FETC 2014

This journey started a year ago.  I was an intern at a somewhat local elementary school, in a 1st grade classroom.  My supervising teacher was, and is, amazing with technology usage in the classroom.  I feel very blessed to have been placed with her; I learned wonderful things about blending technology in school.  We were invited to attend the Florida Educational Technology Conference in Orlando last year as a guest of a vendor.  I had NO idea what to expect, but went along happily.  A trade show is a favorite thing of mine.  And we got some pretty sweet freebies :)

This year I am wiser, and more aware of what is available to me as a teacher.  I include technology into most of my lessons, and my students love being able to use new gadgets during math and reading.  Unsure of how to pull it off, I went to my principal with the question "Would I be able to get the day off for this conference?"  She was hesitant, but said she could not deny me the day off but she asked me to email some information regarding the conference to "sell" her on the idea.  Later that afternoon, my AP called me to say that I needed to fill out some forms for district to approve my learning credits.  I wasn't even looking for learning credits!  Bonus!!  Within a day, the entire trip was approved, including myself, another teacher, and my AP.  We would be allowed to attend one day of the conference, with breakout sessions/speakers, and get paid for it! I was thrilled to just be going, let along not losing a day of pay for missing school.

Today was the day.  We piled into the car and headed out to the Orange County Convention Center.  The expo floor was full of ed tech vendors looking to sell their product and make connections.  It really was a whirlwind experience.  The real fun began during the breakout sessions.  We sat in on four speakers, and only found one to be not as described in the title.  The session presenters were knowledgeable, excited about technology, and passionate about education.

I learned so much about the way that I can implement blended learning with my students and how I can use it to drive instruction, data collection, and assessment in the future.  I love a good gadget.  I don't think that I have downloaded so many apps to my iPad in one sitting as I did today!  Google Docs, Google Drive, TikiToki, Flipboard, Aurasma, ThingLink, and more...I can't even keep things straight anymore!  I need a day off from my day off!  I had a wonderful time learning with my peers and I hope to do it more often in the future!

Catching up....and the name change

Ok, so it has been FOREVER since I have blogged.  Really, I have been way to busy for my own good, but it has been great!  I neglected all of 2013.  As I look back at my blog posts, it seems that once things picked up at USF, my online life slipped away.  I guess that's a good thing, I really focused on school and my home life, but I am back in the swing of things.

So...where do we begin to catch up?  Hmmmmm....let's see.  I FINALLY finished school.  USF graduation was in May 2013.  I graduated with honors, as a member of Kappa Delta Pi (the Education Honor Society), and other academic honor societies.  The final semester at school was so fast, and so packed full of teaching that it was a blur.  I remember thinking it would never end, but it was suddenly April and my internship was over!  During that time, I met some incredible people and students, learned a lot about teaching in a diverse setting (thanks, BES!) and returned home to my Bobcats at Explorer.  :)  Once graduation rolled around, I felt exhausted and excited.

I began my LAST long-term substitute teaching position the day after graduation.  7th grade math.  Yes, math.  I loved it.  It was challenging and fun, but too short.  School ended about 7 weeks later.  I was off for the summer, but all I could think about was getting a "real" job.  It seemed like August was going to be here before I knew it, and I didn't have a set position yet.  I interviewed at EK8 for a 5th grade position and got hired.  I was ecstatic :)  A week later, it turned into 4th grade.  No biggie.  I could do that, I had before!  No dice.  It was then changed to a split position, 4th and 5th grade reading.  3 groups of 22 kids each day.  Easy as pie.  I was excited.  Started getting ideas and downloading resources for my new job.  Thinking about what my classroom would look like.  That's when it finally happened.  I got to actually MOVE IN TO MY CLASSROOM!!!  All of that stuff was out of my house, at last.  Moe sure was relieved, except that he had to carry it all to the car, and then to the school (Thanks, babe)!  It was the end of June and I was all set up in my classroom.  I could spend the rest of the summer relaxing and not stressing about that part.  Pre-school week could be spent focusing on orientations, training, meeting my new colleagues, and planning.  Ha!  That's what I thought.

It was a rainy, cool afternoon in mid July when I got the call.  It was urgent.  Come to school immediately to talk to KG.  UGH....what happened?  My new assistant principal was asking to meet with me, now.  I was a little scared.  I felt like something bad was about to happen.  So, off I went, to meet her in person...across the desk for the first time.  Then I got the news.  "We're moving you to third grade."  She looked at me with a serious face and waited for my response.  I was stunned...and terrified.  I wanted to just say no, but I didn't.  I heard her out.  I thought hard about my options.  I would just leave, go to another school and see what they could do for me.  NO WAY!  Third grade?!  What about FCAT?  I am only a first year teacher.  I'm not ready for that kind of pressure!!  I needed to run, but I couldn't do that.  I love this school and wanted to be there.  I worked so hard for three years to make a good name for myself there.  I had to stick it out and give it a try.  I told KG I wasn't thrilled, but that I would do it.  I needed to be in a good spot, next to someone that I could rely on and learn from and have support throughout this year, but I would do it.

And the rest is history.  I have been proving my own thoughts wrong since that day.  I love third grade.  My class is great; fun and energetic.  I love my office-mate :)  She totally rocks and gives me great ideas all the time.  I am happy with my school and coworkers and could not have asked for a better start to the year.  Thus the name change.  These will be my Thoughts on Third.  Indeed......

Spring is here....

Wow...it has been a while since my last post.  I have been really busy and got lost in the process of going to work, going to school and tutoring, writing a bajillion lesson plans and trying to keep my head above water.  In these weeks' time, Spring has sprung!  Not only has it started to green up everywhere I look, but the weather has gotten HOT.  Unbearable for March, if I do say so myself.  We could not take it any longer and the air conditioning went on a week ago.  UGH!  This is the time that I really miss home...when it is too hot for too long and people start acting...well, like Floridians.  I know that some people love it here; and at first I did too.  But seriously?!  What is up with these people lately?!

Moe and I have been busy in the yard (well, Moe mostly....who am I kidding!).  He planted some flowers for me that have been blooming like crazy.  We invested in two new Azaleas that have been doing well and we can't wait for the lilies to blossom.  I love all of the color and new life, and tonight it finally rained.  An honest to goodness thunderstorm :)

With this in my path it has been hard to focus on school work.  This has been my Spring Break week from work and I have had to go to school at night twice.  I have to spend the day in St. Pete tomorrow at a seminar for interns, making my "break" pretty broken.  It looked like it would be pretty good, having three Spring Breaks this year (one for PHCC - where my classes are held, one for USF - where I go to school, and one for the school district - where I work) but they did not coincide and they did not make for relaxation as I was NEVER really off for any time :/

So, as I am sitting home waiting for the hubby to come home and watching TV, I am listening to the rain on the roof and reflecting on my past year.  It has been really busy for us and these few days off have been a gift!

Disney, Treasure Island and the Freak Show Circus

So this week, my friend and her kids came to Florida to visit me from Chicago.  It was a whirlwind vacation and ended way too soon as usual.

We had a blast!  We visited Downtown Disney where we promptly hit the Lego store.  Matt brought some really cool boxes with him to stuff with Lego parts from the open stock wall.  In true fashion, the kids and I grabbed, stuffed and arranged the pieces in the boxes, almost had to tape them shut and didn't even have to pay for them!

After our Lego extravaganza, our little entourage ventured to DD "West Side" where we tried our hand at Disney geocaching.  Sadly, geocaching at Disney is electronic only, as you cannot stuff things into hiding spaces at the happiest place on Earth.

Finding this out, we found our way to the Candy Cauldron where we got delicious treats that were prepared with Disney love <3.  http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/downtown-disney/



 That night, we stayed in Orlando at the Coco Key Resort and Water Park (http://www.cocokeyorlando.com/coco-key-water-park/).  We pulled up to the hotel and showed the kids the water park....body slides, tube slides and a HUGE play area.  They were pretty excited and so were Rachael and I!!!  We spent the day hanging out at the pool, climbing the stairs and sliding down the HUGE "half pipe" tube slide and enjoying the gorgeous weather!

Later in the week, we went to Treasure Island with the kids.  It was the last of the nice weather days.  We had a hotel literally ON the beach (http://www.islandinnresort.com/).  It was amazing and the weather the first day was perfect.  The kids had a great time jumping in the waves and hanging out a the WARM pool :)  We had dinner at Caddy's on the Beach (http://www.caddysotb.com/), even though it was windy and cold and spent the next day trying to stay warm!  The wind picked up and the temperature did not rise above 65 degrees all day.



It was a perfect transition to the Freak Show Circus!

This is really Boyett's Grove,  a citrus attraction in Brooksville that the kids LOVE to visit every time they come (http://www.boyettsgrove.com/)!  This place has been open since 1966 and has things inside that have probably been there since its grand opening.  There are random animals, exhibits of skeletons, a dinosaur cave and an ice cream bar.  It is seriously the weirdest place that I have EVER been to and it reminds me of the restaurant in "The Goonies".

Sadly, her vacation had to end and Rach went home.  It was a wonderful trip and we were able to catch up, hang out and have a fabulous time together.  Because I have not been home since 2006, it feels good to see some friends from my hometown and spend time catching up.  I miss the people that make me feel happy and centered and want them to be nearby all the time.  :)

Happy Anniversary!

So today is our 5th anniversary.  5 years, five, FIVE!  I guess that it does not seem like a lot of time, compared to some, but it is a special anniversary for us!  We just celebrated our 7th anniversary of couplehood and even that blew my mind!  I remember it like it was yesterday....

Moe and I met while we both lived in Sarasota.  He had just moved to Florida from New York and I had been here about 2 years.  We met while we worked at Old Navy, slaving away for a penny.  He said he mentioned to his friend that I was someone that he would like to get to know.  Knowing that he was new in town and he and his friend had NOTHING in their house, I asked my friend if we could donate some dinner plates to their cause!  Haha!!  She and I were getting an apartment together and we had too many sets of dishes :)  When she met Moe, they instantly got along and talked about me, at length.  Moe asked me for my phone number, so that he could let me know when he would be home to drop off the dishes (SURE).  He called me one night, out of the blue, and asked me out.  Sadly, I declined.  I had an orchestra concert to go to that day and suggested that he come.  It was my birthday weekend.









He came to our concert and said he fell in love.  A few days later, he asked me to dinner again.  This time I accepted.  When our date night finally came, I went to his house to find that he had cooked, ALL DAY, for me.  He made chicken Parmesan and hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries for dessert.  It was sooooo good :)  We laughed and talked all night.  I knew then it was something that I wanted to pursue, wanted to see grow into something more than being friends.

Just as quickly as we met and began dating we moved in together.  It was only about 2 months into our relationship, but it was right for us.  So, he moved is "things" into our apartment in Bradenton.  I say "things" because he literally came with only a foot locker and a backpack full of his belongings.  That was it.  It is comical now since he has become a pack rat and keeps EVERYTHING, but then he had little to carry around.  We celebrated our friends getting engaged and moving in together (in Texas!), found that our lease was up and moved back to Sarasota.

About a year later he surprised me.  He showed interest in marriage.  We had both never really talked about it since we were both so skeptical to allow ourselves to get hurt again, but something had changed in both of our hearts and minds.  Laying in bed one chilly November night, just about to fall asleep, we said goodnight to each other.  Said I love you, like every night.  He said "I love you more", to which I replied "No, I love YOU more" (of course).  He asked me to prove it...he said "Marry me!"  It was perfect.  We had picked out a ring but not seriously.  Now it was time to finalize it, so we made the first huge purchase of our lives together.

Our wedding was on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  Outside, like I had always wanted.  February...it was freezing cold the week prior, but Friday night it started to warm up, just for us.  Our friends and family joined us to celebrate the first day of our lives as husband and wife, to share in the celebration of our lives joining and to party :)  It was a truly wonderful day that I will cherish for the rest of my life.  I could not have asked for a more perfect day!

Now, as I think back to that sunny afternoon, the images are just as vivid in my head as they were in person.  Thank you, honey, for standing by me all of these years.  For being my better half, my support and my true love.  I cannot show you enough how grateful that I am for being my rock when I needed you most and telling me that I can do anything when I started back to school.  Thank you for always helping me find my way and realize that my dreams can become our reality.  I love you more than ever and always will.  Happy anniversary.  5 years is a milestone.  One of our first..........

New Orleans, Mardi Gras and the Vieux Carre

NOLA...my joy, my peace.  This picture was taken in August 2011 on a quick, weekend trip with my very best friend in the whole wide world.  The St. Louis cathedral standing guard over the Andrew Jackson monument in Jackson Square in the heart of the Vieux Carre is where I find my center.

Happy Mardi Gras everyone!  Though I have never been to the party, I don't think that I would like to see the city that way.  I have been to St. Patty's celebrations here and we even braved the Bayou Classic in late November one year, but Mardi Gras brings up crazy, dirty and scary.  And the city is not much better during these weeks!  This is definitely not a time that I like to visit the city, it is too much for me and takes away from the beauty of the city itself.

My first trip to the Crescent City was in 2003.  I had just moved to Florida and made the trek to see an old friend.  It was 4th of July weekend and it was HOT and HUMID.  The energy was amazing, it was an overload for the senses...food, music and drinks surrounded me.  I fell in love almost immediately.  It was this weekend that I met "Pony Tail Waiter Guy" at the Cafe du Monde (who, by the way, is still making a buck as a fabulous waiter!) where we braved public restrooms, ate sticky, delicious beignets and did NOT drink the water...that is for washing off your fingers :)

I have since returned several times and each visit brings new sights and sounds.  Things move around often in the Square and people come and go, however I always find something that I love more every time I visit.  I have walked every inch of the French Quarter and have found things that I will always return for and some that I can forget!  One thing that is certain is that my most recent visit will NOT be my last!!

So Tuesday was Mardi Gras, which in French means Fat Tuesday.  It is the last "celebration" day before the Lent period begins...Ash Wednesday until Easter.  Mardi Gras was originally celebrated by feasting on the fattened calf to celebrate the end of the Carnival season before Lent began, a period of fasting and prayer.  People celebrate the period of time from Epiphany (January 6th) until Mardi Gras, known as Carnival, with parades, parties and decadence.  The Mardi Gras colors have symbolism:  purple for justice, green for faith and gold for power and The King's Cake, traditionally served on Epiphany, is circular and now has a "baby" inserted inside of it (instead of a bead or coin) to symbolize the Wise Men's path taken to confuse King Herod on his quest to kill baby Jesus.  The "finder" of the baby in the cake is to host the next year's cake party.

Now that you have a little history and information about the meaning of Mardi Gras, understand that the party is second to the actual celebration.  Looking forward toward Easter Sunday, the holiest of days in the year!  Enjoy the season!!

This is JUST the beginning...

Ok...so here it goes.  I am new to blogging, but I have been so FULL of things to say lately and I thought this would be a great way to get it all out there.  I have never been one to write in a journal, or really enjoy writing.  That seems strange to me, because once I get going, I find it is hard to stop!
Why do I want to keep a blog?  Who will read it?  Who even cares what I have to say?  These are the things that keep running through my head as I sit here typing away.  But, I guess that it does not really matter who reads it as long as they enjoy it!  I have no set theme or topics to discuss, no agenda to keep to, so I feel that I can be myself here for you all to see.  Thanks for stopping by and I will keep you posted with the things happening in my life!