Ramblings of an Unsound Mind

The last couple of weeks of November have been busy. It hasn't been the busy that you wish to be over, but productive. I have been subbing more and more in the Utica City School District. Thanks to the reminding of a good friend about the fact that I am subbing to gain practical experience. So I should not be so hard on myself to the point to question my career choice. We never stop learning and somewhere on my journey I forgot that. I am glad and appreciative that she helped me remember that.

As I said, I am subbing. I have subbed everyday for the past two weeks. On ninth of this month, I only subbed for half of the day, but it is what happened when I talked to the teacher when she came back. She asked me about my credentials and when she found I was certified she become very interesting. She asked if I would like to sub for her again. Of course, I was ecstatic that she asked so the only reasonable answer is yes. As a result, she asked for my employee ID number so she could request me personally when or if she needs a sub again. This made my day.

The following day I was subbing for second grade. Once again I impressed the regular teacher so much that she wanted my employee ID, and phone number so she could request me personally. She was amazed that I was able to get the students to be quiet. If anyone remembers how students act when there is a substitute, you know that they are not quiet. She knew how quiet I was able to get them because she was in the buliding for the day, but was in a team planning meeting all day long. However, she was coming in and out of the room so she was shocked when she entered and the students were sitting quietly at their desk and working.

I was pleasantly surprized today when I was called by the sub finder system (is what the school district uses to contact you if there is an opening) that I was requested by the teacher for her class. So tomorrow I am subbing for the same second grade classroom. :-) The teacher is really nice. We had a small conversation when we were waiting for it to be time to leave. I mentioned how difficult subbing can be because you are always rotating in and out of different classrooms and the students do not get to know you. Of course, she agreed. It is difficult to maintain control of the classroom when the students are not fimilar with you. They treat you has a stranger and try to get away with things that they would not normal be able to. Plus, they become comfortable with you and you with them that things are able to be accomplished because they start recognize you as an authority figure.

It is time to move on to a different topic. Erik and I went to visit his mother and stepfather this pass weekend. It was nice to get out of the apartment for a weekend. The experience, however, was mixed with positive and negative moments. To be fair most of it went very well. I was just rubbed the wrong way from a comment that was made by Erik's stepfather. I am not able to disclosure too much, but it had to do with about us setting a date for our wedding. He took an oblivious point of view considering what he said. I do not think he realize how much his comment hurt me a little bit. Anyways, Erik and I got to see his childhood apple orchard while we were visiting. It was nice and small. Definitely family owned and managed. I like those small family owned businesses. I find them more personable, friendly and helpful. Most of all, I find them to be very understanding. Especially, if you are not sure which apple is the best for what baking activity.

It has been a couple of weeks since I update so I felt the need to do so. This entry is not going to be long because I have a boring and fairly unimportant life at the moment. I have been substituting in the Utica City School District. I am so ashamed of myself the past two days. The first reason why I am ashamed of myself happened yesterday. I was subbing for a fifth grade teacher. I was sitting down at the teachers desk mumbling to myself unpleasantries because the class I was subbing for was completely insane, unruly, and disrespectful. I was looking down at the plans and reading when a student came up without permission and overheard what I was mumbling. I was crap (in my head) this is not going to end up well because of course the student had to announce to the whole class what I was saying to myself. So, I had to improvise and claim that what he heard was me saying "sugar" instead of what what I actually said because he just said it sounded like you said...

Today, I was subbing for another fifth grade classroom. I am actually really ashamed about today. I was saying something and unfortunately before I could filter what I was saying friggin came out of my mouth. I was shocked at myself. I have drawn the conclusion that I need to be my own classroom and get around students more because I am loosing my ability to filter my language when fluster. I am the worst person in the world. These past two days have made me stop and thinking about my career choice. I am really ready and right to be a teacher. I am going to be the worst teacher in the world. Come on, now. The past two days is good proof that I am not suppose to be a teacher.

Last night when I went to bed I didn't think I would have a day like this. The day started with me receiving a phone call on my cell phone at 6:20 in the morning. So I had to race out to the livingroom where it was located less than after asleep to answer it. I looked at the number that was being displayed and it was not a number that I recognize. To may surprise, it was BOCES calling me to do a Substitute teaching job this morning at my old alma mater in Stockbridge. At this point was feeling several different emotions, excited, relived, and nervous. This was my very first substitue teaching job so it was a new experience for me. And to top it all off, I had to substitute for sixth grade and picture day. I am sure everyone remembers how they were in sixth and how the substitute was treated. Well it has not change at all. You have those students who are really respectful and helpful and those who are just a pain in the ass you want to string them up by their ears. :-) I had a girl in the class was so upset that she had to kneel in her class picture because of her height that she said that she was going to flip off the picture. I was honestly shocked. I guess nothing should surprise me now days with how quickly children want to grow up and be an adult. Dismissal was very unique experience with this class. They were running, pulling, pushing, and overly noise. It was so loud that I had to raise my voice in order to announce that everyone who had gotten their stuff to go home to do so. However, it was loud enough it ended up to be because when I started call students to line up several students stated that they haven't gotten their stuff yet. The kicker for this time of day was whe 3/4 of this class claimed that they were involved in intramurals, well more of them just walked out the door. Anyways, it was the worse part of the day and it is understandable because I remember when I was sixth grade, I want to get the hell out of the school when it came to dismissal. Granted I never behaved like this, but it is a new age where children are not taught respect. Despite the events that happened during dismissal, I would love to substitute again. It gets me into the classroom, which I miss horribly. Plus it is great experience and it is interesting to learn more about the running of the classroom from the otherside of the teacher desk.

Oh I forgot that the superintendent came down to the room during study hall which of course the students weren't doing quiet. As a result, I was stating that they were not going to be having recess at that percise moment. I am hoping he doesn't think that I am some sort of tyrant. :-) But, I think he understands that I was handling the problem about them talking when they were not suppose by taking their recess away. I am sure if I was doing a horrible job he would have called me out of the room and talk to me, right?

Yesterday, I was doing some errands. I was walking absentmindly to the building when I suddenly smelled something. At first it was shocking, then a comforting feeling came over me. I suddenly recognize what I was smelling. I was smelling the leaves of the nearby trees. I don't know if anyone else notice that fallen leaves have a wet sweet smell to them that signifies that fall is finally here. Although you would not think so with all the high temperature days and nights as of late. It reminded me of my youth and spending hours outside playing in the fallen leaves. Piling the leaves up in a big mountain and jumping carefree into it. Then pressing and doing rubbings of them. Also making scarecrows. Fall is a wonderful time of the year.

The smell of leaves do not only make me nostalgic about what I use to do with them, but all the activities that I enjoy in the fall. It through me back into the days of hay rides, corn fields, costumes, jack-o-lanterns, and haunted houses. Then comes all the apples things that are a cornerstone of my childhood. Carmel apples, applesauce, apple pies, dunking for apples and apple cider (regular and hard).

THE SABRES WON!!!!!!!!!!!! 6-4 against the Islanders.


It was a nail biter to the end.

Editor's note: I hate the new policies on calling all the penalties that cause the game to be physcial. The minor touching the other player with your hand should not result into a penalty. That is so anal. Things need to lighten up because it isn't only going to piss off the players, but the aderaline deprived and highly emotional fans. There is going be a lot of rioting among fans and players.

THE HOCKEY SEASONS BEGINS TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


LET'S GO SABRES!!!!!! LET'S GO SABRES!!!! LET'S GO SABRES!!!!!!! LET'S GO SABRES!!!!!!! LET'S GO SABRES!!!!!!! LET'S GO SABRES!!!!!!

There have being some stuff going down in the life Erik and Sherry. It started mainly last week. Erik received a letter from a county office stated that he has a lien on him for roughly 27,000 dollars due do medical bills. (I am not naming specifics). Well, this is the second notice we received within a year, Erik decided with some pursuing call my family's lawyer for advice. He set up an appointment up for today. It was the earliest that the lawyer had free. Then on Wednesday of last week Erik came home for a seemless uneventful lunch. Boy!!! we were soon in for a shock. Roughly when Erik was leaving to return back to work, there was a knock on the door. Erik open the door to receive a summons for a court appearance. As I said before no specifics will be mentioned in here. To say the very least, we were very worried because it was a summons that was going result into lots of money to exchange hands. So Erik called the lawyer once again and he just tacked it on for consultation for today.

With all this lingering over our heads, it was a tad bit nerve racking, but we kept as much of a positive attitude as possible. We by the motto that there is nothing to get upset about until there is. Which I will have credit to Erik because he has optimize is wearing off on me. I am very grateful for that. He is a wonderful man. Anyway, today comes around and he had his appointment. Still with our fingers crossed we are hoping for the best.

The result of the consultation was a positive one. The lawyer was very knowledge and very reassuring about the events that are going on behind the scenes. It boiled down to the fact that the insurance company is handling a claim that has not been paid out as of yet. So the lawyers were getting antsy, which is understandable. My family's lawyer got information from Erik of his father's number so he could call him. The lawyer did this to get the information of the insurance company that was supposingly handling this claim. The lawyer was very determined and straightforward with the insurance company's lawyer to see if it was going to be conflict of interest in defending Erik and his father. The insurance lawyer guaranteed that they will defend both of them to the best of their abilities and allowable legal means. We also learned that the insurance company is reliable for 485,000 dollars, however; the claim can be up to 2 million dollars. In Erik's and mine opinion the person deserves as much money as he or she can get. So we are hoping that he or she will get a settlement in the upper strata range.

The result of the lien is that the county was notifying Erik that with the settlement that this person gets through all this they are claiming their expense out of it. In order words, they want their money back. Lousy damn county. Juses, the person needs your assistance and all you are worried about reimbursement. This way the government and the way this state is run is sicking.

The lawyer was very helpful and personable. Of course, as like any lawyer, he did have to charge something for the consultation. At least it was only 50 dollars. We will be able to afford that even though it will be tight.

There is something into this looking positive attitude. Erik is awesome. He also applied to another job in Maine as a Web developer. We are having our fingers crossed. This job is willing to reimburse for relocation expenses and pay rent for the first month. So it would be wonderful to hear good news on this job. It also provides good benefits and a decent salary. Wish us luck.