School’s out for ever! Ha, wait…maybe!? I have decided to take a leave of absence next year. Which means, come August, no back to school shopping for me! I will need to make a final decision by February if I want to go back or not. You see, teachers in my district have the option to request for a one or two year leave of absence. No pay. Small fee, but if I go back after a year, or two, then I get that shall fee back. Many teachers decide to get married, have kids, spend all their money, etc, but I saved. I need a break from the kiddos. This is the perfect opportunity! I am taking full advantage of it, too. Many of my coworkers are jealous of me. When they found out I was perfectly healthy, not planning on teaching at a different location, want tied down with little ones at home, they congratulated me. “Good for you!” and “I wish I could do that.” were very common responses. I kept my decision pretty quiet. I did not want to be treated differently. Some asked if I was going to leave at the end if the year “balls out, sticking it to them?” But that was not my intention. Yes, I had my ups and downs, but I didn’t want to leave in a negative note. I didn’t want people treating me differently or acting different around me. I only told one of my five classes. My soccer team didn’t find out until the last day of the season at awards night. You may think that is mean or rude, but I want looking for any special treatment or gifts. At the end if the year, I told all of my students to have a nice summer and just smiled when they responded “see you next year!” It’s hard to believe that it is over for a while. It still seems like any end of the year. All going on summer break. Except it was different this time. I was one of the last ones to leave the hallway. I mean, I’ve had my share of late nights at the office, but this time it was different when the lights dimmed in the hallway. It wasn’t just quiet. It was eerie quiet. I had been so happy for this day to come, but something hit me when I finally realized that I would never walk down that back hallway again with my coworker, my mentor, my friend. It was her last day, too. But she had been working far longer than I had. Happy retirement tears of joy ran down her face as we went to check out mailboxes for the last time together. That’s when it hit me. That’s when the smile went away and the tears appeared. I cried some more when I turned in my keys. And even more when I hugged her “see you later” for the last time in her classroom, because it wasn’t goodbye, I’ll see you again. Looking back for one last time as I left the parking lot, realizing that the next time I’m there, it just won’t be the same. See you later, I will never forget, thirteen years in my heart forever…
Last day of school today! Woo hoo, let the summer begin. Too bad I’m going back tomorrow! Oh well, at least I don’t have any classes this summer! 🙂
Awesome!!! Dropbox is so easy to use. I can upload all of my files (.doc, .pdf, .exl, .ink, .jpeg, etc…) which can be viewed from anywhere – home computer, iPad, cell phone, work computer. I can even share files/folders with friends, family, coworkers. Plus, I can upload more than one file at a time!!! There are many programs out there that do not allow this, which makes them time consuming. The best part…I can’t believe how quick it is. I can take a picture with my cell phone, upload it to the Dropbox app, and by the time I log in to the Dropbox website or open the shortcut on my desktop, the picture is already there! If you would like more info, view the video from my earlier post – Dropbox.
If you would like to try it out and get 500MB of FREE space, follow this link. Enjoy!!!
I finally finished my masters degree. It’s been a long, very stressful two years. However, I feel like I have learned a lot. I’m not sure what I can really say about what I’ve learned, but I will be able to bring that knowledge to work and share it with my coworkers and students. There were many times that I just wanted to quit, but I stuck with it until the end. For someone who never even wanted to go to college, who would have been ok with working in the grocery store deli (though looking back I can’t imagine doing that every day…I don’t know what I was thinking…), I am proud of myself. Even though I don’t feel like I am a master in Educational Technology, my prefessor seems to think differently. Technically, I still have one more class to take before graduation in December, but it will go towards a type 10 certification. So in my mind…I am done! The tough part is waiting for my final grade. It’s been 5 days, grrrr!
I took my capstone paper, entered it into Wordle, and this is what I got:
I’m not too sure about the privacy of dropbox yet, but it’s worth checking out. As with anything these days…be careful with what you share! Click here to download Dropbox after you watch the Common Craft, LLC video below.
The US women’s national soccer team watched their dreams slip away as Japan walked away with an amazing win to take home the World Cup trophy. Though they did not top the group in the first round for the first time, they made it to round two. Having to play against a great Brazialian team. Terrible calls from the ref didn’t stop the US team nor did the red card given to Rachel Buehler. The US had to play with 10 for almost an hour. One of the best goals ever (in my mind) came from Abby Wambach’s head in the 120+ minute of the game to bring the US back to a tie game. Saves by Hope Solo kept the US alive in the chase to the final sending Brazil home early. Once again, Wambach’s head gave the US the lead against France in the semifinals. Alex Morgan secured the win with her first ever world cup goal.
Japan vs USA in the final. I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect this match-up. Watching Japan play Germany was exciting. At the end of the game, the first thought that came to me was how quiet it was in the stands as the home team’s road to the final came to an end. They continued their path to the finals by defeating Sweden 3-1 (the same score in the USA vs France game). US had an advantage over Japan, because they have never lost to them. Japan had unbelievable support from their home country and millions of fans.
It was a good clean game. I thought the refs did an amazing job and let the players play their game. The US had the lead twice during the duration of the game. Once during regulation time, and again in extended time. But Japan managed to tie it up both times. The US had so many chances in the first half, but they just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. Going into PKs, Japan had the advantage being able to see the US players in a PK shootout with Brazil. Japan’s keeper made two incredible saves to give them the win! Congratulations Japan – well deserved win!! USA – I am proud of your heart, determination, positive attitude, and never giving up! Hey, second in the world is still a great accomplishment!
I have to run to the grocery store on this nice hot day and an idea came to mind. Why don’t stores place their ice packs for sale inside the freezer? Stores will put their umbrella racks in front of the doors when it’s raining outside, but I’ve never seen a cold ice pack for sale. How are we supposed to bring home our perishables on a hot day? They sell coolers and those freezer bags to keep items cool, but no frozen ice packs! How come no one has even thought of this idea? Or have they and I’m just not shopping at the right stores? Just a thought!
I have a nest under the deck. It is a very messy nest! They (the mom and dad birds) were very kind to leave me a mud mixture splattered all over my patio window and ground. It’s quite lovely, but doesn’t really match the decor. I’d clean it up, but I’m afraid I will scare them away. I managed to get a few snapshots of the birds. Maybe you can help me determine what kind of birds they are. Thanks for your help!
Being lactose intolerant has had it’s difficult moments. Time after time having to explain to people why I can’t eat pizza. Not going out on a hot summer night for ice cream. The worst part? Knowing exactly what pizza and ice cream tastes like. Growing up eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast every morning. Eating an ice cream cone from McDonald’s while watching the airplanes take off with Grandpa. Through the years, there have been improvements and alternatives. Yogurt with live active cultures and cheese alternatives such as soy and tofu. I made due. I tried cheeseless pizza. I’ve traveled many miles to go to a TCBY. Though it will still bother me, I have gotten used to not being able to have dairy. Then things became more difficult. I am also gluten intolerant. Isn’t life grand!! There are plenty of options for me. I have my bitter moments, but for the most part it’s not too bad. Just the other day I was at Meijer and found they have their own brand of gluten-free cereal. Even Olive Garden had gluten-free pasta (just make sure the teenage waiter/waitress understands the difference between gluten-free and whole-wheat). It’s a good thing I can tell difference just by looking at it!! Boy could that have been an adventurous evening.
Anyway, getting back to the topic at hand…Yumz. My Mom and I went for a road trip the other day to go to Yumz Gourmet Frozen Yogurt. It was my first time, but she had been there before. It’s an amazing experience and a very creative idea. The idea was very well planned and thought out. When you walk in, the design of the store is very simple, yet fun, festive, and entertaining. Each customer takes a dish and chooses their choice(s) of frozen yogurt from the many soft-serve machines along the wall. Each machine has two choices with the added option of swirl. Once you fill up your dish with frozen yogurt, it’s on to the toppings. Sprinkles, crushed candy bars, cereal, fruit, flavored chips, syrups and more. Now for the best part….The Scale! The only item on the so-called menu – $.42 per ounce. This is where your eyes, stomach and reality meet. Oh, don’t forget your wallet. Either make sure you bring enough cash or have a credit card, but just remember, you can’t put anything back. Once it’s in your bowl, you’re buying it! After you’ve spent your weekly allowance on the first day of the week, it’s time to sit down and enjoy. There are comfy couches, chairs, and little tables. To get a better picture, imagine a page is ripped out of the Ikea catalogue. Don’t get me wrong, I love Ikea…and the cool green spoons you get with your Yumz!
Some things to keep in mind as you take the soccer team for a post-game celebration:
- smaller is better – it’s not a requirement to completely fill your dish
- keep an eye on your kids – their eyes are bigger than their stomachs…and your wallet
- ask for a frequent filler card – the fabulous teenagers working behind the counter won’t offer you the option to get 6 oz free after you spend $42 (which for some could add up pretty quickly!)
Enjoy 😀
