Lazy Sunday

Next Thursday is my last day as a student teacher! Wahoo. I can't believe it's really almost over. I remember getting my school/teacher placement in December-and it feels like just yesterday. I remember meeting my teaching in December-it feels like yesterday. I remember my first day in class-it feels like yesterday. I remember my first day teaching-it feels like yesterday. I'm sure you get my drift. I'm going to be pretty sad on my last day. Some of my students have really touched my heart with their stories and personalities. I really want them all to do well and be successful in their lives. When they found out my last day is 2 days before their prom, they were like "oh no you're going to miss prom". They don't know yet that I will give them my facebook name if they want to add me-that way I can keep in touch and see their prom pics. I remember my proms. I didn't go to my junior prom, for a lot of reasons. But I did go with my cousin's best friend to their school prom. We showed up late and I stayed up way too late. I had just started an after school job that I was supposed to work the next day at 8am, or something super early. I went to my senior prom, but by that point in the year I was just ready to get the heck out of dodge and didn't have too much fun at all. I went with my best friend, Cara, who went to a different school.
Here's a pic with my friends Zach and Cara. Zach passed away a little less than a month after this pic. About 5 years ago I had the picture out for whatever reason and somehow spilled liquid on it. I need to have a copy of it made though. There are so many other pics I have with him that are lost on film rolls, etc, that I wish I had.



I can't believe that in 27 days I will be walking across the stage to recieve my degree. I am so proud of myself for accomplishing this. I have known for the past 4 years exactly what I wanted to do and I did it. I never really had too many people in my life who believed in me academically. I never really had too many people believe that I would be successful. I saw the way some of my teachers and coaches would look at me or act around me. I think they are who drove me to become a teacher. I never want any of my students to feel like I don't believe in them. I want to inspire my students, not turn my back on them. At the end of the day, regardless of what a student has said to me or their peers, regardless of whether they recieved in-school suspension from another teacher, regardless of whether I have to sign papers for them to turn in to their probation officer, REGARDLESS I will always remember that I am dealing with kids. Yes, kids who don't yet know what life has in store for them. Kids who may not know how to act appropriately. Kids who may not have drive. Kids who may or may not always be respectful to me and/or their peers. Kids who may not be the "best". I've never been the "best". I've learned there is always someone better. I've done a lot to be proud of and I've done a lot to not be so proud of. All of this has made me who I am. All of this has pushed me to be exactly where I am today. I picked up my cap and gown yesterday, and got a little teary eyed.

 I funded part of my education through the Miss America Organization. Even now I look back at that part of my life and it feels absolutely surreal!  

Competing in Miss Shawnee (Oklahoma), November 2004.

I mailed off the rest of my graduation invitations today. Don't worry, if you're reading this and I love you dearly you will be getting a facebook invite very soon. I just didn't have time to print off dozens of invites so I apolize in advance for the digital invitation.