Trucking Along in 09

This year is moving right along. I can't believe that January is almost over. I am loving having my intern. She is great! Not only is it fun to have her in the classroom, but I think we are becoming good friends. Last Friday, we went out for drinks and I laughed so hard I gave myself a headache. I have nicknamed her KJ. Having an intern like her is an answer to my prayers for this class. This class needs two teachers.
On Monday, I bought some cycling shoes. They make a huge difference in my spin classes. The shoes hook onto the pedals of the spin bike, alleviating the whole numb feet from the cages. I am really trying to lose some weight. I have been eating much healthier and trying to really maximize my workouts. I am going to get my thyroid checked, since I have that issue on both biological sides of my DNA.
On Sunday, I took my babies to the dog park with Mom, Louie and Beth. It was so fun! I am going again, maybe today if it stays pretty.

This week has gone by pretty quickly. I can't believe it is already Wednesday. I am ready for a long weekend. I have a great student teacher this semester and we are working together to revamp my classroom and set the entire thing up as big centers, with each of us being a rotation to teach or reinforce a skill. I am excited, this is what I always imagine a student teaching experience to be like. The plus is, she is also the type of person I can see myself being friends with.
So, Kelli and I are going to try the singles community group again. This time, I think we may make a few suggestions as to the organization of the actual meetings. They plan a lot of activities, so perhaps I will try to participate in those.
I took last night off from working out as my rest day and watched American Idol. Now, I have been watching for the last few years and I am continually amazed at the people who have no business even auditioning who truly be live they are great singers. Surely they have some friend in their life who will be honest with them and recommend that they not audition. However, their stupidity does provide some great humor for me. Can't wait to see tonight's episode.

Long time no blog

Christmas break was very restful for me. I slept ALOT. Now, I am back at school and back into the swing of things. It is always so good to see the kiddos after a long break. They have grown so much!!
I have decided that 2009 is the year I find a man, so I am currently taking resumes(ha! ha!). I am fine being single and all that, but I really would like to have a family. I am also back into the swing of my workout routine. I kind of let it go during the holidays and I can really tell. So, I am back to working out and a lot. I would really like to become a runner, I would really like to run a marathon.. I am sure that with the right training, I can do it.
So, this is the year of some changes for me. I am keeping a prayer journal, thanks to a suggestion by Mom. I am back to my lean protein and veggies ( I feel so much better when I do that) and I am going to try to better manage my time for school (OU School) so that I don't feel so crunched for time before assignments are due.
So, everyone pray that I can accomplish all this things!!

Blessed Monday

This weekend was a whirlwind. I will be so glad when Wednesday gets here. Because on Wednesday my friends, I will be done for the semester. My friend Alli and I have really stretched ourselves academically this semester. We decided for one of our projects for our class to start a book. We are in the process of putting together a book prospectus. It is a very grueling task, as neither of us has done it before. I have been so frustrated for the last few days because I am having a very hard time getting started with my chapter. I am so ready for a break from school. This time I get a nice long break. Classes do not start until mid February, so yippee on that break!!

I have done absolutely no Christmas shopping yet and am still trying to get ideas. I haven't even decorated my house for Christmas.(UGH!) Thursday it is my plan to decorate and shop. I don't have anymore ledges to put things on, so all my decorations may have to go on the dining room table.

I am sure that everyone who reads my blog already knows this, but I am now the proud owner of two yorkie puppies, weighing in at a 1lb and 1.2lbs. Their names are Samuel and Daisy. Yes, the name of my little boy is very close to Samson, but I am still holding out hope that Samson will be returned. But, my puppies are so cute...Daisy is the heavyweight of the bunch, but Samuel rules the roost, of course only after Mae gave him permission. Photos to come soon.

I am very proud of my door at school. Some of our new teachers have been decorating their doors for the different months, and of course, I jumped on this boat and have sailed myself into the middle of the ocean, because I don't know how I will top this month's door. Pictures of that are also soon to come.

Monday!!

Like Deborah, I too am already listening to Christmas music. I play it during my kids' journal time each morning. This was a long weekend for me. I had class and had several projects due. All of my free time was spent working on these and tweaking them for this weekend. I will be so glad when this semester is finished.
So, good news!! Trenda is coming to visit!! I am so excited! She is going to come down in two weeks and stay the weekend!!

Working Out

My friend and I have started a new workout regime. We are trying out the St. John's health club. We go in the morning at 5:30 work out, get ready for work, there; which brings up an entire blog of locker room etiquette, go to work, then after school we also have some classes that we go to. Additionally, I am still going to kickboxing twice a week. Hopefully we will see some results, with the workout coupled with the South Beach diet.

OK, so this locker room etiquette....I don't care how poor or great of shape you are in, for the love of Pete, can you please change your clothing in the provided changing rooms!!! I do not want to see another woman's business at 5 am or anytime for that matter. Keep that stuff put away!!

Today, Angela and I did a water aerobics class called Barracuda Blast. It was a solid hour of cardio in the pool!! What workout. Just before we did a spin class. I am very sore today, but I feel good!!

Peaceful Monday

I am having a fairly peaceful Monday. My intern is out today and so I am able to have my class back the way it is supposed to be. Allow me this vent...I have an intern in my room for 8 weeks, I believe she has 4 weeks left. She is a competent enough teacher, but her attitude is what I am having the worst trouble with. I remember my student teaching days, so I try to fashion the experience in my room so that the interns get the most out of their time with me. This one came in already thinking that she knows everything. Her one voice volume is loud and hateful. The kids are in upheaval when she is in the room and the worst of it is; kids do not get a fresh start with her. She constantly reminds them of their bad behavior. So, I am pretty pleased that she is out today because aside from teaching my students long a, soft c and g, it is a fairly pleasant day.

I have started phase one of south beach today. My friend Angela wants to try it with me, so we are both doing phase one. Ugh!! South Beach is the devil!!

On a lighter note. I had an electrician at my house yesterday and he changed all my light fixtures, put in the new one in the dining room that I found at the flea market for $8 and put in new outlets, and he installed the motion detector light on my garage! Now I have light when I pull into my driveway!! When he comes back, he is going to install my dishwasher and my microwave. And I am going to see how much to have pendant lights hung over my fireplace!