Classroom » 2012-2013

I'm not gonna' lie.. It's my favorite thing to photograph the classroom right before school is back in session. You know, when the bulletin boards a freshly decorated, the toys and books placed neatly and perfectly, on the shelves, and the weather bear still has all his limbs! Hahaha. Doesn't it look just so picture perfect? This is indeed my favorite time of the year. After the first week.. I take that back, the first day, the kids come to class, you kind of start to loathe the place and it never ever looks quite as appealing. Ever. I think this is a bit repetitive of a post I did at the beginning of last school year. Oh, jeez.. isn't that awful? I swear I am grateful for my job. I swear, I swear. I just have to repeat that over in my head when I'm pullin' into the parking lot at 7:15AM, Monday through Friday.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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Happy Days

I'm pretty happy today. It's unusual for a Thursday but let me tell you why....

First of all, look at these photos of Ick. I took these a while back when I was home visiting with the ferrets. They really weren't too pumped at all about the ball pit like you'd think, but it did make for a super cute photo op.

I'm just glad to be home.. after a long day at work, with no break. Plus, it is Thursday, so that means, no children at work tomorrow because it's Friday. No children till Monday. I do love my weekends. Plus, coming home to these little furry critters.. all  5 of them. On top of that, Michael was off today so I got to see him earlier than 10PM. That's a good reason to be happy.

But... what is making me even happier this week? Well, Tuesday I found out that 2 of my favorite bands are stopping in the Pittsburgh area within the next few months.... The Bouncing Souls and Modest Mouse.

Of course, you know, The Bouncing Souls are my all time favorite but it's been a few years since I've saw them in my own city. It cannot compare to the shows in Jersey, I know that much, but it was be very convenient and I'm looking forward to it very much. I can't wait to check out their new record.

As for Modest Mouse, I've been pretty jealous for the last couple years over the fact that Michael got to see Modest Mouse before. I was beginning to think I'd never ever get to see them because they are constantly over seas or just playing here or there, never anywhere close.

So.. I got tickets to both this week and it's definitely something I'm pretty excited about. If you know me, you know how giddy concerts make me. This makes my summer.. no matter what other crappy situations are going on currently or are going to happen within the next few months.

I was seriously very close a couple times on splurging and buying tickets to see Modest Mouse in Atlantic City at some big festival. Going to Atlantic City, in general, is something that's been on my list of things to do, but I know deep down how much I loathe festival concerts and getting the time off work and the drive.. it just would have been a hassle all around.

I was also close at some point to buying tickets to see the Souls in Philly because I was going to withdraw of seeing them. In hindsight, I'm so glad I never got crazy and went through with purchasing tickets to either of these. This is so much better.

I would like to believe this is one of those  "everything happens for a reason" things but I'm not sure if I believe that. Though, sometimes it's nice to.

However, I know The Adicts are playing in Cleveland next month and I love The Adicts.. hands down, some of the best, most entertaining shows I've ever attended. Plus, the first time I saw them was also in Cleveland at Peabody's. Brings back so many good memories, but as for funds and time off work, I'm not sure sure the stars are completely aligned for me.

Not completely, but close.

I must mention, too, that Primus is coming back to Pittsburgh. It really hasn't been that long since I was fortunate enough to see them, but I think they are another band I could see time after time and never get enough. I haven't got tickets for that, but I think it is something I'd like to do. If not, I'm sure I'll kick myself for it when the day comes and I'm not there.

Oh, and Tim Barry is playing at the 31st Street Pub in Pittsburgh next week. I first saw him several years ago when he and The Gaslight Anthem opened up for The Souls in Pittsburgh. I fell completely in love and I haven't had the opportunity to see him again yet. I'm thinking this is something that need to happen and there isn't really any reason that it shouldn't.

One more thing, I was just reminded when I typed that, The Gaslight Anthem is coming out with a new record. In fact, I just read they are releasing the first single off of it very soon. That is also another new record I can't wait to hear! But you know what that means... new record calls for a tour. Let's cross our fingers that Pittsburgh is on their agenda!

Okay, so that is probably more than a few things to be happy about. Let me soak it all in.

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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