Like a Pregnancy?

So that lady, Rosalyn, at the Pizza Oven made this comment. I forgot to post it. It's funny. She found out it was our first date and said "oh my gosh, it's so exciting! I get to see it from the start- like a pregnancy! I get to see it blossom from the beginning!"

Yikes. My date said "well, that is if she'll let me take her out again." and Rosalyn so kindly added, "of course she will-she's a sweetheart!" Yeah, just because I'm a 'sweetheart' doesn't mean I have to say yes to a boy taking me out. Goodness!

I'm taking Vicadin for my foot- and my kids offer to buy it from me! Goodness gracious!!!

the goodness of the Gospel

okay, so we do RADIATE. or something!

I had that nice lady who helped me with my car today say I 'come off as a good person' so she can trust helping me (thank goodness I AM a good person!) And then my date and I (okay, he's really nice...but I'm just not attracted to him) went to pizzeria on the Boardwalk and the lady who helped us- Rosylyn just adored us and said I was the sweetest thing (I did help out a kid behind us who just started working at the games and wanted a discount but didn't have his first paystub yet- which is required since we pay for discounts- so I let him use my discount--Babin's is on the boardwalk). And so after we were talking with her...and James gets her interested in meeting with the missionaries! So he got her phone number and we'll pass along the info to the elders. Plus now I have a nice place to stop by when I'm working or not! Made a new friend. Rosylyn did say that I seem like a spiritual good person from just what she saw of me. That's just plain neat.

The goodness of the Gospel.

Such a Monday

It has been such a Monday! I woke up with sour milk in my cereal...had to toss it down the disposal on my way out the door. Gross!

I also got gas and then locked my keys in my car. Luckily this super nice lady (dressed in fancy, leopard print cuffed shirt and expensive jewelry and lots of makeup and drives a Lexus) offered once I told her my situation. My spare keys were just across the street (4 min) in my classroom. She said she usually doesn't do this but that I seem good. I'm so glad I do! Goodness.

And I hate to say it, but I have a date tonight with someone I'm not really interested in. At all really. And he has to drive an hour to get up here. I feel so bad. But I can go have and have fun and not lead him on. There's no way I could be attracted to him, but he's nice.

I am NOT settling. I haven't found anyone who strikes my fancy or is even crush-worthy. And I'm a girl of a million crushes! I haven't had a crush since one boy in DC after Nick. Okay, maybe two, but none here!!!!! I am not settling. I'd rather be single than not completely happy in love.

whack in the head, cut in the foot.

Strange title, I know. So this is what happened this week. On Wednesday there was a bad situation at school. This skinny white kid and a big black kid threw some words around and the white kid walked off saying the "n- word". And then the black kid ran down the hall and whacked the white kid in the back of the head. Crack. The kid fell to the floor and started having convulsions- a seizure. And blood coming out of places it shouldn't. They had to Life Flight him to the hospital!!! Rumors were flying like crazy. And to make it more interesting, the white kid who got hurt was one of my students! One of the Chem Com kids (so yes, a troublemaker/druggie. The one who ate the apple peels in lab). Still breaks my heart that he got hurt! He is okay now, however. I think he gets to go home today. We made the news, too.

And the foot. So I got minor foot surgery today! Just removal of plantar warts. I've had them removed twice before but they keep coming back, so this is the official out-patient surgery to get them away for good (the other times were only in-office). My very kind and patient roommate went with me. They were way behind so it took forever! My appt was at 10 and we got out at 3!!!! Dang. But no pain so far. And I can drive tomorrow...and hopefully get the wrappings off on Wednesday. And the anesthesia is wearing off... I did have a sub today. My kiddos had plenty to do so they won't be behind at all.

My kiddos are LAZY. We had a test Monday/Tuesday (block schedule). And 90% got below a 70. It's the same test all chem teachers gave, and yes, it was hard, and it was multiple choice- TAKS style questions that the kids aren't quite used to. Anyways, they did so bad! And it's not my fault. All teachers report they did bad. So being kind as I am I let them get half points back for just correcting their answers either Tuesday or Thursday after school (tutorial time). I think maybe 10 came in this week. When 50 should have. Everyone should have!!!!!!! How lame to not take advantage of that. And one kid was supposed to take the test (for the first time) on Tuesday or Thursday and didn't show up at all. He gets a big fat zero- and he failed Chem last year and is a senior... that's not my problem now! I was very clear about when he could come in.

Well, that's all the news for this week. Much love!

ReCycle those Storm troopers

Chem Commers. My chem com kids are dumb. I don't mean to be mean, but these kids are troublemakers. I haven't seen half of them for 2 weeks because they have ISS (In School Suspension). Luckily there are only six of them in my class! It's truly a miracle if I can get them to do ANY work. We made acid rain today. We had to test it on apple skins- which some kid kept eating (wish he waited for the acid rain to get on it...haha). The found the distilled water bottle quite amusing to squirt each other with. And goggles put over a hood (over your eyes) makes for a great storm trooper impersonation. I'm sure they did other stupid stuff that I can't remember. Those kids.

Recycling. In Washington we have blue recycle bins at everyone's home- great for keeping the earth green, right? Well, Texas it's hard to find that. I emailed the head secretary asking if there was a recycle club or something to collect my pop cans (which I have many...I drink too much diet coke, I know, I know). So an hour after I send the email, this timid little girl comes to my class and says she was told to talk to me- the head of the recycling club- about what to do for recycling. I told her I wasn't and sent her back to whoever sent her to me. Weird. I did, however, take the initiative- even though I am NOT the recycle club head- to call a couple places in the area. One replied "we don't recycle." and put me on hold until I hung up.

A date. Yup. I had a date saturday night. His name is Andrew. We met the first week here- his elder brother (and wife and kids) are in the family ward I was in. But Andrew goes to the singles ward- he's introduced me to lots of people, it's great! Anyways, there was a valentine's dinner dance saturday and we went. Drove in the crazy tornado weather, too. He asked why are you so sweet? I said, "Sugar and spice and everything nice."

Babin's. I'm finally making money waiting tables. I only work thursday-saturday evenings. So that's not too much. I hope. Only one late school night then... I made good money Saturday. So hope that keeps up.

Financial goals. My goal is to pay off ALL my student loans in the 6 months grace period. I can totally do it. And I'm going to save up money to buy a house in a year and a half or so. And I don't have much in the ways of housewares, so I'm accumulating that each month so I can be ready to live on my own soon. I think shopping for house stuff may be more fun than clothes shopping...whoa! Maybe this summer I'll get my own place (to rent that is).

Valentine's day was cute. I brought cupcakes for my teacher friends. They didn't have ants crawling all over them (uhm, like on the mission with Tammy and our valentine cookies...that we still gave away... haha).

Oh yeah so the kids had their first test and did SO bad! One girl got 100% but only a few passed with 70 or above. Quite shocking. But apparently that's normal. Especially since we changed up the test style (it's the same for all chem teachers).

Finding My Purpose

Okay, so the gospel is so neat. The Lord works in mysterious ways! I'm already finding purpose here in Texas. I'm meant to be a missionary. Just being. :) Today at the dentist office, I got there super early and so started to talk with a couple people. This lady brought in her elderly father (who is 93 and has been married for 69 years!). Anyways, we get to talking and I find out she's mormon. And a few minutes later that she's inactive (doesn't go to church anymore). She married a nonmember back in the day and stopped going then. Sad! I said I'd feel a void if I stopped going to Church. Anyways, maybe meeting me wasn't a coincidence but Heavenly Father giving her a little push in the right direction. Nunca se sabe! (you never know!)

That IS the case with my manager at Babin's! Shadonnie is one of my managers- she's 30, married, pregnant...and mormon! She joined when she was 16 but left the church when she got pregnant at 18. Her current hubby is her second marriage. She told her husband the other night that I started working at Babin's and am LDS. He was like, "LDS? What?" and she clarified that meant Mormon. He replied, "Oh, weren't you one of those crazies?" haha. She said, "We're not crazy!" She said she thinks it's a sign she needs to start going back to church (getting him there would be next to impossible). Her daughter is three and just two weeks ago found Shadonnie's old scriptures- complete with scripture mastery inserts and everything! She had no idea where her little girl found these. So that added to the 'coincidence' that is telling her she needs to go back to church. We shall see! It makes me happy to be in a place where I can be an influence on those around me. In DC I know I left an impression on my students...and now I am with everyone here that I work with. The Lord can use us in amazing ways. I do have purpose in being here in Texas.

So my third period class (mainly girls) was bratty to start out with- they were just 'testing' me because I was a new teacher to them (they got transferred out of another class) and a new teacher in general. I was talking about this to a couple gals (one of which was bratty at the beginning) and she admitted she was a brat. it was funny. But now that class loves me. We have fun and everyone is nice and does what is asked of them without complaining. The brattiness is over-I won them over! :) Hooray! Tuesday was testing day and I have them after lunch so we ordered pizza from Pizza Hut. It was soooo yummy! I brought sodas and we had plenty to eat! Tomorrow we're going to make s'mores....

I went to the dentist yesterday. Is it weird if the actual dentist cleans your teeth? I thought they just check you after the hygienist cleans your teeth- poke around your mouth and stuff. I have no cavities and very clean, white teeth. :) Which is nice because I don't think I've been to the dentist in years... It's nice to have health insurance, let me tell you!

Taxes

I got a lot done today!

I finished the defensive driving course online. Great 10% off discount on my car insurance! Woot!

I did my taxes! Go me. They'll be in the mail tomorrow. I used an online program for part. I think I'll get TurboTax or something next year. Anything to make it easier! :)

I washed my car. And cleaned the windows inside and out.

I made cupcakes. For Valentine's day! I know I'm a few days early but I gotta get it done because Tuesday/Wednesday I'm too busy! I got a cute gift for my roommie, too. Hooray for holidays!

At school I am all planned for the next unit! And the copies are going to the copy lady tomorrow- so I am all set! That rocks. We have testing this week so I'll barely see my kidlins. CRAZY!

I made some phone calls, did laundry, ate real food, facebooked...and maybe will go to bed early!

Seafood, anyone?

The biggest news, besides getting glasses, is that I picked up a second job! I'm waitressing at Babin's Seafood House- a fine dining (yet fun) restaurant on the Kemah Boardwalk.The Boardwalk has a bunch of seafood places and amusement rides and carnival games and shops...it's really a fun place to be. And my discount works everywhere on the Boardwalk! For up to 4 people! :) That's a nice perk. Anyways, I've only been there a week so I'm still training. It's gonna keep me super busy, though! Okay, so you're probably like why in the world is she getting another job, isn't first year teaching crazy enough? Well, I'm really not stressed with teaching. I maintain my balance. I'll talk more about that in a minute. The main reasons are to make some extra money (I can pay off all my student loans in way under a year- that'd be awesome! No debt whatsoever!!!), to have a sure summer job (and spring break), and to get out the house more. I sometimes feel like I'm around too much. I go to work after my roommate and come home before her. And sometimes, not so much these days however, I feel like I'm in "her" place. So this will give her more space, too. And it'll keep me busy. Super busy. But Babin's is cool with me not working on Sundays and Wednesdays (Church and institute/religion class). And we're closed Mondays until Memorial day. So I don't feel slammed except in the week. ;) And the reason why I'm not stressed teaching is because I'm a mid-year and they just kind of made classes for me to teach. My chemistry classes are really small- less than 18 each, and my chemcom class I either teach with Traci or just do what she did, and the TAKS prep class doesn't take any prep. So my schedule really isn't crazy. But I need to think about taking the Physics and Chemistry certification test to be certified in both for next year...

My students have warmed up to me quite a bit! We're having fun. This week is so dumb because we have three days completely messed up because of TAKS testing. And it's not even the real TAKS (the state test), it's just a 'benchmark' to see where they're at. It's so dumb! I won't see my 2nd period class at all next week and 3rd period I see twice..it's all crazy. But for my 3rd period class we're going to have a pizza party! And S'mores (it kinda goes with a lab...). But hopefully these kids don't forget everything- they have a test in a week! I've been calling lots of parents because their child needs to come in to get extra help. But there's only so much I can do!

My DC students miss me- they keep writing on my facebook page that they want me to come back and that they're failing chemistry. Ms. Petree is a super hard grader so I can see why... I hope they can hang in there. But I do miss those kiddos. They left an impression on me! Even as crazy as they are!

Still doing a lot- I hang out with my teacher gal pals outside of school as well as the usual church buddies. Leslie and I had 15 people over last night to play games. And I'm excited for Valentine's day- it's fun to do cute things. I'm going to bake cupcakes and give my teacher pals cute little bags of valentine's stuff. ;)

Happy Valentine's Day!

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