Summer update...

Summer update time....

• Got a new job for the new academic year. I'm moving from an urban/low income middle school to a suburban/upper middle class middle school. I'm also moving up a grade to 8th. I'm very excited to try something new and teach books that are higher level.
• On the fitness kick! Noticed a few things I didn't like about myself so I've been eating healthy, exercising every day, and kicked the soda and junk food habit.
• Hubby and I are getting away for a bit the beginning of the month to..... Disney World. We have a bit of an addiction to Disney so I'm uber excited about going. We try to get in a least every other year and this is the year!
• Fell in love with an awesome website called paperbackswap.com. I'm able to get my preppy read on but also get to trade in the books I've already read and don't want to keep. For every book you trade, you can receive one in return.
• Two words... Mad Men! Catching up on season 3 this weekend and getting ready for the season 4 tomorrow night!!!

I'm still alive!!!

Don't know (or expect) anyone to respond but I'm still alive! I don't want to be that girl that lists the 10 million reasons why she hasn't posted...blah, blah, blah. Instead I will tell you that I'm in graduate school (with a 3.8 gpa!!!) and close to completing my second (successful) year of teaching at urban middle school. I heart my 7th graders and feel so blessed being a teacher.

Don't have much more to report... just teaching, class, and trying to be the best wife/dog mom. I'm on the hunt for preppy wellies (considering all the freakin' rain we've had up here in New England the past two months) and thinking Target might be the place for them (Liberty of London, anyone!?!?!). I'll keep you posted on what I decide on.

Hope all is well with everyone and look forward to getting back into the swing of things.

Ah.... a quick break in the craziness. How is everyone doing? I'm great. I'm working hard teaching summer school (MCAS testing prep) and getting this house in shape (only 10 more boxes to go until we are unpacked) and I just finished getting my office/study organized and set up. Once the house is complete (curtains and all) I'll give you a virtual tour of the house :-)

So yeah, this summer is very different from last! Last summer I was a bump on a log stressing about finding a job and spent more time in my pj's then in real clothing. This summer I'm getting ready for year 2 at awesome middle school, making mad money teaching this summer, and getting ready to start grad classes in the fall. That's right.... I'm making the jump and starting grad school. I plan on taking one class this fall while I apply and hopefully I'll be accepted for the spring term.

Honestly, that's about it for me. It's been work, work, work this summer and gearing up for school. I was so depressed when school ended but I quickly realized that I needed the break as much as my kids did. And now I'm recharged and eager to try new lessons, rework my unit plans, and get ready for another successful MCAS session!

Hope all is well with all of you and you are enjoying the summer!

Gosh...

Quick recap:

Holidays were busy but great. Got to see pretty much any and all family members and got lots of cute preppy clothes, teaching books, movies, and a scone pan!!!! My goal of being a housewife is slowly coming true ;-)

Back to school and rocking out "Our Town". Act I quiz is Wednesday so I'm interested to see how the kiddies do. Tomorrow we are going over the study guide summary form they've been working on and then watching the first act.

Went to last Thursday's Bruins game with my hubby, his best friend Jon, and one of my best friend's, Ashley (who happens to be dating Jon). Such a blast and they totally won.

The Bachelor is on tonight!!!! I watched last week's episode and teaser after the show and was shocked. DeAnna!!!!! What is she doing to Jason!?!?!?!?! Ok, freak out over. All I can say is this is the season to watch. Plus, how could you not love Jason! I was so bummed last season when Jason went home broken-hearted and I am so glad he has a second chance :-)

I think that's pretty much it! Have a great week!

I've survived... and went shopping!

Hello everyone!

I survived my very first week of school (and have the cold to prove it) and adjusting to the 80 minute blocks and my 75 students very well. I spent last week on icebreakers, getting to know you writing, and group work so I'm looking forward to starting this week. Right now they are working on their first five paragraph essay of the year (yay MCAS prep) and tomorrow we are starting to use the text book (a cute short story that is school related). All my kids are wicked sweet and I love helping them with their lockers or finding the perfect silent reading book. The best part is the end of the day as I'm walking through the halls. They love to find me just to say goodbye! Isn't that sweet?!?!?!

My team is great... The other team members have been super helpful whether it is helping me fill out the attendance form or getting locks for my homeroom's lockers.... I feel so darn lucky!!!

This weekend I tried to get as much prep work done (which didn't work out after all) and I even took some time to go shopping with my mother-in-law. There is a new Nordstroms in Burlington and I can promise you I will be a repeat shopper there. First, the setup was fantastic! No more annoying racks blocking walkways or random racks of stained clothes (sorry Macys!). And I had a personal shopper! Me, a first year teacher getting advice from my very own personal shopper. She was amazing and she even helped me score some awesome sale items. I ended up with a pair of black dress pants, two cardigans, a beautiful white button down shirt with puffed short sleeves, and the most comfortable black cords ever (Jag is the name is anyone is interested). I can't wait to go back!

Then we headed to the Blue Stove, Nordstrom's dining area for a very unique meal. They serve something called shared plates so the dishes are smaller and meant to be shared among the group. We ordered the fingerling potatoes, the short ribs, organic garlic chicken with a wonderful arugula salad, and a vegetable salad that was amazing. It was such a great experience all around.

Anyways, I'm off to sleep off this cold and then plan for the rest of this week. Hope everyone is having a wonderful Tuesday!!!

Attention Please

I need everyone to sit down for a moment...I'll wait. All set? I am officially a middle school English/Language Arts (ELA) teacher for the upcoming school year!!!! I received my contract this afternoon in the mail (I accepted the position last Monday) so I feel comfortable now announcing it to all my faithful reader (Dougie and Yellie, lol). I am so pumped and excited and nervous and overwhelmed all at the same time. I never thought I would really be a teacher, even though I aced the program and had a successful student teaching experience. But my dreams of being a teacher, my fantasy since I was in preschool, is finally true!!!

Some of you may be saying... Middle school?! Really? Yes really. It wasn't what I had pictured (since I always thought I would teach high school) but I am actually excited about this opportunity. Since I just did student teaching at the high school level, I think it would be a great comparison. So I'll have to let you know what I think.

I'm going to my school tomorrow to check out my room and start organizing myself. Classes start the 27th (eek!!!) so I wanted to be ready to go!!! So that's my news... I still can't believe it :-)

I made it!!!!!

Just in case people were wondering, I did survive student teaching. I actually came out feeling pretty good, although it was so much work and I cried almost every night. And I even miss it, which is crazy to think.

Now that school is out and I've graduated from the teaching program, I'm focusing on finding a job. So far its been a tough go. I heard from two schools but they are on the edge of my commuting area so I turned those opportunities down. I expanded my search to private schools, including Catholic high schools, so we'll see how that works. I'm trying to stay positive, but it is so hard to when some of my classmates already have positions. I'm happy for them, but at the same time, I feel jealous and bitter. I did so well academically that I figured I would have a job by now. Instead I've applied to 24 schools and I still haven't interviewed anywhere.

Dougie has been great about this whole thing. He wants me to focus on me right now and lean on my faith, which I pretty much put on the back burner this whole year. So today I went to the Shrine in Lowell for confession and Mass and did feel better. And I just need to remember to trust in the Lord and that whatever His will is, it will work out for the best.

I've been spending most days reading (for fun!!!) and spending time with Rosie, who I missed so much when I was in school. It is nice to return to everyday life.. taking care of the house and making dinner.

Anyway, its a lame update, but I figured some people would want to know I'm still here and that I made it. Thanks for checking in!

What did I get myself into....

Okay folks... it's getting close. I officially start at my placement on the 4th and I'm seriously freaking out. I'll be taking over three different course: Film and Lit (12th graders), Critical Writing (10th grade honors), and Sophomore English (CP2). I've never read any of the texts I'll be teaching and at this point I don't know what my schedule will be like in terms of teaching lessons or planning units. It's very much up in the air and I hate that! Here are the texts for this semester:

F&L:
Dracula
The Color Purple
The Princess Bride
Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption

CW:
Merchant of Venice
Brave New World
Animal Farm
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

English 10:
Unit on Poetry (authors not yet selected)
Slaughterhouse Five
Macbeth

So that's the update for now. It should be a challenging and interesting semester to say the least. I'm hoping to make it through and not only been successful but also get hired. Those are my two fears right now and its stressing me out. I feel so jumbled and all over the place but I'm sure it will get better as I go along...

Simple things...

Quick update:

I started back at college this week for my pre-student teaching seminars. We are learning even more about what this semester will bring and how to be the best teachers we can be. I finally step into the classroom on Feb 4th and go until May 10. How exciting!!!

Also, I received a letter this week stating I am a newly nominated member of Kappa Delta Pi, the International Education Honor Society. What a huge honor it is! You need to have a 3.6 GPA to be consider (for graduate students) and I obviously have it so I am so pumped. I'm still getting more information about it and I will update as I know more.

Dougie left for Florida on Thursday so I'm a single chick this weekend (lol). He went down with his Dad to celebrate a family friend's retirement from the Army. I miss him so much and can't wait to have him back. We pick him up Sunday night at 9pm.

Last night was fun as well. Ashley, a friend and my favorite Alpha Sigma Tau sister, spent last night at my house. We rented two movies, had 99 takeout, and curled up on the couch. It was such a nice relaxing night with her. She is a fun person to hang out with plus she is working on her teaching credentials (elementary ed) so we share that love too.

Today I'm having tea with my old boss, Sarah, who is having a baby in May. I can't wait to see her. I haven't seen her since she's told us about the news so she must be showing by now! How exciting :-) We are going to a cute tearoom in Londonderry called Antiquiteas.

Anyways, that's my update. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I know I will :-)

My stress level is rising...

Classes start a week from tomorrow and I have yet set up a meeting with my teacher for student teaching. The current stumbling block... my CORI form. The results aren't in yet (or no one has mentioned they are in yet) which means I can't step on school property. I didn't get anything done that I hope to this semester break... observe some classes, get a head start on what I would be teaching, and start my reports that are due the first day back at Framingham State College. I feel like I'm spinning out of control and don't know which way is up.

On top of that, a personal issue I've been dealing with since the end of last month is still unresolved and that person hasn't said a word to me, even though I tried to communicate with them. Perhaps that is the answer to my question, but was still hoping for some sort of response from them.

I just feel like life is all over the place right now and I'm not in control of what is really important. Add the unknowning-ness to student teaching (another thing I'm freaking out about) and I just feel so lost.

Maybe once school is back in session, things will be better.

Grades are in!

All my grades are officially in and I have (drum roll please...) straight A's for the third semester in a row. Thank the Lord!

Here is the breakdown of the grades, giving me a semester GPA of 3.85 and an overall GPA of 3.75:

Professional Prep/Field Study II: A (highest grade in the class)
Professional Prep/ Special Education: A
Seminar in Literature: A-
Contemporary World Lit by Women: A-

I'm a little sad that I got two A-'s but Dougie says it still counts as straight A's which means I deserved my teacher bags (The deal was I would get one for Christmas if I had straight A's) and hopefully dinner out tonight after Uncle Ray's birthday party... I'm thinking Joe's at the Pheasant Lane Mall :-)

I want to thank all those people who supported me this semester and encouraged me along the ways and also understood when I disappeared from time to time. All those late nights and weekends paid off! A big thanks to my husband, who was so understanding and helpful when I had homework every night of the week and gave me the support and confidence I needed.

One Crazy Semester

Ah, fall semester is quickly coming to a close with my last paper and my final exam bright and early tomorrow morning (9am) so I figured I would start updating again. Shame on me for not writing more often. My goal was to document this semester and I haven't done a very good job.

Anyways, some good news to share. First, I'm 26. My birthday was a week ago today and I do not feel like I'm a twenty-six year old. I don't even look like one... I still get confused for a high school student. But it was nice to celebrate it with my family and I even saw my dad last night so that was nice as well.

My first grade of the semester is in. I got a 100 in my Professional Prep/Field Study II course which was the highest in the class. All that hard work paid off, especially to finish my portfolio at 3am last Friday so I could go to Memere's funeral.

I also found out my placement for student teaching. I will be at Ashland High School and I am super pumped. My CP from Framingham lives in Ashland and she offered to meet up a few times during the semester and my advisor has worked with a lot of the staff at Ashland so I know I'll be learning from the best.

Tomorrow I have my Contemp. World Lit by Women final exam and I have to pass in my seven page paper that I am feverishly finishing (2 down, 5 more to go). I'm also waiting to hear about my Seminar grade, which I'm a little worried about it. I'm not sure how my professor will like my 18 page paper and if I was on the right track. But I did my best and I know I worked really hard for that course. Whatever grade I get, I know I deserve.

So after the excitement of tomorrow I start working on the holiday shopping I've left to the last minute (so unlike me) and dive into some fun reading I had to put aside. I also have some work to do for student teaching that needs to be ready for January 24 including setting up some time to meet with people down at the high school. I am really looking forward to that.

In terms of the holiday, Christmas Eve will still be with the Butterfields although Memere won't be with us. It will be a hard one, but she is in a better place now and I know she is happier there. Christmas Day will be started with Mass, then presents with Dougie, then off to my mom's, and then the Seed's house. I am also hoping to see my Dad and Donna during the week between Christmas and New Years. We also have planned a ski weekend with Dave, a birthday party for Uncle Ray, and rockin' New Year's eve bash (well, maybe not rockin' but more exciting than last year), and relaxing in between. Dougie has the week off between Christmas and New Years so that will be nice. Some quality time together.

I think that is about it for an update. Once I hear more about grades and student teaching, I'll be sure to post it!