December...

December has been a VERY busy month for Chris and I.  We had two major life events and one great holiday with our families.

First up was graduation... I finally graduated from college with my Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies... aka I can teach birth-4th grade now.  It took me longer than the average college student but that is okay.  I changed my major and that adds some time :)  Here is a picture of Alex and I after graduation.

Next up Chris and I had some... sadness this month.  After spending a chunk of our savings on a new transmission and other issues that have popped up with the Intrepid, we decided to cut the cord.  With both of us working, and my spanish class starting up next month we decided we needed something that would be a bit more reliable for us.  So we stood up and completed our first MAJOR purchase as a married couple.  We are now the proud owners of the following car... 2007 Ford Fusion.

We are VERY excited about it, of course while it is OUR car... it really is primarily Chris's car for now until we upgrade my car.  However if he decides that he would rather drive my focus instead then I promise that I will not pout ;)

Coming up in the next couple of blog post...

• a complete  holiday post
• a job update!
• an apartment preview
  

Interviews...

So I had my second interview today.  This time I was interviewing with Spring Branch ISD for a position of a teachers assistant.  It was brought up more than once that because I am over qualified there were concerns about whether or not I would leave if a full time lead teacher position was offered somewhere else.  I assured them that this position is what I really want, I told them that my husband and I had already talked about it and that the salary amount was not an issue because THIS is what I really want.   I pointed out that my education was based upon the same core values that their school runs on.  I have been trained in the same techniques that they use and that our philosophy is about the same in most areas.   Basically I sold myself on why they should hire me and not someone that was right at the qualification level and how I could benefit their school.   It seemed to go pretty well, and I left the school feeling pretty optimistic because within my heart I know that is the position that I would love. 

.... Then I picked Chris up for lunch from work, and as he drove us to Chipotle my phone started ringing.  It turned out to be the school calling and they told me that they have already checked my references and had one left to check.  The one that was left was a principal that was busy at the moment however the secretary vouced for me and apparently said some wonderful things.  In short... they offered me the job and I accepted.

I hung up the phone and tried to repeat to Chris what the director of the pre-school had said on the phone but due to my excitement my voice was too loud and my speed was way too fast.   Eventually I was coherant enough to explain what was said on the phone as we ate lunch.  However I was so excited that I could only eat half of my burrito (typically unheard of).  Then we drove Chris back to his job, and I headed home while I called EVERYONE to let them know what just occured.

I HAVE BEEN HIRED FOR A TEACHING POSITION IN DECEMBER BEFORE I HAVE EVEN GRADUATED!!!!!

I messaged my best bud from back in Nacogdoches (Stephen) and he spread the word to the rest of my family at UPD... I talked to my best bud back in Henderson (Whitney) and told her of the news too.  

Then the unthinkable happened.  I, a 24 year old woman had a 4 year old moment.... I crashed out asleep on the bed from 12 until Chris came home and work me up at about 4:30.  I was out COLD.  Apparently the excitement from getting a job completely wore me out within one hour.  Chris has been telling people about that and we are both still laughing.

Anyways.... thank you to everyone who has helped support me through everything even in the tough times... and thank you to God for helping me achieve my dreams with the help of everyone around me.

BTW: I should find out my start date within the next two days... they are trying to get me started next week as early as Monday.

Weather Report

It is SNOWING in Houston!!!
That is all.  :D

My Life List

After reading through various blogs I decided that I would like to write my own life list.  My goal is to make this list of 100 things that I would like to do in my lifetime.

First 29
Go to Europe
Scuba dive | road trip across America | Grow a vegetable | Be a Christmas Angel to someone | Create a family tree | Take a photography class | Sell one of my fathers paintings on my own | Have a huge elegant anniversary party |  adopt a child | Go horseback riding | Get a professional massage at a spa | Have toned abs | Ride a jetski | Own a home | Donate blood | Plant a tree | Volunteer for a community project annually | Swim with a dolphin | Obtain a Masters Degree |  Learn a new language | work out 3 times a week | White Christmas | Take a sporadic romantic getaway | Have one "WOW" dress | Create a Maternity Series (Pacing the Panic Room)| Own a hot tub | Go to a drive in movie with Chris | Become ESL certified |

Feeling Special..

Well the hubby is officially on his KC trip for work for a couple of days.  Which means that I am having a total girl night to myself.  After confirming through text that the guys safely arrived in this new foreign land, (and secretly wishing I was back in Kansas) I started up my girl routine.  I baked some very delicious mint brownies and picked up a gallon of milk to go with them.  The self indulgent part of me enjoyed eating the brownies right out of the pan. But don't worry... the classy side of me poured the milk into a beautiful stemless wine glass.

As I settled upon the couch with my two very suddenly loveable cats (it was the milk) I turned on the tv to catch up on my DVR recordings.  Brownies, milk, and drama shows... could the night get any better?  Yes.

My hubby called me just to tell me good night.  I don't know what it is about being married to each other instead of just dating or being engaged... but I love how the sweetness has increased.

Now if I could just figure out how to make it to bed when I have two cats that are sleeping on me.

Tough Times...

Each year it seems as though the holidays are full of stress.  The stress of traveling, cooking for many people, trying to find gifts for loved ones, and the money crunch that we all go through when three holidays line up within weeks of each other (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years).   Sadly there are a few families that are going through an even tougher time at the moment.

Please keep Dr. Stewarts family in your prayers due to their most recent loss.  She is an amazing person inside and out and I hope that she has the support that she needs during this time.

Also please keep the Johnson (MIL's side of the family) family in your prayers during this tough time and hope that whatever may come, that God will allow everyone to find peace with whatever will be God's will. 

Too Quiet....

It really is funny to me that our apartment can be too quiet. We typically have some type of noise going on whether it is the radio, tv, general talking, the cats playing, or noises that just come with every day life.  Yet for some reason tonight things have been extremely quiet.  So what happened?  I instantly went into mom mode.  I went walking around the apartment to figure out why things were so quiet tonight.  The answer.... ?? No reason other than we are both into doing our own things tonight.   So this whole too quiet thing is actually pretty nice... I just hope it isn't a habit.  I love having a little bit of noise in the apartment to show that we're here. :)

The dreaded alarm clock...

Each morning right at 6:00 AM the alarm clock will sound its loud, obnoxious beeping. My husband then reaches over and hits the snooze button. Every seven minutes this routine repeats. At 6:30 I jump out of bed to start my day. After showering, grabbing my breakfast and kissing my still sleeping husband, I then manage to grab my bag to head out the door around 7:25.... just as I hear the sound of the alarm beeping again.

My solution to my husband? Unset the alarm from 6... reset the alarm for 6:30... I'll wake him up as I leave. That way the dreaded alarm can shut up and quit annoying us.

His response: "No, it is part of my routine"

So there you go ladies and gents. My husband is officially a creature of habit.

Gotta love him.

PS: I had my screening interview today and my final observation. Both were amazing and in less than a month I'll be graduating!!

Nervousness is setting in...

Student teaching will be over in exactly 26 days and graduation will be here in one month and 26 days. If you remember this past summer I went a little stir crazy with all of the free time I had without a job. The school district that I am student teaching in had the student teachers fill out their applications before the 26th so I went ahead and completed their application... and applications for 6 other districts. That is 246 elementary schools in the areas that work for Chris and I when we considered travel times for his job and based that upon major roads. 246 schools... and I just need one job. Of course I am nervous... the hard part is the unknown. Will there be a school out there for me? Will I find a school that is a good match? Will it be a supportive school? I would just like to have a job lined up before graduation... that way I will not be so worried around Christmas time. I made a break down of the amount of schools that are on the west side of Houston that were not too far from Chris's job... meaning no more than an hour drive so that we could maybe get a house in the middle. We'll see. Cross those fingers for me even though this will not be starting for at least a few more weeks. My first interview will on November 5th, a little over two weeks from now. Hopefully I will have more interviews set up soon.

Elementary Schools
Katy - 32
Fort Bend - 44
Alief - 24
HISD West Region - 44
Cy-fair - 50 plus 2 more as of August 2009
Spring Branch - 31
Lamar - 21

2nd Grade... 2nd Mrs. White.

Well today (Tuesday) officially starts my first day of second grade. I spent some time with my mentor on Monday during parent teacher conferences. Ironically this class has the siblings of some of my kinder kids so I already know some of the families luckily. I think this classroom is going to be fun, my mentor seems excited about having extra help in the room. Another kind of cool thing is that this ESL class is again primarily Vietnamese just like the kinder room was. As much as I will miss my kinder kids, I am excited about teaching in second grade. This is the so called "dream grade" so we will see if that name stands true. As for the "2nd Mrs. White" in the post title, that is because there is another Mrs. White in 2nd grade. Will the kids get confused or will Mrs. White and I suffer more from the confusion? We will see.

I am lucky enough to have an amazing support system at this school. Currently the younger teachers are helping me with my resume. Mostly just looking over it and giving suggestions that they may have in hopes that I can get into Cy-Fair. Job hunt wise I will be applying EVERYWHERE... I primarily just want a job. I am however finding out that previous sources of information was possibly jaded. Many teachers have shared their stories from other school districts, told me pros and cons of each place and I am finding myself looking for intently at the procedures and polices for various school districts.

The main places I'll be applying Go here for a map: http://www.texasbest.com/schools/map.html

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD (just below 290 due to travel times, 43)
Alief ISD (45.5)
Katy ISD (44)
Spring Branch ISD (45)
Aldine ISD (just the closer part, 44)

so we'll see. Those are my top choices, primarily Alief, Cy-Fair, and Katy. As of Wednesday I can start setting up my interviews for other districts. I am just waiting to find out the schedules of dates for Cy-Fair so that I can prepare everything with as little confusion as possible.

Cherished Moments....

The best advice given to my husband and I was to cherish the tough moments you have with your spouse. We were told that one day we would look back and laugh about the current tough times and realize that they were not that bad after all. Were they telling the truth? Did they honestly know how horrible eating ramen each day was? Did they understand how hard it was to live hours apart from each other for a full year? What about two years??

Well... Jury is in, and those folks that gave us that gem of advice we're right. Looking back at the challenges Chris and I faced together makes me smile. The challenges may have been annoying at the time, but they made us who we are. My smile is from looking back at what we have accomplished. This isn't a brag entry, its an entry that hopefully reminds you to look back at what challenges you may have faced with your significant other and smile. Are there tough times ahead? More than likely. Do I feel stronger in regards to the challenges of the future after looking back at what we have faced? Absolutely.

I feel that I am very lucky to have the husband that I have. We have grown so much in these six years, and will continue to grow together. We're definitely not the same kids that we were when I was 18 and he was 20. We're now 24 and 26, and I can honestly say each day I fall more and more in love with this man that I get to share lives with. However I am glad that ramen noodles are fairly rare in our household now. ;)

Special Moments With Kinder...

This is my last week with my sweet five year olds. We have had some tough days and some amazing days, but I will without a doubt miss them. They have the biggest hearts, and the cutest ideas. So this entry will be dedicated to those cute moments that warmed my heart and made me laugh. Enjoy!


September 17, 2009 - Vocabulary
Girl: Mrs. White... why do you have a button on your forehead?
Me: ".... what??"
Girl: "you have a button on your head"
Me: "where?"
Girl: Points to forehead "There..."
Me: "That is called a mole..."
Girl: "What?"
Me: "A mole... a bump on your skin"
Girl: "Oh...why did you bump your head?"



September 22, 2009
"Mrs. White... Why did hers mom name her your name?"
Me: "What??"
Her: "hers name her Mrs. E____, and yours mom name you Mrs. White??"
Me: "My first name is not Mrs.... it is Megan but you... call me Mrs. White"
Her: "oh... hmmm is yours middle name Mrs.?"

September 24, 2009 - My lesson on trial and error
Me: "_____ I need you to go clean up your work area."
Boy: "Ok"... 2 seconds pass
Boy: "Mrs. White.... can I tell you something?"
Me: "Sure"
Boy: "uuummmmmmmm.....You're the bestest teacher in the whole world"
Me: "aww... thank you, now please go clean up your work area"
Boy: "Ok" 2 seconds pass...
Boy: "Mrs. White... can I tell you something?"
Me: "Sure"
Boy: "uuuuummmmm.... you're the prettiest teacher in the whole world"
Me: "Thank you... now go clean you work area"
Boy: "ummm can I tell you something else?"
Me: "After you clean up"
Boy: "Ok"

September 25, 2009
The kids and I were sitting on the rug in a circle, and I was previewing a fine motor center for them (using tweezers to take cotton loops out of a hard plastic ball with holes). So I said "To put it away, just ...open the bag, put the ball and tweezers in the bag, and closer the bag" which to my surprise apparently really impressed my kiddos. They gave me a round of applause in unison. It totally caught me off guard and made me laugh. For the rest of that afternoon until lunch they would applaud after each little lesson.

Five Year Olds...

Well I have officially been teaching kindergarten for four full weeks now. We have added more kids and now have now gone from a class of 16 to a class of 18. Some days I cannot wait to come home and crash from the amount of stress and work that 16 year olds can give one person. Other days I bounce my happy self into the apartment to tell Chris how great the day was. These kiddo's have more great days than bad days thankfully. With this age my day could be going fairly bad due to the children not being as respectful as they should, but then one little line out of those cute little faces can turn the day around.

"Mrs. White.... your hair is lumpy" (After a few days of this we found out he was referring how the ends are curled under)

"Mrs. White I brought you a present!! It's a piece of a flower!!" (Turns out its a piece of grass, but the thought was so sweet and cute. The student wanted me to wear it all day so I did. :)

and my two favorites...
"Mrs. White... YOU go to school??" *BIG SIGH* " MAN! I'm going to be in school FOREVER!"

"YOU have a mommy too??"

Their minds are so innocent and their hearts are so huge that I simply love this age. I know it is hard to get them to focus, hard to get them to understand simple rules when they become excited or upset but they just have such a big heart that you can't help to smile when you really shouldnt. Luckily my students are starting to understand the rules more, and we are having less problems. Would I want to teach Kinder? Yes. Would I want to teach ESL Kinder? Not so much until I can at least get training first. That is the largest issue I have with these kiddos, I do not have the skills on what works best for these students and therefore I honestly can say that they would be better with someone that has had training for ESL classrooms.