Three Years

It has been three full years since Josh and I were married. What a wonderful and crazy thought.

We celebrated with a bottle of wine (thanks Mom!),

a steak dinner, and a couple of walks with Lady.

Then we had to remember that we had to work today,

and went to bed.

Isn't life grand?

On a side note, half day with the students tomorrow. I am ready.

Happy almost October!

Too Funny...

So, this is too funny to not share...

Yesterday I started to really get sick. You are probably saying, "Yea, you work with a ton of kids during the day... germs galore" So what is the big deal? I woke up this morning without a voice.

I managed to rearrange my lessons for the day so I could get some vocal rest time in, where the students would have some work time. Great, right?

Yeah...

So, Second hour is starting and I hear one of my students say "Hi, Ms. Principal" hmmm, if I had looked up when entering the room, I would have seen the Principal in the corner, ready to observe me formally for the first time. HAHAHA

Sweet... Okay, I can deal. Rearrange my lesson again to 'fit' the GANAG plan (Goal, Accessing Prior Knowledge, New Information, Applying, and Generalization) and I do okay... I decide I am fine, it was the first one, and I really didn't do that bad. Thank God the girls found pity on me and my rough, raspy voice and sit quietly and listen. YEA!!!

So, I get through the rest of my teaching day, ready to relax and enter grades during my last hour prep.

Nope. The AP finds me and says "Hi Lindsey, We have to talk."

SHIT!

Am I getting fired?!?! I mean, I think I am doing well... but who knows?! Maybe the Principal saw or heard something or I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT?!?!

A few weeks ago he told me my schedule was set... that I could frame it in glass... HAHA I knew that wouldn't be the case, but we have been in school for weeks now, it couldn't change, could it?

YES, Yes it can. My 2nd hour (the one I was observed in) is being moved to the Library... which happens to be where my 3rd hour is. Okay... I can deal with this change... maybe that will give me time to say, go to the bathroom?!

Anyway... all in all it wasn't a bad day, it was just such a 'Really?' day...

I am just happy that tomorrow is Friday, and my weekend can really begin at 1:46 when my last class ends. Too much to do before that, but I can deal! ;)

Happy Almost Weekend!

The fight between Dell Laptop and Macbook

These two are constantly fighting for attention. Josh and I switched to be MAC users shortly after TAX DAY... yup, we blew our wad on a couple of new computers, not one, but yes two.

I LOVE my Macbook. I have been learning and utilizing it to the best of my ability since this last March. When I got my current teaching job, I was excited to hear that St. Paul uses Mac's primarily... minus a few out dated student computer labs. I was stoked, I already knew how to full use these type of computers.

And then our building got too full of teachers and students.

I got a Dell laptop, circa 1990. Yes, it is true.

It is 20 pounds, clunky, and slower then my dog losing her teeth.

I have started to bring my own personal Macbook to work as it seems to fit me and my routine better, yet, it makes me hesitate, since I don't really have the money to replace it should some accident happen.

Only problem with my Macbook is that it doesn't use the 'old' Dongle to connect to the standard computer projector, it uses the 'new' MINI Dongle. Did I know that, YES. Did I do anything about it, NO. Friday was my turning point.

Let me paint the picture for you:

I don't have my own classroom. Since I don't have my own classroom, I can't display the normal "This is my life, and these are the cool pictures I have from it" wall. So the students are constantly asking me about my Husband, my Dog, and my Cat... along other things. (These middle school kids are so freakin curious!) So on Thursday night, instead of watching the Twins as I had been planning I made a one minute iMovie of pictures. I thought GREAT! These kids will be able to see some things about me, and really start to know me as a person and their teacher.

I thought I was really smart, I saved it to my computer and to a hard drive thing or mabobber (English teacher, not Techie), and was excited to end each of my Friday classes with this slide show...

As I knew that my computer wouldn't hook up to the 'old' adapter, I tried to use my paperweight (Dell) first hour. HAHAHAHAHAHA

Did you know that a Dell couldn't read an iMovie?! I didn't

So that was a flop.

Then I tried to use my Macbook in 4th hour (after I had a chance to switch out computers). That also didn't work, BECAUSE I couldn't use the 'old' adapter.

Towards the end of this class I noticed that the teacher's room I was in had left her old Macbook connected to the projector. I said... Hmmm I bet she wouldn't mind if I used her computer. I did. The students loved it. I felt great.

After talking with a colleague, I found out that she HAD a new 'MINI' adapter, and that I could borrow it if I liked. Well, I don't want to do that, I will be able to figure something out.

NOPE. I borrowed it today. I returned it in its original form today.

BUT TONIGHT, I ordered the Mini Adapter, along with a hardshell case for my Macbook.

Thank God for internet shopping.

On a similar note: all of my students thought Josh and I looked the same today.

HAHAHAHAHA

Now, that I can laugh about.

Tomorrow is picture day... out of uniform... should be an interesting day!

I have walked 20 miles...

The past two weeks have been crazy. The hours are early to late, long to be under-dramatic. I have gotten into a pretty good routine the past few days, but being in a different classroom for each of 5 periods in a row is pretty rough. And I literally move from one end of the building to another and back. My feet don't know what is going on. With the size of the school, I believe on an average day, I walk about 5 miles. Maybe I am exaggerating, but it seems like that much. Which means this past week I walked about 25 miles during the school day, and another 25 miles last week. Totaling my School days at 50 miles so far.

Oh yeah, and we have a puppy. Who needs to walk. Sweet. Add another 2 miles at night.

I haven't been to the gym in WAY TOO LONG... but to me, I think I am still getting my cardio. I also think I am still getting my weight training, as I carry my crap all day. I have worked it down to the minimum, but still.

So, on a positive note, I love the kids I am working with. I am so happy to be in a Middle School, and this Middle School even more. The Administration staff keeps their hands dirty (which I appreciate, and admire), the office staff are so helpful, and kind, and the Teachers have welcomed me with open arms. I am really looking forward to a full year here and wish that this can continue for years to come.

Oh yeah, Lady is now totally teething and looks like the one car from Cars with buckteeth! ;)

Seven to Three

Many think that Teacher's work 7-3. That is not the case.

Since I have obtained my job as a Teacher I have not worked a 7-3 day. It may be because I am a beginning teacher, but it may also be because I care. Now, I am not saying Teacher's that work 7-3 don't care, but they may just have more set up.

Today, my PLC, the English Teachers had a meeting after school. We were trying to iron out some logistics of lesson and unit planning. Yes, it is not already planned out for us, even the veterans. We have to actually think. Weird.

So, as we were planning on this meeting, the power went out in half of the building. We were told before the school day ended that we were to evacuate the building before 3:30pm so Xcel could work on the power.

Did I mention that our schools are co-locating? We have too many people it too small of a space.

Our PLC did meet, and we made some crucial decisions. But, there is still more to do. Hence me being on the computer during the first Viking's game.

Happy First week of school everyone!

P.S. Lady hates 10 hour kennel days... :(

Things to do...

As we are entering a new school year, I am finding that there is not enough time to do everything, meaning that something has to be cut from the list. This past week it was working out and cleaning. I think this next week I will have to find the time to both of those tasks while still maintaining my composure. Yeah, right. Like that will happen.

My current list is about a page long, and I am purposefully omitting some tasks, as I know they won't get done. I find that playing with Lady, spending time with Josh, and getting to know my new school and staff much more important. I figure that list will take care of itself over time.

My blog goal this month is to have more then 9 posts, probably spending time talking about my new school year. As this day is halfway done, I am already running out of time.

Tomorrow should be interesting. We have 950 students, about 30 'new' teachers (from other schools), the St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent, and the Mayor, Coleman showing up at about 7:40am. Let's not forget that the media will most likely also be there. Our school is pretty much ready to go - if you can ignore the boxes of books and supplies everywhere. Good.

Well, I will keep you posted on how it goes. Hopefully I will still be moving and thinking tomorrow night! Happy Labor day everyone!