Finally a new post!

Hey All! It's been a long time since I've posted something on here! Not sure if anyone still reads these posts or what, but I thought I would do a little update.

I started my new job last week as an early intervention specialist. My job is the intake coordinator. I receive referals for kiddos that might need early intervention services. We services kids birth-three and three-five. I and another specialist (occupational therapists, Physical Therapist or speech language pathologist) will evaluate the child by testing them and refer them for services. I then develop an individual family service plan for the kids and their families to help them work on the areas in need. There is a lot to learn, but so far I am really enjoying it!

Besides work, I've been running A LOT. I'm up to 140 miles since June 25. I am trying to make it to 200 by the end of August, but I think I will be cutting it close! Besides running I've been hiking up in Jackonville with mom. We do about 3-4 mile hikes on Saturdays. The hiking has helped me improve my pace when running. Hopefully I will do some more races this year.

I've been trying to get into making more earrrings to hopefully start selling some of my stuff around the holidays. "Owlson" is going to be the name of my earring line. Hopefully I can get some new ides from some friends as I was inquired that they get together and have beading parties and make jewerly!

Well thats about all thats new with me! Hope everyone is doing well!

Long time, no post!

Hello All!

It's been a while since I have last posted. Nothing much as changed besides I ran the Portland Marathon in October. It sure was tough and I was glad to be done training for it. Now I am wanted to get back into the groove of training for something. I am thinking a triathalon, but we'll see about that.

I am currently in school full-time getting my special-education endorsement. I really enjoy my classes and excited to jump into the field of special education. Getting a job will most likely require me to move up north to the Salem or Portland area, or possibly another state. I am excited for a change of environment. I need something new. So many more opportunities and things to do in other places!

Ryan and I moved into a townhouse. Its almost double is size from our other 1 bedroom. It was a quick move just up the stairs, so we were able to do it over the course of a week or so.

Well other than that, I haven't been up to much. Maybe after the Holidays there will be more to post! :) Here is a picture of the halloween costume I made!

Almost summer....good and bad...!

Wow, sure has been awhile since I last posted something on here! Things are going well. Wrapping up the final two days of teaching! What a year it has been....I first I thought the year was never going to end, and now I don't want to let them go. I know they are all ready and I taught them all they need to know and some to be ready for third grade. I know they will all succeed, 110% guarenteed! Anyways, they are all such sweet kids and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to teach them. What can I say, I love my job! (Most of the time that is!). I will release them as third graders on Friday as they take off to enjoy summer break!

On a sad note...I don't have a job next year! Our school district has a huge budget shortfall and not only did I lose my job, but every first and second year teacher in the district did (about 70 teachers). That's a lot of teachers if you look at the amount of students in the classrooms. We are talking HUGE classes next year. I started off with 28 kids and that was tough, I can only imagine 35+ in a primary class...a teaching disaster! More time will be spent on behavior issues than actually accomplishing anything academic. So the chances of me getting hired back with the Medford district next year are extremely, I mean extremely slim. So I am in search of jobs in other states. If an oppotunity arises in another state, I will be there! I am willing to move away and do what it takes to get a teacher job. I really don't care to do anything else, after all I didn't this degree for nothing! =) SO in the meantime, I am job searching in other states and applying elementary teaching jobs. Maybe this is something good and will be a change for me?!?! Who knows, but what I do know is that its not going to ruin my summer or my trip to Hawaii next week. AWW ten 10days of relaxtion. What a great way to end a successful year of teaching. Hope next year will be just as great!

Happy Summer!

Spring Break!

I've been on spring break for the past week and it has been nice! Boy I can't wait for summer break... I would have to say all of these breaks are one of the reasons I like this profession (although if you are a teacher you know these breaks are a must as they help keep you sane!) Anyways, the break is sure flying by. I went up to Portland to hang out with a bunch of friends and Meredith. We ate LOTS of food (its heaven up there compared to Medford) and did LOTs of shopping. Had to make a visit to IKEA to pick up a few new things for my place. We went on a saturday afternoon which was a bad idea as it was super crowded. I also got a new samsung LCD. Who would've known! It was a great deal I could pass up and plus I had the big old school TV at home that Ryan and I wanted to get rid of. Watching TV is now more enjoyable! Living in Portland would be fun. Maybe someday soon I will move up there... anyways off to clean out and organize the garage!

Its been awhile!

It sure has been awhile since I have updated this. Things are going well so far! I still have my job which is a good thing. Our school district agreed on cutting days as they felt like it was a better idea then cutting teacher. So looks like we will be losing days of school. They are suppose to announce that sometime this week. Supposedly we will be having four days weeks from here on out and a longer spring break. To bad I won't have any extra $$$ to go anywhere for the extra long spring break as I will not be getting paid for all those cut days. All I can say I am thankful I still have my job...next school year will be another story....

Lets see what new besides work...Ryan and I went to the coast this weekend. Had a relaxing weekend at the coast. Ninja had his first time on the beach. He LOVED it. He was happy until I wanted to see how he was in the water. So I had him walk across a little water. I thought he would move quickly and get across, but he took his sweet time getting across. I say a wave coming in, so I called him but before you know it the wave dunked him under. Then a few more times. he couldn't catch himself back up on land ( it got deep by a rock). So I jumped in the ice cold water and rescued him. I was wet from my waste up! Ryan stood there laughing as I lost both of my shoes. Ryan had to go after my crocs (although I am sure he would rather have me lose those!). Poor Ninja! He didn't know what waves could do to you. At least he still loves the beach despite the incident.

Anyways, I can't wait for the spring to get here with the sunshine and warm weather. It makes the day much more lovely!

Funny Video

A teaching partner passed this video along to us! I got a good laugh out of it...Nothing like a drugged up kid after the dentist! Happy Friday Everyone!

http://www.break.com/index/stoned-little-kid-after-dentist-visit.html

The new great depression

I haven't updated my blog in awhile, but I feel like now is a good time. It has been an exciting and depressing week or so. First of all, Jack Thomas Stavish was born on January 31st. What a cute guy he is...being an aunt is exciting. I just want to see him and hold him everyday and give him love! Just wait til he is older, then the fun begins!

On the other hand, our school district found out that we will be cutting days of school due to the budget shortfall of 5.6 million dollars which is equivalent to 18 days of school. 18 days of school sure is a lot of of learning to miss. That 2 days short of a whole month of learning for kids and a hell of a lot of money lost for teachers. Our school district is looking as ways to help save money such as electricity bills (no more microwaves and fridges in classrooms!!), spending money for school supplies is frozen, we are asked to cancel any field trips that can be left out, not get subs unless its for illness as it cost more money to pay a sub then the classroom teacher. Also, no subs for custodians if they are gone ( yes! dirty classrooms).

So what this all means is that they are hope to use some of the reserve funds to lower the days. We are waiting for the state revenue forcast on Feb. 20th, (which no one thinks will be good). Once we have that, we will be able to come to a conclusion of how many days we need to cut.

As for me, I will be losing a lot of money from the days cut. Each day cut, I lose a good chunk of my check. Better yet, its only suppose to get worse and being a temporary teacher right now basically tells me I will be jobless next year. But to look on the brightside, I just need to be optimistic that I have a job now, a place to live and a supportive boyfriend and a cute dog. Just take it one day at a time, whether that means things get better or I get a second job....only time will tell me that. As for now, I am I trying to save money and only spend it on things I need.