I'm VERY thankful. I got several teaching books I wanted for Christmas. I also got to pick out a cross necklace, which I also really wanted. My old one wore out and just got old.

Josh and I got a Home Depot gift card from his dad. We got some decorative wall shelves for our bedroom. Just now we tried to put them up and we got the long one up, but when we tried to put up the short ones, Josh noticed that one of the pieces we need is messed up. Got to go back to exchange it. :( Gotta wait longer for the wall to look pretty :(.

Also, I finally had an epiphany of what my big lesson that I want my students to leave each year learning is. I made signs that I'll put up that say, "GO BIG or GO HOME!" I really think kids now a-days need to learn how to give 100% in everything they do. I've noticed they really don't like to work. I hope I can inspire them some how. They may not leave my class with a love for reading and writing, but they should leave with a better understanding of it and a desire to give their all... in everything.

Warning: It's a long one. But, hey, I'm done with my internship!

Finally, a new post.
I have been the BIGGEST procrastinator with writing this post and now I really have absolutely nothing to do so I figured, here I go, I better update my blog.

And, my goodness, I have so much to reflect on. I could start with student teaching:

Bottom line is I've learned a lot and grown a lot. I'm not the same teacher as when I started in August. I think the biggest thing I've gained is confidence, which is really what I really needed.
Back two months ago I was really doubting myself... mainly doubting my expertise in English. Part of it had to do with my amazing mentor teacher watching my every move and critiquing my techniques. The thing is, that was good, I needed it, but it was... nerve wracking and embarrassing sometimes.
Because of my student teaching experience, now I feel equipped with some great tools for how to best teach my students reading and writing.
And I have a job for January and I've already jumped in teaching the class a little bit. Now that I'm really the only English major in the classroom, I feel more confident. I'm more firm with my classroom management, but trying to be fair at the same time. The kids are ready for me to teach them... they say the sub is nice, but they don't like how she teaches, and she's really not an English teacher, she's a retired Science teacher.
But, anyway, I am SOOOOO excited! I have so many ideas flowing through my head that I think about my new class and classroom ALL THE TIME. I go to bed thinking about how to set up my classroom; I wake up thinking about ideas for how to teach spelling. I'm often scrambling for a pen and paper to write down the ideas I'm getting. And the cool thing is, they all have a purpose. I'm doing these things for my kids. So they can learn, so they can learn in a way that makes sense to them.
I found out I have a student who's homeless... I have a student who just recently got out of jail. I have students who love to read and write and who'll do anything for their teacher and others who hate it and would rather have their eyes gouged out with a spoon than be in literacy class.
I know I may not "fix" every kid... but I know something: I can't teach to the test. I've got to teach the kid. I've got to teach in a way that motivates them and gets them interested. I've got to show them WHY we read literature and WHY we can write poetry... and the best way to do that is share my passion for it. The hard part is going to be editing out that I read and write mostly because I love Jesus... but I will definitely try to sneak that in as often as I can. (Silly separation of church and state c--p).

On another note, I've been REALLY tired lately. I get up at six, go to school, and then come home at four in the afternoon and just want to go to bed. The new students take a lot of energy to manage. I love it and for the most part I'm energized when I'm in the middle of it, but when I stop at the end of the day and actually sit down, I'm pooped.
A thought I realized the other day... I miss my friends. My girlfriends. I haven't really spent time with them or called them in a while... and I feel bad, but I'm just so tired at the end of the day that I just want to sit and veg and relax with Josh and not talk to anyone else. And often I feel like I don't get too much alone time with Josh, so by the time the weekend comes around, I want to be around him the whole time.
But I miss my deep friendships. Is part of it because I'm an adult now and working and married and have to cut back on friendships? I don't know. But I think about my girlfriends all the time and they all hold a special place in my heart still... but I feel like my friendships aren't as deep at they once were...
Am I just too lazy to call? Maybe.
My mentor teacher said to me that at the end of the summer she says to her non-teacher friends, "See you next May." Is that how it is as a teacher? Maybe I just need to get over how tired I am and make that phone call, or set a date to meet up for coffee/tea.
Thankfully I was reminded that the Lord is in control no matter what. He reminded me that even though I haven't been in contact with some of my close friends lately, the Lord is watching over them and taking care of them still (cause I worry about you guys!). Part of me worries, "Oh no! They're probably mad at me and don't think I'm a good friend!" Again, that's not for me to worry about...
So, that's it.
I pray for you guys and think about you and miss you.
I have one week til Christmas break, praise Jesus.
I love you all and wish you a Merry Christmas!!