It's been awhile....

Well, it's been a long time since my last post, and a lot has happened! The only way I can think to organize this is to make a list. So, here goes...

1) I'm teaching!!!!! I was hired starting the fifth week of school to teach 4th grade. I always pictured myself teaching the little ones, but everyday that I'm in 4th grade, I realize that this is truly where I belong. I have 15 students (a teacher's dream) that are all just the sweetest things you'll ever meet! I can honestly say that I look forward to going to work everyday (even waking up at 5:00am)! Fourth grade is definitely a challenge because of all the content there is to teach, and of course the impending doom of the TAKS test. DUN DUN DUNNNNN....but I am loving every minute of it and so thankful for my class!

2) I'm still working at Starbucks! Hahaha...temporarily. I work like once a week at Starbucks still. It's fine for a little extra money on the side and that discount isn't too shabby. Don't be surprised if you all get coffee for Christmas! (Just kidding, but seriously)

3) My apartment and roommates are fantastic! I love my roommates, and we have such a wonderful time living the Dallas life! (By that, I mean living in the city but going to bed by 9:30 every night =)) The girls and I have started a Beth Moore study on Esther and that has been good for all of us! It's such a blessing to live with strong, Christian women who hold me accountable.

4) Jeremy and I are doing the whole long-distance relationship thing. It's tough, but totally worth it! I enjoy hearing about his time in Houston and elsewhere!

5) The Yankees are playing in the World Series!! HELLO....it's awesome! It's been so fun watching (especially the ones at Yankees stadium---I've been there!!). And...hopefully we'll continue winning!! GOOO JOHNNY DAMON!!!

6) I REALLLY need a new blog title. I am no longer in Argentina. Help...any suggestions? If your suggestion wins, I'll give you a surprise.

Alright, I leave you with pictures of my classroom!

New Beginnings...

I'm writing this blog from my new home in Dallas. My new apartment is awesome It's not totally complete...as far as decorating goes...but it's getting there! Pictures later...once it's done! I'm so glad to be living with Valerie and Brenna and to have many other good friends from ACU here.

I started a new job at Starbucks yesterday. It's not my dream job, but it has been good so far and I know I'll enjoy it much more when I actually start making drinks and serving people! Who doesn't love to wear a headset and an apron?

It's been an interesting adjustment to life here in Dallas. It's been difficult, I won't lie. My whole life I've dreamed of being a teacher. I just always pictured teaching the little ones right after I got out of college. Well, even for those of us who always plan ahead, things don't always work out. I, disappointingly, do not have a teaching job and am not going to be able to do what I want to do. Please pray for me. Pray that I can see what God's purpose is in this...because I honestly don't right now. Please pray that one of these days I'll be able to do what I truly believe I was called to do. I'm trying to be faithful and I'm trying to answer to the call I believe I've received from God, and for some reason, He's not allowing me to do that. Please pray for patience, for understanding, and for other opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children.

Pomp and Circumstance

Well...I am 3 days away from my college graduation, and 22 days away from my 22nd birthday! What does this mean? I am an adult!! (YIKES) My friends and I have been talking everyday about the things you realize when you're graduating college, the things you do as an adult, and more importantly, the things you DON'T do as an adult. So, for your enjoyment, I've compiled a list of 10 things I'm trying to do/not do as an adult:

1. When I take my clothes off at the end of the day, I hang them up instead of throwing them on the floor or laying them across my chair.
2. I don't buy any clothes that I couldn't wear as a teacher.
3. I eat vegetables.
4. I make my bed every morning...and every afternoon, after my nap =)
5. Even when I have the opportunity to sleep all day, I wake up no later than 9 or 10am.
6. I throw away everything just so I won't have to pack it, and even worse, unpack it later.
7. I don't go to WalMart in my pajamas anymore...not even when I'm sick and going to the pharmacy.
8. I changed the voicemail on my phone to a more "professional-sounding" message.
9. I fall asleep wherever I am at 8pm. Seriously.
10. I got rid of my Dorothy slippers. Red, glittery shoes aren't gonna fly anymore.

10 Things I still do that I probably shouldn't as an adult...
1. I ordered Bumpits online. If you're unfamiliar with the bumpit, just visit their website www.bumpits.com
2. I run outside to catch the ice cream truck and then order the Tweety bird treat.
3. I sleep in my makeup every night...and often, just cake it on right over the next morning.
4. I watch Reality TV Shows like "Tool Academy" and "Pretty Wicked".
5. I am still trying to work on my breakdancing skills...I almost have a one handed handstand grabbing my feet!
6. I still own a Disney Princess glasses case.
7. I sit Indian-style in booths at restaurants and chairs in class.
8. I don't shower often enough. Haha.
9. I tell jokes like "What did Dela-ware? A New Jersey!" and think they are hilarious.
10. I ride a bright purple and pink bike with a light-up bell on it.

Maybe I'm not QUITE ready to grow up....Good thing I'm going to work with kids my whole life! =)

2009--The Year I Grow Up

Happy New Year!!!

It's 2009-- the year I'm graduating from ACU and moving into the "real world" of work and responsibility! But I have to tell you...I have never been more ready! I am so excited about figuring out where I'm going to get my first teaching job and settling down!

So...as most bloggers do, I decided to make a list of my New Year's Resolutions. Unlike many, I make only one or two resolutions each year. I get overwhelmed by long lists of "things I need to change about myself instantly". Of course, there are several things I need to work on and do work on each year, but I usually just handpick a select few to be my "Resolutions". So...I usually choose 2 broad things I can really work on.

So..here goes. I resolve to:
1. Take better care of the things I own
2. Get into a better sleeping and eating routine

Well...this has been a pretty boring post...and I'm pretty sure my mom and sister are the only ones who read my blog so...farewell! Happy 2k9!

93-68

WOW! Today I went to the craziest football game of my life! ACU won their first playoff game 93-68. 93 POINTS?? In a football game?? Believe it..because it's true!

ACU's football team has been amazing this season! We are undefeated in the regular season and are now headed to the quarterfinals next week! It is so awesome to be able to experience this my senior year! Our school has had so much more school spirit (which, as you all know, is my FAVORITE)! So...hopefully, we'll be looking at the championship game here in 3 weeks!!

In other news, I'm nearing the end of my classes here at ACU. I have 7 more days of classes in college EVER! It is insane to think about...time is moving so fast! But, I am so ready for student teaching and then to see what's after that!! =)

Wednesday, I'm going to Illinois!!! YAY! I cannot WAIT to see my sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are going to have the best Thanksgiving ever...and it's actually going to be cold...and there are beautiful fall leaves on the trees!! =)

From the mouths of babes....

So, this semester, I interned in a kindergarten class for 6 weeks, and now I am in a 3rd grade class! Here are some of the funny things my little kiddos have told me:

Kindergarten:
One of my students from Africa always lays down on the carpet when they are supposed to be sitting. So, here is a conversation we had one day:

Me- "[child's name], sit up!"
Child- doesn't move
Me- "[child's name], sit up!"
Child- sits up, with his feet underneath his bottom
Me- "Sit on your pockets." (this is what we say to get the children to sit down all the way)
Child- doesn't move
Me- "[child's name], sit on your pockets!!"
Child - "I DON'T HAVE POCKETS!!"
Me- looks at child and realizes he is wearing windpants. "That is correct. Well then, sit where your pockets would be."

Another day, I was going to teach a math lesson. One of my professors was coming to observe me, so Mrs. Scott was trying to prepare the children for that:

Mrs. Scott - "Okay, guys. Miss Anderson is going to be teaching you the math lesson today. One of HER teachers from college is coming to watch her, so you all need to be on your best behavior. Miss Anderson is trying to learn to be a teacher, so we need to help show her teacher that she is doing a good job."
(All the kids are kind of gasping and looking a little nervous)
Child - "GOD...will be with us"
Mrs. Scott - "Yes, He will."

Third Grade:

While doing a worksheet over proper and common nouns, the students were supposed to change common nouns into proper nouns (i.e. "city" would be "Abilene"). One of the common nouns was teacher. The following conversation is a boy trying to figure out how to write my name.
Child - "Miss Anderson, are you married?"
Me - "No."
Child - "Girl, why you ain't married?"
Me - "Because I'm only 21 years old."
Child - "Well, do you at least have a boyfriend?"
Me - "Yes."
Child - "Oh good" (sounding extremely relieved that I will hopefully not turn out to be an old maid)

Every morning, Mrs. Coffman plays a song for the kids to dance to to get warmed up for the day. It is usually the Cupid Shuffle or the Cha Cha Slide. I usually dance with them, of course. Here's what they said to me one day as I'm dancing:
Child - "Miss Anderson, you're studying to be a teacher, right?"
Me - "Yes maam"
Child - "So, you're going to be a teacher next year?"
Me - "That's right."
Child- "Are you going to teach here?"
Me - "I don't know. Probably not."
Child - "You should! You should teach 4th grade here and then we can all be in your class."
Me - "Well, we'll have to see."
Child -"...although, I don't know that I could take you seriously if you were my teacher."
Me - "Why's that?"
Child - "Because you're always dancing like a crazy lady!"

One day, my children were reading biographies during literacy stations time. One of my students was reading a biography that had a timeline in it. He calls me over to ask me this:
Child - "{points to the date 1946} Miss Anderson, were you born then?"
Me - "No. How old do you think I am?"
Child - "I don't know. Like 30."
Haha. These kids think I'm ancient and should be married and have kids. It's so hilarious to me! Everyone my age or older thinks I'm super young, and kids think I'm super old!

Well, as you can tell, I'm totally enjoying my internships! I love being at the schools and am looking forward to many more hilarious encounters with the kids! =)

Back to normal...

So...I thought I would stop blogging once I got back from Argentina, and for awhile (obviously) I did. Today, I decided that I wanted to update my blog. With my sister living so far away and so many "blog fans" (haha jk), I've decided I might should update this thing every once in awhile. So, two months after returning to my "normal life" in the states, here's whats going on!

I'm in my final semester of classes. I'll be student teaching next semester and then graduating in May. I'm working on all my final projects, my portfolio, and countless other assignments. On top of all that, I'm doing an internship. I get to go to a kindergarten classroom 3-4 times a week and spend time with the kids and even teach some lessons. It has been such an incredible experience! I am in a classroom of 22 children. Seven of the students are refugees from Africa and have limited English proficiency (how's that for professional language?). It has been such a joy to watch them as they adjust to the routines of school. It's hard to imagine being in school for the first time AND not understanding the language. It has challenged me and caused me to think about my future classroom and what kinds of accommodations I can make for English language learners. I'm loving every minute of it and nothing makes me more excited than when I see the lightbulb come on for one of these students!

I cannot WAIT to have a classroom of my own! It seems like such a long way off, but I know this time is going to fly by! Well, that's all for now! I know you blog readers are all excited that I'm back in cyberspace, but try not to count on this being an everyday occurrence! =)