Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Holy Job, Batman!
I'm a proud WHS Bulldog!
Yes...that's right...I found a teaching job! I feel so blessed/excited/anxious/thrilled about this opportunity. I'll be teaching Desktop Publishing, Computer Applications, & Business Math at Wyandotte High School in KCK. Not only did I get a job, but I got the offer at the very start of summer which means I've been able to spend some time already lesson planning as well as garage sale-ing for good deals on classroom supplies. I leave you with a couple pictures of my classroom. XOXO
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
My Happy Place
Ever since I can remember, my mom referred to Barnes & Noble as her "happy place". She would frequent the store, sometimes shop, and usually grab a magazine she didn't want to buy and read it in the cafe. It was a place that made her feel so good and comfortable. After a really dramatic, odd day (funerals, major medical issues, etc), she would want to do something that made everything feel "normal"...and shopping did just that.
Although I'm extremely fortunate to not have had any dramatic/odd days lately, my own personal "happy place" is still a wonderful and comforting place to be. I love me some Nelson-Atkins! I didn't start visiting the museum until college, and typically it was with my then boyfriend, Scott Dicus (you may remember him). One of my favorite things ever in the world is holding hands with my husband: at home, at church, over a restaurant table, in the HyVee parking lot, or walking through a museum. The Nelson is a huge, open, beautiful space for me to hold hands with my husband and have wonderful conversation. We actually learn a lot about each other from the museum. Being their can spawn conversations about travel, religion, home decorating, and culture.
In 2008, we became members at the Nelson. For those of you who have been, you know that there's technically no charge to visit the museum, but they do encourage a donation. During our cheap college days, we just considered the Nelson a free date spot...so I feel as though it's our responsiblity, in our supposed "grown up" status, to give back to the Nelson. Being a member has made me love the museum even more! We've taken advantage of so many of the opportunities available there including exhibit openings, free tours, special events, and discounts in the gift shop. :)
I asked Scott where his "happy place" was. Okay...that sounds dirty now that I think about it, but his response wasn't like "in my pants" or something awkward like that. He said, "on the disc golf course." He explained that no matter which course he's on, even though they're all in sketchy parts of town, they're calm, green, open spaces.
Where's your PG-rated happy place??
Although I'm extremely fortunate to not have had any dramatic/odd days lately, my own personal "happy place" is still a wonderful and comforting place to be. I love me some Nelson-Atkins! I didn't start visiting the museum until college, and typically it was with my then boyfriend, Scott Dicus (you may remember him). One of my favorite things ever in the world is holding hands with my husband: at home, at church, over a restaurant table, in the HyVee parking lot, or walking through a museum. The Nelson is a huge, open, beautiful space for me to hold hands with my husband and have wonderful conversation. We actually learn a lot about each other from the museum. Being their can spawn conversations about travel, religion, home decorating, and culture.
In 2008, we became members at the Nelson. For those of you who have been, you know that there's technically no charge to visit the museum, but they do encourage a donation. During our cheap college days, we just considered the Nelson a free date spot...so I feel as though it's our responsiblity, in our supposed "grown up" status, to give back to the Nelson. Being a member has made me love the museum even more! We've taken advantage of so many of the opportunities available there including exhibit openings, free tours, special events, and discounts in the gift shop. :)
I asked Scott where his "happy place" was. Okay...that sounds dirty now that I think about it, but his response wasn't like "in my pants" or something awkward like that. He said, "on the disc golf course." He explained that no matter which course he's on, even though they're all in sketchy parts of town, they're calm, green, open spaces.
Where's your PG-rated happy place??
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Little Yellow Button
This year for Christmas, my adorable husband, knowing how much I pine for a full wardrobe from Anthropologie, bought me a new shirt from there! My favorite item that I own from Anthro is a Little Yellow Button brand, gray, "Mr. Rogers" sweater. Scott, being cute, found a gray, polka dot, ruffle top that is also Little Yellow Button brand. They don't have a picture of my exact one on the website, but here's the striped one:
However...it didn't fit. :o( I was so sad! The small was a little tight so I exchanged it for the medium, but it ended up being too long in the torso (story of my life) and my nearly A's were nearly exposed. I've become more conscious of the neckline of my clothes now that I work in a high school. Not only do I want to look professional and not have people talk about me being a tramp or something, but I do lean over kids a lot helping them and I just don't want to go there.
So I returned my new polka dot shirt and pouted because I really like to wear things that my husband chooses. Last night, we went back to Anthro to look for a replacement Christmas present and I insisted that he do the selecting and I would do the trying on. This was what we found instead!
I love it. Though the neckline is still low, it lends itself to wearing a tank under better than top #1. The ruffling around the neck is my favorite part about the shirt, but mostly, I just love that Scott picked it out because I know that every time I wear it, he'll think I look pretty (cheesy but true). Scott reminded me that we're slowly building up my Anthropologie wardrobe...I love that man.
However...it didn't fit. :o( I was so sad! The small was a little tight so I exchanged it for the medium, but it ended up being too long in the torso (story of my life) and my nearly A's were nearly exposed. I've become more conscious of the neckline of my clothes now that I work in a high school. Not only do I want to look professional and not have people talk about me being a tramp or something, but I do lean over kids a lot helping them and I just don't want to go there.
So I returned my new polka dot shirt and pouted because I really like to wear things that my husband chooses. Last night, we went back to Anthro to look for a replacement Christmas present and I insisted that he do the selecting and I would do the trying on. This was what we found instead!
I love it. Though the neckline is still low, it lends itself to wearing a tank under better than top #1. The ruffling around the neck is my favorite part about the shirt, but mostly, I just love that Scott picked it out because I know that every time I wear it, he'll think I look pretty (cheesy but true). Scott reminded me that we're slowly building up my Anthropologie wardrobe...I love that man.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Travel Dreams
My Travel Dreams
I've said many times that I would travel anywhere in the world where it is safe to travel (no war, American hatred, etc). Below are some of the places that come to mind. When any of you win the lottery & are thinking about how to use your winnings, please keep my list in mind.
- Maine/New England: I've been to NYC, but most places I've been on the East coast are Virginia & south. I've seen advertised in magazines New England/Maine riverboat cruises. They look adorable and I imagine that there would be lots of delicious lobster. Scott doesn't like lobster, so I'd have to bring along some Goodcents in a cooler.
- Brazil (specifically Rio de Janeiro): my grandma Worswick had a charm bracelet & as her and my grandpa traveled the world, they would collect charms for it. Growing up, I always loved her charm of Christ the Redeemer that they bought in Brazil. Since then, I've always wanted to see the statue in person.
- Santorini, Greece: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants...that is all.
- Prince Edward Island: My parents get to go here this year and I really want to hide in their luggage! Plus, I'm sure I would find a bosom friend in Avonlea.
- Italy: Sigh. Our church choir is planning a group trip around Italy for summer 2011. If I get a full-time teaching job this fall, we might be able to go. I know they have a payment plan which is really nice. I sort of feel like if we didn't go to Italy now, we probably wouldn't be able to go until we have kids who are old enough to really appreciate it (high school/college aged), and that would be pretty expensive, since we plan to have 43 children. For those of you reading this who have been to Italy, here is info on the trip including a link to the PowerPoint the woman at our church put together who is planning the trip. What do you think? If you had to guess, how much do you think this trip would cost for 2 people to do on their own?
- Egypt: safety issues aside, I would love to go to Egypt. In college, I had a wonderful Sunday school teacher who did a unit on Egyptian culture, specifically their views on afterlife. Additionally, I took 3 art history classes at KU and one of them was a general survey of the topic so we did get to talk a lot about Egyptian art. When we went to the Louvre, I spent waaay too much time in the Egyptian art exhibit - I just love it!
- England...or anywhere in the UK: I love hearing my husband talk in a pseudo-British accent, and he loves British culture/Harry Potter, so I'd love to see him visit a place he's always wanted to see.
- Paris (France in general)
- Australia
- Jamaica, specifically the Jamaica Inn in Ochos Rios (www.jamaicainn.com)
- New Zealand
- Vancouver
- Nicaragua
XOXO,
Michelle
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Job Hunt 2010
2010: The Year of Finding a Teaching Job
As most of you know, I recently completed my student teaching in a high school business department here in Kansas City...and loved it! Unfortunately, from what I hear from current teachers as well as Avila University staff, it is going to be very difficult to find a high school business teaching job for the 2010-2011 school year. I began to research different options as far as what I should do for the next school year. I'm a para right now in a high school and really enjoy working with the kids...but our mortgage doesn't really enjoy the paycheck. :)
According to one of my favorite Avila staff members, various district recruiters, & current teachers, I need to make myself "more marketable", meaning I need to get certified in another area. Now that I have my certification in one area, I just have to take a content area test for a new subject and I can be certified in that area. Well, after reviewing the possible certification areas, I've decided to try to also get my middle school math certification - weird! I was in advanced math classes starting in 6th grade...but my parents remind me that I cried about it so much because I didn't think I could handle it. Hopefully this additional certification will open up many more employment opportunities for me so I can really begin my teaching career. I bought all the Praxis math study stuff today and I'm going to have to re-teach myself quite a bit and I hope it goes smoothly. I'll obviously still be looking for HS business jobs out there, but I just want to be as employable as possible, and math would definitely help. Here we goooo!!
As most of you know, I recently completed my student teaching in a high school business department here in Kansas City...and loved it! Unfortunately, from what I hear from current teachers as well as Avila University staff, it is going to be very difficult to find a high school business teaching job for the 2010-2011 school year. I began to research different options as far as what I should do for the next school year. I'm a para right now in a high school and really enjoy working with the kids...but our mortgage doesn't really enjoy the paycheck. :)According to one of my favorite Avila staff members, various district recruiters, & current teachers, I need to make myself "more marketable", meaning I need to get certified in another area. Now that I have my certification in one area, I just have to take a content area test for a new subject and I can be certified in that area. Well, after reviewing the possible certification areas, I've decided to try to also get my middle school math certification - weird! I was in advanced math classes starting in 6th grade...but my parents remind me that I cried about it so much because I didn't think I could handle it. Hopefully this additional certification will open up many more employment opportunities for me so I can really begin my teaching career. I bought all the Praxis math study stuff today and I'm going to have to re-teach myself quite a bit and I hope it goes smoothly. I'll obviously still be looking for HS business jobs out there, but I just want to be as employable as possible, and math would definitely help. Here we goooo!!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
My new mini!
Bonjour Mini!
Meet my new Dell Inspiron Mini...with a bird pattern! My HP laptop had served me well for 4+ years but has started to have a few problems lately (i.e. it typically only works when I press down on a specific spot with my elbow...which makes it very difficult to type). Maybe with my new mini will come new blogging, if anyone even reads this!
Hello? Are you out there?
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