:)

All right, as most of the people I've talked to know, I haven't been the happiest with my career choice. I've been down with teaching, and everything to do with it. Only after a few weeks into teaching out here in Vegas, I've wanted to come home and teach or just leave the profession altogether. Whether it was just the atmosphere of my first school, the behavior of my 5th graders, or the high stakes testing that's done in the upper grades, I just didn't like my job. When I found out that I was being moved to 1st grade this year, I was upset. I was thinking about moving back to Wisconsin again. There was too much drama to handle in the grade level, and I didn't like the fact I had to move to a lower grade. We all know I don't like crying in my classroom, and I wasn't about to deal with that again.
Now I'm halfway through my 1st year teaching 1st grade. When telling dad all about my class and such at the beginning of the year, he told me how he was so glad that I found something that made me happy and I was "out of the funk" I was in my first few years of teaching. I was taken aback that he would say I was in a funk previously. Looking back on the first half of the year, I know I was in a funk when teaching earlier. I'm having a good time with the kids, they tend to melt my heart each day. Today I had a meeting in the morning, and was back to my class by noon. I got back to the class before they got back from lunch, and was able to read the note the guest teacher left. She went on for 3 pages front and back of my notepad going on about what a good group I have. She told me that I had a great class, and they were all trained well. She even left me all of her phone numbers and her email address so I could contact her when I needed a sub again. I've never had that happen before! I don't think I ever had a sub return to any of my 5th grade classes. A lot of the other teachers have told me that I have a great class too. After having this class, I've renewed my love of kids and teaching. I'm kinda glad that this feeling has come back!

2008 in One Liners

*Realized I don't like high stakes testing.

*Loved having short weeks of school.

*Enjoyed her family coming out to visit. Dad's first trip to Vegas in 15 years happened in 2008.

*I started making up new words by combining 2 words, or just thinking up new ones.

*Went to many Happy Hours. Good times had by all.

*I got to sing and dance with a lounge act downtown. Achieved a life goal.

*Planned dad's 65th birthday long distance, and it helped keep her stress level down.

*I was really exhausted this year.

*I got to teach my students songs. Both 5th and 1st graders.

*Had a great Leap Day. Wish we had those more often. It'd be more fun shopping if there were more.

*I guess I spent a lot of time baking. That's ok with me.

*I went on many trips this year. Road trips and others. Road trip in California with the family, and then another one with a friend's family. Road trip home this summer. MANY trips to the obscure. Summer trip to DC. Good times had by all.

*I lived for the weekend a lot. A LOT.

*I was shocked when dad surprised both Sue and I for her birthday.

*I didn't enjoy when the AC at school wasn't working when it was 80-90 degrees out. You know, both near the end and beginning of school.

*I enjoyed celebrating holidays at the halfway point (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter).

*I got a lot of new nicknames throughout the year. Either from movies, or just from stupid things I've done.

*Solarcane. That's all I'm saying.

*Met a few B level celebs at the Mallards games back home.

*I seemed to be in better moods when I was back home. "Refreshed" "happy" "glad" "cheery" were words used a lot in her stati on her trips home.

*I spent a lot of time in Green Bay on trips home. Not a bad thing.

*When watching Women's Gymnastics during the Olympics, I got very pissed at the team from China. Really? 16? Maybe in 4 or 5 years.

*I had a lot of fun with my Vegas peeps this year!!

*I'm enjoying my school year this year.