The new teacher blog...

So I had every intention on updating my blog every week of teaching....yeah not so much. I am a new sort of tired and between trying to figure stuff out and actually doing stuff I just don't have the energy. HA! All in all my first year hasn't been terrible. I love my job and I love what I do. I work with some awesome teachers and they help make the days more bearable. I think I am finally finding my rhythm and for that I am very thankful! Hey, it only took me 9 weeks. I am learning a lot about myself and learning limits I didn't know I had. I had to learn to let some things go, I've had to learn to time manage better, and I've had to make things work when situations are not ideal. I've made it through 9 weeks, two ARD meetings, a walk through, and my formal evaluation. I'm still alive so I guess that means I will survive. There are so many things I am wanting to learn and have to realize that it will take time to learn those things, but people who know me know that I want to do things perfect from the start. The best part about teaching is when you see progress and when you see those "Ah-Hah" moments. I love those and they never get old. I love watching my students grow academically, but more so as people.  I get the privilege of teaching some of the most caring and amazing kids and they make my day better. Most of the time anyway (they have their kid moments) I still have days when I second guess myself and feel like there is no way I can keep going. Then you have those people who pick you up and keep you going in the right direction! I am very thankful for those ladies!!!

The ending of one chapter and the beginning of another!

Today was a rather bittersweet day. Today I said goodbye to my "home" of the past three years. I have made some unbelievable friends and I've gotten to meet some awesome people. I got my job at CTI at a time when things were pretty rough for me, but a dear friend took a chance on me and I have been there ever since. Ever since I started at Texas Tech I have worked 2 full time jobs as well as took a full load in school. It was rough to say the least, but today as I say goodbye I can say "I did it!!!!!" And yes it was totally worth it. So as I close on this chapter of life Monday brings about a new one. I am very excited (and terrified) to begin my career as an educator but God has been ever so generous to me this far and I know with Him all things will continue to be possible. Again, thank you Lena and CTI! 

Last day at work with my partner in crime!

Yummy yummy farewell cake!

Some of the best bosses!

Thank you friend for everything love you!!

Summer 2015....CSW and all that fun stuff

This past week was by far one of the most fun weeks I have had. It was nice to get out of Lubbock and get away, even if it was for a workshop. I had the greatest company on this trip. Michael, Desiree, and Ashley were so fun to travel with. There was never a dull moment that is for sure. I had some pretty severe blonde moments on this trip, and those three had to suffer through that. This trip was filled with so many memorable moments and the use of the hashtag had become our go to for anything that happened. #2015CSW

Pre-departure selfie (always a must)

Reunited!! Me, Katie, Desiree 

LISD at CSW  
For anyone that knows me knows that I have a love for ASL and I love for what I do; so this trip was so much fun for me. I got to work on my receptive and expressive signing skills which I might add were in some desperate need for some improvement.

So much love for this place!  
This trip was filled with many fun filled moments. Sunday was filled with a long long drive and a test that measured my receptive skills. Talk about a wake up call. Then we did Deaf Deaf World. I loved it! It gave me a chance to see things from the Deaf perspective and interact with teachers, parents with deaf children, SLPs, interpreters, and of course the Deaf individuals that were there. Talk about full immersion in a culture. Not being able to talk and only sign, going through classes that were only taught in ASL, and really getting to improve on my ASL skills. Oh how I have missed full ASL!!!!

The Jaguars!
On Monday I met my fabulous group. I could not have been placed in a better group. We all were around the same skill level both receptive and expressively, that made classes go so smooth. Let me tell you you absolutely do not leave CSW hungry that is for sure. Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner....SO MUCH FOOD!!! It was super yummy. Monday night we decided to go out to what was only supposed to be a trip to Target.... but you know with a car full of girls what do you think is going to happen. We of course wanted ice cream!! So we went to Amy's, talk about AMAZING ice cream! We still were not quite ready so we decided to scope out the State Capitol building. Oh did we have fun and share in some laughs there #IUD.

 No regrets here!

Amy's ice cream!

Best ice cream ever!!!

More yummy food!
On Tuesday we went through the same routine... food, class, food, class.... and that night we played games.... that was so fun #rockpaperscissors we then decided to go out and walk around lets just say I need to pay more attention to conversations #fatandfluffy #xanexanddrinksdontmix #hippoonalightpole

Beautiful

Wednesday was great because we didn't have evening sessions so we went back to the Capitol to look around inside. It was a lot of fun we went down to try to catch our congressman in his office but he wasn't in. I am so surprised at how much there is to look at inside the Capitol. After that, we went to Congress Bridge to watch the bats fly out. The bats must have ordered take out because they did not feel like flying out from under the bridge that night. Disappointed! (just so you know bats do not travel in herds, they don't have beaks, and they don't have stampedes.) #herdofbats #beakedbats #waitingforthestampede

Waiting for the bats

Still no bats

Texas State Capitol 

Thursday was our last day. On a side note when given a list that suggests things to bring and a jacket is one of them do not assume that because it is going to be a sauna outside that you do not need one. I am pretty sure that I froze more that I was hot while in Austin in the middle of the summer. There was some hilarious comedy that went on! I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe... #weddingnight #weirdtruckstopballoons

We left town around 12:45pm and decided to go have a little fun in Fredricksburg. We were supposed to leave earlier, but well like the rest of the week the girls were late.... Fredricksburg was so much fun and yes I tried a million types of fudge, and yes I brought a lot home. I was sad for everything to come to an end (except the car ride that could have ended sooner) I was so happy to be home and in my own bed! I had such a wonderful time and I can not wait to go back next year! 

Fredricksburg 

The After Grad School Life and All the Things Since

It's been a while, but the craziness of life has taken its toll. Since graduating I've realized many things about myself, my friends, and those who well...are no longer in that category.

First, I have realized that it's kinda nice to not be in school and doing homework. I have been doing it for so long it almost seemed like the norm. I have also realized that road blocks and bumps in the road are still just as annoying as before yet somehow it's true what they say "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." I have been learning more that relying on God and not myself is way more effective and the amount of worry that comes with that is way less. 

Many things have happened this semester that have tested me to my limits and have really shown me that not everyone is meant to be your friend. I've always been a people pleaser and I always want to be on people's good side. I have learned that sometimes people are just mean and they will do anything they can for their benefit regardless of how it destroys others reputation, careers, and life. I've had to learn that I can't fix everything and that I need to let go and let God.

Throughout this year I have made the most amazing friends that have shown me what a friendship can be like and hey, who knew they could teach me things that as hard of lessons they were that everything will be ok?

I've been extremely blessed to get to work with a group of teachers and interpreters that are some of the best. I mean their passion and drive is so amazing and I have learned so much from them.

So I guess it's as good of time as any to say that I will officially start teaching in the fall at Smylie Wilson middle school. People always ask me how I feel about this and I have come to the conclusion that as scared and terrified as I am there is a reason for me being placed here and I will do my best to do what's best for my kids, and hey I've learned from the BEST!

I've learned this semester that work isn't everything that God is and if I put my faith in him everything else just works itself out. I had to constantly be reminded of that a lot, but I know that I'm stronger because of this semester!

So my shout out to these lovely ladies! LB! You have been the best mentor. You have taught me things that I could have never learned from a text book. You have become one of my good friends and I am so incredibly thankful for you. I am still trying to figure out how you put up with all of the tears... But you are truly one of a kind and I'm so thankful for you!

My Ramirez! Yeah words can't even express how much she has done for me and taught me. She was always my voice of reason and the no sugar coating it one. To say I wouldn't have made it through this semester without her is soooo true! The fun we had together was crazy and there never was a dull moment for sure! Who else could I really sing Kitty High five with? (youtube it...it was our favorite thing to do during a brain break in class.)

Sylvia! I miss our morning chats and laughs! I was always ready for the day after our morning laughing sessions!! I will miss that the most!! Chi Chi always kept it real!!!

And my Trusty! You have been my venting buddy for the longest time and I am glad that this next year I have you!! Because you may be my source of sanity haha!!! Love me some trusty!!!

This year has been a year of growth and change for me but I love all that I have learned and the people I got to meet and work with! I am excited to finally spread my wings and see what adventure lies before me.

More to come this summer as life has slowed down a lot!!

The sometimes sad reality of life and the struggles that come with it

Sometimes in life we are dealt a hand that we don't expect or know how to play. We are faced with unforeseen challenges and road blocks that throw a kink in what was a promising and smooth road. Satan is a tricky thing he tries to make us second guess ourselves or make us believe that there is something wrong with us and throws us circumstances that make us start believing that. These past few weeks have been emotional and trying. I've stood up and faced the harshness of words, the betrayal of friends, stares, and comments. I have fought through the bad and thought that I was on the uphill side and that my sunshine was coming through again. Then there is the punch in the stomach that causes you to backslide. These past few weeks I have cried so much, doubted myself and my abilities, and caused me to become depressed and very down. I don't fully understand the lesson to be learned or the outcome that has transpired but the more I sit here the more I think maybe I am missing something or maybe I have not been faithful enough. Apparently these past few weeks I have disappointed people and lost from friends and I can't change those things. What I am going to start changing is myself. I'm no longer going to look out for other people and neglect myself. I refuse to be treated like less of a person or expendable because at the end of the day I know I have done things the right way, and have been handed a pretty harsh sentence. So starting right now I'm taking back myself. I'm taking back my confidence and my determination and no one is going to tear me down anymore. I'm done!