"Cabin Fever Reliever"

Our cohort leader for tonight's class entitled it "Cabin Fever Reliever".  Loved it!  She had a wonderful presentation about ---

......... and that was as far as I got, way back in the middle of February, before something else distracted me.  J had wonderful advice about staying sane this time of year, especially for bush teachers, who do not have the options of stress relief that other, more urban teachers may have.  I love our cohort meetings.  Having a group of people that you can talk to who are going through similar things as you really helps.  Just knowing that you are not alone is a type of relief medicine.  I really admire the ladies in our group who have families and other demands on their time.  I do not have family living with me and I barely find the time to get everything done that I need to do. 

It is so important to have people in your life that you can talk to or who understand what you are going through.

I am happy to report that I am glad that I am part of the ANE CALL grant master's program.  It is very stressful and barely keeping my head above water but even if I were to wash out tomorrow I have already learned so much and have meet wonderful, fabulous, terrific people!  It is an honor.

Gush much?

I have not checked in on this poor lil' old blog in a very loooonnnng time.  I was actually searching for my Weebly site that I had to create for my grad class last summer when I had the thought of "Oh, yeah, I should see if I still remember how to find my own blog too, while I'm at it." Plus, I had thought about it earlier today when I was in PE with my kiddos and I had spontaneously come up with a reeealllly fun new game for them to play (I named it Walrus Tag).  The children had sooo much fun playing and it was so funny to watch them!  It would have been hilarious to have had a video of it to share --especially when they started rolling around like manic dervishes.

I love the thought of blogging, keeping track of ideas and how they worked (or didn't) but to be honest I was intimidated by all the wonderful teacher blogs out there.  Graphics, products and tech savvy geniuses, oh my, how could I possibly dare to put my poor postings up on the 'net?! I really have no expectations of anyone seeing my post (although I will admit to a 5 minute fantasy of being a world renowned blogger, being invited to talk shows and signing tours around the world-- I think that I really just liked the idea of the world travel).  ANNNNNND I am the worlds worst keep-on-top-of-things-if-they-don't-have-a-deadline type of person.   So no grand blogging career is in my future (which is kinda a relief--I have enough pressure in my life, thank you very much).

So I now give myself permission to be the world's worst blogger and to just enjoy. ---like right now one of my favorite shows just came on and even though I had a lot more that I wanted to write about --some good ideas and such-- I think I will go and sit my flabby butt on the couch and happily zone out without a bit of regret!  

Happy times!! =)

Time Management: Time Will Tell

I am trying to be better at managing my time but it is so hard.  I have to get better at managing my time.

When I was a student I would make lists.  This worked for me.  As I started my teaching career I stopped this practice for some reason.  It would have seemed to have been more critical as a new teacher.  I honestly think I started out making list (I do have some vague memories) but sometime in the last 6 years it petered out to nothing.  I have slowly started making list again.  I have to remind myself to check it-- when I remember to make a list, that is. 

This summer I will be starting an intense Masters of Applied Linguistics program.  The key word here is: INTENSE.  I remember working two jobs and going to school full time.  Now, I just have one job but it is teaching.  Why do I think it will be twice as hard as before?   ......   : /   ..... hmmm, maybe because I'll be working on 6 credits from July 7th to July 31st. Then in the fall and spring semesters I'll be taking 4 credits. 

No wonder I'm looking at organization tips.

Other blogs have some great ideas for "To Do Lists".  I really like the graphic organizer I found on http://simplemom.net/daily-docket.  I printed off her template, did a little cutting and paste-ing (literally).  I'm trying it out as both a personal planner and a lesson/schedule planner. 

All over printrest I have seen this pin  http://www.thecollegeprepster.com  for intense study habits.  She has wonderful, mad skills!! This led me to also looking at student "how to study books".  Yes.  I'm looking at "how to study books". 

I'm thinking that this is all a sign of nervous stress of starting the degree.  Looking at these wonderful tools, I think, "this is great!" but the little voice in the back of my head says, "is it great for you?"  As in all things:  Time Will Tell.

These different post, books, and pins are all inspiration.  If others do it, so can I.  I did college once, I can do it again. 


Random Picture:  Wild Goose Tracks... Really

 This is a picture, taken from the boardwalk, of the buildings as they are being built.  You can see the steel frames on the left.  There are also various piles of supplies and equipment on the right.

 Dumping yet more gravel and dirt.  This is part of what makes it so expensive.  ALL of the rock had to be barged in from somewhere else. 

 This is a picture of a Caravan.  If you look closely you can see the steps at the back door.

We have been lucky in our village because we have a new (new being only four years old) multi-million dollar airport.  This sounds swanky and for here it is.  Just not the swanky everyone else thinks of.  The airport is really just an airstrip with only a beat-up, unheated trailer for protection against the elements.  What makes it swanky is the fact that there are working lights, and the ground has been built up so it remains stable (which helps the lights to keep working). 

Every year I keep thinking that next year will not be so crazy.  Today I am forced to conclude that this thought is UNTRUE in every way.  I am applying for what will be an intensive masters program, I just signed up for a 2-credit graduate level class, will sign up for another 1-credit class tonight, and just found out that I was accepted as a member of our district's math curriculum committee.  Now granted not all of these things will be going on at the same time.  The two classes start next week and will only last a couple of months.  The committee starts next month (I think, I need to get more details on that) and will run for 18 months.  The Masters will start (if I'm lucky enough to get one of five spots) with an intensive 6 credit month of work in July and run for 2 and a half years.    When I saw the email telling me that I was part of the math committee, that is when it hit me.  Teaching is a crazy life that attracts more craziness to it.

Here is a site that I want to look closely at at some later date when I have time:

http://www.pepnonprofit.org/index.html

It is called the Positive Engagement Project

I want to see if Mark can cut some wood so I can turn milk-style crates into reading seats.  Idea from Mrs. Nelson's blog.  The picture is almost to the bottom of the page.  I have the crates and what a neat idea for using them.