I've been so close to a breaking point this week. I have a huge paper due at the end of October, and I'm having a very difficult time getting the ball rolling. I've asked my adviser for help and direction, and he's been no help. I spent a huge part of this week just complaining, and that's no help. It's rolled into me being in a foul mood and that's no good for anyone. I contacted a librarian at the school for some help, and it looks like that might help get me through. I decided I'm only going to let myself complain about this one part of my big project. Everything else I just need to suck up and deal.
In order to help clear my mental state, I decided to take today off. I haven't even thought of graduate school today. I was in a great mood at school today and we had such a wonderful day. The kids were super and we had a lot of fun. Tonight, I could have done a ton of work, but I didn't. I stayed at school until 5:00 to get some grading finished, then I left.
When I got home, Scout and I went for a run. Besides a run last weekend, I haven't run in a long time. It wasn't long, but it was great. It felt very good to get some exercise. In my life, exercise has always been my way of coping. Then I surfed the internet for a while while hydrating myself, and now I'm going to plop in front of the tv, watch a show or a movie, then head to bed early and read my book.
It's so important to take time for myself during these busy times. I can sometimes be a little weak emotionally. If I don't take "me" time, I will go crazy and break down. It's also important to appreciate the good things in life no matter how rough things are. Toby is the most amazing man in the entire history of men. I am so lucky to share my life with him. We are going through these hard times together, and I wouldn't be able to do it without him. My family is close, and I'm so lucky to have them. They are another important piece of my support system. This includes Toby's family, too. I have a wonderful job that I love so much. Although it can get hectic with pressure and things to do, the kids make it all worth it. They are so special and I am so lucky to be a part of their lives. Scout is doing well. He's a happy, healthy dog who is a great companion, especially while Toby is working these crazy hours. We are healthy, thank God. See, look at all of these wonderful things I have in my life! I could go on forever. Although life is tough, there are always blessings to count. It's important to take time to appreciate things in life while we have them.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Work Overload
Toby and I have been so busy lately, it's been difficult to find time for us that doesn't involve talk of work or school. I'm spending my Sunday catching up on some assignments that are due next week. I would love to be relaxing and reading a book that I picked out instead of one assigned to me. Toby is off at work, poor guy, so it's just me and Scout hanging out. I'm glad I've got him to keep me company!
I did take some time off yesterday. A friend and I went to a horse pull. One of my students (whose mother I work with) has grown up around horse pulls. Her family hosts one every year. It was a neat experience. I always love seeing students out of school, too.
One thing I love about my Master's program is that it's more independent work and less on campus time. This means, though, that I have to stay disciplined and focused on assignments. There's a big 20-page paper due at the end of October, so I am very temped to not do anything until the middle of October. I know how mad I would be at myself if that's what happens. I made an outline today to help give me some direction. I find the rest of my sources next week and begin the paper. Hopefully I'll be done before the due date. The paper is not officially due until March, but there will be lots of revisions to do in between now and then.
I have another class that I was looking forward to. It's all about teachers becoming leaders in their schools. It's not nearly as exciting or informative as I had hoped. There's a lot of extra work to pile on top of the research class's work.
Work is going well, but it's busy, too. We changed our whole structure to the RTI model which has added a whole new ball to juggle in the air. I'm hoping we'll see results in the kids' work, but in the mean time, it's a lot of planning and extra work. The main thing, though, is that the kids are doing well. They make everything worth it. I can't say enough how much I LOVE having my kids from last year. They are such a wonderful group of kids and remind me why I got into teaching in the first place. They are the most important part. It takes so much time for planning, grading, modifying, meeting, etc., but in the end, it's all about the kids, and I just love working with them!
Poor Toby is just as busy as I am, if not more. He's working and interning and going to classes, too. Thankfully he is able to deal with his stress in healthy ways. When we do have time we get to spend together, we have a great time. We try to not talk about work or school, and just focus on being together. All of this work now is temporary. Once it's done, we can move onto a new chapter in our lives where we have more time to spend together and Master's Degrees! We can't wait for the day.
Scout continues to be wonderful and bring joy and excitement to us every day. He's a smart dog and super playful. Right now he's passed out because he spent all morning chewing on his new bone. He peed on my parents' carpet (twice!) last week, but has never peed inside anywhere else. He is still a big snuggle bear and a love bug. He loves going to day care and seems to be a very happy dog.
It's been nice reflecting on where I am right now, but now I need to get back to work. I have to do work for work, then back to work for grad school. Again, this is temporary. I should also appreciate where we are right now, because I'm sure future posts will be of me complaining of being even more busy than I am right now!
Graduation is in: 229 days!!!
I did take some time off yesterday. A friend and I went to a horse pull. One of my students (whose mother I work with) has grown up around horse pulls. Her family hosts one every year. It was a neat experience. I always love seeing students out of school, too.
One thing I love about my Master's program is that it's more independent work and less on campus time. This means, though, that I have to stay disciplined and focused on assignments. There's a big 20-page paper due at the end of October, so I am very temped to not do anything until the middle of October. I know how mad I would be at myself if that's what happens. I made an outline today to help give me some direction. I find the rest of my sources next week and begin the paper. Hopefully I'll be done before the due date. The paper is not officially due until March, but there will be lots of revisions to do in between now and then.
I have another class that I was looking forward to. It's all about teachers becoming leaders in their schools. It's not nearly as exciting or informative as I had hoped. There's a lot of extra work to pile on top of the research class's work.
Work is going well, but it's busy, too. We changed our whole structure to the RTI model which has added a whole new ball to juggle in the air. I'm hoping we'll see results in the kids' work, but in the mean time, it's a lot of planning and extra work. The main thing, though, is that the kids are doing well. They make everything worth it. I can't say enough how much I LOVE having my kids from last year. They are such a wonderful group of kids and remind me why I got into teaching in the first place. They are the most important part. It takes so much time for planning, grading, modifying, meeting, etc., but in the end, it's all about the kids, and I just love working with them!
Poor Toby is just as busy as I am, if not more. He's working and interning and going to classes, too. Thankfully he is able to deal with his stress in healthy ways. When we do have time we get to spend together, we have a great time. We try to not talk about work or school, and just focus on being together. All of this work now is temporary. Once it's done, we can move onto a new chapter in our lives where we have more time to spend together and Master's Degrees! We can't wait for the day.
Scout continues to be wonderful and bring joy and excitement to us every day. He's a smart dog and super playful. Right now he's passed out because he spent all morning chewing on his new bone. He peed on my parents' carpet (twice!) last week, but has never peed inside anywhere else. He is still a big snuggle bear and a love bug. He loves going to day care and seems to be a very happy dog.
It's been nice reflecting on where I am right now, but now I need to get back to work. I have to do work for work, then back to work for grad school. Again, this is temporary. I should also appreciate where we are right now, because I'm sure future posts will be of me complaining of being even more busy than I am right now!
Graduation is in: 229 days!!!
Friday, September 2, 2011
First Day of School!
It's amazing how quickly the first day of school snuck right up. It was a marathon trying to get everything set up, but by Tuesday night, the room was all ready for Open House. This Open House was so great because I knew all of the students (besides two) and their parents, so it was nice to see everyone again and hear how their summers were.
Wednesday was the first day, and it was fantastic. Looping is such an amazing thing, and I hope I have the opportunity to do it more. I know my students, so on the first day, we were all comfortable and ready to get back to work. Of course there were first day things that needed to be taken care of, but because I know the kids from last year, I know what they can and can't do, what accommodations help them work best, and how to keep the ones in line who need help making the right choices. One of my paras worked in the room last year, so that is great, too.
5th grade is very different from 4th grade, and requires the students to really step up and take on more responsibility. I am so impressed with how the kids have stepped up to the plate and really taken on the role of 5th graders. They have lockers, they are in charge of writing their homework assignments down, they switch classes, and are given more freedoms. They have done a great job transitioning out of the elementary part of the school and into the middle school side.
I absolutely love my job. Although there are some days that are better or worse than others, I feel so lucky to be able to hang out with kids all day. I like them and they like me and we all work well together. The two new students are transitioning well into the new school and are a great fit for our class. I am so happy the first day, and the first week, went well. I makes me look forward to the 176 days we have left together! I look back fondly on all of my classes, and I feel very fortunate to have this class a second year in a row. It's fantastic!
Here are some pictures of the room right before Open House. The papers on the desks are parent info sheets, and the things on the back table are their name plates for them to pick their seats.
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