Well, its Spring Break. And I must say, I have never needed a break more in my entire life.

Don't get me wrong. I am still enjoying my job more than any working woman should. The kids have discovered that I am a total pushover (surprise, surprise!) which has made things a little tough but in a way things are more fun. My colleagues are still just as wonderful. I can't express my thankfulness for their help, support, and wisdom. It really has been an incredibly wonderful experience.

But nonetheless, praise God for Spring Break.

And to kick off the week, I got called for Jury Duty. I was supposed to report for duty this morning but I called and they didn't pull my number. I would have raged liked I have never raged before if that was how I had to spend my spring break. I dodged a bullet there.

Ironically, most of my spring break will be spent at Old Navy. I need to work a shift so that I can keep the job as a back up for the summer but when I said I have open availability, the new Boss Lady took that as "Oh, the overworked new teacher doesn't need a spring break at all. I will give her 30+ hours and no days off. Perfect." Oh yes, I had a chat with her yesterday. And yes, I will still be working 30 hours this week. (pushover, remember?) Yay for spring break. I mean, seriously. I have students who are enjoying the 24 hour ice cream machine on their Caribbean cruise right now. And another student who is slowly baking to death pool side in Vegas. And another who I am sure is scuba diving his little heart out in the British Virgin Islands. And I am folding clothes and fighting customers who just can't see to squeeze their hips into the single digit size and have decided the best route is to take it out on me. Greeeaaat.

Wow, that came out a bit bitter.

So let me end it with this. Despite the downsides, I am so excited to spend the week hanging out with my incredible boyfriend. We are gong to opening weekend for the rockies on Sunday, and we have mentioned a picnic and a trip up to Estes maybe. I know I don't talk about him so much on here but I hope all you important ladies know that I have never been happier or felt more blessed. It has been really cool because Eric and I have been going to church together. That seems to open up so many doors for great God-centered conversations and it has been really cool to learn alongside each other. So cool. I am very blessed.

So, yeah. There is some light in this dark tunnel that is my Spring Break Ruined by Old Navy. Ha ha. It will all be just fine. More money in my pocket has never been a bad thing.

Ya, its a good thing. Right. :)

I haven't posted in a long time, mostly because I knew I would see all the people that read this blog at the recent wedding shenanigans. (And oh how lovely it was to spend time with you ladies!!) But since I like to sometimes flatter myself and allow my mind to wander to the near future where my blog is increasingly witty and popular and enjoyed by millions, I will write to my admiring readers who wait so impatiently, in such anguish, for my next blog.

Ya, I'm kidding.

But for reals. I just thought I would include some things I am learning while molding the minds of the future:

1. CSAPs suck. For sure. But its kind of nice when you can split up the test proctoring so you can get a little extra grading and planning done. I didn't take any grading home these last two weeks. Awesome!

2. Students are awful during CSAP time. So while it is nice to have some extra planning time, it is SOOO wonderful to be done with it so the kids can stop using it as an excuse to be lazy and obnoxious.

3. Pay days have never felt so sweet. :) Enough said.

4. I have found the cure to Facebook addiction: get a life. (If you are still addicted to facebook, please don't take that personal. But someday, maybe you too can break the addiction. Baby steps, my friend. Baby steps.)

5. Speaking of facebook, apparently when you teach high schoolers and are the cool, new, young, hip teacher (their words, not mine...) that also means you are the hot new thing to friend on facebook. Sorry kiddos. Not going to happen.

6. High schoolers are babies with adult problems. It's heart breaking and so sad sometimes but it makes me all the more determined to be there for these kids and make sure my classroom is a safe place for them.

7. Nothing says "Bad Day" like a broken copier, broken scantron machine, and laptop on the fritz. Technology is great when it works and a curse when it doesn't.

I guess that's all. I mean, I obviously have about a zillion more things I could write but the wit is running low. So I guess that brings me to the last one: being a teacher is TIRING! Wonderful, but tiring.

Ha ha, love you guys! Thanks for reading!!

I know teaching isn't all about teaching. Its way more about learning. But sometimes the lesson hurts a little.

So, let me put this simply. I had my key during passing period before 4th and when I went to clear out of the classroom after 5th my heart plummeted as I couldn't find my key. This key not only gets me into the classrooms I teach in but every door in the science wing including the storerooms where the chemicals are kept. Now I didn't panic because I assumed I left it in the staff bathroom and so I preceded to do a little detective work. After checking with teachers and even giving it three days to surface, my key was still no where to be found. My optimism was officially dead and so I went to tell my principal of my irresponsibility. I walked away from that conversation with tears in my eyes and that same shame that you get when you realize you disappointed Daddy. It was awful. After a few tears I pulled myself together and taught some kids about air pressure.

After school on Thursday I was in the Science office and a key appeared before my face. And not just any key, but MY KEY! The head science teacher was given the key by the principal who got it from an English teacher. The relief was so overwhelming it hurt a little. Hurt so good.

So as it turns out, some girl found the key in her back pack, gave it to her English teacher and told the teacher she had no idea what they were or how they got there. Sounds like some sneaky little freshman likes to play games. Monday morning's to-do-list includes further investigation. I will report back to you when I know more.

So the good feeling of having my key back kept me in high spirits. My fellow teachers were also feeling good enough to make a two foot long replica of my key out of cardboard, affix it to a lanyard, and stick it on my desk. In marker it says "If found, please return to Larissa Harder." And lets just say I have heard every play on words that include keys or unlocking doors. Its a good think I like the people I work with or else I would retaliate.

Ya, Miss H learned a thing or two about a thing or two this week. Let me list them for you:
     1. Don't trust high schoolers. They are sneaky.
     2. Don't disappoint your principal. It may mean your job. Or running mascara.
     3. Science teachers in general have good senses of humor. And they are obnoxious.
     4. Despite the drama, I still really love my job and high schoolers in general.

There ya go. Life in TeacherLand is anything but boring. And I sure am learning a lot!

Ya, so apparently Ms Harder is just too much for most kids to either remember or handle. I mean, I know what an extra syllable does to kids these days. But to tell you the truth, I think Miss H is kinda cute.

And besides, I freaking love teaching high school. I mean, the kids are ornerier and unfortunately their parents have also learned to work the system a little more but on a day to day basis, I think its great.

My freshman are really fun and for the most part, they know their stuff. My sophmores are great too. While a majority of them act like 7 year olds, they bring a little spice to my life.  My colleagues are wonderful and have been huge helps to me. They all seem so willing to walk along side me a help me out when I need it.

And then to top it all off, my first full week at school gets cut short by a snow day. Frigid temperatures never felt so good.

I love my job! :)

So, I was supposed to start teaching earth science at the high school next Monday. Turns out the assistant principal who was leaving for Iraq wasn't leaving at all for a while and they were still sorting out a lot of things. He found out this week he is now leaving on a different assignment. He leaves this weekend which means I start tomorrow.

Yup, that's right. Tomorrow.

Oh. My. Word.

So, pray for me. Because I have no idea whats going on. All I know is I am showing up at 6:30 tomorrow and shadowing for the day. On Thursday, the class is mine.

Im not scared. Or really all that nervous. I am excited but worried about finances. I was supposed to work at Old Navy tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday but I had to get those shifts covered. That pay check was supposed to pay my bills in Feburary while I have a lag time with pay checks. The way it works out, I teach all through Feburary but I don't get paid until the last working day of the month. So I have to figure out where gas and bill money comes from for the month. Its going to be crazy tight and stressful but I am REALLY looking forward to that first paycheck that will be worth more then I lived off of for two or three monthes here lately. I know God will provide and He will make a way. I just hope I can continue to trust and find that path.

So ya, my alarm will be going off at 4:30 in the morning and while it wont be music to my ears exactly, it will be the sound of a new beginning.

So ya, pray for me. :)

Ya, not really in the wings... it just felt right to say that. :)

But the point is, I am waiting. I will start that subbing job here on the 31st of January and until then I find myself often slipping into a daydream of sorts where I am stressed to the max and yelling at hormonal, sassy, difficult high schoolers. I usually snap back to reality, shudder a little, and move on. But I really am a little nervous for what this semester has in store for me. I feel like I am about to be taken through the ringer.

And you know what? While that frightens the pants right off me, it also makes me excited. I don't know what God is doing with me right now. To be honest, we are in this little land of limbo and I'm not sure what to do with it. But because of certain situations, and to be totally honest, financial stressors, I can't stray too far from the Lord. I can't. I am just too dependent on Him. And I am just overcome with thankfulness just about daily for His provision and love and most of all mercy. Even in these rough patches in my faith, when I have very little reason to burry my head in the shoulder of the Lord, I still feel Him walking beside me, guiding me, providing for me, loving me more than anything imaginable. What a crazy, crazy God.

And so while I sit in this waiting room, waiting for everything to hit the fan, I can't help but stand firm in the fact that no matter what comes my way, God is with me. He is my strength, my rock, my light. I praise Him for his provisions and guidance.

And so with that said, I say, "Bring it on, high schoolers. Bring. It. On!"

Yup, thats right. You are now looking at (or rather the blog of) the newest high school science teacher.

Yup, its official, I sweet talked my way into my first big girl job and I feel great.

Now its time to shop for big girl teacher clothes. Yay!