“Daddy,” he said, “I want to marry a lot of girls.”

Gulp.

“But if I can only marry one, then I’ll just marry one.”

I was working in the two year old room, and one little girl, who just turned two started singing (to the tune of “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga)

“Rah, Rah, Rock-a-baby! Rah, Rah, Rock-a-baby!” I nearly died from laughing. Lady Gaga, has finally conquered the minds of all.

On a side note, my camp kids know that if they sing a few bars of “Bad Romance” that catchy number from hell is stuck in my head for days. Lady Gaga is truly evil.

Now I have to give praise where praise is due. Everyone who encouraged me along the way, you made this all possible. My excellent, popular and memerable mother-in-law pulled strings, her good friends (also mentor teachers) have all made this possible in a year where not much in the way of teacher jobs is happening. I heard a rumour that only 20 new elementary teachers were hired in the whole district, as opposed to over 100 each year.

First and foremost my thanks goes to God. Who, I believe, sent me on this mission, and by listening and following him –doors were opening, degrees were had, mentors were granted and jobs were assigned. I encourage anyone who is frustrated with finding their calling or place in life, job-wise (or otherwise), to pray. I’m living proof that God does care about where you work and he does have a place meant for only you. It was challenging but never, ever more than I could handle.

God is still the best life coach out there.

Now on to inspiring some young minds and being a favorite teacher, because those are the ones that you remember!!

At about supper time I had both kids on my lap and we were picking out Scooby Doo movies from Netflix streaming. I asked the kids, “Are you guys have a good time?”

“YES!” they both responded.

 I guess the tattling thing leaves no hard feelings. I wish I could blow it off so quickly with some of the tattle-tail women I know at work.

Mealworm experiments

Notes of thanks!

Thanks to everyone who supported me emotionally during the student teaching!! What an amazing, blessed experience!!

How NOT to use your chopsticks.

Self portrait

 I work one job that doesn’t start until 9 a.m. and then at 6 p.m. I go home. That’s it!

On Monday I had an interview for a part-time kindergarten position which, in reality, I could not live on the salary. I was also competing with about 500 other applicants for the job. Yikes. 500 people all want a $20,000 a year teaching job?!

I remain strangely optimistic and energetic. This is quiet strange for my personality. I’m just going to go with it.I was also look out of curiosity at my old profession job openings; there were much, much less of them. So, on the positive side, there are many more jobs in the teaching field versus the writing field. I think it all comes down to how secure you feel about yourself and how badly you want the job. I want to teach, not just in the best school district, in the best school with the best kids: I want to teach ANYWHERE a licensed elementary teacher is needed. I think that opens up the playing field a bit.I will try and relax and enjoy the summer. Time to read the forty books I haven’t finished and get caught up on all the many things that had to get pushed in a corner.

Hopefully some fun stories will be shared but right now, decompression is in place.

On a side note, I was forced to carry “no” boy to the office. That should stop him from saying no to me for a few more days. His teachers at his main school have already had it with him. He is facing a week suspension in 2nd grade for fighting and cursing. This sentence comes from the “best public elementary school” in the Denver metro area. Suddenly, I don’t feel so alone in my frustration with “no” boy. But secretly I wish I could find an alternative. Sadly, this is what society truly offers those who like to say “no” to important rules like no stealing, kicking, hitting, swearing, and cheating. I’m not sure what I think about this.  Punitive punishment never changes the rebels.

Although I finish this week, I am very much on the job hunt right now as we speak. Unfortunately, I’ve heard rumors that some jobs at certain locations have 400 applicants. Yikes. I’m trying to stay aggressive, yet calm, confident and not-freaking-the-heck out just yet. The tough economy has finally hit the teaching market. The good news is that many teachers of the Baby Boomer generation will be retiring in the next five years. But until then, many prayers are going up for me to find a job. Until then:Keep calm, carry on.