First 9 weeks

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to announce that I have survived my first 9 weeks teaching (aka- my first marking period). Now perhaps I should wait on this news until grades are officially entered and submitted, but hey, I feel like I've reached a milestone worth celebrating. And what a better way to celebrate than Taylor University homecoming? ;)

This past week has been insane. Between two back-to-back cross country meets, team pictures, finishing the marking period, administering four periods of tests, grading massive amounts of late work, and participating in spirit week for homecoming... well, it's safe to say I'm just plain pooped. Haha! But really, homecoming week was a wild ride.

Last weekend Deb drove up from St. Louis and Rach flew in from DC. Add in several other former FSMA ladies and it was one she-bang of a weekend. Starbucks, two trips to Wal-Mart, several episodes of Gilmore Girls, the 4th anniversary of Exit 59 Church, a trip to Cheesecake Factory to see Anna and it was as though we had never left... almost. It was dreadfully hard to say good-byes last Sunday evening. I have no clue when I'll see though gals again. But it was wonderful to share their company (especially in IN) once again.

This weekend has afforded me the opportunity to see many other alumni- Junice, Jenna, the Sutters... wonderful! I was unsure as to how I would handle my first homecoming, especially since I'm still living in the general area- but I believe I've had enough time to adjust to that fact that it did not cause as much... disruption... as I expected. Regardless, the day was filled with pretending to watch portions of the football game, visiting the Jumping Bean, watching the girls' soccer game, Ivanhoe's with the Sutters and Mitchels, Laundry House/Eastapalooza, and finally back at Amy's place. Ooh, and I also caught airband Thursday evening before visiting English to help Reno with a little Calc I. :) As mentioned above, I went out to dinner with two newly married couples this evening. It was uncannily normal. It was the first time I've seen either of them since they were married. Unfortunately, I was unable to contribute to the sharing of wedding stories, but other than that it was wonderful. ;) However, it was strange to realize that I'm slowly getting older- old enough for my friends to be married and have 'real lives', or something like that. Weird.

Speaking of 'real lives', I'm finally feeling like I'm starting to settle in a bit. I'm getting to know the other teachers in the building a little better- I went to the hog roast Friday night with a few of them- and I just got a lead on the Grant County Young Professionals group. Perhaps a slight pattern of normalcy is helping as well (slight is the key word there).

There are many other things I've been pondering over this time of silence, but tonight is not the time nor the place to share such things. They shall simply have to wait until later... g'night folks. :)