It has taken some getting used to, but the Northwoods of Wisconsin are treating me pretty well. I enjoy the scenery as well as the nice folks I meet, but there's one thing that I haven't gotten used to just yet: the very few students I see. Now, some of my slow day ended up being circumstantial and very much out of my control (i.e. one school had a teacher pass away last week). I'm sure, too, that distance plays a big part. Platteville is at least three hours from the Wausau area...but that logic seems silly as ALL my schools are at least three hours from Platteville....hmm.
Today I tried to keep myself incredibly busy. I visited five schools between the hours of 8:00 and 2:00, but guess how many students I saw...Four. Four students in five schools. Icing on the cake - I saw three students at one school. You do the math there.
So now with just enough postcards to put off until tomorrow, no good magazine in my handbag, and no book to enjoy on this trip, I sit in a Green Mill eating my bread and herb butter, telling you all about my slow day. However, the great part about tonight is the Green Mill serves an incredible smoked chicken and spinach ravioli in a garlic cream sauce. This makes my belly happy....and my keyboard slightly greasy...but shhh...don't tell the boss. :)
Monday, November 27, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Fa La La La La La...
It's that time of year again! And I must confess that I'm excited....and a little confused. Excited because it sure is Thanksgiving time (which also means it's also almost Christmas time), and confused because how the heck did the whole year disappear already?!? You know, you always hear it from those older and wiser that as you get older, time goes faster. I guess I never really believed it to be true. I mean, don't you remember summer break in elementary school lasting what seemed like years. I few days into break we were already bored. But now, summer? What summer? Did summer happen? I can't recall.
And now, here I am, in mid-November, working my first real job, complete with college degree and all, and all I wish is for time to just slow down a little. At this point in my life, young as it still is, I find myself looking back thinking, "I never thought I'd..." Let's recap. Mom and Dad, don't get too weepy over all the reminiscing.
In elementary school, I never thought I'd be anything but a teacher. I was going to teach any and all grades...I could never really narrow it down to my favorite age group. Little did I know that high school and my ego would change my mind down the road.
In high school, I never thought that I would fail engineering in college. I was the best in high school. I was the best at drafting, at tech. classes, at math and science. I thought I was the stuff and destined to be an amazing engineer, making loads of money. Let's face it, communications and public relations weren't even on my radar.
And one more: I never thought I'd be attending my 23rd family Thanksgiving without that special someone to enjoy it with. As long as I can remember, even the past year or so, I had a sort of "target date" to be happily married: 23. Silly, I know. Plenty of time, I know. But it's just the thought that lingered my whole life that a girl was supposed to be married at 23. Maybe by next year...
And a bonus: I never thought that despite all of the "never thoughts" that have taken place throughout life, that I would be as happy and content as I am. So here's a toast to "never thoughts" of the past and those that are yet to come.
That all being said, enjoy your holiday season. Enjoy your family. And take a little time to be thankful for all the "never thoughts" that make life so beautiful.
And now, here I am, in mid-November, working my first real job, complete with college degree and all, and all I wish is for time to just slow down a little. At this point in my life, young as it still is, I find myself looking back thinking, "I never thought I'd..." Let's recap. Mom and Dad, don't get too weepy over all the reminiscing.
In elementary school, I never thought I'd be anything but a teacher. I was going to teach any and all grades...I could never really narrow it down to my favorite age group. Little did I know that high school and my ego would change my mind down the road.
In high school, I never thought that I would fail engineering in college. I was the best in high school. I was the best at drafting, at tech. classes, at math and science. I thought I was the stuff and destined to be an amazing engineer, making loads of money. Let's face it, communications and public relations weren't even on my radar.
And one more: I never thought I'd be attending my 23rd family Thanksgiving without that special someone to enjoy it with. As long as I can remember, even the past year or so, I had a sort of "target date" to be happily married: 23. Silly, I know. Plenty of time, I know. But it's just the thought that lingered my whole life that a girl was supposed to be married at 23. Maybe by next year...
And a bonus: I never thought that despite all of the "never thoughts" that have taken place throughout life, that I would be as happy and content as I am. So here's a toast to "never thoughts" of the past and those that are yet to come.
That all being said, enjoy your holiday season. Enjoy your family. And take a little time to be thankful for all the "never thoughts" that make life so beautiful.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
I Think My Foot is Broken
This week has been one of the slowest weeks so far in my road travels. Yesterday was extremely difficult to deal with. I met with three students...total. Out of four schools? Yeah, that's pretty bad. But, one for the books: I did talk with a student on the phone for about 20 minutes in a guidance office because the kid was home sick from school. Neat.
And the most unfortunate accident of the week occurred today at my last school. I somehow dropped my wheelie briefcase, stuffed full of intro. books, info. cards, all the heavy stuff (not emptied so much due to my extremely slow week) onto my left foot...directly on that bone that sticks up a little higher than all the rest. I actually had to sit back in the car for a few minutes while I dried the tears from my eyes and regained composure to be able to meet with students. And for the record, it really hurt.
On a happier note, I have so far successfully gone through two and a half days without eating at a McDonald's once. This is a record for me on the road this semester. I made four lovely meals on Saturday and froze them solid so as not to die from salmonella or ecoli. And that has made a lot of difference. And I've even worked out once! I know, exciting. But due to the recent foot injury, there will be no treadmill or elliptical for me tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
And the most unfortunate accident of the week occurred today at my last school. I somehow dropped my wheelie briefcase, stuffed full of intro. books, info. cards, all the heavy stuff (not emptied so much due to my extremely slow week) onto my left foot...directly on that bone that sticks up a little higher than all the rest. I actually had to sit back in the car for a few minutes while I dried the tears from my eyes and regained composure to be able to meet with students. And for the record, it really hurt.
On a happier note, I have so far successfully gone through two and a half days without eating at a McDonald's once. This is a record for me on the road this semester. I made four lovely meals on Saturday and froze them solid so as not to die from salmonella or ecoli. And that has made a lot of difference. And I've even worked out once! I know, exciting. But due to the recent foot injury, there will be no treadmill or elliptical for me tonight. Maybe tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Bye Bye, Bad Habit
Ok, so pretty much my whole life, at least since I've had teeth, I've been a nail biter. And I'd have to say that it has not been much fun. More times than I care to recall, I've been caught in the act, and even complete strangers feel the need to point it out...as if that is some sort of motivation to stop doing it...yeah.
But back in September, I had a set of acrylics done. And for those of you not familiar with the subject of cosmetology (yeah, like I am really an expert...), acrylic nails are really bad for your real nails, really bad. And I had nearly no nails left once I removed those fake guys. I bought myself some nail growth polish in hopes that it would help the poor little guys grow a little bit, and funny thing, the stuff actually is kind of working. All my nails have white tips and a few of them are even clicking on the keyboard right now. (That doesn't happen very often.)
I think I can now understand why some girls freak out over a broken nail. I have become pretty attached to the little guys. If I broke one down real short, I think I might shed a tear over it. Here's hoping for nails that keep on growing...maybe even to the point where I'd have to cut them. (That has never happened before.)
Ok, after writing this, I'm sure that it was possibly the worst blog entry ever. Neat. But hey, Dad, at least you won't have to point out when I'm biting my nails over Thanksgiving...I don't think I will be. :) Feel free to leave congratulatory comments on my newly broken bad habit below.
But back in September, I had a set of acrylics done. And for those of you not familiar with the subject of cosmetology (yeah, like I am really an expert...), acrylic nails are really bad for your real nails, really bad. And I had nearly no nails left once I removed those fake guys. I bought myself some nail growth polish in hopes that it would help the poor little guys grow a little bit, and funny thing, the stuff actually is kind of working. All my nails have white tips and a few of them are even clicking on the keyboard right now. (That doesn't happen very often.)
I think I can now understand why some girls freak out over a broken nail. I have become pretty attached to the little guys. If I broke one down real short, I think I might shed a tear over it. Here's hoping for nails that keep on growing...maybe even to the point where I'd have to cut them. (That has never happened before.)
Ok, after writing this, I'm sure that it was possibly the worst blog entry ever. Neat. But hey, Dad, at least you won't have to point out when I'm biting my nails over Thanksgiving...I don't think I will be. :) Feel free to leave congratulatory comments on my newly broken bad habit below.
Friday, November 03, 2006
The Gassy, the Witch, and the Pickup Lines
(A.K.A. Adventures in the Big Apple)
I would like to chalk this week up to being the strangest most random week of travels yet. A few schools really surprised me with a huge number of students, and some were pretty typical with one or two students...or none.
First of all, there is nothing like meeting with that weird kid...you know the type...one on one. It wouldn't have been so bad, I mean, I've dealt with the weird kids before, but this kid topped the cake. We had just introduced ourselves when the stinkin' kid broke wind. I didn't hear it at all; it was very sneaky but very stinky! Now normally I would make a big deal about it if it was a friend, but I had to hold my breath and bite my tongue until the moment passed. I was embarrassed for him, and I may have even blushed, but we survived the moment.
Another great moment of the week. I was at a very small school that reminded me of where I went to high school, and I was sitting in the guidance counselor's outer office (no guidance secretary for this school) when a young lady walks in to talk to me. She starts out the conversation with, "You guys have some engineering stuff and your school, right?" Never a good sign. She went on to say that she had some family that attended Platteville, and she's like to start there. After all, "Michigan Tech is just a little bit better than Platteville...you know." Um...right. The guidance counselor walked through the office and mentioned that we probably had scholarship opportunities. To which she replied, "Oh yeah, I'm real poor, and you need to give me a scholarship." Nice. That's all I've got to say about that. Nice.
Chillin' in line at McDonald's at around 9:00 in the morning, waiting to order breakfast, can be an interesting start to a day I came to find out this week. I was staring at the menu blankly, already knowing what I was going to order, when I construction worker came up to me and said, "Why hello. How are you doing today?" I said politely, "Fine, thank you." To which he came back with, "No, you're supposed to say flawless...Let's try again. How are you doing today?" Wow. I didn't know stuff like that really happened. I kind of figured that that was just the sort of thing that you saw on movies and stuff.
And to complete my random week, in a moment of desperation, needing an early morning jolt, I tried a cup of coffee. Turns out, I don't mind coffee at all. Weird. Didn't see that one coming.
I would like to chalk this week up to being the strangest most random week of travels yet. A few schools really surprised me with a huge number of students, and some were pretty typical with one or two students...or none.
First of all, there is nothing like meeting with that weird kid...you know the type...one on one. It wouldn't have been so bad, I mean, I've dealt with the weird kids before, but this kid topped the cake. We had just introduced ourselves when the stinkin' kid broke wind. I didn't hear it at all; it was very sneaky but very stinky! Now normally I would make a big deal about it if it was a friend, but I had to hold my breath and bite my tongue until the moment passed. I was embarrassed for him, and I may have even blushed, but we survived the moment.
Another great moment of the week. I was at a very small school that reminded me of where I went to high school, and I was sitting in the guidance counselor's outer office (no guidance secretary for this school) when a young lady walks in to talk to me. She starts out the conversation with, "You guys have some engineering stuff and your school, right?" Never a good sign. She went on to say that she had some family that attended Platteville, and she's like to start there. After all, "Michigan Tech is just a little bit better than Platteville...you know." Um...right. The guidance counselor walked through the office and mentioned that we probably had scholarship opportunities. To which she replied, "Oh yeah, I'm real poor, and you need to give me a scholarship." Nice. That's all I've got to say about that. Nice.
Chillin' in line at McDonald's at around 9:00 in the morning, waiting to order breakfast, can be an interesting start to a day I came to find out this week. I was staring at the menu blankly, already knowing what I was going to order, when I construction worker came up to me and said, "Why hello. How are you doing today?" I said politely, "Fine, thank you." To which he came back with, "No, you're supposed to say flawless...Let's try again. How are you doing today?" Wow. I didn't know stuff like that really happened. I kind of figured that that was just the sort of thing that you saw on movies and stuff.
And to complete my random week, in a moment of desperation, needing an early morning jolt, I tried a cup of coffee. Turns out, I don't mind coffee at all. Weird. Didn't see that one coming.
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