Wowzers.

It has definitely been some amount of time since I have thought of my blog here. Perhaps it is time to give a little update so that my life is "caught up."

I am currently finishing my second semester of student teaching. I am placed at a junior high in Utica, and it is a wonderful experience. While I have 2 mentors teachers, they are both phenomenal in their own ways. And while it can be a pain to go back and forth across the school all day, I love the kids I have (obnoxious they may be) and am enjoying my experience. I teach 2 hours of both 8th and 9th grade. I definitely prefer my 9th graders, but I have been teaching them since I started there, so we have a closer bond.

As it gets closer towards the end, I am debating my path and choices for next year. While my parents, or rather my mom, prefer that I stay here, I think I might go elsewhere. As tempting as it may be to stay home, find a substitute position and go from there, I am really craving the opportunity to have my own classroom. I am not planning on finding a job in Michigan, as they are hard to come by and there are already so many people here looking for jobs. That's not to say I won't try, but I am trying to be semi-realistic in my expectations.

My first love would be to go north and teach in Alaska, but my mom seems to think that is so far, so now I have turned my attentions westward, particularly Colorado, although I am also going to apply to districts in Oregon, Montana, and Washington. I think a move would be good for me. It will be nice to be on my own and while I will be poor, it will be a great experience I think. But, we'll have to see what happens. Ideally, I want a job here and I might have a few "ins," but that doesn't mean a thing.

In other aspects of life, my big brother Eric is getting hitched in September to Lor-Lor, which makes me all levels of happy. I am a bridesmaid and Matt is a groomsman by the way. Also, I am standing up in Matt's sister's wedding, which should also be exciting. That is coming up on June. In all, I have six weddings in 4 months, so it will be a lot of dressing up, which I am not complaining about.

I have been reading voraciously, which shouldn't be surprising for anyone who knows me. I wish I had more time to write, but I am currently working on a project (with my TE class in mind) that I think I am going to try and get published. It is a memoir/reflection/student piece of work that is pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. Mike, Mr. English TE prof, thinks that its unique and the end result will be "inspiring." I hope it turns out.

Other than that, life is going well. Time is flying by. I wish I had more time to see friends, but in all honesty, I find myself turning more and more to my family. These are all good things, but I do miss the silly nights at college...