I taught my first two classes today. It was extremely stressful. I heard along the way that you lose your nervousness about halfway into your first class, and then after that it's only slightly nervewracking. It was kind of like that, but I still felt naucious when I started teaching my second class. We did a lab, it was pretty fun. It was weird because the kids in the more poorly behaved class of the two sections responded to me a lot better than the kids in the well behaved class. Tomorrow should be ok. We're finishing a chapter on disease and then we're going to watch Osmosis Jones. Yeah for me, planning fun lessons.

So today is my birthday. The big 2-4. I'm almost a quarter of a century. Gina, Katie and Lyndsey took me out for lunch/supper. It was delicious but I really should not have had dessert, never had desser - it just makes you ill.

Student teaching starts tomorrow. I'm nervous. I'm not teaching until Tuesday, but I'm already in a state between panic attack and nervous breakdown.

3 exams to go and then I'm doing my practicum. Throw in my birthday this weekend, and it should make for some good times. Stress, presents, and throw yourself in front of a bus stress. I like being me!

Other than that, I am lamenting in the sorrow that Lost is gone until February. Sad times these are. Oh well, I don't really have time for TV anymore anyway. So it's one of those "blessings in disguise" kind of things.

This is a short post. Perhaps I will post again before another 2 weeks have gone by. We shall see.

So it's Halloween

Ok guys, happy Halloween. We had 17 kids come for candy tonight. It's not like when I was a kid and there were at least 100 kids at your house. I don't know what's going on with that. It's a significant decrease, obviously. Anyway. I need to go to sleep now. So have a good Halloween, and don't eat 78lbs of chocolate OK?

So on Saturday I had to take Coco to the groomers and had 3 hours to kill in the city with absolutely nothing to do. I drove myself over to the theater and saw the only movie starting when I got there. Marie Antoinette. Now despite all the really cute shoes that appear in this movie, it was quite boring. And I really didn't like the modern music in the older setting. I thought it just didn't work. Jason Schwartzman was good, but my dislike for Kirsten Dunst pretty much overruled anything good about this movie. It's one of those movies where they forgot about the important little thing called a plot. I would not recommend it to anyone, and also I wish I had just sat in my car and done nothing instead of seeing this movie. The End.

They're the Einsteins of the Bear Community

OMG how awesome was Lost. Seriously, I just don't know how these people come up with this show. It's just so good.

Anyway, if you watched it on the Canadian channel, then you missed the most awesome preview in history, so here it is:

Yes it's True, an Update!

Yes I do realize that it has been a very long time since my last update, and to those of you who actually take 15 seconds to read this blog sometimes I do apologize. I have been student teaching, and it was an experience to say the least.

My mentor teacher is kind of crazy, he basically swears at all the students the whole time and makes completely rude and derogatory remarks. I'm not even sure he knows my name. The students sure don't, because my mentor teacher didn't bother to introduce me to the class. Although, I do think it has to do with the fact that my last name is rather hard to pronounce. And he keeps calling me something different every time he talks to me.


Let's not even get into the fact that my mentor teacher said, and I quote: "this is my powerpoint presentation, I'm going to the office for a while, go for it" (exit mentor teacher). Now this wouldn't have been so bad if I had actually had 30 seconds to look at the slides, but no, he did this in front of the Science 10 class. So pretty much I taught Intro to physics. *please refer to post on Oct. 1 about my feelings towards physics* In anycase, the science 10 class asked me if I knew anything about science, and when I said yes, they excitedly asked me to be their teacher from now on, because they seem to hate my mentor teacher with a burning passion.

Unfortunately, I will be teaching Science 24 (and maybe a bit of science 10, I'm not actually sure what is going on at this point because mentor teacher seems to have no expectations and also no guidelines whatsoever).

For example:
the first thing he said to me, no introductions or anything, "I'm going to get you to teach science 24, they're a nightmare for classroom management, so good luck!" Oh, OK, thanks so much. Can I have the class that wants me to teach please? Yeah, I can see this is going to be a fun student teaching session. It's like Dangerous Minds, remember that movie? Yeah, 5 students suspended currently, and 1 up on a rape charge. I'm not trying to be judgmental, because if that kid who is up on the rape charge wants to learn science, I will teach him everything that I know, but he's a little monster. Yelling, throwing things, everything you can imagine, and they were writing a test. Oy vey.

Needless to say, I am having a bit of a panic attack, and even though I hate this University with such a passionate rage, I am kind of glad that I'm back for 4 weeks before I have to teach these kids. I have no guidance. I have no management style. Basically, I have no idea what is going on and they know that and they will walk all over me. Except maybe I can be one of those kickass teachers who whips them into shape and then they like science maybe. I am rambling.

I didn't even talk about the pornography incident. Maybe later. Computer labs are bad.

Welcome to the Hydra

LOST SPOILER AHEAD

Tonight was the season premiere of Lost, and let me tell you people, I was not dissappointed in the least.


The opening scene was a book club featuring some of our favorite "Others" and I almost had a heart attack when I saw a whole bunch of "Others" running from their houses when there was a earthquake that turned out to be the plane crash of the Survivors.

So basically I started yelling when they panned out to show that The Others live in houses on the island and they have plumbing and electricity and everything.

Ok, so then they're keeping Jack, Kate and Sawyer in different cages, and they're at a zoo. But then we find out that it's a Dharma station called The Hydra. There are animal cages and there's also an aquarium, but there are no animals. Then we find out that Henry Gale's real name is Ben. Great way to start the new season. Best show on TV by a long shot.

Today I wrote my letter of introduction to my mentor teacher. It was a weird experience, and I actually had a lot of trouble doing it. It's hard to come up with a good reason as to why I think I will be a valuable asset in their classroom and why they should not immediately regret taking me on as their student teacher.

All the reasons I came up with somehow seemed shallow and stupid, so it took a long time to actually say what I meant.

I have 2 midterms on wednesday, i have 4 chapters to read by then. Gag. There isn't time for all of this. So what did I do? Well I of course watched Heroes. Because who knows why. Well, it's a pretty decent show, but with so much to do, I think I'm out of my mind.

Lost in 2 days!

Comments update: Blogger comments are back up - you're welcome Gina
Haloscan comments are still there as well, feel free to comment wherever you want

Manage This!

I am supposed to be writing a paper right now. Which as always, leads me to play around on my computer all day and then at 9pm i start freaking out because I've written one sentance in 11 hours. The paper is about classroom management. Boring. Useless. Read 3 articles and reflect. Blah. Waste of time, waste of my life. I firmly believe that they should just give me this degree. I have no problem with me actually student teaching, I definately should get some practice time in, but these classes are a complete and utter waste of time.

On the upside, I have found out where my placement is. I'm going to teach Science and Film Studies. So, if anyone knows what film studies actually is, can you let me know? With any luck, I'll be able to teach the physics section of science 10 and 20. haha that is SARCASM. Physics is horrific. So I will probably end up teaching it.

Where do I sign up for the Strike?

It seems that everything has fallen apart at work. My boss is no longer there - I shouldn't discuss what happened, but it's not pretty. And now there is a mutiny and people are outraged that he's gone. So pretty much this company is just completely screwed. I can't really say that I'm surprised, it was just a matter of time, that place is like a bomb.

Someone called one of the TV channels and they came out and were interviewing people, including all of the head honchos up in the tower of the airport. It's a good thing I got out of there when I did. So much drama.

I gave a presentation to one of my classes last week, complete and utter disaster let me tell you. I get my proff's comments back this tuesday and I'm not looking forward to it at all.
Although he might notice that my partner did an extremely extremely small amount of the presentation and that I pretty much did the whole thing. This is why I hate group work. If I'm going to end up doing all the work, I might as well be doing it all by myself so that I don't have anyone to fight when I present my ideas.

Some of the comments I recieved were that they were impressed with how enthusiastic I was. HAHA, that's not enthusiasm people - it's sheer PANIC. I have no idea what I was saying, words were flowing out of my mouth, expaining the particle theory of matter, and it's all a fog. Like some lucid dream.

It's late and I have yet another presentation in the morning. Oh I love Education, all the group work, all the presentations. In 2 weeks I will be in a school. I don't have any "teaching clothing". All I own are jeans and sweatshirts. Extremely professional. Good times.

Song - Open Your Eyes - Snow Patrol

Red Hot Oh My

Ok, so Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ummmmm, wow.

Let's start with The Mars Volta. All I can really say about them is that they were loud. Really really really loud. I made a phone call during their performance, I was not impressed.

But the Chili's. They were amazing. The light show was worth every penny I paid to get into the building. I don't even care that some drunk guy hit me in the face with the brim of his hat because he couldn't find his seat, or that some other guy almost lit my hair on fire when he was lighting a joint, because this concert was just THAT good.

I can't remember what the opened with. It's left my brain. I have no clue. My brother wants to kill me. He had a ticket, but had to go away to play soccer, damn U of A soccer team - he's the starting goalie by the way.

Poor guy.

Something happened tonight.

It was unexpected, but welcome.

Before tonight I had no idea at all why I went into the faculty of Education. I didn't know if I wanted to be a teacher, or what I wanted to pursue with this degree. But tonight I went to Staples, and I bought transparencies, they only came in packs of 100. I only needed one.

I spent $15 on a package of transparencies because I could see myself writing on them and using them in the future. As a teacher. I could picture it in my head. Me, teaching.

I almost bought pens to write on them with. I was a woman posessed. I"m full of meaning, and a desire to actually do good at this. Which is weird, because 12 hours ago I wasn't exceptionally passionate about anything except season 2 of Lost.

Don't get me wrong, Lost is definately something to be passionate about, but, I think that I might be good at this. I can see me being really good at this. Weird.

I'm less stressed with school right now than I have been for the past week and a half, and it feels nice. I think it has to do with the fact that I did absolutely no work yesterday and instead spent my day watching The Office and season 2 of Lost.

I'm way behind in all my reading and assignments, and I currently just don't care at all. Although I keep waking up in a state of panic about this presentation I have next week, but I think it will all work out.

I am currently located at a computer in the Law Library at U of A. Now from what I stereotypically know about lawyers, I assumed that this building would be be pretty nifty, but actually it's one of the ugliest ones at the university. Carpet from the 60's, lime green with stains and chair that resemble puke. I thought it would look a lot more prestigous than this.

My blog looks nice on this computer, a lot different than on my computer at home.

So I quit my job and when I went to pick up my paystub yesterday everyone still seems to think that I work there, so they might be surprised when no one shows up on Sunday, unless someone knows I'm not comming and they are planning for this. Who knows.

Red Hot Chili Peppers concert tomorrow night - yeah!

Song - The Only Living Boy in New York - Simon & Garfunkel

I'm Pulling my Hair Out

So the first week of school has ended.

The only thing I can really say about it is that I am now extremely overwhelmed by this whole thing. I'm having mini panic attacks by the hour. I'm way behind in my readings and haven't even started thinking about all the group projects and assignments I have to do for next week. I have to work tomorrow - a 12 hour shift. So no time for homework. I'm quitting my job. It seems like the most logical thing to do.

One of my professors is taking us to a high school so we can teach a lesson we prepare to a group of students so that we can practice for our student teaching. Translation: more stress. Sure I know he's doing it to benefit us, but I'm still going crazy.

About Me

Four months ago I wondered how I was going to get through the entire summer break without Lost. September 5th seemed like years away.
But today finally came, and I now am the proud owner of season 2. It's shiny and new and full of episode excitement, it's like I haven't seen any of them, that's how excited I am.

School starts tomorrow. I'm vaguely excited. Mostly I just want to be done and have a job and have some money so I can move out on my own. Living with your parents is just not that much fun anymore. Well, it hasn't been for quite some time. But it gets harder and harder as the end gets closer.

I haven't really felt like posting lately. I'm in a weird state right now. I'm kind of in denial that school starts again next week. Mostly it's because I'm completely terrified of this whole student teaching thing. I don't know what I was thinking, becoming a chemistry teacher, I don't know anything about chemistry.

The way I see it, there are two outcomes to this situation. It's either going to be a complete and utter disaster, or it will be completely awesome. No gray area here. It's good or bad; I'm good or bad. I guess time will tell.

I went for lunch with Gina today, it was delicious. We went to Milestones and enjoyed their Thai Tacos, so good. We started a walking group so my feet are hurting like crazy. Blisters are not fun. But really I guess I'm "training" for this stupid new job that I'm going to be doing. I don't really want to do it, but I need a shift, and this is pretty much the only one available. I have to walk around for 11 hours and enter liscence plates into a little machiene. Good times. Should be extremely fun.

Work tomorrow. Get up at 4:45am. 36 hours of work left until I am done. 4 months past by incredibly fast. Lots of regrets about this summer.

Oh well.

It is 1:13am, I am on call for going to work in the morning. What I mean is, they might call me at 5:30am and ask me to come to work.

The lady who usually works that shift had eye surgery and apparently can't see anything right now.

Bugger