Spent this morning working on my curriculum/lesson plans and this afternoon weighing and measuring (height) kids for registration.
Other than the extreme heat this afternoon I had fun. I met many of my students (and their parents) and I'm feeling even better about things.
Now I have a four-day weekend to finish unpacking and put the final touches on my first few weeks of lesson plans.
I REALLLLLLLLY need to finish unpacking. I got to a certain point and kind of gave up on it. There are several unopened boxes in my bedroom and a BUNCH in my office. My goal is to have everything unpacked and in its proper place so I can take and post pictures of my new digs by next week.
We'll see how that goes :)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
1000
This is my 1000th post since July of 2002.
In celebration, I'd like to reward my faithful readers. I'm having a contest and it's super-simple! Just comment to this post by Sept. 4th at 11:59pm (central) and include how long you've been following my blog.
The prize is a $10 Amazon gift card. A thousand pennies, one for each post.
I'll put all your names in a bag and draw the winner Sept. 5th - once I've survived the first week of school!
In celebration, I'd like to reward my faithful readers. I'm having a contest and it's super-simple! Just comment to this post by Sept. 4th at 11:59pm (central) and include how long you've been following my blog.
The prize is a $10 Amazon gift card. A thousand pennies, one for each post.
I'll put all your names in a bag and draw the winner Sept. 5th - once I've survived the first week of school!
Succumbing to parental pressure...
to blog.
*chuckle*
I've been busy with teacher in-service, training and developing my lesson plans for this year.
So far so good... Other teachers keep checking in with me to see how I am and if I need anything. I'm feeling very welcome and supported.
*chuckle*
I've been busy with teacher in-service, training and developing my lesson plans for this year.
So far so good... Other teachers keep checking in with me to see how I am and if I need anything. I'm feeling very welcome and supported.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
This next week
I'll meet the entire staff (of my school) tomorrow and this next week is all about training and getting to know your peers.
Good things I learned last week:
*I will have a mentor.
*I get health and dental insurance totally paid for!
*I will have 6 evaluations throughout the year.
*I like my new principal.
*I can wear jeans on Thursdays (since there's no class on Friday!)
*I have a lot more freedom about what I teach and how I teach it than I thought.
*I get one prep period each day.
Other than school stuff... I read the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer last week... all four books. Now I finally know what all the hype is about. I enjoyed them.
I'm on to the Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin. Should be a quick read.
Good things I learned last week:
*I will have a mentor.
*I get health and dental insurance totally paid for!
*I will have 6 evaluations throughout the year.
*I like my new principal.
*I can wear jeans on Thursdays (since there's no class on Friday!)
*I have a lot more freedom about what I teach and how I teach it than I thought.
*I get one prep period each day.
Other than school stuff... I read the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer last week... all four books. Now I finally know what all the hype is about. I enjoyed them.
I'm on to the Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin. Should be a quick read.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thoughts on a new life...
When you know there's a big change coming in your life you try to prepare yourself for it.
I knew months in advance that I would be moving to Colorado and before I even accepted the job I tried to imagine what my life would be like here and I thought long and hard about what I would be leaving behind.
In preparation for the big move I made as many plans and lists as possible, I tried to think of all the things that would be different and how to prepare myself. At the same time, I tried to enjoy my time in MN, my friends, and not get so caught up in what was coming that I missed out on what was happening at that point in time.
Of course you can try to prepare yourself for you new experiences and the things you'll be leaving behind, but you can never fully prepare yourself. You never REALLY know what it will be like until it's happening to you.
I think I'm in the final stages of grieving for my life in MN. Yes. Grieving. That's kind of what it feels like. I had something amazing and I loved it and not it's gone. Like a puppy that died and you got a new one to replace it, but it's not quite the same. That's a horrible analogy. Sorry puppy...
Anyway... The last month has been extremely difficult (and at times painful), but I survived. That's what you do. You face new challenges and move on, or you go crazy.
And now, looking to the future I have new teacher training, lesson plans, meeting my new co-workers and my 300 students. I'll have plenty to keep me busy, but not as much as I was going to. I finally met with the District's technology guy (one of my bosses) and he told me about some changes that were implemented: Instead of me teaching my 300 students AND playing tech person for the entire school (and its 6 computer labs), I now only have to worry about teaching my 300 students and my ONE lab.
Awesomeness in a bottle!
I can't even tell you how much weight was lifted off of my shoulders during our one hour conversation. In addition to cutting my work in half, he also gave me a GREAT idea of exactly how and what I need to be teaching. This is the first time I've had any clue about that. I feel so much better.
For the first time in a long time, I'm actually looking forward to this. It was all exciting when I had the job offer and then slowly, but surely, reality set in and I was nervous, hesitant, even dreading it. I know the first year of teaching will be draining in every way imaginable, but I can do this.
I will do this.
And I might even like it.
I knew months in advance that I would be moving to Colorado and before I even accepted the job I tried to imagine what my life would be like here and I thought long and hard about what I would be leaving behind.
In preparation for the big move I made as many plans and lists as possible, I tried to think of all the things that would be different and how to prepare myself. At the same time, I tried to enjoy my time in MN, my friends, and not get so caught up in what was coming that I missed out on what was happening at that point in time.
Of course you can try to prepare yourself for you new experiences and the things you'll be leaving behind, but you can never fully prepare yourself. You never REALLY know what it will be like until it's happening to you.
I think I'm in the final stages of grieving for my life in MN. Yes. Grieving. That's kind of what it feels like. I had something amazing and I loved it and not it's gone. Like a puppy that died and you got a new one to replace it, but it's not quite the same. That's a horrible analogy. Sorry puppy...
Anyway... The last month has been extremely difficult (and at times painful), but I survived. That's what you do. You face new challenges and move on, or you go crazy.
And now, looking to the future I have new teacher training, lesson plans, meeting my new co-workers and my 300 students. I'll have plenty to keep me busy, but not as much as I was going to. I finally met with the District's technology guy (one of my bosses) and he told me about some changes that were implemented: Instead of me teaching my 300 students AND playing tech person for the entire school (and its 6 computer labs), I now only have to worry about teaching my 300 students and my ONE lab.
Awesomeness in a bottle!
I can't even tell you how much weight was lifted off of my shoulders during our one hour conversation. In addition to cutting my work in half, he also gave me a GREAT idea of exactly how and what I need to be teaching. This is the first time I've had any clue about that. I feel so much better.
For the first time in a long time, I'm actually looking forward to this. It was all exciting when I had the job offer and then slowly, but surely, reality set in and I was nervous, hesitant, even dreading it. I know the first year of teaching will be draining in every way imaginable, but I can do this.
I will do this.
And I might even like it.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A new world record?
Sorry Bucky, but my Sheba would win out in this contest.
She stayed up from 6am to 10pm for the two days it took to get to CO and since I've been unpacking she hasn't had much sleep either...
But at last, today, I unpacked the ONE thing that should make it all worth while...
Catnip.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Unpacking
The only thing worse than packing is UNpacking.
It's nice to see my apt starting to look like a "home," but it's taking forever!
It's nice to see my apt starting to look like a "home," but it's taking forever!
Monday, August 11, 2008
A phone call...
... from the moving guy!
According to him, he may or may not be able to deliver my goods this evening. If not, he'll be here first thing in the morning.
Exciting!
That's a good feeling/emotion to have. Over the last few weeks I've had all sorts of other, less pleasant feelings...
Worry - about when/if/how my stuff will get here, if I made the right decision to move away, what my life will be like here, if I'll be any good as a teacher, if the kids will eat me alive...
Anger/Annoyance - at the moving company for not keeping their word.
Sadness - for leaving my friends in MN and the VERY comfortable life I'd built for myself there. I REALLY miss everything about that place.
Restlessness - I need things to do. I'm always better when I'm working or going to school. Too much time alone, without set tasks is NOT healthy for me.
Lazyness - There's a few minor things around the apartment I could have been doing, but I have no drive. I think all the other emotions/thoughts are drowning out my initiative.
Hmm... I sound like a half-crazy woman.
I'm not.
Not really.
I'm just going through a HUGE transition and it's going to take me some time to adjust. The first day of school is Sept 2nd and I start training later this week. I hope I feel more confident after I've had a dab of training. At this point, I don't even know what my daily schedule is.
If nothing else, I'll be around other people again and I'll have a set structure to my life. Both good things.
According to him, he may or may not be able to deliver my goods this evening. If not, he'll be here first thing in the morning.
Exciting!
That's a good feeling/emotion to have. Over the last few weeks I've had all sorts of other, less pleasant feelings...
Worry - about when/if/how my stuff will get here, if I made the right decision to move away, what my life will be like here, if I'll be any good as a teacher, if the kids will eat me alive...
Anger/Annoyance - at the moving company for not keeping their word.
Sadness - for leaving my friends in MN and the VERY comfortable life I'd built for myself there. I REALLY miss everything about that place.
Restlessness - I need things to do. I'm always better when I'm working or going to school. Too much time alone, without set tasks is NOT healthy for me.
Lazyness - There's a few minor things around the apartment I could have been doing, but I have no drive. I think all the other emotions/thoughts are drowning out my initiative.
Hmm... I sound like a half-crazy woman.
I'm not.
Not really.
I'm just going through a HUGE transition and it's going to take me some time to adjust. The first day of school is Sept 2nd and I start training later this week. I hope I feel more confident after I've had a dab of training. At this point, I don't even know what my daily schedule is.
If nothing else, I'll be around other people again and I'll have a set structure to my life. Both good things.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Ahhhh... That's better!
I've got my fix!
TV & Internet... More better!
Plus, it's been in the 60's here, compared to the 100+ of Texas.
Definitely an improvement.
And Sheba's almost recovered from the trauma of being left alone for an entire week... She still wakes up crying and looking around every once in a while... it's like "Mommy! Mommy! Where are you! Don't leave me!"
Guilt trip much?
TV & Internet... More better!
Plus, it's been in the 60's here, compared to the 100+ of Texas.
Definitely an improvement.
And Sheba's almost recovered from the trauma of being left alone for an entire week... She still wakes up crying and looking around every once in a while... it's like "Mommy! Mommy! Where are you! Don't leave me!"
Guilt trip much?
Monday, August 04, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Twittering in Texas
Aya actually started doing something that I've been contemplating. She says it's working well for her... so I'm going to go ahead and give it a try.
I still prefer actual blog postings... but for now at least (when I don't have internet) this should be an easy way for me to keep you informed about my goings-on.
Check out the right column, just under my Blog links...
I still prefer actual blog postings... but for now at least (when I don't have internet) this should be an easy way for me to keep you informed about my goings-on.
Check out the right column, just under my Blog links...
Guess what!
I'm in Texas.
Betcha didn't see that one coming.
Did ya?
Ha! Gotta keep you on your toes.
Actually... it was all very spur of the moment. I got a call from the movers yesterday morning and they said that the earliest my stuff would be delivered is next Wednesday. I decided my time could be better spent at home, visiting with my family, than sitting alone in an empty apartment.
So here I am.
I drove the 14 hours yesterday from 11:30am to 1:30am (mountain time).
Of course Mom is in New Mexico on a fiber retreat with my aunt and a friend... They won't be back until Monday afternoon. Dad and I kept ourselves entertained today.
I'm happy with my decision to come back here... even if it is 105 degrees, plus humidity. Ugh. So miserably hot.
August + Texas = Aspen nearly fainting... literally...
*sigh*
Betcha didn't see that one coming.
Did ya?
Ha! Gotta keep you on your toes.
Actually... it was all very spur of the moment. I got a call from the movers yesterday morning and they said that the earliest my stuff would be delivered is next Wednesday. I decided my time could be better spent at home, visiting with my family, than sitting alone in an empty apartment.
So here I am.
I drove the 14 hours yesterday from 11:30am to 1:30am (mountain time).
Of course Mom is in New Mexico on a fiber retreat with my aunt and a friend... They won't be back until Monday afternoon. Dad and I kept ourselves entertained today.
I'm happy with my decision to come back here... even if it is 105 degrees, plus humidity. Ugh. So miserably hot.
August + Texas = Aspen nearly fainting... literally...
*sigh*
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