Job Searches and More...

I had my first big interview today - really it was a screening interview but it's another step on the way to finding a job. I'm now in the interview system in my dream district and can start asking for interviews for teaching positions! It's exciting to see everything starting to fall together. I feel like I'm one step closer to having my own classroom!

I've also been subbing for the same teacher all week and at first I was not crazy about the situation. It's a Pre AP chemistry class and for anyone who knows me, I am not a science person. I haven't taken chemistry since I was in high school and in college all of my science classes were what some might call "fluffy." They were enough to satisfy the requirements for my degree but they weren't exactly challenging. Anyway, another teacher has been in the class with me teaching the kids about moles. I've been doing the problems along with the kids, but it's been extremely boring. Today, I decided to stop complaining (mentally) and figure out a way to make work interesting or at least help the time pass. I made an effort to smile, talk to the students, and stopped focusing on the idea that it felt like I was observing again instead of being a substitute. The day went by more quickly and I was a lot happier by the time I got off work. I know I already know this but God, it is really unhealthy to always be down about something. It sucks the life out of you. I just don't want to be that substitute that sits behind a desk, reads a book, and ignores the class. I guess I have to find a balance.

One great thing about substituting is the free time I have after I get off of work. It definitely leaves enough time to work on my crocheting projects (I finished another gift!), read, and watch movies. I like crocheting when I watch movies, well, more like listen and watch a little bit of the movie. I fidget a lot during movies and crocheting helps me not annoy my family, friends, and SO. Out of all the movies I've watched since I've started college, I've probably actually watched only about a dozen or so all the way through (and I'm not including going to the theater - if I could crochet there I would). Right now I'm working on this sage-colored satchel that I'm giving to my cousin for Christmas. 2 gifts down, 16 to go.

Hello!

Alright, so x years since I contributed to my first blog, I have once again decided to venture out into the world of blogging - this time on my own. Welcome to those of you who have found my little corner of the internet! I am a recent college grad, working as a substitute at the local school district, and am looking for a full-time position. When I'm not spending my time wrangling students, I like to crochet, read, watch movies, take long walks on the beach ... wait, this isn't my E-Harmony profile. But seriously, I love to crochet a myriad of things for friends and family and I am quickly running out of space on my bookshelves because I keep buying new books.

Concerning these two great passions in my life, I have taken on two "challenges." The first one started one day in January when I wandered around my apartment and pulled out all the books I've either never read or started to read and then stopped. I then stacked them by my bed to read - the result was a stack that was close to two feet tall. Today I'm more than halfway through the original stack, but it's still standing at almost two feet. I have got to stop getting new books! The other is a list of 18 crochet projects for this Christmas. I've finished one and am getting close to finish the second. It's exactly 9 months until Christmas ... I can make it.

There's my background and what I'm focusing on in my free time. This blog will be about whatever I feel like writing, but to warn you, most posts will focus on teaching, books, and crocheting. I probably won't post every day but I won't (hopefully) go for months without writing. Until next time...