Packing for a vacation ...

So I have been super neglectful of the blog for the past two and a half months. I started realizing that I was repeating different variations of the same outfit over and over and was bored with my own outfits. I'm done with student teaching and applications are in .... Now the waiting game begins.

While I wait, I will be going out of town. My cousin is getting married in Southern California on the 2nd of July. So I will be spending 4th of July weekend with my California family and friends. I am driving down with my mom and grandma but I will be flying back alone. I am trying to pack 5 days worth of outfits (including wedding wear) into a small carry-on suitcase. I decided to take pictures to show my technique.

I started by making a list of the days I will be in California and the activities I will be doing each day.

Then I set each piece of clothing on my bed:

Once everything was laid out, I layered shoes and jackets on the bottom.

Finally, I layered all the clothes in. The shirts that wrinkle easily, I rolled. Everything else I folded in. I connected necklaces to the zipper in hopes that they won't tangle in transit. I bought tiny travel toiletries and stuck them in baggies. i even stuffed my curling iron and straightener in there.

I'm a little nervous about the trip home. I wasn't able to pack my running shoes or dress in there. I will definitely be packing and repacking before the trip home.

I will make sure to update with vacation pictures when I get back. Have a great 4th!

The week after Spring Break ...

It's been a crazy one. One of our students had a pretty tragic spring break so it's been kind of a tough week back. Couple that with trying to get students used to school after a whole ten days off and their transition back to their old teacher as the main teacher ... I feel fairly ready for the weekend.

Despite all of that, this week really affirmed my love of my future/current (?) profession. I am absolutely where I need to be. I have one student who really exhausts me. It is hard to keep him on task and he tends to shout on in the middle of class (lately, it's been to tell me how much he loves me or what a great teacher I am so it is really hard to not smile). But I go to school every day confident that it will be a great day and every evening, I leave smiling.

I am so relieved it's the weekend, but I am so very excited to head into my last week in the first grade. It is going to be a sad one but I am really looking forward to it.

A Girl's Night Out Outfit

Last night, my closest girl friends and I went out. We did pizza and wine at one of the girl's houses and then went to watch the musical at the high school they attended (I went to a nearby high school). It was fun, but I was reminded of the importance of almost-constant professionalism.

When we got to our seats, I looked over to see one of my first graders, standing in front of the pit, waving at whoever he was there to see. I live right across from the school I student teach at and, so, inevitably, I frequently run into students. It's definitely made me more aware of how I dress, act and talk whenever I leave the house.

Anyways, here's my OOTD:

(I apologize for my lack of OOTDs from the work week. I had a couple of observations and excuses for being way too lazy to take pictures of my outfits. I've already set out this week's outfits. I may be really good and post something every day...)

What a Week ...

I am firmly entrenched in my full-time solo student teaching and first graders keep me laughing. I swear, I leave every day with a gigantic, exhausted smile on my face. I hope my students do the same. I am so happy to be going into a career that brings me so much joy.

This week has been a bit of a roller coaster - the first two days, I was so tired by the time I headed home that all I could do was fall onto the couch and veg. But, by Thursday, my energy levels were back up. And on Friday, I found myself laughing a lot at work. Kids are funny.

On Monday, I took one of my students Pokemon cards away (they are not supposed to have them at school). On Thursday, he told me that he would do anything if I would just give him back his card and, later, that he would not write about anything but Pokemon until I give him back his card (a 1st grade protester ... Gotta love it!). Yesterday, when I finally relented and told him that if he finished all of his work, he could have the card back, he proclaimed the day Pokemon Strikes Back! This whole ordeal was, by far, the highlight of my week.

Anyways, I only took pictures of two of my outfits. Here they are:

My best friend from middle school is getting married in August. So, on Thursday, we went bridesmaid dress shopping. I thought I would include a picture of the dress I chose. I love it! I have not been a huge fan of bubble hems but I really love this one.

The dresses will be in the pink color I am wearing.

Finally, I decided to do a Three Things About Me that Andi from Saltwater Dreams posted in the interest of procrastinating this job application I don't want to fill out.

Three names I go by:
1. Bethie
2. Betha
3. Bunky

Three jobs I have had:
1. Haunt Monster at Knott's Scary Farm
2. Special Education I.A.
3. Cashier at a bookstore

Three places I have lived:
1. Los Alamitos, California
2. Long Beach, California
3. Portland, Oregon

Three favorite drinks:
1. Water
2. Pinot Grigio
3. Cinnamon Dolce latte with soy milk from Starbucks

Three TV shows I watch:
1. Project Runway
2. How I Met Your Mother
3. The Office

Three places I have been:
1. Washington, D.C.
2. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
3. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Three places I would like to visit:
1. Costa Rica
2. Rome, Italy
3. Sofia, Bulgaria (my little sister was adopted from there)

Three people who text me regularly:
1. my mom
2. my best friend
3. my little cousin

Three favorite old TV shows:
1. Boy Meets World
2. Full House
3. Saved By The Bell

Three favorite dishes: (I'm tweaking this to be my favorite foods)
1. Honey Bunches of Oats cereal
2. Crunchy Bean Curd from Chen's in Long Beach, California
3. Gorgonzola fries from Henry's in Portland, Oregon

Three makeup/beauty products I cannot live without:
1. Clinique Happy
2. Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer
3. Clinique High Impact mascera

Three things I'm looking forward too:
1. Graduation
2. Anne and Jerrod's wedding
3. (Fingers crossed) Getting a new job

My New Idea

I've decided that, because I am failing at being a student teacher AND an everyday blogger at the same time, that my goal is to post at least once a week. My outfits are becoming variations of the same basic idea so I feel like they are kind of uninspiring. However, I will try to post at least one or two of my outfits at the end of every week. These are my two favorites from last week:

Cardigan: LC Lauren Conrad (similar here)

Tee shirt: Merona Target

Tank: Banana Republic (not-so-similar here)

Pants: Anthropologie (similar here)

Necklace: American Eagle (similar here)

Cardigan: LC Lauren Conrad (similar here)

Shirt: Gap

Dress: Ann Taylor Loft (kind of similar here)

Tights: Apt. 9 (Kohls)

Shoes: Madden Girl

In student teaching news, it is my first week of full time soloing and it has been quite the adventure. The kids were very high energy this week so we had a lot of talks about when a good time to talk was and when they needed to just listen and treat me just like they would their regular teacher. We will see how next week goes ....

My Students Rock!

Today was my first real attempt at casual Friday. I wore my school shirt (with the letters blurred out) and a pink sweater, my nod to the Valentine's Day party. Here's my outfit of the day:

One of the student's moms told me that her daughter, who I guess has never really cared much about clothes, comments every day on my outfits when she gets home. That was exciting to hear. Even if it's bad, it makes an impression.

Anyways, today my kids were total rock stars! We have been working on making quiet transitions - to our desks, in line, while we wait on the carpet. So I started a point system where, as a class, they get a piece of a picture. When the picture is done, they get 10 extra minutes of recess. Today was the craziest day - lots of changes in schedule, a party and an assembly. They were quieter than the older students. They were quieter than the other classes. They were loud when it was a good time to be loud. I just think they are the best.

I got some great Valentines - including one that told me my future students are very lucky to have me as a teacher. I left feeling so energized and ready to come back on Tuesday!

Weather Proofed and Ready for Work

Anyone that knows me even a little knows that I have been obsessed with the Wright dress from Anthropologie. I finally bought it last weekend and have spent a week trying different ways to wear it in the winter and to work. Today, I think I pulled it off.

I got a lot of compliments about how cute my skirt was today - which made me feel great!

Other than the outfit, I am exhausted. And today, as I left the school, I realized that I have an after school obligation that I had completely forgotten about. I love love student teaching though. All I think about all day is how great my students are. And how lucky I am to have been placed where I am.

Weekend Catch-Up

Today, my MT took a personal day so, even though I am not technically solo teaching just yet, I took over for almost the entire day. (I had the sub do read alouds so she didn't have to just sit all day.) For the most part, it was a smooth day. There were three kids that cried - higher than the normal number, but with a missing teacher, emotions are high.

I had one child who, when I told him he needed to clean up his work space and line up for recess, looked at me straight - faced and said, "you're the boss". (Have I mentioned that this is the best job in the whole wide world?!)

All in all, not a bad week for my first full time week. Next week is the doozy that I have to get through. Next Monday, I have the principal coming in to observe me teach. Wednesday, I have my supervisor coming in. I am already starting to feel sick with anxiety. Hopefully, tomorrow's bootcamp for Haiti will work off some of the jitters.

Here are my OOTDs for the week. As I said, my Monday and Wednesday outfits were pretty uninspired so I didn't take pictures. What I wore Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were much better. Here goes:

A Be Right Back Message

Hi readers!

I just wanted to apologize for the lack of posting in these last couple of weeks. This week, I started my full-time student teaching and I also started teaching my work sample (which, basically, is an entire unit designed by me - as opposed to the rest of the term, when I will be designing my mentor teacher's plans). So, I've been getting up in the morning, teaching and then spending the afternoon and evening trying to put together lessons for the next day. This weekend, I will put together an update with some of the outfits I wore - both Monday's and Wednesday's outfits were uninspired so I didn't even bother taking a picture) - and, fingers crossed, the Anthro Wright dress that I am hoping to try on this weekend.

Thanks for continuing to follow! Sorry for being such an awful blogger.

It's been a long, long time ...

After a week off from my placement and a not-so-cute-Tuesday outfit, I finally put together something that was blog-worthy. Thursday, I was in my first grade placement all day and then drove straight to school for a reception for past and present student teachers.
I love the combination of blue and green together. (My husband took one of our cameras on vacation with him and the other has a dead battery and a missing charger so I'm on the phone until Tuesday.) But I popped a little coral with the bracelet. This may be an outfit you see again ...

A Very Sleepy Thursday...

Today, one of my first graders walked in the door and said "Mrs. M, the white on your top and gray on the bottom looks weird... I'm not sure why..." As I posted on my facebook, I am not sure what to think when a six year old critiques my fashion sense. Do I tell her my thinking? Do I ask what she would have done better? Should I just smile and nod? What do you think of my OOTD? (My blogger is being frustrating so I have the tights pictured before the outfit... Sorry!)

My First Sub

Today, I experienced working with my very first substitute. It was a pleasant surprise that it just happened to be my supervisor's husband who has taught for many years in the district and retired just last year. It also made me a little more than nervous. My supervisor is basically the person who determines whether or not I get my teaching license. With that in mind, my best "teacher" behavior became my best-best teacher behavior.

So, the sub walked in and asked me if I wanted to take the reins and be lead teacher. THAT was fun! I'm always a little afraid to take over with my M.T. in the room because I don't want to step on toes. But once I got over the prevailing thought that if-I-mess-up-my-supervisor-will-find-out, I think I did okay. It was nice to be able to make announcements without feeling like I needed to ask first.

And the coolest thing happened after the sub taught a lesson that my M.T. had asked him to teach. Well, two cool things happened. One, the students came to me almost exclusively to ask questions. I really was The Teacher for the afternoon. And two, the sub taught the kids a lesson on writing personal narratives. When it was time to go to recess, one girl asked me if she could stay in to continue writing. I said that anyone that wanted to was welcome to stay in. Five or six kids stayed and wrote the whole time. They were so excited to write - they wanted to submit their writing to a publishing company. It was such a cool moment for me to see.

Anyways, here's the OOTD:

Shirt: Anthropologie

Pants: Anthropologie

Shoes: Nine West (not pictured; they came off as soon as I stepped through the door)

Necklace: Tiffany

My Very First Casual Friday

Today was a great day! Every summer, I get apprehensive not knowing what to expect when it comes to my jobs in the education world. But (almost) every year, it gets better. This year is no exception.

I spent today in my first grade placement. I had intended to go in until lunch (which is at 10:50) and then observe another teacher on her SmartBoard. However, I totally forgot to actually discuss what time to come down and was told to come back at 12:50. Actually awesome, because I was starting to feel sad about only being in elementary school for two days for the next three weeks. (I am DYYYYING to get into the classroom full time.) So I spent more time in front of the classroom, playing teacher.

I always surprise myself in first grade. I was terrified when I found out I would be in first grade. It has turned out to be totally awesome. They are funny and ready to listen and their adoring little faces make my day.

Since today was a Friday, I was allowed to wear jeans. At first, I thought I would go with trousers as usual. But the Anthro wide legs just weren't working today. So, my first casual Friday ever look....:

Tank: Target's Mossimo

Shirt: Anthropologie

Jeans: Joe's Jeans

Shoes: Madden Girl (similar style)

Necklace: Cookie Lee (similar style)

A Jeans and Tennis Shoes Kind Of Day

Today's outfit was admittedly casual. I went in to observe my friend's classroom. She is a teacher in a classroom for kid's with behavior issues. It was so much fun! I really enjoyed the students and had a great day with my best friend. Plus, I got work done on the work sample so today is a success for me.

Good Morning!

More on that later...

My Heart Was Beating As Fast As It Can Beat...

Today was a great day! I am so glad that I was with the 4th graders today. But it was also a day that made me very nervous.

You see, at the end of the day, I was reading to the students from the novel they are studying. Things were going smoothly when, suddenly, the principal walked in the room. She's a very nice lady - I feel very lucky to have her be my "principal" during my student teaching. But, the fact remains, I have never taught in front of her. We are supposed to invite our principals in a couple of times when we are full time teaching, but, for that, I can be prepared. This was unexpected. Even more unexpected was how nervous I got. My heart started beating really fast and I had trouble reading. I started asking the kids questions about their inferences in large part because I needed a moment to catch my breath. Ugh....

Apparently, though, she told my M.T. that I was doing a good job. Maybe it will be easier when I actually have to teach in front of the principal.

In other news, one of my 4th graders ended the day by saying, "Mrs. M., I really hope that you are a 5th grade teacher here next year." Melt my heart... I love kids!

Anyways, here's my outfit of the day. I have so much trouble styling this skirt. I need to take it to Anthro and try on every possibility there is. The real problem is in the winter, when I have to wear tights with it. Today, I wore my gray Herringbone tights, but I don't LOVE it. Any suggestions? (I included a close up of the pattern on the skirt and the tights and skirt together.)

Shirt: Target cheapie (I couldn't find it online in the navy blue I'm wearing but I love these shirts for basics)

Cardigan: Rubbish (I found this similar style online)

Skirt: Anthropologie

Tights: J.Crew Herringbone Tights

Shoes: Nine West

Back to Being A Grown Up

Last night, I prepped myself for today by packing a lunch, laying

out my clothes and getting things ready to make breakfast. It made for a wonderfully relaxed morning getting ready. I can tell that the husband and I are totally out of practice when it comes to being grown ups with real jobs and responsibilities (he had last week off too). When I left the house this morning, he groggily lifted his head off the bed and asked, "where are you going so early?!"

Anyways, today I decided to go in to my placement since we still have another day off from school. It was fun to see things from Monday's perspective. One of the boys walked up to me as soon as he saw me and said, "Mrs. M., it's a Monday! Why are you here?" Oh, to be nine... The kids had just as much trouble as we did adjusting to a schedule. Many of them told me around 11am that they would have just woken up if they were still on break.

I led a few activities today, which was fun, but I spent more time observing. This was totally fine with me, as it took me a little while to get comfortable again and my feet were killing me, having been used to Uggs for the last two weeks. I did, however, finally get my email set up. I felt terrible when I realized that I should have done it in October. It feels good to have something off the checklist.

Now, because I am sore from the laziness of my break, I think it is time to work out. But first, my outfit of the day: (I'm still trying to figure out the timer on my camera and how to pose for forgive the terribleness of the pictures; also forgive the stack of papers next to me on the table... That's all for the work sample)

Sweater: LC Lauren Conrad

Shirt: Anthropologie (Fall '09) and Target cheapie

Pants: The Limited

Shoes: Madden Girl (I couldn't find the color online but I LOVE this purple color)

Work Sample: The Roller Coaster Begins

So today, I haven't changed out of this:

(Actually, I changed out of my pajamas and into this after my work out this morning.)

The reason for this is today was all about the work sample. For those of you not in-the-student-teaching-know, the work sample is the dreaded final project that all teaching candidates must finish before they can get their license.

In means designing an 8-10 lesson unit on a topic. My topic is Animals in Winter, so I have to design a unit based around the behaviors that animals exhibit when preparing for winter. I have to find benchmarks that align with the lessons I have designed and describe ways that the lessons meet my goals and the benchmarks. I say have to, but the truth is, it's actually nerdily fun.

I am really enjoying putting together lessons. I hope my students like them. By the end of the unit, my students will have put together a book about hibernation, migration, hunting and gathering. They will also have made up and recorded a song to help them remember the different preparations for winter. I am still trying to design a final lesson, but I get really excited thinking about teaching this.

After about four hours of work today, though, I have decided it is time to pack up my materials for the night and settle in for a movie with the husband. I am tired of staring at my computer screen - the words are starting to blur together.

On a side note, I am excited about the turn my OOTD posts will take soon. My mom gave me a tri-pod for Christmas and I am on the internet search for a remote that works with my camera. I will finally be able to get a head-to-toe shot all by myself. Yay!