Ramblings

My life as a Kindergarten teacher has been amazing, challenging, and heart warming!  I love all of my kids and work super hard to make sure they are learning what they need academically, but also thriving socially and emotionally.  I am consistently blown away by their progress.  As I look forward, I don't know where the future will lead me but I do know that I will be teaching.

This past summer I began horseback riding lessons.  I have had so much fun learning how to groom/ tack up, steer, walk, trot, begin to canter, and just to be with the horses.  I love grooming them just about as much as I do riding.  As an extra, I have also learned a little bit about barrel racing and the basics of the barrel pattern and cornering.

Lastly, my Dad has moved back to Maryland after spending 10 years working in Atlanta, GA.  I am sooo happy to have him back and to be able to see and spend time with him every weekend.  Family is everything and I am truly blessed to have mine! :)

The Plot Thickens...

Loooooooong day!  There was a point a few weeks ago where I began to worry that a teaching job was not in the cards this year.  Now, I fully believe I will be teaching next year in either Kindergarten, Second Grade, or Fifth Grade.  If it wasn't interesting enough with two potential schools then the third one has definitely added some flavor.  

I had an interview with "School B" today and was pleasantly surprised by everything.  I clammed up a bit in the beginning, but felt much better after a few laughs with the interview panel.  I should hear something as early as tomorrow or as late as next Friday.  My gut tells me that they will offer me the position.  

What confuses this whole matter is  "School C"!!.  This was a school that I really liked from the moment that I viewed/read their webpage.  I submitted my cover letter and resume knowing that this opening had gotten a huge number of hits.  I didn't expect to hear anything from them.  Well, obviously, I did (otherwise I wouldn't be talking about it) and it was extremely positive.  The principal went as far as to say she would like to talk about the possibility of employment with them but first I needed to fill out the application.  Great!  Let me do that...oh, wait...it's not online (sigh).  So, in the course of 24 hours of receiving it, I filled out the application, completed the short answer questions, and electronically sent EVERYTHING back.  I can only hope that they don't drag their feet as I would LOVE to be there next year.  Possible?  Maybe.  Likely?  I just don't know.

School A has delayed making a decision at the board's request!  

We'll see what happens...keep your fingers crossed!

M-sly  

Hoofing It

Anybody who has ever met me knows that I am NOT the athletic type by any means.  My main form of exercise over the past 10 years has come from just plain walking.  I enjoy the fresh air, the chance to absorb everything, and the chance to clear my thoughts if not think of new things. haha.  

 In college, I use to go walking with a good friend (my "walking buddy") around campus at night.  We enjoyed the exercise, each other's company, and maybe the conversation even more so.  I remember one night we were walking on the sidewalk behind Van Dyke when a skunk crossed our path.  I was like "omg, it's a skunk" and grabbed my walking buddy's arm.  Too much fun!

Nowadays, I mainly walk by myself, but could not ask for a more beautiful setting to walk in.  We live a block from the river, so I am able to walk along the water practically the whole way.  The other day while I was out for a walk, I stopped an took these photos.  Enjoy!

                                                (Mr. Blue Heron lives here... he doesn't like photos.)

                                                  (I love Daisies!  This just caught my eye!)

Another Look...

I haven't been through my old poetry file in awhile, but I came across this piece this evening.  It brought a huge smile to my face, so I thought I would share it again (it has been a few years).

"You"


At breakfast one morning I politely asked you to sit,
You smiled at me and took a seat.

I studied in the library by myself one night,
You brought a book and sat down next to me.

My eyes glazed over with thoughts flooding,
You noticed and asked me if I wanted to share.

Football games and group hangouts looked fun,
you turned to me and said "let's go!"

We were talking and I started to cry,
you wrapped your arms around me holding me tight.

I said I would never ballroom dance in front of others,
you took my hand and began teaching me the steps.

Walking up and down the sidewalks together over the years,
you always whistled while I always grinned. 

Here, There, And Everywhere!

It's hard to believe it is June already!  I ended up spending an extra week out in the country with the animals.  My friend's husband had surgery to treat a particular condition, which then led to complications the day before he was to be released.  He is at home now and doing very well!

I had a fabulous week with my friend playing video games, walking, eating, sleeping, and just being together.  I always hate to see him go, but I am planning to see him again in July.  After he left, I finally had a chance to clean my room from top to bottom as it desperately needed it.  I had hoped to clean before the company, but was not able due to being in the country.

Still waiting impatiently on the job front...I should hear something this week, hopefully!  Keep your fingers crossed!

-M-sly

    

May Flowers Bring...

It's not complicated,
Or very hard to grasp,
But every time I see you I laugh.

I won't get too sappy,
I've had no epiphany,
I just enjoy your company.

You test my nerves it makes me stronger,
So can you bother me a little bit longer?

-Zooey Deschanel & M Ward

As I sit here, I have one sleeping puppy at my feet and the other on my left.  Precious babies!  I have spent a lot of time with these sweet puppies in the last few weeks and have enjoyed my time  in the country.  

May 31st appears to be an important date to myself and to others involved with a probable Kindergarten position.  By this date, I should know whether I embark on a new teaching journey or if I was meant to be elsewhere.  I get the sense from the headmaster that the school would like to have me on board (a mutual feeling) but is really dependent on their enrollment numbers (understandably so).  

Should the position pan out, I feel that it would be good for me and take my teaching to a whole new level (very quickly). I would be using strategies and ideas I had only put my big toe in my first year but I am all for it.  I would be working with an age group that I know I do well with and can excel.  I learned this while working at camp, as I was always placed with the youngest cabin- I loved this age bracket and it was noticed.  I also would FINALLY be able to put to use the materials, strategies, and ideas that I have been researching for awhile now (that probably excites me the most).  I have spent hours upon hours on teacher blogs/websites immersing myself in new ideas and strategies.  If anybody was more prepared than me, I would be surprised. 

Until then, I continue to put in applications and keep my schedule full.  I am here till Thursday and then will finally be at home for awhile.  I will be sitting with Sweetheart in a little over a week while her mother attends a field trip.  I am so excited...we will have a ball!  I have missed that kid!  Also, that same day, a good friend comes into town for about a week- again, soooo excited!!

Well, that is all that is blogworthy and/or blogsafe!

-M-sly    

Home Away From Home

Since Wednesday evening I have been dog and bird sitting for a close friend.  Meet...

                                                             "Kelly" (my velcro puppy)
                                                       

                                 "Sparky" (he never would look up long enough for a good photo)

                                                             "Annabelle" (Queen Bee)