Decision????

So, I'm still trying to decide what to do. I'm sending yet another application out tonight since my teacher at East called me and told me there's an English and coaching position at Ballard. I'm going home this weekend and probably going to stop by Topeka again to visit the school. The reason I'm going home is because my uncle isn't doing well from the quadruple bypass surgery he had on Monday. Part of me feels like the decision has already been made for me - I can take the job in Topeka and be closer to my family for another few years, maybe when I need to be there the most. However, I don't know if that's the right way to look at it all. I'm so conflicted with what to do now. There are reasons to stay and reasons to go, I just don't know which ones outweigh the others. Who would've known this would be such a hard decision? I'll figure it out I suppose... I'll keep you updated!

Happy Easter!

Ok, so it's a day late... I had a good Easter weekend. I went out to my cousin's in Lincoln, NE, and just spent the weekend with them. It was kind of nice to get away for awhile and not be around school stuff and things that stress me out. Out there, I didn't have time or a reason to think about jobs and graduation and all of that other stuff. (Which reminds me, I need to start addressing graduation invitations). I will admit, Sunday I was a little tired since we got up to serve breakfast after Sunrise Service, but other than that... I love my family, even the very extended ones.

I'm currently trying to set up a time to go back down to Topeka. Part of me is beginning to think that I should just take the job - I'm pretty much guaranteed the ninth graders, which is ok with me. I found out I didn't get the Waukee job because they chose someone with more education and more experience - nothing I could have done differently. But then, how am I supposed to get more experience if no one hires me????? There are some things keeping me here, but the more I think about it, I would probably be ok if I went there. I don't know - I'll have to see after I go down there again.

We started our Mystery Unit today. My first block really got into the read aloud, but second block didn't really. We'll see. Maybe they'll get more excited as we go along and find out more about the mummies! I'm getting observed tomorrow. It's really amazing how I'm no longer nervous about it. I feel so comfortable in front of the classroom and in front of the students that it's just another part of my day. I suppose that's good. The weeks have just kind of flown by in the middle school - only 4 weeks left there and 5 until I graduate! I'm not sure that I'm ready.

News, but it's not good...

I wish I had some good news to report about my job interviews, but all I have to report is that both schools offered the positions to someone else.... So, I guess I'm back at square one. It's a little annoying, especially since I was pretty sure I had one of them in the bag... Everything happens for a reason I suppose, I'm just still trying to figure out what the heck it is.

I'm really much calmer now than I was last night. I got the call right before I went to tutor, and that couldn't have been at a worse time. What really really got me though is that the principal didn't call me - she had her HR guy call me and tell me she'd offered the position to someone else, even though she'd basically handed it to me on a platter. She knew I'd be upset and she didn't want to face it. I wouldn't have either. Whatever.

It's cold here, but no snow on the ground. Apparently, we have 3-4 inches of snow at home in Wichita... Awesome for Easter!

I guess I'm going to try to set up another meeting with Topeka to go down there and look at the school again. Otherwise, I guess I'll be sending out more applications. Everyone says it's still early to know about jobs, but I'm not that patient, and I'd like to know what to expect for this summer. I can't drive all around just to get to interviews - waste of gas and money. We'll see.

I'm going to my cousin's this weekend. It will be nice to get away and be somewhere else for awhile, just get my mind off everything else.

Snow???

We had snow flurries this morning!!!! I'm not used to snow in April - it's annoying. Right now, it should be 60 to 70 degrees and very very windy, not 30 with snow. I don't think I'll ever get used to this cold weather.

At the risk of jinxing my Waukee job possibilities, I just heard from West Des Moines. They offered the position to another candidate and he/she took it. He didn't really say much more than that. Though I personally thought the interview went well, I did get the feeling that I wasn't the right person for what they were looking for. Oh well.

This weekend is Easter! I'm looking forward to going to my cousin's and getting away from Des Moines from a bit, even though it's not going to be much warmer. I wish I could go home, but with student teaching and everything, I just really can't see the point in driving 6 hours just to have to drive back on Easter. It'll be fun, just so long as I don't have any go-kart accidents...

Last Performance :(

Tonight was my last performance with the Drake Dance Team :( We performed at Relay for Life. It went pretty well I think, though when we finished there was a really awkward pause before people started clapping. I was later told it was because they weren't sure if there was more because there were a lot of pauses in the music... Oh well, I felt pretty good about it. I'm kind of sad it's done, but at the same time I'm kind of glad because I get to go to sleep before 11:30 on Mondays and Thursdays now.

On another note, I have booked our flights to Vegas!!!!! I'm really excited about it and I think it's going to be a lot of fun. I'd like to be able to take her to Hoover Dam and maybe the North rim of the Grand Canyon, but I still have to work on the whole renting a car thing since neither one of us is 25. I think that's so stupid. You can get a license at 16, are considered an adult at 18, can drink at 21, but can't rent a car until you're 25. Who came up with that baloney? It just makes things really difficult for those of us who are responsible and want to go on trips... Oh well. That's how it goes I guess. I think I may have found one or two places that won't charge and arm and a leg to rent a car, so that's always a possibility!!!

I'm exhausted. After we danced, I went and walked at Relay for Life for probably an hour and a half or so, but I couldn't do much more because my legs were jello and I've been up since 6. This is the first year I participated in Relay for Life. It's a really good cause.

I should really just go to bed, but since I don't have to really get up to do anything tomorrow, I feel like I can or should do something else - not school related of course. I'm sure I'll find something else to keep me occupied for at least a little longer :)

Interview

So, I think my interview went really well today. At least I felt good after it, I don't know what the interviewers thought... It's really kind of intimidating to 1)teach a lesson in front of students you don't know with 8 other adults in the room and 2) sit at the head of a table while everyone is asking you questions and judging your answers. I know that's what interviews are, but... I can always think of better answers when I'm not sitting there in front of people. I really did like the school and the people who interviewed me (other staff members). I think it would be a really fun place to work, and I loved the atmosphere of the place. Very happy, upbeat, and positive - definitely what I'm looking for in a school. He said I should know by early next week one way or the other. Honestly, I'm hoping for, "We'd like to offer you a position here," but I guess we'll see. I still have another interview next Tuesday, and still a job offer in Topeka if all else fails...

Not too much else. We've been prepping this week for ITBS tests. The kids are getting kind of tired of it, but what can you do? I absolutely love the 6th graders. I kind of thought I wasn't going to like them as much after my 9th graders, but I think they're a blast! There's just always something going on and something to do. It's really fast paced, and today I was exhausted because I taught most of the day, but it's fun. I just like the atmosphere and the attitudes of middle school teachers - so much more positive, even when kids are being naughty. I'm teaching a poetry unit next week and then we're starting mystery! I'm really excited about that, I think it will be a lot of fun. At least I hope it is!

I should really go plan lessons or something. Or take a nap. Naps are always a good thing.

Another Interview!

I have an interview with Waukee next Tuesday! It's for half 8th and half 9th Language Arts. I'm pretty excited. At this point, I'm still going back to Topeka to visit the school again, but the middle school job I wanted is closed, and I'm not really sure I want to work in the high school. I wouldn't mind 9th grade so much, but I'm a little apprehensive about teaching any classes that are older, just because I haven't had the experience. I guess we'll see what happens. I'm waiting on my parents to call so I can talk through what I should do about this whole thing. I don't want to give up a job for a job I'm not even really sure I have... but then again, I don't really want to waste other people's time holding onto a job I'm not even sure I want. It will all work out, I'm just trying to figure out exactly how...

The weather is GORGEOUS!!!!! I cannot believe how warm it is! I'm so excited about it. I'd love to go running, but my ankle is currently not very happy with me, and I have dance tonight, so I probably shouldn't push it too much.

I'm exhausted again - that's what I get for sleeping in over Spring Break, I lost my "teacher" stamina! Oh well. C'est la vie :)

I really should go be productive...or take a nap ;)

News!!! I also have an interview with West Des Moines this coming Thursday. I will hopefully have a better idea of where I'm going to be around Easter :)