Teacher Talk : Teacher Outfits

I'm linking up with Nicole and Jamie for my second Teaching Tuesday post!

One of the things that I love about teaching is that I get to dress up every day! I look forward to my fridays and jeans, don't get me wrong, but I do enjoy the nicer clothes during the week. Here is a sneak peek of some of my favorite teaching items.

I love sheer shirts and button ups, and slacks every day except fridays. My classroom is freezing so I usually wear a cardigan or at least have one nearby for when I'm chilly. I have them in almost every color, it's an addiction. I am also totally a ballet flats kind-of-girl. :] I am on the tall side so I have never tried wearing heels to school but I imagine that they would make me feel like a giant. My lanyard is practically an accessory since I have to wear it every day so I love that I have this awesome bejeweled one! I am not the best at accessorizing so this does it for me.

I like to think that I am fashionable but really, I grab a pair of dress pants and a top && call it a day!

I hope you all had a great day, happy teaching tuesday!

typical, atypical weekend

This was my first traveling weekend since school starting and I am definitely feeling the effects. My boyfriend and I have been in a long distance relationships for almost a year and a half (since we graduated from college and moved back to our respective homes) and the school year makes it really hard to see each other. We have worked hard to make it work but thankfully he will be moving to my town in a few months. Anyways, this weekend I went and visited him and even though it made for a really long friday, it was worth it.

He teaches drumline for a high school marching band so when I got there on Friday I met him at a football game. I love the energy of high school football games and we had a good time. On Saturday the highlights were going to our favorite restaurant and watching our college dominate in their football game. This morning it was bittersweet knowing that I had to leave, but we got to spend a couple of hours relaxing, watching football, and cuddling on the couch.

It hurts my heart to be apart but I know that it is making us stronger and setting us up for an even better relationship when we are finally together again. We spent four years inseparable while in college so I know what it's like and I know how fabulous it will be. I can't wait for when he moves here and we are back to our normal, every day, relationship. It will be glorious.

I hope you all have a good monday! I am sick so I'm a little nervous for how school will go but I just made jeopardy for my 9th graders and have lots of activities for my juniors. Let's hope they cooperate!

Midweek Confesions

Nothing like some confessions to brighten up the middle of the week. I'm linking up with E for some always fabulous Midweek Confessions! These are all school related since school is basically my life. I heard that the first year of teaching is hard but man, it's kicking my butt! Thankfully I have some awesome students and that's what most of these are about. These ones really brighten my days and remind me why I chose this profession. Midweek Confessions...this kids say.

1. Student walks into my class today and loudly proclaimed, "Ms. T... can we PLEASE teach Tyler how to act with his girlfriend. He saw her in the hallway and gave her the most awkward hug like he didn't even know what to do. This really is a life skill, we need to have a lesson on it today." Meanwhile the boy he is talking to tries to make excuses and is clearly embarrassed. Oh, freshman boys.


2. We were talking about when I was in college and how I met my boyfriend. "You were in a band! What was it called? Were you the lead singer?"
...No, I was in the band, like, you know, the marching band? *student laughs* oh...

3. A student asks me about another student who had a crush on me last year. That whole situation was super weird and awkward for me. The kid this year, "I heard you had a boyfriend, are you still in a relationship? Are you ready for it? For the big question?" I walk away embarrassed. Why am I embarrassed about a 15 year old kid asking me about if I'm ready to get married to my boyfriend of 5 years. I think just knowing that they know something so personal about me kinda weirds me out.

4. "Ms. T... what day is it? what day is it?" I say, uh, wednesday? student: "it's hump day!" I want to bust up laughing but I try to pretend that I'm a little more mature that I actually am. If only they knew how much I love that commercial, and that I might have posted about it on my twitter this morning. I seriously can't watch it without cracking up, it's the best commercial in a while.

5. In class today we were talking about the new iOs7 update and this kid was talking about how it is all that is on instagram and facebook today. boy: 'i'm instagram famous you know, look me up, blahblah-insta-name...I have so many followers' immediately a girl goes, 'can i get a shout out?' boy: 'only if you take a picture with me!' ...really kids. instagram famous && you want a shout out? kids these days.


These probably don't sound as funny in writing, but they have brightened my day all week. So thankful for these gems of students. Happy Hump Day! :D

Old Navy Steals

Usually when I go shopping and stores ask for my email I just decline because I already get way too much junk email. I read on a blog once that they get super awesome Old Navy emails so last time I was there I decided that I would sign up. Today that decision definitely paid off! I got an email last night that would give me 50% of any one item && it said that i could use it with my super cash. Sweet! I knew that i needed a new black cardigan so i got that and a pair of my favorite yoga capris for a grand total of $20! I was stoked. that's a bargain to me!

I haven't been shopping in a while because I'm broke but I'm already making lists of the things that I want to buy when I get my first paycheck at the end of this month. I absolutely cannot wait!

I mentioned before that I was going to a Carrie Underwood concert and my friend and I went and it was AMAZINGGGG. She is just so sweet, beautiful, and talented! Her voice is so wonderful and she is super adorable on stage. She was talking about love songs and then got all shy and awkward and just laughed and it cracked me up. My friends dad got us the best seats, it was a great night. I love concerts but I tend to be too cheap to ever want to buy  tickets myself. I love when I benefit and other people buy them for me.

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend! The rest of mine will be filled with football and lesson planning.

Midweek Confessions

I'm linking up for one of my favorites, Midweek Confessions with E!

1. I wore new flats on Monday and got blisters on both heels that ripped to expose skin before the end of my first period plan. It was painful. Thank goodness I had band aids in my classroom and they did the trick for the day. I swear there are no shoes comfortable enough for a day at school, don't even ask me how people wear heels.

2. My students crack me up every day. Yesterday I had a kid come up to me and ask me my thoughts on the penny, the penny? I haven't thought about that in years and really I'm indifferent to the topic. He informed me that our economy would be better if we got rid of it because more people would buy things for 95 cents. I'm still pondering that thought...

3. I can't seem to get a single printer in my school to work for me. I travel between the copy room, staff lounge, and library during my plan hoping one of them will cooperate and I am yet to figure it out. I spend so much time walking between places that I don't get much planning done at all && that is probably why I have blisters.

4. I look forward to fridays way too much because I can wear jeans and a spirit shirt. three more dayssss.

5. I feel like this doesn't fit as a confession because it's a positive not a negative but I've made it to the gym 4 times in the past 4 days and it makes me feel really good about myself. They made Zumba free at my gym instead of an added cost and I'm so happy to return to it (I did it about 5 years ago in high school).

Happy Hump Day!

It wouldn't be right to let this day pass without acknowledging the date. I lived in New Jersey for most of my childhood so I grew up visiting the city and seeing the world trade centers as I drove down the road on an almost daily basis. I still can't believe they are gone and what a terrible event that was in our country's history. My prayers are will the families who have had to gone on without precious family members since this event. You are not forgotten.

Heaven

Today was one of those days at church where it really hit home and made me think. We have been studying the bible from cover to cover for the past 8 months and today was the end, we made it to Revelation. I'm going to highlight some of the things that my pastor said that really shook me.

1. The only thing that we can take to Heaven is other people. Whoa! All of the people who I am surrounded with on Earth are exactly the people who I want to be surrounded by for eternity...but are they all believers? Sadly, no. What do I need to start doing to have an impact on everyone in my life, including getting them to believe, accept the Lord, and end up in heaven with me.

2. Heaven is so great that we can't even compare it to Earth. By making it seem like Earth is a good place to live, we are making heaven smaller. We are meant to be on this Earth to do work for the Lord but it doesn't end there, it is about eternity in heaven. It's hard to accept that we aren't meant to remain on this Earth but we need to remember how amazing heaven is and that we can't even compare it to Earth.

3. Heaven is a place of sweet reunions. When we arrive and go through those pearl gates we will be surrounded by people from all different time periods and all different parts of the world. There are people who we will be able to talk to and learn from, but first we will head straight to the arms of our loved ones who are up there waiting for us. The people who we have been missing for a few days, a few years, or many years, will be there with arms wide open.

The last part made me think about the people in my life who I have lost and if they were believers and are waiting for me. My heart breaks thinking about a certain person in my life who might not be up there but I try to believe that the Lord is merciful and maybe, somehow, he made it and is waiting up there for me.

That's what on my mind this Sunday. Have a great week!

Five on Friday

I'm linking up to share five things this friday!

1. I can't wait to start going to Zumba! I was a zumba-er way back in 2008 before anyone really knew what it was. When I went to college I really missed it and then when I moved back it was really expensive at my gym so I never signed up again. As of Monday now it's included in my membership so I am thrilled to be able to start going again. Sometimes I get so bored doing cardio so it is seriously the best way to burn a ton of calories and have fun doing it.

2. I have the best group of teachers at my lunch and it makes me look forward ot every day. I didn't go to the lunch room during my student teaching and I think that made me miss out on making connections with other teachers. I'm going to work hard on that this year.

 3. Having 40 kids in a class is wayyyy too many. Scheduling at our school is all messed up for a variety of reasons  right now but I have 40 kids in my 5th and 6th periods and it is wild. I came home yesterday already starting to lose my voice. I hope they get this figured out soon.

4. We have had the most intense thunder and lightning storms the past two days and I LOVE it. We don't get them often here so it is always a treat. I think it is so cool when lightning lights up the entire sky and then the boom of thunder shakes the house. I'm definitely not one of those people who are scared of storms, it lulled me to sleep last night.

5. Even though I bought a ton of dress clothes for school I'm really happy it's friday and I can just wear jeans and my school shirt. Hello, spirit fridays. You think I have a lot of school spirit, really I just am feeling lazyyyy.

Happy Friday!

-J

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

I can't believe this day is finally here! I feel like I could still be a high schooler anticipating the first day, not a teacher of high schoolers. We have a crazy day with only the freshmen in the morning and then a whirlwind afternoon with 12 minute classes, but I am really hoping for a good day. I think that meeting them and making a positive first impression is worrying me the most right now. Also the fact that according to my grade book I have two periods with 40 kids each and I only have 34 chairs in my room...let's hope that is just a mistake that will be figured out before 5th period.

Now...for your viewing pleasure. One of my favorite 'back to schools'.

Wish me luck! Happy Wednesday everyone!

Dear September...

I'm not going to lie, you have always been one of my favorite months. Since I was a tiny little kindergartener I always looked forward to the first day of school! This year I'm a little more nervous since I'm a teacher instead of being a student, but I like to tell myself that I'm not nervous...I'm just excited. 

This month is going to hold a lot of great things and here are a few of the things I'm looking forward to the most. 

1. Going back to my college for homecoming! I didn't go last year during my student teaching and I am really looking forward to going back this year. I can't wait to see some of my friends and live the college lifestyle for a weekend.

2. State Fair! Our fair is massive, one of the top 10 in the country, and I'm so lucky that it's in my hometown! I will be there with students who are showing their animals for FFA but I still get to enjoy the delicious food and fun of the fair. 

3. Carrie Underwood! My best friend got tickets to the concert for her birthday and she chose me! I love Carrie so I can't wait. I've been listened to all of her music on repeat for a couple weeks now to prepare. Good thing I have almost 3 1/2 hours of it on my iTunes. 

4. All of our TV shows are coming back! I've talked a little bit before about my love for some TV shows and I can't wait for all of the fall premieres. I'm probably most excited for Revenge, Revolution, and Biggest Loser. 

Just writing this makes me excited! I hope you all are looking forward to this month as much as I am. But let's get real, a lot of my month will look like this...

&& I'm okay with it. I'm so blessed to have a passion for education and to have been hired and the most amazing school. Thank you, Lord. 

<3