Talk About Terrifying

So it all started last night with a simple phone call asking me to sub today in a 1st grade classroom. I gladly accepted the job! This morning as I got to the school's office, I was handed not one, but two sets of keys--to two separate classrooms. In my mind I was thinking "What the hell?!?!?!" but I politely said... "Why are there two sets of keys?" The secretary replied simply that the teacher i was subbing for was the specialist for the entire 1st grade. Again in my mind I'm thinking "What the hell?!?!?!" but I politely said "OK! well point me in the direction!" As I arrived into the first classroom (the art room) I realized that this was her 'home' room, as it held all of her papers, filing cabinets and computer. I looked around for the sub plans... nothing. I didn't panic, as the secretary told me that I was going to be out in the portable (her other classroom) today but just to swing by the main room to check. So I went out the door and headed over the the portable. Once I got in, I noticed that again... no sub plans. This time panic was beginning to set in. Not only was I a sub for Music/Art/Dance/PE/whatever else this lady did, but there were absolutely no lesson plans!!! Talk about an adrenaline rush. "OK think Sabrina...THINK!!!" I ran back over to the secretary to check and make sure that the sub plans weren't e-mailed in, and they weren't. I ran into some 1st grade teachers (mind you, these were the teachers of the students I was supposed to have later on that day) and asked them if they knew where I could find the lesson plans, or if they had been e-mailed to one of them, or what the heck I should do if I couldn't find them. Luckily, they sensed my panic and jumped into action to help me. We tracked down the lesson plans (which in reality were no help at all) and I returned to my portable to try and prepare for the day. Here is what I ended up doing today:

Morning: x5 first grade classes... ABC Yoga. (I totally made this up on the fly, but since it worked, I wrote it down and used it all morning) I had the students go through the alphabet from A all the way to Z by doing different poses or imitating different animals. We had a lot of fun!

Lunch: Made copies and cut out 125 squares.... talk about tedious work.

Afternoon: PE. The teacher left me mini-cones and two beach balls. (Again thinking to myself "What the hell?!?!? I don't know what to do with cones and beach balls!!") We ran some relays- starting with running, moving on to skipping and hopping on one foot and ending with the good ol' fashioned crab walk. Then we spread out within the cones and played my version of "hot potato" with the beach balls. I joined in and we all had so much fun playing that we almost forgot that it was time to go home!

Overall Conclusion About My Day: The morning began as a nightmare and I envisioned a good cry session at the end of the work day once I arrived back in the safety of my own home. But I found out that I really can do it, and I let it go, acted goofy and we had a blast! (and no tears once I arrived home)

As I was leaving, I stopped by and thanked the 1st grade teachers for all of their help today (I honestly, genuinely appreciated it). And we had a good laugh about the situation. They also ALL asked for my sub information because they said that the kids came back to their rooms and would not stop talking about me and they fun that they had. They said that was a good thing because normally they come back and say things like "that sub was weird!" but instead they talked about the games they played and the "fun sub" they had! (Go Me!!!)

It Feels Amazing

...when I think about the fact that I get to do what I love. I am so thankful that somewhere along the way during my college career, I decided to become a teacher. I am awestruck that I get paid to do this! I feel so lucky that I get to spend my days with kiddos that make me smile and laugh all day long. This week I subbed Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Each day was at a different school and in a different grade, and was a very unique experience. But I LOVED it!

...to pick up on things that got lost over the years in the piles of homework. Yesterday I joined Firstenburg and attended a toning class as well as a spin class. I had a blast and it feels amazing to be able to have time to work out and not feel guilty about it, when I should be doing homework--but I don't have any!!!

...to have such beautiful weather! While I was teaching today, we opened the doors and windows and let the nice warm weather shine in on us. The kids loved it and couldn't wait to go out to recess. I love this time of year, but then again I'll be saying this again when it's turning Autumn.

...to be so worn out, that all I want to do it sit at home and read a good book on a Friday night. I can honestly say I came home from working today and took a nap, didn't want to wake up, and can't wait to go to bed in a while. Nerdy-- I know.

...to have a 3 day weekend ahead of me. I can't wait for the adventures that lie ahead of me in the upcoming days, even if it is just reading out in the sun or spending time with those I love, I'm excited. I'm hoping that spending time with a special someone is in order.... ♥

First Job

...not so scary after all. I can honestly say that the kids today were wonderful! I will admit that I had flashbacks to when I was younger and had substitute teachers, some kids were awful to them and I'll also admit that I was a bit terrified. But they were so helpful in making sure I was doing the right things and getting them where they needed to be, it honestly went amazingly well!

Favorite Part #1:
In a 2nd grade girl whisper voice "She's pretty...." a few minutes later...
2nd grade girls: "Ms. Hunter.. You're so pretty!"
Ms. Hunter: "Aw, thank you, you're such sweet girls!"
2nd grade girls: "no Ms. Hunter... you know when guys say that girls are hot?! well you are that kind of pretty, the hot kind of pretty!"

Favorite Part #2:
As I head to the office to return my key and collect my time card,
Secretary: "How'd it go today?"
Me: "It went so great! The kids are absolutely wonderful!"
Secretary: "Oh good! well that is until one of your students was caught peeing outside..."
Me: "What?!"
Secretary: "Oh ya.. it was (so and so), he said that he couldn't hold it any longer for his walk home, so he decided to start peeing on the side of the middle school building..."

How can you not love kids!? It's moments like today that I am reassured of the good in our world. They make you smile and laugh without even trying.

Busy Bee

Whew.... What a weekend!

Friday included rehearsal for Graduation, a final meeting with the cohort and Elaine (and tears), and a reception for the Education Department. I think it was Friday when this whole whirlwind hit me... I'm a big kid now....

Saturday was G-day! Graduation!!! I woke up early, feeling like a little kid waiting for Santa to come. I was ready far too early and found that I had to calm myself and force myself to just sit down and read for an hour. When the time finally came, the sun was shining, the family was present, and the excitement could possibly have been felt from miles around! Talk about an overwhelming experience...all I can really remember from the actual ceremony was getting up to the stage and telling myself... "don't fall...you'll look like a complete doof.. don't fall.." After the ceremony, it was time to PARTY!! We had great food, drinks and wonderful company! It's always so nice to see people you haven't seen for a while, and it's even nicer to have people want to be there spending your special day with you! And... of course we had... COSTCO CAKE!!! what's a graduation without Costco cake?!?!? not one I'd attend, that's for sure!

Sunday wrapped up the weekend with a family brunch. Basking in the sun, enjoying good food, and more wonderful company. Later that evening, we wanted to have a special dinner with the grandparents from Arizona, so we headed to downtown Camas and ate at the delicious Twilight Pizza... talk about a stuffed girl.. it was so worth it!! The came the good-byes... it's always hard to see people you love go back home, especially when it's back to Arizona. Guess that means that a vacation is in order... ASAP!

Monday (although not technically part of the weekend) started with the realization that I can now look for subbing jobs online in the Battle Ground School District. I went online, just to check and see how it looked and worked... and sure enough I sit here this evening and type this blog having booked 5 subbing jobs already! Talk about excitement!! I feel like a little girl running through the sprinkler! I just want to run around my apartment and squeal!!! Stay tuned for how tomorrow (first sub job) goes...

Yahoooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

Kid Love

I ventured in to visit my students today, and accompanied them on a field trip to the Propstra Pool. There isn't any better feeling in the world then walking in to a room and having the excitement level rise, and a flood of kids coming to give you a big group hug.





It was so fun to see the kids in action! They are such great swimmers and very well behaved while visiting another place! I left as they enjoyed a special brown bag lunch to get their energy levels back up. Some days you just need a little kid love.... ♥

Happy Birthday-Mother's Day!

What a weekend! This weekend kicked off with a VERY special birthday party, one for my Great Grandma who turned 96!!! It was nice to see the family gather together for her special day, and I could truly tell that she genuinely enjoyed it.


The afternoon included good food & HUGE cupcakes! A birthday candle wasn't to be found, but a mini tea light will do right?!

And yes, she was a trooper and joyfully ate the entire thing! Oh the joys of being 96, you answer to no one- not even your hips!

And don't you even think about taking his cake (or chips)! Rory sure showed us a good time and willingly gave kisses to everyone as he left.

Mother's Day started with a mother-daughter trip to Beavercreek to shop for plants. It was a beautiful drive, and a successful trip (we made it before they sold out!) & mom got some beauties to play with! Then it was Grandmie's turn... a trip to her favorite place (Arai Nursery) to pick up some beauties for her as well. The Arais' are so wonderful, they always welcome her with open arms and great conversation. And they are sure to sneak in some special flowers as a gift for her.

The day ended with a dinner to celebrate both Mother and Grandmother. It was delicious (if I do say so myself). And then we treated ourselves to dessert-- left over cupcakes! Yum!

Relief...

It feels so great to finally have a clean house! I must say that it was a full day job (and if I'm being perfectly honest, I still have a bit to do) but I am feeling less of a need to avoid my bedroom! I will admit that I avoided cleaning yesterday by getting out of the house and heading to hang out with a few of my favorite girls (Sally and Whitney). Whitney cooked us a YUMMY breakfast, we enjoyed coffee and conversation and then spent the entire day laying on the couch watching "A Baby Story." Yes, a baby story. Can you tell that some of us are feeling the "need?" Cough...Whitney...Cough.

We had fun though and talked about our futures and our wishes for how we want things to turn out for us. We came to a conclusion that graduating from college makes us feel the need for another "challenge" or "project." Whitney wants hers to be having a baby...

I am watching Steve-O : Demise & Rise. I must say... very eye opening. (icky!) I always knew the dude seemed weird and out of it, but after learning about his actual issues, it explains a lot. It's hard to hear about the ways that people enabled him and didn't even know it. Conclusion: Drugs=SCARY!
*My DVD player is randomly not working or else I'd be watching something a little more tame such as "Marley and Me."

I'm freaked out now (because of Steve-O) so I'm going to go make some tea and finish my book. Until next time.... ♥

Job Interview Number 1

Although it was not an interview for a teaching job, I am still hopeful. I came across a summer job working for Evergreen School District, either running or assisting in their kids camps for the summer. The interview seemed very hopeful! And it was a very laid back interview, mainly just talking about the program and what it's all about. He then said that since he has so many people to interview that I was to take home the questions and type (YES TYPE) out my responses and e-mail them to him! Why on earth don't more interviews go like that!? I do much better when I can sit in the comfort of my own home and think of my responses rather then being put on the spot. But I suppose that's what interviews are all about right? I will find out either way about this job by May 18th (I'll keep you updated). For now, the search continues and I will remain hopeful.

Since it is rainy, I have the fire going, reruns of Friends playing in the background. I also have a house that desperately needs cleaning (but it has an owner that lacks the motivation to do so) & a tummy that is in need of some dinner and perhaps a glass of wine. I'm off to fulfill one of those needs, care to guess which one?

Let The Fun Begin

So as I begin to close one chapter of my life (and have a few days to be able to do things I've always wanted to do i.e. read, relax, breathe) I've decided to attempt a blog. This could either be a huge flop and I could forget about it in a few days and never post anything new, or I could become totally consumed in it and post everyday or even multiple times a day. I suppose that this all depends too on the fact of if I can get my family on board to read and become a part of my blog as well. So all in all, let the fun begin and let's see if I can handle the high tech world of blogging. Wish me Luck!