Merry, Happy.

I'm a happy girl today.

I found out I was in the newspaper.  At Donna's recommendation, I sent in a little blurb about the end of year celebration I had for my students.  Little did I know, it ended up in the Franklin Weekly.  :)  Yay!

In other news, I took the EIPA today.  Ugh, much harder than I thought it would be.  But I'm holding onto a little piece of hope of my "passing."

Father's day has come and gone.  I went home for the weekend and my dad, uncle, aunt, and I went up to Hampton, VA for the day for one of my cousin's high school graduation party.  On Father's day we went to church, ate at Ruby Tuesday where the service was subpar, and saw the movie The Place Beyond the Pines.  Kind of a trippy movie, but pretty good.

I saw bff Hyzer and Katie.  I went for a quasi-run with Matt.  (I didn't make it past a mile).  Oops. Caught up with Leo for a bit.  It's been a pretty good summer vacation so far.

I went to the Carolina Summer Institute in Auditory Verbal Therapy and learned so much!  Gini and I were partners and we made a pretty good team.  We worked with a wide range of students throughout the week--from a 14mo. old to a 12 year old.  I also racked up a lot of stickers during the week.  We gave out stickers to one another for doing 'good' deeds.  haha.  Anyway, I feel better prepared to deliver J's ESY services this summer because of it.  While I was at CSI I stayed with Melissa and Corrie during the week to cut down on all the driving I'd be doing.  I had fun living with them for a week.  It was nice coming in after a long day and having people to talk to.

I recently discovered chicken pot pie soup at Jason's Deli.  One word:  heavenly.  I went once with Ricky and then later in the week with Melissa and Corrie and got the soup both times, lol.

School ended with a chaotic bang.  I actually missed the last day of school and the workdays due to CSI.  But it was so worth it and I'll be able to celebrate the end of the year properly next year.

I'm still coming off of my "high" about being in the paper.  Most people know I hate attention, but this is a really good feeling to see the fruits of my labor.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to Wine & Design tomorrow night with my cousin, Nikki.

Hopefully I make more of a dent in my last paper for my online class.  Almost done!  Oh, and I just made this ballin' WebQuest for my online class.  Super excited about it.

My day is officially made.  Just got a sweet, sweet phone call from my little duckling.  I think I"m going to eat some dinner and work a bit on this paper.

Peace and blessings.  :)

Magenta.

“Magenta…that’s what I call it when I get that way. All kinds of feelings tumbling all over themselves. Well you know, you’re not quite blue, because you’re not really sad. And although you’re a little bit jealous you wouldn’t say you’re green with envy. And every now and then you realize you’re kind of scared but you’d hardly call yourself yellow…I hate that feeling. Just hate it. And I hate the color magenta. That’s why I named it that. Magenta. No way to really explain it but, fortunately between friends you don’t have to.” Blanche Devereaux, The Golden Girls

Well, the curtains have closed on another school year.  It didn't hit me until I went to my 8th grade student's graduation this evening.  I can't believe he's really leaving.  I will truly miss that kid.  But he will be getting what he needs at the Deaf school.  And if it's not what he likes, then I'll still be here!  I was in for a treat as the entire 8th grade signed "World's Greatest" by R. Kelly.  So touching.  I got a video of it so I'll always have that memory.  His mom gave Sabrina and I "thank you" cards.  I really appreciated that.  After everything we went through this year, a "thank you" card is enough to put everything into perspective, why I do what I do...because I care for my students.

Man, looking back on this year it's been a heck of a ride.  Maybe the second year of teaching is supposed to be this way.  I worked with possibly the least flexible teachers that have ever graced this planet.  My duckling and I have come so far together.  She now has a routine, weekly vocabulary words, and is simply blossoming!  Battling my little dude's behavior and his family's hands off attitude.  He is really growing up, it's incredible how fast he's growing up.  Unfortunately, his behavior still has a long way to go.

Once again another ending is here.  I once read a quote that said: "Beginnings are scary, endings are sad, but it's the middle that counts the most."  This is so true.  I'm so nervous about a new beginning with my job.  A new school year.  Now that my signing student will be gone, I'm not sure my passion will be fulfilled.  The end is sad.  I can't believe how fast the year went by.  I think I accomplished many of my goals.  I've established many healthy parent relationships, created and carried out a sign language club, actually went on a field trip with the sign language club, got to listen to Mr. P flatter me on the regular at school.  Man, just so many highlights from this school year.  Part of me doesn't see how teachers do this.  Seeing your kids come and go each year seems to be emotionally draining.  I think that's why I like that I can follow my kids from year to year.  I don't like goodbyes.  But I guess no matter what, I'll always hold a little piece of them in me.

Just to recap on the events of the past month and some change:
1) Life group cookout on Memorial Day
2) End of Year Celebration for my students (Another success!  My signing kid wants to come back next year...ha! And my duckling's mom sent an article I wrote about it into the newspaper. Oh and their end of the year gifts were so neat--I got them all knapsacks, popsicles, sunglasses, and mini fans with a note that said "Stay cool this summer!"
 3) Parents came up this past weekend for a late Mother's day celebration.  Martha finally got to meet them