Saturday, March 31, 2012
Day 337-March 31: Flower show
I went to bed at about 8:00pm yesterday and therefore woke up at 5:30am to do homework. I headed out for a 6:30am run (with my jogging weapon) and then came home to get ready for work. Today we went to Shoreview and saw the Easter Bunny and we went to the Macy's flower show. I also started looking at tickets :S
Friday, March 30, 2012
Day 336-March 30th: Exhausted
Today we took the 3rd graders to the science museum. I took a group of very hard kids (at my supervisors suggestion.) I got home and all I've wanted to do since is sleep.
I made cookies with my roomie and ate about 3, and now I'm laying in bed at 7:00. Yep, time to sleep.
I also had a mini-freakout this morning. I was driving and thinking about the fun concerts I have in the next month and I realized that I'm seriously going to miss my music life here, something that I have been taking for granted this last year. Time to start going to more shows. I shed two tears, wiped them away and got on with my day.
I made cookies with my roomie and ate about 3, and now I'm laying in bed at 7:00. Yep, time to sleep.
I also had a mini-freakout this morning. I was driving and thinking about the fun concerts I have in the next month and I realized that I'm seriously going to miss my music life here, something that I have been taking for granted this last year. Time to start going to more shows. I shed two tears, wiped them away and got on with my day.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Day 335-March 29th: Bucket List (the beginning)
You all ready for this? First Draft.
Summer in Minneapolis:
1. Run Half Marathon
2. Ride Mechanical Bull
Europe: (Not in order)
1. France (Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Moulin Rouge, Louvre, Palace of Versailles)
2. Italy (The Colosseum, Cinque Terre, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Venice (gondola) Vatican City)
3. Greece (Athens, Acropolis, Meteora, Delphi Ruins, Melissani Cave, Mount Athos, Vikos Gorge)
4. Ireland (Jameson Distillery, Howth Castle/pier, The cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Guinness Storehouse)
5. Spain (Alhambra, Seville, Ronda)
6. Switzerland (Alps, Salt Mines, The Swiss Path, Swiss National Park, )
7. Belgium (chocolate. That's it.)
8. Prague (Petrin Lookout Tower, clock tower)
This list isn't even complete. How will I get it all in???? I talked to my mother today, and I mean finally talked to her about the move and she said I had such a calmness in my voice that she knew I was making the right decision. Also I think I've slept better this week than any other week this year. Incredible....
Summer in Minneapolis:
1. Run Half Marathon
2. Ride Mechanical Bull
3. Mickey's Diner
4. Greenway Bike Trail
5. Take a trip to the Gay 90's (It has to be done. sorry....)Europe: (Not in order)
1. France (Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Moulin Rouge, Louvre, Palace of Versailles)
2. Italy (The Colosseum, Cinque Terre, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Venice (gondola) Vatican City)
3. Greece (Athens, Acropolis, Meteora, Delphi Ruins, Melissani Cave, Mount Athos, Vikos Gorge)
4. Ireland (Jameson Distillery, Howth Castle/pier, The cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Guinness Storehouse)
5. Spain (Alhambra, Seville, Ronda)
6. Switzerland (Alps, Salt Mines, The Swiss Path, Swiss National Park, )
7. Belgium (chocolate. That's it.)
8. Prague (Petrin Lookout Tower, clock tower)
This list isn't even complete. How will I get it all in???? I talked to my mother today, and I mean finally talked to her about the move and she said I had such a calmness in my voice that she knew I was making the right decision. Also I think I've slept better this week than any other week this year. Incredible....
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Day 334- March 28th: no freakout?
I'm wondering why I haven't had a freakout about moving to Albania yet. There are several possibilities. 1) I'm so very confident in my decision to go there 2) I'm just too busy with full time teaching at the moment to think about it 3) I am so glad that I finally have this portion of my future figured out, or 4) I still don't believe it is happening.
In my Literature Circle at class today I was talking to kids about how much more scary things can seem in the reality of facing them. I know I won't freak out to the point where I back out of this teaching position, but I can guaranty you that there will be some sort of mental breakdown involving tears at some point. Probably upon actually buying my ticket or packing up my things.
Anyway, I did have a freakout on Sunday for a far different reason. In the moment it hurt me a lot and seemed like a huge deal, but now that I've had time to consider it and think about it, I'm happy about it.
I went out for some delicious ice cream to catch up with my bestie whom I haven't seen in awhile. We got to talking and as I talked I realized that maybe, in light of where I'm heading and the other news I got on Sunday I can finally make a break for myself. And finding myself. And figuring out what I want. And I'm glad I'm finally on that path :D
In my Literature Circle at class today I was talking to kids about how much more scary things can seem in the reality of facing them. I know I won't freak out to the point where I back out of this teaching position, but I can guaranty you that there will be some sort of mental breakdown involving tears at some point. Probably upon actually buying my ticket or packing up my things.
Anyway, I did have a freakout on Sunday for a far different reason. In the moment it hurt me a lot and seemed like a huge deal, but now that I've had time to consider it and think about it, I'm happy about it.
I went out for some delicious ice cream to catch up with my bestie whom I haven't seen in awhile. We got to talking and as I talked I realized that maybe, in light of where I'm heading and the other news I got on Sunday I can finally make a break for myself. And finding myself. And figuring out what I want. And I'm glad I'm finally on that path :D
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Day 333-March 27th: How?
Sometimes I wonder how I can do all this work. I got to my school at 6:50am this morning and didn't leave until 5:00pm. I then stopped by the library on the way home to check out books for examples for our new writing project. I came home, ate, showered and have been grading papers for 2 hours! that's 12 hours of work, and I'm still not done! and I have class tomorrow. Here is to hoping there is no homework due.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Day 332-March 26th: In love!
There is so much to think about that I'm absolutely overwhelmed. As I told my co-teacher that I got the job today I had a mini-freakout. Luckily I had to throw myself into preparing for my full day of teaching so I couldn't dwell. I thought I'd make a list of the reason I'm already in love with my new job/home.
1. The School Website: read the testimonials from past teachers and you will understand. I also got super excited looking at the after school clubs. Guitar club? Awesome! I want to help up with Drama and start a running club if they will let me :D I also read about a field trip where they went hiking in the mountains. So cool!
2. The food. I've been reading about all the delicious meat and veggies. Albanians love their fresh veggies and deep fried pockets with veggies and meat.
3. The school calendar. There are several Saturdays where I have inservice, but they are usually followed with a Friday off so I can travel. (bucket list of places to come soon)
4. My pay. Thanks to the U of M for putting me through a year long program of student teaching. I will be getting paid an additional 100 euros because of this.
5. The e-mail I just got from a first grade teacher. She told me that adjustment is fairly easy because the school is so helpful in finding a way to settle you in quickly and everyone is so welcoming. Doubts gone?
6. Folk music: apparently very popular in Albania, as well as folk dancing.
7. My backpacking trip with my brother. Why yes I already sent him the dates of my vacation so we can start planning.
8. The utter cliche of buying a one way ticket anywhere. Never thought I'd be the type to ever do such a thing.....crazy!
9. The climate: mild all year round. No extremes= one happy girl/runner :D
10. The language/flag: apparently the language is one of the hardest to learn. Super excited to learn at least enough to communicate. The flag looks so serious. Someone suggested I get a tattoo of it. We will see :D
1. The School Website: read the testimonials from past teachers and you will understand. I also got super excited looking at the after school clubs. Guitar club? Awesome! I want to help up with Drama and start a running club if they will let me :D I also read about a field trip where they went hiking in the mountains. So cool!
2. The food. I've been reading about all the delicious meat and veggies. Albanians love their fresh veggies and deep fried pockets with veggies and meat.
3. The school calendar. There are several Saturdays where I have inservice, but they are usually followed with a Friday off so I can travel. (bucket list of places to come soon)
4. My pay. Thanks to the U of M for putting me through a year long program of student teaching. I will be getting paid an additional 100 euros because of this.
5. The e-mail I just got from a first grade teacher. She told me that adjustment is fairly easy because the school is so helpful in finding a way to settle you in quickly and everyone is so welcoming. Doubts gone?
6. Folk music: apparently very popular in Albania, as well as folk dancing.
7. My backpacking trip with my brother. Why yes I already sent him the dates of my vacation so we can start planning.
8. The utter cliche of buying a one way ticket anywhere. Never thought I'd be the type to ever do such a thing.....crazy!
9. The climate: mild all year round. No extremes= one happy girl/runner :D
10. The language/flag: apparently the language is one of the hardest to learn. Super excited to learn at least enough to communicate. The flag looks so serious. Someone suggested I get a tattoo of it. We will see :D
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Day 331-March 25th: Job/Moving
So...I officially got a job in Tirana, Albania starting in August of 2012! Went out to celebrate with the brother, and it led to a full- out all day long celebration. Now it's time to prepare for teaching tomorrow. Oh the joys of being a grown up. So much planning will go into this next life move. But for tonight I sleep....hopefully.
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