Back in Black

What's up, kids?
A lot has happened since I wrote in January. This summer I had the best job ever... I worked at a state park in NE doing Outdoor Ed. (I was so thrilled to leave retail. I am sad that I don't get to see the little kids I was working with at my job at an after school program. Sadly, funding ran out and the program no longer operates at the district I worked with.) I am still working on weekends at the state park, but I only have two weekends left :( I hope to work there again this summer. BEST JOB EVER. I'd do it everyday if they'd let me.

I finished up with my classes and am about halfway done with my 14 week/70 day student teaching placement. I am hoping to be done on Valentine's Day... But the odds of making it that long without a snow day- slim to none. The only other news I really have is that we have moved back to IA. This was only a move of about 15 miles, but the new place is cheaper and nicer, so its a win-win. The only things I don't like are the office hours- which are worse than banker hours and I don't know their email- and I miss living on the main floor. We have a deck instead of a patio so it seems more closed in and we are also not allowed to use our gas grill. :(

Aside from school, the only things I have been doing lately are gingerly driving/fixing my car (with varying degrees of efficacy), and trying to convince Ryan that we need a puppy. As I write this, the rabbit has jumped on the ottoman and eaten the tortilla chip crumbs I left in a bowl. He's cute, but not a cuddler, and would not walk on a leash. I want a pet that will motivate me to be active, act as my personal space heater, and give me confidence when walking in the evenings. Ethan is hilarious and fun. But he's lonely. (He just sprinted through his cat tunnel and down the hall.) He just has a funny way of showing it. ;)

Upcoming plans:
Dec/Jan- I have over a week off for Xmas break, so I need to find some things to occupy my time. My bro is a firefighter so he has a weird schedule and my sister-in-law teaches, so I will probably go home and hang out with the few people I know that are likely to have similar days off... not the least of which are my 3 adorable nephews. I hope there is enough snow for sledding but not enough that the 4.5 hr drive (min) is worsened/lengthened.

June/July- ALASKA TRIP... details yet undecided... Juneau for sure. Not more than two weeks. Beyond that, sky's the limit.

October- Chicago Marathon! I am running this with a friend from my sorority. Maybe with a few friends. Excitement unfolds... Part of me wants to buy a used treadmill, but really I need to save up for the AK trip- and the whole "not working" thing. I can't sub until I finish student teaching and my license is approved. Hopefully I will be getting paid to teach by March!

Other Happenings:
My mom is giving me her old sewing machine. I am pretty bad right now, but hemming pants by hand sucks. Anything would be better than that. The worst part about it is finding a place for it! We have a pretty small apt. Ah, things to ponder. In other news, she is making me a quilt. Yay, Mom!

Ordered business cards. I made them kind of like a resume, since I don't have a full-time job title right now. I'm pretty stoked about them because they are multi-purpose. They have my degree, majors, certification, and endorsements on there, plus other things, like "bilingual" and "tutoring services." I made them at vistaprint.com , which I recommend. I am eagerly awaiting their arrival. I plan on putting them in some of my Xmas cards and taking them to job fairs.

I want to make a website that is like my online version of a business card. I'm not sure how to go about it because I don't want to pay a fee or have a ton of trashy advertising. I also don't want to list all of my contact info in cyberspace. Suggestions?

I guess that's enough for now- I can't believe it is so late! I have to teach chem tomorrow! Better get the bunny to bed soon.

Love & Stuff,
Peachy Keen