Rock My World Little Country Girl

Well, a bunch has happened since I last blogged. The next day I found out my (now) ex-fiance was having an affair (01/02/08), I took a bunch of pointless continuing education classes, I started grad school (09/01/08), Carrie and Preston got married (01/24/09), I sold my house (09/09) Josh and Tana got married (10/03/09), I moved to New Braunfels (04/10), I lost Chance but inherited Bo and 6 kittens, I finished classes (05/10) and will get my diploma soon (03/11). I'm exhausted just typing that. It's been a wild ride. Things are finally starting to slow down a bit and I'm really looking forward to being finished with grad school. I have taught freshmen biology majors the last 5 semesters at Texas State and have loved it. Wish they would hire me on full time! We have been working on the house in New Braunfels and it's looking pretty darn good! Need to get some more storage space so we're thinking cabinets but we shall see. No cable, internet, phone, or radio out there so its really peaceful but it's also a 60 mile drive to work. You can't always get what you waaaaant... Anyway, I'm going to try to start blogging more often and posting pictures of the craziness. Thanks for reading.

I Sure Can Smell The Rain

Happy New Year! It's 2008 and 2000 doesn't seem all that long ago. I remember everyone worrying about all of the systems rolling into the 2000's... and nothing happened. I was the nerd wondering, "Which time zone will determine the big disaster?" How unexciting. Thankfully, I suppose. I've been in Bryan for the past 4 days with little celebrating. Now that I'm not here very often I see so many things I want to change. I guess you don't realize how much weight people have gained or lost when you see them everyday... same concept. So, I'm tired and walking with a limp. I also realized that I'm not as strong as I thought I was or once was; My big toe on my right foot is black and blue - I officially hate rocks. I've seen two of my former students and one parents of a former student. I sure do miss those kids. I don't remember all of their names but I remember so much about them: which one's were from d-hall, class, ACE, TAKS tutoring, etc. Some of them I keep in touch with, other's not so much. It's such a far away place now; no bell system, broken thermostat, getting in trouble on a weekly basis... now I belong to the daily grind of a small desk in a small room I share with many people.

I suppose the one thing they have in common is that I don't really know what I'm doing. I wonder, on a regular basis, if other people feel this way. I have applied to PA schools in Texas and waiting for their reply... should be early spring. If I don't get in (which is anticipated with my GPR) I would like to move back to Bryan and work for A&M while getting my masters there. It's nice being in Austin with my family since I have been away for nine years but it's a mixed feeling as I feel like a teenager again. I miss my house, my belongings, my life... but I know it's for a greater good. If I get into PA school I'll have a chance to try something new, something I might really like, and something that will make more money... which I kinda need. I don't consider myself a "high-maintenance" girl but I do enjoy the finer things in life! So, for now I will study hard, work hard, and focus on the long-term. I don't need no stinking short-term enjoyment! As long as I can knit every couple days...

14 and Counting

14 days left until I'm gone. We've been counting down for a while now but it's getting real. I'm starting to freak out about getting all of my stuff out of the classroom, figuring out where to put everything, and trying to get everything organized for the new crazy coming in. I'm going to miss the kids and the constant chaos... okay, not the chaos since I'm OCD, but the teachable moments that occur because of the chaos. I think people forget in their everyday lives that not everyone grew up with parents teaching them common sense and I have come to realize that THAT is my job... or will be my job for 14 more days. I have to say, too, that I have learned more in the last three years than most fresh-out college grads. Did you know that "kicks" does not mean the cereal anymore?!?! A "trick" is not magic, "trippin'" is not before you fall, and "swangin'" is not done on a swing. I laugh outloud every time I see the CareerBuilder commercials with monkeys (fave being the laser pointers). I'M THAT GUY! Or girl. eh. I love to tell the kids to convince me that evolution doesn't exist (they love to play "Ask the Athiest") when all of their friends act like monkeys! So, on memory lane tonight...

"Miss! Can you really glue a pinecone to an apple and grow a pineapple tree?"

The crazy thing is... I was THAT girl! I don't buy into the act as I created the act; I was the girl in high school that looked up to find "gullible" on the ceiling. Don't get me wrong, I was in the GT classes BUT I wanted everyone to laugh so I played dumb. You can't out-dumb a dumby! She IS one of my favorites, though...

My only worry about leaving, in reality, is that I won't have all of the funny and heartwarming stories. It makes me sad when they tell me to stay and I know I can't. It makes me proud. It makes me feel appreciated. It makes me feel like a quitter. But then again I know that someone else will come in with the energy and passion I once had (3 long years ago) and I will be long forgotten. Besides, I'm going back to school (because 6 years wasn't already enough) for my masters and maybe I'll teach them in college! I can combine teaching (which I LOVE) and continuing my own education through research. That would be "thowed." (thowed=good)

My own little pineapple tree...

FYI: I know it's not a tree. (No pause) Thanks. (MarkC)