Free at last!

...at least for a week! Break is finally here and well needed at that! I'm looking forward to a whole week of getting up at my leisure, gardening, and maybe even working on the stair project that hasn't moved since Christmas. I can't believe there is only 2 and a half months left in the school year. Time flies, doesn't it? It's been quite a whirlwind year of difficult kids, that somehow I am oddly willing to take on once again next year. At least half of them, and for one period, rather than all day..
Middle School..wow..It's amazing how your interests change. I remember when I was in college, I wanted to teach little ones, kindergarten, maybe as far as second grade..and I hated subbing middle school. So much that if the call came in, I would beg for something else..When they first assigned me to student teach, it was 6th grade. I cringed at first, but thought that if it was in an elementary school, I would be fine. At the time, I automatically assumed that 6th grade was elementary. It wasn't. It was in a middle school. I called the education office crying, begging them to switch me. It made the difference between a 10 minute commute and a 40 minute commute and I took the 3rd grade. Thankfully, I had an amazing cooperating teacher..and a very unique experience..that my husband, who is in graduate school now realizes was an amazing opportunity. I washed my hands of that sixth grade business..
Then Hillsborough called me. The answering machine clearly stated "2nd grade position...we want you..." Excited that I finally had something, I remember going to the interview...and the words "FIFTH GRADE" staring back at me. What could I say? I needed a job..I would take it! This in turn led me to 5th grade where I am now..and soon to be middle school..
I welcome this change with open arms for some reason..but for now, I have two more months to plow through. It's almost over!! I'll enjoy my break :)

Middle School or not?

So I was offered middle school language arts at my school..which would mean teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade language arts..When I was offered it, I was smart enough to say "Give me a day to think about it." because I'm more of the type to not say no and just do it..and I thought first..so I'm learning to do that ;) Weighing the pros and cons, it really makes it a tough choice..but I think I am going to go with it..

The Pros :
No Homeroom, which means, no lunch count, no papers to pass out, no indoor recess!! No packing up at the end of the day!
Having my first 5th graders as 7th graders again, because I miss them dearly
Planning for only one subject
The ability to have intellectual conversations about literature with older students
No aid
Some grade level collaboration
smaller class sizes
Mutual collaboration with my husband
No Religion to teach (tho I am having fun with SA, the nun who coteaches with me, this year)

The Cons :
Lack of other subjects
Having my 5th graders as 6th graders
creative restraint?? maybe not?
8th grade..and yes, they are ALL bigger than me..

Thats about it..really..I think it's a go! Wish me luck ;) What is life without adventure?? Time for a new adventure!

The Book Has the Wrong Cover

Have you ever met someone you thought was totally awesome?? Then, as the puzzle pieces start to filter in, you grow more and more disheartened?? As if the person you met, is not the person you thought they were when you first met them?? I'm not talking about change either. Yes, people change..we all do!! Sometimes we change for the better, sometimes for the worse..I'm talking about the lives people live..the things that people tend to oversee or not see correctly because they don't know the person well enough. Then you get to know them, and all of a sudden, you start to see things differently. I met someone like that recently. It's ashame really, because I really thought that we could be great friends. It hurts to think that I was deceived into thinking they were really cool, when really, they are nothing more than a pack of lies..
Today is the first day of the rest of my life! Carry on...

Glass Bites!!

So, its been two months in the making, collecting the supplies needed to start doing stained glass, but the whole idea is finally coming to fruition. My grinder will be here on Monday and today I went out to buy me some glass. The glass store is actually alot closer than I had previously assumed. The people there were very nice!! I was afraid that I would find some artsy fartsy, better than you types of folks in there, very much like the kind found in some other types of art stores. No, I was pleasantly surprised by a warm, welcoming, and helpful staff willing to answer any questions and lead you in the right direction. They didn't even recommend the expensive glass for a beginner!! I was quite impressed and can't wait to go back!!

So I found myself in a familiar position as I was looking through glass. I felt like I was shopping for fabric!! Imagine that! There I was, taking each piece, laying it on the light box and pulling another to lay next to it..in a very similar fashion to the way I find myself shopping for fabric, taking bolts off the shelves, putting them in my cart, with all of 10 bolts when I only intend on buying 3 or 4 colors..always looking for the best combination!! As I picked up my second piece of glass..I cut myself! Yes, my friends, these crafts of mine tend to be injury hazards!! I cut my pinky finger..and I didn't think it was that bad, but indeed its alot deeper than the paper cut size I had estimated..Wouldn't you know, the second after I cut myself, the girl mentions that there are gloves to hold the glass..Of course, I didn't make a big deal out of it, but it taught me very fast that Glass, does indeed, bite and certainly not to forget it in any of the glass endeavors I take on!!

I came home and promptly rushed up to my studio (as I don't think I should call it a sewing room anymore, because really, is it a sewing room?). I wanted to cut a piece..I wanted to start, with or without grinder..so there I found myself, by myself, alive again..cutting glass, making the most awesome circular design. Of course, I can't finish it without the grinder that will be here on Monday, but at least the pieces are all cut!! I did experiment and make a little dragonfly..I'm not too happy with the way it came out, but thats alright, My solder was melting funny, maybe because the iron itself was brand new...I'm sure it will work out..I also am not used to using oil in the glass cutter, but its safer..and shooting glass shards are not my style, hot glass OR cold!!

Anyway, grinder arrives on Monday..looking forward to getting back into my groove!

March Damnit!!

So March is here!! But Damnit, WHERE is the warmer weather??? A friend of mine posed an idea months ago that I rather tucked into the recesses of my mind, but now, oh now I do believe it may be true!! It's the idea of a Season Shift..Yes, back in December, the idea was posed in which the seasons are actually changing..as in shifting, only by a few weeks perhaps..but none the less, shifting ahead..Lets take a look at the past year or two. I remember living in the apartment and learning about the aweful truth in heat control..It turns off on May 1st!! Oh yes, there is no requirement to give you heat past that day..and therefore, living on a lower floor apartment, it was VERY cold..well into June!! For two years I might add!! I remember lifeguarding in high school and college, and getting mighty red on Memorial Day weekend..preparing a week or two ahead of time and enjoying the heat! Not now, oh no...the chill is on!!

So then lets look at Fall...a blazing hot classroom well into October..but wait, doesn't Autumn officially start in September?? It may on the calendar, but 22 fifth graders and I can tell you differently!! December rolls in mildly..and stays mild into the new year...now, we find ourselves in March, the month that is proving to roll in like a lion (and hopefully OUT like a lamb, in every literal sense of the words). The snow is like tundra outside..It just won't melt..my porch is an ice laden permafrost mat. It's supposed to thaw! My flowers are coming up!! Where is Spring?? Say it isn't so..say the seasons aren't REALLY shifting..

The bottom line : I want summer ;)