Thursday, September 29, 2011

Day 152-September 29th: Roomie Wall

Tonight I finally decorated the plain white wall in our living room I ordered 12 pictures (each with multiple roommates in it) and then when to Jo-Ann Fabric and bought half a yard of fabric. Then I took cardboard and cut it in the shape of picture frames and covered the cardboard with the fabric and put the pictures in the middle. Then I hung the pictures on the wall. It looks sweet!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Day 151-September 28th: MTLE

Stressed out. about things that aren't even happening this year. Today I signed up for my professional exams. scary :S I had to be careful about choosing dates, because there are so many exams in the next 9 months. Since my Teacher Performance Assessment is pre-scheduled for the second week in February I decided to do my Content exam right after I get back from break. That way my methods courses will be fresh in my mind, but i'll have winter break to study. I then schedules my Pedagogy exam for the beginning of march. This way I can spend spring break (end of February) studying! So all in all I have 2 really fun and exciting breaks planned for this year!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Day 150-September 27th: impact

I was walking home from class today and thinking about something quite strange. I was thinking about how it just happens to be that the people you want to leave the least impact on your life are often the people who change you and who you become the most. As I was thinking about this a wonderful song by Florence and the Machine came on my iPod. The lyrics are forever engraved in my mind. "Leave all your love and your longing behind, you can't carry it with you if you want to survive." These hit me like a ton a bricks, and I'm not quite sure why.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Day 149-September 26th: Social Studies

I just have to say that I love my social studies class, and that I think it is very sad that we no longer teach it in Elementary Schools. Stupid No Child Left Behind and the dumb tests that say social studies doesn't matter. I think in our society, culture and history are some of the most important things we can have our students study. I could rant on and on, but I have a ton of reading to do...

Day 148-September 25th: re-arange

Today I re-aranged my room. I was having serious issues sleeping when the guys next door were loud and there was an extreme draft from my window. So I moved my bed further away from the window and moved my desk next to the window, which I love :)

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Day 147- September 24th: Orchid

My boyfriend surprised me with this wonderful present :) now if only i knew how to care for it.....

Day 146- September 23rd: A change of heart about Math

Today was a long day. I gotta say Language Arts used to be my favorite subject because I thought there was so much to it, and so many ways of thinking. Math used to be my least favorite subject, because I thought everything was so concrete. My methods courses are teaching me the exact opposite. There is one way to teach kids to read. For real. They say you should base it off the kids, but they are so precise about the order you need to go in and the books you need to read and how you need to read them. It's ridiculous. However, in math I'm learning that kids look at the problems in way different ways and that there are so many ways to solve for the problems. Studying how kids learn math has been very intriguing for me. Plus I LOVE my math professor. Which is wonderful since she is my Practicum University supervisor as well! (I have 6 total supervisors....)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Day 145- September 22nd: My realization about teaching

As I'm sitting in my second half of class today, completely exhausted and overwhelmed from my plethora of information and long assignment list,  I come to this strange realization: I used to believe that being a good teacher was all about believing in your students. Give them enough encouragement and certainly eventually they will learn how to read or multiply. This could not be further from the truth. As time has gone on I have begun to doubt my ability to teach in any way, shape, or form. No matter how much encouragement you give a child they will still hear that voice in the back of their head that convinces them that they will fail.

This is the same voice that tells me I will fail as a teacher. No matter how many time I hear the words "you're going to be a great teacher someday" or "Your doing a great job at helping teach the students" I will never believe it until I actually succeed.

The only way to ensure students learn is to teach them. It is amazing how long it has taken me to get to this very simple and basic fact.

Day 144-September 21st: secret study spot

Tonight I did homework. Some reading, but mostly I spent the night trying to prepare an email for my cooperating teacher about everything that it going on and the 5 assignments I have to do when I'm back at my school in October. It took me 2 hours to do....yikes! John was over and me, John, and Becky did homework in our new secret homework spot. Which clearly isn't that secret because Gretchen knew where we were almost right after she got home....

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Day 143-September 20th: Half Priced Aps

Once a semester I get together with a few of my friends from Marshfield for half priced aps at applebees. Tonight was that night. It's always nice to catch up with them and I get delicious spinach and artichoke dip and half a chocolate lava cake for under $8. Once I leave tip the total is about 10 dollars. What a great deal and a great way to catch up with friends.

Day 142-September 19th: Happy Hour at Republic

Today after class I went and got my bike fixed (thank god it didn't cost money,) and then headed to Republic for Happy Hour with my big brother. It was nice to see him again. We rarely saw each other when we lived together, but those mornings of goofing off about the packers and the weekends of making tater are well missed. Also, it should be noted that Republic is officially our favorite bar on campus. They have 26 beers on tap, and I think there are about 6 I would dislike. It was so hard to choose which ones to try....which is why we will probably end up going back soon.

Day 141-September 18th: The Weepies

Today I spent the majority of my day blowing my nose and catching up on reading assignments. I listened to my Bon Iver pandora station which played this wonderful song that I fell in love with :)

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Day 140- September 17th: The Nelson Girls

I spent most of my day in bed just relaxing and napping. It's hard to focus on getting better when I finally have free time, and there is so much I want to get done in it. I was supposed to start work today, but didn't want to pass along whatever I have to a family of 13, so I called in for the entire weekend. I miss those kids  so much!

Becky's (my roommate) mother was visiting today and her, Becky, and Becky's sister cooked us a delicious meal of salad, bread, steak, rice, peanut sauce, and asparugus. Not to mention wine (filled with antioxidants.) So props to the Nelson girls for a delicious dinner!

After dinner I was suppose to go to a going away party, Ke$ha themed party, and a housewarming party, but opted to just go to bed at 8:30 instead. It was a good choice.

Day 139-September 16th: sick

I woke up with a small sore throat today. By the end of the day at school my small sore throat was awful. I went to the store and got ingredients to make some soup. I planned on going to bed at like 8:30, unfortunately, the boys next door were having a small (but loud) get together. Luckily, the best boyfriend in the world came and picked me up when he got off of work at midnight. He forced liquids on me and gave up his bed and slept on the couch so that I could get a good night sleep. He also made me breakfast in the morning, including loads of fruit and "fancy toast." I seriously have the best man ever.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Day 138- September 15th: This Years Love

This is one of my favorite songs to listen to in the fall. I'm not sure why in the fall, since it's all about "this year" and new beginnings, but it just seems like a fall song to me. It came on my iPod while I was running tonight and I felt it so whole and completely.

Day 137- September 14th: Guilty Pleasure

Today was a super long day. woke up at 5:45, and luckily got to spend 30 minutes with my man (he watched me check my email and put on make-up.) What a fantastic man I have! Then I went to school from 7-4, followed by class from 4:30-7:30. Heard this song on my way home, and it's definitely my guilty pleasure song.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Day 136- September 13th: Thankful

Some days just make you thankful for the life you have, what you've been given, and who you are. Today was one of those days.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Day 135-September 12th: Moon

A lot happened today. I taught my first full group lesson and it went well and I learned a lot from it. But the best part of my day was on my way to work as I looked up and saw a beautiful full moon in the sky (yes, I'm driving to work while the moon is still bright.) I wish I would have had my camera with me, because it was so incredibly gorgeous that for a moment, I was glad I was awake and not at home still sleeping.

Day 134- September 11th: things to say

Today I thought a lot. I rested a lot (unable to actually fall asleep) and thought a lot. There is just so much going on in my life right now. I'm physically stressed from running, and waking up at 5:30am every morning (my body still isn't used to a 10pm bedtime.) I'm mentally stressed from learning about how to be a teacher and trying to find time in my day for everything.

But mostly I'm emotionally stressed. There is so much going on in my life right now. I'm going through the emotions of starting student teaching, and trust me I've never been more sure that this i what I want to do, but it's so hard to see these student and know that there is only so much you can do for them. And I'm still wondering if this is something I will actually be able to do. There is a lot involved in teaching and it's hard to balance it. Another thing I'm emotionally stressed about is moving. 18th and Como was my home, and after 2 years of living there it's hard to call somewhere else my home. I love living here, and I love my roommates, but adjusting is a hard thing for me to do. But I'm growing and I'm learning.

As I was lying in my bed, trying to sleep, I was doing a lot of thinking. I thought mostly about things I want and should say to people. Mostly, I thought about how it will be the things I don't say that I will regret, more than the things I do say. So I'm going to start saying more important things.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Day 133- September 10th: Ecuadorian

Today I spent the day with my parents. We started the morning out at a cafe down by stone arch bridge. They got to briefly meet my boyfriend, which I think went really well. Then we walked around by stone arch for a little while and went to see the neighborhood where my school is. We ended up eating at a little Ecuadorian restaurant, which was so delicious. Here are a few pictures.
Mango and Blackberry smooties

Salad, Avocado, Rice, beef tips, fries, and plantains
After lunch we came back to my house and relaxed for a little while and then went to go look at the dams down by stone arch. We then met up with John again and went and saw Mill City ruins. Then my parents treated us to frozen yogurt. But the best part of the night (sorry mom and dad) was my 30 mins of cuddle time with John. Our schedules are just so crazy right now that every minute I get to spend with him is incredible :)

Friday, September 9, 2011

Day 132- September 9th: Pure Exhaustion

I love my new life. For real. I've never been more sure that teaching is what I want to do with my life than I am right now. I'm still not confident that I can do it. I'm exhausted. Seriously. Yesterday I had 4 cups of coffee to make it through the day. Right now I'm starting on cup #2, just because I want so badly to get all my stuff done so I can relax this weekend. Anyway I'm super excited because I got assigned a full lesson for next week, and I get to do a read aloud. Granted the full lesson is decently laid out for me, but that's good, cause I'm already nervous enough. On Monday I get to do a read aloud with a book called "The Man Who Walked Between The Towers." Then I get to lead the group discussion about what happened on September 11th. On Wednesday I get to do the 2nd Bullying lesson on "What is a Bully?" Next week I also have class wednesday night (none of my 3 assignments are done) and a 2.5 hour pairs meeting on Monday. So long social life....I'll see you on the weekend. Oh wait, I start working next weekend. Yep. Exhaustion. This song came on during my run today and it was just what I needed.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Day 131- September 8th: Another Wonderful Day

I started my day with a Fab 5 meeting. Fab 5 is a group of 5 people who all work in my elementary school. We were put into these groups at our first staff meeting and are required to meet with them 5 times before the next staff meeting. We met for 15 minutes this morning just to see how everyones first week was going (2 of us happen to be student teachers and 1 is a brand new teacher this year.) One of the members brought candy, and one member never showed up, but later came to my room with coffee to apologize. I love the members in my group :) My cooperating teacher let me go at 3, which was super early, so I got to stop at Savers (thrift store.) I found a few things for running when it gets cooler, and I found 2 nice looking shirts for student teacher. I came home and did speed work, which went well, and now I get to watch the Green Bay Packers play their first game of the season! What a great day!!!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Day 130- September 7th: Die Alone

This is a super old song, but it came on while I was running today and it is so much of what I have been feeling this week. I've add the lyrics and underlined/bolded the ones I'm feeling the most.

I woke up this morning with a funny taste in my head.
Spackled some butter over my whole grain bread.
Something tastes different, maybe it's my tongue.
Something tastes different, suddenly I'm not so young.

I'm just a stranger, even to myself.
A re-arranger of the proverbial bookshelf.
Don't be a fool girl, tell him you love him.
Don't be a fool girl, you're not above him.

I never thought I could love anyone but myself.
Now I know I can't love anyone but you.
You make me think that maybe I won't die alone.
Maybe I won't die alone.

Kiss the boys as they walk by, call me their baby.
But little do they know, I'm just a maybe.
Maybe my baby will be the one to leave me sore.
Maybe my baby will settle the score.

I never thought I could love anyone but myself.
Now I know I can't love anyone but you.
You make me think that maybe I won't die alone.
Maybe I won't die alone.

What have I become?
Something soft and really quite dumb.
Because I've fallen, oh, 'cuz I've fall-fallen, oh 'cuz I've fall-fall-fallen
So far away from the place where I started from.


I never thought I could love anyone.
I never thought I could love anyone.
I never thought I could love anyone,
But you, but you, but you, but you, but you
But you make me think that maybe I won't die alone.
Maybe I won't die alone. 

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Day 129- September 6th: Best First Day Ever!

I had a great first day of school! I'm already learning a lot and getting to know a lot of the students. My cooperating teacher has been super supportive and constantly asked me how I'm feeling and if I have any questions. I was amazed at how insanely fast 8 hours went. It was a shorter day and I got done at 3:30 (my teacher said she usually stays until 5.) We just don't have too much to plan for, since we are mostly running through routines and rules during the majority of our academic time. I'm already falling insanely head over heels in love with the students.

On top of a great day at school, my wonderful boyfriend took me out for dinner to celebrate our first day of school :) It was nice to talk to him about his day and just to see him. We went to Holy Land foods and split 2 of their meals (lamb kabobs and chicken with some spicy sauce on it, rice, pita, hummus, and salad.)

Day 128-September 5th: R&R

I took a well deserved R&R day today. Spent most of my morning watching TV, went to the bookstore to return one book (found it for $30 cheaper online) and then watched more TV. I did a bit of organizing, and also went for a 3 mile recovery run, but that was the only worthwhile thing I accomplished all day.  I also got frozen yogurt with the Bestie and got to cuddle with the BF for a bit :)

Monday, September 5, 2011

Day 127- September 4th: Hot Dish and long run

Tonight I was craving a delicious home cooked meal. And I wanted leftovers for my first crazy week of school. I also went for a 7.5 mile run, so I wanted to something filling. I decided to make some hot dish. It was super easy. I grilled myself a chicken breast, and cooked a cup of rice (turned into about 3 cups.) They I cut up some veggies (peas, onions, broccoli) and combined these in a crock pot with a can of cream of mushroom soup, half a cup of milk and some pepper. Then I shredded the cooked chicken and added the cooked rice. I left it along in the crock pot for 1 hour and yummy!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Day 126-September 3rd: Roomies

Tonight we had our first get together at our place. Just thought I'd post a picture of my wonderful roommates. So excited to live with these guys this year :) And yes, that rat is our 7th roomie. She's a pet, not a rodent.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Day 125-September 2nd: Reason's why my boyfriend is great...Today


Reasons why my boyfriend is amazing (and these are just for today) 

  1. When I ask for a kiss he kisses me for a whole minute
  2. He provides me with a quiet place to do homework
  3. He provides me with a place with AC to do homework
  4. He provides me with wine while I do homework
  5. He spent 20 minutes trying to pick out a soap dish before deciding to buy liquid hand soap
  6. He spent 15 minutes smelling liquid hand soap to decide which scent to get.  

Day 124- September 1st: Meet your teacher night


Tonight was the first time I really felt like a teacher. As I woke up at 6 am to finish moving, got ready, and headed to school completely exhausted on 3 hours of sleep. We finished setting up our classroom and prepared materials and printouts for the night. By this point I was hardly able to stand on my feet. Luckily my wonderful boyfriend had brought me a frappucino that morning, so I sipped on that for the afternoon and was ready to go when the parents came. I also took my half hour dinner break to run to target and get some supplies and a small bag of food to take home. As I met parents and students I became overwhelmed. Not only are their so many names and faces to learn, but there are questions to answer. It seem almost impossible to introduce myself to everyone, and don’t even think about remembering names. Out of the 18 students who attended I remember maybe 5 of the faces with names, and I remember none of the parents. After this exhausting night I headed home to unpack until 11:30pm. What a long day! And I still had to get up for Friday’s all staff meeting from 8-12 and class work time from 12:30-4. 

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Day 123- August 31: Moving


I moved in a day early. It took me a long time to get my room organized (I'm posting these 3 days later.) But here they are!

Free Desk and chair were here. Doesn't it look nice :)

Dresser/getting ready area

bed!

super organized closet.... for now