Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Waiting sucks.

I'm sitting here at the kitchen table waiting for the yard man to show up ... just like I've been waiting for him to show up since last Wednesday. Only today, the yard man is different than the one who kept me waiting a week.

Our front yard is a jungle, and the backyard isn't far behind. I swear, it's absolutely terrible. I don't know much about lawnmowing, but I imagine the new guy would have best luck taking a machete to the stuff.

Our fridge is also out again. The appliance people came last week and said they fixed it, but they didn't. It's very strange because it works for about 2 hours every day, then doesn't the other 22.

Between heaters and air conditioners (okay, same unit, but you get it) and refrigerators and lawns, I'm worn out. I suppose this is the double-edged sword of renting. You don't have to pay when things break, but you do have to deal with a lot of piss-poor maintenance.

I'm still training like a madwoman. I've finished CScope, am halfway through GT, have ESL tomorrow through Friday, and will hopefully finish up my CDL next Monday and Tuesday. Then my first official day is next Wednesday!

Where does the time go?! It seems like yesterday that I received the call I was hired. I've crammed so much into these past two months, I think that could be the reason time feels like it just flew out the window.

Mini-vacation with Alex and his mom to Dallas and Austin, Summer I (still maintaining that 4.0, by the way!), Summer Planning Academy, Volleyball Camp, trip to Carlsbad for July 4th, visit from Alex's dad, and now training, training, training.

It's always funny to me when people say teachers have it "so easy." Sure, the schedule is nice with the breaks and everything, but teaching is not easy ... and once school is out, we are definitely not done. Summers are jam-packed! For new teachers like myself, anyway.

I'll tell you one thing I'm really excited about ... setting up my classroom. I really can't wait. I know that sounds like the dorkiest, most nerd-brained thing for me to say, but it's true. I'll have to take pictures.

Anyone who knows anything about me realizes that I won't be one of those teachers who does nothing fun with the room. I think the classroom sets the tone for the class. It needs to be safe place, and I intend on making it very comfortable and inviting.

I'm a very lucky girl in that I have amazing resources for free posters (Norbert) and anything else creative I might need (mom). I've already decided on what to put on the walls (not typical teacher stuff, for the most part), I just need to know the sizes. For that, I'll have to see the room first.

Usually, I think most teachers already know their room assignments by now, but we aren't able to get into the school at all this summer (well, until August 1st, I believe). They're doing a lot of updates like lighting and bathrooms and such. I'm definitely not complaining.

And, seriously ... where the heck is this lawn guy?! I hate it when people are late for business appointments. (And, yes, I do believe it's an appointment ... it's his way of earning money.) Maybe I'm just paranoid that he's going to stand us up, too. Ugh, we just need to bite the bullet and buy our own gear.

Oops!! And there he is! JOY!!!

Saturday, July 17, 2010

The coolest.

Get this!

Using a few songs by Death Cab For Cutie, Dave Matthews, AND Counting Crows as teaching examples of figurative language has been APPROVED!!!

How freakin' cool is that?!

Best part of all: Anna Begins is one of the approved Counting Crows songs I will study with my classes.

Giddiness.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Vile little things.

Seriously ... I've never seen (and been regularly bitten by) so many mosquitoes in my life!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Geez, Louise!

I'm drowning in training!

This week alone I have training for CScope (a lesson organization computer thingy - very techincal), Gifted and Talented (to teach AP classes), and CDL classroom (for driving the Yellow Dog to away games).

Not that I'm complaining ... at least I have a job!

It's all just a little overwhelming when all of the training runs on top of one another. I'll be ready for school to start, if for nothing else, to know I have completed all of this extra stuff.

(Uh, and yeah ... I did say that I will be DRIVING the school bus. Whaaaaaaa ...?!)

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Myers-Briggs Personality Test

I'm currently training to work with GT students (gifted and talented), and during my training, I have come across (or, rather ... rediscovered) some interesting things.

The Myers-Briggs Personality Test is one of the most interesting (and revealing) tests I have ever taken. I actually took it about 6 years ago in one of my college classes, and retook it again this morning. I am still the same personality type: INFJ.

The Counselor
: (Introverted, INtuitive, Feeling, Judging)

Apparently, my personality type is only prevalent in a little over 1% of the population. No wonder people think I'm so strange! Ha.

Descriptions on my type found here: Keirsey's Description and Typelogic's Description.

TAKE YOUR OWN TEST ... CLICK HERE!

It's free and incredibly interesting.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Since when do I have a bad ankle?

I am SO TIRED!

We went to Carlsbad for the 4th with Alex's family (dad's side) and stayed up late every night chatting without sleeping in the next morning(s).

Then we had to leave last night while everyone was loading up on the ferry for fireworks to get back to Lubbock so that I could be at volleyball camp bright and early this morning.

Coaching is definitely different from playing; however, when you are teaching skills to kids, demonstration (and a whole lot of it) is a must.

I hate to admit it, but I'm really feeling my age this evening.

(Granted, I'm nowhere near "old," but still ...)

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Sap-filled moment.

This morning I have been doing a bit of gardening and general tidying while listening to Journey's Greatest Hits. (Product of the 80's ... what are you gonna do?)

It is amazing to me that no matter how many times I have heard the song, Faithfully, I STILL get huge goosebumps every, single time I hear the line:

"I get the joy of rediscovering you ..."