Is it Monday?

So I wake up this morning nice and rested. I lay there in my bed wondering how I woke up before my alarm because this never happens and I was especially tired last night. I slowly lift my wrist to my face and press the glow button on my watch. My eyes are blurred to any source of light just yet and when I finally see the time I have to press the glow button again because I don't believe my eyes. 7:45! That is an hour past when I wake up. Awesome. I sprang up from my bed in a panic. I sent my CT a text and grabbed some clothes and sprinted to the bathroom where I jumped in the shower quickly, brushed my teeth, and did the rest of the morning routine, except 10x's the speed. After getting ready and stopping for a coffee (only because it was on the way and there was no cars in line and I really needed it), I arrived to the school at 8:03 and made it to the classroom about five minutes before the kids did. It wasn't as bad as I thought the day would be, but it sure feels like I got two Mondays this week!

The Grind

I sit here writing lesson plans, doing reflections, and reading books. Week seven, and I couldn't be happier to start wrapping up the term. Just a few more weeks and I'll be on to student teaching and wrapping up my schooling experience (for the time being) and on to the job searching. I am so excited to be closing out this journey and moving on to the things to come. I can't wait to have my classroom and begin my teaching adventures. Each day I learn something that will make me a better teacher and I am grateful for the experiences that I have had. As for college, no bitter, just sweet!

Persuade Me

We are working on persuasive writing in my practicum classroom. The homework for the night was to go home and watch three commercials and think about what they are trying to sell you and whether or not it was convincing. The kids were of course stoked to go home and tell their parents they were supposed to watch TV for homework. I just happened to flip on the TV and switch it over to Cartoon Network this morning just in time for an episode of Tom & Jerry. Classic, right? As I am watching this I am particularly paying attention to the commercials because of the assignment. One comes on that is selling a toy, of course, and I tune in. It has exciting music going and shows all of the cool things that it can do. By the end of this 30 second blip I am jacked and ready to buy this toy. Just then I thought about all of the poor parents that have to deal with the jumping and kicking and screaming children that want this toy (like me). It then made me think that if kids didn't watch so much TV, that it may be less of a problem. Anyways, not preaching on how to raise your children, but lock em outside once and awhile (if you live in a safe place to do so). Happy Tuesday!

Just my Luck

So I wasn't sure what I was going to write about this lovely morning when I woke up, but it didn't take long for me to find some motivation. As I went through the regular morning routine and got to the part where I go warm up my car I felt this weird urge to just walk around to the other side and check it out. Low and behold there was a flat tire waiting for me. It wasn't completely flat, I mean, it was about two inches off of the ground. I sat staring for a minute, not sure whether to laugh, cry, or kick something (I chose laughter). I then wasn't sure what to do. After pondering scenarios for a couple of minutes I decided I could make it to Safeway to fill it up. I made it, filled up the tire (with the ice cold air compressor handle), picked up a coffee (double punch Tuesday) to brighten my mood, and was only ten minutes late to school. We shall see where the tire stands after the day, but for now, happy Tuesday!

Double Punch Tuesday

Help! I believe I'm addicted. To coffee, that is. I try my best to not stop and get my 20 oz. fix every day, but it's double punch Tuesday and when I drive by that stand my body takes over and my hands jerk the steering wheel right in. I wake up in the morning and desire that moment when it touches my lips and fills my body with warmth. It's like it enters my veins and gets the motivation circulating in my body. I hate to compare it to something so terrible without any first hand experience to empathize with it, but I think it is similar to a drug addiction. My body doesn't feel right until I get my fix. I mean, there are worse addictions right? But it isn't the cheapest one. I mean my $5 cup of coffee is like a pack of cigarettes, cost wise anyway.

 I look around and I see all of my fellow gang members with their coffee cups and stacks of homework to grade. I think I am beginning to figure it out. We can't deal with these children without our coffee. I think back on my young schooling days and I remember my teachers having mugs at their desks every day also. Who started this frenzy? Who is responsible for this epidemic of coffee consumption? Probably the same person that started the Starbucks franchise. Whoever you are, thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you.

The Super Bowl

There are many triumphs and, well, just slumps when being a fan of the Seahawks. I have been a fan all of my life and the last time that we made it to the Super Bowl I was in the 8th grade (roughly 8 years ago). At that time sports weren't as important to me and I cheered them on, but wasn't nearly as invested as I am now. From the time that Coach Pete Carroll took the club over four years ago I knew that this day was coming. He wrote a book about his philosophy when he came to the Seahawks and I grabbed it off the shelf and read it. His core philosophy is about competition and constantly striving to become the best not only athlete, but person that you can. I bought in immediately. I have shaped much of my coaching and life philosophy based on his principles. It is such a positive way to live your life and great way to start reaching your potential. Coach Carroll has completely gotten his guys to buy in and they have began to become the best version of themselves. We face a great challenge against the "high-powered offense" (as one the students in my sixth grade practicum told me) of Denver, but I am excited about being able to compete against the best team in the NFL. Go Hawks!

This is my first blog as well as my first slice, so hang in there. I sit here at the computer wondering why I go to school. Twenty-one credits, part-time job, coaching. Why do I do this to myself? I'm so close to the ends, but there is such a hill to climb before I get there. I think to myself, "We can't possibly be given anymore assignments." I am wrong. They stack up and fill my calendar like I'm important or something. But then it hits me that I am important. I am going to be a teacher. I get to teach kids and be a positive figure in their lives. I get to laugh and learn with them. I get to let them know that regardless of their situations, they have somebody on their side. I then regain focus, plow through some homework, and think about the great future ahead of me. That is why I go to school.