The swim school instructors are always good for a laugh

Two blogs in one day, I know it's impressive :) I'm trying to make up for the fact that I will probably not blog too much from Vegas. Although, I could surprise myself :)

So tonight we went over to the Pittner's house for a pizza party. They were suppose to have it back in February, but it got snowed out. This worked out well for me because I was able to go along.

We started by playing poker. KJ, Beth, and I knew how to play. Ashleigh sort of knew what she was doing. We had to teach Alex, Andrew, and Megan. Megan caught on right away and so did Alex. Andrew was just crazy. After poker, we played "Fact or Crap." It's a way fun game. I laughed often, so that's always a good sign.

Here are a few fun things people said tonight:

"I peed so hard, I laughed!" - Ashleigh

"Little Welsh kid." - Adam (talking to Alex)

"He sounds like a squirrel with caffeine." - Alex (talking about Isaac's laugh)

"Now I've got the esophagus freeze!" - Beth

"I think he was high off the fumes cuz I stained my box." - Emily

"I am a Christianite." - Adam originated this one, but Emily actually said it

Today's Tidbit (Take 2): I have far too much to do before I leave town tomorrow. But it's so going to be worth it!

My crazy cats

So since Matt complained that all I ever blog about is subbing, I decided I should post something about a totally unrelated subject...

So I was sitting on the couch earlier. Beth and I were watching "Beauty and the Beast." All of the sudden, we heard something coming from the laundry room. It only took us a second to figure out that it was the vacuum. We went in to check it out, and sure enough, we were right. The cats had somehow turned on the wet/dry vac. It was very odd and I honestly have no clue how they even managed it. Crazy cats :)

Today's Tidbit: The Twins won their last spring training game today. Go Twins!

Spring Break is finally here!

So I was fortunate enough to spend my last two days before spring break with my choir kids. Oh gosh, I am just always so happy when I get to be there. I am just going to highlight some things. And yes, be prepared for total dorkiness! Haha :)

During first hour, I got to sit in the choir office with Mary and Leon and Ashleigh came down and Joe was in there for a while. We reminisced about swimming. And we got to hear stories from Mary about Treble Choir tour and "Our Town" and yeah, it was fun.

Treble Choir did the alphabet warm-up today. Lucy put up the entire alphabet (and pi to try another day) to help them with it. It's pretty tricky, but I loved it! And now it's in my head :)

Treble Choir started singing the song "America" from the musical "West Side Story" today. Lucy taught them all how to sing with a Puerto Rican accent. It was pretty much the highlight of my day.

Jehrid kept singing along with the Treble Choir from the office. He also kept tipping over in the chair. Oh, good times to be had by all!

Concert Choir ran through all of their Big 9 songs today. Two of them were absolutely amazing! I can almost guarantee that I will cry when they sing at Big 9 :)

Leon and Armando and another guy asked girls to prom today. It was pretty darn cute, actually. Without going into too many details, they got the girls called to the office. There was a note for the girls there sending them to the auditorium. Once in the auditorium, there was a table set up with roses and a cake that asked them to prom. Then, the guys came out all dressed up and asked them. They all said yes, I think :)

Lucy totally saved us during Panther Choir. Drew was gone and so was Laurie, the accompanist. That left Katie and me there to deal with all of the freshmen. Luckily, Lucy was able to go to her math class during 5th hour and then play for us during 7th. I felt bad cuz she came down and then only played two songs. But I definitely appreciated it! They would have been nuts without a piano at all. We wouldn't have been able to run through anything!

More and more of the kids are figuring out my name, so that's fun :) Tommy had to keep asking me how to say it, but I think he's got it now. I even got a hug today. Yay for hugs! Haha, it was a good day. And now, I am ready for a week off from school and swimming and pretty much everything! We're leaving for Vegas on Sunday and I can't wait!

Today's Tidbit: Apparently Lucy keeps her birthday under wraps. But I know it, and it's coming up soon! I'm really hoping I get to sub there that day because it'd be a blast!

The Best Week Ever

Alright, so despite being crazy sick, I just had a fantastic week! How in the world did I get so lucky that I got to sub at Century 4 days this week?!? It was great :)

Today I subbed for an English teacher. It's E-Week right now so the class she's teaching is about sports writing. She has a student teacher too. I didn't have to do much today except for chaperone study hall :) I did get to watch the 10th inning of Game 7 of the 1991 world series five times. That was cool. (Bonus points to anyone who can tell me what happened in that inning.)

I was heading up to the office after4th hour and ran into Lucy and Mary making copies of the newsletter. When they finished that, we went to the choir room. Mrs. Maragos asked me to come in during 7th Hour for her. So yeah, I got to see Panther Choir again today.

It kind of hit me after school that I probably won't see them again for a while. When I left, Katie asked when she'd get to see me again. I had to tell her that I had no clue. How sad :( I am seriously going to go through some withdrawal next week when I don't get to see them. It's weird that I haven't subbed in an elementary school since last Tuesday and that's what I'm actually certified to teach...

Today's Tidbit: I have subbed 51 days this year. 11 of those days for the Century Choirs and 10 for my favorite second graders at Bamber. The next closest is a couple of classrooms that I have been in 5 times. Kinda crazy :)

Singing in the Choir Room

So yesterday afternoon, I got to sub for the choir director at Century (again). It was only for the afternoon though. I showed up during 5th hour and hung-out with some of the Concert Choir kids through their lunches and open hours. There was a guitar in the room, so a few of them were playing it. Tommy started playing some DC Talk! He was impressed that I knew he was playing "In the Light" pretty much the second he started playing it. Yay for old school DC Talk! Now, that particular song has special meaning because I used it when I gave my first talk back at TEC #37. He also played "What if I Stumble."

It was really fun when he played "God of Wonders." Almost everyone in there knew the song so everyone was singing along. It's such a good song! I think Greg tried to teach me that song once... Too bad I like never have time to play anymore... Hmm... I really should get on that!

Well, I'm off to John Adams for another day of subbing. I'm still on my way to subbing everyday :) I'm back at Century tomorrow afternoon for choir again. I guess that leaves me with finding a job for Friday.

Today's Tidbit: I confiscated 2 cell phones in Panther Choir yesterday. I may be laid back, but I'm not outright stupid! And I know all the ways to try to hide a cell phone while texting. Don't mess with me :)

Look at me! I'm totally on a blogging roll now!

Okay, so I decided to try something new today. I subbed at Century (which obviously is not the new part) for an old teacher of mine. I subbed for speech and drama. I had a wonderful day! I had study hall this morning, that was probably my least favorite part of the day. Second hour was my prep time. I sat in the office talking to the student teacher and to a family friend who's a chemistry teacher at CHS. Then the speech classes started. I saw a lot of kids that I know from choir, so that was cool. I got to sit with Megan during 4th hour and with Ashleigh during 8th hour. Woot woot! There were lots of swimmers doing double takes in the hallway when they saw me, it was so great! I also had a drama class during 7th hour which was pretty fun.

My lunch hour was 6th hour, so I went down to the choir room. Clearly I love subbing for the choir teacher if I go back there during my free period! Haha :) It was fun though. I ran into Mel and Mrs. Heyrman, so that was cool. I also realized today that I haven't been in the main, academic part of the building in FOREVER! So much is different now! It really was like taking a walk down memory lane.

I am wondering now if there is a connection between me subbing at Century and me being in a good mood. I always seem to be happy when I sub there. Does this then mean that I should be working on getting my secondary education license? And if so, what the heck subject area do I want to get it in? Unfortunately, music is out. But English or Social Studies or maybe even Math would be possibilities.

Anyway, it was a really good day. As far as my goal is concerned... 1 day down, 8 to go until spring break. And I already have a job lined up for Thursday. That only leaves me with 7 days to fill! I'm hoping that at least a few of them are back at Century. Although now, I'm not picky at all about who the teacher is or what the classes are :)

Today's Tidbit: The family friend of ours who teachers at CHS told me a story that my dad had told her over 20 years ago. Apparently, right after Beth and I got bunk beds, Beth really wanted to come up and sleep on the top bunk with me. She climbed up there and then fell. She got stuck between the bed and the wall! Haha, I can totally picture Beth with her diaper caught :)

Time for a period, or just a comma?

Nate told me that I need to blog more... So I suppose I might as well :)

So just a little while ago I was up in my kitchen. I was leaning against the counter and looking at my fridge. I glanced at a magnet that I have had for years. The magnet says, "Never place a period where God has put a comma." I think Gracie Allen said it, but I'm not sure.

I sat there and thought about that for a few minutes. I think lately, I have been trying to put lots of periods in my life. I get so worked up and upset when something doesn't work out. But in reality, maybe it's just a comma in my life. So maybe it's not looking good for me to get into the graduate program I'm applying for. And maybe it is really hard to find a full-time teaching job around here. I have so many options. I just need to be open to and willing to go after them.

I was talking to Laura about it last night. I have no idea where I will be six months from now. I could still be in Rochester. I could be in Mankato. I could be back in Fargo. I could be in Kansas or Colorado or Alaska. I just have no idea what is in store for me. And that's pretty much scary as heck! Yes, it's exciting too. But mostly, I'm scared. I know that God will be with me, but I like certainty. And this is the most uncertainty I have ever felt. I plan things so far in advance, and for once in my life, I can't do that.

But anyway, I'm just thinking of all of this as a comma, a pause in my life. I am not going to let myself get negative anymore thinking that it's over if I can't find a job or get into grad. school. No more. I'm going to keep on smiling :)

Today's Tidbit: I think I found my new favorite food :) I am loving the whole bagel with peanut butter thing!

Tales from a substitute teacher...

So first, my apologies to Greg (and everyone else)! Not only have I not blogged in forever, I haven't even read anyone else's blog in forever. Life is definitely a little crazy these days. I haven't been online much in the evenings, I haven't talked to friends on the phone much, and I haven't been frequenting my websites :(

This week, I was blessed to realize (yet again) how much I want to be a teacher. I subbed Monday for an 8th Grade Earth Science class at Willow Creek. I am not so much loving middle school, but it was a big deal for me to go to a school I haven't been at before. Tuesday brought about subbing for an art teacher at Riverside. I had one class not show up, that was cool. Haha :) It was a pretty good day though.

Then, on Wednesday and Thursday, I got to sub for my favorite classes EVER. And I do mean EVER! I was at Century subbing for the choir teacher. Man, I cannot say enough how much I love being there. I would like to recount how I ended up subbing there the first time. It was back on September 11th. I hadn't gotten a single subbing job to that point. I was a total wreck, completely freaking out. I remember that it was really late at night and I saw it pop up on the website. I was talking to Laura on MSN and I mentioned it to her. The job was only going to be from 9:00 to 10:30. She told me to suck it up and take it. That I'd have fun. And even if I didn't, I'd be home before lunch :)

Well, I obviously took it. I was really only there for Treble Choir. I got to meet Lucy (the student director of that choir) and talk to Laurie (the accompanist who used to be my piano teacher). I had a pretty good time. I realized that it wasn't too stressful because the teacher has student directors for all the choirs. So two days later, when I got called to go for the whole day, I went back.

It's weird to think about the first few times I subbed there. I would just sit in the choir office during open hours and read my book. I used to be able to finish a whole book in a day because there was so much open time. Now, I don't get any reading done :) During every open hour, there are kids in the room. I'm usually talking to them. I've had so much fun getting to know some of them and honestly, I think it's helping me with the whole being shy thing.

There is always something to laugh about. Katie and I have some good times in Panther Choir. "She took my lolli!" Oh man, good times :) And Lucy and I have gotten to have some great talks too. It's so much fun being back at the school that I went to. Next time, I might just have to bring my high school scrapbook. A few of them have had one of my friends from high school as an English teacher. I bet I have some good pictures of us :)

So yeah, that's why I haven't blogged in a while. But life is good. And I feel so blessed right now. Yay for subbing!

Today's Tidbit: I got to go to the Owatonna Choir Concert last night and it was amazing! Congrats to Laura, Matt, Amanda, Anna, Travis, and anyone else I'm missing :)

"Beauty and the Beast": A (New) Top 10

So I was lucky enough to get to go see Century High School's production of "Beauty and the Beast" two times in the past week. I went last Wednesday with Beth and last night with Sarah, Ashleigh, and Beth. Congratulations to all of the cast, crew, pit orchestra, and production team! It was amazing!

I have seen a lot of high school musicals in my time. I mean, come on, I went to how many this year alone? This goes to the top of my list! It was incredible. The vocal talent at Century is unbelievable. I was so impressed. Honestly, I can't say enough about how good it was. I wish I could see it again :)

I went to the first ever musical that the Panther Playhouse put on ("Little Shop of Horrors" which we did at Kellogg because we didn't have an auditorium yet at CHS) and I went every year until my sophomore year in college. This is the first time I've been back and I realize how much I've missed it. I am so thankful that I started subbing for the choirs at Century because it motivated me to get back into going. Laura can attest to how much I was freaking out before the first day I subbed there. I had never subbed anywhere before and I was terrified to do high school choir. The subbing job was only for the morning so Laura made me accept the job. Talk about the best decision of the year! It is my all-time favorite place to sub! I hope to go back some more this spring. And I definitely can't wait for Big 9. I'm going to listen to all of the choirs all day long! Woot woot :)

Okay, I got way off track on that one... As is tradition, here is my Top 10 from Century's version of "Beauty and the Beast." (If you want to see my Top 10 from New Ulm's version of it, go back a few notes...) I'm combining both nights that I went to... Enjoy!

10 - Meeting Mrs. Maragos :) Good to finally meet the teacher I have been subbing for. Thanks to Lucy for that one!
9 - The random hand appearing in the library... What the heck?
8 - Beth and I counting how many times the Beast picks Belle up when they dance :)
7 - The enchanted objects skipping around the stage to bring on props
6 - Attempting to figure out what the heck that gold thing was!\
5 - Lefou! Freaking hilarious!
4 - "Me"... It's the best song EVER!
3 - Seeing the kids I sub for in the show (or in the pit), they all did a fantastic job!
2 - The bartender - AMAZINGLY FUNNY!
1 - The incredible vocal talent! I seriously can't say it enough!

Today's Tidbit: The competition between CHS and OHS is on baby!

To Write Love On Her Arms

Alright, so most of you know that I care a lot about dealing with teen suicide and self-injury. I've been there, and I've dealt with it. And now I feel truly called to help others. I have often said that what I went through totally sucked, but if I can help even one person, then it was worth the pain. I have to believe that the reason I went through what I did, is to help others dealing with the same thing.

So to my beautiful friends. If you need to talk, you know that I'm here :) For real, I love it when my phone rings at 3 o'clock in the morning. Call anytime. And for some of you, yes, you know who I'm talking to... Each day you make it through without hurting yourself, I am so proud of you. Never, ever give up! God loves you so, very much. And I love you with all of my heart!

Thanks to facebook and some folks that I sub for, I was blessed to get to read this. I haven't cried this hard in a long time. It's amazing, truly it is. This organization is amazing. Love is the movement... It gives me such hope in the world. You should totally check it out.

http://www.twloha.com/the_story.php

Today's Tidbit: Beth was kind enough to let me play her DS all weekend. Pretty sure I am addicted to Brain Age and to Sudoku on her DS :)