Back to School

Today, I go back to school! Woo hoo! I'm really excited to go, and it feels like I've been back in Tennessee for ages now. In reality, it's been, like, three weeks. But, that's a long time to be just kind of waiting for a day to come, you know? Anyway, that day is finally here!

So, I have one class on Mondays and Wednesdays, and it isn't until 4pm. The bulk of my classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tomorrow, I have a meeting at the Center for Excellence in Math and Science Education to learn what my G.A. tasks, duties, and schedule will be. I have three professors total this semester. One was my high school economics teacher. I'd taken one of his classes my second semester in the M.A.T. program, and he was every bit as laid-back as he was when I was in high school, so I'm pretty stoked that he's the professor of three of my classes! The other two professors, I've never had. I've met one of them, and she seems pretty nice. I always get along with my teachers, so no worries there.

I have so much planned for myself this semester! Next month, I'll take the PLT and Praxis content area tests. I also plan to convert my portfolio to an electronic version. I see that as being a bit challenging, but will be a cool tool for me to secure a position once I graduate.

Wow, I'm just nerding right along, aren't I? I'm just so thrilled to FINALLY be getting to the reason that I'm living around 800 miles from my husband. Up until today, I didn't really HAVE to be here...although I most likely wouldn't have obtained my G.A. position via telephone from Florida.

I have managed to stay somewhat active while waiting for this day to come. I've been studying for those tests. Also, I've been camping twice. The first camping occasion was with my buds Robert and Leslie and some other folks. I made a couple of new friends on that camping trip, so cool! And, I just went camping the second time with Matt & Cora, from my church small-group. It was quite fun, too! We camped at Watauga Lake, and it was beautiful,albeit somewhat windy. I kicked booty at Yahtzee, ha ha! Then, on Saturday, I went to Robert & Leslie's house for a surprise party for their friend, Ian. It was quite fun, and I had the opportunity to play a Wii game called, "Rock Star." Oh, my gosh! That game is soooo addictive! We played it for HOURS. I find myself wanting a Wii, ha ha....But that would prolly not encourage my studies too much, so I'd better not!

The only other things that I haven't covered yet in this blog are some newsy bits that I've learned this week. Two of them are happy, one is not at all a happy report.

We'll start with the joyous new items. I learned last night, via a comment left on my myspace page, that my friend Tiffany is engaged! Yay for her! I don't know who this fella is, because Tiff and I don't regularly call or write one another, but I'm sure he's terrific! I'm excited for her, and since I'm only an hour from where she lives in Asheville, NC, I expect I'll get to meet him sometime relatively soon.

The other happy news is that my friend who was expecting has safely delivered her baby! Now, here's the funny part. I haven't heard this directly from her, and I didn't expect to, because this is a busy and hectic time for her. I certainly am not going to call, what with all of the upheaval of adjusting to life with a new baby. But, I really wanted to know that everything went well, so I clicked on her myspace friends (who I don't know, lol) and sure enough, a couple of them had listed her status as a new mom right in their status bars! So, I found out that I can stop worrying on her behalf. So, congrats to Crystal! I'm glad that little Evyn is here, and I can't wait to see pictures and hear all about it.

Now for the sad news. I learned this week that a friend has been diagnosed with cancer. He's a young guy, and I'm sure that he's going to be fine. I just hate that he is going to have to go through things like chemo. From what I've heard, he is approaching this situation with humor and optimism, which I think is the best possible way to handle it. I must say that I admire his ability to do that, and am not certain that I would be capable of doing the same myself. But, this isn't the first time that I've admired the great qualities this friend possesses. I don't know how much assistance I can provide to this friend, but I've pledged that he has my prayers and unwavering support until he has overcome this obstacle on his path to a bright, happy, and healthy future. I would ask that anyone reading this blog would also pray for my friend to have a speedy return to perfect health. Thanks.