Lessons learned.

Well I can't believe I'm sitting here and I'm one week away from being done with my first placement... that means that I'm halfway done w/student teaching! Yikes! I've enjoyed it so far though, it's definitely been a lot of work!

So I'm just recently realizing that I'm truly feeling happy again. I feel like my life is right on track and I'm feeling very blessed. I don't know why it's starting to hit me now, but the past year has been a rough one, one in which I've learned a lot of lessons... mainly, the biggest lessons I've learned is that God is in control- He has a plan for me even when it's not the same plan I have. I've learned that truth is often the best, even if it might be hurtful, I've learned it's ok to be happy, I've learned not to settle for less than I want, and I've learned that true friends will stick by your side through everything-- I mean EVERYTHING. I think I might just mention some friends of mine that have truly been a blessing to me, even when times were rough, and even when things were on the rocks...

Stefani- I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me in the last year or so. Some of which I know you don't realize. You were there for me when the rest of the world walked out. You're the closest I have to a sister! I'm not looking forward to your fiance whisking you off to Europe, but I guess it'll give me an excuse to be a world traveller ;)

Nicole- We def. had our struggles and our rough points lately, but just as I knew, we made it through it. I can't imagine my life without you (haha sounds like we're dating) We've been friends through so much and I know we're gonna be old ladies sittin' in our rocking chairs-- probably talking about something inappropriate! Haha <3

Whitney- I know we haven't had a lot of time to hang out lately, but I always know that you're here whenever. You have the biggest heart, and can always see past people's weaknesses (esp. mine!) and be a friend. We need to spend more time together!!!

The rest of the cloggers (especially Abby and Teresa), and The YMCA clan (namely- Ashley, Allison, and Britt)- you've been there to listen to my ranting and raving, always giving advice or just putting up with me!


And there's one person I can't leave out, one that is my very best friend and recently my significant other ;)

Brew- you're amazing. I've never been so drawn to one person as I am to you, we can practically read each others minds, and you know me on a deeper level than I even know myself. You have always been there for me, and always giving of everything you have for me. I have so much fun with you, all the time, you make me laugh when it's the last thing I feel like doing. I know we have our moments (we're BOTH stubborn lol) but I'm so happy with you, and I can't thank you enough for all you do for me!


So to all my friends, my TRUE friends, thank you for everything, I love you all!!!

Updates

So I haven't been too great at updating as of late. So I'll give you the rundown...

Student Teaching
My life has been consumed by student teaching. I'm enjoying it though. I really love working at Lubeck. The teachers & staff there are just great. And with the exception of a couple...shall we say... challenging... students, the kids are great too. I passed the social studies test too and was just granted full admission to student teaching in social studies 5-9, which means I'm def. getting my specialization. I'm really excited to be done, I can't believe it's only a couple months away!

The New Year so far
Well I'm sure most of you probably already know, because I'm not sure that many read this, if any actually, but the new year has been getting off to a good start for me. In all aspects of my life. I just started dating a long-time friend of mine, Brew. At first I was leery about jumping into another relationship, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought "why not?" One of my new years resolutions was to stop convincing myself I shouldn't be happy. He makes me happy. So, we are taking our time and enjoying each other and spending time together. I'm so comfortable with him too because we've been friends for years so there's not that awkwardness that comes with new relationships.

Looking Ahead
Some things I'm looking forward to in the next few months are...
-Changing Placements: I love it at Lubeck, and I don't necessarily want to change schools, but I'm looking forward to working with fifth graders, it'll be nice to have kids that can tie their own shoes ;)
-Possibly going to Morgantown at the end of this month: plans are for me, Brew, and Levi (Nicole's bf) to go to Morgantown to stay w/Nicole the last weekend in Feb. All assuming her grandma's tests/surgery goes well, which we're praying does!
-Stefani's Bridal Shuffle in March: It'll be fun, I've not really been a part of a wedding party, and I love spending time w/her, and yea I'm just looking forward to it :)
-My Birthday!: Just cause it's my birthday. Although there's nothing real special about turning 23...
-Spring Break: Who doesn't look forward to Spring Break? I love teaching but it's always nice to get a break!
-Graduation: DUH!
-Summertime: goals over the summer are to SAVE MONEY for Stef's wedding in Thailand, and hopefully *crosses fingers* have enough money to start the process of moving out!



Ok I hope that update is sufficient. Now I'm going to go back in the living room... my family and Brew are watching The Dark Knight. Batman's not really my thing, I sat through 45 min. of it before I got bored & decided to get on here...

So with that I'll sign off! :)

New Year, New Beginning

Well it's 2009! Wow that's hard to believe...

I'm definitely welcoming the new year this year. The past year has been up and down, mostly more downs. But I really am happier now, and I'm looking forward to the new year & what's to come.

I start student teaching on the 12th. I'm excited, and a little bit nervous, mostly excited though. I'm just looking forward to graduating, getting a "real" job, and moving out.

As for resolutions, well I'm not usually one to make resolutions... sure as I say I WILL do this or that, it lasts a week if you're lucky. But nevertheless I came up with a few...

1. Be frugal/Save as much money as possible - this probably should've been at the top of last year's list but oh well. I'm only working about 10 hours a week at the Y during my student teaching semester, if I'm lucky, so that means my paychecks will be more than cut in half. I'm hoping to be able to pay for almost everything. I have my car paid up till February now, I'm going to try and pay at least February's payment with my last decent paycheck from the way. So hopefully I'll only have to scrape together enough to pay for 2 or 3 months. Then my next goal is to pay my car off a year early. It's a 3 year loan and I've been paying on it for a little over a year, I only owe about $3000 on it so I'm going to try and save money over the summer to pay it off before next Christmas.
   
2. Pay more attention to my health - I don't neccessarily want to lose a lot of weight, I've done pretty well throughout college. I've gained about 10 lbs since I graduated high school 5 years ago, which though not great, is definitely better than some of my peers I graduated with. My eating habits just suck. I eat out too much, I skip breakfast too often, and I don't eat enough fruit & veggies. I know that, so I want to try and eat better. I also have a free YMCA membership I seldom use. Now that I'll have weekday evenings free (or semi-free, aside from lesson plans & grading and all that) I don't have an excuse not to go exercise. I still clog, and it's great exercise but I don't do it enough. 2 hours, one day a week isn't what I should be doing. So that's one goal I have, to get in better shape, and eat better. My family genes suck so I hopefully can get into some life-long habits this year.
3. Stop feeling guilty about being happy - That's one thing I've been dealing w/since Seth & I broke up. I know it's stupid but I can't help feeling guilty that I am happier since we've not been together, especially since he hasn't reached that point yet. I KNOW it makes no rational sense because the choice to end our relationship and everything was mutual. But because I care about him, I sometimes feel guilty that I HAVE been able to move on to greener pastures and be happier when he's been struggling. But I know I shouldn't... I need to keep looking to the future with no regrets and trust that God has plans for both of us, and be truly happy.
   

Well that's about it... we'll see where I am a year from now on those ;) lol.

Now I'm going to go get ready to babysit... so adios!

Christmas time's a-comin...

So it's been a while since I updated... things really are going great actually. I think I'm finally feeling happy again.

I'm super excited for Christmas! :) I have all my Christmas shopping done now and after singing w/the WV Orchestra, and going to my alma mater's choir concert (and of course singing O Holy Night- the alumni song) I'm in the "Christmas-y" mood.

I'm also excited to start student teaching in the spring. We have like a meeting thingy at the college tomorrow night.

Its been nice being off school. I'm glad I don't have to go back for a while... it's nice to actually have some time to do something other than schoolwork or work at the Y. Thursday night I'm going out w/Nicole, Levi, and Brew so I'm pretty pumped about that as well.

Well I suppose that's pretty much it... I'll leave you with a couple recently taken pictures...

















My dog Chewie laying on the back of the couch...he spends most of his time here when my parents aren't home...



Our Christmas tree this year

student teaching placements

I got my student teaching placements!

I'm at Lubeck Elementary for 1st grade
then, Neale Elementary for 5th grade Social Studies!


Annnd... I would totally write more but it's late, I'm tired, and I have to get up at 6:30 so that's all for now!!!

OK so I haven't updated in a while... things have been going better for me. So yea things are looking up.

Of course not that I've had a whole lot of time to think about anything but school. It has kept me busy to say the least. I'm fighting senior-itis big time. I am more than looking forward to Thanksgiving break. Though I know I'll just end up working on stuff for my online class and other assignments that week.

I can't believe it's almost Thanksgiving... then after that Christmas will be here before you know it... I'm most looking forward to finding out my student teaching placements. My teacher said we should know by Thanksgiving, so I'm anxious to find that out.


Alright well that's all for now...

I PASSED!

So I got my scores for the Praxis back!!! (For those that may not know-its the test for a teachers license) I PASSED! Actually by quite a long shot... I got one point higher on each test than the average range. I wasn't sure what to expect my grade was on it, but I was really happy when I saw my scores :)

Now if I can just do the same when I take the Social Studies one in November....




And those pictures...haven't forgot just haven't had time. Thats another thing is that this month has been insane. I have so much due and to do in the next couple weeks its not even funny.

But right now, its still kinda early but I'm pooped and I have to be at work at 7am so I think I'm gonna head to bed!