So I can still take a test!

I took the Praxis I today, and definitively passed two of the three sections! Yeah! I have to wait for the third section to be scored since they are judging my writing (a.k.a. "BS") ability. I can't believe I had to pay $125 to take this test. It's really a money making scheme set up by the educational field: making pre-teachers pay hundreds of dollars to take tests that in essence duplicate what a degree tells you (you know your subject, and you can read write and add). I have to register for four more tests for the summer. So, my summer will be just as stressful as my spring break was!

In other news, I met with my new mentor teacher yesterday. She seems very nice, and her students seemed to like her a lot. I am more excited about not having to get up at the break of dawn anymore. The school I have to be at at 7:45 is ten minutes from my house! I love sleep, and now I get to get more of it.

I do have one major decision to make in the upcoming weeks. Do I cut my hair or not? I really like it long, since I can do so much more with it, but I do like getting my hair cut short. And I haven't done it in quite a while. Anyway, that's my drama for today. I'm sure I'll have more in the upcoming days!

I can't believe it's almost over...

Can you believe how fast a week can go? I've been on Spring Break this week, and I am very sad to say that tomorrow is the last official day. I've enjoyed being at home, although it was neither restful nor relaxing. All week long, I either chased a two year old, carried a six month old, or did some kind of project Mom could come up with. I really want to be on a boat next year!

Before I left Fayetteville last week, I did receive a great little something from the UPS man. My invitations for graduation came! That's another thing that's almost over. Even though it's taken way longer than it should have, I can't believe I'm going to finish my degree. I'm really excited about it. Anyway, I'll talk more later; Mom and Dad are waiting on me to go out to dinner.

Au Revoir Mis Amies!

Well, it's been an interestingly sad weekend. Several of my friends are leaving for a ski trip to Colorado tonight, and I am not going. Do you know how disappointed I am about this? I don't get the chance to ride in a cramped car for 15 hours, travel through massive thunderstorms, munch on all kinds of snacks including beef jerky, nor survive the massive fumes from the overactive colons of the boys. I will need an OFC update tomorrow, by the way (OFC- Official Fart Count).

Have fun without me, my friends, and think of me when you get to the bottom of the hill and no one is there to great you with PB-n-J sandwiches and Walprofen. Maybe Evan will discover he has a seven year old snickers in one of his pockets that you can all snack on. Be safe and avoid trees at all costs! Girls, have fun at the spa; I'll get my massage on Tuesday too! And now, I'm off to the farthest reaches of the Ozark Mountains called Batesville. God help me!

AI Update

I only have four words for this weeks show: Get rid of Sanjaya!

I know there's this giant conspiracy to mess up the machine called American Idol, and as a fan of the show, I am a little offended over this. Some people have determined that it would be funny to encourage people to vote for the worst performer just to mess with the producers of the show. Okay, so on some sick level, this might be funny. But why not do this to all vote-in reality shows? I'm sure the worst dancer on Dancing with the Stars would appreciate another week or two in the lime-light to increase their fame.

On the brighter side, Melinda and Lakisha are both still in there. YEAH! Either one of these girls could (and should) win, and I will be happy.

TGISB!

THANK GOD IT'S SPRING BREAK!

I made it. Can you believe the first, longest, and probably most dificult part of my internship is over? That really went fast! It's a little bitter sweet, though. I really enjoy working at SHMS. I never thought I would like dealing with middle schoolers, but they are really sweet.

This week has been rather fun. The majority of classes have had to take "The Big Music Test" over everything they've learned since the beginning of the year. The rest of the classes have gotten to watch a movie. What's fair about that? Oh well, that's what you get this close to spring break: everyone's brain shuts down!

I can't wait for my brain to totally shut down, at least for a day or two. Lucky me, I get to take a Praxis test next Saturday. It's basically an ACT-like test for teachers. It's really going to SUCK! I'll keep you posted on that.

I must say that I am a little excited to go to my next school. It's literally five miles from my house. Much better than the twenty-five I was travelling to get to SHMS! Well, let me thank my adoring public for all the fun I've had so far. Keep me in mind if any jobs open up!

Sanjaya is still on American Idol? Seriously?

You've got to be kidding me! After watching the performances Tuesday night, several American Idol hopefuls did not sleep well. The girls kicked butt as usual, and the boys came in a distant second place. But, one performance lacked the top 12 luster that the other performances had. Poor Sanjaya, he really needs to either get a vocal coach or get out!

It really bothers me that people are using this show as a popularity contest. We all know that he was the weakest performer, so why vote for him? Because he's so sweet? Come on! This is a SINGING competition, not an "I'm so sweet" competition. Geez!

Anyway, Lakisha and Melinda kicked everyone's hind end again. Even though I complain that Sanjaya is still there and poor Brandon (a much better, quality singer than Sanjaya) went home Wednesday night, I completely expect Kiki and Melinda to be the final two. They are in a completely different league from the other contestants.

Even though this show makes me want to spit half the time, I'm sure I'll talk about it next week! So, does anyone have a pick for the winner? Remember to leave a comment; you don't have to have an account!

Will it ever be Spring Break?

Over the last few years, my group of friends and I have done something really big for Spring Break. This year is a little different. Not everyone is able to take off for a week and head to parts unknown. So in honor of the tradition of Spring Break, here are a few highlights from the last few years...

March 2004: Ski Trip to Steamboat Springs, CO

This was at the base of the mountain in Steamboat. I found this vacation the most relaxing of my life, especially since I don't ski!

(From left: Jason, Sam, Seth, Erin, Jamie, Me, Melanie, Evan, and Rachel)

March 2005: Cruise to Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, Mexico

We knew wanted to go somewhere warm this year, so we packed up, drove south, and got on a big boat. It was so much fun! (From left: Rachel, Kim, Nathan, Melanie, Jamie, Me, Erin, and Evan)

March 2006: Cruise to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, Mexico

This was our first night on the boat. (From top left: Jim, Jamie, Emily, Evan, Rachel, Melanie, Erin, and Me)

Our first stop was beautiful Montego Bay, Jamaica. We headed straight to Sunset Beach Resort and had this magnificent view the whole day.

The girls were very happy to be back on the beach, and we couldn't pass up taking a picture with this kind of background! (From the left: Me, Melanie, Erin, Rachel, and Emily)

Well, that's all I have time for right now. I may add more later. So for those of us not able to have an out-of-Arkansas Spring Break, let's reminisce shall we!

This is for you Jamie!

One of my friends asked why he wasn't pictured on my blog. Well Jamie, here are some lovely pictures just for you!

How's this Jamie?

Jamie and Rachel: aren't they cute!

This was my birthday last year, and no, I'm not telling you how old I was (I'm still in denial!). (From left: Erin, Rachel, Me, Jamie, and Evan)

This picture is rather old. I think this may be from 1999. We took an overnight trip to Devil's Den, hence the reason we look like we've seen better days! (From left: Jamie, Rachel, Me, and Evan)

Rachel's mom is a very special lady to all of us, and last year we helped her with her support of the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure. (From left: Erin, Kim, Diana, Me, and Rachel)

American Idol? Really?

Thursday night provided me one of the biggest shocks of tv life in a long time. Never in my life would I have thought that Sabrina Sloan or Sundance Head would have not made it in to the top 12. Are you kidding me! Haley what's her name and Sanjaya the boy-girl are in the top 12? No freakin' way!

Sanjaya is going to be like the crooner John from a few years ago that stayed way past his time. This kid has no personality and no stage presence. He might be able to sing, but I don't think I've stayed awake through one of his performances in order to judge that.

Haley what's her name is alright. But come on! Sabrina was amazing! That girl had some pipes and she studies AI. She knew what was going on! America messed up with these votes. And yes I do have the ability to gripe: I voted for my favorites.

So, as we are all reminded every week, vote! Take a minute or two and make the phone call or send the text message. It won't hurt and it might let you not have to read another rant about Sangirlya and what's her name!

Yeah testing!

This week has been a crazy week. Bentonville has been administering the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). I think the last e-mail I read, over 9000 students were administered this test in the school district. I personally think testing has been pushed way too far. Not only is school funding is being effected because of scores, but teachers are teaching to tests rather than trying to teach concepts to students. People, as in government, don't remember that we in the United States have made it a right to have an education. Everyone, no matter what, will be educated. Lots of surveys show that America cannot keep up with other countries, but that doesn't take into account that the students in the other countries are the elite and are there because they scored the best in the first place! I personally do not think it's right. But I'm not in a position to change anything... YET! Okay, there's at least a little bit of my rant on testing. Whew!

But, the week at hand was a cake walk for me. Since I am not a certified teacher, I was not able to help with any part of the test. So, my most wonderful, amazing, magnificent, beautiful (is that enough sucking up?) mentor teacher, Rachel, told me not to worry about coming in until the afternoon classes. YEAH! I got to sleep in almost every day this week. I didn't have to deal with any traffic, nor did I have to worry about being late at all! I loved it. And all we did this week with the classes we did have was watch a movie, which I think I can quote line for line as well as notate all the music in the movie, at least the first hour and five minutes!

Rachel is having to get back into the habit of teaching. I think she's really enjoyed not having to worry about it for the last few weeks. She was able to get a lot of stuff done that she needed, like her thesis!

Anyway, this week was pretty smooth. Nothing too out of the ordinary. Maybe next week will hold some kind of magical treat that I can share with you. Chat with you later!

American Idol

Well, my favorites remain in the race to become the next American Idol. Melinda, Lakisha, Brandon, Chris S., and Sundance all made it through to next week! Yeah! America does have some taste. Well, I did say some. I still can't get over the fact that Antonella is still there. Come on, Leslie was definitely not going to make it to the top 12, but she deserved to be there for one more week. Anyway, that's my gripe for this week.

We are Family!

So I'm on a song title kick with my titles. What can you expect from a music teacher in training!

Anyway, I traveled to the thriving metropolis of Batesville last weekend. I took some new pictures of my wonderfully adorable, almost always sweet nephews.


Braden loves his tricycle at Granny and Papaw's house.


Landon takes his eating seriously, very seriously.


And he loves to smile and laugh!


Braden, Melanie, and Landon all love the tricycle too!

Love can build a bridge.

This week has been ah-mazing! It was my turn to create the lesson plan and teach all the lessons for the week. I knew what I wanted to do, and the students really caught on quickly.

One student had given me a little trouble last week. I'll call him Bob. He's been known as a troublemaker for a long time. He never listens or does anything he's asked to do, and most of the time he is a tremendous disruption to the class. Usually he will try to bother anyone sitting around him. On Tuesday, Bob had an accident on the playground. Another student had pushed him down, and he had fallen hard on the asphalt, enough to scratch his hands and knees and bring blood. I took a moment to make sure he was alright, and I walked him in to the nurse. I waited until he was alright to leave. I really think that made an impression on him.

Today, he was a completely different student! Bob was listening to what I said today, he participated in the activities, and he even did the assignment without talking! I was so proud of him. He even had a tooth fall out in the middle of class, and it still didn't dissuade his good behavior. He was so good today, I gave him a gold slip (this is a good thing by the way) and told him if he would act like that all the time, he'd have gold slips out his ears (again, a good thing). Maybe, just letting someone know you care about them will help change their perspective...

Next week, we begin the rigorous testing for the district. I am really not looking forward to this. Since I am not a certified teacher, I really can't do anything except help out the certified teachers. Rachel told me to bring a book. I think I might take three. I can never read just one book at a time!

I'll save my soap box about testing for next week. I can go on for days about this. Let me get on the Senate floor one day about this topic and I could make a record filibuster. Well, I'm digressing. Until next week!