School Year

The school year is off to a good start! My first day went well, my freshmen overall were very quiet and seemed a bit scared. They have opened up and they (so far) are a good bunch! Their levels are not where they should be, but that makes my goals simple though the process will be difficult.

The actual teaching part has been great, but I have been required to attend all kinds of meetings and conferences (where I have to have a sub) that has been difficult…all the paperwork involved for teachers is overwhelming! Especially being a first year teacher, I have to go through the residency year process which means more meetings and observations! Fun, Fun!

Homecoming was Friday and we lost. I can’t imagine the moral at school on Monday! Hopefully the season will improve!

Chase’s school is, well…going! He’s taking chemistry, physics and calculus 3 + 2 labs! Tough load! He seems to be doing well! His company is moving locations; he seems to be happy about that. It’s not too far from his location now so there will not be any drastic distances for him. My drive to Guthrie is wearing on me…it is a bit of a drive. The house hunt has come to a short break since we have to wait a few months to build up a down payment…not sure how this will work out now. We really want to get out of the current house.

I have not been able to write much since the school year started, this upsets me. I’m hoping once I get into a flow, things will tune down…I can only hope.

At times I sense Fall in the air, can’t wait!

Professional Development

For the past few days I have been sitting in professional development classes, which is a good way to start off a school year. I don't know about everyone, but I know I feel "pumped" after a long summer (and the fact I'm a new teacher may have something to do with present emotions). Today we (teachers of GPS) attended a conference given by Dr. Antony Muhammad who spoke about "PLC: Professiona Learning Communities." Now, many of his points were not new to me, since UCO really drilled the same material, but it was great to hear his message sitting with all the teachers in my district. As most of us know the current system does not seem to be helping our students and adapting something new like the PLC, is both exciting and a bit frightening. However, if we all agree change is good and adopt the PLC policies, and we see success in our students, then we should take the chance and create change!

Go to this website to learn more about PLC:
http://newfrontier21.com/articles/

Summer

At the Rock House Plaza (no chase did not carry a bouquet!)

Chase and I have been married, oh a little over two months now. The wedding was beautiful! Everything was amazing! Most of the ceremony is a blur, but I will never forget, Chase cried! First time I ever saw him cry! And of course, I cried as well!
The reception was so much fun, food was great and the cake was wonderful! Thank you so much to all who were there and helped us.

Summer has most certainly flown by! We both just worked a bunch, and my brothers, Nathan and Logan, and sister Rachel came for a visit...such fun!!! My house is so quiet now, it's killin' me!

We recently bought are first new car! It is a 2009 Mercury Mariner, and I-we love it!!




The past few weeks I have been setting up my classroom, which is looking great! I'm so excited to get the school year started. Lesson planning is coming along, slowly. It will take time getting used to the process and the way the school operates. Thank the Lord for Lisa and Joy! :)



























Chase's grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary which was a blast! They are such amazing people and I'm so happy to be apart of their lives!

Chase will be starting school next week as well, not looking forward to that. Long days and nights will return:( It is going to be an eventful semester!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Grandpa at 70th b-day party

Yesterday was my Grandpa Houck’s 70^th birthday! I think he had a good time, he’s so funny! I love to see how happy he and my Grandma are, they have been together for so long! They have been married for 52 years! When I think about my own marriage coming up, I think of their long lasting marriage and love and hope Chase and I can have the same.

It saddens me to see divorce rates up. Every couple has their problems, there is no perfect couple! Those who last and thrive are based in love and forgiveness. A long, happy, loving marriage or relationship can last...I have seen it!

Grandma and Grandpa at 50th Anniversary Party
I love this pic! Don't let it fool you!

End of the semester and the Wedding Shower

Well the spring semester has come to an end, which was highly longed for! Chase did well in his classes and now no more staying up till 12:30 doing calculus! I received an A in my first graduate class! I also received high marks on my research paper over Tudor rhetoric, and will be publishing it! I start my second grad. class in July, Kung Fu Film and Literature...it's going to be fun!

I had a job interview on Tuesday, but it's hard to say how it went. I am waiting to hear back from the principal, I was told that they were in the middle of their interviews. This was my first high school interview. I met with the principal and a panel of English teachers, which was nice, most of their questions were based around English topics. I'll I can tell myself is to just wait and see if there is where I'm suppose to be, is this the path I'm suppose to follow!

Saturday, May 9th was Chase and mine's wedding shower. A really good friend of ours, Carolyn Bell (one of Chase's groomsmen, Colin's mother) offered to give us a shower which was held at her house. We are so thankful to have such great friends and family. The shower was beautiful and so much fun! We played several games, ate good food, and had a good time conversing. My mom and my siblings, Rachel, Mason, Ashley, and Nathan came from Indiana to attend, I was so happy!

After the shower the big day seems so much closer, I can't believe it! All the planning is coming to an end, there are just a few minor things to attend to. We just ordered Chase's ring which we should have Wednesday! I'm so thrilled!!! The cake is taken care of and so are the flowers...Chase picked out the ring pillows and flower girl basket, we got the guest book and pen, and bells for the bride and groom departure! Oh My...It is three weeks away!

Job Fair

I went to a teacher job fair Saturday and I'd have to say I wasn't really pleased...okay, prehaps that is because hardly anybody was looking for an English teacer. Chase and I talked about the educaton market. How often do we hear that there is a shortage for teachers? Quite a bit! But there were so many teachers there! The fair was from 9-1 and that was last names starting with a-n! There were about 200 cars at 9:00! And this is a come and go event, so I'd like to see the numbers of how many attended.

So where is this shortage? Granted, I know the economic times are not up to par, but...?

Anybody need an English teacher? I'm certified!!!

Bright Dark Madonna

Today I would like to introduce you to a series that I have really enjoyed, The Maeve Chronicles. It is a tale about Mary Magdalene, but she is not what you would think! Elizabeth Cunningham, the author, has spent years researching Mary Magdalene and the Celtic culture, that’s right, the Celtic culture!!!

The first book in the series is called, The Passion of Mary Magdalene or this was the first edition, but this is rare (and I own!!) The second book is Magdalene Rising or Daughter of the Shining Isles this was the first edition, but this is rare (and I own!!) and the newest is Bright Dark Madonna. Below is an email from the author. I encourage you to check out the series!!!

Below is an email from the author. I encourage you to check out the series!!!

HAPPY APRIL MAEVE'S DAY, dear friends of Maeve. Help me celebrate!

TELL: In Biblical times there was a saying: word spreads on the birds' wings. A foreseeing of TWITTER, perhaps. If you are on Twitter, MySpace or FaceBook, or if you are old-fashioned like me and just have an address book, please let people know about Bright Dark Madonna. No need to have read the other books to enjoy this one. Maeve's story is like Celtic knotwork that way. You can begin anywhere.

ASK: People often tell me, I looked for your book, but I couldn't find it on the shelf. In these times, inventory is down in all bookstores, especially independents. So if you don't find it, do ask. Booksellers are happy to order books. Ask at your local library, too.

SEE & HEAR: The tour starts Friday, April 3rd at Oblong Books in Rhinebeck, Merritt Books in Millbrook 10:30 Saturday. Local folks: I'll be on WAMC Thurs, April 2 at 9:35. My interview with WVKR will soon be archived here: http://uucckingston.org/speaking.php . Events on the West Coast and Sedona and Santa Fe April 14-26. Check out the whole schedule: http://passionofmarymagdalen.com/pages/BDM%20tour%20sched%202009.html I will be belting out some blues and bluegrass as well as reading and telling stories.

THANK YOU, all of you who have written me and kept in touch over the years. A reader is a writer's best friend. You are the ones who bring the stories to life with your imaginations. I write for you. I love hearing from people, but please do forgive me if I can't write back this time. The next few weeks will be pretty packed. Know that I appreciate hearing from you. Thank you again.

As always, if you are on this list in error or wish to be removed, just let me know.

Love and gratitude,

Elizabeth

www.passionofmarymagdalen.com