Kat's Playbook

First of all, I must say that I absolutely L-O-V-E teaching.  It makes my heart happy to get to know these kids and become their classroom "coach".  I love my commute (two stop signs & three turns which totals .3 miles).  I love that on some days I can grade papers, go to yoga, stop by the store, start dinner, and STILL be home all before I would start my commute for my last job.  I love the school, teachers, students, and overall moral there. 

However...I also must admit that Student Teaching is hard!!!  Yes.  I knew it was going to be. (My Dearest E warned me many a times!!)  But here a few of my realizations:

-  I have 3 episodes of Gossip Girl, 3 of Pretty Little Liars, 3 of Modern Family, and even Desperate Housewives on our DVR.  Hell I am sure there is more, but that is the top that I saw when looking for a recorded Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to parent entertain Mr. T with while making dinner. Instead of my Must See TV....I am catching up on videos of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show and the life story & legacy of Muhammad.  Anyone wanna get some popcorn and join me???

-  I spend just about every night reading up on the content.  I mean, who the heck knows the details of the Byzantine Empire, Mongol Rule, and Fallout Shelters just because??  Not this girl. 

-  I just picked up a copy of The Art of Racing in the Rain.  It is the chosen book for our monthly book club.  I want to read it tonight (especially after slacking and not even starting the last book club book....Again sorry girls!!).  But honestly...Ivan the Terrible and Kievan Russia just scream "Read me!  Read me!! Read me NOW!!"

-  I do have to give myself props for learning 180 student names in the first two weeks.  Don't even ask me to tell you their last names, but I can at least call on them when they fall asleep during a video or give them a fist bump in the hallway.  

The funny thing is...I may be putting in just as much or even more hours than I did at my previous job but I am still LOVING it.  I know some days will be an absolute failure, but I also know that each and every day will start and end with a smile.  :)

Tonight I am hosting our Book Club (which is really talk-about-the-book-for-15-min-and-then-drink-a-lot-of-wine-microbrew).  But either way it is a time for the neighborhood gals to get together. 

This month's book:  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  I absolutely loved it.  Quick read, very entertaining, and of course...set it up for the next one.  Now I just can't wait for the movie to come out this February.  I feel like it is the next Twilight sensation where 14-year-olds and other 30-year-olds like me just might want to be the kick ass Katniss and go crazy for Peeta, and Gale.