Waaa Waaaaaa....

A lot has happened since my wisdom teeth were extracted from my skull. First of all, about 2 weeks later I was "let go" from my job working at the Imagine School. It was really quite a shock. I was called into the Pastor's office at the church that served as our temporary site. This was really no typical pastor's office. Said pastor has a hobby that he likes to display in his office. His hobby is hunting. So as I sat down in a green cushioned chair across from the principal of the school I glanced around in horror. Staring back at me from all over the room were those strange glass eyes of taxidermy animals. Behind me was a whole swamp scene complete with an alligator, raccoon, fish and foliage. I took a deep breath and turned around after making a small comment on how "interesting" this office was. The next sentence out of the principals mouth shook me to the core. "This is not going to be a good meeting, Rebecca. We are going to have to let you go." I think my jaw must have dropped to the floor. Then I started to cry. I did not understand what was going on. He sat there as I blubbered away saying how much I loved my students and how I had put my whole heart into my job. To him it must have sounded like the teacher from Charlie Brown. Blah, blah, blah. He had no reaction, no sympathy, nothing. He handed me some paperwork, inquired about my laptop computer and how soon he could get it back and that was it. He told me it was my last day and that I would not be allowed to say goodbye to my students.

The next few days were very hard. I cried a lot, thought about my students and tried to blame myself even though I knew I had not done anything wrong. I still wonder about them now. I think about how they might be doing and wish I could have finished the year with them. I have come to the realization that I learned so much during my short time teaching 5th grade. I had a crash course in classroom management and had my first real experience in the professional world. It was a good experience, very bittersweet. I knew that I did the best I could for my students and hoped to be in another classroom very soon.

By Monday my mom had some insider info that brought me into a whole other world: subbing.

Snack Pack Love

Cold, soft foods just aren't doing it for me right now. I want some pizza, a veggie burger or some lasagna! I am working on my second bowl of cinnamon applesauce right now and wishing that all of my God given teeth would have just fit in my freaking mouth! Instead, they were cut out of my head yesterday. It really is a good thing, they were very painful while they still remained, crammed into the back of my jaw, but I just hope that I can eat some good solid food sometime soon.

Yesterday was quite an experience. I went in at 9:00 for my surgery and my first task as a patient was to remove my black nail polish I had donned for Halloween. The assistant said that her monitors could not read through the dark polish. So, I sat in the chair and worked finger by finger while she asked me the routine questions. "When was the last time you ate or drank?" "How much do you weigh?" "You understand we are taking out all four of your wisdom teeth, correct?" After my mini-interview and manicure I was instructed to hop up into the chair for surgery. They gave me some gas to calm my fear of the IV and proceeded to strap my arm tightly with the tourniquet and try to find one of my elusive veins. They ended up putting the IV in the top of my hand. It wasn't horrible and the assistant held my hand for the whole thing. Pretty soon I was floating away. I heard the doctor and the assistants talking about basketball and big hands, and was pretty sure I saw a bacon/crocodile skin pattern on the ceiling at one point. The next thing I remember was waking up and hearing the terrible crunch of one of my teeth being pulled or smashed or whatever it was they were doing in my open mouth. I also saw the stitches before he put them in, but I was in and out and none of it really mattered to me. The next thing I knew, I was trying to pet the nurse goodbye.

When I arrived home, my sister who was taking care of me told me I could not have the pain meds until I stopped bleeding. I promptly fell asleep only to awaken an hour later screaming in pain and crying. I knew I had to eat something before I took the medication and I forced some pudding in my mouth before I swallowed the first pain pill. All Rachel saw was pudding, blood and tears. I ran into our spare bedroom and threw myself onto the bed before passing back out. The rest of the day was a pretty big blur. Lots of sleeping, pudding and pain pills every 4 hours. Now that I am on my second day, it really is not that bad, I am just a bit sore and hungry. I am glad the experience is almost over and that my mouth will be feeling back to normal pretty soon.

Snack Pack pudding is my new BFF.

Chocolate Milk

One of my students approached me yesterday before class started and said, "My mom told me that she was going to quit smoking today." To which I replied, "Uh huh..." Then he continued with, "This morning she told me she was going to go buy a pack of cigarettes. I told her I would keep her secret if she would buy me a chocolate milk." He got quiet. I asked him what happened. He held up the chocolate milk, smiled and walked away.

Ahh, kids. :)

Progress Report: Rebecca Carter

I am almost positive that this is the latest I have stayed up in about a month. Making it to 11 o'clock really is a huge deal to me now. I usually stagger home at 5:45 after finishing my aftercare duties to lay down for a few minutes before moving on to my next activity. I have not had a chance to write down anything about my experience of being a first year teacher. I have relayed countless stories to my family and friends, some so frustrating I felt like I could cry, some very funny ones that I never would have believed could actually happen to me, and a few special ones that have touched my heart and that I will remember forever. This upcoming week I will be handing out my first progress reports to my students and I have realized that no matter what has happened in class or how crazy my kids make me sometimes, I honestly want every single one of them to succeed this year with flying colors. I care deeply about each child that has been placed in my care and hope to do right by them in any way I can.

Imagine!

So, I have not blogged in a long, long time...but I promise to be back soon with all of my fun observations from my new teaching job! I will be teaching 5th grade at the Imagine School this year and I cannot wait to get started and meet my new class and co-workers! I will be back shortly to hopefully entertain my few blog readers and remember my first year as a teacher!

My favorite.

In the morning I love to look into your beautiful eyes. I love to watch your strong hands go through your familiar morning routine. I love when you give me small kisses. Your laughter fills me up inside. If I could be your shadow I would. Watching over you throughout your day and giving you reassurance every time you were afraid. Your intentions are honest and your strength makes us powerful, taking on any challenge without fear and only with love. You complete me in every way. I can't even imagine a life without you. I want to hold onto you forever. I look into your eyes every night and know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. You are my favorite.

Writer's Block

I haven't written in awhile. Hey guys! 

Just wanted to update a little...I had a wonderful Valentine's day with Brandon. We went to the zoo and putt putt golfing and to the beach and out to eat and all in all it was a wonderful day. He really planned everything out and made it a fun suprise for me. I feel very lucky to have him in my life. Other than that nothing very eventful has happened. I am still yearning for a job and don't really know how soon one will come up, so I am just trying to wait patiently and hope for the best. My student loans are starting to come in and the reality of college costs has really hit me. I cannot believe how much money I racked up in persuit of my degree! I am so happy to be back in Vero, it just feels right here and I can't wait to get our own place when we save up some. My dad sent me a Valentine card with $30 attached and I decided to join Longevity Gym for the month. They had a deal that let you have 30 days for $30. I have been going since Friday of last week and I really like it. It is nice to have something productive to do for a part of the day while Brandon is at work. Other than that I have mostly been reading books from the library. I am catching up on my sequels and am currently reading "World Without End". It is really good so far. I loved the first book, so I didn't doubt the second would be wonderful as well. 

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. I would really like to go to some kind of service but I don't know what church to try. I have been contemplating giving something up for Lent, but I have not decided yet. I feel like I am in a valley right now in my walk with God. Lent would be a good time to pray and meditate more and hopefully draw nearer to Him. I really pray to be able to find a church where I can feel comfortable with their beliefs about equality. The search is always kinda hard. 

I am going to visit Benway tomorrow in West Palm. That should be fun. Katie is picking me up and we are driving down together. I haven't seen either of them since my wedding in June, so it will be nice to be together again! I always have fun with Rebekah and Katie and it seems like we are constantly laughing when we are together. Well thats all for now. Night. 

Love.