I'm here. I'm back. I've alive. I'm breathing.
I've had a lot going on. Here's a quick update:
1. I interviewed on Monday for a job at Gateway High School. About three minutes before I left for the interview, my principal at Chatfield called me into his office and offered me a part time position at Chatfield. While he rambled on about "I know it's not the ideal situation, but at least part time is better than nothing," I became a blobbering idiot and let a few tears shed right before his eyes. I got myself under control enough to say that I was neither going to decline nor accept the offer until I heard from Gateway.
2. By the time I got to my car, I was shaking so badly I had to take a few moments to calm down. Why did he have to offer me a position at my dream school right before an interview/job that I NEED?
3. I started my hour drive toward Gateway only to find that the wind was blowing sooooo badly that I almost got blown off the interstate. Not even kidding. I mean, how am I to text people when I need to have both hands on the steering wheel to stay on the road?
4. I successfully completed my interview (with a full bladder, I might add). I felt good about everything and left satisfied that I had done my best.
5. I checked with my references on Tuesday. NOTHING. Wednesday. NOTHING. Thursday. NOTHING. And then I got an email today stating that I DID NOT get the job. It's rather a long story, but I basically tied for first place. They liked me. They wanted me. They were torn. However, the lady who they offered the job to has training in ELL (English Language Learners). ELL students do not speak English as their primary language, so they offered the job to the lady who has taught ELL students before. If I had more experience in that, they would have offered me the job.
6. However, the department chair who I interviewed with actually resigned today because she got an AP job at an elementary school. Therefore, her position is now open at Gateway, and they want me to interview for her job. She wants to personally meet with me so she can guide me through some of the interview questions so I can rock the new interview committee.
7. In the meantime, I think I am going to accept the part time position at Chatfield so I am guaranteed at least that. If I do get the new job at Gateway, then I will resign at Chatfield.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Wrestling
Wrestling!
Corinne: Can I join, boys? Boys: SURE!
Boys: Get her!!!Corinne: Ouch, that kind of hurts.
Corinne: I surrender, I surrender. Kye: GET HER!!!
Carson: Kye, be nice to your sister!
Cinco de Mayo-He's 4
Kye turned 4 on May 5.
He's such a big boy. He was dying to open his gifts, so he sat in front of them and just stared. He's sooooo much like his Aunt Dido! 
Finally it was time to open his gifts, and Carson and Corinne made sure to help.
Kye got his very own scooter (Carson got one for his birthday a year or two ago, so Kye can finally ride with him).
He also couldn't keep his fingers out of the ice cream.
And then he went for the lid and was licking off the cool whip.
Mmm, Mmm, Good!
Finally it was time to open his gifts, and Carson and Corinne made sure to help.
Kye got his very own scooter (Carson got one for his birthday a year or two ago, so Kye can finally ride with him).
He also couldn't keep his fingers out of the ice cream.
And then he went for the lid and was licking off the cool whip.
Mmm, Mmm, Good!Again, a boy after his Aunt's heart. He LOVES ice cream.
Masquerade Party
I set aside my English teacher mask for a day and put on my Art teacher mask. We're doing Romeo and Juliet, so we had to make a mask for the Masquerade Party, duh! 
My Mask!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Good and Bad
*I have an interview next Monday at Gateway High School, which is part of Aurora Public School District. My friend, Courtney, works there, so she called me as soon as she knew an English position was available. I applied and I got a call today that they want to interview me. Yay!!!
*My brakes went out while I was driving today. Luckily, they still semi-worked, so I made it home. I was shaking like a leaf by the time I got home, but my car is sitting in the driveway with brake fluid all over the ground. Now I need to figure out how to get it to the shop. That's where Jeff comes in. . .
*I have two cousins graduating from high school in the next two weeks. I remember when they were born, so it's crazy to think they are off to college.
*Nine days left of school. Woot!
*My brakes went out while I was driving today. Luckily, they still semi-worked, so I made it home. I was shaking like a leaf by the time I got home, but my car is sitting in the driveway with brake fluid all over the ground. Now I need to figure out how to get it to the shop. That's where Jeff comes in. . .
*I have two cousins graduating from high school in the next two weeks. I remember when they were born, so it's crazy to think they are off to college.
*Nine days left of school. Woot!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Presentations and Politics
This morning marked my last official duty as Lacrosse coach. We had our end-of-the-season banquet, and it was wonderful. I had to get up in front of about 100 people to hand out awards and talk about each individual player. Of course, they had me go first, so I was shaking like a leaf. I was sooo nervous for some reason, but it went well. I even cracked a joke or two and had the entire place laughing.
I did my thing, handed out awards, spoke kindly about each player, and then I was able to sit back and relax while everyone else did their thing. I even got a $50 GC to four different restaurants, so that was nice of them.
At the end, one of the parents came up to me to thank me for my hard work. She's a parent of one of my students, so I had actually met her at parent-teacher conferences. Anyway, she says, "I probably know more about you than any parent should know about their child's teacher, but Kenzie talks about you all the time. She adores you and she always came home from school with a funny story about English class. She just raved and raved about you all the time." I blushed and said THANKS, a little nervous about Kenzie had said about me (by mistake, I've actually said a few not-so-politically correct things).
The mom continued to say that Kenzie came home one day to inform her parents about the different between a first year teacher and a tenured teacher. Kenzie had an entire presentation prepared for her parents about why first year teachers are so much better than someone who has taught for years and years.
Before I continue, I must mention that Kenzie was in my only 10th grade class last semester, so I had a lot of fun with that class. I adore my 10th graders. They are so much more personable, they are able to carry a conversation, and they are just so much more grown up than the freshmen. This class that Kenzie was in was my all time favorite class, and we became really good friends. I shared a lot with them, including my position as a first year teacher and how it was probable that I wasn't coming back next year due to numbers.
So Kenzie presented her case to her parents regarding why I should be hired again next year. Obviously, Kenzie's presentation to her parents means nothing in the world of numbers, budgets, and politics, but it was nice to hear from a parent how much a student appreciated me. The mom hugged me and said, "I know you meant a lot to Kenzie, and for that, I thank you. I hope you're able to continue teaching at Chatfield." With tears in my eyes, I told her that I probably won't be coming back to Chatfield due to numbers. Kenzie's eyes filled up with tears as she heard me say these words, and her mom hugged me once more. She said, "Even if you're not able to come back, please know that Kenzie loved you and you made a real impact on her life. Don't give up teaching. You're doing a great job."
Thanks for the kind words. It means a lot, and it makes me sad to think of not coming back to Chatfield.
I did my thing, handed out awards, spoke kindly about each player, and then I was able to sit back and relax while everyone else did their thing. I even got a $50 GC to four different restaurants, so that was nice of them.
At the end, one of the parents came up to me to thank me for my hard work. She's a parent of one of my students, so I had actually met her at parent-teacher conferences. Anyway, she says, "I probably know more about you than any parent should know about their child's teacher, but Kenzie talks about you all the time. She adores you and she always came home from school with a funny story about English class. She just raved and raved about you all the time." I blushed and said THANKS, a little nervous about Kenzie had said about me (by mistake, I've actually said a few not-so-politically correct things).
The mom continued to say that Kenzie came home one day to inform her parents about the different between a first year teacher and a tenured teacher. Kenzie had an entire presentation prepared for her parents about why first year teachers are so much better than someone who has taught for years and years.
Before I continue, I must mention that Kenzie was in my only 10th grade class last semester, so I had a lot of fun with that class. I adore my 10th graders. They are so much more personable, they are able to carry a conversation, and they are just so much more grown up than the freshmen. This class that Kenzie was in was my all time favorite class, and we became really good friends. I shared a lot with them, including my position as a first year teacher and how it was probable that I wasn't coming back next year due to numbers.
So Kenzie presented her case to her parents regarding why I should be hired again next year. Obviously, Kenzie's presentation to her parents means nothing in the world of numbers, budgets, and politics, but it was nice to hear from a parent how much a student appreciated me. The mom hugged me and said, "I know you meant a lot to Kenzie, and for that, I thank you. I hope you're able to continue teaching at Chatfield." With tears in my eyes, I told her that I probably won't be coming back to Chatfield due to numbers. Kenzie's eyes filled up with tears as she heard me say these words, and her mom hugged me once more. She said, "Even if you're not able to come back, please know that Kenzie loved you and you made a real impact on her life. Don't give up teaching. You're doing a great job."
Thanks for the kind words. It means a lot, and it makes me sad to think of not coming back to Chatfield.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
That Doesn't Scare Me!
I've heard it said that something like two out of ten bikers will be hit by a car during their riding career. I've almost become that statistic, due to no fault of the car but rather me making a dumb decision. Luckily, Denver has some great riding trails that keep my friends and me off the road and away from cars. However, the entire 150 mile ride for the MS150 is on the road, and two years ago, a biker was actually hit by a car during the ride. But getting hit by a car doesn't scare me.
Another danger I face every time I get on my bike is falling, which has happened four times since last summer. I am an official bike rider and have the clip-in shoes, which literally means my feet are stuck to the pedals. As you can imagine, this makes for some dangerous situations, and I even have a giant scar to show off from falling last summer. But falling on my bike doesn't scare me.
I've almost hit a child who was about to dart across the trail, but that doesn't scare me.
I've had a dog run out in front of me, but that doesn't scare me.
I've encountered two snakes on the trail, and while that petrifies me, I also realize that the snake can't do any harm to me when I'm riding 15 mph. Snakes don't scare me.
I've come across flooded trails, but that doesn't scare me.
I've ridden through inches of mud, but that doesn't scare me.
I've soared down hills at 30 mph, but that doesn't scare me.
Do you want to know what scares me? Geese.
Yes, you read that right. Geese scare the crap out of me, especially mama geese. I was literally attacked by a goose today. It charged at my ankles, hissing and snipping at me. I am not even kidding.
I was riding on the South Platte trail toward downtown when I came around a corner. Smack dab in the middle of the trail were two large geese and five little, tiny baby geese. The trail was impassable, as they were covering the entire trail. I had to stop to avoid hitting the geese. I got off the bike to walk around the babies, and that's when the mother attacked me. Imagine me running away from a stupid goose! I'm sure it was quite the sight. I managed to avoid getting bit by the goose, but she came close to nipping my heel. I safely got away from the geese, but my heart was pounding as I rode away.
Geese scare me.
Another danger I face every time I get on my bike is falling, which has happened four times since last summer. I am an official bike rider and have the clip-in shoes, which literally means my feet are stuck to the pedals. As you can imagine, this makes for some dangerous situations, and I even have a giant scar to show off from falling last summer. But falling on my bike doesn't scare me.
I've almost hit a child who was about to dart across the trail, but that doesn't scare me.
I've had a dog run out in front of me, but that doesn't scare me.
I've encountered two snakes on the trail, and while that petrifies me, I also realize that the snake can't do any harm to me when I'm riding 15 mph. Snakes don't scare me.
I've come across flooded trails, but that doesn't scare me.
I've ridden through inches of mud, but that doesn't scare me.
I've soared down hills at 30 mph, but that doesn't scare me.
Do you want to know what scares me? Geese.
Yes, you read that right. Geese scare the crap out of me, especially mama geese. I was literally attacked by a goose today. It charged at my ankles, hissing and snipping at me. I am not even kidding.
I was riding on the South Platte trail toward downtown when I came around a corner. Smack dab in the middle of the trail were two large geese and five little, tiny baby geese. The trail was impassable, as they were covering the entire trail. I had to stop to avoid hitting the geese. I got off the bike to walk around the babies, and that's when the mother attacked me. Imagine me running away from a stupid goose! I'm sure it was quite the sight. I managed to avoid getting bit by the goose, but she came close to nipping my heel. I safely got away from the geese, but my heart was pounding as I rode away.
Geese scare me.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Health Issues
Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.
Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.
You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had.
Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.
Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.
Side effects may include:
- Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration
- Erotic lustfulness
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of money
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke
(Thanks, Lindsey, for this fun email!)
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Margaritas.
Margaritas are the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. Margaritas can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.
You will notice the benefits of Margaritas almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had.
Stop hiding and start living, with Margaritas.
Margaritas may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Margaritas. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing or becoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.
Side effects may include:
- Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration
- Erotic lustfulness
- Loss of motor control
- Loss of money
- Table dancing
- Headache
- Dehydration
- Dry mouth
- And a desire to sing Karaoke
(Thanks, Lindsey, for this fun email!)
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Cookie Monster
This generation has a lot of nerve. They expect things to be handed to them. They don't feel like they need to work. They think they "deserve" an easy life. I am shocked sometimes by what I hear and see from these kids, and as much as I love them most of the time, sometimes they make me so angry I could scream.
Take for example this story. I have been carefully watching what I eat, and I've lost a few pounds. I've been quite proud of myself, so when a student brought me a cookie yesterday, I figured I deserved to eat it. I was still going to be within my calorie allowance, and my mouth watered as I stared at the cookie. I actually stared at the cookie for 50 minutes while I had an inner debate with myself about eating it.
Let me remind you, that these cookies, I swear, are laced with something. These are the same cookies from this story. They are the most delicious things I have ever tasted in my life. They are fresh from the oven. They are gooey in the middle. The chocolate chips are melty. Students push and shove to get a cookie during the lunch hour. Students ask to go to the bathroom and then sneak to get said cookies. After trying one myself, I understand why they ask to go get a cookie.
So I stared the cookie for 50 minutes. My teaching was hindered because of this cookie sitting on my desk. I even debated throwing the cookie away to avoid the temptation, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Once the bell rang and the students left the room, I decided to eat half the cookie. I ate half the cookie, and I was in heaven.
Around this time, one of my lacrosse players came into the room with her friend and asked if they could hang out with me for a while. I love company, so I said, "Sure." We were chatting about your upcoming game when my friend Jessica told me we had to go up to the office for some school business. I told the girls to hang tight and I would be back in a bit.
I left my remaining half cookie on the desk and left the room. The entire 20 minutes I was gone, all I could think about was my cookie and I knew I was going to finish it off as soon as I got back to my room. On the way back to my room, I ran into the two girls in the hall. I asked if my room was still intact, and they assured me everything was good.
I continued on to my room to finish my cookie, and as I sat down at my desk, I noticed right away my cookie was MIA. I chuckled to myself and figured the girls had hidden it, so I started opening all my drawers. No cookie. I checked my cupboard. No cookie. I looked in the trash. There was my cookie wrapper!!!
NO. FREAKIN. WAY. They did NOT eat my cookie. I was FURIOUS!
I texted my player and said, "Where is my cookie?!?!" I still could not believe that they would eat my cookie. She replied, "Haha, a random guy walked in and ate it." I wrote back, "LIAR! You owe me a cookie tomorrow." I saw her later at our game, and she blamed it on her friend, who decided to eat my cookie (half eaten, no less) because it looked so good. I said, "Your friend has a lot of nerve to eat something that doesn't belong to her." I tried to keep it light and friendly with my player, but I think she realized how upset I was about it.
Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't even the issue that I didn't get to enjoy my cookie. I didn't need the cookie anyway. I had almost thrown away the cookie. The fact of the matter is that this girl, who doesn't even know who I am, who entered my classroom, who I trusted alone in my room, had the nerve to eat my cookie.
The girls redeemed themselves today when they brought me a cookie at lunch. And I ate it. And enjoyed it OH. SO. MUCH.
Take for example this story. I have been carefully watching what I eat, and I've lost a few pounds. I've been quite proud of myself, so when a student brought me a cookie yesterday, I figured I deserved to eat it. I was still going to be within my calorie allowance, and my mouth watered as I stared at the cookie. I actually stared at the cookie for 50 minutes while I had an inner debate with myself about eating it.
Let me remind you, that these cookies, I swear, are laced with something. These are the same cookies from this story. They are the most delicious things I have ever tasted in my life. They are fresh from the oven. They are gooey in the middle. The chocolate chips are melty. Students push and shove to get a cookie during the lunch hour. Students ask to go to the bathroom and then sneak to get said cookies. After trying one myself, I understand why they ask to go get a cookie.
So I stared the cookie for 50 minutes. My teaching was hindered because of this cookie sitting on my desk. I even debated throwing the cookie away to avoid the temptation, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Once the bell rang and the students left the room, I decided to eat half the cookie. I ate half the cookie, and I was in heaven.
Around this time, one of my lacrosse players came into the room with her friend and asked if they could hang out with me for a while. I love company, so I said, "Sure." We were chatting about your upcoming game when my friend Jessica told me we had to go up to the office for some school business. I told the girls to hang tight and I would be back in a bit.
I left my remaining half cookie on the desk and left the room. The entire 20 minutes I was gone, all I could think about was my cookie and I knew I was going to finish it off as soon as I got back to my room. On the way back to my room, I ran into the two girls in the hall. I asked if my room was still intact, and they assured me everything was good.
I continued on to my room to finish my cookie, and as I sat down at my desk, I noticed right away my cookie was MIA. I chuckled to myself and figured the girls had hidden it, so I started opening all my drawers. No cookie. I checked my cupboard. No cookie. I looked in the trash. There was my cookie wrapper!!!
NO. FREAKIN. WAY. They did NOT eat my cookie. I was FURIOUS!
I texted my player and said, "Where is my cookie?!?!" I still could not believe that they would eat my cookie. She replied, "Haha, a random guy walked in and ate it." I wrote back, "LIAR! You owe me a cookie tomorrow." I saw her later at our game, and she blamed it on her friend, who decided to eat my cookie (half eaten, no less) because it looked so good. I said, "Your friend has a lot of nerve to eat something that doesn't belong to her." I tried to keep it light and friendly with my player, but I think she realized how upset I was about it.
Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't even the issue that I didn't get to enjoy my cookie. I didn't need the cookie anyway. I had almost thrown away the cookie. The fact of the matter is that this girl, who doesn't even know who I am, who entered my classroom, who I trusted alone in my room, had the nerve to eat my cookie.
The girls redeemed themselves today when they brought me a cookie at lunch. And I ate it. And enjoyed it OH. SO. MUCH.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
News from Shi Town...
1. Britt and I are starting our own business. Hahaha. Well, not really, but we're feeling crafty and inspired. When we go to the mall, we see things that we know we can make for super cheap and then sell for cheaper than the stores sell them. We can make some money, so we're toying with the idea.
2. I found out yesterday that the job I have been waiting for is only part time. After two months of waiting and hoping, this is the first time part time has ever been mentioned. Needless to say, I'm pretty upset about it. There's a small chance it will turn into full time, so continue to keep my job in your prayers.
3. If it is only part time, I will then have a decision to make. I can work part time at the school and get a part time job somewhere else. Or, I can quit teaching for a year and find a full time job somewhere else. The decision will not be an easy one to make.
4. Lacrosse is officially over. Our last game was supposed to be yesterday, but Conifer cancelled on us because they didn't have enough girls to play. Practice is over, so I can now hit the gym more often and focus on training for the MS150. It was a really fun two months, but I'm also glad to have some of my free time back. We ended the season 3-5. Not too great, but we were creamed the last three games of the season (my girls kind of gave up).
5. We have four weeks left of school. It's a mad rush to the end of the school year.
6. I am teaching summer school this summer. It's for six weeks from 7am-12pm. I will then spend the remainder of my time at the pool.
7. Britt and I are still planning on getting an apartment in the next two months. She is going to Europe for two weeks in June, so once she is back, we plan on moving.
8. My car will be paid off in October. After six long years of payments (yes, I got a six year loan), I will finally have that burden off my shoulders!
9. After reading a million books (for both pleasure and teaching), I still think my all time favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird. I most certainly did not appreciate it when I was in high school, but now that I'm older, it's great. Boo Radley is the greatest character ever made. Read the book again if you get the chance.
10. I connect way better with my 10th graders than my 9th graders.
2. I found out yesterday that the job I have been waiting for is only part time. After two months of waiting and hoping, this is the first time part time has ever been mentioned. Needless to say, I'm pretty upset about it. There's a small chance it will turn into full time, so continue to keep my job in your prayers.
3. If it is only part time, I will then have a decision to make. I can work part time at the school and get a part time job somewhere else. Or, I can quit teaching for a year and find a full time job somewhere else. The decision will not be an easy one to make.
4. Lacrosse is officially over. Our last game was supposed to be yesterday, but Conifer cancelled on us because they didn't have enough girls to play. Practice is over, so I can now hit the gym more often and focus on training for the MS150. It was a really fun two months, but I'm also glad to have some of my free time back. We ended the season 3-5. Not too great, but we were creamed the last three games of the season (my girls kind of gave up).
5. We have four weeks left of school. It's a mad rush to the end of the school year.
6. I am teaching summer school this summer. It's for six weeks from 7am-12pm. I will then spend the remainder of my time at the pool.
7. Britt and I are still planning on getting an apartment in the next two months. She is going to Europe for two weeks in June, so once she is back, we plan on moving.
8. My car will be paid off in October. After six long years of payments (yes, I got a six year loan), I will finally have that burden off my shoulders!
9. After reading a million books (for both pleasure and teaching), I still think my all time favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird. I most certainly did not appreciate it when I was in high school, but now that I'm older, it's great. Boo Radley is the greatest character ever made. Read the book again if you get the chance.
10. I connect way better with my 10th graders than my 9th graders.
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