Last Week of School

I am feeling fabulous. Why? I'm starting my last week of summer school.

I realize I have so many blanks to fill in, but here are some key lessons I've learned:

1. Stop worrying. Seriously, it is a waste of time. God said it once, and I should have listened.

2. Perfection is overrated. Stop worrying about being perfect and just get it done. While you might not get the BEST grades in the world, your graduate program is about the experience. Surviving is part of your degree.

3. Sleep. Stop feeling guilty about having a life outside of grad school.

4. Manage your time effectively. Deliverables first--readings second.

5. You won't be able to give 100% everywhere, but you'll devote 100% of yourself in different areas of your life. Learning to juggle the responsibilities and remaining sane is important.

6. Mothers are the most incredible humans on the planet. Not only my mother, but the mothers in my program. They've all shown me what results from true faith and persistence. The strength that God gifted to women is unrivaled and unbelievable.

7. Group work will tell you a lot about your future colleagues. . .

Saturday Night...

Aaaaaand I'm studying.

Does anyone think I look strangely like the girl on the cover of this book?

Anyone find irony in the fact that I'm attempting to learn about human learning?

A day of nothing.

My life has been a whirlwind the last few weeks.

In short...

My sister had her wedding ceremony in Mexico May 22.

I had a week of work without my boss immediately after (always tough shoes to fill).

My boss' brother and good family friend of mine got married June 5.

My sister had her wedding reception June 12.

I started school June 15 (4 Classes).

My brother graduated from his residencies June 18.

My nephew got baptized June 19, and I was the godmother.

I am exhausted. Yesterday I felt like I was running on empty...

So what did I do?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I can't tell you the ecstasy that accompanies laying around watching the World Cup,US Open, and crappy movies all day. Sometimes you just have to experience that for yourself.

Stella and Dot

In support of my boyfriend's friend's wife (who is also a dear friend of mine), I visited a Stella and Dot party last night...for those of you who are not familiar with the name, Stella and Dot is the Mary Kay of Jewelry.

Because my dearest Steven understands that I don't have any money to support his friends, he graciously gave me a budget so that I could be supportive.

I know...he's the best.

If you want a better look: click here .

I told him these matched another ring I wanted. Clearly, subtlety is not my strength.

Last day of Summer Vacation

Do you remember summer break in high school?

Do you remember when the biggest responsibility you had was lifeguarding at your neighborhood pool or making sure to get to the movies by 7 with your friends?

Well, I've had the last 5 weeks for my own summer vacation (on Tuesdays and Thursdays). It wasn't quite as relaxing as I remember...mostly because I felt like I should have been doing something.

But today..

.just for today...my last day of Summer vacation until 2012, I enjoyed reading by the pool..waking up at noon...making a late lunch and reading a book for pleasure.

This is truly the life...

Using Free Time Wisely

I've had a semblance of a summer break over the last three weeks, and while having very little responsibility on Tuesdays and Thursdays...I find that I am happiest when I am busy.

My favorite days of my mini-break have been cleaning days, working days, and my absolute favorite--my trip to Alabama yesterday.

I went to clean up my resume as well as practice an education interview (and spend some quality time with great people).

Many of the questions were difficult, and I'm finding that being a teacher will be a continuous challenge; I couldn't be more excited.

Some tips that I got yesterday:

• READ as much as you can. Part of being an excellent educator is continuing to learn yourself. A few books mentioned: Discipline with Dignity, Planning Effective Lessons, and Fair is Not Always Equal.
  
  
• Complacency is the antithesis of a happy life. Continuing to grow will allow you to pursue a fulfilling life.
  
  
• Be familiar with the acronyms IEP, RTI, PBS, ELP, GEP, 504...not only what they mean, but what they will require from you in the classroom.
  
  
• Don't read too much into body language in an interview.
• To become an engaging teacher, tell more personal stories to connect the subject matter for why it will count in the future.
  
  
• Be available always to facilitate a student's learning...morning, noon and night. That is your job, be committed to the results.
  
  
• Educate students at their individual levels with differentiated instruction.
  
  
• Ask questions about mentoring programs, professional development, and technology integration at the end of an interview.
  
  
• Be aware of statewide assessments and know what they entail and how you will be responsible for the successful implementation of each.
  
  
• Know why you're set apart as a candidate, why anyone should hire you, how to provoke engagement in a lesson, have a behavioral plan that exhausts all resources and use administration as a last resort.
  
  
• Know the difference between modification and accommodation.
  
  
• Be cognizant of PST and what role you will play in that team for each student.

Yeah...it was a busy 24 hours.

It's WEDDING SEASON!

What do you get when you mix true love, beautiful gowns, excessive flowers and copious amounts of alcohol?

That's right...it's wedding season!

Who doesn't love a good wedding!?

This weekend I attended the union of a great family friend and my boss' brother. Let me just say, it was beautiful. (The handsome couple is to the left...catcalling is permissible.)

The ceremony was excellent, the reception was perfect, and I was surrounded by the people I love the most: my amazing family and my awesome boyfriend, Steven.

If you are a poor graduate student who is mostly thrilled by the free food at weddings, what the only thing you have to worry about on magical nights like these? Of course...it's the wedding gift.

According to traditional wedding etiquette, you can wait up to a year before you send a wedding gift. I'd like to convince myself that after a year, you'd appreciate a wedding gift more...right?