Dear Thanksgiving, please arrive quickly. Thanks.

I have to take the second praxis exam tomorrow morning, and I'm dreading it. I took the first one without studying and I passed, but I decided I would study for the second one. I think it was a bad idea to study because studying is just freaking me out even more. I've been taking a few mini practice tests and I've been failing them, then I study more and do worse... its just making me worried and anxious, so I'm just going to stop studying and hope for the best. I can always take it again, right?? I keep hearing these horror stories about people who have failed three or four times and still can't pass. I had a breakdown yesterday while talking to Drew because I'm so stressed out about the Praxis and school. The worst part about it is that I can't just take it tomorrow morning and then be relieved and done, I have to go home and do homework all day long. AAHHH! Its so unlike me to be stressing out about school like this. I just want it to be Thanksgiving already! Then I can sit around and do nothing for 5 days straight at home and hang out with my parents, grandparents, sisters and baby nephew, Jack Henry! Ohhh I can't wait I can't wait I can't wait!!! How could this adorable little face not cheer you up??!

Sometimes I wish I was a little bit nerdier...

Sometimes I wish I was a nerd. Someone who always wanted to be reading the news, or reading educational books or exercising my mind with things like crossword puzzles... but no, I'm all interested in hanging out with friends, going to movies, exploring charleston, traveling, having fun... its nice and all, but I really wish I was more interested in nerdy topics like astronomy, history or science... then I could actually be feeling like I was doing something useful with my time.

I feel like I have no hobbies. I try to run but I dread it every time, I try to read but then I get sidetracked with other things going on around my house, I try to knit but then I stop and never finish, I try to cook but then I spend too much money... its so annoying. Also, its not like I don't have anything to do. I have tons to do. I have a huge amount of projects coming up that are due and I keep putting them off! For no reason! Especially now that Drew's gone, I have no reason to get my homework done during the day anymore so I can spend time with Drew in the evening... I just wait till nighttime when I'm too tired and want to fall asleep!

I wish that I could be putting off my homework for a valid reason, like I'm too busy doing research about whales, or I'm too busy with meetings for this club I'm involved in, or I'm too busy gardening or I'm too busy getting in shape for a triathlon... but no, I'm too busy talking with friends or blogging or facebooking or going out to eat or making cookies or playing with my cats.  If I was a nerd, I would actually enjoy doing homework and projects and going to class... plus, during my free time I would actually be doing something useful for my brain... I am so incredibly frustrated with myself today. UGH!

And why did I even write this blog about how frustrated I am, instead of getting things done?!! Something is seriously wrong with me today...

a little lucky charm

Man... I have been a such a busy busy bumble bee this past week. I haven't even been able to blog! Midterms are going on and I have been a bit swamped with work for school as well as squeezing in work at Cupcake. Weeks like these are so rough... but spending time studying with friends is a good way to catch a break without actually feeling like you're wasting time. Shannon and I went to Kudu Coffee the other day to study for our midterm.  It was great to be able to sit outside on their fabulous patio area tucked away on Vanderhorst Street, instead of cooped up inside on the computer. We got a little distracted when this caterpillar decided to give us a little visit. He appeared out of nowhere on Shannon's notebook! It was the cutest/hairiest caterpillar I've ever seen! I just had to take a photo shoot... I think he was a good luck charm!

I went to my new field classroom for the second time this week and I absolutely adore it! It is such a relief! The teacher is so fun and enthusiastic and the students really enjoy learning in her classroom. I am so excited to learn from her and be able to have a chance to teach all of the absolutely adorable students in her class... YAY!

p.s. I'm going camping this weekend for fall break and I can't wait!

Oh happy day!

My teacher observed in the classroom with me today for about an hour. Afterward, she told me that she agreed with everything I had explained to her about this teacher. She said that she realized if she kept me in that classroom that it would go against everything she has taught me these past semesters. I was sooooooo relieved when she let me know that she would place me in another classroom and that I had nothing to worry about. Oh how I LOVE HER! She is seriously one of the most understanding, hardworking and dedicated teachers I have ever had. I shouldn't have even wondered if she would help me get out of there or not, she's so understanding and caring. Now I feel just about as free as I did when I was standing on a mountain in Delphi, Greece, admiring the amazing view of the mountains and crystal blue ocean...

.......THAT is how relieved I am

Praxis... YIKES

I had to take the Praxis exam on Saturday, which is the test you have to pass in order to get your teacher certification. It was terrible. I hate standardized testing more than anything in the world. I get really worked up about it and think about the amount of time I have left to finish and then I can't concentrate on the questions and then I worry about not getting every one right and then I freak out some more. I tried my best to just go with it and not think about the time factor much, but its easier said than done. This was only one of the tests I have to take. Some people take them both on the same day but I thought I would do my self a favor and split them up. I'm not about to put myself through four straight hours of standardized testing... ew... SOO, I have to take another one in a month and I won't find out if I passed this one for about a month. But we'll see! aaahh!

Harmony and Balance

I took a wellness assessment in my health class today in order to evaluate myself in the five dimensions of life: physical, social, spiritual, emotional and intellectual. In the end, I wasn't surprised by my results. My highest was a tie between the social and emotional categories and my lowest was the spiritual category. A person with a care for their well-being should strive to make the appropriate changes that are conducive to overall health and happiness. A person will reach harmony and balance once each of the dimensions are at optimum level. The motivating factor is that these transformations will help a person live life to their highest potential.

Looking at the assessment, it seems almost impossible to have each dimension at optimum level. However, I'm going to keep this assessment to remind myself to attempt to improve each aspect every day. I really don't see myself reaching the optimum levels any time soon, but maybe one day if I keep working on it, I will. I'd like to think so, anyway.

[picture taken in Costa Rica, 2007]

Oh, Creativity

I am so excited about my creative arts class. My teacher is this quirky old lady who is really funny and extremely smart. I love her ideas about teaching and her emphasis on the importance of art and imagination in the classroom. She wrote the book that we will be using in our class. I've only been to her class once and she's already so inspirational. Her class is going to be an absolute blast as well. We're going to be able to analyze fairy tales, do a million arts and crafts, sing, dance and even act! I'm so excited to learn about all of her great ideas for the classroom. I hope to one day be a teacher who allows my students' imagination and creativity soar. I am so looking forward to learning from her as well as have the time of my life in her class! Where oh, where will this semester take me? Can't wait to find out!

Class Started!

Classes started yesterday! My first one was yesterday evening... it was "Teaching Health and Physical Education". I was probably the most curious about this class because I had no idea what it would be like. I found out yesterday that I will absolutely love it! I love my professor. He's this funny old man who has a very strong Wisconsin accent. He's super smart and knows a lot about psychology, which is one of my favorite subjects. I got the idea that this class will be kind of like a health psychology class geared towards teaching. I will be learning about how to incorporate good health and a lot of movement in my classroom. He's great and funny and I already ADORE him!

My second class was this morning. It was "Teaching for Diverse Learners". This class seems a bit intimidating, mainly because my teacher seems very hardcore and talked A LOT, but we'll see how it goes!