One Year

One year ago today, my wonderful husband marched in formation onto the Green and back into my arms. It was one of the hardest years of my life (I am assuming his too!), but I am thankful for it. I feel much stronger and closer to him then I did before. I try to not take anything for granted and remember that everything isn't such a big deal (like the dishes he leaves out all.the.time.) I said TRY :)

I am very thankful to have him home, safe. I still wake up every morning, so happy to have him next to me to snuggle.

I Did it Again!

I brought home papers to grade and some work to do, and where do you think it is? Still in my bag, which didn't even make it in the HOUSE!

I don't know what it is, but I just can't do work at home. I always made a promise to myself and my marriage that I wouldn't bring work home. I would spend every spare minute at school grading papers and finishing paperwork, but if it wasn't done at the end of the day, then too bad. It will still be there tomorrow.

My husband and I are two very busy people. Not only do we both teach, but we both coach sports and Michael has the Guard. We barely get to eat together between games and classes we take. This week, for example, the only night we will be able to actually cook dinner is Wednesday! He has class tonight, I have a game tomorrow, he has a game Wednesday, I have another game Thursday, and he has one on Friday, and then drill on the weekend. Wait, I just said he has a game on Wednesday. I guess that rules out that day too! It's very frustrating.

Because we normally leave the house by 7, and don't get home until 7:30, or sometimes later, the little time we do spend together needs to be actually spent together. I think that's why I never bring work home. I don't think it would be fair to him if I sat and did work all night. We need that time together even if it's just 10 minutes before we fall asleep at night.

My fellow teachers are always amazed that I don't take anything home, but to me, it isn't worth it. My family is much more important. Don't get me wrong, I care about my students and my job, but I will always put my husband first.

So tonight, my bad will stay in my car, and when my husband gets home from class we will spend some time together. I guess technically I could do the work before he gets home, but I have decided to be lazy until then! I need it after 8 hours with my crazy kids!

Fall is in the Air

It is officially Fall, and today finally feels like it! After temperatures in the 90's this past week, I never thought summer would be over. However, today I woke up to 70 degrees and overcast. I'll take it!

We did some major cleaning in the house, and I cleaned up outside. All of the weeds are gone, along with the bushes trimmed! I am going to pick up some Mums this week that we ordered, and then my Mom and I are going to the Pumpkin patch next weekend!

In my entire life, I have never gone to an actual pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins. I have always picked them up in roadside stands, and sometimes even Wal-Mart! I am so excited it's kind of ridiculous. They even have rides out to the apple orchard to pick apples!

Now if I can just get through this week!

The Civilian Side

Even though the National Guard can be called at a moments notice, and my husband spent almost 2 years of his life overseas, many members of the National Guard have civilian jobs. To me, their job is the hardest in the world. They have to go from being a soldier, defender of our freedom, back to a normal, civilian job, dealing with people who have no clue what being in the military is like. I have no idea how my husband did it.

Luckily, with the help of the ESGR, making the move from deployment back to civilian life is much easier. They work with civilian employers and make sure that rules and regulations are followed, and the rights of the deployed service member are carried out. There are many employers out there who really are great to deployed members of our military; sending them care packages, and organizing celebrations when they return. I wish that all employers would treat deployed service members with respect and support, but unfortunately they don't. Thankfully the ESGR is there to step in in case this happens.

The ESGR recently nominated it's top civilian employees. Out of 2,500 nominations, East Carolina University was chosen one of the top 15 to receive the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. I knew I loved this university for more then just it's football team and all the friends I made there!

East Carolina University




Thanks Robin for showing me this! Miss you!

Disappointed

I must say that today was the first time I was disappointed in Oprah. Today, she highlighted the new movie "Waiting for Superman: the Movement that Could Revolutionize Waiting for Superman."

I hate when movies like this are published. Are these people who did it even educators? At one point someone on the show said that if children are tracked based on performance, low performing students are placed with bad teachers.

Really?

Have you been in my classroom. I have low performing students, and I am NOT a bad teacher. A child from the show was quoted as saying, "I don't test well, so I would have been put in low classes with teachers who are safe because they have tenure, but don't really care about their job."

Yes, that may be true in THAT school, but not in mine. But because they picked this school, everyone will then have the worst perception of American schools. Do you really have any idea what we go through on a daily basis? We have kids who are homeless, parents are divorced and fighting over the kid, abused children, the list could go on and on. And despite ALL of this I TEACH, and I expect that EVERY child can learn. Bill Gates said on the program that outside of 'special' schools, there is no achievement. Bulls***. Give me a break. Are there things we could all work on? OF COURSE, just like every other occupation out there.

Why don't they ever go to a school where things are going right, or find teachers who love their jobs? Instead they pick one school where only 32 out of 100 graduating seniors are prepared for college. Are there schools like this? YES, of course! I'm sure they don't mention the poverty level, or the gang activity or anything else American schools are dealing with OUTSIDE of the school.

Teachers have the hardest job in the world, and I challenge anyone to try my job for one week. Then you can stand outside and complain about public schools. We are the only occupation I know of that stay late, take work home at night and on weekends and don't get extra payment. Any other job would be billed for overtime. I'm not complaining about the amount of paperwork or the other crap I deal with because I LOVE my job. I just wish people actually realized what we did instead of just jumping on the bandwagon and bashing American education.

We Will Never Forget

Today, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who lost a loved one on 9/11. I still remember that day 9 years ago. I was a senior in high school and at my senior internship at a local elementary school (I even knew then what I wanted to be when I grew up!) The teacher of the class came over and simply said, "They hit the twin towers." I had no idea what he meant and thought for sure it was a mistake. I tried to get online and see the news, but everyone in the world had the same idea, and I could only get a picture of the towers on a local website. I was shocked. I remember walking back into my high school to teachers crying, and watching the news on TV. It was unbelievable.

Today, I hope everyone takes a minute to remember those lives lost, and those still suffering. Also take a minute to remember those soldiers and families who are still fighting for and defending our freedom from those who try in vain to take our happiness and way of life.

I will never forget.

Endings and Beginnings

Well, yesterday marked the end of working at the restaurant! (Insert BIG cheer here) Of course it was a double, what a better way to send me on my way! Of course if they need me from time to time, I will go in. It is good money, I just can't do it every weekend with school and hockey.

Yesterday also marked the beginning of the ECU football season. When choosing which college I went to, I always wanted a BIG school with a good football program, and of course a good program for my major. As soon as I stepped foot on the campus I fell in love. The best part was their football team was actually pretty good. Of course, then I started to attend and the program was horrible for the four years I was there! As soon as I left, they started getting better with a new coach. This year, they are defending back to back Conference USA champs. I love every minute of it!

Because I went to a school pretty far away, and they aren't a Big 10 school, getting them on TV is hit or miss. However, because of the growing program, I am getting more and more games. Yesterday, because I worked, my loving husband DVRed the game and, of course, the DVR cut off the last 5 minutes of the game.

This is what I missed :

I need to better plan out the timing on the DVR. Either way, GO PIRATES. Oh, and did I mention it is the TOP PLAY on the ESPN Countdown?!