Day 365- April 29th: Final post?

Well....I made it! 365 posts in 365 days. I have to say that I did a far better job of keeping up on this blog than in my diary. For those of you who read it, thank you! I hope you found some knowledge, or listened to a good song, or learned something interesting while reading. I suggest that everyone take part in some sort of reflection similar to this. Jot yourself a sentence each day, or take a picture of something important. It is so intriguing to look back and see how much has happened and how much I have grown in the last 365 days.
Is this the end? Of this blog, I believe so. However you should check out my other blogs. I'm hoping to start training for a half-marathon again this week. If you are interested please read about it at Training. I also started a brand new blog tonight. This new blog will focus on my preparations for traveling and my experiences in Albania. It also has a super cool title: Tiara Teaching and Traveling in Tirana.
I will leave you with the most important thing I learned during my 365 days of blogging: There are many important things in life, and  a lot of unimportant things in life. But each thing has its importance in that particular time and place.

Day 364-April 28th: family

Today was spent with my family. I tried to best to soak up as much of them as I could, knowing that there are no more major holidays before I leave for Albania. I got to spend a little bit of time talking to my Grandma about her new apartment, and spent time listening to my Grandpa rant and rave about the government and show me endless picture of people I don't really care about. I also let me niece comb my hair until there was none left and took many, many turns hold my new nephew. (pictures to follow) I had planned on beginning work on my t-shirt quilt with my other grandma, but there just wasn't enough time. *sigh*
I also got to spend the evening sipping delicious beers with my brothers.

Day 363-April 27: Icy cream date night

Tonight I had the pleasure of taking my niece out to ice cream at my favorite ice cream place in my hometown. It was fun to get a half an hour all to ourselves. She didn't want to take pictures until I suggested we take some funny ones. Then she was super excited.

Day 362-April 26th: names

So as a teacher, I have a very long list of names I will not use for children I may have someday. I also have a list of names I WILL use. Unfortunately they are all boys names, or modified versions of them. I have only one girl name chosen.

To be honest, I'm doubting more and more that I will ever be able to have kids of my own, but time will tell. If this is the list (5 names) after a year who knows what it will be like 5 years from now.

Day 361-April 25th: :(

Today we finished taking the MCA's! Meaning that I can finally teach my students real things again :D

I also found out some very sad news. I've been working with one particular student in her math work. She came in far above grade level in reading, but was at about a 1st grade math level. I've been working with her for 15 minutes at the end of the day on basic math skills, and I've been very impressed with her progress. I think she is at about where she should have been in the beginning of 3rd grade. I was looking very forward to my last 6 weeks with her, and using it as an opportunity to really practice what we have learned. However I found out today that Monday will be her last day, and therefore I only have two 15 minute sessions left with her. Almost cried. I cannot become this attached to students. That is just not healthy at all.

Speaking of not healthy I have this weird partial sickness thing going on. scratchy throat, stuffy nose, but not bad enough to notice much. just annoying.

Day 360- April 24th: dreams vs. reality

What is better: dreams or reality? I once wrote a paper on this. Sophomore year of high school. Upon first thought I immediately went to dreams. But as I continued to think about it I realized how inaccurate that was. Dreaming is phenomenal. It allows you to be whomever and whatever you want, and that is worth a lot. But reality.....wow. When you actually experience and feel emotions it is worth everything. When I was little I'd dream about love, but the real thing was nothing like I imagined it to be. I dreamed of finding a passion, and now that I've found one I'm not sure I'll ever be able to let it go. And now I dream of Albania, and I cannot wait to get there and find out what it is really like.

So to answer the Great Gatsby writing prompt from 6 years ago, I'd like to say that my answer has been proven over and over again. Reality far outweighs dreams.

Day 359-April 23rd: 4 months

4 months from now I will be leaving on a plane to Albania. Holy Wow! so much to do and so little time....

Today I was required to go to the job fair even though I have a job. I walked around just taking in the stress of it all and being so relieved that I didn't have to prepared and nervous. Talked to a few school district in Alaska and gave them my resume just for the heck of it.

I also got an e-mail from Taiwan today offering me a job. If anyone is searching for a job they need someone in the beginning of June. Let me know if you are interested. Housing, living stipend are available, and I don't think you need a teaching degree for the job. Just a degree of some sort.

....Back to the large to-do list.