Quotes from Subbing

4th grade boy, five minutes into class: "Are you going to sub next time our teacher is out?"
Me: "Oh, I don't know... why?"
4th grade boy: "Because I like you."

Awwww. I think my heart just melted.

Paying my dues

I know it's been a LONG time since I posted. Lately, I've been reflecting a lot, mostly because of all the changes that have happened/are happening.

As those of you reading my blog know, I was unable to secure a teaching position this fall, after going on many interviews and second interviews. There have been MANY times this summer I've been upset about it, but I'm seeing things in a different light now. On the bright side, I HAVE acquired a position in the school district I would one day love to teach in, and I substitute teach there as well.  I am working hard, earning money, and spending every day with kids, which is what I love.

Recently, I received two very unexpected compliments from two people that made me have faith, too - they both basically said that I am going to make a fantastic teacher. I know my time is going to come - it's just hard to know when that will be. I think that sometimes, the best is saved for last. I am paying my dues and slowly making my way into the "real world" - maybe not in the way that I intended, but sometimes it's those things that end up being the most important. Even if I end up working these two jobs to the end of the school year (I even have a contract and a key!), I think this will still be an important year for me. The people that complimented me really restored my faith, and they don't even know how much it meant to me.

It's strange - I'm even considering getting some more certifications (elementary ed., more than ever). I'm going to work on this if I don't get a teaching job. And, I will continue to apply for teaching jobs, and when next spring comes, I'm going to take interviews (hopefully!) by a storm.

Quotes from subbing second grade

Me: "Good morning, class!"
25 2nd graders: "Good mooooorning, Mrs....." *look around at each other sheepishly*

(I couldn't stop laughing)
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Boy: "I like your look today!"
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Me: "I'm planning my wedding this summer!"
Different boy (on his way out): "I hope you have a good husband!"

Quotes from subbing

Yesterday in middle school:
"Do you work at Applebees?"
"Are you Marisa's mother?"

Today in fourth grade:
From a girl: "It's Ms. H! You were our music sub! You have such a pretty voice!"
From a boy, while I pitched for kickball: "We have some good pitching!"

Oh, subbing.

Healing powers of the beach

This weekend, I got away and spent time with Kristina. We relaxed a lot, scrapbooked, calmed the part of us that screamed for retail therapy (at the craft store), indulged in Italian food, and went to the beach. Successful.
It got me thinking. What is it about the beach that heals? I ALWAYS feel better, and yes, more tired, after a day at the beach. Is it the sand, that softens my feet? (I love that feeling). Is it the sound of the waves? Is it the sun beating down and finally getting some good vitamins? (with SPF 50 - I don't get too crazy). Is it that I'm usually with someone I enjoy spending time with? Is it the good novel I brought?

Whatever it was, it was rejuvinating. All the things I had been worried about on Saturday washed away on Sunday (figuratively... with the waves). I think if I lived near the beach or was able to go there when I got stressed, I would be much better off. I would love to go alone one day. My dream vacation is me laying on the beach for several days in a row, with many breaks (and with Mike of course :) ).

I can't wait to go back. :)

Dunnnn dun dun dun dunnnn dunnnnnnnn...

It's over! Graduation. From college. Seriously, didn't I just graduate from high school?

The day was really everything I could have hoped for. The weather was perfect (I hope it's like that for the wedding, knock on wood). It was not too cold, not too hot, but windy. No traffic in or out of school.

 The morning ceremony for history majors was truly exciting. I drank a lot of coffee that morning (we were on the road by 6:15 am) so I was literally bouncing around where I sat. I couldn't keep my feet still and hoped my family wouldn't notice from their high perch in the auditorium (they did). I was nervous, too. I didn't want to screw up or trip. This was it - 4 years of very hard work were riding on this day!

I got my "diploma" and I cheered on my friends. My favorite professor presented departmental honors to the students she supervised and I was so glad to be able to give her a hug in front of everyone. I don't even know how to thank her for all that she's done (well actually, I do, but I'm not revealing that yet). I also received, to my complete surprise, the history department service award with my friend Jess. I'm really going to miss being in that hallway (I really did during student teaching) and seeing the faculty members and my fellow students all the time. It was really sad to go, but luckily I was a little distracted because we had to line up for the big outdoor ceremony.

After I got my parents and Mike on their way to the stadium, I had to find my friends; my closest friends, who I ate my meals with, lived with, and spent day in and day out with, are not history majors (ironically almost ALL of them are psych majors, don't ask me how that happened - and they don't all hang out with each other). Anyway, the point is, we were able to sit with whoever we wanted at the big ceremony because we were sitting by school.

We all lined up in the Humanities line and took some pictures. Time flew by and then we were marching into the stadium, and there were people EVERYWHERE. I knew Mike and my parents were there but I didn't know where. They were somewhere in the stadium full of people. Turns out they didn't really see me either. Oh well. =P Before the ceremony began, I spent a whole five minutes on the phone with Mike, waving my cap around so he could find me.

The ceremony seemed longer than the history one. It was also very hard to see anything, so we kind of goofed off a bit at our seats (although yes, I was listening to all of the speeches). They graduated us by school and had us turn our tassels together. And then it was over, and we walked out. However... I couldn't have asked for a better end to college than sitting between Melissa, my best friend from freshman year, and Kristina, another best friend and my roommate.

Met my family and took more pictures with them and my friends. Then, we met my brother, sister, and grandmother for lunch down the road, and it was very relaxing. I wish I could have spent more time with my friends, and that I could have had more pictures (especially nice ones - there were people EVERYWHERE), and that I could have seen more of the friends I was planning to see - but you can't have it all. We got home by dinner time and I took a nice little nap - and then my family went out for one last outing, ice cream. It was the perfect ending to a nearly perfect day.

Now... did I get the job? We shall know soon. All I know right now is, I had a great weekend, and I'm exhausted. And I have a BA in History Secondary Education! :)

Playlist:
"Closing Time" - Semisonic
"Time of Your Life"  - Green Day
"Colorblind" - Counting Crows
"Graduation (Friends Forever)" - Vitamin C

-Jess

The day before college graduation

Is it actually tomorrow? It feels like just yesterday I was moving into my freshman dorm. I remember everything about that day. Driving up to campus with two cars, one just me and Mike, blasting the summer radio. Meeting my roommate (that didn't go well in the long run, but who could've known then?). Saying goodbye - not that everyone was that far away, but an hour was still an hour. And I didn't have a car. And it was a very, very hot August, and there was no air conditioning in the dorm.

I loved college, but there were so many times I wanted to be finished. When I had to sit through math and science liberal arts classes and was literally counting down the minutes until they were over. When the work piled up so much that it was really difficult to comprehend that the semester would really, really (really) end. When it was pouring outside (or, more likely, a freezing wind tunnel) and the last thing I wanted to do was make the trek across campus. When I was sick much more than I used to be. When I couldn't see Mike for long periods of time, up to a month. When, during student teaching, I basically had to put my head down and work the hardest I ever have in my life for two months. When the job search seemed like the most daunting task ever (this is mostly right now).

Like I said, though, there were so many things I loved about college - that overpower the negatives. I loved performing with musical theatre freshman and sophomore years, before I decided to concentrate more on my work and my closest friends. I loved working for Phonathon and getting to talk to alumni (when they were nice - some of the most pleasant conversations I've ever had with other human beings occurred on those telephone lines). I loved working at the tutoring center and seeing the "lightbulb" go on for my history and writing students (which assured me I had picked the right career path). I loved quilting in my free time and when I got home - it was during college that I taught myself to sew and loved it from the beginning. I loved doing research and writing papers that really interested me (Holocaust, Berlin Wall). I loved the internship in NYC that I was able to do. I LOVED going abroad and seeing the places I had been studying for years - nothing beat that, except for all the things I did with my friends.

I loved going on the many trips, especially with Melissa, because we were so often doing that together :) I loved getting food out and just being lazy on the weekends (well, besides homework). I loved taking a risk and living with someone who turned out to be one of my best friends (Kristina) - living with someone who you really love is hard to beat (and when you don't really get on each others' nerves, even better). I loved playing bingo on Friday nights when other people were at parties (really!). I loved all the snowed-in days. I loved watching the final season of Lost with my friends every week. I loved hanging out in the library, in the student center waiting for finals week massages, outside at the tables, etc. I loved taking walks around our beautiful campus. I loved being able to meet several friends in one day over meals, or just for a chat. I loved eating with my friends at lunch and dinner - we would all find times to eat in the dining hall together. I loved going for coffee after morning classes, or after brunch on the weekends with my friends. I loved the period of time where I was right next to the gym and went there all the time - and controlled my eating habits, too! I loved the satisfaction of handing in HUGE assignments (90 page senior thesis, finishing student teaching). On that note, I loved my student teaching experience and wouldn't change a thing if given the chance. I've been so lucky. It was moments like these I felt like I conquered the world. And in a way, it really was the little things.

It's hard to think about the next stage. Yes, I'm getting married and *hopefully* moving out soon, with the love of my life - and I absolutely cannot wait. Once I get a job, I will feel much better. However... I have been waiting for graduation day for so long... and it's finally almost here!!!!!

-Jess (yes, the little turtle at the bottom of my page is actually at the finish line!)