[Archives 8]

And the last post of old news.... :)

TUTF Banquet May 10th, 2008

I think Elise said it best. “No matter how excited I am about teaching or coaching, or how pleased I am with the season, at some point I will still have to go through the grieving process of ending my competitive career.”

Tonight was my fourth and final TUTF year-end banquet. There are more than enough pictures to mark the occasion. It’s one of those times where there simply are not sufficient words to convey the emotions that accompany such an event. I received my varsity blanket. Four years in coming and I finally have it. Believe it or not, it will definitely rival my diploma in significance. This year coach also distributed metal “senior” plaque/plates. Beautiful. It’s the first permanent adorment for wherever I end up.

Each year it has been hard to say good-bye to the team knowing how much it changes with the graduation of our seniors. But each year has been better than the previous. This year is definitely the hardest to let go, for obvious reasons. But ’such great sorrow is simply a reminder that what we had was so great’. [I made it through my ‘thank you’ speech without crying. That was an accomplishment. :P]

Thank you, TUTF2K08. Thank you.


KY road trip May 10th, 2008

Thursday afternoon following my last college class (woo hoo!) and a panel discussion on student teaching, I packed up my car and drove to Louisville. After a bit of traffic I arrived at the hotel with 10 minutes to check in and change before meeting my recruiter in the lobby for dinner. He, several other hiring personnel, other recruits, and myself went out for dinner and saw a part of the town. It was beautiful and I enjoyed seeing the area. We got back around 9 and had the rest of the evening to ourselves.

Friday morning they picked us up again at 9 for a grand tour of the city. Three high schools, the teacher resource center, administration building, two apartment complexes, and 7 hours later they dropped us back off at the hotel. Throughout the day I had the opportunity to talk to different principals, veteran teachers, and new teachers. The hospitality was wonderful. The resources and technology were amazing. But, at the end of the day, it was still a city in my eyes. Although the idea of a city (even though Louisville hardly qualifies as one) sounds attractive, I’m realizing I don’t know if I could cut it. I found myself asking my recruiter how long it would take to get out into the country. 20 minutes. Let’s just say after spending 4 years in the cornfields of Upland, my idea of rural is vastly different than his.

I have an offer. I have 10 days to decide. But after a good think on the drive home, I’m still praying for more interviews.


KY Called May 4th, 2008

This afternoon I had my first ‘official’ interview for a teaching position. Apparently it went well. Jefferson County Schools is bringing me down to Louisville, KY this Thursday and Friday for a tour of the schools, the area, and other formalities.

FYI- This means I’ll be skipping my last day of class. Ever. Who does that? Well, for an interview, I guess it’s only fitting.

So, Louisville, eh…?


C. Nats May 4th, 2008

Mom came down Friday afternoon to watch the first day of our Christian Nationals meet. After a little driving fiasco, she made it to the track with just enough time to yell “hey Becky” before the starter put us in the set position. Crazy! She saw my open 400 and 4×800 that evening. We ran the 4×800 at 8:45… under the lights! It almost made up for the hurricane-like winds that we had on the homestretch. Afterwards we had a great photo op- all four of us on the relay had our moms there that evening which had NEVER happened! So Alyssa, AJ, Tabs, and I had a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Saturday the rest of the family drove down and were great troopers. They all sat the five hours in the wind and cold to watch me run the very last, and my favorite, event of the day- the 4×400. I didn’t PR, which was expected with another day of horrible wind, but it was by far one of the best races of the season, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end my career. I had two gals on my tail and was forced to run smart. The team surrounded the track and cheered. Kelsey, Vanna, and I were able to run our very last race together, remembering why we love this sport and why we love our teammates. And the fourth member of our relay, AJ, just about made me cry with her hugs and sentimentality when I crossed the line. Like I said, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. The smile on coach’s face and the huge hug just sealed the deal.

So there it is. The last one. It’s hard to swallow. Extraordinarily hard. But I’m so thankful that I was able to share these moments with a phenomenal team. I’m glad to have ended it on such a note. But how do I say good-bye to such a family? Maybe it’s one of those groups where you never really say good-bye or leave…


Counting April 30th, 2008

What’s left…
16- Days of class
15- Classes
1- Day of track practice
2- Days of intercollegiate competition
6- Exams
2- Panel discussions
3- 45-minute warm-ups
12- Wrapped ice bags
1- Math video [topological concepts on metric spaces, anyone?]
0- Math classes!
[And hopefully there will be some offers for more interviews thrown in the mix there somewhere too.]