Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Our 6 little - but growing quickly - chickies!


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Interview Day!

So, I left this morning at about 8:00 for the 3.5 hour drive to my interview.  The interview wasn't until 1:00, but I wanted to make sure I gave myself plenty of time to deal with construction and backups (there was plenty of construction, but thankfully no backups), so I ended up getting there at 11:30 - just a tad early! ☺
I found a grocery store where I could park and put my make up on (I wanted fresh make up for the interview!), change into my heels, put my suit coat on...and read...boy am I glad I brought my Kindle with me!
Finally, it's time to head to the interview.  I walk in and immediately get a tour of the building and an explanation of the different programs located within this building.  My interview went well (I think!) and long - 1.5 hours long!  I'm not getting my hopes up about it though, because they are holding interviews for 2 whole days, so there's a lot of competition for this one job.  I'm really glad I completely redid my portfolio, because for the first time ever, they actually took the time to look through my portfolio from cover to cover!  Usually they either completely ignore it unless I specifically point something out, or they may flip through a couple of pages and be done.  Not this time.  They all looked at every page, and pointed out to the other members of the interview committee things that they noticed that they really liked.
In the middle of my interview a really loud alarm sounded - which scared the bejeebers out of all of us - to alert us that there was a thunderstorm warning.  Just before the interview ended, the storm hit!  Of course, so now, in my heels (which, by the way, refuse to actually stay on my feet!) I had to make a mad dash through the rain to my car.
Now begins my 3.5 hour drive home.  It rained poured for the first few minutes, but then cleared up for the next little while.  Then, when I got about half way home, the skies just opened up and it POURED!  At one point, it got really windy and started blowing my car (and I drive an SUV, so it's not a light little thing) across the lanes, and I felt like I was being pulled backwards - the more I pushed on the gas pedal, the slower my car went...it was weird, and a bit frightening!  For the next 1.5 hours, my drive was filled with off and on downpours with horrible looking skies.  I talked to my mom for a couple of minutes and found out there was a tornado warning at home!  Luckily, I was behind that, so I didn't have to drive through the tornadoes to get home!
I did see a very pretty double rainbow between downpours, though!
I finally made it home at about 6:00.  It's been a long day, just a tad bit tremendously stressful, and a bit scary.
I think I'm ready for bed!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Big Day Tomorrow

I have a job interview tomorrow!  This is very exciting because my job search for a full time teaching position hasn't gone well since I moved back to Michigan 2 years ago.  I've only gotten a couple of interviews since the move.  Tomorrow's interview is for a special education teaching position (which is what I'm certified in).  I've spent the past several days completely redoing my portfolio, studying up on the district, getting my suit out and ready, finding my good "interview" jewelry (necklace and earrings my grandma gave me before my very first interview).
Physically, I'm ready.

Mentally, psychologically, I'm not.

I'm nervous...

I'm scared...

I couldn't sleep last night, because every time I closed my eyes, I thought of another interview question that will probably be asked...and then I had to try to come up with the perfect answer.  Concise, to the point, accurate, honest, shows I know what I'm doing, but not too long and rambly.

I've (somewhat) enjoyed subbing - it's given me the opportunity to see a variety of classrooms, meet a variety of teachers, and get lots of new ideas to bring into a classroom of my own.  However, subbing isn't consistent.  It's sporadic - some weeks I work a full 5 days; other weeks, I get just a 1/2 day.  It's a new group of students, new names, new faces, new situations, every day.  I need something more than that.  I need my own classroom, my own students, a consistent schedule...I need the stability of a full time teaching position.

Sorry for the long, rambling post (gee, I hope I don't ramble like this tomorrow!), I just needed to get it out.  I'm done now.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Meet Me On Monday



It's that time again!

1.  What feature of the opposite sex do you notice first?
Definitely the eyes!
They are the window to the soul!
2.  Do you talk to yourself?
Yes!  Sometimes out loud for all to hear
and sometimes it's all in my head...
my inner monologue!
3.  What is your current relationship status?
Hmm...well, I guess it's technically still "single",
but I did meet someone recently...☺
4.  Do you have a garden?
Yes!  For the first time in...well, I don't
really remember...probably over 10 years!
5.  What is your favorite licorice flavor?
No licorice for me, thank you.
I think it's gross!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Meet Me On Monday...er...Tuesday...



Wow, maybe I need to look at my calendar more often, because I completely forgot that yesterday was Meet Me On Monday day! *duh*
Okay, well, a day late, but here we go!

1.  What is your favorite yogurt flavor?
I love most flavors of Yoplait Light yogurts,
but if I had to pick one favorite flavor, I'd have to
say just plain old vanilla...it's the one I grab
if I don't have a taste for any other flavor ☺


2.  Ankle or knee socks? and on the same theme, white socks or coloured??
Depends on the weather...
In the summer, I like ankle socks.
In the winter, I prefer nice warm and cozy
knee socks.
No matter the weather, I always love fun, colorful socks!  

3.  How is the weather right now?

At this very moment, it is sunny and 63 degrees (Fahrenheit),
but it's supposed to get up into the low 70's.
A little chilly feeling after being in the mid 90's a few days ago,
but it's perfect weather to be outside!! 

4.  Are you a fast typer?

I'm not super fast, but fast enough...probably 45-50 wpm...
I can type faster, but then I make a TON of mistakes that
I have to go back and fix, so what's the point... ☺

5.  Red or White Wine?

Actually, I don't like any kind of wine...
I'm really not a big drinker at all.
I do like some of the Smirnoff Ice flavors...



Thursday, June 9, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday, a day late because I lost track of my days!

Sosha is daring to take a quick peek at the water.
Not for too long though, or someone might think
she actually wants to get near that water!


Monday, June 6, 2011

Meet Me On Monday and excuses for my long absence

Wow!  It's been awhile hasn't it?  Sorry I've been MIA lately.  But I have excuses (aren't there always excuses?  But I swear, mine are good excuses! ☺)

First, I've decided to do summer tutoring and science workshops, so I've been busy planning how it all will work.  I've created a website and I'm working on a flyer to be approved by some local elementary schools to send home (school ends on June 16, so I gotta get my butt in gear and finish this flyer!).  Hopefully after all this, I'll actually get some kids signed up!

Also, a couple of weeks ago, I sent out a bunch of application packets to school districts all over the state applying for jobs for next year.  Last week, I got a call for an interview at one of those districts!  I haven't been called for an interview in about a year, so actually getting an interview is exciting.  I've decided to revamp my teaching portfolio before this interview in 2 weeks.  I had a plan for the theme and what I wanted to do, but of course couldn't find what I needed to fit the theme.  So now, with a new theme, I'm planning how I want it to look...Phew!

Anyways, it's also Monday and time for Meet Me on Monday, so here we go:



1.  What is was the last piece of candy that you ate?
Yum!
2.  Do you "read" in the bathroom?
Nope, can't say that I do.

3.  I can't stand when someone _________?

I hate when someone rides my rear!
If I have to hit the brakes, I really don't want you to slam
into me because you were riding my rear!


4.  Do you do daily, weekly or monthly grocery shopping?

Well, right now, I usually go when I'm told
I need to pick up a few things.
When I lived on my own, though, I usually did my
grocery shopping either every week or
every other week.