Life Update!

Life has been crazy busy lately, as usual! But it has been fantastic. I have absolutely LOVED student teaching this semester and can’t believe my last day is only five weeks away! 😦

My cooperating teachings have been phenomenal and have taught me so much. One of my favorite things that I implemented was this quick and easy version of an “exit slip”:

I put post-its on the students’ desks in the morning and at the end of class I have them write down what stuck with them from that day’s lesson. It is such a cute and easy way to see how much students actually comprehended. 

Aside from student teaching, I have also been on the job hunt! Being a teacher it’s somewhat difficult finding a job because schools don’t post openings until late spring.  I have been fortunate enough to have been in contact with some schools from home that already know open positions for next school year. I even have a job interview next Friday at one of the Catholic schools in Louisville! 🙂 AND we had a career fair today at UD where I interviewed with two school districts from Louisville. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and trying to stay proactive about completing on-line applications and keeping in contact with schools. I can’t believe the real world is quickly approaching but I couldn’t be more excited about it!

A couple of weekends ago my two best friends, Liz and Morgan, came to visit! I can’t wait until we are all living in the same city again!

And of course with senior year coming to a close, the roomies and I are trying to enjoy every second of our last year at Dayton. I have been so blessed living with these 6 amazing girls and know that we will keep in touch long after graduation. 

The wonderful St. Patty’s day was last Sunday and campus was a sea of green as usual! 

Now I’m just trying to get through this last week and a half before SPRING BREAK! I cannot wait for next Friday because my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and I are all going to Hilton Head!! I am so unbelievably excited for this much-needed vacation and quality time spent with family. 

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day

My life has been a little crazy since the start of this semester. The first weekend back I went on a retreat with 10 other UD students to prepare to lead one of our school’s retreats called Metanoia.  The weekend after that my sorority had our recruitment and added 52 new beautiful ladies to our wonderful chapter.

Last weekend was finally the retreat that the team and I had been preparing for since November. We had an excellent turnout and everyone had a great time. It was a nice opportunity to get away from campus and connect with others on a deeper level. It helped me to put my life in perspective and realize what really is important to me.

With all of these events keeping me busy on the weekends, I have also been extremely busy during the week with student teaching. I started soloing two weeks ago which means that I have fully taken over teaching. I teach both math and language arts to my sixth grade students. It has definitely been an adjustment learning how to plan and stay organized and on top of things but I think I am starting to get the hang of it. Each day has it’s ups and downs but I really am enjoying it and couldn’t be happier with my placement. Even on the days the kids make me want to pull my hair out, I know that they really are a great class. And my cooperating teachers could not be more supportive- they have been so helpful and have really welcomed me as a part of their teaching team.

And as we all know this past week was Valentine’s Day. I was able to celebrate with my adorable little munchkins on Wednesday where we made some crafty cards for their mom and dad and for Scott.

Then on Thursday my lovely boyfriend came to visit and stayed for the weekend. We enjoyed going on a couple of dinner dates and seeing the new Nicholas Sparks movie “Safe Haven” (yep, that’s right- I convinced him to go).  I love all of his books but sometimes his movies don’t always impress me; this one however was really good and even Scott approved. We had a great weekend together and it was another reminder of how blessed I am to have someone so special in my life.

Favorite Christmas Present

One of my favorite presents that I received for Christmas this year is my new monogrammed lunch box!

I know it sounds stupid, but last semester when I was student teaching, I had to bring my lunch in a plastic grocery bag — so this is a big improvement! I absolutely love it and can’t wait to use it everyday!

I came across this lunch box on Etsy at rougeandco.  They have lots of adorable prints, colors, and fonts to choose from! Would make a great gift for students or teachers you might know 🙂

A Look Back at 2012…

Happy New Years! Here is a look back at my favorite memories from 2012…

Started the new year off right with a trip to Florida before heading back to school…

Celebrated five amazing years with this handsome man

Celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at the one and only place – UD!!!

My school is insane 

I turned TWENTY-ONE!

Went to Derby with friends…

Went to Hilton Head for our annual trip with the family

Went to Connecticut for my cousin’s wedding

Spent fourth of July week in Gulf Shores

Had fun at my friends house boat!

Left for school for my SENIOR year at UD

Watched UL beat UK (in the rain)

 Mom, Dad, & Kel came to visit

Scott finally comes to visit!

Tailgated with the siblings and cousins

I had an amazing year but am also excited for all of the new and exciting changes that will be happening in 2012! 🙂

For the holidays you can’t beat home sweet home

Finals are finally over and I could not be more excited to be HOME! Christmas is my favorite time of year – especially now that I am in college since I get a month off from school and have plenty of time to relax and enjoy my friends and family 🙂 There is truly nothing better.

I have enjoyed sleeping in and have been busy finishing up my Christmas shopping. Last night my mother, sister and I had dinner together and then started to wrap some presents by the tree while enjoying a glass of wine. I have loved catching up with my amazing high school friends and of course spending time with Scott now that I am home. On Saturday we will celebrate my older brother and sister’s birthdays by going out to dinner! I couldn’t be happier during this wonderful time of year.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Even though I live the life of a college student, my roommates and I have tried our best to still create some Christmas spirit by decorating our hundred-year old house as cute as we can! It really does feel like the holiday season with the smells of cookie-scented candles and seeing the lights on our tree. Despite the colder temperatures and the realization that finals are slowly getting closer and closer, the Christmas season is giving me motivation and keeping me sane. Only two more weeks until a much needed one-month vacation from school!