Lots to Chat About

Well, I was trying to be diligent in posting messages on my blog, and I did okay in the beginning. Then, life sort of took control and threw me some curve balls that left me struggling, trying to keep my head above water. Now I'm ready to get back in the game and see if I can keep on track.

I just got back to school yesterday after spring break. Spring break wasn't really what I had planned. I had hit a deer coming to school the week before spring break, so I had to get that damage fixed. Luckily, there was no major body damage and the deer kept right on going. I have lived in the country for over 12 years and have never hit a deer. I have a new car for less than six months and WHAM! Such is life.

I had planned to go to Charlottesville to visit friends and my godson. That didn't happen as planned thanks to the unexpected car repairs. And, as it turns out I ended up spending the first half of spring break in bed with a nasty sinus infection. It never fails that I get sick during winter and spring breaks. It's as if my body is telling me that it's okay to be sick since I'm not at school ... it can ruin my fun and free time, but heaven forbid I get sick while I'm at school.

Then, I spent time trying to get some things accomplished for my summer program. I went to the National Institute for Aerospace to help the project director select students for the summer NASA mentorship. I also went to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to get the same information for the VIMS mentorship. We've picked an excellent group of kids, so I'm hopeful this summer will be extremely productive.

I did go visit some scrapping friends at a crop on Friday. It was so weird for me to just stop by, eat lunch, and leave. It was actually a bit depressing. I enjoy my crop weekends so much. But, on the bright side, I did get a Sizzix machine for $10. Mine had cracked and wasn't cutting chipboard as well as it had been. I have been looking for a replacement for a while with no luck. I also got to eat dinner with another friend before I came back home. All in all, it was a good day.

I did have my Evaluation of Instruction class during spring break. I enjoy the class and am learning quite a bit, but the workload is insane. Every time I turn around additional work (not on the syllabus) is added to our plates. I don't mind doing the work, but it's difficult to know what the professor wants when she doesn't provide us with a rubric or assignment sheet. All of the assignments are given orally. We also rarely get an exemplar against which we can compare our work. That's difficult, particularly since we don't always get timely feedback.

Oh, I forgot to mention that the Director of NIA printed an employment opportunity for me from their website. It's a Program Director's position for managing new educational TV programming that NIA is undertaking. These TV segments will be created for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. It's an incredible position, but it's also scary to think about applying for such a high level job. I have to believe the Director believes I'm qualified, because I didn't even know about the job until I went to visit him on a totally unrelated topic. I am going to update my resumé and submit it for review. What's the worst that can happen? I don't get the job. Oh well. I don't have it now either.

I always believe things happen for a reason, so I am hoping this job opportunity has presented itself to me, if for no other reason, to show me that there is something else out there for me. I do want to stay in an educationally-based field, but I'm tired. I know it's time to move out of the classroom and on to a more administrative role. That's why I'm taking my endorsement level courses right now. And, if things work out as I've planned, I could potentially have my endorsement by Spring 2009. The question is whether I want to stay where I am or move on to other pastures. I'm going to have to take that one day at a time.

I am working like crazy at school. The end of the third quarter is right around the corner. I have grading to complete. I also am trying to keep my seniors from losing their minds. They're receiving their college acceptance (or rejection) letters and are starting to panic. So, they have been distracted. I have to keep them on track and what a challenge that is becoming. I also need to start planning graduation. June 13th will be here before I know it. Oh my.

Well, with all of that said, I need to sign off for now. I'm hoping to update more frequently and I do appreciate all of you that check in on me here at my blog. I look forward to chatting soon!!!

Hugs and have a great day!

Online Scrapping Crop at 2 Scrappy Chix Designs

2Scrappychixdesigns is having a FIESTA! crop on Saturday, 19th of January.

This crop is going to be different from others in that YOU will post the layout challenges! Do you have a challenge to share? Come over to 2SCD and share it with us!

Also don't miss online Bingo, hosted by Michele, happening that evening. Last month it was a BLAST!