Today...

...was a crazy day at work. The Upper Camp kids (grades 5-8) were going on a field trip this morning, and the staff let the buses leave without our Director, Chris. He was not happy. They finally got the buses turned around to come and get him. Fun.

...is my birthday (and my twin's...duh!). Contrary to what you see in this picture, I did not turn 45:


...my sister, Kelli, bought me ice cream from the Jack and Jill truck that comes to our camp at the end of the day. It was Snickers ice cream, and it was delightful.

...I was contacted for an interview for a Middle School English teaching position. That made me very happy, but anxious!

...was a beautiful day. Weather was perfect and the sky was clear.

...I got up at 6:30 a.m. to be at work for a 8:00 a.m. staff meeting.....I'm still yawning.

...a kid told me that he had dried throw-up on his leg. Yeah, that was interesting.

...my cousins came in to my Office at the end of the camp day to give me a birthday present. That made me smile :o)

...I received numerous phone calls and messages wishing me a happy birthday....I've got great friends and family.

...I ate too much at dinner, but found some room for cake :-P

...I'm skipping my exercise class because I feel like it (AND...did you forget? It's my birthday!).

...I laughed hysterically at Preston and Steve on the radio.

...is not over yet, but I look forward to getting some sleep tonight!

Inappropriate

So, last night at work I was tutoring a 2nd grader in Math. We were doing word/story problems and we came upon one that talked about "rock music tapes." To this, my student replies, "Cool...rock music." I said, "Oh, so you like rock music?" He says, "Yeah, but I can't talk about my favorite band."

Well this clearly piques my curiosity, so I question a little further, wondering what his favorite band is and why he can't talk about them...The dialogue goes like this:

Me: Why can't you talk about them?

Him: Well, because they're inappropriate.

Me: Oh...It's okay though...you can at least tell me the name of the band.

Him: It's the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

At this point, I'm laughing inside because it's definitely an odd choice for an 8-year-old, and I'm figuring he probably knows them from his parents.

Me: Oh, I know the Red Hot Chili Peppers...I like them too.

Him: (wide-eyed, smiling) You do?!

Me: Yes, but tell me why you called them inappropriate.

Him: Well, because in their songs they talk about girls and stuff so I didn't think I should talk about them.

Me: I guess your parents know you like them, right?...Do they listen to them too?

Him: Well, they know...and my Dad also likes them. [I think he also muttered something about listening to them with his Dad in the car.]

Me: Okay....let's get back to work.

Such is my life working with kids. They crack me up. You never know what they're going to say or connect to next, which is half the fun of teaching.

M.I.A.

Yes I've been missing in action and neglecting my blog. I've been so busy lately with work, interviews, and other things. I promise to have a longer update coming soon. Now I'm off to watch the rest of A.I....Melinda better not be voted off!!

edit: Melinda went home :-( Blake and Jordin are in the finals....guess all the teeny-bopper girls voted for Blake, even though Melinda was much better.


P.S. check out my new label cloud in the sidebar..........SA-WEET!

Blah...

In addition to being so crazily busy this week with freelance writing, I got the FLU. I got through most of the week without it...which is good because I had to tutor a few nights, an interview on Thursday morning, and a tight writing deadline. However, I went to work on Thursday afternoon not feeling quite right. That night when I came home I knew something was up...I was aching all over and had the chills. A temperature check showed I had a 100-degree fever. Ugh.

I called out of work yesterday morning and spent a good part of the day home alone in bed. Although the fever is gone, I am still dealing with stomach pains and not being able to eat much but toast, soup, and rice.

Unfortunately since I am in close contact with kids who think nothing of coughing in your face when you're sitting right next to them, I am always going to get these annoying little bugs. I think I need to take double doses of vitamins! Where's Dr. Oz when you need him?!

Just Call Me Glenda

...That's right, Glenda, as in "The Good Witch." Why, you ask? Well, I got asked to work a Hayride & Bonfire Event tomorrow night (Friday) that a local township (which I work for in the summer) is running. My summer boss, Mike, who works for the township year-round, needs someone to fill in as the Witch, and well, he thought of me. Now that I am sitting here pondering this, why did he think of me??

Actually, I know the answer to this question, well, because Mike told me...my job as "The Witch" will be to supervise the high school volunteers who will actually be doing the work at the event. And since this is basically what I do in the summer at my camp job (supervise high school-and-college-age staff) I guess I am qualified to be the Witch. I feel so honored!

On another happy, yet totally unrelated, note...I was supposed to have jury duty tomorrow too....and my service is not needed, so that means I don't have to go! You may now jump up and down for me!

Ahem...Why aren't you jumping??

A No-Work Monday / Decisions on My Plate

I slept in today for the first Monday since starting my summer camp job back in June and it felt good. No, I didn't play hooky today; camp is over for the summer. We all said our goodbyes on Friday. Now, onto the next phase of my life...decision-making time.

Well, I have already decided I will not be a Sub for another year...As a teacher, I want my own space. I don't want to be a guest anymore. When you have a taste of something that is all yours, and then you need to give it up, it is hard to accept. I want to play by my rules again, not by someone else's.

So, what does this mean for me? Well, first and foremost, I will find a job doing something else in the meantime. I have also spent a lot of time thinking about pursuing my Master's Degree. It was always something I planned to do...it was just figuring out the what, where, and when. My Master's Degree will not necessarily be in Education, however. I considered getting my certification in Special Education--which is still a possibility. But, I am also strongly realizing a want to pursue a Master's of Science in Psychology (after all, Psych was my intended major in my Undergraduate studies before deciding on Education).

Right now, I am looking at a program that would ultimately lead to a career working in Psychological research, wherein I would like to specialize in Developmental Psychology. I don't, necessarily, want to be a Clinical Psychologist where I would actually see patients and provide therapy (but who knows?...that could change!) At the present time, I am more interested in the research end of it...so we will see. The program also requires a Master's thesis, which would then prepare me for a Doctorate program, if I so choose. So, yeah, I've got a lot of thinking to do...I wish I could blink my eyes and the decisions would appear before me. Where is Jeannie when you need her?

I'm Still Here

It's been quite a while since my last post...I've been sooooo busy with work that I haven't had a chance to do any updates here. Let me just prepare you, this will not be anything special either!!

Just wanted to say that I just got back from Disney World this week. I should have some pictures up pretty soon, when I get the chance! I had a really great time, but honestly it was just too hot!

Since I really don't have much to say at this particular time...I will just leave you with a song that is currently stuck in my head...

Fix You
By: Coldplay

When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse.

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream, down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I..

Tears stream, down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I..

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.

You Gotta Love Little Kids

Today I subbed a half day (PM) for a Kindergarten class. I have been in this classroom before, which was nice because I already knew all the kids. I was interested to see if they would remember me though, since I haven't seen them since January...you never can tell with little ones; it could go either way...they might remember, they might not. When I got there at 11:30 a.m., they had already eaten lunch and were out at recess. So, at 11:45 I went outside to the playground to pick them up. As soon as I walked up to their line, the first boy in the line screamed out my name with this big smile on his face. Wide-eyed, I said, "Oh, you remember me, huh?" He nodded his head 'yes' as the other kids quickly caught on and called out to me too. We then walked inside so I could read-aloud my favorite children's book "Green Eggs & Ham" by Dr. Suess (in celebration of Read Across America/Dr. Suess' March 2nd birthday). I tried not to laugh hysterically as the kids kept telling me so matter-of-factly that the main character in the story was "angry" and "upset" at Sam-I-Am because he kept pushing his green eggs and ham.

Perhaps the funniest thing, though, is how the kids feel no qualms about telling me how their teacher does things...or they tell me how to do something, as if I don't already know. I know this all too well though because my 2nd graders used to do the same thing to the subs that would come in for me. They just don't seem to understand that teachers don't have to do things exactly the same way all the time. However, I realize this is just because they find comfort in their routine...so, I just usually reassure them that everything is okay and then we move on.

I used to think that I didn't want to teach Kindergarten because it is so physically and mentally draining (I've never tied so many shoes and zipped up so many coats in my life!)...but I don't feel that way anymore. I realize how much they are like little sponges and how exciting it would be to play a part in that everyday.