I think I am a nerd. And I know I have found my calling.
Today I picked up my new employee paperwork from "my Principal." Included in the packet was an article to read (in reference to teaching reading/writing) as well as information on how to register for and take professional development courses online.
I have found myself to be very excited about registering for these courses, watching the videos and reading the article. For the past two years, I have continued to WANT to keep learning more and more above and beyond the basic requirements.
I got out a new binder and new dividers so that I can start pytting together a curriculum binder so that I can start planning and preparing. I don't know why the thought of a new binder and dividers excites me so much.
Anyways, I can't believe that I am starting a curriculum binder! I can't believe that I am going to be a teacher. I can't believe, in the midst of this economy, that I obtained a job and that I am going to have my own classroom! I am just so excited, which is why I am already planning and preparing. It's never too early to get organized.... :)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Cloud 9
I am on "Cloud 9" right now!!!!
Exactly one month ago, I graduated from college. This was such an exciting time to FINALLY be done with school but also a discouraging time. As most of you are aware of the current education budget cuts, graduating with a degree in education felt really useless. BUT I decided to stay hopeful and positive. I kept telling myself... If I am meant to be a teacher, I will find a position.
2 Saturdays ago, I attended a job fair. I stood in line for 3 hours. There had to have been 700 people there. Although everyone was applying for different campuses, it was still discouraging seeing how many people were looking for teaching positions. But, the next evening, I received a phone call for a job interview. I had an interview last Thursday. At the end of my interview, I was asked to come back for a 2nd interview. I had that second interview on Saturday. At that interview, I had to actually teach a lesson for the Principal.
Well, today, exactly one month after I graduated, I have received an offer to become a 3rd grade teacher for the next school year! This is a dream come true!!! I have always wanted a 3rd or 4th grade self contained class. (Self contained means you have 1 class all day, so you teach every subject.) But most schools have started switching teachers in 2nd grade. I obtained a 3rd grade self-contained position, the position that is unheard of but I thought of as my "dream position."
So many people have told me I might not get a job until October, until all the student enrollments are official and schools see how many teachers they need. It was so nervewracking thinking I might not get a job or who knows when it will be. I was so stressed about having to spend all summer applying and trying. I am so relieved that I can now spend all summer knowing I have a classroom waiting for me! I am so happy right now I could cry!!
Exactly one month ago, I graduated from college. This was such an exciting time to FINALLY be done with school but also a discouraging time. As most of you are aware of the current education budget cuts, graduating with a degree in education felt really useless. BUT I decided to stay hopeful and positive. I kept telling myself... If I am meant to be a teacher, I will find a position.
2 Saturdays ago, I attended a job fair. I stood in line for 3 hours. There had to have been 700 people there. Although everyone was applying for different campuses, it was still discouraging seeing how many people were looking for teaching positions. But, the next evening, I received a phone call for a job interview. I had an interview last Thursday. At the end of my interview, I was asked to come back for a 2nd interview. I had that second interview on Saturday. At that interview, I had to actually teach a lesson for the Principal.
Well, today, exactly one month after I graduated, I have received an offer to become a 3rd grade teacher for the next school year! This is a dream come true!!! I have always wanted a 3rd or 4th grade self contained class. (Self contained means you have 1 class all day, so you teach every subject.) But most schools have started switching teachers in 2nd grade. I obtained a 3rd grade self-contained position, the position that is unheard of but I thought of as my "dream position."
So many people have told me I might not get a job until October, until all the student enrollments are official and schools see how many teachers they need. It was so nervewracking thinking I might not get a job or who knows when it will be. I was so stressed about having to spend all summer applying and trying. I am so relieved that I can now spend all summer knowing I have a classroom waiting for me! I am so happy right now I could cry!!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Weekly Weigh-In
This is what I wrote in my unpublished blog at the beginning of the week..... After hitting two wonderful milestones this week, I suddenly found it much easier to make the right food choices and make myself exercise. I took pictures of myself at my biggest so now after hitting the 25 pounds loss mark, I took new pictures in the same clothes and in the same poses. I compared them so that I could visually see what differences there are. Seeing a smaller belly and smaller neck from 25 pounds ago has also given me an extra sense of hope. I am finally feeling like this whole weight loss thing is really going to happen for me.
Now at the end of the week, these are my thoughts....This week started out really well but that changed very quickly. I saw firsthand today what has caused me to gain weight - stress, exhaustion, and a crazy schedule. Kyle was put on night shift this week and it has made things really crazy around here. It is EXTREMELY difficult keeping 2 toddlers quiet so that he can sleep during the day so we ended up going to bed extremely late and sleeping really late. We ended up putting ourselves on a schedule similar to Kyle's. That did not treat my body well. I have had no energy, have made horrible food choices, have felt really down, etc. In addition, I had 2 job interviews that I had to prepare for this week (the second I hate to teach a lesson) and that added a lot of stress. Also, on our way back from a walk, my double stroller broke coming up the driveway. Thank goodness it was right when we got home but it has got me really down - I finally found something that the kids and I enjoy and now I can't even do it anymore. So anyways, when I was in school full time, I always stayed up late trying to get studying done, was stressed out from being home with the kids every day (something that I am again having to get used to), I had no energy, was exhausted, was down, etc. This week I felt EXACTLY like I had felt every day when I was in school full time for the past 2 years. This week I saw how hard of a time I had and realized that these are the reasons I have gained so much weight. Luckily Kyle won't be on night shift for a few more weeks but when he is, he is going to have to learn how to sleep with ear plugs in. I have got to get back on a normal schedule. The past few weeks we were on a normal schedule and I was able to lose weight. This past week, it was just difficult for me. But, I have seen my weaknesses and my problems and I am bound to have bad weeks. This was one for me. So, I am looking forward to addressing these problems this week. Even though I did not lose, I also thankfully did not gain. I had lost 1 1/2 pounds at the beginning of the week so the second half of the week gained them back, so I am back to where I was last Sunday.
This past week, I lost 0 pounds.
As of today....
Pounds Lost: 24 pounds
Pounds Left: 48 pounds
Now at the end of the week, these are my thoughts....This week started out really well but that changed very quickly. I saw firsthand today what has caused me to gain weight - stress, exhaustion, and a crazy schedule. Kyle was put on night shift this week and it has made things really crazy around here. It is EXTREMELY difficult keeping 2 toddlers quiet so that he can sleep during the day so we ended up going to bed extremely late and sleeping really late. We ended up putting ourselves on a schedule similar to Kyle's. That did not treat my body well. I have had no energy, have made horrible food choices, have felt really down, etc. In addition, I had 2 job interviews that I had to prepare for this week (the second I hate to teach a lesson) and that added a lot of stress. Also, on our way back from a walk, my double stroller broke coming up the driveway. Thank goodness it was right when we got home but it has got me really down - I finally found something that the kids and I enjoy and now I can't even do it anymore. So anyways, when I was in school full time, I always stayed up late trying to get studying done, was stressed out from being home with the kids every day (something that I am again having to get used to), I had no energy, was exhausted, was down, etc. This week I felt EXACTLY like I had felt every day when I was in school full time for the past 2 years. This week I saw how hard of a time I had and realized that these are the reasons I have gained so much weight. Luckily Kyle won't be on night shift for a few more weeks but when he is, he is going to have to learn how to sleep with ear plugs in. I have got to get back on a normal schedule. The past few weeks we were on a normal schedule and I was able to lose weight. This past week, it was just difficult for me. But, I have seen my weaknesses and my problems and I am bound to have bad weeks. This was one for me. So, I am looking forward to addressing these problems this week. Even though I did not lose, I also thankfully did not gain. I had lost 1 1/2 pounds at the beginning of the week so the second half of the week gained them back, so I am back to where I was last Sunday.
This past week, I lost 0 pounds.
As of today....
Pounds Lost: 24 pounds
Pounds Left: 48 pounds
Friday, June 10, 2011
Tayler
Happy Birthday to my Little Princess!!!
Today Tayler turned TWO!! Can you believe it has already been two years!? I can't!
Here is a stroll down memory lane....
Meeting her for the first time:
Colton meeting his little sister for the first time:
4 months old:
She learns how to sit:
She learns how to walk:
She turns 1:
Her hair gets long!
She gets food allergies:
She becomes silly!
She play dress up:
She turns TWO!!
She LOVES her babies!
Now I feel sad looking at all of these old pictures. I love that we are out of the "baby stage" but I am sad at how fast time has flown by.
Happy Birthday Tayler!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Milestones :)
On Sunday I had my weekly weigh in. I only lost 1 pound but I have been trying to not let that discourage me. I have been exercising more than usual so I didn't understand why I did not lose more. However, now I am jumping for joy!! I have reached 2 important milestones that have really made me believe that my work is paying off and that there is hope for me being skinny again.
Milestone #1: My wedding ring fits!!!!! I have not been able to wear it for over a year now. I can now put it on without it cutting off my circulation!
Milestone #2: The next milestone that I am going to share with you is really personal and embarassing but I want to share how far I have already come. I am proud and maybe it will give you hope if you too are struggling. At the beginning of the year, at my biggest, I was wearing a size 18 pant. This is what made me realize that I need to make a change. I could not believe I had gotten that big - I never even realized I had put on THAT much weight. I went from being an 8 before I got pregnant with Tayler to an 18. Well, yesterday I got dressed up to go submit job applications. I cannot tell you how great it felt to walk out of the house wearing a size 12!!! Now, I can't get into size 12 jeans but all I care about is the number on that pair of pants I wore! This is the first time in a long time that I do believe in myself! For the first time in about a year, I actually believe that this whole losing weight thing is possible.
Slowly but surely I will beat this battle.
Milestone #1: My wedding ring fits!!!!! I have not been able to wear it for over a year now. I can now put it on without it cutting off my circulation!
Milestone #2: The next milestone that I am going to share with you is really personal and embarassing but I want to share how far I have already come. I am proud and maybe it will give you hope if you too are struggling. At the beginning of the year, at my biggest, I was wearing a size 18 pant. This is what made me realize that I need to make a change. I could not believe I had gotten that big - I never even realized I had put on THAT much weight. I went from being an 8 before I got pregnant with Tayler to an 18. Well, yesterday I got dressed up to go submit job applications. I cannot tell you how great it felt to walk out of the house wearing a size 12!!! Now, I can't get into size 12 jeans but all I care about is the number on that pair of pants I wore! This is the first time in a long time that I do believe in myself! For the first time in about a year, I actually believe that this whole losing weight thing is possible.
Slowly but surely I will beat this battle.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Weekly Weigh-In
This week I exercised a lot harder than last week. I jogged instead of walked, I added more resistance on the machines and added in strength training. I also ate really good. But minimal weightloss. I'm not really sure why. I exercised a lot harder this week so I'm not sure if it's because I added in the strength training and my body is in shock or what. Either way, I am looking forward to next week to see if my body is willing to accept these changes. The past few months I have not exercised at all and lost and now that I am exercising I am not losing. When I lost my first 19 pounds, I did it by diet alone and now I am exercising. I don't get it. BUT no loss or little loss is waaaaay better than a gain!
Also - I am going to continue these posts because it has really helped hold me accountable. When I want to give up, I think about how "everyone" is going to know I gave up. Trying to lose weight alone and without a buddy is extremely difficult. I feel like I have no absolutely no support system. So when I think about everyone reading how I am doing, I don't want everyone to know I was a slacker. :)
Anyways........
I am pleased to announce that this past week, I lost 1 (one) pound.
As of today....
Pounds Lost: 24 pounds
Pounds Left: 48 pounds
Exercise Log for this week:
Sunday: None :(
Monday: None :(
Tuesday: Walk/jog w/ the dog - 30 min
Wednesday: 70 minutes: Walk/jog w/ the dog - 30 min; bicycle machine - 40 min
Thursday: 1 hour in home gym: 15 minutes strength training, 45 minutes cardio
Friday: 1 1/2 hours in home gym: 15 minutes strength training, 75 minutes cardio
Saturday: None :(
Also - I am going to continue these posts because it has really helped hold me accountable. When I want to give up, I think about how "everyone" is going to know I gave up. Trying to lose weight alone and without a buddy is extremely difficult. I feel like I have no absolutely no support system. So when I think about everyone reading how I am doing, I don't want everyone to know I was a slacker. :)
Anyways........
I am pleased to announce that this past week, I lost 1 (one) pound.
As of today....
Pounds Lost: 24 pounds
Pounds Left: 48 pounds
Exercise Log for this week:
Sunday: None :(
Monday: None :(
Tuesday: Walk/jog w/ the dog - 30 min
Wednesday: 70 minutes: Walk/jog w/ the dog - 30 min; bicycle machine - 40 min
Thursday: 1 hour in home gym: 15 minutes strength training, 45 minutes cardio
Friday: 1 1/2 hours in home gym: 15 minutes strength training, 75 minutes cardio
Saturday: None :(
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Female Inspiration
This is how I have felt for about the past year, the time period that I have put on most of my weight. 
Last night I was watching Extreme Makeover: Weightloss Edition and the girl on the show was 21 years old and was very successful at everything she did, especially academics. She was such an over achiever in every aspect of her life, except for weightloss. She reminded me soooo much of myself. Why I can accomplish every goal except for losing weight? One reason is because I am an emotional eater: sadness, anger, boredom, happiness, etc.... I eat. One thing I am currently trying to focus on is what triggers me to eat and figuring out a way I can stop it. Last night I was so bored and wanted to eat just to give me something to do. So, I caught that urge and as much as I did not feel like exercising, I took the dog for a walk and I felt sooo much better afterwards! The cravings were gone. :)
As you may or may not know, The Biggest Loser is one of my favorite shows. It is amazing to me how people can lose so much weight by just diet and exercise. I just found some before and after pictures of some of my most favorite and inspirational past contestants.
Olivia, this season's winner. Went from 261 lbs to 132 lbs (-129)
Hannah, Olivia's sis - runner up. Went from 248 to 128 lbs. (-120)
Rebecca, season 2009 at home winner. (Lost 139 pounds)
If these girls can look this great after losing that much weight, then I want to look like them!
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