A Thankful Heart, Pt. I

As I was driving home today I was thinking about how I always seem to gripe about work and my whole situation.  All would agree it's a hard place to be; it doesn't help that I would so much rather be somewhere else (preferably, somewhere across the ocean).  But I still need to count my blessings.  So I'm typing this post of things I'm thankful of re my job.  I specified that this is Part I because I hope to be able to add to it in the future.  So here we go:

1.  Last year I meet some amazing people, one of which is one of my closest friends now and another who just moved down the road from me a few weeks ago.

2.  I no longer have to ride the hot bus for 30 minutes full of hot children and cranky teachers.  I'm especially thankful for that, considering the persistent 95+ degree weather and the almost daily afternoon showers.

3.  Today I had duty free lunch, and it was GLORIOUS!  The best 20 minutes I've had since school started.

4.  Today I also got to leave at 4:30.  I normally don't get out of there until well after 5, if not 6.  It was nice to have an evening at home for a change.

5.  I have an amazing team that constantly assures me all will be well when I begin to feel overwhelmed with my new responsibilities.

6.  Our principal is actually paying us what she promised to pay us, and it's not peanuts, by any means.

7.  My class is AWESOME.  Of course we have some kinks to work out, but I look at other classes in the hallway and I can't help but think God for each child He has placed in my classroom.

8.  One of the women on my team is the most prophetic person I've met since leaving England two years ago.  I love talking and praying with her; I always leave feeling so encouraged and convicted and challenged.

9.  My kids don't seem to care that I don't really know what I'm doing.  They love me anyway.

10.  All the kids from our campus last year, both those I know and don't know, always yell out my name and say hello and try to hug me whenever they see me in the hallway or the cafeteria.  It makes me feel so loved!

I'll stop there for now; the Sandman is about to make his rounds . . .

Currently Listening August and Everything After By Counting Crows see related

For those of you wondering, yes, I am still alive. 

As I sit at the computer typing this post, I am keenly aware of the fact that I am back at work.  No, it's not cause I looked at the clock and thought it's past my bedtime.  Nor is it cause I'm exhausted after working a 12 hour day.  And believe it or not, it's not even because I have the Hokey Pokey running through my mind.  As I type this post, I can't help but glance at my hands and the giant L and R that are printed on my left and right hands, respectively; reminders of the trials and travails of teaching 5 year-olds which is right and which is left.  Crayola Washable Markers.  Riiiiight.  You know that really means you can write on yourself and when you wash the marks are still there; they're washable.

God, the infinite Prankster, not only sent me back to the same ghetto school, He also sent me to teach Kindergarten.  That's right folks, the dyslexic girl is teaching Houston's future generation how to read.  So either I'll really do a number on them, or I'll finally learn how to read myself.  Only time will tell . . .

I need to get some rest.  Tomorrow I'm suppose to teach the Hokey Pokey to the teacher next door to me.  He's bringing his class in with mine and I definitely need to rest up before that.  Not only does he have a class full of firecrackers, he's also dangerous in his own rights, if ya know what I mean. 

Ciao!

Currently Reading What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know: Preparing Your Child for a Lifetime of Learning (Core Knowledge Series) By E.D. Jr Hirsch see related

This is ridiculous!

It's 4:40 in the flippin' morning and I'm STILL awake!  Why can't I be sleeping like normal people???

I prayed and journalled some.  Then I had a burst of creativity.  Then I tossed and turned for awhile.  Then I started thinking about all the people I know getting married in the next year and how weird it is.  Then I started thinking about how much money I have saved and how much more I'll need to have before I move to England next year.  Then I started thinking about work and some job apps I need to complete.  Then I started thinking about how I only have a week and a half until the new school year begins and seeing as how I still don't have a new job it looks like I'll definitely have to return to my old job.  Then I started biting my nails.  Then I decided I might as well check my email since I was awake. 

So, here I am.  Blurry eyed and hungry (dinner was well over 8 hours ago!) but not wanting to eat cause the thought of food at this hour makes me nauseous.  Oh, and half my fingernails are now bitten off.

*sigh*

Okay, I'll try to give the sleep thing another go.

****UPDATE****

It's now 6:40 and I'm still awake.  What the?!?!

The sad thing is that at this time in less than three weeks I'll be rushing out the door, praying to make it to work by 7:30.  Oh what fun it is to work in a big city with lots of traffic!  Hopefully I'll sleep by then . . .

Currently Watching Diary of a Mad Black Woman see related

It's going to be a tough week.

Tomorrow is picture day AND a birthday party for one of the kids.  That means sugar high.  That means no one is going to want to take a nap.  It's also gym day, so I won't get home 'til 8ish.

Tuesday is our fieldtrip to the zoo.  That's what I'm dreading.  We just had a fieldtrip Friday that I'm not fully recovered from.  We saw Disney on Ice presents The Incredibles.  I liked what bits I saw, but that wasn't much.  Kids always get a bit wild on any fieldtrip.  Our zoo trip was postponed from last month when the weather suddenly decided to get cold and rainy for three days after three weeks of nearly 80 degrees.

All the kids were supposed to go to the zoo, but after the trip Friday I had to ban four of them.  It was a hard decision, but it's probably for the best.  The zoo's a big place and my kids have the tendency to run off and not listen, no matter who's yelling at them.  At any rate, pray for me please.  I'm hoping at least three parents show up to help.

I also have a late meeting that evening.  So won't get home til 8 again.

Wednesday and Thursday will be spent recovering from Monday and Tuesday.  Thankfully we'll have Friday off.

Currently Listening Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George (Jack Johnson) By Original Soundtrack, Jack Johnson see related