My schedule at work changes regularly. We often have people out sick with no subs (teachers, assistants) and we have to cover for them. I like the change in routine every once in a while, especially when I get sent down stairs with the little ones!
Today I had been at work for about 4 minutes when I was told, "You are going to be Mrs. Pitts today." It took me a few minutes to even register who Mrs. Pitts is. As it turns out, she's a second grade teacher. So, I got to be a second grade teacher today. It was really fun, but man she has her hands full with that class. They are all very naughty. I was fairly exhausted by the end of the day. But, it was nice to be in the same classroom all day. I miss teaching! I take it as a compliment that the principal was comfortable and confident enough to throw me into a situation like that.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
What we do for fun
We tease that we are the oldest 25 year olds that we know. We go to bed by 11 every night and our favorite date night is watching Netflix. I say Netflix, not movies, because we can rarely make it through a whole movie before it's time to go to bed. We watch documentaries and King of the Hill (which is MUCH funnier when you actually live in Texas).
This weekend we went to the talent show at the elementary school where I work for our Saturday night entertainment. We weren't disappointed, either! We were thoroughly entertained by the sweet kids who were brave enough to get onstage and share their talent. We went because one of my 5th grade students performed a dance. She did a great job, and even won 2nd place!
All that being said, I'm going to go put the casserole (see, I told you we were old...) into the fridge and get ready for bed!
Two more weeks until Thanksgiving break. I think I can, I think I can...
This weekend we went to the talent show at the elementary school where I work for our Saturday night entertainment. We weren't disappointed, either! We were thoroughly entertained by the sweet kids who were brave enough to get onstage and share their talent. We went because one of my 5th grade students performed a dance. She did a great job, and even won 2nd place!
All that being said, I'm going to go put the casserole (see, I told you we were old...) into the fridge and get ready for bed!
Two more weeks until Thanksgiving break. I think I can, I think I can...
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Milestones
For the first time in my short life as a Texan (okay, let's just say resident of Texas...Texan sounds too....well, Texan)....
...I did not use the air conditioner in the car. In fact, I used the heat. Yes, even in the afternoon.
...We have all of the windows closed and it is perfect temperature inside.
...The temperature did not reach 80 degrees. It didn't even reach 70 degrees.
...It rained and felt like FALL!!!
I've been living in the illusion of fall with cinnamon spiced banana bread and a pumpkin spice air freshener and even cooking soup for dinner (it doesn't taste as good when it's 85), but at least for today it FEELS like fall. Yay! I even hear rumors that the tree outside of my classroom is going to turn flame red soon.
**DISCLAIMER: I am not complaining about warm and sunny weather. I would take months of sun and heat over months of rain and cold. I am celebrating wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, while looking forward to wearing shorts and flip flops later this week.
...I did not use the air conditioner in the car. In fact, I used the heat. Yes, even in the afternoon.
...We have all of the windows closed and it is perfect temperature inside.
...The temperature did not reach 80 degrees. It didn't even reach 70 degrees.
...It rained and felt like FALL!!!
I've been living in the illusion of fall with cinnamon spiced banana bread and a pumpkin spice air freshener and even cooking soup for dinner (it doesn't taste as good when it's 85), but at least for today it FEELS like fall. Yay! I even hear rumors that the tree outside of my classroom is going to turn flame red soon.
**DISCLAIMER: I am not complaining about warm and sunny weather. I would take months of sun and heat over months of rain and cold. I am celebrating wearing sweatpants and a hoodie, while looking forward to wearing shorts and flip flops later this week.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Alaura in Austin
| The Alamo- San Antonio |
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| River Walk- Tex-Mex appetizers and a beer for Andy |
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| Hahahaha. Love this pic! |
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| Happy 20th Birthday, sister! |
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| Tex Mex again! Mmm! |
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Austin Adventure #3, #4, and #5
We've been making it into downtown pretty much every weekend for one thing or another. Austin really is a nice city. Neither one of us have lived in a city before and something tells me I'm getting spoiled by Austin!
First of all, the weather is BEAUTIFUL. It's been nothing but sun and blue skies for the last three weeks. I'm getting a little anxious to break out my sweaters and scarfs, but I'm definitely not complaining.
A few weekends ago we went to Stubb's BBQ for a Black Crowes concert (Andy's favorite band). Stubb's is a great BBQ place that we discovered on accident the first time we visited Austin. It turns out they host tons of concerts there, too. Before the concert we went to the "Old Pecan Street" festival. It's like a huge art market type thing. I was so excited because I found the same sandals I have from Malawi there (I think they're made in Tanzania). I didn't buy any, but I was glad to know that I could get them here if I wanted (since my Dad's dog ate mine this past year). We also ate dinner at a Cuban restaurant. It was so delicious! I would post some pictures except we don't have any. I brought the camera but they wouldn't let us take it into the concert. Andy had to run a half mile, uphill to put it back in the car....oops.
Two weekends ago we went back to Barton Springs for a Jazz festival. I love free live music! I also went to Whole Foods (which is almost the size of a whole city block) and bought a pair of Tom's shoes. I know, I'm so trendy. But seriously, I love them.
This weekend we went to the Austin Book Festival. We heard a few authors and browsed through lots of books. We drank over priced lemonade and enjoyed people watching on the lawn of the Capitol building. I was excited about taking some pictures because the Capitol building is really cool (and, as the Texans brag about, is taller than the Capitol building in DC). However, the batteries in the camera were dead. Sad days. Next time.
I'm starting to enter count down mode until Thanksgiving. I'm ready for a break from school/work. Things are going well though. I'm starting to build relationships with my students and figure out what makes them tick and what they need from me.
My sister comes in 5 days!! I can't wait!
Any other takers to come visit? We have lots of floor space (especially since we don't have a dining room table yet).
First of all, the weather is BEAUTIFUL. It's been nothing but sun and blue skies for the last three weeks. I'm getting a little anxious to break out my sweaters and scarfs, but I'm definitely not complaining.
A few weekends ago we went to Stubb's BBQ for a Black Crowes concert (Andy's favorite band). Stubb's is a great BBQ place that we discovered on accident the first time we visited Austin. It turns out they host tons of concerts there, too. Before the concert we went to the "Old Pecan Street" festival. It's like a huge art market type thing. I was so excited because I found the same sandals I have from Malawi there (I think they're made in Tanzania). I didn't buy any, but I was glad to know that I could get them here if I wanted (since my Dad's dog ate mine this past year). We also ate dinner at a Cuban restaurant. It was so delicious! I would post some pictures except we don't have any. I brought the camera but they wouldn't let us take it into the concert. Andy had to run a half mile, uphill to put it back in the car....oops.
Two weekends ago we went back to Barton Springs for a Jazz festival. I love free live music! I also went to Whole Foods (which is almost the size of a whole city block) and bought a pair of Tom's shoes. I know, I'm so trendy. But seriously, I love them.
This weekend we went to the Austin Book Festival. We heard a few authors and browsed through lots of books. We drank over priced lemonade and enjoyed people watching on the lawn of the Capitol building. I was excited about taking some pictures because the Capitol building is really cool (and, as the Texans brag about, is taller than the Capitol building in DC). However, the batteries in the camera were dead. Sad days. Next time.
I'm starting to enter count down mode until Thanksgiving. I'm ready for a break from school/work. Things are going well though. I'm starting to build relationships with my students and figure out what makes them tick and what they need from me.
My sister comes in 5 days!! I can't wait!
Any other takers to come visit? We have lots of floor space (especially since we don't have a dining room table yet).
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Favorite Quotes from working in schools...
"Mrs. Passwater, I really like your name. Know why? Because I like the color blue," announces the second grader. "Yeah, I like your name too because....because I like water," adds another second grader.
"Weren't you wearing those same clothes yesterday?" (to Andy)
"I just love my class because they are all silly just like me. I fit in just right!"
"How do you always know it's me whistling?" (We tried explaining that the puckered lips are a dead give away).
Andy says elementary school is growing on him. He'll be starting to meet with more students this week. I'm starting to get into the swing of things at my job. I really enjoy the second grade class I work in. I really don't enjoy the drama that goes along with working with all women. Such is life in an elementary school, I suppose.
Blog about last weekend's Austin adventure AND this week's (which hasn't happened yet) coming soon...
"Weren't you wearing those same clothes yesterday?" (to Andy)
"I just love my class because they are all silly just like me. I fit in just right!"
"How do you always know it's me whistling?" (We tried explaining that the puckered lips are a dead give away).
Andy says elementary school is growing on him. He'll be starting to meet with more students this week. I'm starting to get into the swing of things at my job. I really enjoy the second grade class I work in. I really don't enjoy the drama that goes along with working with all women. Such is life in an elementary school, I suppose.
Blog about last weekend's Austin adventure AND this week's (which hasn't happened yet) coming soon...
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Austin Adventure #2
Last Friday was our last day of summer. We can't really complain since neither one of us has worked since June. It was kind of like an extended honeymoon. But, we had a lot of time to make up for since we were apart for the whole year! Anyway, to celebrate we decided to head downtown to explore some "Austin-y" things.
First, the Lyndon B. Johnson presidential library and museum. It was really interesting. We watched a video and saw lots of artifacts from his presidency. My favorite thing was a letter to LBJ from Jackie Kennedy the morning after JFK's funeral. It was very moving. Andy knows all these crazy conspiracy theories about the JFK and LBJ...I'm not so sure. Anyway, here's a picture of him in front of the museum (he thinks I'm silly for always taking pictures).
Then, we headed to Barton Springs. It is a natural spring in the middle of the city. The water flows out at 68 degrees all year round. There is a pool there and a big park. Unfortunately, thanks to Hurricane Hermine, the pool was closed. (We are too far inland to get hurricanes, but we sure can get a heck of a lot of rain!). Don't worry though, this was not another failed Austin Adventure (see the bat story...) because we walked around and found this:
Can you read the sign? Evidently no one can. So, since we're locals now, we did what the locals do... changed into our swimsuits and hopped in! We mentioned to some friends of ours that we did that and they said that that's the only place they ever swim and they had never even noticed the sign until recently. Ha ha ha.
Oh, and one more thing. I got bit by a fish! Okay so fish don't really bite, they nibble. Either way, I didn't like it, it really freaked me out!
Well, we have started work. Andy is working with AmeriCorps/Communities in Schools doing tutoring and mentoring. I am working at Mason Elementary (Go Mustangs!) as an instructional assistant in special education. (I'm not working at the preschool anymore...I got offered this job, which is full time and better pay, so I took it. I'm sad not to have a classroom, but this is a good way to get some more public school experience.) We're thankful to be settling into a routine in our new home!
First, the Lyndon B. Johnson presidential library and museum. It was really interesting. We watched a video and saw lots of artifacts from his presidency. My favorite thing was a letter to LBJ from Jackie Kennedy the morning after JFK's funeral. It was very moving. Andy knows all these crazy conspiracy theories about the JFK and LBJ...I'm not so sure. Anyway, here's a picture of him in front of the museum (he thinks I'm silly for always taking pictures).
Then, we headed to Barton Springs. It is a natural spring in the middle of the city. The water flows out at 68 degrees all year round. There is a pool there and a big park. Unfortunately, thanks to Hurricane Hermine, the pool was closed. (We are too far inland to get hurricanes, but we sure can get a heck of a lot of rain!). Don't worry though, this was not another failed Austin Adventure (see the bat story...) because we walked around and found this:
Can you read the sign? Evidently no one can. So, since we're locals now, we did what the locals do... changed into our swimsuits and hopped in! We mentioned to some friends of ours that we did that and they said that that's the only place they ever swim and they had never even noticed the sign until recently. Ha ha ha.
Well, we have started work. Andy is working with AmeriCorps/Communities in Schools doing tutoring and mentoring. I am working at Mason Elementary (Go Mustangs!) as an instructional assistant in special education. (I'm not working at the preschool anymore...I got offered this job, which is full time and better pay, so I took it. I'm sad not to have a classroom, but this is a good way to get some more public school experience.) We're thankful to be settling into a routine in our new home!
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