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Week 5

So I'm two weeks into the school year which makes it feel like I am officially into the swing of things. This week I've really been thinking about how grateful I am to have a job teaching in an elementary school. Coming out here I wasn't sure what I was going to do. My PA license is 4-8, so that limited my elementary school options to 4th or 5th grade. I obviously would teach in the middle school but that change would have been a lot to handle. There were hardly any job postings so I just assumed I'd end up subbing for a year and I was really okay with that. I wasn't sure that I wanted the stress of working full time with a move to a new place. Now that I am doing it, I am so incredibly happy. I can not even imagine how bored or lonely I would have been without a group of people that I interact with on a regular basis. I love having a schedule and I can not even explain how happy I am at this school. I know I keep saying it, but it is an absolutely perfect fit for me. We had Back to School Night with the parents on Tuesday and that just solidified everything I was feeling. The parents were so supporting, encouraging, and friendly. They said such kind things and really agreed with my general teaching philosophy that I shared with them. I was afraid I would get some push back because I feel like I tend to teach a little different than the other teachers in the building, but that didn't happen at all. In general we have had such positive experiences with how kind everybody is out here and my school is exactly the same.

Enough about work. We had a really great Labor Day weekend. We spent a few nights with friends hanging out on decks and grilling. The only thing I miss about a house right now is the yard space. Not the yard WORK, the space. I loved our patio and not being able to pop outside for a few minutes is a bummer. Luckily enough, our friends have yards and decks and are more than willing to share at any moment so we will allow them to share with us. Andy golfed Sunday and then we headed out to the shore to stay with some friends. They invited Deb along and Deb finally got to swim for the first time! Surprisingly enough, we learned that swimming does not come natural for all labs. They started by throwing a toy in for her at a boat launch and she went in a few times but if she had to swim for it, she really wasn't interested. Our friend's dog was more than happy to help her out and go get the toy. After a while, Deb just stopped going after it at all. Back at their house, the boys decided to toss her in where it was about 3-4 feet deep and make her figure it out. Andy and our friend had to give her a bit of a lesson. She looked like she was trying to climb a ladder out of the water. Her head was up high and her front paws were splashing like crazy and it was absolutely hilarious. After a bit, she figured out how to doggy paddle (again, the stroke is named "doggy" and she had to be taught?) and she looked a bit more natural. I'm not sure that she loves it just yet, but I'm thinking she'll get there with more practice. After Deb went swimming it was my turn! We went to the ocean and the waves were great. I absolutely loved getting crashed into by waves and being covered in sand and salt water. Have I mentioned my love of the ocean before? We had so much fun and love getting to spend time with people that we adore.

To top off our great week, we decided to try out a new pizza place that's about 2 blocks from us. I read a review online and it said they make pizza until they run out of dough and they make their own cheese daily. That intrigued me. It's a BYOB (which a lot of places are out here) so we grabbed a bottle of wine and gave it a try. This place was incredible. Incredible. Seriously, incredible. And while BYOB sounds odd to us, not really having any places like that in MN, it's genius because you get the wine you know you like and don't have to pay triple the price for it! I am so happy we found this little gem right down the road. This place will definitely be frequented by us.

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 13, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    So happy for you. may you have many more blessings in the years ahead.

    ReplyDelete

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