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.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
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. :)
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. :)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
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 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
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
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!)
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!)
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Reflections on the last week
It's been a crazy week! Friday was my last day of student teaching. I stayed the weekend with my friends. Tuesday night was my last final, and today I had a big job interview. I just feel like I need to write some things down, so here goes.
Friday was a really overwhelming day. I was really relieved/excited because student teaching, which was the most work I've ever done in my life in a consolidated amount of time, was over. However, I absolutely love the students and teachers that I have been working with, and I didn't want to leave.
They sent me off in a grand fashion. It felt like there was a surprise every hour. When I came in, my cooperating teacher and I exchanged gifts, and he gave me a very sweet card. He also gave me a bunch of cards the kids had made throughout the week. I actually didn't cry the whole day (don't ask me how that happened) but I did get a little teary eyed a few times - like when I read the cards.
At the beginning of first period, my co-op announced that the students should pass around the teacher textbook. They are retiring the old textbooks because the new series came in (they look amazing and I wish I could work with them!) - so he was using my book as a yearbook. The students wrote letters to me on whatever page in this 800 page book that they wished. THAT was a moment I almost cried, to be honest. I got to read some of the letters and they were so sweet. Some of the students left me clues on the first page in order to find their message... hahaha. It was one of the best gifts I've ever received. My in class support teacher also gave me this beautiful purple jewelry set.
Then, my co-op surprised me with a huge sheet cake during lunch. Most of the faculty came in to celebrate and brought food. Then, at the end of the day, I got a beautiful card from the faculty. In addition, the students filled out little evaluations for me (I liked... [one thing], I think you should improve... [one thing]). They gave me very constructive criticism but some of the things they wrote were very, very sweet (again - I can't think of another word to say.) I may have to share some of their comments another time.
Leaving was hard. My co-op gave me a handshake ("on a professional note") and a hug ("on a personal note"). Luckily I had somewhere fun to be - dinner with my friends down by the college. :)
We had dinner and Kristina and I shared all of our experiences from the day - she also left her student teaching placement. Then, we went to the carnival on campus, and that was a fantastic way to stop being sad and finally spend some time with my friends this semester. :)
The next day was very relaxing, spent with my friends. I had to do some work for my presentation, but that wasn't my main goal for the day. It was a lazy Saturday. That night we went to a fun. concert in Philly, and it was so awesome - the third time I've seen the band and the best. Everyone was so excited to be there and the band was so HAPPY (you could just tell by their faces). They just hit it big with their song, "We are Young," so they're understandably excited. It was a blast.
The next day I drove home and spent some time with my sister and with cleaning my room. Tuesday night was my final presentation on student teaching and now that it's over, I just don't care. :)
More soon!
-Jess
Friday was a really overwhelming day. I was really relieved/excited because student teaching, which was the most work I've ever done in my life in a consolidated amount of time, was over. However, I absolutely love the students and teachers that I have been working with, and I didn't want to leave.
They sent me off in a grand fashion. It felt like there was a surprise every hour. When I came in, my cooperating teacher and I exchanged gifts, and he gave me a very sweet card. He also gave me a bunch of cards the kids had made throughout the week. I actually didn't cry the whole day (don't ask me how that happened) but I did get a little teary eyed a few times - like when I read the cards.
At the beginning of first period, my co-op announced that the students should pass around the teacher textbook. They are retiring the old textbooks because the new series came in (they look amazing and I wish I could work with them!) - so he was using my book as a yearbook. The students wrote letters to me on whatever page in this 800 page book that they wished. THAT was a moment I almost cried, to be honest. I got to read some of the letters and they were so sweet. Some of the students left me clues on the first page in order to find their message... hahaha. It was one of the best gifts I've ever received. My in class support teacher also gave me this beautiful purple jewelry set.
Then, my co-op surprised me with a huge sheet cake during lunch. Most of the faculty came in to celebrate and brought food. Then, at the end of the day, I got a beautiful card from the faculty. In addition, the students filled out little evaluations for me (I liked... [one thing], I think you should improve... [one thing]). They gave me very constructive criticism but some of the things they wrote were very, very sweet (again - I can't think of another word to say.) I may have to share some of their comments another time.
Leaving was hard. My co-op gave me a handshake ("on a professional note") and a hug ("on a personal note"). Luckily I had somewhere fun to be - dinner with my friends down by the college. :)
We had dinner and Kristina and I shared all of our experiences from the day - she also left her student teaching placement. Then, we went to the carnival on campus, and that was a fantastic way to stop being sad and finally spend some time with my friends this semester. :)
The next day was very relaxing, spent with my friends. I had to do some work for my presentation, but that wasn't my main goal for the day. It was a lazy Saturday. That night we went to a fun. concert in Philly, and it was so awesome - the third time I've seen the band and the best. Everyone was so excited to be there and the band was so HAPPY (you could just tell by their faces). They just hit it big with their song, "We are Young," so they're understandably excited. It was a blast.
The next day I drove home and spent some time with my sister and with cleaning my room. Tuesday night was my final presentation on student teaching and now that it's over, I just don't care. :)
More soon!
-Jess
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