aaaaaaaaaand ...... scene.

I'm actually writing Wednesday night, but have this post scheduled for 1:14 tomorrow afternoon. The exact time the final bell will ring for my last class of my first school year as a teacher.

I'm sure some of you were expecting this. The final summary, the wrap up, the commentary all about what my experience was like. Some kind of insightful, interesting post that might make all the 'not writing' I've (not) done recently worth the wait. I can't promise anything spectacular, but I do have a few things to say.

As much as I started this school year off in shock, scared, and quite confused, I must say that I've really come through the whole thing quite well. I am much less scared of the whole "being a teacher" thing, and my confusion has given way to frustration and a sort of... not apathy... but... you know that feeling where you stop being stressed, and start doing the best you can and let the chips fall where they may? I don't know the word for it, but its pretty much that. Not quite 'meh' not quite 'ZOMG!'

In short, I have impressed myself with what I have accomplished. Not only that, but I enjoyed myself in doing it. Putting it mildly, these last couple of years have been an adventure of immense proportions, and I've learned so much about myself. I am happy with where I am, and who I am, and how I've managed to get here.

From the outside, it may just look like a life. Someone who is living, and doing, and being. But, on the inside, it is quite gratifying to see that I can live outside of the comfort zone I had previously set up, and know for a fact that I am becoming the person I always dreamed I could be. I have set goals, I have achieved them, I have new goals ahead... I will achieve those.

I have a lot of people to thank... and they all know who they are, I hope that I let them know I appreciate them often enough. At the moment though, I think it is time to sit back, take a breath, and appreciate myself. *pat pat pat*

Life is Good

I came home today to find this in the freezer.

Honestly, because I trust CSB, I wasn't going to question it... but I was going to make one guess. Bacon Vodka... version 1. I asked if he was at least keeping a photo diary... only because it looks that gross, and I totally plan to drink that grossness. Eventually. When it doesn't look quite that gross. And, when it is mixed with tomato juice... and maybe horseradish and worcestershire. I promise to let you know how that works out.

I hope to be back to posting regularly in a couple of weeks. This month has been so busy I have barely had enough time to come up with 140 characters for twitter... let alone type them up and post them.

I considered going into the "list" of stuff that has been sucking up my time, but suffice it to say that I definitely got to a point where I thought I couldn't take more, then "more" happened, and I survived. I am ten school days from summer break, and nine days from the end of my first two credential courses (yes, two... they told me one a month, somehow I ended up with two this month).

I have been told that the first two weeks of summer break are "detox" weeks... it takes that long to unwind, and then you relax for a second before getting into a routine. Once you find that routine, you go back to work, and get right back into a different routine. I'm okay with that.

One of the biggest things I've learned this school year (and yes, a "I survived my first school year" post is definitely in the works), is that teachers earn every single second of their summer breaks. I've never met such a hard working group of people. Teachers amaze and impress me, and now, having been immersed in their ranks for a school year, I have only gained more respect for them. I am honored to have joined this group, and am already looking forward to the fall semester.

Oh wait... I suppose I should survive this one first...

Oooooh! Shiny!

As my great friend Cami has recently written about, I too have been going over recent posts that have never quite made it to the interwebz.... trying to see if there is something I've started in the last month that is worth finishing.

I've been so busy with the move, I just haven't had time to sit down and write anything... at least that's what I've been telling myself.

Could it be that I have to get used to a new situation?

Could it be that I'm sitting on the couch updating my blog... with someone sitting next to me?

Could it be that I'm not on my desktop?

Yes, a whole new situation to get used to.

Honestly, I've never actually written anything at all of value with someone else in the room (remember: "of value" is a subjective term). So, to be sitting here, CSB watching TV next to me, laptop in front of me.... well, it's just different.

Bear with me. My situation is new. I'm going to have to find the writing vibe in the new house. It's here... I feel it... I just have to take the time to fine tune it.

BTW: New house is great... CSB and I are loving it... The ShortBus is thoroughly enjoying his new house and back yard (although pushing his limits in a new situation). We are settling in, and attempting to meld two lives into one... I like it.

(photo is our kitchen window & a partial view of the back yard... ignore the clutter, we're still unpacking...)