The end of classes

And I made it. Two terms of classes, not particularly hard ones, but ones that required a bountiful amount of work are under my belt--the only things I need to complete now are my practicum and my student teaching! Oy. It feels like I just got my acceptance letter from Concordia, telling me to get ready for the year ahead of me.

Let's see, since June I have: started classes, renewed my love of daily planners, had a job, quit a job, stressed about money, spent more money for gas than I have in my life, had mini-cry-fests, spent more hours on my butt doing homework than I have in my life, done art projects that would make any first grader envious, minded my tongue (and my manners), become an expert at driving on freeways, felt like time just keeps going by faster and faster, made connections, gained 10 pounds, eaten my weight in Hot Pockets (which partly explains the 10 pounds), worn my hair down to work (when you've been in food service, this is a major happening), gotten compliments from students, gotten many hugs from students, felt like I have found my calling, bought new glasses, made a website, created a blog, volunteered at a camp for kids with Asperger's or high-functioning autism (which literally changed my life and my view of other people and myself), and probably some other things that just have not entered my head at this moment.

Honestly, these past few months have been a whirlwind--and some of the best of my life. I feel like I have a direction, a goal, and this is where I am meant to be. Hooray for the end of classes and actually getting on to  doing what I am meant to be doing!

Giving thanks

In the spirit of Thanksgiving (albeit, a bit late), I have to say that I am eternally thankful for...everything. My family is well, we're all upright and breathing, we all have work (well, school is work for me at the moment), we have a roof over our heads, I have three beautiful little fur-babies (puggies!), and I am doing something I enjoy while making a difference in others' lives.

Honestly, how much better can it get? At the moment, not much. I'll just keep plugging along, doing my best, and being optimistic that come graduation, I won't find myself unemployed too long.

Yes, life is pretty good. If anyone is reading this, I hope you're well too.

Rough week

In the spirit of November and Thanksgiving, I will start with this: I am thankful for the opportunity to go to school and the opportunity to be doing what I love to do. With that said, this week has been rough and I am thankful that it is Friday and have a week off.

The kiddos are wonderful and have taken a liking to me, even when I bomb a lesson...which happened on Wednesday. They helped me through it, laughing at me and pushing me through those painful moments when I couldn't get my barrings. It was mortifying but my cooperating teacher and supervisor were wonderful, assuring me that it will get better with time and practice. I think the saying, "You're your own worst critic" is correct--I'm always harder on myself than others are of me.

And to think, I was nervous going back there today. I wondered if the kids would think less of me or my presence there and there was nothing of the sort--in fact, I got a hug first thing in the morning and a "Hi, Ms. Breuier!"

Those are the moments that make everything worthwhile.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! Currently, I'm an MAT student at Concordia University and thought that starting a blog about my journey into the world of teaching would be fun. Honestly, this will serve a couple of purposes: 1) I can blog what is going on and then look back on everything that has happened and is happening, which will be easy since my computer is pretty much attached to me nowadays; and 2) Others can see what the life of an MAT student is like and live vicariously through the possibility of a torturous job-hunt upon my graduation.

So yes, welcome to my little foray into the web-regions. Enjoy. :)