Another School Year Comes To An End

Today marks the end of another school year.  My 6th as a teacher & my 25th overall.  At 1 PM Central Time the last bell of the 2017-2018 school year will ring & summer vacation will FINALLY begin.  Bring on the freedom!  

This will be my first summer since moving to the Dallas-Fort Worth area that I can also fully relax knowing I have a job next year.  This will be my first summer since graduating college that I'm not applying for teaching jobs in general.  Even though I stayed in Houston teaching at the same school district for 3 years, I still applied every year in hopes of getting out.  When I did finally get out, I moved up to the DFW area.  And in my 3 years up here I have worked in 3 different school districts.

But no more!  While my drive sucks, and there are certain aspects of my job I wish were different, for the most part I genuinely like where I work, who I work with, & who I work for.  So rather than spending my summer filling out countless applications, crossing my fingers for interviews, & praying that I get a new teaching job, this summer I just get to sit back & relax.

Something's Gotta Give

This was going to be a different post.  I was originally going to talk about my upcoming blogiversary and how to move forward after 8 years.

Also originally I was never going to talk about Parkland, I'm still not really going to,  but in light of events that happened at my job yesterday, I'm going to simply share my Facebook status from last night instead.

...

I was in the 1st grade when I decided I wanted to be a teacher.

I was in the 4th grade when Columbine happened.

I was in the 10th grade when Rocori happened.

I was in the 12th grade when VA Tech happened.

I was 23 when I got my first teaching job.

Despite the countless school shootings that have happened in my life time, never did I think that at 29 I would witness a student get arrested for making threats to shoot up the school I work in while having to escort other students out of their classes so their parents could take them home.

And luckily it was just that, a threat, a "joke" they thought would be a funny prank.  But something needs to give.  And I still say it's not so much gun laws as it is precautions in schools to prevent this, parenting, and the media.

The First Week of School

A blur.  That's what the first week of school was.  

I planned on having this be a fun little post recapping each day, almost in a "day in the life" style.  I can tell you right now that's not how this post is going to go.

The first week of school felt like it went on & on and yet flew by at the exact same time.  I am loving the way my schedule is set up because the individual days do go by really fast.  Rather than block like my last district, we have 7 50 minute classes.  And because I'm a coach I only teach 4.  Granted that also means my day starts at 7:15 rather than 9.

7:15-9:50 Volleyball
9:55-10:45 9th Grade World Geography

10:50-11:50 ESL World Geography
11:55-1:25 12th Grade Economics (with lunch thrown in right in the middle of my class)

1:30-2:20 Department Planning

2:25-3:15 12th Grade Economics

3:20-4:10 Off Period

I have a pretty sweet schedule I'm not even gonna lie.  Even though I haven't taught it since my first year, my economics classes are my favorite so far just because they're seniors & that's what I prefer.  I've also never taught a full ESL class in my life, even though I am certified & have been since my first year of teaching, so that class is a big learning curve for me.  Especially because the class started with 7 kids on the first day of school & was up to 29 as of yesterday.

Another learning curve for me this year, not having my own classroom.  There are more teachers than classrooms so I don't have my own room.  I don't even share a room.  I'm in a different classroom for each of my 4 classes.  Luckily I was able to find desk space in one of the coaching offices.  Also, luckily as of this coming Friday we'll be going 1:1 & all students will be getting Chromebooks so I didn't have to get textbooks to lug around with me all day, & won't really have any paperwork to lug around with me either.

Beyond the adjusting to a different district, a couple different classes than I've taught recently, & the whole traveling around all day, there was/is also volleyball.  The first week of school we had an away game on Tuesday.  We lost.  I was also battling a cold & wound up taking Nyquil the 2 nights I was actually home at a decent time & going to bed at 8.

Despite the blur of it all, & the busyness, & the learning curves, I'm still really loving my new district.  I love my coworkers, I love my admin, I love my schedule, I love the kids.  Fingers crossed that the rest of the year goes just as well and I return next year, & the year after that, & the year after that, & so on.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

New Year, New Clothes

A lot of my teaching clothes I've had since...college.  Keep in mind this will be my 6th year teaching.  I have gotten a few new pieces a long the way, but I've also gotten rid of clothing along the way.  Needless to say it was time to get some more professional clothing.  This past weekend was tax free weekend so I went out & bought a few things.  I didn't go crazy because I'm still trying to watch some of my spending & pay day isn't until Friday.

I apologize that the pictures are just of the pieces on the hanger but we all know how it goes when I try to be a fashion blogger & show off clothing.

TJ Maxx

Target

Ross

What are some places that you like to shop for clothing that is either strictly professional or pieces that can be good for work & going out??

The Countdown Is On

As of today there are only 47 school days left in the year.  Doable.  Totally doable.  I'm meeting up with a guy tonight for drinks.  We haven't talked a TON but enough.  We started talking right as my parents were coming into town & then I was busy with them so I stopped going online to check messages or send any so after like 3 or 4 days of not talking he sent me a message saying "So... can I buy you a beer?  Who knows we might hit it off or hate one another."  Good logic.  So I agreed  

So I basically disappeared again from blogland this week both in posting & reading/commenting.  Seriously I know I've complained about this 100 times but I hate that bloglovin is blocked on my work's wifi.  There are far worse things I could be looking at on my conference period that I still have access too.  I'd like to promise that next week will be better but really until grad school is over in like a month & school is out for the summer there will be 0 consistency here.  Please bear with me.  (side note: I assumed it was "bear" not "bare" but thought I should double check.  This is what I got... “Bear with me,” the standard expression, is a request for forbearance or patience. “Bare with me” would be an invitation to undress. And then I busted out laughing because I started imagining proper people saying bare with me when about to do the deed.)  Moving on...

Linking up with Amanda!

What I Was Up To

Monday was the worst.  I seriously had such an awful day.  Going back after a long break is already hard but then my kids were just on my last nerve all day.  I could not get out of there soon enough.  I had won some free wings from Old Chicago for March Madness so I went up there after work for a beer & some wings.

BLOG: I recapped my entire spring break.

Tuesday I saw Flogging Molly in concert with a friend, the best friend, & the best friend's girlfriend.  I'm going to leave it at the bad was really good & I enjoyed the show.  The rest of it was not really good.  In hindsight I should have just stayed home like I debated that morning & even that afternoon.

BLOG: I had a post drafted about the songs I feel explain me as a person but I haven't finished it...

Wednesday I had the day off because of the concert the night before.  I was so grateful I had taken it off.  I slept in, headed back home, & then got some work done for grad school.  Still not nearly enough though.  I decided that I need a break from school.  I'm only going to register for one online class for the summer instead of one online & one face to face.  I'm also only going to register for two online classes for the fall instead of two face to face classes.  I am feeling so burnt out on school & I also don't feel like anything we do is actually relevant to what I want to do... I had been told before I even actually applied to grad school by someone in the field that it was unnecessary since I already had some type of degree & real world experience but I went & applied anyway.  I've made a great friend from it but I'm going to take the next semester or 2 to decide if I actually want to continue on.  

Remember that guy I cancelled on a couple of weeks ago because I was into someone else?  And then it didn't work out with that someone else?  Well the guy I cancelled on text me asking how it was going with that other guy because "it would be terrible if it turned out he wasn't that great & I had to take you out to dinner to cheer you up" I was in such a mood from the night before that when I read that I just started crying.  We have a date next week.

That night I met up with above friend from Tuesday for supper.  He's basically my saving grace when it comes to anything with the best friend.

Thursday was probably the best day of the week which really isn't saying much.  This post is way more debbie downer than I wanted it to be.  It's just been a shit show of a week & I'm in all sorts of funks with work, school, where I live vs where I want to live, my love life, & the best friend.  Anyway, Thursday wasn't bad.  I skipped class because I wanted to actually be able to get work done for it & I just wasn't feeling well.  

However, the silver lining to the day.... on a whim I agreed to go to Colorado for a few days this summer with some friends.  I haven't been to Colorado in SIX years!  Back when I first went I told myself I was going to go every other year if I could.  I also haven't really been on a vacation since 2015 when I went on a road trip with my cousin to from Houston to New Orleans, Panama City, Chattanooga, Chicago, & then Minnesota home.

BLOG: I gave an overview of where I'm at on my 3rd 101 in 1001 now that I only have a year left.

Things That Made Me Laugh

But for real though... I get more annoyed than necessary at this...They are two very different places

My brother sent me this while my parents were visiting me in Texas & he was house sitting for them

Moments I'm Grateful For

20 - A phone call from the best friend

21 - A friend being there for me when the best friend & I are at odds

22 - A random day off of work

23 - Booking a trip to Denver this summer!

State Testing Thoughts

4 hours...I can do this

The silence is kind of nice...why can't kids always be this quiet

Really? 5 minutes in & you need to use the restroom

The clock is my enemy

This wouldn't be so bad if I could read or do work

I should've brought more coffee...rookie mistake

I do not envy these kids...testing sucks

On the flip side they have something to do...I just get to quietly walk around & stare

Why do they get 4 hours for 76 questions...that just means they nap instead of testing

I really should've done my nails this weekend

1 hour down, 3 to go

Yes! Student 1 is done...hopefully the rest follow soon

2 students...this is exactly why 4 hours is unnecessary

So hungry.  Want to eat all my food

All I want to do is check my phone

Why do people only wanna talk to me when I can't check my phone

Break time!  Gonna get some break room cake!

Yikes!  They're all finishing at once!

2.5 more hours & only 10 kids still have tests...hurry you 10!

Maybe 1 of these girls will do my hair at the end

On we're halfway theeerrrreee!

2 more hours & only 5 tests left

2 hours & 2 tests...you just know there's gonna be that 1 kid that milks it to the end

Child identified..still has 1/3 of the test left

I just want to color & have someone play with my hair

Adulting is overrated

Why the hell is Jingle Bells stuck in my head?? it's only May!

The children are getting antsy...I can feel mutiny about to occur

1.5 hours left and all the kids are done

Oh good...someone volunteered to do my hair

Is it lunch time yet

Finally!  Time to go...now I just get to do this for the next 2 days...

Saturday School Thoughts

I am literally the only adult here

Did Saturday school get cancelled & no one informed me

Oh thank God another teacher

Yes!  I love that teacher!  We're in this together

Still no administrator...

Oh good we just set the alarms off & we can't get to the key pad

Soon it'll just be 2 teachers, 3 students, & the cops...

And we're in

Maybe no kids will show up for history & I can go home

1 kid...alright if I have to be here for 4 hours I better have more than 1 kid

Yay! A kid I know & love.

4 kids & only 1 came prepared...crap gotta improvise

Test!  I'll make them take last year's test!

Ugh why are state tests so long...it's too quiet!

1 hour down!

Might as well do my lesson plans while I'm here

State testing all week you say?  Movies all week I say

At least I'm getting paid today

What in the world am I going to do with these kids once they're done with the test & we've gone over it??

I a little bit hate the US History teacher right now for not leaving me the materials he said he would

Oh thank goodness 2 of them are done..good enough for me.

Game time!

1 hour left...now what...

Movie, we'll watch a movie...

PIZZA TIME!

Phew...finally I can go home...

School Time Confessions

**Knowing that I have to basically write all of the curriculum for World Geography for this year because there is none stresses me out to no end**

**I am so happy that I finally have kids & am done with all day err day staff development**

**Freshmen are SO different from seniors**


**Less of a confession, more of a request...the cheerleaders at my school are competing (well as of Monday they're the only entry but entries aren't due til Nov) in a Friday Night Lights competition.  If you could click the link & vote for them it'd be much appreciated!**

If we have enough votes, 95.9 will visit our school during our pep rally and the football game that night.  The winning school showing the most school spirit, pride, and love for 95.9 will receive a free concert (William Clark Green) and a scholarship for one senior!

Decisions Have Been Made

I haven't done this (blog about something that isn't a link or or list) in awhile so pardon me if I'm rusty...or if it gets long (I have a lot of feelings...and a lot of you haven't been around since I moved down here!)

I feel as if old chapters are ending & new chapters are beginning all over blogland lately.  Tiffany over at Figuring Out The Plot is about to end her single ladyhood & leave College Station to spend the rest of her life with The Boy From Texas.  Whitney over at I Wore Yoga Pants is about to move across the country from Florida to Colorado to be with Bear.  Rachael from The Rachael Way?  That girl didn't just move somewhere else within her state or within the country; no that girl moved across the WORLD!  She's teaching in CHINA y'all!  And now...now it's my turn.  I may not be moving for a specific job & I'm definitely not moving for a boy as I am still single as fuck...but plans are in the works for me to say goodbye to Texas.

On January 2, 2012 I packed up my car & headed south for Houston, Texas.  I was about to start 4 months of student teaching.  I was going to be moving into a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with 2 guys & 1 other girl that I had never met before.  In fact, I didn't know a soul in Houston.  I had never wanted to do my student teaching in Minnesota...I wanted to see somewhere new.  Houston wasn't exactly my first option either though.  My first option was South Africa (but money) & my second option was somewhere in Europe (but again...money).  So, Texas won.  It was also pretty much a guaranteed job offer afterwards.  To this day, that 4 month experience is probably my favorite 4 month period ever.  We took full advantage of Houston/Texas not knowing if any of us would ever return.

When I packed up my car once again at the end of April to go back to Minnesota for graduation & await job offers from all across the country I cried, a lot.  I wanted so badly to return.  I had had so much fun, made amazing friends, & for those of you that either live in or have been to Texas you know that there is just something that draws you there that cannot be explained.  I got a phone call in early June with a job offer in the same district I had done my student teaching.  I accepted.  Partly because I had had no other offers & partly because the money was good.  I hung up the phone & bawled my eyes out, again (I cry a lot y'all).  You see at that point I had decided I wanted to stay Minnesota.  It's where everything I knew & loved was.  It was home.  Plus my 2 favorite out of the 3 roommates I had wouldn't be returning to Texas.

I packed up yet again in August & moved back down to Texas.  By the end of my first year though, (we're in June of 2013 at this point if you're lost) I was in love.  Not with my job, I tried desperately to get a job at any other district in Texas, Georgia, or Tennessee, but with everything else.  I had made amazing friends, I was in love with all things Texas, & had just met Mr. Fireman who I was instantly in love with.  I didn't get a new job so I kept my apartment & headed home for most of the summer before I would eventually return to Houston to start my 2nd year.  My 2nd year was definitely different.  Still didn't like the job, still loved my friends (although 3 of them had left), & Mr. Fireman & I had a whirlwind of a year...& not a romantic whirlwind either.  At the end of year 2 though I was still convinced I was staying in Texas.  I only applied in the Dallas & Houston areas.  Mr. Fireman & I weren't on bad terms but we weren't as good as we had once been...we were on slightly awkward terms if anything.  I didn't get a new job, 2 more friends left Houston completely, & another left the district.

And now here I am.  It's the beginning of week 7 of my 3rd year & I've known since the end of week 3 that I was ready to move back to Minnesota.  It's a feeling that when I first started I never thought I'd have.  In fact I've told multiple people, numerous times, that I'd never move back to Minnesota; that I love Texas.  But the thing is, while I do love Texas, I think I more love the romantic idea of Texas, I love the people that made Texas what it is for me.  I used to question, and you guessed it cry, all the time about how does one choose between the people they love & a life they love.  It was my friends that made it a life I loved though & now they've all left.  I hardly ever do any of the things that made me fall in love with Texas in the first place anymore.  

As Kristen at See You In A Porridge so perfectly put it "...it's not choosing the country, really.  It's choosing between the people."  It's never truly been do I love Minnesota or Texas more, because they both honestly have pretty equivalent pros & cons.  It's all come down to people.  Let me first make one thing clear, my family is hands down THE most important thing to me & the friends I made in college are unlike any I've made before or since.  However, they were are an unconditional love.  I knew they'd always be there...my Texas friends may not.  As long as I lived in Texas I would always be returning to Minnesota for one reason or another but if I moved back to Minnesota would the reverse be true?  

Well, there is now exactly one person I will wholeheartedly miss in Houston & it makes me so sad to say that no amount of love on my part makes it worth it.  I am so tired of missing all of the small things, & even some of the big things, back home because I'm so far away.  I'm tired of having friends that I chose because they were there (as shitty as that sounds).  My Minnesota friends I chose because they are who I completely enjoy being around.  They're the ones that out of the hundreds of people I went to high school with, the thousands of people I went to college with, the ones I met at WeFest, the ones that despite all of my options I chose.  They get me.  My friends left here, with the exception of that one person, are people that I more made friends with because they were some of the very very few I saw on a regular basis at work & were similar in age.

In case you don't know who that one person left is, it's Mr. Fireman.  And even though we're actually on pretty damn good terms right now, it's never going anywhere that will make me happy in the long run.  He is 32 years old, we've known each other & been partaking in the "it's complicated, is what it is" relationship for close to a year & a half now, nothing is going to change.  As much as I would love for it to happen, there is no moving forward for us.  This is as far as this relationship goes & I cannot justify staying in Houston for that reason alone.

And if any of you are actually still reading this novel a)props to you...if I had any I'd give you a big ass cookie & b)I suppose you'd like to know my plan.

At the end of this school year I will be returning to Minnesota.  I will apply for teaching jobs & if I get a full time job there, will go to school part time.  If I don't get one I will go to school more full time & sub as well as bartend/serve.  I am also not going to school for anything in the education field.  I'm going to get a degree in something related to public relations with a minor in sports management.  The only thing that would stop this plan if I absolutely could not make it happen financially.  In which case...please get me a new job here damn it!

Ok done...see why I rarely do this...when I write...I write.

My Seniors Taught Me

I am officially on summer vacation!  I have officially survived 177 170 (I took 7 days off this year) with my first group of students, seniors no less.  I taught government & economics when I was technically a history emphasis in college, & received a D in the one econ class I did take.  Everyone says their first year is the hardest, I sure hope they are right.  I'm sure teaching seniors, in an inner city district, courses I didn't take a whole lot of classes for in college, didn't help either.  So is there anything I would do differently next year?  Absolutely!  These are mostly based on me staying in the same district next year but dependent on what any new district might be like I would possibly still change how I handle certain situations there as well.  These are in no particular order.

 

The Bathroom
-Students will be given 3 tickets at the beginning of the semester to use as bathroom passes.  They will have to turn them into me to go.  They can earn more throughout the semester by doing different tasks but once their tickets are gone that's it.  No more going to the restroom for you.

-Students will also have to sign in & out when going to the bathroom.  If you're gone for 10-20 minutes you're tardy...anything over 20, you're absent.

**Basically I'm sick of my door being a revolving door & kids being gone for 10+ minutes**

 

Electronics
None will be allowed, ever, for any reason.

-If I do see any form of electronics (headphones included) 1st offense it's mine until the end of the period, every consecutive offense it's going to the office & they can decide what to do from there.

**I was fairly lax on this because I really don't care if they use them during their work time.  If music helps you work better than so be it.  If you wanna waste your work time playing on your cell phone & get a 0 that's on you.  It got way out of control though**

 

Other StuffThis next year students will be in Houses...think Harry Potter...each member of the house will have a certain job.  They will work together in their teams to make sure that everyone is on task, getting work completed, & understanding what's going on.  If someone is absent, it'll be someone's job to make sure they have the assignments in the binder for when they return.  Each "house" will also earn/lose points based on how their team performs. ie. Tardies, work turned in on time, classroom behavior, etc.  Not only will this make things 100x more organized & easier for me, it also makes the kids take ownership in what they're doing & gives them more responsibility.
**Basically my room felt like an unorganized cluster fuck most of the time**

Rules.  We will spend the first week of school getting to know each other & going over rules.  I will drill it into their heads as much as I possibly can & they will get to know everyone in their class.
**Apparently taking one day to go over expectations & getting to know each other isn't enough...even for seniors...***
Most importantly though, & this wasn't something I fully understood until I was sitting in my classroom without any of my seniors, crying, that despite the insane amount of back & forth I had with them throughout the year, I deeply care about them.  It took me less than 24 hours to miss them & want them back into my classroom.

20 Things I Learned In College

I was doing my daily hourly check of Pinterest when I came across "20 Things I Learned In College...But Not In Class"  It linked me to this post.  I loved her list of 20 Things & wanted to create my own.

Mine is more of a "Dear College Self"

1. Quit your high school job & get one in your college town.  Leaving every weekend to work means less time spent with your new friends, making even more new friends, & really getting the whole "freshman experience"

2. Instead of spending your free time during the week doing absolutely nothing: study, do your homework, or join a club. 

3. You will meet tons of people in college so when you & your boyfriend break up for the first time...it should probably be the last time.

4. Rent your textbooks...but don't do anything until you know if you're actually going to be using the book.

5. As romantic & grown up it seems to move in with your boyfriend at 19 years old...don't do it...accept your new friends you made in the dorms offer to live with them.

6. Carrying the entire contents of your trunk into your apartment in one trip IS possible & it will be the greatest tip you take away from college.

7. Rate My Professor will be your best friend.

8. That boy that you'll fall for your junior year & end up liking until past college...just tell him right away.

9. When someone suggests going to a party, a game, downtown, or anything really...DO IT.  You'll have plenty of time to just sit around at home when you have a "grown-up" job.

10. The friends you make freshman year will wind up being some of the most important people in your life.

11. If there's a club you want to join...do it.  You're going to regret not doing it later & think of the friends you could make.

12. Take advantage of the dining hall as much as possible freshman year.  You may think it's kinda crappy but you're going to spend the remaining 4 years wishing you had a pass to eat there because you miss the food.

13. Make an attempt to be more social...talk to people in class!  The more friends the better!

14. Study abroad.  Not doing so will be one of your greatest regrets in life.

15. APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS...ALL OF THEM.  That way you won't be 80K in debt later.

16. Go on dates...even with people who you may not think are your type.

17. Just because it's easy...don't eat so much ramen & other crap.  You'll thank yourself later.

18. Take advantage of the fitness center & workout class...you'll thank yourself for that too.

19. Work is important...but events like move in weekend, homecoming, & Halloween are more important during college.  Take those events off.

20. Your freshman neighbor who is a borderline alcoholic but a hell of a time will be the first one to become a mom a few years later...& she'll be great at it.

San Diego? Me?

Yesterday I had a recruiter for the Marines come and speak to my classes.  By about 3rd period he seriously had me almost convinced to join.  The Air Force or Air Guard is something I seriously considered this past summer.  If I didn't get a teaching job that was my plan because there was no way I could keep working a part time job.  The recruiter & I were talking after my classes and he gave me a form to fill out.  It's some educators workshop where I would basically learn what the students go through during boot camp I believe.  It's not a for sure because there is some sort of selection process but if I'm selected I would get to go to San Diego in July...FOR FREE!  They pay for airfare, food, & hotel.  The only thing I would have to pay for is anything I choose to buy as a souvenir.  Well, & I'd have to pay for gas because they fly out of Houston & come July I'll be back in MN.  But are you kidding me?  All I have to pay for is gas & I get to go to San Diego for free?  I am really hoping I get picked to go.

Off topic, earlier I posted about how I am giving up fast food for the month of December.  Confession: I ate a happy meal from McDonalds on the 2nd.  In my defense I didn't decide to do the challenge until the next day.  I went to McDonalds Monday AND Tuesday.  I did not fall off the wagon though!  On Monday I went through the drive through & got 2 large diet cokes, 4 large fries, & a hot and spicy...I was the only one in the car ha.  Not a single thing was for me.  I got some food for a couple teachers & some students who were staying after school.  Then on Tuesday I went back once again so I could pick up 2 large diet cokes, 1 large powerade, 2 McDoubles, 2 hot & spicys, 2 large fries, & a 20 piece chicken nugget for another teacher who was buying for a couple teachers & students.  Luckily I wasn't alone in the car that time ha.  I was so proud of myself for not getting or eating any of it.  (Even after I knew there would be extra nuggets & considered it.)  Then this morning I even turned a teacher down when she asked if I wanted her to get me breakfast from McDonalds.  I was seriously craving Whataburger breakfast today during school though.  Can December just end already?!

The Future of America

Ladies & gentleman I give you actual instructions & actual questions asked by my students today.  This isn't even close to all of them but I assure you the rest aren't any brighter.

1. Open a word document. 

2. Answer the following three questions:
1. Do you consider yourself conservative, liberal, or moderate. (WHAT DO THESE MEAN? ... we spent all class period yesterday on it)2. List 3 of your political hot button issues (areas/topics you care most about) (what is hot button? ... I explained it right behind the word)3. Why are they "hot" for you (why are they important)

3. Choose 3 of the following political ideology tests to take: (what quizzes?! how many do we have to take?! ... 3 OF THE FOLLOWING!)Pew Research Center http://www.people-press.org/typology/quiz/?sr...
The Nolan Chart http://www.nolanchart.com/survey.php
Ideology Selector http://selectsmart.com/FREE/select.php?client...
The World’s Smallest Political Quiz http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz
How liberal or conservative are you http://www.blogthings.com/howliberalorconserv...
Political Ideology Quiz
http://quizfarm.com/quizzes/new/samuelrutledg...

4. For each of the 3 quizzes you take answer the following questions: (Wait so what do we write for each of the quizzes ... see below)1. Name of the quiz (the name of the quiz or the name of the website... NAME OF THE QUIZ)2. What were your results (does it pick my results for me?? ... no I'm having you take these quizzes just so you can pick at the end)3. How accurate do you think the test was? Explain.

5. After you finish all 3 quizzes answer the following:
1. Which quiz was the most accurate? Explain.
2. Which quiz was the least accurate? Explain.
3. What did you learn about yourself from taking these quizzes.

6. Save all responses to the word document & then submit by the end of the period. (How do I submit it!? ... the same way we submitted the rest...the big TURN IT IN BUTTON)

This is only my government classes.  I had the same simple instructions for my economics classes...their questions were just as bad ie. What's an excel spreadsheet? Where do I put the dates (it said put the date in the start & end boxes) 

North Texas

that's where I want to move to.  This week anyway.  Last week it was the Austin area.  Who knows where it'll be next week.  All I know is I don't really like it here.  I'd say I don't absolutely hate it but that's only because I love my friends.  I'll miss them.  But I also miss the people I left back home.  I hate that it's 6 weeks into the school year & I'm already trying to find new places to go.

The Day From Hell

I woke up sick: sore throat & all.
I tried to stop at a gas station to buy cough drops to make it through the day, it wasn't open.
My car wouldn't start.
I forgot to put on deodorant.
One of my students got accused of stealing a wallet by another teacher.
Pretty sure I annoyed my AP.
I had to put scented anti-bacterial on my pits at lunch (see above)
I basically laughed as another teacher asked me one of my students' names so he could write him up. (The laugh was unrelated I was just laughing as I answered my door.) Pretty sure he wasn't amused.
My car wouldn't start.
AAA had to jump it in the pouring rain.
I had to buy a new battery.
Batteries Plus almost wouldn't put it in because it was raining.
Grades are due tomorrow & I have 2 classes worth of work to grade.
I still feel like shit.

Goodbye August! Hello September!

It is officially September.  I can't believe how fast August went.  I've been in my apartment for almost a month now & go figure I still don't have everything unpacked.  In my defense it's because I can't afford furniture right now to put everything away.

August was quite the month, I went to WeFest, which apparently I never blogged about??  I had the time of my life.  It is my absolute favorite thing about summer.  *Note to self, try to remember to blog about it*  I also made the move down to Texas once again.  It has been insanely hot down here.  Some days it's even too hot for me & I love the heat.  The school year started & I sat through 2 weeks worth of staff development which was surprisingly exhausting considering I just sat around all day.  I just finished my first week of actual class yesterday.  It had it's ups & downs.  I'm already behind on grading, I have a class that won't shut up, I also need to start planning on more to fill the class period.  It does seem like the kids have been learning though and most of my classes are well behaved.

So far there isn't a ton planned for September.  A lot of class, a couple staff development days, along with occasional meetings during the week.  I'm sure we'll find something fun to do most weekends if not all of them.  I would really like to go see Eric Church on the 21 but there's the whole I'm still kind of poor & it may very well be sold out already.  My very first 101 in 1001 challenge, which I started back on Jan 1, 2012, comes to an end at the end of the month & my new one begins.  I am so excited to start my new one.  I've basically thrown in the towel on my old one.  I am also going to start a monthly photo challenge this month.

September's must take photos: Football game, Tailgate party, Fishing, Sweaters, Apple-Picking, Fresh Cookies, Leaves, Grandparents, School Bus, Car Ride.

Back To School

I love back to school season.  I have since I first started Pre-School back in 1993.  Flash forward nearly 2 decades later to where I'm about to start my first year of teaching, that love hasn't changed.  I totally geeked out in both the Target & Walmart back to school sections.  Luckily I managed to not buy a whole lot, only because I'm broke & hadn't gotten paid yet.

I did however pick up stickers, a dictionary, & a tin for pens/pencils.  I also, picked up & put down a grade book about a half a dozen times.

I also got a brand new planner because I am OBSESSED!  The best part?  It's August-July which is exactly what I've been looking for for awhile forever.

Fourth Times The Charm?

Back in December I took four tests I needed to pass in order to obtain my MN teaching license.  I passed 2 failed 2.

In March I re-took the 2 I failed while down in Texas.  I failed both.

In May I once again re-took them once I got back to Minnesota.  I passed one failed one.

I just finished re-taking the one that I failed about an hour ago.  Here's to hoping that the fourth time is the charm.

The only consolation I have to this is:
a) I'm not alone, in fact I'm very much in good company with nearly everyone that I graduated with in having to re-take them multiple times.
b) I can still get a teaching license for a year but cannot re-new it for a 5 year until I pass all 4 tests.

The Road Trip Home & What's Happened Since

I'm such a shitty blogger.  I think about blogging fairly often but I just don't do it.  So what have I been up to in the past 2 months since I last posted?  A lot and nothing all at the same time.  Let's see, for starters I had an amazing road trip home with my favorite cousin.

Friday 4/27 She flew down to Houston where we two-stepped the night away & I temporarily lost my cell phone in a cemetery.  The phone was just ready to die and apparently wanted to be left behind in a National Cemetery.

Saturday 4/28 We left early in the morning for our adventure.  (Excuse the lack of pictures...I'll make a video)  First stop: New Orleans.  We took the very long, & very scenic route.  We turned a 5 hour freeway drive into something like a 12 hour bayou back roads drive.  I loved every second of it though.  We drove along the Gulf of Mexico where we of course got out to take some pictures.  There never being a dull moment I got my car stuck in the sand while we were trying to leave & she had to get out and push the car while I steered us out.
...Perhaps I should back-up a couple of hours...
We made it approximately one hour away from my apartment when I was pulled over by a Texas State Patrol.  It went something like this...
*See a state patrol standing OUTSIDE of his car WITHOUT a speed gun*
Me: What's he going to do?  Look at a car & think oh they look like their speeding, better get BACK in my car & go after them?
...Well that is EXACTLY what he did.  I didn't realize just how far over I was going btw...I thought the speed limit was 75 not 65...So he turns on his lights & I pull to the side of the road.
Cop: Ma'am pull the car over
Me: How far does he want me to pull over?!
...He then comes up to the passenger side of the car hand on his gun...because I look REAALL terrifying. He then proceeded to talk about the WI governor, asked me to step out of the car while we chatted about what I was doing in TX & why I was leaving, and let me off with a warning but not before we straightened out who the MN & TX governors were.
Anywho, so we finally arrived in New Orleans late at night after being pulled over (fail), getting stuck in the sand (fail), getting stuck in the sand (fail), & seeing 0 alligators (fail). We walked around the French Quarter, saw Bourbon Street, & ate at Cafe Du Monde before heading back to our hotel & calling it a night.

Sunday 4/29 Knowing we had another long back road drive ahead of us we headed out early again.  Destination: Nashville.  We drove along the coast into Mississippi & then up through the state into Alabama.  Realizing that we still had a long drive ahead of us & there were things we wanted to see (The Chattahoochee, Rome GA, & a cave outside of Chattanooga) we decided to take the freeway for awhile.  We took the freeway all the way through the rest of Alabama & into Georgia where our first stop was the Chattahoochee River.  We needed to see for ourselves if in fact Alan Jackson was right about it being hotter than a hoochie coochie.  Right he was at a humid 90 some degrees.  Our stay at the river didn't last long because we still had a lot of ground to cover if we wanted to make it to that cave in time.  Long story short...we skipped Rome & still didn't make it to the caves in time.  We finally made it to Chattanooga real late at night where we sat for no lie, an hour, in stand still traffic due to construction.  I'm sure the Great Smokey Mountains are gorgeous but due to it being somewhere around 11-midnight...we couldn't really tell as we drove through them to Nashville.  We got to the hotel and crashed.  OH!  Dead Dilla game.  During day 2 drive we noticed that there were a lot, & I mean A LOT, of dead armadillos on the side of the road.  We decided to turn it into a game with points & everything (who calls it first...loss of points if you're wrong...etc) of course by the time we made the rules they all disappeared, but now we know for next time.

Monday 4/30  There was really only one thing I absolutely HAD to see in Nashville so we drove to the Grand Ole Opry, took a picture, got in trouble for driving/parking somewhere we shouldn't due to that's where the musicians are (fail), and then headed out of town.  There was nothing that either of us really wanted to see in Kentucky or Indiana (we were headed to Chicago) so we agreed that we'd had enough back roads for awhile & freeway-ed it the whole way there.  We did make one pit stop at Mammoth Cave National Park.  We had missed the tour and didn't have time to wait around for the next one so we headed as far into the cave by ourselves as they would let us.  It wasn't far but it was sufficient.  When we got to Chicago it was cold & rainy.  So much for the nice warm & sunny weather I had left behind me in Texas.  We walked around downtown, saw the bean, went to Navy Pier, at real Chicago style pizza from Giordanos (or something like that...it's famous I guess ha), & then went back to our 1970s inspired hotel.  While at the Pier we rode the giant ferris wheel and attempted to take some skyline pictures.

Tuesday 5/1 The day we headed home.  I really wanted to see Wrigley Field so before leaving we headed over there so I could take some pictures.  It was the point in the trip where you've had a lot of fun, you're still having fun, but you also just want to be home.  I was ready to be home again for the first time in 4 months but I also didn't want the trip to end.  We took the freeways again through Wisconsin and into Minnesota.  There were no real stops except for the normal road trip stops this time.  We both agreed that Wisconsin is gorgeous and at times forgot that we were in WI not MN.  They are an awful lot alike after all.

...Not much has really happened since.  I graduated college on May 5, had my grad party May 12, and have been working 25-40 hours a week since.  I did recently have my 5 year reunion and managed to make it to a single Twins game.  After applying to well over 70 school districts I finally got a job offer back down in Texas.  So in just 7 short weeks I'll be headed back down there, this time it'll be for a lot longer than 4 months though...

**If you read all of this give yourself a pat on the back**

A New Record?

I haven't blogged in over 2 months!  Student teaching has really kept me busy.  I don't exactly have time right now to blog either as I need to bring my roommate to the airport soon.  I just figured I'd check in real quick while I'm waiting for him to pack up.  I promise to have updates of my time down here in TX.  I'm trying to do it in video form so it may take a little while.

As of today I have exactly one week left.  I'm feel extremely conflicted.  Even more so than when I left to come down here almost 4 months ago.  My emotions are definitely running high.  My cooperating teacher's baby is sick so since he's staying home I got the day off.  I'm getting next Tue off too because of state testing.  Since 2 of my roommates are at school & the other is about to fly off to Denver for an interview I'm going to take advantage of some alone time with my camera & head down to Kemah.  I haven't been there yet & I have a student that keeps telling me to go.  I'm thinking San Antonio next Tue since all 3 of the roommates will have school.  Packing & cleaning have definitely been put on the back burner...