I came to the realization of how busy I was today when I went to respond to something on facebook and realized a change that had taken place that I was not in the foggiest aware of! And it felt liberating to a certain extent. It made me realize that I have not been able to waste a bunch of time on facebook and the internet doing things that are not necessary for sustenance of life- and that I like the change and the fact that my life has been occupied with other things.
Those other things at this point are not what I had imagined would be the things that excite me and keep me energized. These others things are actually things that I had thought of with trepidation. In a nutshell these are hum drum things that will be the majority of my life after college- that is habits of daily life.
Although the one current thing that I think keeps me going is the students. They are not in my classroom, that is I am not their official teacher, but from my past 2 substitute jobs it gave me a glimpse of the joy that I get from being in the classroom... and I am sure that this is another job that I get the check and exclaim happily "I get paid to do this!"
Long story short:
-This week is busy- I am working- coming home- doing normal things... but here are some of the highlights
*Finding time to read books that I have wanted to read/ re-read as the case may be
*Spending time with my sister and figuring out the various remotes
*Starting to feel more like a inhabitant than a visitor- along with that starting to have more of a sense where I am
*Getting loads of experience and having the extra time to research, apply, and figure out the next step of life graduate school...
With all this busyness that means an early day each day, which means I should be getting ready for the final early day before sleeping in on the weekend :) Until I next am inclined to write here am I :)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
substituting joys and blessings
*A picture taken at the beach :)... no need to get too jealous- take note of the scarf and winter coat on ;) 
At this point I have substituted two days... and have 5 more days scheduled for the next 3 weeks :)... keeping optimism to fill those other 5 days :)
This week I am substituting for an art teacher- focusing on media arts and drawing this week :) It feels great to be able to discuss knowledge that I learned throughout high school and through the process I have come to realize how knowledgeable I actually am in that area... although no where as knowledgeable as my sister in that area ;) Next week I get to continue in the visual arts with ceramics and sculpture which the teacher decided to schedule with me as soon as she found out I was substituting which was great.
Coolest thing happened today as far as assignments for substituting. I received my first music assignment. I got a call and was able to confirm by pressing a few buttons on the phone- which I thought was pretty cool. That and my sister got all excited as well since she mentioned I must be the preferred substitute if I am called like that. It has been wonderful to see how my sister has taken care of me getting all the substituting and sending emails out letting those in the different departments know my knowledge base and that I am looking to substitute.
It seems so strange that this time last week Melody and I were curious as to how it would work out and tomorrow makes it a week that I had all the paperwork in and was officially put down as a substitute. Since then I have 7 days in my schedule of work, in areas that I am more than comfortable with, I enjoy doing, and I get paid to do :) 2 of the placements are for 3 days in a row which gives me an opportunity to get to know the students a bit better... and is good motivation for them to behave since they have to deal with me past one day.
Another highlight today :)... it was a nice day! One student passed by my sister's classroom and started talking to me (from a keyboarding class I decided to observe). This student was one that she had not met and that's the strongest example of how students in that particular school are starting to open up and have small conversations with me... and being a big people person that makes me immensely happy!
Also that reminds me- I don't believe I have written about visiting the music/drama wing. The school's music department is known... actually they performed for Obama's inauguration ceremony... so with the knowledge of the quality of the program and knowing the choral instructor my sister introduced me to her... which at first was extremely intimidating- first thing she asked about was my piano skills and asked me to play something from memory... right then- I played something I wrote a bit but completely blanked on all that I knew... the next time I stopped by she had me come up with a transition from one key to the next *for those not completely understanding- brought two bits of a song with material of it cut and put it together... again somewhat intimidating but I like messing around with composing so actually that seemed too easy for me... long story short I have become more comfortable with being thrown in and allowed to share my knowledge with the students in that capacity. The teacher seems to enjoy the fact that I repeat a lot of what she has been telling the students which helps them realize the importance of what she is saying to a deeper level and I am coming to appreciate that she is pushing me forward and helping me be ready with the skills I have for whatever circumstances may bring.
This weekend is another long weekend which will be nice to spend some time with my sister... we're planning on going to see The Blindside at the movie theater on base which I have heard is good and the weather is supposed to be pretty nice as well! I am looking forward to my first official day substituting music... middle school band to be exact!
List time since being in South Carolina:
Days substituted: 2
Days scheduled to substitute: 5
Times to the beach: 1
Times downtown: 1
Churches visited: 1
Cups of Coffee: usually about 1 a day... surprise surprise- not bouncing off the walls!
Drove the car: 1
Visited Starbucks- Target: 1
Had Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream- twice... they were accurate servings :)
Hokey so... tired of listing at this point... and substituting in the morning- jeans and school spirit shirt tomorrow, going to sleep soon, long weekend almost here, and feeling blessed and that God has prepared the way = me :)
*This is a picture from the past long weekend... Melody and I at the Waterfront Park in front of THE Pineapple Fountain!!!!! :) I was quite psyched... see next photo for a taste of the joy and excitement I had of finding the fountain!!!!
At this point I have substituted two days... and have 5 more days scheduled for the next 3 weeks :)... keeping optimism to fill those other 5 days :)
This week I am substituting for an art teacher- focusing on media arts and drawing this week :) It feels great to be able to discuss knowledge that I learned throughout high school and through the process I have come to realize how knowledgeable I actually am in that area... although no where as knowledgeable as my sister in that area ;) Next week I get to continue in the visual arts with ceramics and sculpture which the teacher decided to schedule with me as soon as she found out I was substituting which was great.
Coolest thing happened today as far as assignments for substituting. I received my first music assignment. I got a call and was able to confirm by pressing a few buttons on the phone- which I thought was pretty cool. That and my sister got all excited as well since she mentioned I must be the preferred substitute if I am called like that. It has been wonderful to see how my sister has taken care of me getting all the substituting and sending emails out letting those in the different departments know my knowledge base and that I am looking to substitute.
It seems so strange that this time last week Melody and I were curious as to how it would work out and tomorrow makes it a week that I had all the paperwork in and was officially put down as a substitute. Since then I have 7 days in my schedule of work, in areas that I am more than comfortable with, I enjoy doing, and I get paid to do :) 2 of the placements are for 3 days in a row which gives me an opportunity to get to know the students a bit better... and is good motivation for them to behave since they have to deal with me past one day.
Another highlight today :)... it was a nice day! One student passed by my sister's classroom and started talking to me (from a keyboarding class I decided to observe). This student was one that she had not met and that's the strongest example of how students in that particular school are starting to open up and have small conversations with me... and being a big people person that makes me immensely happy!
Also that reminds me- I don't believe I have written about visiting the music/drama wing. The school's music department is known... actually they performed for Obama's inauguration ceremony... so with the knowledge of the quality of the program and knowing the choral instructor my sister introduced me to her... which at first was extremely intimidating- first thing she asked about was my piano skills and asked me to play something from memory... right then- I played something I wrote a bit but completely blanked on all that I knew... the next time I stopped by she had me come up with a transition from one key to the next *for those not completely understanding- brought two bits of a song with material of it cut and put it together... again somewhat intimidating but I like messing around with composing so actually that seemed too easy for me... long story short I have become more comfortable with being thrown in and allowed to share my knowledge with the students in that capacity. The teacher seems to enjoy the fact that I repeat a lot of what she has been telling the students which helps them realize the importance of what she is saying to a deeper level and I am coming to appreciate that she is pushing me forward and helping me be ready with the skills I have for whatever circumstances may bring.
This weekend is another long weekend which will be nice to spend some time with my sister... we're planning on going to see The Blindside at the movie theater on base which I have heard is good and the weather is supposed to be pretty nice as well! I am looking forward to my first official day substituting music... middle school band to be exact!
List time since being in South Carolina:
Days substituted: 2
Days scheduled to substitute: 5
Times to the beach: 1
Times downtown: 1
Churches visited: 1
Cups of Coffee: usually about 1 a day... surprise surprise- not bouncing off the walls!
Drove the car: 1
Visited Starbucks- Target: 1
Had Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream- twice... they were accurate servings :)
Hokey so... tired of listing at this point... and substituting in the morning- jeans and school spirit shirt tomorrow, going to sleep soon, long weekend almost here, and feeling blessed and that God has prepared the way = me :)
*This is a picture from the past long weekend... Melody and I at the Waterfront Park in front of THE Pineapple Fountain!!!!! :) I was quite psyched... see next photo for a taste of the joy and excitement I had of finding the fountain!!!! 
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
substituting begins... in South Carolina
Tomorrow I begin my substituting in South Carolina :) I will be doing art classes in two rooms that I am familiar with since one is my sister's room and the other is a room that she switches to at points of the day. The planning periods in the schedule conveniently line up with the 2 periods of the day that I went to visit the drama/music wing :)
It should be interesting the beginning of the day since I will have to do some "homeroom" assignment stuff with students which Melody does not even know what that will entail. The lesson plans I was able to receive today since it was a work day and Melody wrote them since I am substituting due to an emergency with her co-worker... which is sad that that is how it came about, but I am excited to begin working!
Random but to explain the quick departure... American Idol is on- which I wasn't planning on watching until I discovered that a Crane Alumni will be on... so with that note... updating will come later :)
It should be interesting the beginning of the day since I will have to do some "homeroom" assignment stuff with students which Melody does not even know what that will entail. The lesson plans I was able to receive today since it was a work day and Melody wrote them since I am substituting due to an emergency with her co-worker... which is sad that that is how it came about, but I am excited to begin working!
Random but to explain the quick departure... American Idol is on- which I wasn't planning on watching until I discovered that a Crane Alumni will be on... so with that note... updating will come later :)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
tomorrow makes 1 week that I have been here...
I have come to the realization that I am in love with the simplicity of my life right now.
Today we didn't do anything particularly spectacular but just spending the time with my sister made the day so much fun. We went to the gym, walked the dogs, then went on a shopping excursion... and get this- it only took 15-ish minutes to get there! *quite the change of the familiar at least a 1/2 hour to a Walmart and an hour to anything remotely showing shopping. Also the wonderful thing was that we went to 1 store and did not spend too much time there and then were back before dinner with time to spare after renting some movies! :)
Tomorrow is my first day checking out a church in the area... slightly nervous about going to somewhere that the only reference I have is online and their website to see. It looks promising, but it is tough thinking of approaching church this way rather than having God place someone I know giving me a piece of paper telling me time and pick ups for the church. But I am trusting God has prepared that church for me... somewhere here and I just have to be persistent in searching for it... On that note I should be awake to actually be able to decide if it is the church I should be at the next few months... and it has a 9 am service that I'm planning on going to... so to sleep I go :)
That and after church we are heading into the city and I hope to see the Pineapple fountain and some other amazing views of Charleston- checking off some places I have been told to see as well :)
Today we didn't do anything particularly spectacular but just spending the time with my sister made the day so much fun. We went to the gym, walked the dogs, then went on a shopping excursion... and get this- it only took 15-ish minutes to get there! *quite the change of the familiar at least a 1/2 hour to a Walmart and an hour to anything remotely showing shopping. Also the wonderful thing was that we went to 1 store and did not spend too much time there and then were back before dinner with time to spare after renting some movies! :)
Tomorrow is my first day checking out a church in the area... slightly nervous about going to somewhere that the only reference I have is online and their website to see. It looks promising, but it is tough thinking of approaching church this way rather than having God place someone I know giving me a piece of paper telling me time and pick ups for the church. But I am trusting God has prepared that church for me... somewhere here and I just have to be persistent in searching for it... On that note I should be awake to actually be able to decide if it is the church I should be at the next few months... and it has a 9 am service that I'm planning on going to... so to sleep I go :)
That and after church we are heading into the city and I hope to see the Pineapple fountain and some other amazing views of Charleston- checking off some places I have been told to see as well :)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Thoughts on previous travels in relation to current travels
I was thinking a few nights ago about the last major travel that I took... to London and Paris. The itinerary was all set and I had some ideas about things we would be doing and places but I was constantly surprised by changes in plans. I was not in charge of the plans, the arrangements, the transportation, and the majority of the trip. I planned and worked getting the funds for the trip and eventually packed but was trusting that the organizer was going to craft a wonderful trip.
I really felt that my life is going in the same direction to a certain extent. I trust that God is THE organizer. I trust that he knows how I will get from where I am here to the plans that he has for me. I trust that the trip is going to be wonderful and "exceedingly and abundantly above all I could hope for or imagine" (changed from Ephesians 3:20- we to I). I trust that he will open the options and make provisions for where I am supposed to go and what I am supposed to be a part of. I need to make sure that I am equipped financially in the provision he has for me here and that I am able to pack & organize what I am learning and all that I have to be ready for his purpose, when it is revealed.
That is a quick thought/revelation that I had :)
Now for some other more random thoughts/update
-Last trip I also challenged people that did not go on the trip to challenge me to do something... challenges included: getting a signature from a Canadian stewardess, talking to a random person on the subway (that is the tube and metro), and some other challenges that I cannot think of right now since early mornings are starting to take their toll!
-I have gone into the school to visit a few times and...
1) I am really starting to connect with quite a few of my sister's students who are amazing, wonderful, awesome people who make me smile tons!
2) I went to the music department in the school to find myself somewhat intimidated but finding that there is a lot that I can learn from the teacher there. I only hope that I will be able to invest some time in the midst of all the substituting I should be able to start... as soon as I get some paperwork from Potsdam saying I have completed the program and am waiting for New York State.
3) I am really happy with the way the weather is here because as I was beginning to enjoy the fall weather in New York... it was gone- here is seems like it is picking up where I left off :)
4) Confusing people can be too much fun!!!!
5) That's all I got for now... possibilities of future blogs is continued reminiscing of Paris/London trip with some more in depth discussion of spontaneity and challenges in the trip- I found my recommended "travel journal" that I filled out on the trip which I find to be very interesting deciphering my 15 year old self's handwriting and personality :)
This picture is of a place I may be visiting very soon... who can guess what it is?
I really felt that my life is going in the same direction to a certain extent. I trust that God is THE organizer. I trust that he knows how I will get from where I am here to the plans that he has for me. I trust that the trip is going to be wonderful and "exceedingly and abundantly above all I could hope for or imagine" (changed from Ephesians 3:20- we to I). I trust that he will open the options and make provisions for where I am supposed to go and what I am supposed to be a part of. I need to make sure that I am equipped financially in the provision he has for me here and that I am able to pack & organize what I am learning and all that I have to be ready for his purpose, when it is revealed.
That is a quick thought/revelation that I had :)
Now for some other more random thoughts/update
-Last trip I also challenged people that did not go on the trip to challenge me to do something... challenges included: getting a signature from a Canadian stewardess, talking to a random person on the subway (that is the tube and metro), and some other challenges that I cannot think of right now since early mornings are starting to take their toll!
-I have gone into the school to visit a few times and...
1) I am really starting to connect with quite a few of my sister's students who are amazing, wonderful, awesome people who make me smile tons!
2) I went to the music department in the school to find myself somewhat intimidated but finding that there is a lot that I can learn from the teacher there. I only hope that I will be able to invest some time in the midst of all the substituting I should be able to start... as soon as I get some paperwork from Potsdam saying I have completed the program and am waiting for New York State.
3) I am really happy with the way the weather is here because as I was beginning to enjoy the fall weather in New York... it was gone- here is seems like it is picking up where I left off :)
4) Confusing people can be too much fun!!!!
5) That's all I got for now... possibilities of future blogs is continued reminiscing of Paris/London trip with some more in depth discussion of spontaneity and challenges in the trip- I found my recommended "travel journal" that I filled out on the trip which I find to be very interesting deciphering my 15 year old self's handwriting and personality :)
This picture is of a place I may be visiting very soon... who can guess what it is?
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The beginning of the newest adventure... adulthood?
"Growing up is never easy. You hold on to things that were. You wonder what's to come. But that night, I think we knew it was time to let go of what had been, and look ahead to what would be. Other days. New days. Days to come. The thing is, we didn't have to hate each other for getting older. We just had to forgive ourselves... for growing up." ~The Wonder Years
Recently I embarked on what I decided to title this blog, "Travels into the unknown." For the next few months of my life... and actually the next few years I do not have any solid concrete plans on what is going to happen in my life. I have found it to be invigorating and freeing. The past 4 and a half years I have scheduled, planned, and sketched out my life. I knew exactly where I would be and on occasion would add something spontaneous to it, but I had a clear direction and decision of where I was going.
Now all those plans have come to a close and the beginnings of some plans are coming into focus but the majority of the next part of this journey of life is blurry and uncertain.
What I'm thinking of/ planning...
-I plan on substituting in the district that my sister works in- gain more experience in the classroom with different ages. *bonus: I get to spend loads of time with my sister that I have not been able to do the past 4 1/2 years and I make some money in the process as well!
-I plan on filling out applications and auditioning for graduate school possibilities and trying to figure out where I am going to be next
-This next time of my life will be stretching and make me learn more about myself... I plan on going to church and making connections to new people in the area... I am going to be open to new things *blogging and sushi (somewhat nervous about the 2nd)
Other possibilities on the horizon... in process of planning:
-A trip to Florida is going to happen at some point in the future- the possibilities are SeaWorld or Disneyland or both depending on the way that things turn out
-Unknown sight-seeing in the Charleston area or within the approximate area
-Trips to audition for graduate school- currently it looks like I will just need to make one trip... since I think I have brought my graduate schools down to two options (one of which does not require an on-campus audition?... still investigating)
What I have done:
-Slept in
-Watched a movie I have wanted to see for 9 years! *It was pretty good too!
-Spent time with Duke and Dutch, Melody's dogs
-Had a blast having the longest slumber party ever with Melody... which will continue for the next few months
-Got to meet some of my sister's colleagues and her students
-Attempted to play Mario Kart on the Wii... need a LOT more practice- although I do pretty well at comic relief currently
-Made Cheddar Broccoli Soup from scratch... I have done that before- but did it for the first time in South Carolina
-Had a TB test required for substituting... currently I think I am TB free!
-Applied for my initial teaching certificate and am continuing to get work done needed to eventually be a teacher
That is a quick update to summarize some of the reasoning behind why I am here and what I am doing... next time will probably be more detailed and less frazzled... then again, probably not since I tend to be scatterbrained...
Long story short- I am here, getting settled in, and optimistic about and excited for what the future will bring!
Recently I embarked on what I decided to title this blog, "Travels into the unknown." For the next few months of my life... and actually the next few years I do not have any solid concrete plans on what is going to happen in my life. I have found it to be invigorating and freeing. The past 4 and a half years I have scheduled, planned, and sketched out my life. I knew exactly where I would be and on occasion would add something spontaneous to it, but I had a clear direction and decision of where I was going.
Now all those plans have come to a close and the beginnings of some plans are coming into focus but the majority of the next part of this journey of life is blurry and uncertain.
What I'm thinking of/ planning...
-I plan on substituting in the district that my sister works in- gain more experience in the classroom with different ages. *bonus: I get to spend loads of time with my sister that I have not been able to do the past 4 1/2 years and I make some money in the process as well!
-I plan on filling out applications and auditioning for graduate school possibilities and trying to figure out where I am going to be next
-This next time of my life will be stretching and make me learn more about myself... I plan on going to church and making connections to new people in the area... I am going to be open to new things *blogging and sushi (somewhat nervous about the 2nd)
Other possibilities on the horizon... in process of planning:
-A trip to Florida is going to happen at some point in the future- the possibilities are SeaWorld or Disneyland or both depending on the way that things turn out
-Unknown sight-seeing in the Charleston area or within the approximate area
-Trips to audition for graduate school- currently it looks like I will just need to make one trip... since I think I have brought my graduate schools down to two options (one of which does not require an on-campus audition?... still investigating)
What I have done:
-Slept in
-Watched a movie I have wanted to see for 9 years! *It was pretty good too!
-Spent time with Duke and Dutch, Melody's dogs
-Had a blast having the longest slumber party ever with Melody... which will continue for the next few months
-Got to meet some of my sister's colleagues and her students
-Attempted to play Mario Kart on the Wii... need a LOT more practice- although I do pretty well at comic relief currently
-Made Cheddar Broccoli Soup from scratch... I have done that before- but did it for the first time in South Carolina
-Had a TB test required for substituting... currently I think I am TB free!
-Applied for my initial teaching certificate and am continuing to get work done needed to eventually be a teacher
That is a quick update to summarize some of the reasoning behind why I am here and what I am doing... next time will probably be more detailed and less frazzled... then again, probably not since I tend to be scatterbrained...
Long story short- I am here, getting settled in, and optimistic about and excited for what the future will bring!
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