Finally... Some time to catch my breath!

I have been going non-stop since I moved here to Kennewick. I LOVE my new job- I love my team, my administration, the kiddos, my subject... pretty much everything. I haven't felt this happy and content and more like myself in years! Miguel is absolutely LOVING being here. He is so happy to be at Livingston Elementary in Pasco. He has a great teacher, Mr. DuVall, who has made such a great impression on Miguel. He really encouraged Miguel to be in band, so Miguel is now playing the trombone! He's also taking voice lessons from a wonderful instructor, Kayla, at the Tri-Cities Ballet and Music Academy in Richland. It's just been such a fantastic ride so far. It is the honeymoon period, so to speak, but I'm enjoying it as long as it lasts!

I have the privilege of working with some really outstanding teachers- they are innovative, caring, and truly work as a team. I feel very blessed to be working with them. My love and passion for teaching has been rekindled with this move. I think that last year, since I was so not happy being in Sunnyside, I don't feel like I was the best I could have been. Of course, I almost always feel that way (there's always need for improvement), but looking back, I wasn't the same enthusiastic teacher as I've been in the past. I feel like I am now, though. I truly love what I'm doing. I also feel so grateful for my decision to have Miguel be in a school and area that can provide better opportunities for his personal growth. I can't help but smile when I pick him up from school and he's playing with some incredible kiddos. He participates in an on-site Boys and Girls' Club at Livingston, and he absolutely loves it! I am so impressed every time I pick him up or drop him off because all the kiddos are playing together, there's no arguing, no name-calling, no rudeness...just kids playing and enjoying each other. It's fabulous!

I am still taking classes for my Master's and Endorsement, but I've been really lucky to have some classes substituted for others, so I am able to stay in Tri-Cities and not have to travel to Toppenish weekly. I am assisting my dean and advisor, Dr. Schmidt, in the Sociolinguistics class. He wants me to be trained in teaching it so that next fall, he can hand the class over to me! I will be guaranteed a job at Heritage at CBC for each semester! I'm already signed to teach two classes this spring: ENG 330 (Applied Linguistics I -the same one I taught last year) and ENG 340 (Modern Grammar or Syntax- kind of dry, but I'll make it work!) Anyway, I'm super excited at all the experience I'm gaining. I feel really blessed.

I hope all is well for everyone. I do have to run since I have guided reading groups to create for my reading enhancement class that starts tomorrow! :) Take care!

My Next Adventure...

My next great adventure begins Monday! I am now a 7th grade Social Studies/Language Arts/Reading teacher at Stevens Middle School in Pasco, WA. I'm really excited to be in a new school, especially since I've been at the same school in the same room for 7 years. There are so many things I will be learning: new strategies, new programs, new team members, new rules, new everything! It makes me a little anxious, but I think it's time for me to mix things up a bit in my life.

Miguel and I will be living in Kennewick at an apartment complex called Highlander Apts. It's in a decent neighborhood, close to 395 so my commute will be quick, there are some great amenities, and we're relatively close to Derek and Shellee-- and Nathaniel, of course! Miguel is so excited! We've pretty much figured out the school situation for Miguel today. I'm going to put Miguel at Ruth Livingston Elementary School. I'm able to drop him off early, and he can be at the Boys and Girls Club until school starts, and he can stay until I pick him up. It's not exactly the most convenient for me, but I don't care. He needs to be at a good school with good kiddos. So, I'm willing to sacrifice a bit.

I'm currently cleaning out my classroom and am having a heck of a time figuring out what to take and what to leave. I have sooooo much stuff! What's taking me the longest is going through files and determining what is vital, and what I can toss. It's time-consuming. I want to make sure I leave my room in good shape and organized. Whoever moves in will have all the Bloc Department stuff in my closets, plus all the binders for the Honors Program. It's a little sad to leave that room. I really loved it; it was my second home, essentially. I grew up in that school, Miguel grew up in that school, and I know I will miss it. I know I'll miss my team members the most. It's amazing how four completely different people can work so well together and be such good friends with one another. I'm really hoping the team I have in Pasco is good, too. I already know one person, Lisa Arriaga, so that's good. She's the wife of Screech, one of my friends from high school.

I already have trainings starting on Monday. I will have to commute all next week. Yay! Gas prices rock! Oh, wait... they DON'T! Well, I'll just have to make do. I'm not too sure exactly when I'll be able to move into the apartment. I will find that out tomorrow. The sooner, the better.

This is definitely the beginning of a great adventure!

Writer's Block

Now that I'm almost finished with my thesis, I'm having a HECK of a time being able to find the right words. When it took me 30 minutes to write 3 sentences, I knew I was in trouble. So I decided to take a step back and leave it for now. The only bad part about that is I don't have much time... Every break I take is creating more and more of a crunch time for me. Ah, the dilemmas faced by writers. I used to think it was an occupation I would enjoy doing--writing. But when deadlines are fast approaching, the joy starts to fade and panic sets in.

I suppose I should let you know what exactly it is I'm writing for my thesis, since I constantly make references to it. My thesis:

In her novel, A House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros applies Chicana feminist theories to challenge the traditional, yet confining, Mexican literary archetypes of La Malinche and la Virgen de Guadalupe.

Sounds exciting, I know. I know most of you are dying to read it... ;)

Well, my job search has become extremely interesting. I interviewed in Pasco, and I'm waiting to see if things can be guaranteed regarding its full-time status. I should know by the end of Monday. If it can be guaranteed, I'll take it. If not, I'll have to keep looking. The joys of job hunting...

Miguel is getting excited for Monday. He 's going to a CSI Camp, where he gets to learn how to dust for fingerprints, make castings of footprints and tire tracks, recognize certain patterns in blood splatter... Exactly the kinds of things he loves! Plus, Monday is the day the Nathaniel and the rest of Derek Bagley's family are supposed to visit. I know it will be difficult for Miguel to sleep on Sunday night! So much excitement is on the horizon!

Waiting for My Life to Change...

Okay, so I'm not really waiting for my life to change. I've been actively searching for new jobs in the Spokane and Tri-Cities areas, so I can get the heck out of Sunnyside! I had an interview in Cheney, WA, but that fell through. Darn it! I guess I wasn't supposed to be there. I've applied numerous places, but it's very difficult to break into a new school district. Politics are so much a part of the hiring process, and it gets frustrating. Oh, well. I have an interview for a middle school position in the Pasco School District on Friday, so we'll see how that goes. I'm hopeful... :)

Miguel and I are really looking forward to moving, especially now that Miguel has found his "brother from another mother"-- Derek's son, Nathaniel. They are two peas in a pod! It's so fun to watch them together. They both believe they were sent to this earth to entertain and be funny, so it's non-stop joking and laughing when they're together. I love it! Nothing pleases me more than knowing that my son is happy.

Well, Mom and Dad are right in the area of Hurricane Dolly! The Rio Grande Valley, where McAllen is located, is experiencing non-stop rain, and it looks like major flooding is a possibility. The wind is 60 mph as of right now, and the rain is falling sideways because of the wind! They were advised to stay indoors at their home, so they are being obedient. I don't think anyone would want to go to the employment office in that kind of weather anyway. They are trying to keep us up-to-date so we don't worry. which is very thoughtful of them! :) They are loving their job as Employment Specialist Missionaries, and it's nice to know they are helping people help themselves.

Anywho, it's time for me to head on out to the pool! I'm at Ami's (Mom and Dad's house), and I need to help out with the kiddos. I will try to post some pics soon!

Work? What Work?

Hello, all!
I decided to switch my blog to blogspot because EVERYONE else was already blogging here. I figured it would be easier to get my information from my extended family if I created my own blog and linked up! :)

I am so grateful for the time off of work! I still am finishing up my Master's thesis, but at least I'm not required to be anywhere at a specific time for any reason. It's a beautiful feeling! Miguel and I have had a fun summer so far. We've gone to a movie at least once a week. It's not too expensive, especially if one has a big purse to fit goodies and drinks brought from home! Not that I do...I just heard... ;) We went camping at Sawmill Flats, and invited the Gills to go with us. They came up for one night and spent the day. Bob and his girlfriend, Tammy, and all their kids came to visit for a few hours, too. It was relaxing, fun, and away from Sunnyside! :)

We recently had our Rodriguez Family Reunion, but I will save the information on that for another time...

Miguel and I are visiting Derek and Shellee and their kids right now at Uncle Kent's. I've been sitting outside working on creating my blog while the kiddos have been swimming. It's been so relaxing. I also had the chance to see Evan and his adorable fiancee, Lacey. She's such a doll with a great sense of humor! She's going to fit right it!

I suppose I will sign off... I think I actually might have to get some work done on my thesis now. Darn! But, for the most part, my motto has been: Work? What work?