Permanent Vacation

I've been joking for months that I am on a "permanent vacation" since I don't have a job for this school year. As I sit here doing nothing, I want nothing more than to get a job for this school year though. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

However, this "permanent vacation" of mine might be looking up if in fact I fail to procure a job in the next few weeks.

My dad has just informed me that due to his massive amounts of traveling, Southwest has given him a buddy pass that is good until February 28th. What this means is that any time he travels somewhere on Southwest (which is quite often), I can go with him for free! Um, if that isn't a permanent vacation I don't know what is. If I can't find myself a full time teaching job I'll figure out what I'm going to do to make at least a little money, and I can spend my weeks flying across the country. I think I can handle that :)

Pays to be nice

So here is my story about how it totally pays to be nice to people. I went to the DMV this morning to get my license plates and car registration. I walked in, took a number, and sat down. I was about 30 people away and it seemed to be moving at a decent pace so I commented out loud, sort of to the girl next to me, how I was shocked it wasn't going to be a longer wait. We started chatting and it turns out she is from Texas too so we had that in common. Turns out she was friends with the girl at the counter so as soon as it was free she walked up without having a number. She got her stuff taken care of then waved me up. She smiled, said it was nice to meet me, and left. I got to cut the line and was in and out with license plates and registration in 10 minutes! Unbelievable!! Just goes to show what happens when you are friendly to people :)

That totally made my day!

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