It's been kind of a rough week at school.  Schedules are crazy, kids are acting like its a full moon or something, and ISTEP starts next week.  But you know what?  I can't get too frustrated at my kids for not remembering the difference between days of the week and the months of the year because, quite frankly, there have been several times this week when I couldn't remember what day it was.  I give my friends the disclaimer that I cannot be held responsible for what comes out of my mouth after 4pm...after that, I'm lucky if its even coherent. 

 Case in point:  I came home after a looooong day Tuesday and stood at my apartment door with keys in hand.  I stood there for a very long time, because my keyless entry just wouldn't unlock the door!  That's right--KEYLESS ENTRY, as in, the one for my CAR, not for my apartment.  I just couldn't figure out why that little button would not work!  How inconvenient!  I only figured it out because I heard this weird noise and looked over to see my car lights blinking out of control in the parking lot. 

12 more weeks...I can do it!  And then what do I do??

Currently Reading Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! see related

I am student teacher.  Hear me roar.

How quickly life moves along, dragging me with it.  The summer was fabulous.  I feel like I have learned more in the last few months that I have in the last few years.  I absolutely loved my job.  It only served to confirm that I would love to work with juvenile delinquents when I graduate.  How exactly...or where...I'm not sure.

I moved into a new apartment a few weeks ago.  It's been interesting being here on my own for a few weeks until my housemates move in.  Amazing how loud little sounds can be at night when you are on your own.  But at the same time, its just a little bit more of a taste of independence, and it is fun!  I have never more enjoyed cooking and cleaning and getting up in the morning!  It even looks like God has provided for me to still have a little bit of employment still this fall. 

I started student teaching on Thursday.  We had 2 long days of in-service, and today was our first day with students.  I have a seminar here on campus tomorrow, and then Wednesday we actually start servicing our kids.  I am excited, and a little nervous.  Everyone at my school is so friendly and welcoming, and I already feel like I have learned so much.  In 8 short weeks I go to the highschool to finish out the semester.  Then I graduate??  Oh goodness.

It has been pouring here most of the day.  I am cozy and warm, thankful for fleece and my roommate's mom's fudge, bless her heart.  I am really just killing time until I can justify going to bed--look how old I am getting!!  I am getting anxious for my amazing friends and wonderful boyfriend to move back to campus and make me feel young again.  Did I really just say that?

Holidays without family...

I will admit that there was a time when I was younger when I used to feel like holidays with the family weren't such a big deal.  I mean, you see them all the time--you live with them!  Would it be such a big deal if I went to so-and-so's house for an Easter egg hunt or whatever?  And sure, it's exciting to be out on your own.  I mean, it really is fun, and the novelty hasn't completely worn off.  But...all that to say that I have concluded that as long as you can do holidays with the family, you should do it.  That kind of thing is just irreplacable.  Tonight there is a cookout here outside my apartment building, and there will be good food and some good friends.  But it just won't taste as good as burgers grilled in MY OWN backyard, and I'm convinced that food just tastes better in family-size serving dishes anyway.  Cooking for one...boring.

Living on my own does mean, however, that I had a chance to sleep in til 9, go to Walmart twice, clean the apartment thoroughly, and drink more than one cup of coffee. 

Family, I miss you.  I wish you well there in the 'burg, with your cookout and games and lots of laughter.  I love you.

well, I am back in the land of corn and livin la vida solo.  well, sorta.  there's one other girl in my apartment right now and she is pretty cool.  i've enjoyed a few hours of monotonous tv with her.  other than that, our other apartment-mates, including my roommate, have not shown up and we haven't heard from them.  might be just the two of us!  it is so quiet here.  so dead.  so weird.

i made my first dinner on my own tonight.  last night doesn't count...teddy grahams isn't much of a dinner.  tonight i made southwest corn soup....and cried the whole way through eating it because it was so spicy.  then after that i tried my new coffee maker and made a cup of coffee so weak it was shameful.  we'll have to work on that tomorrow morning. 

school starts tomorrow.  i spent several hours putting finishing touches on my lesson plans.  i am more than a little nervous about this.  gonna head to bed early so i can get up early.  i need to find my room assignment and class rosters and get all set up.  brrrrrrrrrrrrr...that's the shivers going down my spine.

Currently Listening Hey There Delilah By Plain White T's see related

Ever been so scared that your teeth hurt?  Ever been so excited that you had to remember to breathe?  I've never been very good at changes.  Here comes a whammy.

It's my last week in the burg for an indefinite amount of time.  What's fairly definite is that it will probably be at least 6 months til I set foot in this state again.  And that a lot will change in those months.  This weekend I head back to Indiana and in many ways, I haven't a clue what to expect.  Got some roommates I've never met, some new tutoring clients I haven't met, a job I am dying to start but deathly afraid of, and some possibilities for a second job...err third? fourth?  Whatever.

The point here is that from this moment life really accelerates, whether or not I am ready to be dragged along.  It's my prayer that I can just keep up, keep my head above water, and come out having learned a thing or two and having accomplished just a little of my heart's purpose. 

Countdown to landing in the real world:  just a little over 6 months

Evidence that Rachel is becoming an adult: 
 *  she purchased a saucepan (eww, I am so old)
   *  she is categorically exhausted each day at 9pm
      *  the customer is only right after I've had my coffee