Getting it out of my system

For five years, I commuted to Chicago for work. I left the house at 6:30 to make it to work by 8:30. At 4:3o, I left my office and power walked to the train. At 4:47, my train left the platform. By 5:00, I was sound asleep until my train pulled into the University Park station at 5:40.

I quit that job in August 2008. It's been nine months, yet I still know the schedule. At 6:30 a.m., I start to feel nervous, like I'm late for something or I forgot to do something. And at 5:00 p.m., I can hardly keep my eyes open. I wonder how long it will take to get that commute out of my system.

Graduate Class of 2009

As of May 9, I finally have my master's degree! As I was coming home from dinner that night, it actually hit me that I had my MASTER'S degree, which I swore I would never do because I was tired of school. I'm very impressed with myself. But no more! I swear, I won't get a doctorate!

For those who are curious, pictured at the left are two of three gals in my "cohort", which is basically a small group of students who would meet every week to complete group assignments. On the left is Rhonda, and in the middle is Heidi.

Update on my life

After finishing student teaching in mid-November and my own classes in early December, I began applying for education jobs. I assumed that I would take the rest of the fall semester off, and then substitute teach in the spring. I wanted to get my online applications finished, though. I got a call back and, after two interviews, I was hired by a local school district!

I won't be a classroom teacher, but for now that's okay. Instead, I'll be the reading specialist. Basically, I'll be providing extra assistance to the students who need it. The position might not be there next year, based on funding, so I accepted it knowing that it might not last beyond the spring. I'm open to loving it. If I don't, it should open more doors than substitute teaching would. It feels right for me right now.

I start my new job on Jan. 5. That means that for all of December and a little less than half of November, I've had nothing to do. And you know what? I LOVE it. Maybe knowing that we prepared well for this break between student teaching and certification has let me relax and enjoy myself. And I really am enjoying myself.

My students

On my last day of student teaching, the students gave me illustrated letters wishing me luck and thanking me for being their teacher. I could scan some of the letters, but it'd be too hard to read their pencil writing. So, here are some quotes from the farewell letters that I particulary liked:

"Thank you for helping us learn."
"You were one of my favorite teachers."
"Sorry that sometimes we been goofing around."
"You are the best teacher a student can ever have."
"Thank you for helping us when we need help."

While I was re-reading these letters to create this post, I remembered a writing assignment that the students had. The kids had to write about something they were thankful for. One girl chose to write about God. One of her reasons why she was thankful for God was that he encourages her to do her best when she is tired of trying. It broke my heart that a third grader knows what it feels like to be tired of trying.

I'm 99.8% done!

Tonight was my last-ever graduate class. As soon as my final transcripts are sent to the Illinois State Board of Education and I pay my fees, I'll have my teaching certificate. Since my classes are done and my student teaching is over, I have a bit of time to myself. Normally, I'd be panicking about not having a job or anything. My student teaching experience took so much out of me, though, that it's nice to have this time to get my head on straight again. It's also REALLY nice to have time to get all the stuff done that I've been putting off for way too long, like getting new tires and organizing closets.

In other news, my maternal grandfather is in the hospital. I'm not entirely clear on how this all happened, but he has sepsis, congestive heart failure, and renal failure. It sounds bad, but from what I've been told, the sepsis can be turned around and both the heart and renal failure are improving significantly. Yesterday, he was transfered from the ICU at South Suburban to an acute-care facility in Hammond, IN, which is another really good sign. It's also good that I have so much time to myself, because I can visit him more often.

So, that is all that is going on with me. Send me a message and let me know how you're doing, since it's been far too long since I've heard from some of you.

Ed's Chicken Tikka Masala

My husband is a great cook. Sure, sometimes we eat pork & beans more than I'd like. But he also makes some awesome dishes. My favorites include chili, red pepper & garlic parmesan pasta, and lime & cilantro stuffed cornish hens. Now, I can add chicken tikka masala to the list. It uses a surprising amount of cinnamon, but I think it's more flavorful than most of the chicken tikka masala I've had at restaurants. Here's a pic!

New uses for old things

Below is a picture of a fuzzy pencil holder that Val made for me during her Fibrecraft days. I kept it in my office, but now I don't have an office anymore. So I found a new use for it! I'm taking it to the classroom tomorrow, where it's holding my popsicle sticks. Each stick has the name of a student on it, and this is what I use to call on students to answer questions. It's surprisingly difficult to give all students a chance to participate (whether they want to or not) when there's a group of students in the front who always have their hands up. I think the kids will like this. Thanks Val!