{Five on Friday}

I am back linking up with the lovely ladies for Five on Friday, my last of my summer vacation! Waaaahhhh!! I can't believe summer is over. Speed by and come again!

Link up with Natasha, Darci, Christina, and April today!

{1}
Yesterday was my staff development day. We went in, sat in a meeting for 2 hours, sat in a faculty meeting, waited almost 2 hours for my department meeting. It was so weird to be back at school! At the end of our department meeting (I'm in the foreign languages department), she handed everyone a tote bag with all their supplies for the year. Aka, a goodybag full of teacher supplies! Pens, pencils, erasers, dry eraser, dry erase markers, etc. It was probably ordered for the school and distributed but hey, I'll take all this free stuff!

{2}
I REALLY want to go to Disney. Like bad! I haven't been since August 2011. I really want to go over one of my school breaks next year. Preferably in February to escape the cold!

{3}
My chairperson finally posted my schedule today of what classes I have...since I minored in French in college, she is going to utilize me in the French classes as the TA. I thought I was going to have no Spanish but I have 4 of each! My schedule is not that bad: Period 1 French (A days), Spanish (B days), off 2nd, Period 3 - Spanish B, off 4th, Period 5A French, 5B french, off 6th, Period 7 Spanish A, period 8 French A, period 9 French A. I like that I am going to be able to practice both languages!

{4}
Who doesn't love a Victoria's Secret panty sale?! I went today before work and got 7 new pairs for $26....not that I needed them or anything.

{5}
My cousin Lisa's husband Bryce just finished his 3rd children's book Pomodoro the Penguin goes to Italy. He has written two others and this one is ranked #2 in the top children's ebooks for Kindle about Europe! Go Bryce!! Please check it out (and his others...his first one is currently available for free on Amazon!)

{I teach. It's what I do} - Teacher Talk Link Up

Good morning, y'all. This time next week, it will be the FIRST day of school. YIKES! Where on Earth did summer go?

I am super excited to me a part of the blog linkup that the lovely Jamie & Nicole are hosting. Teacher Talk. Who doesn't love connecting with other bloggers who share your passion for your profession? When I saw their announcement, I thought this was perfect to connect with other teachers who are either veterans, in their first year, or on the road to becoming a teacher!

So, let's get down to it!

Who am I? My name is Kristin and I am a Spanish teacher. I currently have my certification in Spanish 7-12 with a middle childhood extension (say that five times fast). Basically, I can teach Spanish from grades 5-12. I also have a minor in French...my goal is to be able to teach BOTH languages one day (I am only lacking 8 credits to have my French certification). Plus, my Special Education certification is pending. I am still on the hunt for my perfect teaching job. When school starts next week, I will be going back to my Teaching Assistant (TA) position. Essentially, I help co-teach with 3-4 other Spanish teachers and help assist the class. When it comes to testing, I take the special education students out to ensure they get their testing modifications. I don't have to grade (although I strangely enjoy doing it!) and I do not have to plan any lessons.

I am thrilled to have this again but like I said yesterday, I am somewhat jealous of everyone I know getting a full time job. I am going to continue to look for my dream job and even out of state. So if you know of a school looking for a Spanish teacher (middle school is my dream job!), holler at me!

Why do I teach? I originally wanted to be a pediatrician growing up. I liked kids and I think watching George Clooney as Dr.Ross on ER had something to do with it. In the back of my mind, I figured I could always be a teacher (let's face it...there's a LOT of information to memorize/know as a doctor and I had a feeling med school would be hard!). After my 6th grade guidance counselor told me I was too stupid to be a doctor, I thought 'Well, I'll just be a teacher!' I had always played school when I was little.

    When I was in middle school, we had to take half a year of Spanish and half a year of French in 6th grade. I simply fell in love with learning languages. I thought it was interesting and enjoyed learning about another culture. Plus, my teacher, Mrs.Reith, was amazing. I was fortunate to have her all three years of middle school. I had ultimately chosen to learn Spanish (they make you decide halfway through 6th grade) and she told me in 8th grade, if I was serious about wanting to be a Spanish teacher, it would benefit me to take French in high school. As a 9th grader, I took French 1/2 honors. I was the only freshman in the class! I continued to take both languages through high school until my senior year when I chose Spanish AP over French because they were both scheduled the same period.

When I wrote my college admission essay with my applications, I wrote about someone who had a major impact on my life. And that person was Mrs.Reith. She ultimately showed me through her teaching the type of teacher I wanted (and hoped) to be. I went back and gave her a copy of my essay. It made her cry. What teacher doesn't love seeing proof that you are making a difference in the lives of your students? I even kept in contact with her while I was student teaching and we met up. I am eternally grateful that she inspired me to become a teacher. Otherwise, I don't know where I would be today.

I also teach because I believe it is what God destined me to do in life as my calling. I enjoyed playing school as a child and office supplies give me a "rush" as silly as that sounds. I enjoy buying new pens, notebooks, and folders. New school supplies is like Christmas morning!! I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of my students. I want to be able to take a tough concept (say like stem changing verbs) and be able to explain it in simple steps to some student who might be struggling. I want to be an inspiration to my students like Mrs.Reith was to me and hopefully they will want to be a language teacher one day! Notes like these (from two of my 7th graders last year) make the long days worth while:

Wishful thinking

I go back to school on Thursday for a "staff development day." And who even knows what we are going to be doing that day? All the "flyer" said in the e-mail was the start starts at 8am and we report to our prospective buildings at 10am. Technically, my position as the teaching assistant (TA) had to be board-approved again

But, this has got me to thinking...I wish I was going back as the teacher. Don't get me wrong...I am grateful to have a job in an economy when it is hard to get one. And I love being in a school and working with four different teachers...it allows me to see a variety of teaching styles and classroom management techniques. But let's face it....it's not the same as BEING the teacher. 

I went to school for four years for this. I did the entire legwork of the education program as an undergrad but ended up being faced with the ultimate decision to drop it as my major and graduate with just a Spanish degree; therefore, receiving my Masters in Education in grad school. I graduated from grad school two years ago. My certification has only truly been in effect since September of last year. But the debt I have (and the interest accruing) is just ridiculous.

Truth be told (and I feel guilty admitting this), I am completely jealous of everyone who has landed a teaching job lately. Is that selfish of me? Probably. I'm not going to lie and say I'm not jealous of whoever got both positions I interviewed for in my home district....it's great for them they got a job. And someone I went to high school with (and college as well) got a job I applied for. Someone else I know got a job I had applied for. Almost like, too little, too late. Another girl I went to college with (she's a year younger) posted recently on Facebook that she got a job in a private school. And last night, one girl who I worked with last year messaged me to tell me she got a last-minute job offer for Special Education in another district so she wouldn't be coming back. And I had known of a few other people getting jobs that we worked with last year.


I feel excited for them all while feeling as if that will never happen for me. I know that good things come to those who wait. But honestly, how long do I have to wait? Every time I go on an interview, make it to the next round only to not get the job, it makes me wonder what can I do better for next time? How can I make myself stand out as an educator to show them that I am worthy of being hired?

I feel as if I am at a dead end with my job search. Yes, I have my TA job and I am grateful for that extra money. But, most of the jobs I see require you to be certified in Italian now in addition to Spanish. One of my friends told me she doesn't see me teaching in New York and sees me teaching out of New York. I am starting to believe that.I have always joked that I want to move to Georgia but, I am seriously giving it all my faith & dedication this year to finding a job. I am going to be researching the districts/areas I would consider moving to (Georgia, North Carolina and Florida are on my list).

Some people think I am crazy that I would up & move to a place where I know no one just for a job. But that is what my 20's are all about, aren't they? I don't have anything really tying me to NY aside from my family (no apartment, no home, no man). Most of the time people say/tell you that with a New York State teaching license, you're GOLDEN in another state....aka they'd really want you. I can only hope that will be true as I go on my quest for a job.

I know God has something set in store for me. He has bigger plans than I have for myself. He knows the right time to lay them out and I am just being too impatient to let it happen. I just have to let go of my jealousy and trust that the right job will come when God believes it is destined for me.

I look forward to reading how the journeys of new teachers like Jamie and Nicole, who have blogs that I have been reading/following forever, pan out. And I am so excited for the Teacher Talk link up they're hosting that I am partaking in.

{Sunday Social}

I am finally home after what seemed to be the longest double I have worked in forever. As I am watching the VMA's, I figured I would link up for another weekend of Sunday Social with Ashley & Neely.

{1} What do you miss most about being a kid?
OMG such a hard decision!! I believe that would entail:
-Nap time (yeah, this can still happen as an adult but still)
-Not having responsibility aka bills
-Friday night TV (TGIF lineup anyone?!) as well as my favorite TV shows:

 Full House!

Boy Meets World!

Saved by the Bell

-Being able to dream big and not have anyone shoot it down!

{2} Did you have a nickname growing up?
My mom used to call me Maggie...which got really awkward when my brother gave his now wife a cat when they were dating and she named it Maggie. My grandma used to call me Krissy and my soccer coach called me Christmas.

{3} What was your favorite thing to do at recess?
I used to love going on the slide and the monkey bars. We also enjoyed playing red rover and building forts out of our lunchboxes when we were in kindergarten!

{4} What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a pediatrician but my guidance counselor in 6th grade told me I was too stupid to be one. Nice, right? I only wanted to be one because of how much I loved Dr.Doug Ross (Mr.George Clooney) on ER. Then I decided I wanted to become a teacher.

{5} Did you participate in any school activities?
Swim team in middle school, Culture Club, Anchor Club, Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America (which is pretty funny I don't own/run a business), Key Club.

{6} What is the funniest thing you did as a kid that your parents still remind you about?
My kindergarten teacher called my mom because I had refused to go outside one day at recess. My mom asked what was my reason and apparently it was because I didn't want to get my new shoes dirty. High maintenance from a young age! Haha. 

A new do

I am probably the laziest person when it comes to getting haircuts. I have no idea how long you all wait in between haircuts. But the last time I cut my hair was OCTOBER 2012! Whoops!! I am lucky in that my hairdresser cuts my hair at her house and obviously according to when she can fit me in. I wanted to grow my hair out for my cousin's wedding that was in July. But I basically kept putting my hair cut off.

Today, I went and had her chop it off. I usually go from one extreme (long long hair) to short! And man did I need it...my ends were nasty! But here's the new do. I love it! And the maintenance is going to be super easy.

Last week on one of my weekly Target stops, I bought the new Luke Brian CD. I really have gotten into country music over the past few years. This CD has been on non-stop blast in my car since I got it. SO SO good. Maybe I will have to see him in concert next!

I cannot believe my summer is winding down and before we know it, we will be back in school! I have my tutoring meeting for the school where I got my masters this week and then next Thursday, we have professional staff day at school, which I am sure it is going to be boring as a TA. I don't even know what teachers I am working with yet because I think I don't get board approved until this week's board meeting! The first day of school for us is September 3rd and then we are off Thursday & Friday! And to top it off, this year we get two weeks at Christmas, a week in February and then a week and a half in April. I am pretty sure the only month where we DON'T have a day/week off is March....which will be long. I am excited to see who I am working with again and if I have any of the same students from last year.

Tomorrow, I signed up to take a pure barre class with my friend Amanda. She has basically been asking me all summer but I was either working, away, or just didn't do it. So, I decided to do it...and I pray I make it out alive!! I have never done one before but I really want to get my bootay in shape so let's see if this helps. Or if I am able to walk after!

My boss sent me a message tonight saying that we hired a new takeout server so I will essentially become her "back up" takeout server and get more serving shifts! YES! This obviously means my paychecks will be zilch because servers get paid $5 an hour but hey, I'll take it.

{Sunday Social}

1. What is something you've always wanted to do but are afraid of?

It is one of my goals to run a 5K or a half marathon. This is coming from someone who hasn't been to the gym in a month yet takes her puppy on walks every day. It's on my bucket list. I want to be able to say that I was able to do it and feel better about myself. Of course, I hope this doesn't happen:

2. Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I will be 31 approaching 32! Yikes! That's "old". I hopefully will be married (if not, then engaged), teaching Spanish somewhere in the suburbs whether it is up here in the North or down South, and maybe a kid on the way? Who knows? The future is wide open and I am excited yet scared for it! 

3. What are you looking forward to before the end of 2013?

Not turning 27...haha! Maybe another trip somewhere? 

4. What are your hopes for your blog?

I would love for it to grow more. I don't mean sponorships. I just hope people can "connect" with it and enjoy my random ramblings. The blog world is a fantastic place and I love "meeting" and connecting with people through it. I wish there were more bloggers in my area for a blogger meet up (as crazy as that may sound). I would also love to attend some sort of blogging conference/workshop if those even exist (I know there's blissdom)

5. Do you always see yourself living in your current town/city?

Gosh, heck no! Don't get me wrong...it's a cute town. But when you grow up here, you get your fill of it. I hope to move somewhere different to have a change in my life. 

6. What is your morning routine?

My morning routine is I turn off my 5-8 alarms (yes, I have an actual alarm clock that I set and then the alarms on my iPhone) before finally crawling out of bed. I need to get a cup of coffee and drink..no INHALE...it before I am able to begin functioning. I don't brush my teeth and wash my face until I shower. Unless I am getting ready for school (I shower the night before), then I wash my face and brush my teeth after I have eaten my breakfast (or just drank my coffee) and gotten dressed. 

Link up with Ashley & Neely!

{Five on Friday}

Who can believe it is Friday?! And we're halfway through August. Um, say WHAT?!! I've been in a major blog posting funk lately because my life is nothing more than work and playing with the puppy! But I am finally going to upload pictures from my two vacations this summer so I'll have some posts coming soon.

Anyways, onto 5 on Friday!


{1}
I think my dog Lily is too freaking cute. She cracks me up. She is currently barking at a thing of bells because they scare her. It's so funny because she tries to lunge at it and then she looks at me like "Get them out of here!" I am also still working on trying to solve this biting/nipping problem. She may have to go to Doggie Kindergarten. And of course, what's not to love about this pooch? She now likes to JUMP up on the coffee table (when all her toys are under it)...hopefully this stops! I came home from work on Wednesday night to find her in her crate like this:

{2}
I saw We're the Millers the other night. Now, if you know anything about me, Jennifer Aniston is probably my #1 girl crush. No, she IS my #1 girl crush....stemming from her days on "FRIENDS." This movie was HYSTERICAL! OMG I never laughed so hard in my life. I think my favorite part was at the end of the movie in the bloopers when they're singing in the RV and they started singing the "FRIENDS" theme song to her. This is definitely one movie I will be buying when it comes out on DVD and you all should go see it!

{3}
We finally got our pool installed in the end of July...only the pump/filter was a total fiasco. My old boss, Mel, owns a pool store and her boyfriend came over to fix it. It ended up being we needed a whole different type of pump so the two of them came over Monday on their way home and fixed it for us! It was great to see her since she stopped working at the restaurant (TOTALLY miss her there!) three months ago and to have the pool working! I went in it today after work and it was delightful! Thanks Mel!! :)

{4}
I gave my boss, Alyssa, at the restaurant my availability for the fall since I have my TA job back and I am tutoring again. She asked me today if I would wanna train someone next week on takeout (if they're interested in takeout because we really need a host too) and then I'd be the backup takeout and get more serving shifts = more $$. She TOTALLY made my day!!

{5}
I am so excited that I am FINALLY getting my hair cut Monday. I haven't had it cut since October but I am in major need of a change. I am going to go short and will post pictures when I do! :)

Linking up with: Hello Happiness, the good life blog, carolina charm, and a.liz adventures!

{Sunday Social}

Hey everyone! I am back linking up again with the lovely Ashley & Neely for Sunday Social. Nothing else really exciting has been going on in my life so the blog front has been kind of quiet. Hopefully that'll change soon!

1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a pediatrician. I liked kids and wanted to help them. That all changed when my guidance counselor in 6th grade told me I was "too stupid" to become a pediatrician and   I would never make it in med school! Real nice,huh? Thanks to my middle school Spanish teacher, she inspired me to pursue the field I am in today. I am quite happy with that.

2. What was your favorite way to kill time as a kid?
Nap. I still love to do it today. Sometimes I wish I could do it at work! HAHA!

3. When did you get your first cellphone?
I was a sophomore in high school. We had the family plan and the phone I had, I was suppose to share with my brother Brian but he never really wanted to use it. So it really became mine. It was an oldschool phone, light blue with one of those antennas you pulled up. And it definitely did not have a texting plan!

4. What is your favorite magazine to read?
People or Cosmopolitan. I will sometimes read Glamour or Vanity Fair or something else if one of my favorite celebrities is on the cover (like I just bought the latest issue of Glamour because of Jennifer Aniston on the cover).

5. What is the one random object people would be surprised to find in your purse?
Hmm this may be a difficult one...it's probably my swipey card from work. It's on a vintage
Coke swipe holder since we just switched to Coke products at work.



 
 

Sunday Social

Hey y'all! I am still in Georgia on my trip to visit my BFF Stephanie. She's currently finishing up some papers for her online classes so I am just catching up on some e-mails. More on this trip later!

1. What are 3 items that you can't live without on a daily basis (water, food, shelter and clothes don't count)?
DEFINITELY Coffee....I'm one cranky person in the morning when I get up, gum, and my iPhone.

2. What is your all time favorite book? Why?
That is a tough question!!! It is probably Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. That story drew me in to her being one of my favorite authors.

3. What is something you'd like to accomplish by the end of 2013?
Hmm...I would say try to get into a steady workout routine. I know it is going to be ridiculously hard once school starts back up and I'm working multiple jobs but I have a feeling it would give me more energy.

4. If you could go back and relive any year of your life, which year would it be?
Probably 2008....I studied abroad and it was the start of the end of college. I had a lot of AWESOME memories from that year.

5. What do you wish people knew about you without you having to tell them?
I have an inappropriate sense of humor. I pretty much can turn anything into something dirty. Haha!

Link up with Ashley & Neely.