Ramblings of an Unsound Mind

bluemist_24 @ 2005-12-22T14:45:00

2005-12-22T19:46:01Z

Love by ruby mae
Your name
Your partner
You two are	In love
Your meeting was by	Fate
They are your	Hero
You are their	Baby
Your love will	Be your strength

Quiz created with MemeGen!

Time keeps on rolling by!!

2005-11-16T02:26:16Z

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.

Stupid

2005-11-03T21:25:16Z

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.

Interesting Day

2005-10-19T04:13:42Z

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?

Fall is in the air!!!

2005-10-08T03:27:30Z

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).

Yayyyy!!!!

2005-10-06T01:37:23Z

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 wait is over.

2005-10-05T18:28:50Z

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!!!!!!

bluemist_24 @ 2005-09-30T03:21:00

2005-09-30T07:21:39Z

My LiveJournal Trick-or-Treat Haul
bluemist_24 goes trick-or-treating, dressed up as Vampire.
amnesiac_pisces tricks you! You get a used tissue.
fayeaylevia gives you 17 dark blue coffee-flavoured jawbreakers.
ivyrose_13 tricks you! You get a used tissue.
lildevil92482 gives you 2 mauve tropical-flavoured gummy worms.
nikkihighkill gives you 2 yellow cinnamon-flavoured jawbreakers.
peorthundead gives you 14 brown apple-flavoured gummy worms.
rashaka_13 gives you 2 dark blue vanilla-flavoured gummy bats.
bluemist_24 ends up with 37 pieces of candy, a used tissue, and a used tissue.
Go trick-or-treating! Username:
Another fun meme brought to you by rfreebern.

The low down

2005-09-29T15:59:44Z

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.

thank god for friends and random quizzes!!!!

2005-09-27T04:46:04Z

Your Drinking Party Status! by neworder84
Name:
Number of beers that night:	92
How many random people you hook up with:	Swing both ways I see...
You:	passed out in the street...
Also you:	fell out of a window, dumbass
Your comment of the night:	"WANNA BANG!"
Just remember:	You always have tomorrow!
How much beer will get you laid:	A case, they won't remember!

Quiz created with MemeGen!

What stupid popstar are you destined to kill? by ragdoll
Name
Popstar	Jessica Simpson
Murder method	Poison!
Motive	48 hours of TRL and caffeine.
Sentenced to	Community service (no one will REALLY miss them..)

Quiz created with MemeGen!

yicky!!!!!

2005-09-26T21:14:39Z

I hate being sick. I have a head cold for the past six to five days. I thank Erik for this cold. He brought it home with him as a present for me. :-) Of course he had help with giving me this cold. The place he works does not have any ventialtion so if one person gets sick it is inevitable that everyone is going to be getting sick. Ah well...I will survive, but it does drain you of any energy that is need to accomplish anything during the day.

Wasting time

2005-09-26T00:22:35Z

What will your Funeral be like? by rashock
Username
You will die by:	You die in sweet bliss while having sex with your lover or partner. Seems they were so good your heart couldn't stand it and stopped. Talk about a heart breaker, but at least everyone sees you in your casket with a smile of your face.
Death Date:	September 26, 2065
Number attending your funeral?	176
How much will you leave to friends and family?	$3,126,336

Quiz created with MemeGen!

My interview

2005-09-25T15:35:27Z

For those who knew that I had an interview this past Thursday. I will let you know how it went. I actually felt it went quite well. This time around it is a true feeling of accomplishment. I thought that I achieved my goal of showing the person the type of teacher and person that I am. It was unbelievable how neverous I wasn't. It was a combination of reasons why I was not nervous. One was the undying support of those around me, especially my love Erik. Second, the person that was interviewing me was extremely personable and open. She was always smiling and laughing which made me feel at ease. I just wish that my future interviewers are like this. Whoever told the interviewer that he or she needed to overly intimidate in order to find the right candidate for the job.

Anyways, on to the interview. Of course it was always a good thing to show up a tad bit early to show reliability. So when I got there, she was having a staff meeting. I think the best way of telling how a director is is by being able to see him or her involved in a staff meeting. This shows you how he or she reacts to his or her staff. Whether or not he or she respects individuals' comments, opinions, and/or suggestions without a superiority complex. I came to the conclusion that it was a really respectable and friendly place.

Now, to the actual interview. The interview was easy going and relaxing. She asked me why I chose to do my Masters in one year. I told her that if I didn't go and get it over with I know deep inside I would end up not doing it. Then she gave me a complement of sorts. She said that you are really self aware. I am assuming that is a good quality to have. Whatcha think? Then the interview continues and she asked me what teacher had the most positive effect on me. I stated my second grade teacher and my reasons why. Then she came out and said that I would make a great teacher. :-) That is a wonderful thing to hear. She was also extremely understand to the fact that the reason why I don't have a job is because places require experience. As she said, "The catch-22." You need experience to get the job, but places aren't willing to give you the opportunity to get that experience. Then before the interview, I took it upon myself to have Syracuse University to write a letter on my behalf to state that I have completed all the course requirements and that the certification application has been sent into the New York State Education Department. I had this written to show that I am in the process of getting certified even though I do not have the certificate in my hand at the moment. We both agreed that the state takes forever to process the application and that she understood the reasons why I do not have the physical certificate in my hand. This part of the conversation started because I asked her if she happened to receive the letter from Syracuse University. She said yes and that it was very responsible of me to send the letter. Which is, count them, three complements in one interview. I wound say that it went well, wouldn't you?

Even though the interview went extremely well, I will know if I got the job in two weeks. She told me that she had some more interviews and she needed to check with my references. I just have a very good feeling. I am overwhelming hopeful that it will come out in my favor in the end. There has to be some light at the end of the tunnel, right? *has fingers and toes crossed*

The wonders of technology

2005-09-18T15:05:56Z

Yes....we have got everything that was suppose to be turned on by now, on. We have nothing more to worry about. Yeah right!!!!! Here comes the trouble monster rearing his big ugly head again. Come friday night, our phone decided to die on us. However, this won't be all that bad if there was another source of mindless entertain that could be substituted for the internet at this point in time. So, Erik and I were without phone, computer, t.v. and no books to read because we have read all the books we own up to this point. As a result, our friday night, lets say, the night from hell. It went by so slow it was torture.

Well, fortunately I keep the old bills from the phone company that has the numbers on the back of it. So we were able to call to get an appointment from 8 to 12 on Saturday morning. We were happy about that. On the other hand, we had made plans to meet my family out in Syracuse for a job thing of my brother's. Therefore, we hoped that the repair man would come at 8 get the thing fix and then we could go out and meet them. Well, that was wishful thinking. The guy arrived at 10:45 in the morning and was here to almost twelve. But the story ends with some success, he was able to fix our phone line. Yayyyyyy!!!!!!! It was the smallest and most mundane thing that was wrong with it. The connector to the main box was loose by a fraction of a millimeter. So to prevent this from happening once again the repair man used half a roll of duck tape to secure it in place. Ahhhhh!!!! the many uses of duck tape will never ceases. :-) Even though it did take so long to get our phone repair at least the guy was friendly and helpful. This a great bonus especially for someone working on a Saturday morning.

By the time we were able to leave the apartment to head to Syracuse it was around 11:45. It takes an hour drive to get to Syracuse and however long it takes to get to the final destination. We didn't get to my brother's thing under roughly 1:30. We reach there just in time to see all the rewards being handed out. I am quite happy and proud of my brother. He got two trophies and a couple of 100 dollar gift certificates to a very nice restaurant. He did great this year.

On a side note, Erik and I have not eaten anything all day because this thing was suppose to be a cook-out as well. We since we got there so late, we missed the food. Oh well, my brother was sweet and gave Erik and I one of his 100 dollar gift certificates to have dinner. I think we made-out like bandits in this deal. The food was excellent. Plus my brother's generous was awesome as well. Sometimes, I love that big lug. :-)

This is getting a bit too long. It seems like I have a habit of doing that.

The skinny

2005-09-16T19:19:26Z

As you can tell, I am not a very good on updating my live journal. There really only has been a few things that have happened since the last time I updated. The first thing is that Erik and I have decided to move from Syracuse back to Utica. We are now in the long, tedious, and horrible job of packing and unpacking our processions. I am sure a lot of you out there understand the pains of moving. It really sucks the life right out of you. We did the majority of the moving on Saturday and Monday. That is to say that is when we moved all of our big, bulk, and literally big pain in the ass furniture to our new apartment. We are happy however, that our new apartment is only on the second floor. This is awesome because ever since we started to live in apartments we have lived on the fifth and sixth floors of the complexes. Believe me, living on those high up floors sucks ass because you get all the heat from the floors below you. It is a blessing in the winter, but a curse during the summer. Especially after the one we had this year. Anyways, I digress. During this week, we have been traveling back and forth from Syracuse to pick up the rest of our processions. Today would be our third time. We are hoping that it will only take one more time after this. You may be asking yourself, "Why didn't they just rent a Uhaul?" Well, let me answer you my friends. It is call not have enough money, dinero, etc...... The wonders of being a recently graduated college student. :-)

Money is the major reason for us moving back to Utica. Erik so far as a full time job working at Utica College. (On a side note: the place treats him like shit) So instead of driving an hour each way and having to put gas in his car two times a week. (Shakes head at gas prices) We thought it best to move back. Plus we were fortunate to get an apartment from our very first landlords and since everything is included in the rent it ends up being cheaper all the way around for us.

However, since we have gotten here there have been some interesting adventures. The first is the cable is not going to be turn on until the 19th. So that was a whole week from 12th without television. Which has made unpacking quicker. So there is a benefit for not having the distraction of the television. The second adventure had to do with the gas company. I have not dealt with more incompetent people in my life. The adventures start as such: I call the company to set up a day and time for them to come out to our new apartment to turn on the gas. When the end result of this conversation was Monday at 10-12. I was told that I would have to be there to let them into the building. Well, I was okay with this. Not a big deal. You would think. On Monday, I am here waiting for the gas person to come. He gets here and calls the wrong number so my sister-in-law had to call me to let me know he was downstairs. I go and let him in. He had no idea where the gas meters were located. He walked up and down the hallway three times before stating he didn't know. Then he told me that my landlords had to be there to let him into the room where the gas meters were. I found this very interesting. Since there are property of the companies they are legally suppose to have 24 hour access to them. So this day end with him tell me to set up another appointment and to make sure that my landlords were here when the next time. When I talked to my landlords, they told me that the person is full of crap and that they do have a key. So you can imagine that this did not make me very happy. However, our landlords are cool and said to just set up an appointment and they will make sure they are there for us. As a result, I call the back and ask if they would be able to come back. No of course not, they need 24 notification to set up a specific time. I reluctantly set up an appointment up for Wednesday the same time. I called the landlords and told them. They were all set to be here. YOu would think that it would all work out. Guess again!!!!!! This time people didn't call me to let me know they were here. When I found out that they came and didn't let me know I was pissed off. I called them up to ask what the hell there problem was. They told me that they didn't call me because I didn't tell them that they had to. It is only common sense to have to call me, when I am in an apartment complex. They told me that I should have been waiting two hours in the lobby for the person to show up. This this point I am pass pissed. I was homicidal. Then I set up another appointment for Thursday and specific told them to call me when they get here so I could let them in to meet up with my landlords to turn my gas on. Yes this story does have a happy ending. I finally did get my gas turned on.

The only other thing that is left to say is that I have an interview coming up on the 22nd. Wish me luck!!!!

bored once again

2005-09-16T18:29:13Z

Batman

Congratulations! You scored a super 77%!

Cool, calm and powerful. Whilst your actual super abilities may not be
anything too dazzling, you have earnt the respect of both friends and
enemies in response to your amazing fighting skills, strategic combat
and experience.
Luckily you have access to the greens which can fund all your majorly
cool gadgets, vehicles and weapons! Also, you're reluctant but still
accepting to the idea of having a teammate/side-kick, which just makes
everything a whole lotta fun, doesn't it now!
On the down side, you've probably suffered some sort of trauma at a
young age (that's why we don't talk to the old man near the swings,
kids).
Similar to the Wolverine, your past is a base for your current
motivation, undertaking some kind of personal vow in search of justice.
All in all though, you're one tough nut. There's not a lot of people
who have the minerals to go up against you, and you're experienced
enough not to get cocky and let the little things like never finding
happiness get you down!

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 93% on Heropoints

Link: The Which SUPER HERO are you Test written by crayzee69 on Ok Cupid

Randomness

2005-09-13T13:38:34Z

Romeo
You scored 0 evilness, 45 romance, 45 tragic, and 36 comic!

The classic romantic, Romeo is in love with being in love, and switches
quickly from Roseline to Juliet. Romeo is comic in the beginning, but
turns tragic when this starcrossed lover takes his life for love.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 0% on evilness
You scored higher than 63% on romance
You scored higher than 86% on tragic
You scored higher than 29% on comic

Link: The Shakespeare Character Test written by mandi_g on Ok Cupid

Time to Update!!

2005-08-15T16:39:44Z

Where to start to is the question. It has been awhile since I wrote in my journal the last time. Several things have happened both minor and major. As a result, this entry will be a long one. So if you do not have the time to read it come back another time. I guess the logical place to start is with the education aspect. Well since May I have finished my last student teaching placement. I loved this student teaching placement. I wished that it never ended. I noticed quite a few and positive changes in me has a person during this placement. I really grown to love teaching. It was extremely hard to leave my fifth graders. I thought that I would not enjoy teaching ten and eleven year olds because the attitude they develop at this age. However, throughout my experience I noticed that even first graders have an attitude it just gets worse when they get older. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the spunk of the fifth graders each and everyday I went into my placement.

Other than my placement ending in May, there were a few other important events that happened. The first thing that happened was that I participated in my School's convocation. I say school because within Syracuse University with are several different specialized schools that you apply to in order to receive the appropriate education. Well, I was obviously in the School of Education to receive my Master's Degree in Childhood Education. I decided to go to my convocation instead of my Graduation because this way I was was recognized as an individual instead of just group of people in the School of Education. Can you imagine going to your graduation to just be recognized as the "School of Education's Master's Program". How much more impersonal can you get, right? Anyways, the convocation did not go off without a hitch. During the ceremony my class was not recognized when they started stating all the separate degree programs that were participating. We had to beg, borrow and steal for them to recognize as a group. It was very disappointing and frustrating. However, after this little battle it went smoothly. I received a 50,000 dollar paper weight for my troubles that day. I do not receive my degree until about October. Isn't that nice. Besides my convocation, Erik had his graduation from Utica College. He was ecstatic to be finished.

Well, that was May. Other than me spending most of the last week in May working tireless on my portfolio there wasn't much going on. However, I did get an interview schedule for June 3rd at the same place Jenny was working. Well before the third, I had to present my portfolio. This wasn't all that bad of an experience other than the fact I had to be videotaped during it. Yes, I had to present my portfolio, it is a requirement for my program or I do not graduate. After the presentation, my cohort and I received our final exam. The director of the program was not joking when she said it was highly intensive exam. We had until the thirteenth of June to finish the exam. This exam's requirements were to have at least to be at least fifteen pages, ten resources, written in APA style, cover sheet, and a honesty statement. The exam consisted of one question. The question was basically, how do you know that you are teacher of young children according to best practices. At first, when I looked at this question and thought "How the hell am I going to be able to get at least fifteen pages and ten resources." Amazingly, my paper ended up being 18 pages and 20 pages including resources page and cover letter. Well, that was mainly what was important in June. Oh the interview ended up with me not getting the job. So on the other hand I continued to apply to jobs both in Maine and in New York. I am still hoping that something will come through.

Besides waiting to hear back from the over twenty places I have applied to, I have been catching up on my reading. I have fallen victim to the cult of Harry Potter. Before the beginning of this summer, I have only read the first book. This July the sixth book was released. I surprised myself in the fact that I was able to to read book two through five from mid-june to mid-august. This means that I am now caught up to the point we I will be reading the book that was released this year and not roughly four years before. Erik and I went to get book six yesterday. I am going to start it today. I am excited to learn what is going to happen to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Erik's birthday was the ninth of this month. It was pretty decent. He wanted to have the day off of work and stay home with me so that is what he did. However, it made it difficult for me to surprise him so I had to do all that I planned the following day. So on the tenth, I made him his favorite birthday cake, chocolate with peanut butter frosting. He LOVED IT!!!! He was full from dinner at Applebees and he ate two pieces of the cake. On top of making his favorite cake, I got him a x-box game that he happened to mention that he wanted. The game is called, "Destroy all Humans." It is a really cool game and interesting to boot. :-) He loved that too. I am so glad and happy that he had such a wonderful birthday. Well, that is all for now. Well all that I can remember right now. If I think of anything else I will be writing again. Hopefully, it will be soon than later.

Hopes and aspirations

2005-05-22T14:34:13Z

I know it has been a very long time since I wrote in this journal, but I have been busy. I have been thinking about a lot of things that are rushing into the playing field. I have gone through a year worth of hell to be called a certified teacher. Of course, I don't want to be only certified in New York, no! That wouldn't be enough for me. I have to want to be certified in Maine as well, which as cause things to become more hectic and stressful. Here is what has been happening in the area of me being certified in Maine. I called the doe, and I told them that I have already been fingerprinted to be certified here in New York. Well that is not good enough for the state of Maine. I have to be fingerprinted again for them. But, that isn't the clincher. The most interesting part is that in New York they send my fingerprints to the FBI. So they are already on record at the federal level. Maine does this as well, so I am going to have two records in the FBI for the same reason. I just don't understand why Maine could not get my fingerprint record from the FBI instead of making me do it again.

On a brighter note, Erik went up to Maine to look for employment. It sounds very positive for him to getting a job up there. This is one giant leap for us and our choice of wanting to go up to Maine to live. It also seems like I have a possible job up in Maine so it looks like things are going well for us. It was nice of Jenny and Andrew to allow Erik to stay the week up there to go job hunting. It is greatly appreciated. I am also planning on applying to other school districts in Maine. This way all my bases are covered.

I am also thinking about going for a second Master's in Special Education. Of course this will be awhile off because I would like to start paying off my massive amount of loans for my undergrad and grad schooling. I am not looking forward to paying back loans, but of course why would college be affordable enough of for the average person to afford without taking out loans. Now that would be a miracle. :-)

Well this is getting long so I am going to be heading out to have a late breakfast with my honey.

Rambling

2005-04-24T15:19:19Z

I think that I am getting the hang of this live journal thingy. I think I am pleased about how I customized mine. :-) I have really nothing important to say. I just thought it would be nice to post. I have tons of work to do. I should be doing it, but hey it is easy to get distracted and procrastinate even more. :-)

Erik is getting into the idea of moving. He spends hours online looking for a job and applies to several of them already. We are hoping for a bite soon. :-) You never know when it is going to happen, but I am hoping soon. I have been getting my stuff together to start applying and sending in my resume. It has been a long road. I just want it to end with both Erik and I having a job that we enjoy and a place that we can call home to the point to is reassure to call it that.

First Post

2005-04-23T15:22:36Z

Well, this is my first post ever on a live journal that was mine. I don't know why I decided to create this journal. I guess it is because that I have lost touch with a lot of people because of being extremely busy with "growing up." :-) Plus, I want to keep in touch with people as well. Jenny suggested this along time go because of the fact we are so busy and can't talk as often as we would like. This would be an easier why of staying in contact and in the loop of things.

Having a little bit over a month left of graduate school. It make someone think. I have been thinking about where I should go, how well I am ready to get a job in the real world, and how plausible it would be to even get a job. The job market in central New York suck major ass. So Erik and I have decided that we need to leave the state in order to get a decent chance of a good future. At the moment, and it is looking as it is going to be, we are thinking about moving up to Maine. There are several reasons for this. One is that we have friends up there that we enjoy hanging out with and know will have a great time. (Worshipping Onions and shouting it out a window and wash sucky ass movies :-)). A second reason is the fact Jenny has informed me that the state of Maine is in the middle of a teaching shortage. The only downfall for moving up to Maine is having to break the news to my mother. She is going to take it way to personally. She knows that I need to grow up and is willing to let me, but she also wants me to remain in two feet of contact with her. I think this is because my brother refuses to move away from our hometown is lives just down the road in one of the buildings that my parents own. A third reason why we are considering moving is because we enjoy the atomsphere in Maine. It is much more relaxing up there which would be a great chance for the twenty four years of high pressure, constantly on the go, and never being able to take a breath of New York State living. Well, this is getting quite long so I am going to end it. BYE!!!!