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Next weekend, I am supposed to go to a retreat for church. It's held on the other side of the mountain. The mountain which is supposed to get 10 feet of snow between Thursday and Sunday. Yes, 10 FEET. I cannot even comprehend what that much snow looks like, let alone imagine driving in it.

I have a feeling I will stay home and campaign instead.

Merry Christmas!

I have been offered a long term sub position. 20 weeks as a reading specialist (really just means helping kids who need it, grades K-5). And I think I'm going to take it.

However, that would mean putting of student teaching for another semester, which I'm not so sure about. At the same time, I didn't get the placement I wanted or anything even remotely close, so it definitely seems like I'm not losing a lot by backing out.

And the pay? 100/day for the first 21 days, then it jumps to 140 - that's 700/week. I could EASILY live off of 700/week and move out and everything. It's awfully tempting.

I have until Wednesday to decide.

It's about time.

I finally have a placement for student teaching. After being turned down by something like 60 teachers. Mostly because of NCLB and AYP (when do we get a new president?) and a fear of allowing anyone new in the classroom. Even though I have GREAT evaluations as a substitute at these schools.

I'll be working in a first grade class with a teacher I've never met, but who may have taught a couple of the kids that I've babysat for over the years. I really wanted a 2nd or a 3rd grade, but I guess I have to settle for what there is. Too bad the placement that I was SURE I would get fell through because of an inexperienced principal who didn't know what she was talking about.

I have to arrange a meeting with my lead teacher and supervisor, but I'm leaning toward waiting until after the break to do so - since everyone is crazy anyhow and it's supposed to storm for the rest of the week. Perhaps I should email them now and see what they say.

Wish me luck (does anyone read anymore? I haven't had a comment in WEEKS - although the last one was number 700!)

I am officially a college graduate (if that requires walking across the stage anyhow) - despite the fact that I've had my degree for three months.

Graduation was bright and early yesterday morning.

And there was snow, a lot of it. I had to scrape 5 inches or so off my car Friday morning so that I could go to work, because apparently our school district has never heard of a snow day. It continued snowing heavily until about noon, meaning the kids were wild. But you know, it was all okay in the long run!

I headed up to the city where the university is immediately following school and hung out with my friend and her little girl for a while. We went for fondue and brie and then went to the hotel where my parents had a room for the night.

My mom and I ended up in a slot tournament (don't ask me how it happened, I have no clue).

We went to bed about 11 - but since my father hasn't stopped coughing for weeks no one got much sleep at all that night. To top it off, I had to be on campus no later than 730am. I was there early and went to the breakfast for the graduates from the college of education.

I met my friends in the building where commencement was held at 8 (because we were to be in line by 8). We lined up at 8:23 and didn't start walking until at least 8:40. Whatever. Then we sat through the very long ceremony. Since we were the third college to graduate we had a long wait while names were announced from any college that is alphabetical after the college of education.

I saw my K while I walked up to get my (fake) diploma. I knew they were coming, but B ended up staying home with dad because he was exhausted and still getting over a cold. I only wish I had a camera, as I think we could have gotten a couple really great ones of K and I with her wearing my cap (she was VERY interested in the funny hat I was wearing). But, my mom took my camera. And we don't have single picture of me in my cap and gown as a result. Great job there, eh?

So, I am a graduate. Who can't use her degree yet. And has no job for the forseeable future, not even a sub position. Or student teaching placement.

The real world sucks!

iTunes Meme

From Sarah and the Good Squad - hers is much better than mine... I need more music on my computer

How many total songs?
1226 songs. 3.1 days worth.

Sort by song title - First and Last…
Afraid - Nelly Furtado and Attitude
#9 Dream - REM

Sort by Time - Shortest and Longest…
Baby Bumblebee - WeeSing
Heaven is a Lonely Place - John Mellencamp

Sort by Album - First and Last…
All I Owe - Matthew Smith
WOW Hits 2007

Sort by Artist - First and Last…
Aaron Shust
50 Cent

Top Five Most Played Songs
If You're Reading This - Tim McGraw
Fast Car - The Wilkinsons
Trees - The Wilkinsons
Counting Sheep - Collin Raye
Cool Cat - Collin Raye

Find the following words. How many songs show up?
Sex: 14 , Death: 0 , Love: 128, You: 210, Home: 24, Boy: 60, Girl: 59

First five songs that come up on Party Shuffle…
Human - The Wilkinsons
The Fear of Being Along - Reba McEntire
Happy - Ayeisha Woods
Love Overboard - Veggie Tales
Wonderful Maker - Chris Tomlin

My second placement fell through today. All because of a dumb principal who said something she shouldn't have to the superintendent of the school district.

I'm starting to feel like I'll never have a placement. And it's ALL because of NCLB in the long run. No one wants to give up their classroom to a student teacher (even though, they don't really have to!). On to Plan C. If that doesn't work out, I don't know what I'll do.

I also need to finish my portfolio.
And get off of IMMU HOLD at the University. The same freaking university I've attended for the past four years without any issues. And I can't find my immunization records that state that I've had a tetanus shot as of 2000. Why they don't have it on file any more is beyond me.

My graduation ceremony is on Saturday, but first I have to spend all day at an orientation meeting I've already attended before on campus. If I never had to step foot on that campus again, I'd be more than happy. And you can bet that after this weekend it'll be few and far between (other than the several times I have to drive up there for student teaching things).

I was so happy until about 4pm this afternoon. Now all the school things are caving in on me again. I really just want to be done. I don't even know how I'm going to pay for my courses.