The Little Engine That Could

WARNING: I am a rambler and I don't have the energy to control it for this post. Forgive me?


I can do this!

I just submitted my last two papers for my class! Which means all I have left is the final! So I (technically) have 8 days just to pass a test. And that's all I care to do--pass. But really I only have 5 days. Still not bad though. Except that on Wednesday I am throwing a Bachelorette party, Thursday I am up in Bountiful as my brother-in-law, Connor, goes through the temple, and Friday I am in Salt Lake all day for Megan's wedding. So I need to be done Tuesday. And early enough Tuesday that I (we--shout out to Kenzi!) can get stuff ready for the party! Meanwhile, I'm trying not to stress out over this final, setting up my classroom (because I finally have keys!), figuring out if I actually have to do summer school, living by myself for 3.5 days of the week, and trying to relax about the idea of taking time out of this busy weekend to go camping. So individually all of these things would be super manageable, and even enjoyable (with the exception of my final), but since they are all compounded and overlapping, I'm dying.

But seriously, I can do this! I'm so pumped up right now! I just need to resist the urge to look through Pinterest for classroom decoration ideas. And resist even more not to work on the projects I've already found.


Let's backtrack a little to the beginning of this week. Monday, I had my first day of training for the district! I'd like to say it was useful, but it wasn't... But they did feed us and pay us, so I can't really complain. Let's talk about the food for a minute. We get there at 8:30, by 10am they have snacks and drinks for us. 12pm, lunch catered by Zupas (love that place). 2:30, have some Goldfish and candy! They spoiled us. And we're talking like all of the Alpine District Elementary schools went to this training. That's a lot of people, a lot of food, and even more money they put into this.

Tuesday, our training was at our schools. Which meant we worked as a grade level team all day. Except for the two hours I spent with the new teachers and our facilitator figuring out our finances, classrooms, and iPads. (They were short one iPad, so I volunteered to not get an iPad right now because I don't need it, which hopefully means I get a brand new one come the beginning of the year...). Highlight: I got my classroom and school keys!

Wednesday, I wrote 1.5 of my 2 papers, and I spent three hours writing my name in books. BORING. But it's done and I've officially started moving in! I've also decided on a theme, which is kind of exciting. I was originally just going to do a pattern and a color scheme, but all the 3rd grade makes t-shirts and that would be difficult without something to put on them. So I'm decorating with OWLS! Isn't that cute? I think so. It's one of those that has a ton of supplies and ideas out there, but isn't too common in the schools around here. And I have an orange wall, so my colors wouldn't really have gone too well with that (I wanted red and a light aqua/mint-y color). SO yeah. I feel like a teacher. Highlight: Class theme--DECIDED.

And then there's today. Started the day with some summer school, that I'm not sure if I even need to be going to (I am going to have an English Language Learner in my classroom, so as per our original instructions, that's all I need for the assignments, but the coordinator is double-checking and the other side is taking forEVER to respond). Then I bought a bunch of things that I might return, but I need husband's opinion first. There was a coffee table from Target that I saw a couple months back that was on sale for $100 and I was super tempted by it, because, well our coffee table is atrocious. Well I was wandering around Target today and found it for $60.

I originally turned it down because it is practically the same color as the couches and the walls, which creates for a lot of drab, but the price made me have to try it. I also bought some more throw pillows for our couches to get past the ugly floral, but I don't know that we need NEED them. I don't know how I survived when I was single, I can't make any decisions anymore without asking Spencer. Like what kind of cookie we need in the house, I couldn't decide so I called Spencer. He ended up telling me to pick what I already had in the cart, but I guess I just need some affirmation in my life! The good news? I resisted spending $20 on party supplies that will be thrown away after next Wednesday. Highlight: spent a lot of money after saving some money.

Tomorrow we leave for a camping trip with our young-married friends in the ward. We're going up to some cabins, so it's not too camp-y. I'm excited to spend time with these guys, but still freaking out over the time it is taking out of my small study window.


And that's my life, in a not-so nutshell.


Now on to some much needed cleaning and a jam-session with Pandora! T-minus 5(ish) hours til the hubby is home!