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)

Road Trip

Greetings All! 

I knew it had been awhile since I posted, but didn't realize almost three months had gone by.  What can I say?  I'm a busy girl!

I spent 6 months taking care of Sweetheart, but was recently terminated due to the fact that the mother was let go from her job.  I was very pleased that Sweetheart and her sisters were going to have their mother around in the mornings and afternoons.  While I was able to fill some of the void in the mornings and throughout the day, there was just certain things only their Mother could provide.  I will say that I did tear up a bit at the thought of not spending anymore time with Sweetheart.  It was a bittersweet ending for sure!

Recently, I have had the chance to spend some time with a close friend.  She and her husband have two dogs and a bird, which I have taken care of on many occasions.  Anyway, we have both been in the boat of looking for elementary school jobs which are about one-in-ten amongst the listings.  Yesterday, we road tripped up to a school where she has an interview next week.  It looks to be a nice place and I hope that things work out well for her.  On my way home from her house, I was thinking about her and how her children don't speak much to her (bitter divorce...children sided with their father).  I can't imagine how much that has to hurt, especially, since she didn't do anything wrong.  When I got home, I dropped her a text and mentioned that I could be her part-time daughter if she wished.  She "thanked me" and informed me that she had already thought of me as her daughter in many ways anyway.  I was touched as I am sure she was.  To quote her- "You can never have too many people who care about you!"

This Friday, my Mom and I are taking a short roadtrip up to Manassas, VA.  I have an interview with a private school there that afternoon which I am pleased about.  At the same time, I had kinda set my sights on a different school south of Charlottesville that has expressed interest.  I am hoping for an interview with them...we'll see what happens! : )

Peace & Hugs!

Observations

I returned to being a "nanny" today after a long holiday.  I was excited to return and felt a sense of comfort when I walked in the door.  The family's black lab puppy- Raven- came running over to me and the oldest daughter said, "good morning and hello" as did I.  Lil' Pumpkin took some time to readjust to me but by the end of the day she was talking and laughing.  She has grown so much over the break- maybe not physically but emotionally and intellectually.  I noticed it in so many of the small things- her vocabulary, speech clarity, getting dressed, playing/sorting with shaped blocks, etc.  I have grown quite fond of Lil' Pumpkin as she is sooo precious and endearing but how could you not?! 

For a long time I have thought (still think) that I want to work with children but perhaps didn't want my own down the road.  I catch myself at times thinking that maybe that isn't exactly true.  There is plenty of time to think on that issue but it is an interesting observation. 

Purple & Black All the Way!

It should be no secret at this point that I am an AVID football fan.  I watch a handful of games each week especially those that might concern my favorite football team down the road.  If that isn't enough, I read the highlights/articles/critiques under NFL on the Yahoo homepage and I now have the NFL app on my phone.  Yeah, it's bad!!

Along the same lines, I am happy to announce that the Baltimore Ravens (my favorite team) beat the Cincinatti Bengals last night (24-16) and clinched the #2 seed going into the playoffs!!  Whooo-hooo!  I would love to see this team return to the Superbowl (not to mention win it!), especially for those older team members who are reaching the end of their careers. For now it is a much deserved bye week and then they will play at M&T stadium against the highest seeded team left.  After that, we will see...