Good Grief

I skipped a whole month! Whoops...

Obviously a lot has happened since last I posted: I graduated, walked (with my parents and Kevin present), had a Merry Christmas with the fam, had a Happy (drunken) New Year in Chicago with Korpals and peeps, and a wonderful visit with those Norrises in South Kadota.

Life after school has been going well. I've enjoyed having some time to myself to do some reading, crocheting, crafting, wedding planning, movie watching, sleeping... you know: doing what I want to do. I've also been spending quite a bit of time with that Kevin of mine, which has also been nice. Seeing him not as often as I would have liked to during student teaching was a pain and so being able to spend some good quality time together has been lovely.

I was back to work at HCrizzle after we returned from our trip and have been working since then: subbing, aftercaring, and doing a bit of summer camp planning. I'm feeling optimistic and enthused for this upcoming session of summer camp! I'm hoping we will be working out many of the kinks from last year and the years before... we shall see how things go. I'm currently a bit miserable at Honey Creek and I would really like to have a good going away summer so I may remember it (and my coworkers) fondly.

So many phases of my life have finished with me walking away happy to leave and not caring about whether or not I see any of the people or places from that phase ever again (ex: high school, Gateway Chiropractic, EMU). Later on I have been sorry that I did not spend more time saying good-bye, cherishing the people/places while I had them, etc. I don't want Honey Creek to finish like high school did... and then with me later regretting how I left the situation. It will certainly be a challenge.

More interesting news to come in more posts this week... just you wait...

Resolution

No worries, friends. I have managed to procure 3 tickets (enough for my parents and the Kevin).
Stinkin' EMU. I still feel like they suck but at least I was able to get tickets... I have been appeased.

THE END

I am currently sitting in my LAST class as an undergraduate student. After a rather frustrating hour spent trying to pick up my allotted graduation tickets (only to find out I missed the pick up deadline) and going to the bookstore and spending another $32.81 (after the $90 graduation application fee) for my cap and gown, I am finally FINISHED spending money at EMU.
Yes, I know it's my own fault that I missed the ticket pickup deadline. I've been a bit of a flake for deadlines for quite a while now so now I'm finally seeing some hardcore consequences for my bad habit. My parents are driving up from North Carolina to see me walk on Sunday and unfortunately they won't get to.
There was NO notification of graduation information available for graduating students other than a postcard that was sent out sometime in October (I think) that directed them to a commencement website which said that there would be no information sent to graduates by mail and that all information would have to be obtained by accessing the website. They want to save on postage and maybe be more green... I get it. I am beyond tired, however, of having to do all of the work regarding any and all paperwork that needs to be filled out and filed on my account as a student and getting minimal notification of when things are supposed to happen while at the same time working as much as possible and attending all classes and maintaining a decent GPA. Other people seem to have no problem doing this. Good for them. They're more organized and on top of things.
Since I was "let go" from my job in February of 2006 I have been BUSY piecing together random jobs to be able to make my ends meet and have also been fully enrolled in classes at EMU. No, I have not been a dogsitter, housesitter, data entry clerk, camp counselor, sales staff member, etc., etc., etc., by choice for the last 2 years. I am exhausted and have been exhausted for a really long time. Getting through all of the red tape and jumping through all of the hoops that EMU has provided me with has been the hardest thing I've ever done. Needless to say that all of my other commitments and having a tiny bit of a life on top of school has left me completely burned out. I have been gaining weight and having headaches and falling asleep on my date night for so long that I don't even really remember being relaxed and happy anymore.
Keeping my finish line in sight has been my only weak driving force. My finish line has arrived and I won't get to have anyone share it with me. I'm angry and upset and feeling like an idiot.
As I've been telling my students for the last 3 months, "forgetful people need reminders." How hard would it have been for an email notification to go out about ticket pick up?
I'm sick and tired of stupid EMU and I hope I never have to return. I certainly will NOT be back for my master's program. I will be happy to choose any other institution.
How sad that I haven't been able to have a positive university experience. I've spent the last 2 years wishing that WCC was a university so I wouldn't have to deal with all of the stupid, jerky, and apparently inept people at EMU.

another short one

I have been queen of the short posts lately... and here's another. Perhaps sometime soon I will get it together enough to write something a bit longer.
I recently watched this video on youtube and loved it. It makes me laugh every time. Please enjoy.

Something to Think About

Please read this article. I would love to hear comments back about it if you feel so inclined.

sad, sad Alexa

I am currently at the library to do my planning for the next week of solo teaching. I only have 5 more days to go! While the idea of graduation gets me feeling feverishly excited and oh so happy, those feelings are taking a back burner position to sad and depressed right now.

While I'm finishing up my career as an undergrad student, other changes are also taking place. My roommate, Bethany, and I are going our separate ways. Our lease is up December 1st. She has a new apartment a few minutes from where we've lived for the last two years and I will be returning home.

The thought of moving home is not all that depressing. True, I don't really have a bedroom there anymore (my brothers, who used to share a room, now occupy both upstairs bedrooms) and the house is about 15 minutes further away from everything, including Kevin, and all of my stuff will be in boxes for about 3 months. But I will be going home. I have missed being there. And I've missed my brothers, so reconnecting with them and seeing them more often before I go off and get married will be nice, I suppose.

But I've really loved having such a great roommate and I'm really sad that we won't be living together anymore. I feel like I'm losing a friend (and a pet). She's been great about putting up with me and my current messy ways and has been great to spend time with and see every day (even for a very short amount of time). There have been things about our living together that have annoyed me (and I KNOW she's been annoyed from time to time too) but it's just been wonderful to share a space with such a great friend.

I'm going to miss you, Beth. I know we'll still get to spend time together now and then but it just won't be the same. Thanks for putting up with me for so long and for being so understanding. Love you.

Bats, Strange and Wonderful

Boy oh boy! It has been quite a while since my last post. Many things have happened since last I wrote. I will attempt to bring everyone up to date.

Student teaching has been going well. I had a horrible 2nd observation. My lesson was a complete flop and I was an emotional wreck for about a week before and after. (of course I feel like I'm pretty much consistently an emotional wreck lately but those couple of weeks were particularly turbulent (spontaneously sobbing for no apparent reason is very draining... I think I need to learn some stress management techniques)) After hitting a wall the way I did I was kind of snapped into action. Things have so quickly and drastically changed for the better for me... it's unbelievable. I came up with a special rules chart specific to my time with my students, I started to get really prepared far in advance for every lesson I was teaching. I'm now in charge of math, word study, science and all transitions throughout the day.

Last week my CT was gone from Monday afternoon on. Monday morning was my 3rd observation (which went so well that I cried again) and then my CT had an appointment with her doctor. She's been dealing with some ongoing health issues and last week was hard for her. It was also hard for me as she was going day by day to see if she would be able to return to school... we had 4 different subs in 5 days. I can only just imagine the chaos that would have been our classroom if I hadn't been there all week. Things were difficult also because I was dog sitting for the Scampi last week. That basically meant a lot of extra driving and next to no sleep all week long.

The overall experience of the week was good. I'm feeling warmed up and fortified for my solo teaching (which starts next week). I gained some confidence to stand on my own and deal with any issues in the classroom by myself with little to no input from another teacher. I got so many compliments from teachers in the building (who came in to check on us), the subs I worked with, and my CT who I was in close contact with via phone and email all week. All of that was nice.
I'm still not feeling completely ready and confident: remembering of course that I have a final observation next week while I'm by myself and that I'm planning all of every day. It will be nice to prove myself and put all that I've learned into practice, however. I only wish I could stock up on sleep ahead of time... too bad it doesn't work that way.

Now for something a bit more fun.
Although Kevin and I did not really participate much in Halloween this year, we were able to attend a fun murder mystery dinner at church on Sunday. The mystery took place in 1847 in the Wild West and we were given characters to play and had to dress up in costumes and everything! We brought themed food and were acting for the night. I, admittedly, had a pretty difficult time staying "in character" and mingling with everyone. I felt a bit nervous not knowing the other people and stayed basically aloof for the night.... I'm ashamed to say I was not very friendly at all. I had a great time, however, watching all of the talented and enthusiastic people around me and I loved seeing the mystery unfold and get solved. Turns out my husband dunnit.





















As part of our recent studies in science and given that Halloween was last week, we have been learning about bats. We read some books, examined some posters, and watched a video to learn a bit about them before our extra special visit this afternoon. The Cranbrook Science Institute's Bat Zone brought in some real life bats for us to see! The presenter was great: even tempered, patient, and so informative. I got some rather blurry pictures but it was so cool! I've decided a visit to the Bat Zone to see the rest of their bats and the other exhibits is absolutely necessary (when I have the time).
































Our culminating activity for the unit I taught on Habitats was completed last week. My kids are so adorable. I got such great results from them and all of this stuff is going to be awesome for my portfolio. This was the reminder sign for our 'sharing museum' to make sure we were all respectful to all of the exhibits being displayed.


















Fall is my favorite time of year. I took pictures last year of some of the leaf prints I saw on the sidewalk on my way to and from classes... one of my favorite evidences for this season. Leaves are spectacular and such a pleasure to see as I drive, walk, peer out of windows. Another of my favorite things about fall are the bustling, chirping bushes I see and hear everywhere I go. Little birds have kicked their bodies into high gear and are so busy flying about and making noise... it's so energizing. I was next to this bush earlier today... I wonder how many little faces can be seen clearly here. There were easily 50+ birds in the bush.
















I can't stand drinking pop. I had one tonight with my "dinner" and felt awful afterward. Soft drinks are anything but soft. They upset my stomach and burn my nose when I burp. *bleah* They're too sweet and too fizzy... carbonation makes me sick. I've decided that in future I will forgo any and all "sticky drinks" that come my way.

I saw my sister at the end of September in Chicago. It was a hectic weekend but seeing her was nice and I'm glad we got to spend some time together. This was my extra special birthday present. She did such a great job.
















I guess that's about all for now... hopefully I'll be updating the blog more often.

*** addition: As Kevin's comment reminded me, I forgot to mention our recent food tasting with one of the caterers we're considering for our reception. The food was awesome. We'll see how the other two turn out.... Exciting stuff! Decision coming soon. :) ***