Getting settled, getting stoked!

It's been a while, so lets see if I can catch-up and fill in missed days...

Kelsie came by to visit for my birthday. It was super fun! I showed her my apartment (it's a very quick tour, haha) and we headed out to lunch at Chili's. We had fun sharing pool stories and talking about what we're up to now. As we were about to leave Chili's Kelsie said something about it being my birthday...which prompted the server to bring out a birthday sundae: woo hoo! Next, we headed into St. Joe to explore a little bit. We went into this one little shop (some kind of general store) that had us both cracking up. You've got to love a store that sells St. Joe souvenirs on one aisle and dollar store underwear on the next. So weird! Then we did an awesome but seriously intense walk...down 70 stairs (yep, I actually counted), all the way out to the beach, along the water, and out to the lighthouse area. What a beautiful view! Then we made the trek allllll the way back - walking up a hill of sand in the summer is such a good workout! Haha. All in all, a very fun way to spend my birthday!!

Below you'll see the 70 steps...

the awesome lighthouse...

and a cool picture of the lake/beach :)

Friday, Saturday, & Sunday I had a pretty nice little routine worked out. I mimicked the beach walk (mentioned above) each morning for a nice little workout wake up. I really can't think of any better way to begin the day, it was amazing. Anyways, after the walk (and shower, etc.) I would run some errands and work in my classroom. I'm finding that keeping busy is my key to keeping sane around here! After working for most of the day, I'd find my way back to St. Joe. There is a little park-ish area overlooking the lake and it's my new favorite spot to read. I spent all three evenings reading out there.

Very peaceful and relaxing...until on one of those days a man asked to sit next to me. Now when I go to read, I go to read. I pull all the stops to not be bothered: sit alone, listen to my MP3, and read a book. Clear signals that I don't want to talk, right? Wrong. Apparently I was sending out the "if you're creepy please come talk to me" vibe by mistake. Happens all the time :P Anyways, this guy asks if he can sit down...enter Rick, 40-something and smelling like alcohol. He sits down and proceeds to tell me that he likes reading too. He shows me his book (some cop drama) and then says, out of the blue, "I can really dig your hair, very cool!" Well dang. Now I'm thinking I should probably never wear my hair like that again. Then he talks for a while about the new fountain they're putting in. I continue to pretend like I'm reading while making "hmmm" and "yeah" noises to our buddy Rick. Eventually, he looks up at me and asks, "You got two bucks?" Uhmmmm, I'm going to have to say no, sir. Then, just like nothing happened, he gets up and walks to the next bench. I was left wondering what my hair looked like and what he wanted $2 for. This story is really not relevant to anything, I just thought it was a funny encounter. :D

Lets see...yesterday was Monday. It was a rough day. I don't get homesick very often, but yesterday was bad. I woke up with a headache and wanted to do absolutely nothing. I didn't have any trainings or obligations so I laid around for a while indulging in the whiny part of me that could only think "I want to go home!" Don't get me wrong, I love it here! There are just times when I really, really miss being around the little munchkins and being able to talk to my mom without using a cell phone. I ended up staying in most of the day and working on some teaching prep stuff. Not the best day, but I got through it.

Today, on the other hand, was awesome! I had a training in the district math program today. The only program I'm familiar with is Everyday Math. I like it, but it is very structured and "paper and pencil" type learning. The program Lakeshore uses is called Bridges and I loveeee it! It is very hands-on, concrete, and fun for children. The training was really insightful and got me totally geared up to teach!

After the training, I headed over to Roosevelt to work in my classroom. It's really starting to take shape! I'm now pretty confident about the layout of all of my furniture. I worked on hanging up some posters, organizing and labeling materials, and opening some new boxes that just arrived. My only worry at this point is money. I haven't been working since I moved but I have tons of things I still would like to get for my classroom. It seems like every time I turn around I see or think of something else I need to get! I spent a few hours at the school with Amy and Stacy. Everyday I work with them I feel more and more grateful that I got this position: they are so supportive and helpful! I honestly couldn't ask for a better Kindergarten team! Between Bridges and things coming together in my room, I am oh so stoked about school starting soon!!

The last reason that today was such a good day...it is almost tomorrow! I'm going home for a visit tomorrow and I'm so excited!! I really miss everyone and I need to see how our puppy is doing :)

<3