So I've spent the last few weeks participating in a Knit-A-Long (KAL). We got a section of the pattern each week and the overall outcome was a mystery till the end. I learned a lot of new techniques and now my mind is swirling with ideas for my own bags! Which is awesome, because I get intimidated by the idea of writing a pattern, but I think I am finally ready to try.
I did the mystery KAL with a group on ravelry.com. If you love to knit or crochet this site is amazing and the mystery KAL that She-Knits created was so awesome that I am signed up for her next one that starts in September. It has been an excellent summer project and was a great way to learn and de-stress!
Happy Knitting :)
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hours before summer
So this is it. The last day of school before summer of my second year of teaching at this high school. Two years! It's crazy how quickly and how slowly time can go by at the same time. As I sit here I start to reflect on all the things that happened this year and how it really was a great school year. It is quite surreal it ending now. It happens to me every year, but as I sit here I have a rush of ideas for new projects for my students to try and all these new things I want to test to make my classes even better.
I had some incredible students this year. The more I teach, the more and more I enjoy it. The bureaucracy of it all...I could do with out. But the students, they really are what keep me here and remind me why I wanted to teach in the first place. It sounds so cliche, but at the same time so true. I had one student stay after his final yesterday to personally thank me and it was all I could do not to cry...I am making an impact. In my own small way, I truly am making a difference and it feels incredible.
Right now I am sitting in my empty classroom...the walls are bare and the whiteboard is clean. All the desks have been scrubbed and all the materials are locked away till the fall. It seems so quiet and clean, and I already miss the noise and the chaos! Don't get me wrong, I am so excited for summer vacation, but I know come August I will be excited to be returning here and eager to try new projects and leave my mark...one project and one student at a time.
This has been a big year for me, and not to sound snobby, but I really am proud of myself. Between teaching, coaching, going to school and dealing with my everyday life, I feel like I am on top of the world and that I can face obstacles, big and small, and finish with a smile on my face and the satisfaction that I gave it my all. Each day makes me stronger - more confident. I am even starting to believe that I actually am a pretty good teacher.
So here's to the summer! A summer of relaxation and reflection. Then back to school once again to make my impact in my own small way. I am truly blessed for my life and I thank everyone in it for making me who I am today
I had some incredible students this year. The more I teach, the more and more I enjoy it. The bureaucracy of it all...I could do with out. But the students, they really are what keep me here and remind me why I wanted to teach in the first place. It sounds so cliche, but at the same time so true. I had one student stay after his final yesterday to personally thank me and it was all I could do not to cry...I am making an impact. In my own small way, I truly am making a difference and it feels incredible.
Right now I am sitting in my empty classroom...the walls are bare and the whiteboard is clean. All the desks have been scrubbed and all the materials are locked away till the fall. It seems so quiet and clean, and I already miss the noise and the chaos! Don't get me wrong, I am so excited for summer vacation, but I know come August I will be excited to be returning here and eager to try new projects and leave my mark...one project and one student at a time.
This has been a big year for me, and not to sound snobby, but I really am proud of myself. Between teaching, coaching, going to school and dealing with my everyday life, I feel like I am on top of the world and that I can face obstacles, big and small, and finish with a smile on my face and the satisfaction that I gave it my all. Each day makes me stronger - more confident. I am even starting to believe that I actually am a pretty good teacher.
So here's to the summer! A summer of relaxation and reflection. Then back to school once again to make my impact in my own small way. I am truly blessed for my life and I thank everyone in it for making me who I am today
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Prepping to work out
So i'm killing a little more time so that the office below me is officially closed...because then I can jump on my elliptical and work out for a while. My grad classes are over so I really have no more excuses. The time is now to work out. I'm not entirely motivated but i have to keep reminding myself how much better I feel afterwards.
Besides, it will let my mind relax a bit. Got my car checked today and as I suspected....I am at a place where I need to decide whether i want to put more money into my old car, or decide to invest in a new one. Now I have wanted a new one for a couple years now...but it's hard to make that decision. I tend to be indecisive and deciding to buy a car is a big decision? Am I really ready to invest in a new one??? Perhaps I'm over thinking it, but I tend to over think a lot of things - haha.
Cars and I have an interesting relationship. I tend to have some bad luck with them, but at the same time, both of my cars have kept me very safe and for that I am grateful. But i think that by the end of the summer, I may have to say good-bye to my saabby saab and hello to something new and different. Sigh....perhaps this is the push I need to get the new car. I WANT one, but I do feel better knowing that I probably NEED one as well.
Hmmm...this post has turned into a ramble of nothing really, but i figured if I got some of the thoughts out of my head I could focus on.....well exercise at the moment - heehee.
Ok, office is quiet - no more excuses - time to clear the mind, cleanse the soul and SWEAT!
Besides, it will let my mind relax a bit. Got my car checked today and as I suspected....I am at a place where I need to decide whether i want to put more money into my old car, or decide to invest in a new one. Now I have wanted a new one for a couple years now...but it's hard to make that decision. I tend to be indecisive and deciding to buy a car is a big decision? Am I really ready to invest in a new one??? Perhaps I'm over thinking it, but I tend to over think a lot of things - haha.
Cars and I have an interesting relationship. I tend to have some bad luck with them, but at the same time, both of my cars have kept me very safe and for that I am grateful. But i think that by the end of the summer, I may have to say good-bye to my saabby saab and hello to something new and different. Sigh....perhaps this is the push I need to get the new car. I WANT one, but I do feel better knowing that I probably NEED one as well.
Hmmm...this post has turned into a ramble of nothing really, but i figured if I got some of the thoughts out of my head I could focus on.....well exercise at the moment - heehee.
Ok, office is quiet - no more excuses - time to clear the mind, cleanse the soul and SWEAT!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
End of Spring Semester
As I sit here on my couch on a Thursday when I am supposed to be at work, it's nice to reflect that I have survived this Spring semester of Grad School. I have one last final today at 1:30, which is why I am sitting at home instead of at work, and I am officially done. It will be nice to have a weekend where I don't have homework hanging over me...at least for a little why.
Yesterday...I have never taken a more difficult exam in my life. Well maybe my Calculus final, but I wasn't very good at Calculus. Modern Art History - HARD but I learned more in that class than I have ever learned in an Art History class.
So now I sit here, gasp, relaxing and I am looking forward to picking up a lot of projects that I have set aside for when I have more time. And now I have MORE TIME. I have two knitting projects in progress and I so want to finish them so I can start some summer projects i'd like to create.
I also want to PAINT. I have new paints and I am ready to start a canvas...not sure of what yet, but it will come to me. Summer is almost here and I am ready!
Random thoughts....good day :)
Yesterday...I have never taken a more difficult exam in my life. Well maybe my Calculus final, but I wasn't very good at Calculus. Modern Art History - HARD but I learned more in that class than I have ever learned in an Art History class.
So now I sit here, gasp, relaxing and I am looking forward to picking up a lot of projects that I have set aside for when I have more time. And now I have MORE TIME. I have two knitting projects in progress and I so want to finish them so I can start some summer projects i'd like to create.
I also want to PAINT. I have new paints and I am ready to start a canvas...not sure of what yet, but it will come to me. Summer is almost here and I am ready!
Random thoughts....good day :)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Chomp
So i wanted to see if i could send a photo to my blog so i tried a cupcake picture - woo! these were yummy
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
homework
At least that is what I should be doing right now, but I am totally unmotivated. I think I have a bit of Spring fever and the itch for school vacation which is only a few days away. I know that in the end I will be spending most of that vacation working on homework, but somehow, it doesn't seem as bad when I know I don't also have to go to work.
On another note, UMASS is again starting to drive me crazy. I'm starting to look for classes in the fall and there is like nothing after 3 PM. And I really cannot get there any sooner than that. I've emailed my advisor and I'm hoping she will have suggestions but I get frustrated because I really want to finish my Masters within the next two years - I don't need it drawing out longer than that. I did sign up for a summer class though which should be fun - it's a printmaking class and it's only about three weeks long. I'll have to drive to UMASS a lot but it will be worth it to be submersed in making art for hours a day - YEAH! I definitely need that.
I've been fighting an urge to knit as well. So close to finishing a sweater but i know if i pick it up NO homework at all will get done. Just a few more weeks and I can knit whenever I want.
3 more days of school to vacation....gotta stay on task
On another note, UMASS is again starting to drive me crazy. I'm starting to look for classes in the fall and there is like nothing after 3 PM. And I really cannot get there any sooner than that. I've emailed my advisor and I'm hoping she will have suggestions but I get frustrated because I really want to finish my Masters within the next two years - I don't need it drawing out longer than that. I did sign up for a summer class though which should be fun - it's a printmaking class and it's only about three weeks long. I'll have to drive to UMASS a lot but it will be worth it to be submersed in making art for hours a day - YEAH! I definitely need that.
I've been fighting an urge to knit as well. So close to finishing a sweater but i know if i pick it up NO homework at all will get done. Just a few more weeks and I can knit whenever I want.
3 more days of school to vacation....gotta stay on task
Thursday, April 9, 2009
procrastination
So here I was thinking I would start this blog and share my experiences as a teacher and what not. I have very good intentions, thought of a cool blog name and even posted something...one thing....currently the only thing on my blog at the moment. A bit depressing, but i'm hoping to have a second go at this and see where it takes me.
Chances are I will get a few posts in and forget about this for a while again, but I have decided that rather than using this to post profound insight on my teaching profession, I would rather just use it as a way to contain my thoughts and on the occasion actually discuss my job.
Perhaps it will help me get the create juices flowing. Since I last posted I have really done next to none of my own artwork and that saddens me. I feel this itch inside to put something down on paper and get myself going again. I currently don't have a job for the summer so one goal is to start PAINTING again and actually FINISH some pieces.
Goal number 2, set up a website to sell said paintings or at least prints of them. I have also designed several notecards that I should be selling but I am not. I say I just don't have time but deep down I just think that I'm afraid that no one will actually like my work and will have no interest in buying it. I need to get over this and start taking chances.
I'm getting better at that, but I still have a looooooong way to go. But I rock so it's gonna happen. I bought some new oil paints this weekend at this awesome art store I stumbled on in Boston. Really cheap surprisingly and they had oil paints on sale. So I stocked up and once my grad finals are over in a few weeks, I have no excuses and I WILL start putting that oil paint down on canvas.
On the teaching front, it has been over a year since I last spoke about it. This second year is going even better than last year. I'm teaching some advanced art classes and i LOVE them. it is a real treat to teach students who actually want to know about art and want to become creative thinkers. My fifth period class truly is the class of my dreams. I've been fighting with the guidance department to get them to offer an Art 3 next year for these students and I so hope it works out. For them and for me! I feel like I am actually reaching these kids - like I really am making an impression on their minds. The other day I was helping a student come up with an idea for an assignment and talked to her about taking what she feels passionate about and working it into the project. She got really excited and got to work. A few days later, another student was having a similar creative problem and before I could say anything, the student I had talked to before started discussing our conversation with her and helped her get started! So satisfying as a teacher. I am making an impact!!!!
Currently I'm at school on my prep so I should probably get back to more school-related business, but this was a nice release. I make no promises, but hopefully I will get back here soon!
Chances are I will get a few posts in and forget about this for a while again, but I have decided that rather than using this to post profound insight on my teaching profession, I would rather just use it as a way to contain my thoughts and on the occasion actually discuss my job.
Perhaps it will help me get the create juices flowing. Since I last posted I have really done next to none of my own artwork and that saddens me. I feel this itch inside to put something down on paper and get myself going again. I currently don't have a job for the summer so one goal is to start PAINTING again and actually FINISH some pieces.
Goal number 2, set up a website to sell said paintings or at least prints of them. I have also designed several notecards that I should be selling but I am not. I say I just don't have time but deep down I just think that I'm afraid that no one will actually like my work and will have no interest in buying it. I need to get over this and start taking chances.
I'm getting better at that, but I still have a looooooong way to go. But I rock so it's gonna happen. I bought some new oil paints this weekend at this awesome art store I stumbled on in Boston. Really cheap surprisingly and they had oil paints on sale. So I stocked up and once my grad finals are over in a few weeks, I have no excuses and I WILL start putting that oil paint down on canvas.
On the teaching front, it has been over a year since I last spoke about it. This second year is going even better than last year. I'm teaching some advanced art classes and i LOVE them. it is a real treat to teach students who actually want to know about art and want to become creative thinkers. My fifth period class truly is the class of my dreams. I've been fighting with the guidance department to get them to offer an Art 3 next year for these students and I so hope it works out. For them and for me! I feel like I am actually reaching these kids - like I really am making an impression on their minds. The other day I was helping a student come up with an idea for an assignment and talked to her about taking what she feels passionate about and working it into the project. She got really excited and got to work. A few days later, another student was having a similar creative problem and before I could say anything, the student I had talked to before started discussing our conversation with her and helped her get started! So satisfying as a teacher. I am making an impact!!!!
Currently I'm at school on my prep so I should probably get back to more school-related business, but this was a nice release. I make no promises, but hopefully I will get back here soon!
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