Have a Little Faith

 

Found this on pinterest a few weeks ago and it has been my daily mantra ever since.  One of the goals I set for myself recently was to be more purposeful in my prayers.  Often it is after though while I'm laying in bed and I just let my thoughts wonder, rather than taking the time to focus on my prayers and be deliberate in what I pray for.  However that last few days I have decided to take the time to pause and pray morning and nigh, asking God to help me follow His plan for my life, rather than my own.  I can't even tell you how this little time has affected me.  Not only do I have a better outlook and positive attitude each day, but I have seen his plan unfolding for me already. Last night I received the officially email that my appeal for my student teaching placement was approved! So instead of a 1.5hour drive, I will be at a school just 25 minutes away.  They also told me that I will be in a 5th grade classroom for the first 10 weeks of my placement and a 1st grade classroom the last 5 weeks.  While 5th grade is not what I wanted, I know that it will be a great experience and will teach me a lot. I am also really looking forward to my placement in 1st grade! God clearly has a plan for me and this is all part of it, so I know that he will guide me through it all. 

In other good news...

My Dawgs beat the gators this last weekend!!

  Flowers I received from a student at work :)

The Michael's cake class has been a lot of fun and a nice creative outlet. Tomorrow is out last session. I have to come up with a design for my final cake.

 Nothing says fall like the county fair!

 

A little craft time...countdown blocks for a special someone :)

Insert Clever Title Here

So here I am 2.5 weeks since my last post...that's an improvement right??  I really need to find a better system for staying updated in the blogging world (and coming up with titles for my posts).  Really it just comes down to me not being lazy during my time off.  I feel like I am constantly on the go from one place to another that when I'm home I just want to do absolutely nothing.  But unfortunately, being a grad student isn't really conducive to being lazy.  This week will be my last week of planning and teaching lessons for my independent course.  Then I just have my final reflection paper and can officially be done with my courses for the program.  I will also hopefully be finding out soon if my appeal for my student teaching placement was accepted.  Basically I am trying to get approved for a closer placement that what they originally gave me.  Driving 1.5 hours each way 5 days a week for 15 weeks just isn't feasible.  I am also anxious to find out what grade I will be in.  Most of all though, no matter where I am, I am just looking forward to the experience and being on a normal schedule.  So hopefully by the time I get around to writing the next post I will have some good news to share.

On another note, I went to Athens yesterday to turn in my scholarship application and meet with my advisor.  I also got to have lunch with two great girls that I haven't seen since our Italy trip.  It was so nice to catch up and reminisce.  On my way out I stopped by my old house and saw my roommate...it was just like old times. It really made me realize how much I miss Athens and living on my own though.  I just have to keep looking to the future. This next year is going to bring a lot of change and I can't wait to see where God leads me.  I'm just happy that I have the best of friends and that I am in such a great small group with an amazing group of girls that will help me get through all these transitions and to stay positive. There is so much more that I want to share with you all (if any one even reads this) but I have some overdue homework that I need to get to. So I will leave you with a little quote that I saw recently in hopes that it will help anyone who may be going through a rough patch: Rejection is God's way of telling you wrong direction.

Just Say Maybe

So as usual, I have had "update blog" on my to-do list for a couple weeks now and it finally made it to the top of the list.  Sorry for the month long break. September was a whirlwind of tasks.  My portfolio for student teaching was due in the middle of the month and then my Exhibition was last week.  I am happy to report that both went extremely well! The faculty members told me that they were impressed with my work and that I did exactly what they were looking for. I could not be more relieved.  While the process was stressful, I really did enjoy getting to remember all the times I have spent in the classroom over the last year and a half.  I was actually surprised at the amount of work I really have accomplished.  It was nice to see it all come together.  While I am approved to student teach, I am still waiting to get my placement so I will know where and what grade level I will be teaching next semester.

Aside from all of that, I have been adding to my weekly schedule.  I discovered I have a problem with telling people no. First I added on another student to my math tutoring schedule. Then I agreed to babysit a teacher's child every Wednesday starting at 7am.  I need the money so of course I didn't want to tell anyone no.  So that meant I was in the classroom 2 days a week, tutoring 2 kids in math 3 days a week, and working at the reading center 3 days a week.  On top of all that I was having to do my exhibition work as well as keep up with my online class.  So as you can see there was little time in the last month to update you all...but I did warn you that may happen.  I quickly felt myself getting overwhelmed and realized that I need to learn to tell people maybe, until I have time to think about it and can give them rational answer.  But like all things, it all works out in the end.  I absolutely love my job and the kids I tutor.   Plus, the teacher I babysat for found a full time in-home daycare for her daughter which opened up my Wednesdays again.  It may not seem like much, but that break during the day really helps to break up my week and give me the energy to make it through.  And now that my exhibition is over, I can concentrate on other things, like getting to plan and teach some actual lessons in the 4th grade class I work with.  I am also starting a cake class at Michael's next week.  I am really excited to have something that is for pure fun each week and allows me to be creative.

The next big thing on my to-do list is to apply to some scholarships.  Not being able to work during student teaching next semester is really going to hurt my bank account and I really don't want to take out any more loans than necessary.  So, any prayers you can send my way would be much appreciated.  Until next month week...

 

Putting my portfolios together

 

Got to visit my cousin at Ft. Benning (haven't seen him in 4 years!)

Tiger Woods at the FedEx Cup...fun day!

Bought Lexi a Thundershirt for her nervousness 

around people...needless to say she didn't like it and I took it back.

A little BFF tradition

Took advantage of an empty house and made some banana muffins :)

 

**Sorry, no matter what I did some of the pictures kept rotating to the side for some reason :/

You Win Some, You Lose Some

This past week was a full one.  It started off with meeting my new small group on Monday.  The group of girls are great and I am so excited to start this new journey with them.  I'm so happy to have a new circle of people that I can connect with and lean on for positivity and strength during this crazy time in my life.  This group could not have come at a better time for me.  In attempt to keep myself organized and more productive, I began using this planning sheet that I stumbled upon on pinterest (of course!) I love that it helps me prioritize and categorize my to-do list.  I also love that it has a place for 'joys today' which helps me focus on the good in each day.  So far, it has really helped me stay on track, especially with my school work.  The rest of my week was filled with volunteering in the classroom and working at the reading center.  Work has been challenging, but I'm really enjoying it and learning a lot that I will be able to apply to my teaching.  Speaking of teaching, I was finally able to sign up for my exhibition.  It is officially on the 25th, which gives me...22 days until the presentation (14 until my portfolio is due) YIKES! Let the pressure sink in.  Luckily this past week was semi-productive, so I am hoping to finish up the writing this week, so I can have all next week to put the books together (we need to turn in multiple copies for each faculty member in our presentation.)  I also have to create a presentation but that is not on my radar at the moment.  One step at a time.  In other news, I took a break from all the work this week and went with my family to Harrah's casino in NC to celebrate my brother's 21st birthday....I know, I can't believe he's 21!  Pretty soon we will all be in our careers and moving through life so quickly in all different directions.  I'm thankful for the times like this weekend that we get to spend together, because they are becoming less frequent.  Seems like holidays are the only time we can get all six of us together...and we all live within an hour from each other. Anyways, back to the casino.  I unfortunately lost $25, but I'm happy to say I lost the least; except for my dad who was the only winner, coming out ahead by $30.  Despite the loss (and the ac in the truck going on on the way up) we had a great trip.  It was a much needed break as this is going to be a crazy month for me.  Every weekend is already packed with things to do (both work and play) and it's a critical time in my master's program.  It's going to be a stressful month, but my plan is to stay on top of everything and take it one day at a time.  The good thing is I won't be going through it alone. I will try to keep you all updated, but if you don't hear from me in awhile you know why.

A Little Me Time

So among all the adjusting I have been going through the last month, I have managed to find some time for myself in order to keep my sanity.  Reason why: I have my exhibition portfolio due in less than a month so the stress level has been on the high end lately.  For those of you who don't know my exhibition is probably the most important part of my master's program.  I have to compile a written portfolio of everything I have done to prepare for my future as a teacher.  I then present my portfolio at my exhibition, which determines the fate of my student teaching.  No pressure.  It has been SLOWLY coming along.  I still have a long way to go and should be working on it, rather than updating my blog, but we all need a break every now and then, right? But, at least I'm being more productive than my family downstairs, who are on their third movie of the day.  I love a lazy day and a good movie as much as the next person, but I hate feeling like I've wasted an entire day.

But where was I?  Oh, right...the crafts.  Since my options are limited in my parents' house, I have stuck to simple, fairly clean projects.  It's been nice to have quick projects that I can accomplish with little time and money (bc let's face it, I don't have much of either these days).  I got both ideas from Pinterest of course and I love how they turned out and had some function and girly decor to my brother's room, which I hijacked when I moved in....thanks Anthony for moving down to the basement :)  Anyways, the first project I did was to paint some cork boards.  I've had the cork squares from a sale a few months back that I just couldn't pass up and knew I would find use for some day.

First I painted 4 cork squares white.

Then using painter's tape I created a stripe pattern.

Next I painted over the tape with a grey.

 The grey turned out a lot darker than I had hoped for, but that's what you get for trying to mix the colors yourself.

This is the finished product once I hung them up above my desk.

(excuse the bad quality phone pic)

The next project I worked on was a jewelry stand for my bathroom.  I don't have any counter space and so I needed a convenient place to keep my odds and ends (watch, bobby pins, earring, ect) easily accessible.  When I saw this idea on Pinterest I knew it was the right solution.  I picked up some cheap clay plant holders at Home Depot.  I already had the paint color I wanted so I was set.

First I painted them with my base color.

 

I initially was going to leave it the solid color, but though it could use a little contrast, so I added in some white.

I attempted to hot glue the pieces together but it wouldn't stick.  It seems to be sturdy enough without it anyways.  They probably could use another coat of the white, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

While I had the paint out, I decided to do another quick craft I remembered seeing on Pinterest (I have a lot of pins saved up for a rainy day).  I painted some clothes pins and hot glued a thumb tack to the back of them.  I used them as hangers for my cork board.  I think it makes my decorative cork board more functional without sacrificing style.

I even found time to clean out all my school binders from the past year...I love a good organization and purge session!

 While my social life has suffered a little from moving home, I've enjoyed the additional "me time."  It's been nice to do some things just for fun and take my mind of everything else going on.  Hopefully my social life will get back on track soon though.  I just joined a small group at church, which has mostly single girls.  I'm excited to connect with some new friends that can relate to my stage in life.  We meet for the first time as a group tomorrow, so I will update you on how that goes.  I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend and don't forget to take time for yourselves every now and then...it will make you a happier and more productive person in the long run.

Adjustments

So here I am, another month has gone by.  I honestly don't know where the time goes.  I have been meaning to post for about two weeks and some how I just kept putting it off.  So instead of watching t.v. or doing some other pointless time-wasting task on my day off, I have decided to be productive.  First on my list today: update you all on what I have being doing the last month.  My word for the month is adjustment.  I feel like I have had to do a lot of adjusting these last few weeks.  First, the month started off with me moving back home.  While this is never an ideal situation, at least for me, it is a blessing that I have parents who are supportive and willing to help me out.  With only one class this semester and not knowing where my student teaching placement will be next semester, it only seemed logical to move home, save some much needed money, and not be locked into a lease somewhere.  In almost 7 years I have only lived at home for an 8 month period, so being 25 and moving home again has come with a lot of personal challenges.  My lifestyle changed completely overnight. I lost a lot of freedom I had become accustomed to over the last few years.  Now, all of a sudden, I am no longer accountable to just myself.  No longer having my own place, I have had to give up a lot of things I enjoy doing, like experimenting in the kitchen and having people over.  There's also some added stress when you have to abide by someone else's rules and routines.  At 25 it's a patronizing humbling experience to be in this position.  I know that a lot of people are in my same position, especially with this economy, but being the independent person that I am, it is not where I had hoped I would be at this age. Don't get me wrong, I am extremely grateful to my parents for giving me a free place to stay and it actually hasn't been as bad as I expected it to be, but regardless, it is naturally a huge adjustment that I'm still trying to carefully navigate.  I think the hardest thing for me right now is just accepting that this is where I am in my life and reminding myself that it won't be like this forever. But, I am looking forward.  Next semester I will be student teaching and then next fall I will hopefully be teaching my own classroom!  I know that God has a plan for me and that this will all be worth it one day very soon. 
Continuing with the positive, moving home has also allowed me to do a lot of things that I would not otherwise be able to do.  Not only am I closer to a few of my friends, I am also closer to my church, which allows me to go on a regular basis and even get more involved.  I recently became a leader in our children's ministry where I get to watch 22 4-yr-olds (with the help of additional volunteers!) and teach them about how Jesus loves them! It is so heartwarming to see their excitement every Sunday.  I will also be joining a new small group so I can continue to grow my own faith and meet others in the same stage of life as myself. Additionally, I have also been volunteering in a 4th grade classroom twice a week.  I truly look forward to going each time and it reassures me every day that I am on the right path.  I am also making some great connections, so hopefully I can land a job when I graduate!  Another big adjustment I have had to make in the last month, is starting a new job.  This was something that was giving me a lot of anxiety before I moved.  I needed a job that would not only be beneficial to my resume, but one that would fit with my schedule; allow me to work in the classroom and be flexible with my student teaching next semester.  Luckily I landed the perfect job.  After a long and overwhelming exciting training period, I am now a reading therapist for elementary and middle school students.  It is such a great experience and I love getting to work with the students one-on-one and watch them grow their confidence and reading abilities.  I have also learned so much that I will be able to carry with me into my teaching.  We also just started our school hours, which means I only work after school.  This also means I have time during the days I am not volunteering in the classroom to work on my school work or just relax and do things for myself.  That alone has been an adjustment; learning what to do with my time.  I have had to do a lot of self-disciplining and prioritizing.  More on that later though.  This post has already taken a different direction than I set out to write, but that's nothing new.  I hope you all enjoyed the end of your summers and are adjusting well back into work or school.  Thanks for letting me rant.  You're a great audience ;)

Back from Seclusion

So let me start off by apologizing for my absence lately. I cannot believe it has been, what? almost 2 months since my last post.  Where in the world did summer go???  I'll tell you where my summer went...to grad school.  I feel like I have been non-stop this summer.  As soon as I got back from Italy (which seems like a year ago at this point) it was right back into school mode.  I am currently on my last two summer classes, one of which is the more intense classes I have ever taken.  On top of all that I am moving this weekend.  My wonderful mother gracious came and helped me pack up most of my things last week.  Really it was the other way around...she did most of the work while I was in class.  On top of class, moving, and working I somehow found the time to land a new job! I am extremely excited about this new opportunity, however I start full time training on Monday....thus still no break. I'm starting to get the feeling that I won't get a break until Christmas.  Once I move and start working, the new school year starts literally the following week.  With this comes new classes and volunteering in the elementary schools.  On top of all that I have to prepare for my exhibition in a couple of months, which requires putting together a portfolio and presenting to the faculty members, convincing them that I am prepared to student teach. Oh and somewhere in between all that I am going to find time to prepare for the GACE (I hope!). So needless to say I have been a little busy. Now you can understand why I have been MIA all summer.  I just hope things slow down soon so I can breathe again because his stress is really starting to get to me.  In fact I am suppose to be reading for class right now so rather than recap every detail from the summer, I will leave you with some photos. 

My new ballet shoes...I have always wanted to take ballet and decided to go for it this summer...however school has taken over and I unfortunately have only been able to use them once.

 

I have managed to take a few breaks here and there...fun day of tubing in Helen

 

Gotta have a Lexi picture....she keeps me sane during all this chaos

 

Reading for class

 

Snuck in a pleasure book for sanity sake...highly recommend this book, but be sure to have some tissues close by

The start of the moving process

I ensure you it won't be as long for my next post...and I will get around to those Italy pictures as promised! Until then....I hope you are enjoying your summer. -J