3 Days Weekends

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my job. My sixth graders are perfect angels (most of the time...). But I am super excited about my 3 3-day weekends coming up. Well only one is a true 3-day weekend, the others are teacher inservice, but still it's a nice break. Right now we are doing a short unit on physics... Force, accerleration, etc. I'm trying to tie this concepts in with the State Fair, should be fun.

Science Class Pictures

I am loving my classes! Everything is perfect : ) Here are some pictures from the first week.

Before I handed out the syllabus, I ask everyone to write one topic they'd like to study this year on a post it note and stick it on the front board. Then we discussed them, most of what they put we are going to cover, or simple questions I could answer off the top of my head. One person asked how many heartbeats are in a minute, I taught them how to figure out their own heart rate. Lots of people wanted to dissect stuff; I don't think I'm ready for that.


I had everyone draw there name and something science-y for the wall. It's mostly volcanoes and planets, but some are super cute and creative.


These are my class rules. Maybe I should have written "Rules" at the top...


This is the vocab board and the current event board. Every other week or so we are going to read and discuss a science related current event. We already did one. I think everyone enjoyed it. So

Running on Empty

The new job is great! love it so far... haven't seen a sixth grader yet though... But I'm really enjoying all the people and planning. Everything is perfect. I have tons of fun ideas for projects and activities. Please share some with me! I need all the help I can get. Check this guy out http://mrwilliams6thgradescience.blogspot.com

I'm not really used to getting up early, so I'm definately still adjusting, and it's not that I'm not getting enough sleep. I sleep all the time, sleep is my best friends, but my body has never seen 5:30 am and doesn't really like it. Plus somehow I'm working 19 days straight (with only 5 days off in the month on August) so I'm definately running on empty. But I'm getting tons done and hopefully will have a head start on the school year. Some new teachers just started their scope and sequence today. Classes start in one week!

This weekend was busy, busy, of course. I worked Saturday and Sunday, trying to pay a few bills until I get my first paycheck at the new job. Amanda and I put together the Save the Dates on Saturday, it took forever, much longer than expected. But they looked great! Absolutely perfect! I just need a few more address and they'll be out this week. Next on the list: Caterer, Cake, Dress and Minister. Have you been to the wedding blog yet? http://lovedenwedding.blogspot.com

I passed my content test, Generalist 4-8. I think I got like 95% or something on it. Now I just need to apply for my certification (and pay) and get my finger printing done (and pay for that too). This alternative certification is costing me a small fortune. I thought it would be cheaper than UNT but not so much... Oh well.

Finish Line? or deadline...

My job search is an emotional roller coaster. Many many highs and lows and one very quickly approaching deadline. I think most schools are starting the last week of August. New teachers probably start in-service two weeks before the first day of school, so I need to get hired by... ummm... Monday? Not looking good. I've had four interviews at four high schools, and one more scheduled. I've also got a few other prospects in the works, but again nothing serious seems to be happening. I cannot takes the ups and downs of this process, maybe I'm just way too emotionally invested, but I get incredibly excited when I schedule an interview. My mind starts wondering... where should we move if I take get this job, when do I need to put in my notice at my job, when will I get my first check, how much will it be... all very exciting, then I don't get it, sad day.

My dogs have a new friend... a cat that loves to hang out in my front yard. She's a cute gray cat with green eyes. She seems pretty nice and not scared, obviously if she's brave enough to hang out around those two idiots. The problem is they LOVE to bark at her through the window when she's out there, which is a lot of the time, and its getting old, fast. They are also still into digging in the trash. Ridiculous, but I guess it's better than chewing on shoes or the furniture, or the sheet rock. They're pretty good boys.

Wedding planning as hit another wall... We book the DJ... and that's it. Next on the list: (1) Reserve a block of rooms, I've already decided where I really just need to call. (2) Order and send out Save the Dates. (3) Find a place for the rehearsal dinner, probably decided just need to stop looking for some magical better cheaper place. (4) Dress shopping! but probably not until I've got a job lined up...

Running is not happening, ever. It's way too hot. It's even too hot at the gym. And I seem to be too stressed out for yoga. I can't imagine staying in one place for an hour, too busy.

Starting Training, Again

The goal of this blog was to write about the general happenings of my life, including training for a marathon. If you've been reading, you've probably noticed I never mention running. This is because I hadn't had a good run in about 6 weeks. Maybe I ran Rascal around the block a few times but nothing marathon worthy. Well I'm officially re-starting my training, I've got a little more energy and momentum lately, a few job leads (nothing serious), and some progress in the wedding planning (again nothing serious), but the balls are rolling. So I'm super inspired! I really want to be in shape for wedding dress shopping in about a month and I do really want to run this marathon in December, though I am considering pushing it back to the February one, and forcing my bridesmaids to run as part of Bachelorette party celebrations. Would that make me a Bridezilla? Of course they wouldn't have to run the Marathon, there are shorter races... Ugh, I am running into one problem with my plan, these bigger events are starting to get so big that they are splitting them into two days, short races on Saturday and long races on Sunday, lame... doubtful I can convince people to run a half marathon or more just to support me.

So I ran two pathetic miles on Tuesday. Actually not too bad, 23:51... okay it's bad, and it was hard. Then I ran another two miles yesterday. So I'm feeling good. Now I just have to gradually add miles until I get to 26.2. Keep in mind me about six months ago would not have considered a two mile run worth going to the gym. (in February, I ran my Half Marathon in 2:46:04, this is averaging 12:41/mile)

Also, I'm really into cleaning right now. Anyone who's ever been to our house knows Matt and I do not care about neatness. I mean, we care, but not enough to exert extra energy to make it happen. Plus constant losing the dog hair battle makes me want to surrender all together. Dog hair is my whole life and I'm acclimated to it, does not bother me at all. But I'm feeling the urge to clean. The idea that we may move if I find a job is motivation, eventually I'm going to have to clean this place, might as well be now so I can enjoy it... There really isn't a prospect of moving, just a thought.

80,000 miles

My Saturn's odometer rolled over to 80,000 miles today on my way home from my Grama's birthday breakfast. We've been through a lot together, I'd guess about 700 trips to Denton, 1 very long trip to Florida, another trip to Missouri, and many many trips to Fort Worth. When I bought her she had only had 17 miles on her. She's been a great car for me. No real problems, except blowing through tires. I really need her to keep up this good behavior for another at least another 20,000. Keep your fingers crossed.

Energy

Yesterday I put some positive energy out into the universe (after Matthew pointed out, yet I again, I was being super negative). So I completed and updated a few applications, e-mailed some principles and was feeling pretty good about it. I also discovered I can do part of my online training, without doing anything, just pressing play every few hours. Is that cheating? So I'm feeling really good, motivated, positive, great...

Matt and I saw Eclipse, loved it : ) I think Bella got hotter. Everyone else got less extreme, Edwards - not such a creeper, Jacob - not as big/ridiculous, Emmet - also not as big as I remember, Alice - not so weird... you get the idea. It's like Friends, in the first few seasons everyone was really weird and different, then they tone it down later. The theater was still packed! and this was 3:30 on a Tuesday afternoon. We actually moved seats because this annoying group of kids sat behind us. (but really its standard practice for us to move seats because people annoy us, either by talking, or sitting unnecessarily close, or sitting right in front of you so you can't put your feet up... I hate people...) Overall a great experience though. Glad I got to see it with Matthew. Still very much TEAM JACOB!... though I have a feeling that's not going to work out.

During the movie, due to all the positive energy I put out there : ) I get a phone call for a pre-screen phone interview. So exciting!! Not for the job I've been hoping for, but I'm getting desperate, and upon further investigation, it seems like a great job at a great company. Hopefully I'll get a real interview in the next week or so.

Then, Ugh, I'm driving to work and I get pulled over by a motorcycle cop who saw my registration tag is expired. I tell him I have renewed it, I just never got the new tag. He can't look it up because motorcycle cops don't have computers, and he gives me the ticket anyway. Fine. Then I call the registration people, they look up my account and tell me I never renewed it and I should check my credit card statement to make sure I actually paid for it, sometimes it get rejected for various reasons. How am I supposed to check a bank statement from 9 months ago... so annoying, what to do now. I KNOW I paid for it back in November. I'm always so on top of these kinds of things. I remember asking my dad if he'd seen it in the mail.

The dogs have discovered they can pretty easily get the lid off the trash can and dig stuff out of the trash. I've had this trash can and these dogs for almost two years with no problem until the last few weeks. Whats the deal? I've never been a fan of trash can in the pantry, but I guess that's whats next. At least Rascal is eating again. I think the antibiotics they are on are giving him an upset tummy. I skipped his morning dose and he cleaned his bowl tonight. Freckles always cleans his bowl, and Rascal's too if he get a chance.

Happy Birthday Gramma!!

Gaining Ground

At the eye doctor with Matthew, he hates it so much, so weird. There is this super type A mom here with her three teenage-ish children. She's made me realize I need to tone down my type A-ness so I'm not sitting in some waiting room in 20 years micromanaging every aspect of my almost adult children's lives. Yikes!

I got to leave work early today, a much needed break, hopefully I'll get to catch up on a few things. I'm feeling overwhelmed by my ever growing to do list. But I'll probably just hang out with Matthew and see Eclipse, finally.

Nothing else new to report really. Still job hunting. Still waiting on my sample save the dates to come in. Still trying to get the hotel
organized.

Check out the wedding blog, I'm doing this instead of The Knot. Not much on there yet but more coming soon : )
lovedenwedding.blogspot.com

Rain and Pain

For the past 36 hours I've had the worst headache ever. I tried a million things... meds, water, caffeine, beer, sleep... nothing helped. I've finally found some relief through keeping myself distracted and sinus pressure meds. I think I irritated my sinuses by dusting... I'm also working 11 days in a row, tying not to complain because I could use the overtime pay and I have two long weekends on either side of the stretch. Work has been emotional lately. We've had some really sad cases and I'm always glad to come home to my happy healthy puppies, even if they are trouble makers. I'm also struggling with the fact that I may not find a teaching job this year, and my plan to "stick it out" until August is turning into "stick it out" for another year, no thank you.

My save the date project is in full swing. I even created a wedding blog lovedenwedding.blogspot.com to put on the announcements so friends and family can find out all about wedding stuff, registry, etc.

Going to see Eclipse tonight! super exited! hope there aren't a million stupid little girls running around.

Flying Colors

I passed my test!! Yay!! interesting facts about it...

• I got 251 out of 300 (240 is passing, so not exactly flying colors... but its really a pass/no pass kinda deal, no one checks the scores)
• I got perfect scores in "Cell Structures & Processes" (duh), and "Science Learning, Instruction & Assessment".
• I got nearly perfect scores in "Diversity of Life" and "Heredity & Evolution of Life".
• I bombed "Earth's History, Structure & Function" and "Life & Environmental Systems".
• Medium-ish in Physics and Chemistry (surprising since I have a Chem minor...) But oh well! I passed!

In other much less exciting news, both of my dogs have staph skin infections, keep your finger crossed its not MRSA. It's going around... They don't really seem to know/care that they have it, other than the occasional scratchiness. It's mostly upsetting for me since we are in constant contact all the time, the big one loves sleeping on my pillow. They just got sad cold medicated baths in the back yard, so they are mad at me.

Today I was feeling so great about my job (this was pre-test scores)... then it all came crashing down with one bad cat. These cats are really getting on my last nerve. We had a really sweet one last week and I was starting to come around but no... I'm not good at dealing with them, I have a panic attack and can't do my job, not good.

That's pretty much it... I'm working EVERYDAY until Lindsay and Ricky's wedding. Lame.

Inspiration to Exhaustion

This weekend was John & Kim's wedding. So beautiful and fun, but also exhausting. The church ceremony was really well done, I really liked the minister, and it wasn't too churchy. It makes me want a little bit of churchyness, it was very well done. I got lots of great ideas and inspiration for our reception also. The save the date project is in full swing, ahead of schedule, too.

The puppies are being particularly annoying today, probably from having a boring weekend at home alone. They've been digging in the trash, barking at the window, wrestling and Rascal even tried to chew on my The Knot magazine. They're usually not this bad.

I took my test this morning. Not feeling good about it at all. So much physics and ecology, gross. I've lost all momentum for finding a job, I'm feeling so discouraged. It's almost July and still nothing. What am I going to do if I don't find a teaching job for this year? It's all way too stressful, so stressful I'm starting to shut down.

Time to clean my house... Ugh...

Cake Walk

Sometimes I make cakes... my skill set is so random...

Maids for Miles

Bridesmaids that is... I got to see many of my beautiful bridesmaids this weekend and I really enjoyed it, especially Lindsay and Amanda, since I never get to see them. Congrats again Lindsay! I'm so excited for you!! I probably have too many bridesmaids (7) for the size of the wedding... Not sure where exactly they're all going to stand. But that's okay : ) I love them all so much!! Matt would have even more groomsmen if I would let him, he loves everyone. Now the big question: pink dresses or silver (pewter) or black or some combo? I want pink but I don't want the whole event to turn into pink overload. Here's the venue www.thefilterbuilding.com. We are having the ceremony on the patio overlooking the lake.

Nothing else to report really... Still job hunting, my test is next Monday. Still need to take my save the date picks and set up the hotel. Still haven't made it to the gym.

Dragging Behind

I had the last two days off, with hopes of

1. getting a job
2. checking at least one thing off the "I Do" to do list

in 48 hours... obviously some big goals, but I was feeling brave.

So yesterday I went into work for a few hours to cover a scheduling mishap, go into overtime and earn some credit with the new manager since raises are coming up (maybe...). Then lunch with the future in-laws, took them to the venue (hope they like it), visited a hotel - not the hotel we're using so that was disappointing, Matt got a hair cut, but we didn't have time to take the save the date picks, then early dinner with the Matt's family, then late dinner with my grandparents, then bed...

Today I am seriously dragging behind. Feeling bad that I didn't get to check something off the list, though maybe a half check for hotel since we picked one by process of elimination, I just need to get everything arranged. Mowed the yard, and got a little sunburned, but I feel good about it. Then I did the worst thing I could possibly do: Take A Nap! This ruins my day, I don't know why I continue to do this to myself. The bed is so alluring, "I'll just sleep for 30 min... 45... 1 hour... 2 hours..." 3 hours later I feel like crap and want nothing more than to sleep until tomorrow morning. Why am I so grumpy after a nap?

I did manage to eventually salvage the rest of my day. I went to Target : ) and I finished my application for THE DISTRICT I really want to teach in. I'm feeling much more at ease knowing I don't have to pass my test because of my degree I can still teach Life Sciences 8-12... not really sure what qualifies as "life science" but still very exciting.

I haven't even thought about having time to run, maybe I can squeeze in a 5 (or 7) mile run on Sunday, but with the festivities planned for Saturday night I really doubt it. I think mowing the yard can count as I work out, its a pretty big yard.

Next on the lists:

• Arrange a block of rooms at the hotel (GOAL: have save the dates in the mail on July 12)
  
• Put together a portfolio, and start making the round to meet principles (GOAL: meet/drop off portfolios for all the HS principles in 3 districts by the end of June?)
  

Running in Circles

I'm trying to convince Matthew that I should quite my job for the summer. It's not going well... Maybe I can convince someone to sponsor my summer :) it'd only take like $2000... I have so so so much that I need to get done (most importantly find a job) in the next two months and no time to do it. Working is just a waste of time, it's distracting me from reaching my goals, it's not like I make that much money anyway. I do like my job, most of the time. If there were any money to be made there I would stay forever. I feel over qualified most of the time, esp when I get my pay check... But it's challenging sometimes too, because I don't know everything/anything.

I started working there because I thought I loved dogs, but I learned I really just love my dogs, other peoples dogs are annoying (with a few exceptions). And don't even get me started on cats. Here's Freckles and Rascal.


Filling out teaching applications takes FOREVER, at least 2 hours per application, its exhausting. Plus now I need to put together a portfolio for interviews. And I need to study for my test, and I need to finish my online classes.

I spot edged the front yard yesterday. It was getting ridiculous, but it takes about 2 hours to mow, who has time for that? and I'm not quite ready to commit money to a lawn service. I'm sure the neighbors hate us, oh well, we wont live here forever.

I'm off the next two days, not my usual days off so I don't get to see Matthew, but hopefully I can get a lot done.

Chasing Sushi

I have been on the biggest Sushi kick lately. Delicious... I've had it 3 of the last 4 days and I'm hoping we can find someone to go a a double sushi date with us tonight. My fav is Philly Rolls but it's all good. Not sure how healthy it really is, especially since it takes so much to fill you up.

I never got around to that 5 mile run. I tried to do it yesterday but I wasn't feeling it. I ended up only doing 3 miles. I was super emotional and kept reacting to every song on my iPod. Sad songs made me sad, angry songs angry... Weird. And I CANNOT run with out music. Maybe I'll have better luck next time.

Yesterday was definatley a marathon day... wake up, kennel duty (which took way too long), gym, work (super busy since summer started) father's day celebration, bed.

Next item on the wedding to do list: get Matt to get a hair cut.

Mile a minute

Hello, Ricky has inspired me to start a blog. Will anyone read it? Will I want to write if no one reads?

I've been wanting to blog for a while, since I started training for a half marathon, which I ran successfully : ) in Feb. Also I don't want to be one of those people who bombard facebook with their every waking thought, so annoying...

Like the title suggests my mind runs a mile a minute. Matt gets frustrated with me because I will say things seemingly randomly.

The main topics I want to write about are...
• my wedding (our wedding) plans, which are going well, I guess. I have so so much to do but plenty of time, I hope. I'm having trouble finding motivation to do boring tasks, find a hotel, etc. But lots of energy for creative aspects, I suppose everyone feels that way. I'm working on save the dates now... which I can't send out until I find a hotel. You see the problem.
• career starting. Super scary... Just graduated and I'm making a mad dash to complete my teaching certifcation and find a job for the fall. I'm taking my content (Science 8-12) test in 2 weeks. If I fail can't retake it for 60 days, and I can wave bye to teaching this year.
• marathon training. My goal is to run a marathon (26.2 miles) in December. I lived through a half in Feb but really didn't continue running at that intensity. Today I'm doing 5 miles.