Okay, okay, I sent out the blog and then didn't post for weeks....I'll make this one short since Nigel is lazy and refuses to read anything too long!
WE ARE NO LONGER HOMELESS!!! R.O.C.K. O.N.! Lois and I are seriously the last people in the Delta to find housing. Really, it only took us 9 days, but in the delta that is close to an eternity. We went through so many different plans of roommates/towns that we were going to live in/houses that we liked. FINALLY, last night we talked with our future landlord of a cute and quaint little house in Ruleville, Mississippi. We call it the cypress house because it's cypress wood, obvs. It's HILARIOUS. This house totally looks like a postcard that would say "welcome to rullleeeville." Our landlord won't let us paint over the 1984 floral wallpaper in the kitchen and bathrooms OR let us have a cat. We are going to try and work around both of those things :)
Jeannie, Cassie and Trevor were here this past weekend. It was great to see them, but kind of hectic being I was still housing-hunting. They brought the rest of my belongings down (I now know I have WAYYYY to much stuff). Aunt Gretchen and Uncle Mike took us to the crawdad hole in Jackson....we ALL ate crawdads...welcome to Mississippi! They weren't bad after you got used to the idea of ripping their heads off and whatnot! I'm not sure if I'll ever acquire the love of spice down here...everything is FAR too spicy (including the corn!) JEESH :)
Anyway, to make this short and sweet...we have a home and hopefully will be moving in next week. We love visitors and have plenty of space, hint, hint!! The mosquitoes and other bugs down here eat you alive even in your sleep and we are soaking our feet in vinegar rags. I recently realized that I will NEVER go in the water down here because they are infested with snakes, poisonous ones. AND we now live in a town of roughly 1000 people, no wal-mart, but we have a porch swing and we LOVE IT!
PS....I'm missing the Black Family Reunion AND bean bag tournament this weekend...which is lucky for Kayla so she can TRY to win it! Pretty sure I still have more pictures in the book, even without competing this summer ;)
Friday, July 25, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Da da da DELTA!
YEAH DELTA! Basically, that is what I screamed as I was leaving Moody and everytime I talked to a new person on my drive. So, I passed/survived institute. Who would have thought. Okay, really it wasn't the worst thing ever. It was hard, it is supposed to be. Duh, pretty sure we didn't sign up for a stroll through the park here.
Anyway, the last few nights have been maddness...I feel like I've gone out or just spend the evenings hanging out because never again will all of my institute friends be in the same location. It's crazy to think that we just bonded through something incredibly difficult and then leave each other for opposite parts of the country (or even in to the middle of the ocean). I was sad to leave my class at Browning, but almost more sad to think that I will never get to see these kids in 10 years and hope that they continue to "make good choices" as we say in Kindergarten! We decided that it is probably realistic to think that they will not remember us come fall, although, maybe it's a good thing they don't remember Kaitlyn and her crazy dance moves ;) Totally kidding. At least I have quite the list of places to visit: Hawaii, Denver, Houston (couldn't get enough the first time I guess)....
So, a recap from the last few days. We had a closing ceremony on Thursday. Each school was responsible for coming up with a cheer. Well, in true Browning fashion, we changed our cheer 3 minutes before the ceremony started. The cuipd shuffle is and will always be a reminder of Browning Elementary and the infamous Ms. Johnson. Wednesday night we had our CMA dinner and brought the fun back to the Hilton Bar. My friend Gina took a lemon drop shot the size of a martini glass...she's a rockstar. Pictures from this night have me laughing to tears, not much else is new. Thursday night we went to Alabama Ice House and got miserably lost on the way there. Thank goodness our curriculum specialist is such a nice person and answered the phone when we called her multiple times as we were lost and needing assistance. This place was DEFINITELY a place I could have worn mesh shorts to. Word on the street is that there are random dogs around this place, wtf gross. Friday we ROCKED O.U.T to Browning's entry in the end of institute talent show/celebration. Basically, the girls who sang were incredible and the audience participation (i.e. the 12 of us in the crowd) acted a fool.-->trying new lingo...I don't think that is exactly how it is supposed to be worded! Friday night we also went to Christian's Tailgate and made fun of the awful karaoke acts and sang dramatically with the ones we liked. Thought of the day...why on EARTH would you pick a karaoke song that is ALL screaming. Some people and their bad choices.
That was it. Institute was Ohhhh-ver! Hard to believe I moved in 5 weeks ago scared out of my mind. Since the first week, I've been so excited to get to the Delta, to have this seem real. Browning was real, but in a temporary fish-bowl like setting. I drove the 8.5 hour trip with two friends in their own cars behind me. Thank goodness for the love of my life, my cell phone. It kept me occupied from 10:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. Minus the 15 minutes that I was out of service...it about killed me too. We only stopped once the entire time, and my credit card refused to work in the gas pump and the worker thought I was incompetent, rude-o. Welcome to the present. Sitting on the floor, of my third college dorm room in the last 6 weeks, sick. This one does have running water, warm showers, toilets that flush, no need for an elevator so no need to worry about it being broken, and no pigeons waking me up every morning! Delta State is the home of our orientation activities the next couple of days, then it's time to head out and find a house, unpack when Jeannie, Cassie, and Trevor get here and then get back into teacher-mode with professional development. Really, was I planning intramural activities just 3 months ago?!
Hard to believe I am going to be teaching in a classroom this fall. TFA would call me the "instructional leader" of this room, I prefer teacher but whatev. If anyone would like to donate any low level books, games, toys such as blocks, costumes/dress up stuff, crafty supplies, etc. to my class, I would greatly appreciate it! Jeannie has been busy tearing apart the basement storage coming up with all sorts of things to bring down to me. They are leaving Amboy on Wednesday, July 16. If you want to pawn anything off on her, I would be happy to take it!!
Headed to bed...yes, actually a bed, no more bouch! Tomorrow is the start of orientation, catching up on two weeks of laundry, and some annual Delta party/dinner in the evening. Holla!
Anyway, the last few nights have been maddness...I feel like I've gone out or just spend the evenings hanging out because never again will all of my institute friends be in the same location. It's crazy to think that we just bonded through something incredibly difficult and then leave each other for opposite parts of the country (or even in to the middle of the ocean). I was sad to leave my class at Browning, but almost more sad to think that I will never get to see these kids in 10 years and hope that they continue to "make good choices" as we say in Kindergarten! We decided that it is probably realistic to think that they will not remember us come fall, although, maybe it's a good thing they don't remember Kaitlyn and her crazy dance moves ;) Totally kidding. At least I have quite the list of places to visit: Hawaii, Denver, Houston (couldn't get enough the first time I guess)....
So, a recap from the last few days. We had a closing ceremony on Thursday. Each school was responsible for coming up with a cheer. Well, in true Browning fashion, we changed our cheer 3 minutes before the ceremony started. The cuipd shuffle is and will always be a reminder of Browning Elementary and the infamous Ms. Johnson. Wednesday night we had our CMA dinner and brought the fun back to the Hilton Bar. My friend Gina took a lemon drop shot the size of a martini glass...she's a rockstar. Pictures from this night have me laughing to tears, not much else is new. Thursday night we went to Alabama Ice House and got miserably lost on the way there. Thank goodness our curriculum specialist is such a nice person and answered the phone when we called her multiple times as we were lost and needing assistance. This place was DEFINITELY a place I could have worn mesh shorts to. Word on the street is that there are random dogs around this place, wtf gross. Friday we ROCKED O.U.T to Browning's entry in the end of institute talent show/celebration. Basically, the girls who sang were incredible and the audience participation (i.e. the 12 of us in the crowd) acted a fool.-->trying new lingo...I don't think that is exactly how it is supposed to be worded! Friday night we also went to Christian's Tailgate and made fun of the awful karaoke acts and sang dramatically with the ones we liked. Thought of the day...why on EARTH would you pick a karaoke song that is ALL screaming. Some people and their bad choices.
That was it. Institute was Ohhhh-ver! Hard to believe I moved in 5 weeks ago scared out of my mind. Since the first week, I've been so excited to get to the Delta, to have this seem real. Browning was real, but in a temporary fish-bowl like setting. I drove the 8.5 hour trip with two friends in their own cars behind me. Thank goodness for the love of my life, my cell phone. It kept me occupied from 10:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. Minus the 15 minutes that I was out of service...it about killed me too. We only stopped once the entire time, and my credit card refused to work in the gas pump and the worker thought I was incompetent, rude-o. Welcome to the present. Sitting on the floor, of my third college dorm room in the last 6 weeks, sick. This one does have running water, warm showers, toilets that flush, no need for an elevator so no need to worry about it being broken, and no pigeons waking me up every morning! Delta State is the home of our orientation activities the next couple of days, then it's time to head out and find a house, unpack when Jeannie, Cassie, and Trevor get here and then get back into teacher-mode with professional development. Really, was I planning intramural activities just 3 months ago?!
Hard to believe I am going to be teaching in a classroom this fall. TFA would call me the "instructional leader" of this room, I prefer teacher but whatev. If anyone would like to donate any low level books, games, toys such as blocks, costumes/dress up stuff, crafty supplies, etc. to my class, I would greatly appreciate it! Jeannie has been busy tearing apart the basement storage coming up with all sorts of things to bring down to me. They are leaving Amboy on Wednesday, July 16. If you want to pawn anything off on her, I would be happy to take it!!
Headed to bed...yes, actually a bed, no more bouch! Tomorrow is the start of orientation, catching up on two weeks of laundry, and some annual Delta party/dinner in the evening. Holla!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Red Hot (teaching for) America Summer
I stole this title from my friend Kaitlyn, sometimes she can be creative ;) Speaking of my collaborative members, they made a birthday sign for me at school on Thursday, brought in treats and made me wear a crown while I was teaching, it was lovely, and far to small for my head. Then all of TFA at Browning sang Happy Birthday in the afternoon (although it wasn't my birthday yet), wow was I embarrassed.
Anyway, summer if half over, what? Sometimes being in Houston makes me feel like I'm in outer space. I have no idea what is going on in the world. I haven't seen the news in well over a month. I becoming acclimated to the Houston heat. And worst of all, I have no idea if the corn was knee-high by the fourth of July. All I know is that in the Delta on June 7th it was to my shoulders.
Anyway, 4th of July in Houston wasn't thatttt bad. I wasn't the ideal place to spend a birthday, but I got over it. I would like to make it known that I haven't been to a parade yet this year and those people back home who refused to go to a parade for me (ahem, Brian Vargason) are in trouble.
Okay, so yesterday I had my day all planned out. Then, it rained starting at noon. Mother nature does not realize that the pool CLOSES when it rains. Actually, it wasn't really rain, it was torrential downpour. Awful. And for the first time in a month, instead of raining really hard for 1/2 hour and being nice again, it was crappy...all.....afternoon....long. So, I layed on my bouch and talked on the phone...all....afternoon...long. Last night we headed downtown to the Freedom over Texas concert. They were featuring Jo Dee Mesina, Miranda Lambert, and Sara Evans. It was an outdoor concert with a HUGE display of fireworks after. Well, we missed Jo Dee Mesina, but Miranda Lambert was good and Sara Evans was A-MAZING! We had some weird-o guy next to us that was holding up his wedding ring for Miranda Lambert. We are pretty sure that he told my friend Sally she could sit on his shoulders...does she look like she's 5 and can't see over people? However, the fireworks really did rock. I have to admit, Vernon Center has nothing on Houston. We boarded the bus to head back to Moody. Mind you, we only had one bus and probably 100 people. We were sitting 4 to a seat (yes, it is possible) with people standing in the isles. It was out of control and a definite safety hazard.
Today, we are planning on going to the pool again. Well, what do you know? It's cloudy and dark, UGH. So, my friends Gina, Sally and I went to an outlet mall about 25 minutes away that was incredible (like I really need more clothes though!). It was without a doubt larger than Mankato, Rochester and LaCrosse malls! And now it's Saturday night and while I should be revising some lesson plans....I am blogging and thinking about trying to do something with the disaster that has overtaken my dormroom.
This week is going to be a whirlwind. We have regular lessons M/T/W this week. Thursday spend most of the day doing testing, diagnostic tests that were administered at the beginning of the summer as well as DRA to track reading levels. All of this data has to be rolled up by Thursday afternoon. Thursday evening we have our closing ceremonies. Friday is our last day at school, so mostly a fun day. Friday night is end of institute celebration. Saturday I probably have to be headed to Mississippi by 9 a.m. PHEW. If you're bored AT ALL on Saturday, call my cell, I'll be in the car for roughly 9 hours! I will be spending Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Delta State, then going to my placement town to look for housing on Wednesday. Then the family will be here Thursday-Sunday, then back to Delta state for more training on Monday the 21st. If I don't update this for awhile, you'll understand.
Tomorrow is my last chance to go to the pool....desperation has set in, it had BETTER be nice out!
Anyway, summer if half over, what? Sometimes being in Houston makes me feel like I'm in outer space. I have no idea what is going on in the world. I haven't seen the news in well over a month. I becoming acclimated to the Houston heat. And worst of all, I have no idea if the corn was knee-high by the fourth of July. All I know is that in the Delta on June 7th it was to my shoulders.
Anyway, 4th of July in Houston wasn't thatttt bad. I wasn't the ideal place to spend a birthday, but I got over it. I would like to make it known that I haven't been to a parade yet this year and those people back home who refused to go to a parade for me (ahem, Brian Vargason) are in trouble.
Okay, so yesterday I had my day all planned out. Then, it rained starting at noon. Mother nature does not realize that the pool CLOSES when it rains. Actually, it wasn't really rain, it was torrential downpour. Awful. And for the first time in a month, instead of raining really hard for 1/2 hour and being nice again, it was crappy...all.....afternoon....long. So, I layed on my bouch and talked on the phone...all....afternoon...long. Last night we headed downtown to the Freedom over Texas concert. They were featuring Jo Dee Mesina, Miranda Lambert, and Sara Evans. It was an outdoor concert with a HUGE display of fireworks after. Well, we missed Jo Dee Mesina, but Miranda Lambert was good and Sara Evans was A-MAZING! We had some weird-o guy next to us that was holding up his wedding ring for Miranda Lambert. We are pretty sure that he told my friend Sally she could sit on his shoulders...does she look like she's 5 and can't see over people? However, the fireworks really did rock. I have to admit, Vernon Center has nothing on Houston. We boarded the bus to head back to Moody. Mind you, we only had one bus and probably 100 people. We were sitting 4 to a seat (yes, it is possible) with people standing in the isles. It was out of control and a definite safety hazard.
Today, we are planning on going to the pool again. Well, what do you know? It's cloudy and dark, UGH. So, my friends Gina, Sally and I went to an outlet mall about 25 minutes away that was incredible (like I really need more clothes though!). It was without a doubt larger than Mankato, Rochester and LaCrosse malls! And now it's Saturday night and while I should be revising some lesson plans....I am blogging and thinking about trying to do something with the disaster that has overtaken my dormroom.
This week is going to be a whirlwind. We have regular lessons M/T/W this week. Thursday spend most of the day doing testing, diagnostic tests that were administered at the beginning of the summer as well as DRA to track reading levels. All of this data has to be rolled up by Thursday afternoon. Thursday evening we have our closing ceremonies. Friday is our last day at school, so mostly a fun day. Friday night is end of institute celebration. Saturday I probably have to be headed to Mississippi by 9 a.m. PHEW. If you're bored AT ALL on Saturday, call my cell, I'll be in the car for roughly 9 hours! I will be spending Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Delta State, then going to my placement town to look for housing on Wednesday. Then the family will be here Thursday-Sunday, then back to Delta state for more training on Monday the 21st. If I don't update this for awhile, you'll understand.
Tomorrow is my last chance to go to the pool....desperation has set in, it had BETTER be nice out!
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