dreams.
*The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.
-Henry David Thoreau
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