25 Days of BlogMas | Day 22

Monday: December 22, 2014

Hello world!

Today started off as a bitter sweet day. 

This morning I woke up and headed to my last 'week' at my student teaching classroom. I used quotes because they go on vacation tomorrow, so it's not a full week. 

A couple students brought in thoughtful gifts, which included really sweet messages. 

It's nice to feel appreciated sometimes!

It's sad for me to think that tomorrow is my last day in that classroom. It's been the most amazing semester if my life! 

Well, the day was he give because we did a lot if finishing up old work and cleaning up the classroom to prep for vacation. 

I was able to get away during my lunch break. I left the school, got some fresh air and mailed the last of our Christmas cards. 

I got back and it was absolute chaos. The kids have totally lost it. With Christmas literally around the corner, their excitement has taken over and their focus has taken a time out. 

After my morning with them, I stopped at home. What should have only been 5 minutes turned into 20. We have a pug puppy who hasn't been sold yet so I decided I needed some puppy therapy. 

Can you handle this face? His, not mine!

The sweetness! The cuteness! Ah! :-)

Pug butt!

After hanging out with this little guy, I was off to work. Nothing was too eventful and I was just counting down the time til we were all done. I had to go out and shop more!

Brendan joined me after work and we went to a few Marshall's and the tj maxx. 

When we were done we got Wendy's, ate then made goody bags. One of our stops tonight was the dollar store (teacher's best friend) so that I could make each child a goodbye treat bag. 

Brendan has been so wonderful and not once complained about my diva-ness. He has however been reminding me to take it slower and stop stressing so much. Super helpful! 

Now that I'm finally home, I can't wait to get in my bed!

Nighty night!!

Until next time, 

XOXO Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 3

Hi guys!!

I woke up feeling a lot better today! I'm glad that I took that medicine last night because I'm pretty sure it was the reason why I could actually breathe this morning. 

For the past three days I've been waking up around 5 o'clock in the morning and not been able to go back to sleep. Ever since my 5-year high school reunion on Friday my schedule and sleep pattern have been totally messed up. Brendan seems to think it's because I'm overstressed and overwork. Which is true. I student teach every day, then I either go to class or to work depending on the day of the week, and then I come home and do nothing but homework until go to sleep. 

I'm hoping after today, I can finally get a night of real sleep. 

My day started out full of drama. I found out that my classroom teacher has no Munoz so she couldn't come in today. I was supposed to have my last observation by my professor so I got all nervous that my classroom teacher wouldn't be there. I thought I would have to reschedule. 

But, my professor is just as amazing as my classroom teacher and she came in and observe me and she's just going to come back next Wednesday for my classroom teacher is feeling better to go over the paperwork and sign all the forms. 

I'm was really proud of myself; I taught a self created lesson today and all the children really seem to enjoy themselves. And I was so impressed by their work.

The rest of the day went smoothly and I can officially say that day number three of my take over a week has come to an end.

Half way there!!

Once again, right after dismissal I headed home for about 20 minutes and then drove to class. Today, I had to present my parent workshop on social/emotional curriculum. Of course it took everyone at least a half hour to present, so we went way over the 2 hour class time. 

....of course, I got a ticket for an expired meter....

Nonetheless, I'm happy I got my last workshop out of the way. I'm also super pumped because today was my last Wednesday class!!! Woohoo!!! 

Almost there… Right? 

Once I got home I had dinner and I took a shower. It felt amazing putting my pjs on!

My boyfriend picked me up and we stopped by chipotle on the way to his place. 

Boy, did I miss him!
Brendan that is, not Chipotle...

Together we watched the newest American Horror Story.  I couldn't wait to hang out with my boyfriend. I haven't seen him in days!! 

Another great day to add to the book! 

Until next time,

Xoxo Ines

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 2

Hi there world! 

I woke up again this morning as sick as a dog. My body is finally catching up with all the stress I've been putting it under;  I'm just glad my soar throat is gone. Now I have a stuffy nose and headache to deal with all day. I might not look sick, but I definitely am! 

Something is floating around amongst the first grade....

Day 2 of my takeover week went really well. My classroom teacher was out again so, although I love having her there and she is the best support system, it was definitely more relaxing to know that I didn't have her eyes on me the whole day as I taught. 

With the first day of December comes celebrating and learning about December holidays. 

Yesterday I introduced The Nutcracker advent calendar to the whole class. We opened window one and today we got to open window two. It took them until today to really understand how an advent calendar worked. 

I really love the one my classroom teacher has because it tells the story of the nutcracker over the 24 days of the advent calendar. Each window has a miniature book; so every day you find out more to the story. I love the concept!

After dismissal, instead of heading to work, I went home for a few minutes then drove to class. Class was the LAST thing I wanted to do today. I actually ended up leaving because I had a pounding headache and by this point, I was also much sicker!

As soon as I got back home, dinner was ready. My mom made steaks and I couldn't help myself; I had to dog in. At least I still have my appetite! 

Sadly, because tomorrow is my observation day, I had to write up my lesson plan and email it to my professor. Homework, or really any work, was the last thing on my mind. I wanted to be a couch potatoe until I was too sleepy to sit up straight 

It took me a couple of hours to write up my lesson plan. Between typing, watching Elf and procrastinating, it took way longer than it should have. But atleast I did it, right?!

Well I'm off to put pjs on and get in bed. I just took a big dose of night time cold medicine so I'm hoping it kicks in soon!

Try not to get sick!!

Until next time, 

Xoxo Ines 

25 Days of BlogMas | Day 1

Hello world! 

Not only did today mark the first day of December but it also marked the first day of my take over a week. Besides waking up with the worst soar throat ever, I was anxiously excited to start the day. For the most part, because I've had other teaching jobs while completing my undergrad, I'm pretty comfortable being in a classroom. But, because this is the first time I've had one whole full week of full responsibility, I was a little nervous. 

I've been fortunate enough this semester to not only have a wonderful group of students but also have a wonderful group of support staff. This placement is by far my favorite and definitely solidifies that I should be a teacher; i'm in the right career field. Its going to be sad once December break comes and I have to say goodbye. 

All in all, I had a great first day of my take over a week. It was more that I could've asked for. Everything went smoothly, I didn't lose anyone, and all of the children seem to just really enjoy themselves; it was like any other day of the week in the classroom. 

Of course as soon as 2:30 hit and all the kids were dismissed I had to rush over to my real paying job at an after school program a few towns over, until 6 o'clock. Of course as soon as I got there my soar throat grew more painful. 

I genuinely enjoy my job and because of how my schedule worked out this semester, I could only be there three times a week. So, I'm actually looking forward to coming back in January full-time (Monday through Friday). It's a different set of staff, it's a different set of students, it's a completely different population but I love it just as much. 

We picked secrets today so there was a lot of excitement floating around amongst my coworkers.

You wouldn't believe how well we all get along. It's more like a family than it is a group of casual acquaintances that you work with. 

6 o'clock finally hit and we were free to go. I hopped on the highway and headed home. Then, I ate dinner with my parents and sat in my living room for about an hour and watched elf. That's when I noticed my stuffy nose and my headache; it was time to make some tea and take some Tylenol. 

Finally, around 9 o'clock, I couldn't take being downstairs anymore so I headed upstairs to my room, where I put on my pajamas and got into bed. Maybe some extra rest will help me fight this cold (hopefully that's all it is). 

All in all I think I had a pretty sweet first day of BlogMas. 

Now I just hope that I wake up tomorrow morning feeling a whole lot better! 

Until next time,

XOXO ines

Sunday Rewind: My Week in Review

Happy Sunday everyone!

Raise your hand if you aren't quite ready to head back to work yet…

Can you believe that in just about a week in a half, we will all be sitting down to a turkey dinner? December is right around the corner and there's nothing more I'm looking forward to than Christmas and finishing my last undergraduate semester! 

Woop woop!

Let's take a look into my week in review:

Row One

Last Sunday, I woke up to the smell of pancakes bubbling and bacon sizzling. When I finally got the energy to get out of bed, I was greeted by my boyfriend and an amazing cup of coffe. Can you see why I'm never letting this one go? He never arises to amaze me. 

On Monday, Brendan came over for a little bit. We caught up on AHS and watched the new season. That's when the other man in my life, Willie my cat, decided to join in on the night. 

The next morning I woke up feeling great and decided to dress a little more casual and laid back for work. Although it snowed lightly, boo, my zip up and vest were all I needed. 

Row Two

Later Tuesday night Brendan came over again. Of course we were created by a different feline this time. Reba made herself right at home in his comfy shoulder. Sadly Brendan hopped on a flight the next day to Florida and is currently on a caribbean cruise. #jealous!

The week continued and not too much happened. This past Friday I went to West End Johnnies, in Boston with a girlfriend. I guess you could say that we are spoiled because we get to dance up on a stage, protected by a wall of guys. I can be such a home body sometimes, antisocial and lazy, so I'm glad that I put myself forward and actually went out.

Row Three

This week, abc family played reruns of Molly Ringwald movies. If you don't know who Molly Ringwald is, I give you permission to go google her now and then come back. The Breakfast Club is my absolute favorite movie. I binge watched it happily in my pjs on the couch. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it!

This past week I also got the privilege to create my first guest blog post for HumbleBeauty. Tab, who runs the blog, was an absolute pleasure to work with. I've been an admirer from afar for the past few months so when she said she would love to feature me, I was overcome with so much happiness and excitement!

Want to checkout my guest post? Click here.

Finally this past week I was able to yet again stop being anti social and go out with my hometown friends. We went to dave and busters and I had a few drinks and laughs. I'm always happy to go out with absolutely anyone. I love all my friends and I love going out. But I've noticed after my year of being 21 and binging out on going to bars, I've become totally exhausted and prefer staying at home.

I forget sometimes that I still love going out to bars. I think it has something to do with students teaching all day, going to work all afternoon and then going to class… should be interesting to see how I feel come January when I won't have to students teach or attend classes anymore...

Until next time,

xoxo Ines