This is Life Folks...

I have finally figured out what it means to be exhausted from life. Every morning I wake up at 5:45. I will often wander around the apartment, turning up or down the heat, feeding and watering the cats, checking to see if I have something to wear, all while trying to brush my teeth. What can I say, I like to multi-task? After showering and gathering up my bag full of school materials and graded papers aka basically luggage, I head off for a full day of teaching.

I guess I never realized how much time I put into my job. From the time I get there, til the time I leave, which is about 5ish, I never sit down. Now, as I remember pretty clearly, when I was in 4th grade, my teacher would ocassionally sit down to grade papers or even read! Not now-a-days. I hardly ever get to sit, unless I am reading to my class or its lunch, which I dont eat anyways. I remember sitting quietly, which is possible, (side note to all 4th graders) as my teacher did her own thing for awhile. I swear I am bound to write some sort of thesis paper on why children in today's world have the most difficult time keeping themselves quiet! Its such a mystery. I often crack up to myself when I hear my students talking like 15 year olds. Some times it sounds like a soap opera. "She doesn't like her" "I dont want to be her friend" "s/he's talking about me" I sometimes think they believe the world is coming to an end. So, even though I spend a lot of my life right now planning, grading, assessing, and organizing, I have found that laughter can turn any day around. Here are a few quotes or written messages that have made my day....
(will add on more as they come...)

Journal on persuasive essay:
My brother tried to convince me to lending him 20 bucks, but I said no. I know much better now that I am in the 4th grade."

"Finna=going"

"How old are you Mrs. L? 39 or 40?" WOW!

"You're married! So what is your husbands last name then?"

It'll All Work Out...

Somehow, one way or another, it will all work out. I really try to encourage myself every day to say this to myself. Whether it is to a student, Phil, or about a situation that is out of my control.





Today is yet another Sunday, which also means that the weekend has flown by. I was extremely excited to see the sun shining through my windows yesterday and today. Even though, I know winter isn't through its course yet, it was still nice to have the warmth of the sun inside the apartment. Recently I have found myself being so busy with school, teaching, grading, and organizing my life, I have barely had time for anything else. I know that life is a little hectic right now, but I am sure that it will all work out in the end. It is just going to take some time to get everything settled in and get things going on the right track. Sooo with that thought.......





I feel like posting a large bill board or posting in the newspaper apologizing to all of my former teachers for ever being a pain in their classroom. I have now come to realize how hard of a job teaching can be. It can really wear a girl out, mentally and physically. It has taken some time to understand the kids situations and life styles in 2009. I have become conscious of how different 9 year olds are today compared to when I was that age. So many things have changed, and not for the better. Sometimes I find myself feeling so helpless as a teacher, knowing how little of an impact I may have on their lives. I know that I am doing the best I can teaching my students their academics, but their lives entail so much more now-a-days. My students have gone through many diverse situations that I can not even imagine dealing with at 9 years old. I often find it hard to step away from the "motherly" and compassionate role and know when I need to be firm. I guess this sort of things will come with time and through some serious hands-on experiences. I just never thought that teaching would involve so many different aspects of these students lives on so many different levels. All I can ask for is that I make it through my day doing my job the best way I know how.

A Little Set Back...

Just when things seemed to being going really great, like, becoming a 4th grade teacher, the best part about my life right now ;) I got into a car accident. Thankfully, I walked away from it, understanding now how bad it actually could have been.... I was headed to school about 7:30ish. That week had been the week where our temperatures dropped in the double negatives, and the roads were as icy as I have seen them in years. As I was approaching an intersection on Bendix, the traffic light turned yellow. I was unable to stop, under the crazy road conditions, so I literally slid through the intersection, unaware that Transpo bus across from me was going to make a left hand turn in front of me. I swerved as hard as I could to avoid any contact with the bus, but being the size of a Transpo, and a Pontiac, we eventually collided. I was literally tossed across 3 lanes of traffic, and then shoved into a snow bank. I just sat there with my eyes closed, thinking "Did this just happen?" I have never felt myself shake so horribly as I did at that moment. My mind went blank and I was not sure what to do first. I looked around realizing that it wasn't a nightmare and that I was sitting in a pile of snow, unable to get out from my drivers side. Thankfully, a man stopped and asked if I was okay, and that he was calling 911. I am really grateful that he did. I tried calling anyone, Phil, my mom, and even 911, but I couldn't. My hands were shaking and I couldn't dial any number. After a couple of minutes, I saw police lights coming my way. It was at that moment that i realized I was okay. I think I just started crying even harder. The bus hit my passenger side causing the door to be somewhat jammed. I started to panic thinking "What if I can't get out?" After pulling my door open I got out, not wanting to see how bad my car really was. As I sat in the back of the police car, (never thought I would have to do that one) I called my mom and Phil. I remember it being so cold, that my tears started to freeze. I did not look at my car, I just didn't want to know at that point. As of today, my insurance company is still dealing with Transpo, and I am still with out a car. I went and saw my car for the first time a few days ago. I guess in the back of my mind, if I didn't go see the car, it was like "Oh, maybe it didn't happen." But, it did, and I am alive and healthy. My realization is that my car can be replaced. So much worse could have happened, and I am grateful that it didn't. Even though I was traveling solo, someone had to have been in my passenger seat.

I took a few pics on my phone, so I tried my best to upload them. The pictures are not very clear, but you can get the gist of the damage :(

Earning a Paycheck

Well, as of January 12, 2009, I am earning a solid paycheck doing what I love. I was hired into the SBCSC as a 4th grade teacher at Harrison Primary. I am very excited, nervous, over-whelmed, fortunate, privileged, anxious, and blessed. I am very proud of of the career I have chosen, and am proud of myself for graduating college! :) I have been trying to organize things around the room, get to know the students individual personalities, and get back into the routine of school. So far, so good! I will be a busy girl thats for sure, but loving every minute of it! Keep everyone posted on how things are going as a teacher!!! :D

Another Year...

Anther Christmas went by, and so did another year. Some days, weeks or even months go by so fast, I feel like I completely missed them. This Christmas was quiet, and different than any other one. Not being home, was one of the biggest changes I felt during the holidays. Even though Christmas was at Mom's, it just wasn't the same not living there. I made the best of it, and celebrated with the familiy, and the boys. They were really lucky this year. Nick and Nolan each got their own Wii system. Grandma spoils them, thats for sure! We spent the day relaxing, drinking wine, and watching Christmas Vacation. Which I still burst out laughing at each scene, as if it were the first time I had seen the movie. On Dad's side, I spent the day at Grandma's and Grandpa's. It was quiet there as well. Aunt Mar was in New York this year. But we caught up a little while later to celebrate. This year I got a few really cool "teacher" gifts. I got a paper cutter, you know for all the crafty projects, and even a small laminater. I absolutely love making projects. Now I can spend time doing them at home! I rang in my new year, at the Emporium. I worked both Christmas and New Year's Eve. Phil came to my work towards the end of my shift, so we could be together for when the ball dropped. By the time my day was over, and we had started a new year, I was exhausted. We spent an hour or so drinking wine and champagne at work then headed for home. Phil and I started our new year by relaxing on the floor eating a piece of chocolate cake I brought home from work, and chatting about 2008. Of course, Chloe and Buddy were right by our side giving us love, or probably just wanting a nibble of cake. Either way, it was a good way to bring in 2009. Life is good, and I have proof.