Guess What!?!?!

Well I think that it was a good thing that I posted my "teaching rant". It really made me realize that teaching is where I belong. Most of you seemed to agree with that. Thank you for your insights.

It is a funny thing, about 1 hour after I made that post I got a call to go an interview for a kindergarten position. So today at 11 a.m. I headed out to the interview, I felt like it went well. When I got home I got into my comfy clothes and settled in to watch some more Olympics. I went up stairs and noticed that the light was blinking on the phone. I had a message from the school I worked at last year saying please give them a call, so I did. I spoke to the principal and he said that they just had an unexpected opening. It was for 2nd grade. However they have a teacher on maternity leave and she may return in Oct. or Dec. to take my place. So anyway the principal said that if I wanted the job it was mine. I immediately said "I know that this is where I want to be" and would love to accept the job, even if it is for a short time (hopefully she will stay home!). So I have a job for now and I could not be happier! Karma??? Maybe!

Teaching Rant

Well most of you know that I am a teacher, a very rewarding job that I truly love. But since we moved to this place called Connecticut my love of teaching has been tested time and time again. I have been a substitute teacher, long term substitute teacher, and a teacher's assistant. All attempts to show the "masters of the school" aka principals that I am an outstanding teacher and they should hire me! Well I am not sure that is ever going to happen here. First of all it seems to me that principals here really are not involved with what is being taught in the classroom. Seriously I was a "long term sub" for 4 months and she only came into my classroom twice. How in the heck are you going to know what I am truly capable of if you only pop your head in twice.

So now it is August 12th and I know that school is going to be starting in just a few weeks and I still have no position. Now I know that I am not the only one, for every position that is posted about 300 people apply. That means that 299 other "lost teaching souls" are in my very large sometimes sinking boat. So this poses me with a question, to work or not to work!

I got so very frustrated with the whole teaching thing that I decided that it would just be better to go work at the mall. My beloved "hubbins" told me "You are a teacher, you went to school to be a teacher! You don't want to work at the mall." Now everyone that knows me knows that I am a very "busy body" I always feel like there is something that I should be doing. For me to sit on my Buttocks will drive me crazy. So should I wait for school to start and continue substitute teaching or head on out to the retail work force. I would love to hear some opinions.

US and A

It seems like my T.V. has been stuck on NBC for days now. I have really enjoyed watching the Summer Olympics in Beijing. I loved their opening ceremonies and like how they sometimes jump from one sport to another. Too much on one can be a bit overwhelming. So far I think that swimming, gymnastics, and basketball (Go Boozer & Williams) have been my favs. It is funny, I don't even remember watching the Atlanta games. I think I like the Winter Games just a little bit more than the Summer Games. Of course I am biased because of the Salt Lake Games in 2002 I was able to attend many of the events. It was AWESOME!

WhirlWind Utah Tour

July went by way too quickly! Here are some pictures from our summer vacation!

My parents had a BBQ and it was Yummy! They invited Mike's family and our neighbors.



We arranged a fishing/camping trip to Panguitch lake in Southern Utah. We invited our families which included Mike's family from Colorado, New York and Massachusetts. Also our friends Chris and Mindie made the drive up from Las Vegas! It was quite a crew, we had so much fun!




We took Mike's sister Nat and cousin Brad and his girlfriend Brynn to Park City we had a blast at the Alpine slides. We also made time for mini golf and go carts! We were tired when we got back.


We can't wait for our next trip back home, hopefully it will be Turkey day! Gobble Gobble!

American Weekend

Mike and I had a great 4th of July weekend. He had to work both days but got off around 4 each day. On Friday we went to one of Mike's co-workers place. She was having a BBQ celebrating the 4th and her new citizenship! It was very low-key, no fireworks just good food & people. I made a strawberry/blueberry shortcake. It think it came out pretty cute!









Later that night we drove to a spot to watch some fireworks, it was okay but there were so many people and a chain link fence that we had to look through to see the fireworks.









Saturday was a much better day. It was rainy all day and that had me worried because I had planned for us to go to the symphony. The Hartford Symphony was playing at an outdoor amphitheater, all "Americana" songs.









When we got there the drizzle had just stopped and it was very enjoyable. We brought our own chairs, and had a picnic. (Thanks Aub for the picnic basket! We love it!) The music was beautiful, the surroundings were relaxing. The concert ended with fireworks, it was a great day. I highly recommend going to the Talcott music festival if you live around here. In a few weeks they will be having a concert with all Beatles songs. I really want to go but that is when we will be in UT.

Hope you all had a great celebration of the 4th of July!

Tagged-a-lag

My Friend Emily Tagged me to take pics of these things.
You all know how good I am at blogging! This was an easy one!
1. Laundry






2. Favorite Room- Our living room/Dining Room,
apartment living is great!






3. Little One- Well no little ones yet
but these blurry beta fish will due for now :)




4. Favorite Shoes- They just broke, I was bummed.





5. Toilet- My hubbin's does a fabulous job keeping it shiny. Love ya Mike!





6. Sink- So glad we have a dishwasher!







7. Fridge- Yumm, pasta!









8. Self- What a hottie! LOL!








9. Closet- This is the side I keep my clothes on. The other side is storage for teaching stuff.





10. Messy Room- Not too bad today but whew one bad morning and that bed is covered in clothes.



I Tag Jennie! You go girl!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Well as many of you probably heard we are in the middle of a heat wave. It was 98 degrees here in CT today. Now I know that you are saying "gee Virginia weren't you born in Arizona", and yes that may be true, but now I am one girl who is having a hard time living without an A/C. First in my car. Second at the school I work at.

When I woke up this morning I jumped in the shower and began my morning rituals. Including watching the Today show. Well to my surprise way down at the bottom their was a "bottom line" announcing school closures and early dismissals. My eyes brightened with the thought of an early out day! Patiently I watched for my district to come up but alas.... nada! No early out day for me! I was bummed.

Well I ate my breakfast and hurried out the door, box fan in hand. When I arrived at the school we all looked at each other with those familiar here we go faces. I found myself spending just a little extra time in the schools office, library, and teachers room. All air conditioned of course. Back in my classroom I shut all the blinds and turned my lonely box fan up to the highest level. Shortly there after the students arrived. To my surprise they seemed very low key, almost like they were there to learn. Those of you who are teachers know at this time of year that is a very strange occurrence.

The temperature in the classroom was soaring. The kids did great. We planted sprout houses talked about the double oo sound and ou. I felt like I was doing some quality teaching! Then our principal walked in and pointed to a paper and said this is what time you are going to lunch today (10:30) and this is what time we are dismissing at (1:00). I was surprised and a little disappointed at the same time. You know quality teaching and all.

Overall it was a very good thing that they dismissed school early. It really was way too hot in the school, and the air quality was really terrible. Tomorrow is going to be just as hot if not hotter. Maybe another early out day or school canceled. Either way one place I am thankful to have A/C is our Apt. I keep you posted on what happens tomorrow!