Collage

Still editing... but guess what? I'm officially on vacation now. Just checking into the blog but now I'm going to hang out with some company. :)

TGIF!

» Linds

Go Bulldogs

 "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" Is that how that saying goes????

I'd say that lately I've had a pretty fair ratio of working my ass off and having good times.

This past weekend had it's ups and downs. Saturday, after one of the most trying mornings ever, I came home with a lot of Pike Day treasures and ended my night by the river, drinking with good, old friends. Followed by a typical, amazing, relaxing Sunday. Of course, Monday is the first, yet least favorite day of the week, but to counteract that, I called off Tuesday. I slept a much needed 12 hours and spent the rest of the afternoon with Michael and the ferrets. After that, Corpse and I escaped to the sweet city, where we saw Gogol Bordello and Primus. It was dreamy. That is the only way I can describe it. A lot of fun. However, I struggled to get to work today after only 3 or 4 hours of sleep. It was just one of those days where I really had to bite my tongue all day. As much as I just wanted to go home and curl up one the couch to take a nap, I had to go to the baseball field after work and take some sports photos. I'm not going to lie, I prayed for rain all day, but in the end, I'm glad I got that over with and out of the way. It's some easy, extra cash to go towards my new camera fund. As much as I am still dragging this evening, I must admit, I'm still in after-concert high mode. Just floating along, giddily. I'm glad this feeling can remain untouchable though everything else.

Now what will tomorrow bring? Who knows. So often I feel as though I'm pushed to the point where want to give up, especially at work, but I just can't. Something keeps pushing me to keep going and move forward. I feel like there is a name for this particular gut feeling but I can't pinpoint it. I guess I just know deep down that it all pays off. Even though, I have this little evil, doubtful voice in my head constantly telling me otherwise.

A friend and I have been chatting a lot recently about life and she said something along the lines of how.. the good times make the hard times worth going through and how nothing great comes easy. This is all true. At least when I can slow down and think about it, it seems like it makes sense. I wish I could remind myself of these little tidbits of advice when I'm having my rough days, but alas, the wisdom always seems to be the last part of the whole process.

Well, I'm not so sure there is even a point to be made here and why it is that I keep writing posts like this over and over. Like I said, I certainly have my fair share of good times and bad times. That's human and well, I'm human. As much as I want this blog to be my happy, private little sanctuary corner of the world wide web, I guess I write like this because when I look back, I know first and foremost, I'm going to remember the good times and memories and successes, but at the same time, I want to make it clear to myself when I reflect on situations and times, how I got to this point and all the effort and hard work and struggle that can be involved. This honesty will hopefully break my obsessive thinking about how everything good is in the past and nothing will ever compare. This is a rut I often find myself in. I suppose it's just kind of a mental note to myself during those times when I'm really trying to find the strength to make it through the day.. saying that everything is okay, this is normal, things will and do get better, and they aren't truly as bad as they seem . Just be patient and just keep living.

» Linds

Duda's Greenhouse

This past week, our classroom went on an outing to Duda's Greenhouse in Republic. They were kind enough to donate each of the children a flower and helped them plant it. We toured the rest of the greenhouse and got to touch, smell, and see a lot of beautiful plants!

» Linds

Work ; 4 Years

Just thinking... As of this month, I've been working for Head Start for 4 years. The same job.. for 4 whole years. I do feel worn out and exhausted, both mentally and physically some days. Luckily, the dynamics of a classroom change from year to year so it is hard to get bored with. Of course, since I started I've switched positions. I'm making 2 dollars or so more than from when I first started. Which, to me, is pretty impressive. It's hard enough these days to get a job, let alone one that gives you a raise. Plus, I got some free education out of the deal. As for what I do, I'm not going to lie, it's a total love hate relationship, but when it comes down to it, I have to say, I'm pretty blessed to have a job at all. A full time job, with benefits. Though most mornings it is hard to feel that way, I am very grateful. There are so pretty heart-warming moments, too, I guess. :)

xo, Linds

Students

These photos are from Open House way back in the beginning of September. Yeah, I know, I thought they looked like sweet little children, too... ;) Ha ha. Kidding.. I think. It's hard for me to even say this after a long, hard 8 hours of work, but they do have their moments when they make me smile.

xo, Linds

Classroom 2011-2012

No lie.... today was hell. The first day of school is a total disaster. Between broken down buses and losing kids and working all day with no break.. just.. oh myyyy. I hate to talk negatively like this because I know it's not going to help me get through this or cope with it but today was just a real downer. Not like I didn't expect it to be, but boy, I just feel like making some bad decisions like quitting my job and going to work at Target with all my bff's. Anyway, here are some photos of the classroom I took before the little heathens came. Decorating, paperwork, and the whole crafty bit over summer.. I can deal with and I do actually enjoy. I was just not prepared for today.

At least my classroom is cute, huh? Yeah. It didn't last long. Here is to hoping tomorrow is better. Cheers... No seriously. Here goes a Robotussin induced nap.

xo, Linds

Timeless

For years and years, the movie Detroit Rock City and the board game of LIFE are something Laura and I have always been able to enjoy together. I realized this last week or so when we had a little random movie and board game night. It was really fun. :)

It's good to know some things will never change. <3

It's Friday!! I'm bound and determined to have a good weekend because the kids come back to school on Monday. This past week, even though it was a short week with the Labor Day Holiday on Monday, was a very busy last minute dash to get everything prepared for the school year. It's going to be overwhelmingly stressful until both the children and the staff get back into the groove of things. It's both scary and exciting for us all!

xo, Linds

On teaching

Today is my first Monday back to work without children. I have finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. It's been one of the longest and trying years I have had with my job, since I started a little over three years ago. I have worked hard to stay patient and understanding, especially to the children. There are times when I felt like I had reached the end of my rope but still I have pushed myself through these days of being not only mentally, but physically exhausted. I have learned a lot with my new placement within the program. I have to look at the pros of the whole experience. I have grew a lot as a person through my job. It's something I can actually see in myself every day. There are many of times I dislike and become fed up with my job just as much as the next person, but I have to remind myself how blessed I am to have a job, at all. Perhaps even more importantly, I should reflect on the lives I hope I have touched while trying to create a solid foundation for these children's own lives. Even more so than just the education they receive, the trust they put in me to steer them forward on the right path.Now I will begin my new job duties for the summer of endless recruiting, thorough cleaning, intense training, and so on. I am trying my hardest to keep up with the blogging. It's been a terrific outlet for not just my creativity but as a way for me to step back and look at my life through fresh and positive eyes. With that being said, I heard this quote below during a past training and I like to keep it tucked safely in the back of my mind when I notice I am in need of a new perspective.

“I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It’s my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child be humanized or dehumanized.”
— Haim Ginott


xo, Linds