the first days with new classes

I am still doing fantastic. Yesterday was the first day of the new semester! I teach 3 chemistry classes, 1 Chem Com (chemistry in the community), 1 team-teach Chem Com class (that was a brand new change today...), and 1 team teach TAKS class (the seniors who failed the science state test...). Yeah. so a few of my classes I'm still 'not sure about' yet...they just got transfered to me when they've had someone else all semester so they have to get used to me, too. But one of my chem classes is quite funny. But energy from them at least makes it exciting! I think DC was so great because the kids had so much energy and I could trigger that into the lesson and it made it more fun for everyone. In talking to my fellow teachers, the kids here are pretty dang apathetic. And I see that being true already. Yikes. For example, I did demos in DC and they thought they were cool and wanted to help and the kids here I tried the same demos and no one wanted to help nor did they think it was cool at all. You have to make something blow up for it to be cool. Whatever.

Getting certified here is kind of a pain. And expensive. Like hundreds of dollars. (And mind you, I don't even get my first paycheck until Feb 5! I've been tight this month, that's for sure. All my graduation money is just for living off of this month!) I am not leaving this state anytime soon! So I decided...or am deciding...that I'm going to certify in Chemistry AND physics. It's one test. And I have to take one anyways, might as well make myself more marketable. And they need physics teachers badly in our school. Maybe AP physics and that horrible difficult Honors Physics at UW will pay off... ;)

Here's a funny story for ya. I go to get my Texas drivers license and wait the usual hour or so and get up to the desk finally and I look into the vision test thing. And I fail the vision test! Go me. I was devastated! And I felt really dumb. I couldn't get my license. I have to go BACK after I get glasses! I guess I'm now near sighted. and have astigmatism. So I went to the eye doctor and had to get new glasses. They come in next Monday. Sunglasses, too. The other bummer is that because I'm mid-year I don't get vision insurance until next January. That's just how the cookie crumbles.

So what else? Oh yeah I'm going to go to the singles ward, which is like 45 minutes away, this Sunday to see if I like it. I just didn't feel right on Sunday being in our family ward. Unfortunately Leslie, my roommate, has no choice now because she has to play the piano for the ward choir and everything, so she can't switch over with me. We're going to a 'speed dating' activity tomorrow. haha. Oh and our Institute is awesome. I really like our teacher and we're reading all the General Conference talks. :) We went to the temple on Saturday- it was so peaceful! We were there a long time- a session and baptisms! I found my family history names and am starting to get reorganized on that, too!

Can you believe that this little insomniac is getting up at 6:20 every day and is still alive! I did take a nap today, but I've been going to the gym 3-4 times a week and going to bed as early as possible. Usually about 10. I have some extra time in the evening so I'm thinking about the following- Nanny-ing (nannies4hire.com), maybe waitressing (except that'd put me in bed later than I'd want), mary kay (I still have a huge inventory!), and teaching bassoon (I just need to majorly brush up. and by reeds but I'm going to contact the band instructor). So a little extra cash means paying off those student loans sooner. And I'm all about the sooner. ;)

Well, it's now my bed time but I wanted to let you know how my first days with real classes was!

I'm a Yellow Rose in Texas

So I am alive and well in Texas! I had a nice Christmas in Spokane (too much snow for liking/stress level!). Then my dad drove with me as far as Provo (which was SO sweet and helpful of him- the roads were okay but kinda iffy...). Then I set out for the rest of the trip- which in total was about 38 hours, give or take. I stayed overnight in Albuquerque (?) and outside of San Antonio (I did drive thru El Paso, Margo!). Then I FINALLY made it to Houston. I live in League City- which is South East Houston. About 30/40 minutes from downtown Houston. But still close to a lot. But one does have to drive a lot to get anywhere. It's kinda funny how that is. But it's true. Luckily my roommate and I have each other now to take turns driving places! Our church is right down the street, but the stake center and institute is like 30 minutes away. And the Temple is like an hour in good traffic. And my school (Clear Creek) is 5 minutes down the street! Rock on! But I see why car insurance is higher here- people are crazy drivers! My car is registered here with Texas plates. I even found a really honest and dependable mechanic to work on my car if need be! Texas is crazy. And we have a separate Texas Anthem the students pledge after pledging allegiance. I even saw a sign on the hwy "don't slow Texas down" next to the speed limit sign. Whoa texas.

My roommate Leslie is AWESOME! I am so lucky to have her- she helped me move everything and even put together my bed and dresser and has just been so kind! We are a lot of like and have had a lot of fun together. She works at Dow Chemical and is 23 and also a BYU graduate. She's been here a year. Our apartment is way cute and I LOVE my room and what I got to make it all pretty. The pictures are below- you'll have to check them out. Yeah, she's helped this transition be MUCH easier than I thought it'd be.



My school is great- it's newly remodeled. Nobody told me where/when/what to do on the first day (they called me mid day asking me where I was- uhm- nobody told me anything!!!!!!). You learn to be flexible as a teacher, that's for sure. So they're having me teach 3 chemistry classes, 1 chem com (chemistry in the community- ie: chem with little/no math) and 2 TAKS (TAKS is the state test and this class is for seniors who are failing the science part and need more help). Yeah. Goodtimes. I don't start those classes, however, until next Wednesday. I've been 'substituting' (but getting real-teacher pay, except we don't even get paid unitl February!) for 6 physics classes as they get ready for finals. Not that they're studying or using their time wisely, but that's their problem I guess. But I have my own classroom and it's all dolled up, too (see the photos!). It's exciting! And I work with some awesome gals- I already am part of the "cool girl clique" in the chem dept. I have a funny/sarcastic mentor teacher and another second year gal that's great and a science coordinator gal that rocks. It's fun. Yup yup.


So Leslie and I go to a family ward- the singles ward is about 45 minutes away. And my new calling (responsibility) is over the singles in my ward. Nice. I guess. I already have friends to hang out with and it's been fun thus far! Oh yeah, did I mention the weather is SO nice! I love it. Well, I think that's all for now. I really am doing great. I'm a little surprised by that, but I definitely won't complain! ;) Chao from Texas!


Photos:
My new Apartment and Classroom:
http://byu.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=34462023&l=86f30&id=17825146
New friends:
http://byu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2159108&l=d7b2a&id=17825146
Christmas:
http://byu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2158714&l=a3526&id=17825146