Life in Vermont

I really have so much to say here and have just lacked the motivation to sit down and type it. It's not because I'm SUPER busy. Ironically, I'm the least stressed and most calm I have been in four years. For the first time... ever? I'm only working one job (for now) and am not in school. It is an amazingly liberating feeling.

I, stupidly, thought that since I'm making more money than I EVER HAVE BEFORE one job would cut it.

HAHA.

Those are my graduate loans laughing in my face. Remind me why I went back to school...?

Oh right. So I could get my sorry a** back to Vermont.

Well... here I am. I am living in a part of Vermont that I have never spent time in before and I am actually loving it. It's much more small town than I'm used to, especially coming from Fairfield County, Connecticut, but it is so idyllic and amazing. I walk to and from school every day. People you pass on the street say hello and, of course, everybody... knows EVERYBODY.

I have amazing views of the mountains which are just beginning to change to foliage colors, I have a river that runs through town that I run along every day, and most importantly, I have my own classroom that I have worked so hard for the last two years to get.

OF COURSE. Public school in rural Vermont is a MUCH different demographic than private school in CT. My class statistics are depressing and inspiring simultaneously. I'm trying to learn to keep my head above water with 1/4 of my class requiring special ed, 2/3 requiring special services, no classroom aid and one special per day. It's a challenge, but I feel like I have an amazing start to the year.

Some days I do find myself banging my head against my desk once the kids have left, but OVERALL, it's been pretty good. I actually have my first observation this week which is terrifying but I'd just as soon get it over with.

And. To top it all off. I have an amazing boyfriend. Like, an AMAZING boyfriend. And I could not be happier.

Life? Is pretty freakin' sweet these days.

3rd Grade Geometry

Directions: Draw a shape that has 6 angles. Draw as many triangles as you can inside.

Student: "Wait. Does angle mean point? Or line?"

What I Did on my Summer Vacation

Today was a very typical first day of school. We found our desks, found our books, our binders, introduced ourselves and then- - of course- - we had to answer THE question. What I did on my summer vacation.

Except when I was in elementary school in Vermont the answers went something like this, “I went swimming in the lake.” “I went to camp.” “I had a sleepover with my cousins at my Grandma’s house.”

That’s not how they roll in Fairfield County.

The conversation in our room today went something like this:

Student 1: I went to Paris and we saw the Eiffel Tower.

Student 2: Oh! I went there too, but we also went to the south of France.

Student 3: I went to my house in the Adirondacks. It was awesome. We boated and fished.

Student 4: I went to my house in Vermont. We also went to New Hampshire.

Student 5: I went hiking in MA then I went to Chicago.

Student 6: I went to Chicago- -saw a Cubs game! They won! We also went to Aspen and California.

Student 7: I went to Turkey and Greece.
Teacher: Oh! What was your favorite part?
Student 7: Santorini. It’s beautiful there. Clear water, warm temperatures.

Student 8: I also went to Paris. We stayed at the Ferragamo Hotel. Ferragamo is actually a shoe company. It’s very cool.
Teacher: Oh! Did you get a new pair of shoes.
Student 8: No, they didn’t have my size. My mom got two pairs though.

Student 9: I spent the whole summer on Nantucket. I took golf and tennis lessons.

Student 10: We went to the Bahamas.

And it went on…and on…and on…

Teacher: Well, I got married and went to Mongolia.

MY TURN: I moved. TWICE. And took FIVE graduate school classes.

HA! Take THAT B*TCHES!

My third graders are officially cooler than I am.

Back to Schooooool

Today is the first day of school! Third grade here I come! :) Woop Woop!

Show and Tell

My sister arrived Sunday (NYC) to spend a few days with her boyfriend and have a couple of interviews for summer jobs. She is taking the train out to me this morning, the school that I work at basically has it's own stop- - very convenient, to be my "Show and Tell". My kids have been bugging me to start bringing in show and tell with them once a week so I thought it would be fun to bring my sister! My class has all met her, and they love her, and they are just going to DIE when they see her and hear that she'll be spending the rest of the day with us. She's also going to tell them at this time that she'll have 1/2 of them in class next year as she's going to be a 1st grade T.A. This is going to be a very big day in Kindergarten. I can't wait.

This evening is the big Tuesday Weigh in (I'm praying it goes well) then we're heading over to her boyfriend's parent's house for Cinco de Mayo dinner. (And hopefully a celebratory glass of wine or beer for me based on the weigh in.)

I woke up early again this morning to get my Shred on. I found it really hard to push myself but I made it through. I've really gotta work on those push-ups. :)

Oh! And I have GREAT news to report. My friend D. The one who I keep saying NEEDS her own blog? Well, we created it last night! She doesn't have anything there yet, but when she gets up and running I'll direct you to her... I have no doubts this is going to be good. :)

A Ridiculous Day in the Life

I don’t talk too much about my co-workers because when you’re in your own classroom every day, you don’t really see them enough to have great stories. That has been true for the majority of this school year—until today. The kids left after ½ day due to conferences so we, the teachers, had about a half hour to run down and grab some lunch.

Usually our lunch consists of coercing six elementary students into eating whateversonthetable, doling out appropriate amounts of the frys and pepperoni, assuring someone that YES the banana does have spots but NO it’s not rotten, and encouraging the table curmudgeon to USE their napkin, while simultaneously convincing them that you don’t have to eat whateversonthetable because you’re an adult. And adults? Need something OTHER than whateversonthetable. Today though, we were kid-less so I anxiously awaited lunch with my friend. Somehow I MISSED her sitting in the cafeteria and sat down with a few of my coworkers. Two of whom work in the classroom adjacent to mine.

I am sitting down, enjoying my lunch when Male Coworker plops himself next to me. After rolling up his sleeves, wiggling down in his chair, popping his arms out a couple of times, and awkwardly jutting his chin from right to left in an attempt to crack his neck, he was ready to eat. Apparently. Just as he’s about to take a bite of his, It’s BREAKFAST FOR LUNCH DAY sausage, egg and waffle medley, he glances over at my plate and says, “Wow. Do you always eat so much at lunch?”

((dead silence.))

Me, “Um, actually. Yea.”

Him, (realizing that he MIGHT have said something very, very offensive), “Oh, well, I mean. I’m just asking because well, you know. I mean. I’m just usually, well, at lunch time? I’m just so like, jazzed up about the kids. Or, you know, thinking about what we’re going to do for the afternoon and excited about a lesson. I mean, I just don’t usually eat that much at lunch. I have too much. GOING ON.”

As if to imply that I don’t have a lot on MY mind. Excuse me for EATING. Excuse me for TAKING ADVANTAGE OF FREE LUNCH. Excuse me for making lunch my exciting meal of the day because, dinner? Will be undoubtedly microwavable due to the fact that my apartment DOESN’T HAVE A KITCHEN. Luckily for him I’m not an insecure waif who would have been HIGHLY offended by that rude and inappropriate question but STILL. STILL. Who the HELL does he think he is?

And? I SEE him walk in every morning with a greasy DD or McD’s bag and a large, whole milk, 8 sugared iced coffee. So yea, TOUGH GUY, that double waffle egg mcmuffin probably DOES last you through lunch.

After that debacle I settle in to visit with two other coworkers who are discussing their gym routines and personal trainers. The weird co-worker is explaining a rudimentary exercise move IN DETAIL. LIKE IT’S ROCKET SCIENCE and I’m biting my tongue so I don’t yell out, “OMIGOD SHUT UP ALREADY. WE GET IT. WE GET IT.” The other coworker says, “Yea, and I hear that this one kickboxing class is awesome. I’d love to try it.” And the weird one gets this look on her face, like she’s trying REALLY hard to think about something and goes, “Kickboxing? I’m unfamiliar with that. Do you stand? On a box?”

I wish I were kidding.

P.S. In case you’re curious about the AMOUNT of food that I had on my lunch tray today? I had: a bowl of soup, a bowl of salad, and one plate with a spoonful of potatoes and a spoonful of vegetables.

Whoa

Has it really been 9 days since my last post?!? I don't know where the time is going! The family that I live with has been on vacation for this week so I've been enjoying a QUIET house with no dishes to do, clothes to wash, or dog to walk. Life, in fact, has been wonderful. Of course, it all comes to a close tomorrow when they arrive back. Dun Dun Dunnnnnn.

I know it's not Valentine's Day YET, but seeing as how VDay falls on a Saturday we get to celebrate today! The kids are so cute delivering their cards and making their mailboxes. I'm reminded once again why I LOVE MY JOB. Today will be filled with love (and sugar. damn it) and I'm looking forward to it! I've also worn something pink every day this week and the kids can't wait to see what it is. Yesterday? Hot pink tights. Yea, I went there.

I am taking 5 classes this semester and it is about as overwhelming as it sounds. My math class is sucking all of my free time and brain capacity and I'm left with Friday nights of pondering inequalities and graphing incomplete equations... Yea. Good thing I'm in week 4 of a 5 week course. It's ALMOST over.

Given that I have no free time I haven't been able to read at all at night before bed. I've read a few pages here and there of the new Jodi Piccoult book but what I'm waiting for, and have bargained with myself for is...?!?!?!??!?!??! The second book in the Twilight series. I refused to read them at first. My friend gave me the book after she read it because it was JUST. SO. GOOD. I picked it up just to glance through it. I finished it in three days. If you haven't read it yet, DO IT. So good! :) My bargain with myself that as soon as this dreaded math class is over I get a reward. A new book. Normally I would reward myself with a donut or an iced coffee with extra cream and sugar but I'm on a diet. (Yea, again...) and they kind of frown upon rewarding yourself with food in the diet world. I guess it makes you get all kinds of confused about when you're supposed to eat and what you're supposed to eat and doesn't promote a healthy food relationship. Of course, I'm all, my realtionship with donuts is VERY healthy. I love them. I eat them. What's the problem? They? Don't see it that way. And? I gained .5 lbs last week instead of LOST weight so I guess I better start listening.

Ack. This is way longer than I was orginally anticipating and doesn't even have a real point. HEY! YOU? All you bloggers who have one, cohesive point per post? How DO you do it?!?!

Happy Valentine's Day to all. I have a math quiz over the weekend so there are no guarantees about my blogging time in the next three days!

Monday Already?

One of the many (many, many) benefits of teaching, especially at a private school, is nice looong vacations. However, after said vacations it is extremely difficult to get back onto a routine. I'm jumping in headfirst today though-- back to school and back to grad school all in the same day.

Watch out.

The Art of Procrastination

I have my one and only final of the semester tonight and in my quest to do EVERYTHING possible EXCEPT study for it over the weekend I ('ve almost) completed my holiday shopping. Go Me.

Also? The sisters and I have decided to throw one huge holiday party when we're all back at my parents house towards the end of December. Go. Us. Red and Green jello-shots are most definitely on the list.

It Didn't Come

You know, what I'd been waiting for? I did get a phone call that could fit the bill, but it wasn't the one that I wanted so? That doesn't count.

I have some ridiculous stories from living in the New House that I really need to share with all of you but I don't have time this morning. Also? It's that time of the semester where EVERYTHING is due all of the sudden and in the next two weeks I have:
-10 page paper due
-30 min presentation
-20 min presentation
-20 min discussion lead

And? My family is coming to visit for the weekend so I won't be doing any work over the weekend which means I've got to get it done. THIS WEEK. As in, tonight. Tomorrow night. and Thursday night. Bleh.

I'm Getting Sick

Ugh. I don't know if it's because of the germ-factories I hang out with all day, five days a week or if it's because the weather is finally cool enough that I don't wake up sweating profusely in the middle of the night but I am officially getting sick. I didn't even want to wake up this morning and my throat has hurt all morning.

I do not want to get sick. It's only September. Not to mention, I can't remember the last time I was sick. I guess between 15 kids all day at the 3 kids at night... it's bound to happen more often. ugh.

Today is the first full day of school for the Kindergarteners- - usually they would have gone home by now... we'll see how this goes. I'm ready for naptime. Unfortunately, that's not in the curriculum.

Oh Yea

Oh yea, and we lost a Kindergartener today. (I KNOW!) Apparently the moms got their wires crossed and someone's nanny picked up a kid but the mom was here to pick her up too. Not good. Moms freak out about that sort of thing, you know? Like their kid not being ANYWHERE when they pull in to pick them up.

7 hours of class tonight. Greeeaaaat...

It's All About Networking

I went to a business networking event for my alma mater last night. Now I'm very friendly and pretty bubbly, but is it just me or is there something inherently akward about these events? It's all, "Hi, what year did you graduate? Oh, '68... so what do you do now? Oh, you're retired... right... " :) Kidding. A little. Some of you are probably the STARS at stuff like this.

Overall it was fun and I got to see some people I haven't seen since graduation, AND it was something to put on my calendar now that all of the "Call bf, skype date with bf, ER with bf" have been removed. (Okay, those things were never actually scheduled, but you get my drift.)

I have a socially jam-packed weekend. I'm going to see 27 Dresses tonight with a newish friend who is becoming my closest friend since college then we're meeting up with my two best guy friends from high school for drinks. Tomorrow my cousin is home for the weekend with her boyfriend whom the family hasn't met yet (we met when I went down to HHI last year) so we have happy hour planned then we're all going out with friends. Should be fun.

1 year

It has been one full year since I graduated from college and started working full-time. Time flies. It is still hard to believe that, if i continue with this line of employment, I will never again be on a "school" schedule. (A schedule that I'm very much attached to, I should add.) I really enjoy my job and I have learned a *lot* and I love to learn, but it begs the question, (when) should I go back to school? I do want to go to grad school, but I'm not sure what I want to go back to school for and I feel like I can't make that investment until I'm certain of what I'd like to be doing. I do know though, that the summer season in VT is much to short to be spent in an office 8 hours/day 5 days/week.

In the weeks before graduation I made a list (type A anyone?) of my "Dreams", big and small. While I've been working steadily to achieve them, and some I have, what I'd really like to be doing with my life is not on a 9-5 schedule, not even remotely. I feel like a part of me is un-tapped and I have all of this (energy/emotion/vibrance/kindness) to share with the world and no outlet to do so. I'm working on it.

In one short year I have accomplished a lot and I am actually pretty proud of myself. Some things I'm most proud of?

-buying my first car
-becoming a Jazzercise Instructor
-being promoted after 7 months
-coaching my old high school tennis team
-understanding and controlling my finances
-learning how to quilt
-putting a (hefty) percentage of my paycheck into savings each week
-starting to save early for a house/wedding

not bad for 22, right? :)

Today a few of my girls have the State individual tennis tournament so I'm only working 1/2 day then taking them to Stowe and with the temperatures forcasted for 90+, it's a great day to leave early!

Having my boyfriend here is wonderful (so far... :)) yesterday he picked up a case of tennis balls for me and brought them to my match AND remembered to make his bed- - something he NEVER does, today he is taking my car to get the oil changed then picking me up for tennis, tomorrow he is taking some pictures of Jazzercise staff that I have been meaning to do but haven't found the time to. We'll see how long this lasts. :)