Summer is quickly drawing to a close....

I will totally admit to being lame, but I am excited to go back to school, and no, not just for the paycheck. I really want to get back into a routine, see the kids, hang out with my friends..... I am NOT excited about the work, grading papers, the meetings....

This year is going to be so different, I just know it. First, it's my 4th year at Skyline, which honestly seems unbelievable. I literally cannot believe I've been teaching for 8 years!!!!!!!!! Anyway, 'cuz it's my 4th year, all the kids who were my first class graduated and are gone. So while there are a lot of kids still at SHS who I totally like and think are awesome, it just isn't the same as that group of kids I started with.

B) and maybe the biggest thing, is that I have a student teacher this year. We just had a meeting today to start planning things and I think she's gonna do a good job. Her name is Tami and she subbed all of last year while going to school at The University of Phoenix at night and online. I really think that having her in my classroom is going to help make me a better teacher. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm good (or I wouldn't've gotten her in the first place), but this is gonna help me. I am concerned about giving up control of my classroom, of my kids. You all know that I am a super laid back, go-with-flow kinda teacher, but the thought of someone else actually teaching my kids.....kinda scares me! LOl

And thirdly, things happened during this summer that changed me. There was family stuff and friend stuff, and while the details are not important, the outcomes are. I am different. The things that I want now, that I am looking forward to, are totally different than they were 8 weeks ago. I won't lie. I'm a little.....IDK, anxious I guess (scared is too strong a word here) to start the school year. But I am also hopeful, always hopeful....

So the downhill slide begins....this time next week I'll be back at school for sophomore orientation. This time in two weeks I'll be tired of back to school meetings. This time in three weeks I'll be exhausted and my throat will be killing me from all the talking and explainging and syllabus-going-over. OMG!!!! I so am not ready for all of this!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL But, whether I'm ready or not, here comes year 8 of my teaching.....

I take it personally....

I know that I shouldn't take things so hard, but I do......it's lame, but whatever......it's totally me. So what's the latest thing that has kinda hurt my feelings? People not returning phone calls!

Here's the deal: I called a few people over the last few days. And only 1 person called me back. I know that people are busy, have lives, may not have their phone with them at all hours, etc. I get that! Honest. And folks, I don't expect a phone call back immediately, but you can't pick up the phone to call me at all??? In the last 24-48 hours you have not had two minutes to call me???? You see on your caller ID that it was me, you listen to the message, then what????? You think to yourself, "eh....just Katie.....no need to call her back." 'Cuz that's kinda what it seems like to me. I am not important enough or we aren't really friends or you have too much to do.......whatever the deal is, it all boils down to the same thing.........

You don't want to talk to me.

So how do I take that? I don't know. I don't get it. Maybe I am just a better friend. Or maybe I am a total and complete loser because honestly, if any of you who have not returned my call, called me....I would call you back. Even if I didn't really want to chat, I would call out of common courtesy or respect or decency or simple friendship. I don't know what this situation says about you.....or about me, for that matter, as people. What I do know is that right now.....I'm sad.

Summer Vacation started today.....

It's weird.....'cuz while I am totally happy to not have to get up early, grade papers, deal with drama (or bitch co-workers), go to bed early....in general, not work for a few months (which means no money, btw), I am also depressed. I don't like when my routine changes, so that's part of it. And at school I see my friends.....outside of work, not so much. Oh, don't get me wrong.....a) I have friends besides my "work friends" and b) I will continue to see my "work friends".............but it just is not the same. Also, I'm weirdly depressed about "my kids" graduating....I am happy for them and I know that they are going to go out into the world and do amazing things (most of them) but it is just kinda weird to think that they aren't going to be around next year. Also, did I mention the no money thing? Yeah...that's totally depressing me. And I'm depressed about the sad, pathetic fact that I have no plans for the summer.

Whatever.....

Maybe some pie will make me feel better........or beer...........or Tequila.

States I've Visited (thanks Becca)

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

The craziest lunch....

So.....my lunch crew is awesome. Seriously. Love 'em all to death. And we have some totally fantastic lunches! Sometimes they are just hilariously funny and I laugh and laugh and laugh until tears are pouring out ("but I'm fiddlin'!")! Other times...strange things happen (seriously...who knew that grown, mature adults had jello fights?). But last Thursday's lunch....well, it's in a category all by itself.............the conversation went like this.....



Becca: I'm tired of my hair being all the same length. I wish I had some bangs.
Gabbi: I could do it for you.
Becca: Really?
Gabbi: Yep...used to do my own all the time.
Becca: Okay.


At which point Gabbi picked up the scissors that were on Becca's desk and started the haircut.










I swear, honest to goodness, no lying, that is what happened........Literally, including the haircut, I do not think the entire thing took more than 3 minutes. Why, of all days, I randomly had my camera with me, I do not know, but I'm glad I did! Proof of the craziness!!!!






Here is the deal.....I trust my friends a lot.......I think I would probably trust them with my life, actually, but would I trust them to cut my hair?!?!?! I do not know. :-)