Productivity

Today was much more productive than yesterday. I was able to get my Colorado drivers license, and I got all the paperwork I need to get my car registration. I debated going back to get the registration taken care of today but figured I'd need something to do tomorrow so I might as well save it. When you have no job and no friends you need something to keep yourself busy. Can't be too productive in one day or what will you do the rest of the week?!? haha

When I was driving around I spotted a young hippy looking man on the side of the road with a sign that sort of made me laugh: "totally screwed!"

Road Trip to Denver

Well, I made it to Colorado.

Saturday morning Tony and I set out for our 10 hour drive to Wichita. I don't know what I would have done if Tony hadn't gone with me. I was a crying mess for the first hour of the trip, so thankfully I didn't have to drive. After I got over the shock of actually leaving with no plans to come back, I was fine and really enjoyed our drive together.

As I said, the first day we drove 10 hours to Wichita. We pretty much drove straight through, only stopping for gas, and once to eat. We stopped in Denton at a Dairy Queen and it was pretty sketchy. We are both convinced it was not an actual Dairy Queen, just a place that used to be owned by DQ and is still using their menu etc. The people there didn't have any type of uniform and the food came in generic styrofome boxes haha. After checking into our hotel for the night we drove around Wichita to see the city and have some dinner.

Sunday we woke up and drove the final 8 hours to Denver. I usually do very poorly during long drives. I get antsy very quickly and just want to get out of the car. This entire trip went by so quickly though! I attribute that to Tony being there and enjoying talking with him the whole way. At one point we stopped at a gas station in the middle of nowhere and when we were getting back in the car, I kid you not, I saw a man lead a horse out of the back of his van. A van! It was the funniest thing I had seen and Tony and I laughed forever!

When we finally made it to Denver we went to dinner with my dad, Davis, and Heather so that was fun. I think I was a little in shock that I was actually here, and upon seeing all my stuff in my room here, and knowing that Tony was leaving first thing the next morning, I sort of panicked and got sad. Shortly after Tony mentioned that he wished he could stay an extra day and see the city etc and my dad was able to change his flight for free. I perked up after that!

It was so great to have him stay with me my first day here! We walked around downtown, ate lunch, drove up to Boulder to see the school etc. Seriously, I couldn't ask for a better friend. He made the transition here so much easier.

Yesterday morning his flight was at 6:25. We were going to wake up at 4:30 to get to the airport on time. My first alarm went off at 4:20 and stirred me awake. Not a minute later I heard a noise and a light went on. I freaked out (my dad is out of town)! I woke Tony up and we tried to figure out what was going on. Upon further investigation, we heard the shower was on. Finally I just knocked on the door to see who was there. It was Davis! They are fixing his shower at his place but he forgot about it so he wasn't able to warn us he'd be coming. Scared the crap out of me!! Anyway, I dropped Tony off at the airport and shed rivers and rivers of tears. I'm going to miss that boy like crazy! :( Being the wonderful friend he is, he talked to me on and off throughout the day and we talked on the phone for a long time last night. I almost forgot that he was so far away.

I'm going to like it here. And I'm pretty convinced I will not be forgotten after all, so life is good :)

Goodbye Texas

2 days

Lots of goodbyes this week. It's all very bittersweet. On one hand, I'm incredibly excited about moving and can't wait to get to Colorado. On the other hand, I don't want to leave the good things (read: people) I have here.

2 more days ...

Former Students

As a teacher, I fall in love with 22 kids every single year. I know not every teacher is like that, but I certainly am. I can't help it; I just love them. At the end of the year it actually pains me when the kids leave my classroom because they have become so important to me. Teaching little ones you always have to wonder if they will remember you. Sure they loved you during the year; but 20 years from now, will those kids be able to tell their friends the name of their kindergarten, first, or second grade teacher? maybe, maybe not. And if they remember your name, will they remember anything about you, about your class? again, maybe, but maybe not.

I complained an awful lot about having to move up grades with the same group of kids 2 different times. I argued that I should have the chance to teach a new group of kids, not just the ones I already knew. However, looking back at it now, I wouldn't have it any other way. If given the chance, I would totally loop every single year.

I am moving on Saturday and in my last week here I have requests from 3 students, all of whom I taught more than one year, to see them before I leave. It's no coincidence that the three kids that have kept in touch with me over the summer enough to ask to see me before I leave are three that I taught more than one year. These kids love me, and for once I am not worrried I will be forgotten. :) Tell me I didn't make an impact in those kids lives

Photoblog

I freely admit I have sucked at blogging for the past 4+ months. Once I get to Colorado you can expect to see more posts given that I don't have a job and don't have any friends yet lol. I'll have plenty of time to blog then; but as for right now, I'm filling up every last day until I leave.

Moving on to the point of this entry. Someone had asked me if I gave up doing Project 365 because I stopped posting photos here every week. I didn't; I just haven't taken the time to make a weekly collage. For the most part I have still been taking pictures every day. I think I have missed about 5 days total, but I figure that's okay. Anyway, since I clearly will not be posting the pictures here anymore, you'll have to follow my photoblog if you want to see them:

www.photoblog.com/kmack

Sorry about that. I'm a slacker :-P

Moving

I am officially all moved out of my apartment and technically homeless for the next month. Last weekend Tony came over on Saturday and spent the entire day helping me pack up every last thing in my apartment. It was a long day, but it was nice to get it all over with in one big swoop.

Wednesday night was moving night and it was looonnnggg ... after work I picked up the uhaul truck and the movers came at 6:30. I will NEVER move myself again, there is just no reason not to pay for movers! This was by far the best and easiest move I've had yet. The movers were awesome and were done in just over an hour! Just imagine how long that would have taken me to do! After they finished, Tony helped me load up all my school stuff into the truck as it was currently being stored in Betty's garage.

Thursday morning my dad and Davis flew in and I picked them up at noon. They had a quick lunch with me then loaded up in the truck to take my stuff to Denver. They drove straight through the night so I can't even imagine how exhausted they were. Plus, when they got to Denver they had to unload all my stuff into storage and set up my bed at dad's place.

I am now going to be staying at a friend's place for the rest of the month until I leave for Colorado on the 31st. I cannot believe how quickly this summer has gone by! How is it already almost time for me to move?!?