Can I gush for a minute?

So, even though I have been in the field of education for a while, I am still totally shocked at how nice my new school is. I'm not sure if it's because it's the newest school in the district and so all the new bells and whistles are still in tact, or if the administration spends their money in different ways, or what the difference is. But there is such a massive difference.

For example: my classroom.

Not only is it new and nice with vaulted ceilings, working computers for the kids, a teacher's computer/work station with the fanciest new document camera- ooh, ahh- but it's packed to the gills with furniture and supplies. I spent two hours in there today going through all the different supplies, games, books, tools, you name it, and only got through about half of it.

The day I stepped into my very first classroom- 3 days before school started, mind you- at my old building, there was nothing. Nothing! But desks. And crickets. We scavenged for any and all beat up, burnt-orange and olive, gross cabinets and shelves and were proud when we spent way too much of our own money on a few new phonics game for our students.

This is what I'm used to. Can you see my excitement?!

Again, I really don't know why there is such a HUGE difference. But I'm not complaining. I'm half way waiting for it to all disappear. It's too good to be true.

Colbert takes it off

Just had to share this. Because I love both of them. Because it's cool. And because I love when a person can make fun of themselves.

Colbert shaves his head per orders from the Pres himself.

Multiple choice with Lilly

What is Lilly doing?

a. Learning to wink

b. Eating a lemon

c. Practicing the Force

d. Doing an impression of Paula Abdul

Please scroll down for the answer...

If you guessed b. eating a lemon, you are correct!

Tell them what the win, Lilly!

May 2009

Wholly schmolly, I haven't posted a blog in FOREVER! You have to understand that I meant to, but this has been one of the craziest months of my life- in a good way!

So let me try to catch you up. Days following my last post I floated along, distracted with elation, but did an occasional "Woo hoo!" when the idea of scoring my Kindergarten job came crashing over me again. Ahhh... that ate up a few days.

Over Memorial day, my girlfriends and I went to Scottsdale, AZ to celebrate our 30th birthdays that have begun to transpire this year. We sat by the pool, shopped, went to the spa, dressed up and went to dinner, went to a club... There were four of us to the room, and access to an executive sweet with free wine and beer. Thus, getting ready to go out each night was quite a tipsy production. Needless to say, I only lost a comb while I was there. Upon hearing this, my hubby asked, "You use a comb?!" Yes, I use a comb. I don't have much hair, alright!?

On Memorial Day itself I ran the Bolder Boulder with my mom. Either she's gotten faster or I was still hungover from the weekend in AZ...

Then, last Wednesday my friend Allison and I went to the No Doubt concert here in Denver.

I hate to say it, but- OMG!!!! Sorry, but that's the best way to describe it. First of all, you must know that I bought the most rockstar tickets I will ever have the rest of my life. I did this by- brace yourself- joining the No Doubt Tour Club. Yep, I did it. But aside from the cool, dorky benefits I will choose to leave out, I got to buy tickets to the concert before they went on sale to the public. The result was 20 feet away from the band- not the stage- the band aka GWEN!!!

I have to take a deep breath here, because I'm starting to get excited all over again. Those who have known me for a while know that I have had an unhealthy obsession with Gwen Stefani and No Doubt since I was about 15. So, the fact that she was SOOOOO CLOSE to me the entire show was... well, let's just say I'll remember it the rest of my life. I now know that she has freckles on her arms, gets runs in her tights like the rest of us, is as beautiful up close as she is in the media, and she can still effing rock!

It. Was. Awesome.

Ok, I'm finished dorking out. I promise.

Anyway, since then I've moved out of my old school and met with my new Kindergarten team. My new classroom is beautiful and overwhelming all at once. Also, Sunday the hubby and I went up to Lake Dillon, where my parents rented a boat and we hung out for the afternoon. It started raining the minute we got off the lake.

I am finally doing laundry (maybe in a month? Oh, let's hope not...) and putting my suitcases away from my trip. It's day two of summer vacation, and I am happy.

You've got to admit, that's a good month!

Last stop on the Roller Coaster is...

...a Kindergarten classroom! They called me today as promised with good news! I got the job!!! Can you believe it?!

YEA!

The Roller Coaster

You haven't heard too much from me lately because I've been on the Roller coaster of trying to find a new job. Remember when I told you I was looking to go back to the classroom full time? Well, I haven't applied for a new job in seven years. It's been more consuming than I remember.

Apply
Wait
Network
Apply some more
Rumors of an interview
Hope
No call
No call
No call
Sigh, oh well
An interview- Yes!!!
Wait, an interview?! Crap, what am I going to say?!
Prep, worry, breath, prep
Interview... question #1- no prob!, question #2, 3, 4- still hanging in there, question #5- Oh no, I hate this question...and now I'm wandering aimlessly- get back on track!!!...ok, survived that one, but used most of my energy reserves, question #6- "What else should we know about you and do you have any questions for us?"...no! I just want to get out of here! Ask something intelligent to make up for your Paula Abdul impression during question #5...ok, finished! Wait, you want to come observe me...next week?! Of course, absolutely, remain calm and charming...
Drive home and analyze everything I said and didn't say
Continue this through the evening, determine that I made quite a fool of myself
Analyze, worry, cry...my poor hubby
Whatever, moving on... it is what it is
Observation
You interviewed 10 and observed 5, (wow, guess the interview didn't go as badly as I thought!) and you'll have a decision by Friday at the latest?!
Walking on clouds
Another interview at another school- great!- but hopefully I have an answer from other school first...?
We still haven't made a decision and will have an answer for you by Monday...

This is all I've been doing, people. And it's sucking my creativity straight out of my ears, so sorry, this is all you get until Summer Break. Only 9 more days of school left...

P.S. I'll keep you posted on the Roller coaster.
P.P.S. Also, accept my apologies if all of the above makes no sense at all.

Lilly, almost 9 months

Hey there. How's it going? Just breaking in some new teeth. No biggie. This lipstick tube is perfect for teething! I'm gonna have to remember this for the next tooth.

Ha, ha...why are you laughing? What's funny?

Seriously, what's so funny? What?! Do I have something on my face?