Teaching

I have enjoyed having this week off of school.  In Cobb County, they have one week off after every 6 weeks in.  The school year goes from August 1- May 31 and they get an entire week off in September, in November for Thanksgiving, Christmas, February, and then Spring Break in April.  This is the first year they have used this schedule, and it has already been overturned for next year by the School Board (although I'm not sure why because the teachers and kids LOVE it!)  At the beginning of the week I had thoughts of "uh-oh...I need to be working.  Being on that consistent schedule has really been good for me."  By Friday now, though, I'm back to thinking not working isn't all that bad!  I mean I was able to hit FIVE gym classes this week!

It's also been a good week because Ryan is transitioning into a new job.  He has known for a while that the LandCare side of TruGreen is being sold.  Instead of waiting around to see what his fate would be when that happened, he has been job searching since early December.  Although he got many job interviews and they all went well and left him feeling very confident, none of them panned out.  We were facing the realistic situation of both of us being possibly unemployed. I mean there was even discussion of having to move back to Indiana since I actually still do have a job there.  I told him I can eat ramen noodles, but under no circumstances will I eat pork and beans!!!!  So we are very grateful for Ryan's new career that starts March 1st with HighGrove, another landscaping business.  Ryan didn't go into the office much this week since he knows he's leaving TruGreen, although he hasn't officially resigned yet.  So we got to spend some more time together than usual.

Getting back to the teaching gig... I have a lot to say about it.  I have both positive things to say, negative things to say, and indifferent things that I have observed that are neither positive nor negative, but rather just different than how things are done within the system I come from.

Let's talk about the neutral differences first:  kids can wear flip flops, kids can wear coats (which makes me nervous because weapons could be concealed in there), kids can bring bags to class (which also makes me nervous because weapons could be concealed in there), kids can chew gum, and kids can bring water bottles/juice bottles/Gatorade bottles to class and drink them at will.  These are things I have to catch myself about not reprimanding, because none of that was allowed at John Young.  Quite frankly, because these things are the norm, there really aren't any issues surrounding them.  All of the students walk on the right hand side of the hallway.  There are actually tiles down the middle of the hallways that are a different color than the rest of the tiles, and for the most part, all the kids stay on the right hand side of those tiles!  I almost feel like I'm breaking the rules if I'm walking on the left hand side of the hallway during my prep periods. 

That's all I'll say for now.  More to come!

Not the best Monday I ever had...dumped, complaints, and brussel sprouts

I got dumped.  Via text message.  My most utilized method of dumping people is via text message or email, however, now I am on the receiving end of it.  My latest tutoring client, dumped me.  She said while I was gone for a week she started working with another tutor.  Please send your condolences =)

Then my property manager called me about some issues the renters are having.  1.  Something snapped with the garage door.  They can't open it manually or electronically.  2.  The hot water in the bamboo bathroom shower is trickling out instead of fully coming out.  Gosh darn it I knew I should've sold it while I was in South Bend :) !!!

It was good to be back into my basement apartment.  I got all unpacked and settled in.  Played on the computer, went and worked out (gotta keep that Jazzercise work going!), and I went to the grocery store.  Ryan invited me over for dinner later that night and he made grilled red potatoes, pork tenderloin, and brussel sprouts.  Have you ever eaten a brussel sprout?  Disgusting!!!!!  It tricked me at first because all I could taste was the garlic and butter.  All that was left after that though was the nastiness of the actual vegetable! 

Did anyone notice the time of this post?  I’m trying something new today… getting up and working out in the MORNING.  In one hour I will be taking my body pump class.  We’ll see how this goes!

Trip to Indiana

One of my bff's Kelly picked me up from the O'Hare airport on Sunday afternoon.  She came with another good friend of mine named Christy.  Christy is my former workout buddy, and a fellow math teacher.  She's also someone who I can talk to about hard issues, and we've been sounding boards and support systems for one another throughout various times in the last couple years.  It was so good to see Kelly and Christy.  Kelly has the scoop on all the office drama at my former school since she is the secretary, and Christy has access to more detailed drama being a front line classroom teacher.  They filled me in on how things have been going at JYMS this year.  I learned:

1. As a teacher we can no longer write students up for gum, being tardy, not having supplies, or cheating.
2. Students are now allowed to bring bags into the classroom, and coincidentally there have already been 2 knives brought to school this year.  Each kid only got suspended for 5 days.
3. One kid said to a teacher "I'm a hit you in your fucking face if you don't back up" and only got suspended for 3 days.  This same teacher filed a police report on the incident, which is supported by the union, however was discouraged by the wonderful administration.
4. Since we went from 6 academic teams down to 5, class sizes are maxed out and one specific teacher has one class with more students than desks, so one child has to sit on the floor for class.
5. We went from 3 secretaries down to 2, so now whenever a teacher needs to call down to the office, it is nearly impossible to get a hold of anyone.
6. On a positive note, I learned the 8th grade math scores went up 14 points from last year, vs the 7th grade scores which only went up 1. 
7. Certain teachers are still getting away with dressing ghetto fab, coming in late daily, double dipping on getting paid, and getting paid to hardly work instead of working hard.
8. Lunches got shortened from 39 minutes down to 30 minutes.

The list could go on and on but I will stop it there.  OH and while I was in town a Mishawaka teacher made the news for duct taping a special needs student's mouth shut.  But hey, Mishawaka has a winning football team so everything else can slide....

Monday I actually went to the school to visit my former co-workers.  It was REALLY good to see everyone.  I'm kind of a celebrity there... so everyone was really happy to see me too.  Everyone kept commenting on how happy I seem now!  Some fools asked if I miss it (teaching), and my response was an adamant ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!  One of the best parts about being back at JYMS was getting to eat a cafeteria lunch.  It was pasta bar day so I was stoked =)

I went to visit my old classroom.  Room 603 - it still says Miss Bulger outside of it.  But my room has been turned into a computer lab, with laptops on each desk.  The door was locked but I took a picture through the window.

The very first friend I made at JYMS 7 years ago was Michelle McCoige.  We were both coaching volleyball at the time before the school year even started.  She had me over for dinner on Monday night with her family.  Back when I first met her she was a newly wed, and now she has 2 little girls.  I was grateful for the offer, and super grateful for the food and catching up.

I stayed at Kelly's house for a couple days in Mishawaka.  I love love love love her kids and they seem to love me too.

I met up with an old friend from Michigan City, who now lives in South Bend, for lunch on Tuesday.  Tuesday night Kelly, Haley, and I went out to eat at Bar Louie.  The three of us used to get together once a week to vent, share, laugh, problem solve, and cry.  It was good reminiscing... we were there for 5 hours!  I know one of the guys who rents my house out works at Bar Louie so I was going to introduce my self and feel him out for how serious he is about buying my residence, but he was not working that night.

Wednesday morning my mom came to get me from Mishawaka to take me to Michigan City.  I dropped her off at work and then went and visited an old friend from high school, who just had a baby about 5 months ago.  I probably haven't seen her in 3 years so it was good to catch up.

Later that night my mom and I went to Jazzercise.  When the class was over I told her I thought it was really hokey and a joke of a workout.  My inner thighs received the karma of that comment the next day - they were burning! 

Thursday my mom and I went to Jazzercise again, around noon, and again, I thought "what a joke".  My obliques hurt so bad still 2 days later that I have learned my lesson about complaining about Jazzercise!!!  That afternoon I FINALLY got to meet Miss Kennedy Elise Baker.  She is the newest addition to my family and the only girl!

That night I went out to eat with my bff cousin Hillary.  We got kicked out of the place we were there so long talking!  It's nice to be able to get one on one time with her since she has a husband and 2 kids of her own.  It is a rare opportunity, and one I gladly took advantage of!  Same thing with my other bff cousin Leslie.  She now has 3 kids and a husband but just the two of us got to go out for lunch on Friday.

I spent the rest of the day Friday night and Saturday over at Doug and Leslie's and Hillary and Troy's.  Overall I got to spend a ton of time with my family... my mom, cousins, aunt and uncle, cousins' kids, and CC.  Brian even made a brief appearance!  It's easy to take advantage of, or not appreciate, the relationships you have when they are so close by.  Being gone has made me value their importance in my life and how lucky I am to have such a great family.

In fact, there is nothing more heartwarming than my Godson Jack jumping up and down the first time he saw me, running up to me yelling, "Welcome home, Courtney!  Welcome home!"  And he ended my trip with "Bye Courtney.  See you at Christmas.  I love you!"  That greeting and farewell alone made my trip!!!

What do you think the title should be?

I had a busy Monday.  I tutored from 2:00-4:00 and then didn't get home until 9:00pm.  First I went to Kauffman Tires to figure out what the heck is going on with my repeated flat.  They found a crack in my VW rim, and said that for a mere $300 (estimated) I can be up and running again.  If I order it from VW, Kauffman said they'd put in on for free.  

Then I went to 5/3 bank, which is not located in Woodstock.  While I was there my dad called and said that he is going to my house in South Bend THIS Thursday to get Sam Batt's stupid stained glass windows.  On one hand I'm am SUPER READY for those to be off my hands, on the other hand, I then had to go to Walmart and make copies of my house key, then rush to UPS before they close and pay for overnight shipping to get it to my dad in Springfield, MO by today.  

I gave my dad the phone numbers to the two people who are renting from me, Michael and Tracy.  My dad got a hold of Tracy, who is a man, not a woman, and he asked if my house is for sale.  My dad told him everything in life is for sale.  Tracy explained that him and Michael have really made it their home and would love to stay.  So now I have something to ponder...  I looked them both up on Facebook and both of their pages were public.  Apparently they had some problems with the ADT alarm system becuase Mike continually posted:

"So tried to sleep at the new house tonight but when I went to get a water out of the fridge, I set off the motion detector for the alarm system."

"So....tracy said the alarm went off last night three times....if it wakes me up, I'm ripping it off the wall."

 "So the alarm saga comes to a close, it went off every five minutes this morning, so I used a butter knife to disconnect it, all Macgyver and shit. All this moving heavy stuff sure does a lot for the testosterone I guess! Mike-1 Alarm-1000.... but I got the final laugh."

It's just so weird to read what they've written because that's MY house and MY alarm system they're talking about!  They posted other things too and it's just weird to think and know about!

Anyway, then I went to the local library branch and signed up for a library card.  I was severely disappointed in the selection the library had.  I was all excited to get my library card but when I went to find specific books, they didn't carry 2 of them, and another one I wanted I would be #19 on the waiting list.  It is just so little of a branch that their selection is horrible and what they do have is all very very old.  

So then I ventured off to Barnes and Noble, which also is not in Woodstock.  I had some old gift cards I needed to use anyway, so I went and bought the two books the library didn't have. On my way home I got gas and went to the grocery store.  Then I canceled my eHarmony membership =)

For about the first week -10 days I've been living in this basement, the son was not around at all.  For about the past week his car and him have been here almost everyday.  His license plate says "EN V ME".  This morning he was SCREAMING bloody murder at someone upstairs.  I was contemplating whether calling the cops for domestic violence would automatically cause friction between me and the home owners.  Either way, Ali has been around way too much now that I think about it... am I about to get kicked out at the end of the month?!  My guess is him and his girlfriend aren't on the best of terms currently...

Today I tutored and then hit the gym.  I like tutoring, and the schedule it provides, but I have not been working out since I started.  And this tutoring gig is only through September.  Come October I will have no income and nothing to do so I'm starting to job search again.  And, I might be homeless come October too ;)

After joining Gold's Gym on Friday, I decided to wait until Monday to actually start going.  Monday I went to Body Pump, Tuesday I went to a CORE class, Wednesday I went to water aerobics, I took Thursday off because I was sooooooooooooo sore, and later tonight I'm going to go to Body Pump again.  At Body  Pump on Monday night I met this really nice lady named Sheila.  She has the most southern accent ever and I love it.  I can't wait to "catch it"!  Wednesday night I met a lady who graduated from IU, just like me, and then moved here.  When I told her I was taking this year off to "play" she said, "Maybe you'll meet a husband down here!"  Well, duh I didn't come down here and start saying "y'all" for nothing.  I said "yeah that's the goal" ;)  She suggested I check out a specific church, and hang out on the weekends in Buckhead. 

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Living in GA is surprisingly saving me money.  Smokes are only $3/pack down here versus $5/pack in Indiana.  Pedicures are only $22 versus $30 in Indiana.  I'm making money just by being here!!!!! =)

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On Wednesday I went to a volunteer orientation at Papa's Pantry. 

Papa's Pantry is a Christian based agency that started 12 years ago.  Instead of just giving people in need food, they really use food as bait to get them in the door.  They really want to help these people change their lives and give them tools to be successful.  There are no walk-ins allowed;  all people must make appointments to come in because the staff at Papa's Pantry really want to develop relationships with these people.  They offer a free library full of books on various topics that their clients can borrow.  There is a 6-computer lab for people to create email addresses, job search, and create resumes.  There are various classes given for free on topics such as budgeting, home foreclosures, job searching, interview techniques, nutrition, and healthy parenting.  They also offer tutoring for children, and there is an organic garden growing behind the building.  When people make an appointment to come in and "shop" in the pantry, they have to come with a list created that states how many people are in their family, their ages, and how long they are planning on the food lasting.  Most people come in needing one week's worth of food.  They don't come in and we hand them a box already made up and send them on their way.  They actually get to SHOP for the foods and brand they want for their family.  In addition to non-perishable items, we offer produce, milk, cheese, meat, and eggs, etc.  So I am the newest Pantry Attendant on Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00pm!!!

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So far I spend about every other day hanging out at the pool.  This is one of the rare times I was there by myself.  Usually there is a variety of children, geriatrics, and tweenagers.

 This is a high class pool - no diarrhea allowed!

Saturday, July 31

Can anything else go wrong with my car?  For those of you who don't know, I spent a TON on money on my car a couple days before I left.  Then, two days later it wouldn't start and I had to buy a new battery.  Then a car accident on the road in Toledo, and yesterday I wake up to a completely flat tire!  Luckily, it was Jason's day off and he got the pleasure of coming of my rescue. 

However, when he jacked up my car, it started to roll down the hill!  His driveway is not flat.  Even with the emergency break on it still happened.

 So we moved it into the garage, where there is a flat surface.  Off came his t-shirt.  Have I mentioned it's REALLY HOT in GA?

It looked like he wet himself, but really it was just sweat.  $78 later my car is in working condition once again.

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I've signed up to volunteer with a couple of organizations I'm super excited about!  The first one is through the American Youth Council.  The project is called Holiday for Hope and we will be bringing Christmas to 1,000 homeless children.  The planning starts right away for the event in early December.  I can't wait to wrap presents (I'm really good at it you know), and maybe even be an ELF on the big day!

The other organization I'm getting involved with is Global Soap Project, Inc.  As a member of the Global Soap Project Warehouse Team I will help take donated soap from hotels and prepare it to be sent to refugee camps and communities affected by poverty around the world.

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I'm still applying for jobs.  Recently I've applied to be an assistant administrator with the Cobb County School District.  Most recently, though, I am applying to be a substitute teacher with the Cherokee County School System.  They damn near require a DNA sample for the application process!  It's very different from what's required to sub in Michigan City or even Mishawaka for that matter.  For one you have to be a certified teacher, and for two you have to have four professional references supplied to them!  I've also signed up with several nannying/babysitting websites and have gotten a bite or two on that.  I joined Gold's Gym on Friday and am excited that they offer Body Pump classes like they did with  my membership at ICE in Mishawaka.  So very shortly here I foresee my empty schedule becoming less and less empty with working, volunteering, and working out!!!

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Furthermore, I have been replaced as the all time cake-maker for my family.  I have made almost every single birthday cake of Quinns, Jacks, Cruizs, and Landons.  Ok, I never made one for Landon because it is only his first birthday.  But, *sniff, sniff* I would have had I been around!  I think his mom did a great job of replacing me though =) 

Happy 1st Birthday Landon Frever!



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To end our day we took a little night time dip in the pool.