Fall 2007, day 2

I've been student teaching for 3 weeks now (though the first 2 weeks were 3 school days long) and I am having a fun time. The instructors of the Master's program at Stony Brook asked that we spend the 1st week observing our cooperating teachers before we begin teaching ourselves. Things didn't quite work out his way. I was in front of the class on day 3. And if you consider that day 1 was spent observing my cooperating teacher go over the course outline with the students, I actually only observed her teaching for 1 day. Things have gone surprisingly well though. The kids in my classes are great, as are the teachers I have met along the way. They are all extremely helpful, which has made my student teaching experience fantastic thus far. I'm extremely fortunate to be working and learning from so many extremely helpful and considerate educators.

Monday starts my first week of my three week unit plan on Julius Caesar. Am I nervous? Well, that's an understatement. With any luck, I'll do ok. I really like the students in my classes. They have a lot of personality and they make my mornings a lot of fun.

What else?

Well, Magdalene and I have tickets to a handful of shows over the next few months.

matt pond PA - 9/28
The Good Life - 10/04
Minus the Bear - 10/05
Owen - 10/20
Jimmy Eat World - 11/9
Brand New - 12/04

With any luck, I'll be able to get Van Halen tickets for November as well. That would be amazing. DLR. That's what it's all about!

I missed John's B-Day celebration on Friday night. That sucks. I started feeling sick on Thursday night. My left sinus passage began burning and I started feeling body aches. Friday wasn't much better. I was feeling the illness in me through most of the day. After teaching, I went home where I lay in bed for 20 minutes before going to work at Journeys until 10pm. Realizing I would never survive the drive to Howard Beach, much less the drive home, I opted to go home and sleep. I fell asleep just before 12am and woke up at 10:30am the next morning. I still feel a bit sick, but the aches have left. Perhaps the faucet that is my nose will be turned off by tomorrow.

Ok, I have some work to do and sleep to attempt, so this blog is over.

Later on.

-Sergei xo

Song of the Day:
Cursive - Big Bang

Here's to new beginnings!

Tonight was my last night as a manager at Journeys. After 2 years, I have returned to my role as a part-time sales associate. Gone are the days of decent pay (and excellent pay during holidays). I now begin my struggle to pay my bills. If one could buy financial floaties, I'd certainly pick up a set. To lighten the financial burden whilst I tend to my student teaching duties, I paid off my car insurance for the next 6 months. One less bill to worry about. I'm still nervous, but it's not only because of the money (or lack thereof). I'm mostly concerned with how I will do as a student teacher. My cooperating teacher is also the English Chairperson, which is both exciting and nerve wracking. Surely I will learn a lot from her, but I am also afraid of how my performance will be perceived. Though she does seem very nice. I'm trying to stay positive.

My head is in a much better place since my last blog. Much love and gratitude to all of my friends who sent their support. Life isn't an easy thing sometimes, and it's a wonderful feeling to have caring friends who are concerned about my well-being. We all eventually face troubling times. They make us stronger. They challenge our will and test our strength. I'll get through this. And to all of you who read this, know that I will always be here for you if you ever need me. Thanks again.

Moving on to music:
The Good Life's new album, Help Wanted Nights, is fantastic. It arrived almost two weeks early. Thank you, Saddle Creek! The Honorary Title's new album, Scream and Light Up the Sky, is another excellent new collection of tunes. It's nice to have some new music for an end of summer soundtrack.

I guess that's it for now. Maybe later I'll share the story of the flatulating 12-year-old and her gospel-loving, church-pushing, older-daughter-whoring mom. This mother/daughter made for an interesting Friday night at work.

Later on.

-Sergei xo

Song of the Day:
The Good Life - So Let Go