Distracted Eassss...................ily

So, Lately I find myself being distracted very easily. I don't know if this is a good thing or bad. It could be good because I have nothing to worry about and that is why I can do multiple things or nothing at all. That brings me to why it could be a bad thing. I get nothing done!

I have moved into my apartment over a month ago, but still am not fully unpacked. Why is it taking me so long to get the motivation? Even having people visit isn't enough of a push for myself to finish. I promised my mom that it will be done by the time she gets down here. That is March 20th. I can only cross my fingers!

So these past couple of days I kinda have been lazy and lounging a lot. I even was glad it was raining out because it just made napping that much easier.

I have been thinking how I can make my life down in NC different than my way of life was up in NY. I have sorta made a To-Do list:

-Get into Better Shape.
-Become an Awesome Teacher.
-Eat Healthy.
-Get a Pet.
-Study.
-Become more Organized/ Productive.

This is broad, I know...... but it is do-able when I can alter it to my lifestyle.
Always Hopeful.
Smiling.

-Cyndi

How to Brighten a Cloudy Day.....

When I came down here to North Carolina, I had no idea what my life was going to unravel for me. Coming to a brand new job that holds a new career for me, I could only hope that those who watch me have the same confidence in me as I do for myself. You can only "sell" yourself so much, and all the rest is based on trust and confidence. And for me, I was selling myself on paper and a total of 6 1/2 hours of being observed. When you are hired for a full-time position, they are taking a huge leap themselves. Especially when they hire someone who has never had their own classroom.

Then when they hire me for a classroom, but I can't go into the room until the previous teacher leaves. It is awkward! I can't plan anything for the room because it is not my room, and I don't want to step on any toes. What are my boundaries? Should I go over and beyond to impress or stay a little low because the teacher has not left (and doesn't really want to leave) the room yet and will still be in the school?

So today I had my first glimpse into taking over the entire classroom. The day happened to play out that both teachers in a two's classroom were absent. I have definitely been in a room by myself, but this week I got to make some lesson outlines and fully implement them. On a day that was cloudy and dark, my co-teacher brightened my day!

I am trying to do my best. (Without over stepping my boundaries) It is difficult because I don't know where to look for feedback, but after today I learned there are individuals who have your back. My co-teacher wrote an e-mail to the main director complementing me. I am not perfect, but I am willing to learn and that is the key. Everyday I can only do better not worse.

Tomorrow is my first staff meeting (6:45 AM) WooHoo!! Well I am off to bed, because I have to sleep quick!

Have a good night and stay bright.
-Cyn'

and They Lived Happily Ever After......

So after a great 3 1/2 days, it has now finally come to an end......

Brian and I have truly made the best of the time we spent together. Today we were productive with making me an official a North Carolinian (Getting my car Insured)

That was followed by Trader Joe's, lunch, and Southern Seasons. These two stores are two of my favorites, but I was so mad that I forgot to BYOB for TJ's..... I had it by my door and everything!

Due to the Valentine's Day Holiday that just passed, I got a few goodies at Southern Seasons.... Mmmm Cookies...

We went to my sister's house for dinner. It was delicious home made pasta and meat sauce. Thank goodness she married an Italian (J/K Frankie!) This is also where I found out that
I am soooo not going to be a Cranium Champion. I felt bad for my sister to be on my team. I brought down the team. Even with my art skill, I still stunk like a rotten skunk.

I wish this past weekend could last forever, it was so much fun! Now only if I could get more friends to come visit. Brian said the next time he comes down, it will be for good. How exciting!!!!
That day can not come soon enough.

-Cyn'

The Scrap of Things

So today turned out to be a very eventful day! I woke up craving 'fun' and that is exactly what today brought!

At work I heard about a store that had tons of barrels filled with random stuff that would be ideal for art projects. As an artist, I basically salivated at the thought of art supplies for really cheap. I couldn't get home fast enough that afternoon to discover what the place was all about. Here is the link http://www.scrapexchange.org/

I can think of so many of my friends back in New York that would love this store. It is perfect for classroom teachers to use this material on projects that the school won't fund...... there is nothing over the cost of like $4..... unless it was brand new or something you really don't need but thought was kinda neat.........

I didn't buy much because I don't have any room in my apartment currently, but when I do, watch out! I ended up getting a few large tubes to hold a few art drawings I have..... I also bought 2 Records because there was a how to create record bowls recipe. For 50 cents I thought it would be a good investment and worth a giggle or two. Overall total was $4.27.

It was a little dirtier than the website made it out to be, but what do you expect from a junk store? Besides, everything was donated so you really can't complain when you are not originally paying for it...... I will definitely go back!

The rest of the day was good. Finally brought Brian to Bandido's, my favorite Mexican Restaurant here in NC. (El Taco Rio in Indiana......) The #6 with shredded Beef is the only way to go!

As we went home, to stay for the night, we stopped to pick up some milk..... and this is what we came across......
It looks like this driver misunderstood how to pick up the groceries he ordered online. I think he took drive-thru a little too literally. Not sure what everyone's condition is, but hoping no one was seriously injured.

It has been a long (but fun) day... sweet dreams.
-Cyndi

The last few minutes of Valentine's Day

So there are only a few more minutes to Valentine's Day, and quite possibly be over by the time I publish this post.

Brian came down to North Carolina to visit me, and that is the greatest gift of all! I could only try to keep up with him by sorta planning out the day. The day started as soon as he landed last night at midnight! I had made him a giant rice krispie treat heart with marshmallows spelling out the letter B.

Today we headed to the Durham Fairgrounds. There was an auto show going on. To my surprise it was packed! There is no other 'I love you' than looking at cars together.....oh wait, I can think of a few......

The day continued with Lunch, BJ's, Frankie's Arcade, Southpoint Mall, Swoozie's, and Ted's Montana Grill........ The day was filled with excitement! (Cars, Arcade Coins and Bison Burgers to boot!)

It was a GREAT day! I always loved Valentine's Day (no pun intended.....well maybe) but after this afternoon, there is no doubt this is one of my favorite days all year. It is not just a commercial holiday, it is only if you want it to be.

Brian and I keep a change container for months, and leave it collecting coins so that we can eventually go out and do something fun. That is what financed our festivities today. We did not do anything today we wouldn't have done on any other date night.

I hope you all enjoyed your Valentine's Day as much as I did and/or still am.

-Cyndi

Friday the 13th

There is no better time to start this, than my lucky day!

I have been wanting to start a journal-like site to document all that I have been doing and learning while teaching. Hopefully this will allow me to keep things in order (both at school and home).

I have just moved to North Carolina, at the age of 23, after living in New York since I was in first grade. Leaving behind everything I basically know, scares the heck out of me. Especially leaving friends that I have grown to consider family. Maybe I can convince them to move down with me. (Hey, Cheryl got me down here...... it could happen.)

Things have happened so fast for me in the past month and half. It is like world record speed. I graduated with a B.S. Degree from SUNY New Paltz in Art Education. Breaking away from this, I wanted to apply for teaching jobs. After being here for a week while visiting my sister, I applied to a few jobs, and got a call back from each one!

I thought I would move down in February some time, but it was a lot sooner than expected! The same week I was visiting my sister, I was offered a great job!

http://childcare.niehs.nih.gov/childcare.htm

Check it out for yourself! This is how the blog got its title. I can't believe it is called work! I get to do everything I love tossed into one place. I get to be in a classroom, hang out with kids, do art, run around outside, and just be my 'hyper' self!

Well, I am off for the night. Hope all is well.
-Cyn'