Stepping Stones On This Road Called Life

It Always Seems To Be The Little Things

2010-02-19T21:38:00.000-08:00

This is for you, Christy. I'm going to update my blog and give you a snippet in my life of small adventures in a big city.

Tonight, we had a family dance at school. I brought Tinsley with me to school to meet my inquisitive fourth graders. There were so funny. My boys had no words to say except for the awkward wave from a nine year old but my girls were so chatting! They love to give hugs and drag me to dance with them. Is there anything better than dancing to T-Swift and doing the Cupid Shuffle with your loves? I never thought all of the little puzzle pieces of my dreams would match up so beautifully.

I love being at my school and learning more Spanish from the bilingual students than I ever learned at Baylor. I love the conversations I have with them, usually sentences begin with "Que paso?" and then they go into a long explanation. It's really neat. My usual question is "How many children/are you married.). O how I love seeing what life is like through the lens of a fourth graders. It's so entertaining.

The Year Twenty Ten

2010-01-10T15:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!! I still cannot believe that it's 2010. I have found that this is my favorite year to write and practice writing it every chance I get.

A decade has passed since the big 2000 scare when everyone filled their bathtubs with water because we thought the world was coming to an end and now it's 2010. Crazy things have happened in this decade! To name off a few: graduating from high school and college, being accepted to PNB and going to Seattle to dance for an entire summer of absolute bliss, first boyfriends/first kisses, facebook/twitter/ipods/etc., learning to drive/getting my license, being a teacher/camp counselor/jcrew rockstar/escrow assistant/white house black market junkie/selling food at frisco rough riders ballpark... the list goes forever.

Like every start to a year, I compile a list of New Year's Resolutions. I confess, my lists of New Year's Resolutions are usually insanely long, but I'm an optimistic person and am a firm believer that "anything and everything is possible."

When I reflect back over the last year, I have learned how much I have grown as a person (not physically grown. Ironically, I have shed weight due to the "first year teacher" syndrome when I don't sit down long enough to eat a meal because I'm constantly planning/thinking/creating/ lessons and how to help my students learn). But by growing as a individual and learning more about myself and what I like/dislike. For example, these this last six months I never knew how much I really enjoy being organized, making sure everything has a home and being one step ahead of my schedule. Also, how much I enjoy good music that feds your soul, that lifts your spirits when you have had a crummy day and being able to have every fiber of your being dance. It's glorious.

But back to New Year's Resolutions, my list has so far...

1) Take Ballet classes again
2) Read more (I'm on my fourth book since November, not too shabby for my track record. But teachers are supposed to be readers, right?)
3) Go on a mission trip to a country where they speak Spanish and teach them to use the resources they have to teach their kids
4) Cook more often
5) Run another 5K with my dad
6) Continue refining my teaching tactics
7) Safe money in order to travel to places I have dreamed of going to

Still a long list of resolutions, there are more that I'm forgetting. O well, what's wrong with a long resolution list? haha

Tis the Season to be Jolly, Fa La La La

2009-11-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today is the big day that Baylor plays Texas Tech at the Cowboys stadium. I'm praying for a miracle, that somehow the worlds shift and we are able to win. I know that we don't have a great track record this year but crazier things have happen so we shall see!

I'm enjoying my last few days from my week long hiatus from being Miss Chambers. I didn't realize how badly I needed a break from my ongoing marathon I have been running since May. After my kidney stone episode, I started at the Y then finished my last day by performing my legendary "dance off" routine for the job offer at Christie and the following Monday started learning about the ins and outs of being a fourth grade teacher. It has been quite a year, probably the craziest one thus far.

Shay and I are all moved into our swanky apartment. Last night, we decorated our Christmas tree with ornaments and lights. A Christmas party will be planned in the near future so get excited! I love our little apartment. It's cozy and comfortable, two essential ingredients needed for those long Mondays or CBA days. (CBA = Curriculum Based Assessments, 4th grade tests).

Before we know it, it's going to be December 1st. I have been reflecting from this entire year and have realized what a big year it has really been. In a way, I feel like I was shot out of a cannon up into the "real world" not knowing what to expect or what was going to happen, hoping that I would crash back down to earth with failure. This year has definitely not been easy, it's been uncomfortable, awkward and different; all three things that can leave any 22 year old wondering "what AM I doing?!?" haha. But beyond all of the awkwardness, there has been blessing laced through that has made everything else wonderful.

There has been so many milestones that have happened that I wish I had written them all down. Some of the milestones that come to mind are....

*Turning 23 (birthdays are always milestones, another year older and another year wiser!)
*Graduating (my diploma is still in the green tube. I should hang it up but haven't gotten around to it).
*4 different jobs (SLC, YMCA, J Crew, 4th Grade Teacher) My 2nd and 4th have probably been my favorite :) )
*Moving twice (from Waco to Plano, from Plano to Dallas)
*Running a 5K (true story. My dad and I ran it together this fall for the Frisco Education Foundation).
*Jobs Fairs Gallore
*Visiting schools (don't even want to remember how many I went to, too many to seem sane)
*Interviews (which are not as scary as I had imagined. If you all for the dream that you want to pursue, all you need is someone to listen to your passion!).
*Parent Teacher Conferences : feat in itself. soo many parents and sooo many questions that day. I hadn't realize that not only do I have 17 children to teach but also 17 sets of parents that worry about their precious little one and want to make sure that they are given every opportunity possible to strive for excellence.

Love Love Love

2009-09-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's September 14th. Insane. Time for some life updates.

It's been such a transition season. It started this summer and has carried into the fall. Figuring out life after graduation still has some sticky areas. The new quest is: how do you meet people your own age? By not being a student any longer (although I believe that teachers are life long students), it's more rare to meet someone that is your age. I've been going to Sunday school classes geared towards the yuppies out there. So far, it's been wonderful!! Loving Jesus is always a great thing.

Speaking of Jesus, we had a Jesus moment today in class. When we were in writing, my kids and I had a discussion about what different topics you can write about for your stories. One of my students says, "Miss Chambers, do you ever wonder if someone out there is writing your story about your life?" Then one of my sweet boys goes, "Miss Chambers, God writes our story. It's like we are in a reality TV show but for our whole life." At that moment, I couldn't say, "Yes, you're right. God does know our story" but smiled at my student, felt that tingle in my heart why I adore kids so much and continue my lesson.

I am truly blessed beyond my greatest imagination with my career. Every day, something else unfolds beautifully and I thank God for giving me this opportunity to live my dream. I love standing at my door every morning and my kiddos come in with their stories. It's the best job, hands down. Harder than anything I have ever anticipated but absolutely blissful. Is blissful even a word? Who knows, haha.

Check this out.
http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/Christie_4th/index.cfm?subpage=990059

It's in the works but it's my fourth grade website that I have been elected to work on. Haha, you can even search me under the staff directory for Frisco. Holla

Dreams DO Come True

2009-08-27T15:50:00.000-07:00

Hello, bloggers and bloggerettes.

It has been a little over two weeks since my last entry and sooo much has happened since then. I don't know where to begin.

First off, I'm officially a fourth grade teacher! Insane, huh?! I'm teaching at Christie Elementary in Frisco ISD. I absolutely love it. During the job search marathon, I have a list of hopes of want I wanted my "perfect" school to entail in the back of mind. The type of school, the team that I would be working on, the students that were going to be coming into my classroom, etc. The Lord has far exceeded my greatest desires in ways I'm still trying to wrap my mind around.

Christie is the only Tier One school in Frisco ISD, meaning that our kids have low socio-economic profiles/may have free and reduced lunches/etc. In each grade level, there is a couple of bilingual teachers that teach our bilingual learners that we bus in from neighboring cities. I love the characteristics of a Tier One school. In my heart, this is where I need furfill my teaching role, to kiddos that not only need the knowledge but also the love that they might not be getting at home.

My class is filled with 17 sweet fourth grade students. They are spunky, witty and chatty. I teach them math, science, writing and spelling and they go to another teacher for reading/social studies. I love having my own kids during the majority of the day. And I love the fact that I don't have to teach Texas History. It's a dream come true! I can't wait to get to know my kids this year. I love them already.

Being a "real" teacher is far more stressful than anything that I have been trying to anticipate. There are constant meetings, emails to be read, curriculum to learn and children to teach. I start my days waking up at 5:30am and leaving the house around 6:45am, get to school, do my teacher thing and leave around 5ish. It's a crazy life but I love it. Thank you for all of your prayers.

My 4th grade teacher was right. When you do put your mind to something, anything is possible.

Passion Somehow Doesn't Get Your Foot In

2009-08-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I have been lacking in the "blog" world this summer. It has flown by. If you tried to watch it zoom by, you couldn't because my life seems to move by the speed of light.

It's August 10th and still no job. This is insane. Some of you out there reading know what has gone down in the last few weeks. I don't feel like typing it out into words but it's been brutal. I've been comtemplating whether or not I should be a teacher. This seems like such a radical statement to make since all I talk about are the kids that I have taught, I would spend more money on school supplies than any other lavish gift and I love plopping down in the children' book section at Barnes N Noble. But it has been such a rollercoaster. I wanna get off but I feel like it's nowhere near being over.

Pray for those aspiring teachers out there. There are quite a handful of us. It's so frustrating not having a "plan" this fall when I have had one the last 21 years of my life. I feel like God is preparing me for something bigger than I can fully comprehend but it's so hard to stay hopeful for His plan.

Okay, back to the apps.

6 Little Things

2009-07-16T15:48:00.000-07:00

Laura tagged me on this and I haven't written on my blog in over a month so I pondered a bit and came up with 6 little things that make me happy.

1. Walking Spencer. This summer, I have walked Spencer and it's so fun. He walks with such poise and grace, you would have thought I had taught him a thing or two. We like going up to the park to see other dog walkers and kids playing. Spencer of course tries to make friends with everyone that is up there.

2. Going to get icecream with Grace. Grace and I have gotten close since she came to Baylor. We finally get each other and understand where we are coming from. Plus, it's always a sight us singing at the top of our lungs to "Skanky Leg."

3. Holding kids' hands when you are walking somewhere. I know, this sounds crazy but I love when kids grab your hand to walk with them. It's usually the little ones (5-6 years old) but just that trust that they with you knowing that you will get them to wherever they are going safely is so nice.

4. Genuine conversations. I love people, especially getting to know them. I love learning what makes people tick and what their passions and dreams are. It's always so refreshing because people might have more common interest with you than you think!

5. Teaching kids how to cook. This summer, I have been teaching Culinary classes every other week at the YMCA. I absolutely love it. I love showing kids how to measure ingredients, going through the different conversions and making a mess every time. It's a blast.

6. Dancing in a studio. I love throwing on a pair of ballet shoes, going into an open studio, turn up the music and be in my own world. It makes my soul feel rejuvenated. Nothing better.

Dance Off Ephiphany Moments

2009-06-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

This week, I started my camp duties at Russell Creek Day Camp. I arrived bright and early on Monday (7:30am to be exact) to gather my roster and guidelines. At nine after all of the kids were checked in, the counselors and I sang a song introducing ourselves (my camp name is dance off) and then played "Poop Deck" with the kids. We then broke up into groups and took our 14 kids to the kitchen to begin cooking! I'm the lead teacher for Culinary and Science/Space Camps.

We had a few hiccups on the first day including blowing a fuse in the kitchen that cut out all of the electricity in the offices and delay in our breakfast making. No worries, being the teacher I am, I explained to my kids a lesson on how cooks always improvise when things don't go as planned.

My students are precious. They range from 6-12 years of age, both boys and girls. They have so much charisma. They ask the fun questions that I have become accustomed to including, "Are you married?" and "Do you have a boyfriend?" One of my sweet girls told me that I looked like the princess from Princess Diaries and another said that their favorite food is Hooter's Wings and was wondering if we were going to go to Hooters for a field trip.

Being with kids this week reassured me how much I genuinely love working with kids. When I'm at camp, I'm not worried about the fact that it's now June and I don't have a job yet. My worries are who has to go to the bathroom, who needs their shoelaces tied, who has a song that they want to sing to you, who drew a picture of you to give you, who wants to do the Cupid Shuffle, who wants you to play dodgeball, who needs help opening up their juice box because their 6 year old hands aren't coordinated enough. The list goes but I think explains my epiphany why I need to teach kids. It hasn't crossed my mind that this isn't something that I want to do the rest of my life.

Way Over My Head

2009-06-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hello, blog readers.

I'm happy that Molly started blogging again. And Christy is blogging over in Thailand. Laura is always consistent with her blog. Blogs are fun, even the word "blog" is fun to say.

Life in Plano has been interesting, stressful at times and filled with searching for a job. I've had training at the YMCA and start next week which is nice. I'm excited to be with kids again. J Crew has been fun as well. There are some new faces that have started working there. J Crew employees are hilarious. Always decked out in J Crew wear and there is always a scandalous story to share during a work shift.

To date, I've have visited 26 elementary schools in the Dallas area. That's alot of driving, a lot of gas being sucked out of my car and lots of neutral responses from principals. It's so incredibly challenging, this whole job searching. It's constant rejection every time you feel like you are getting somewhere. There have been small glimmers of hope from schools but nothing that has shined a light at the end of the tunnel. This experience has definitely tested my faith and my patience in waiting for the perfect teaching opportunity to come.

When the day comes though when I receive my offer, I have already decided that I'm going to hug the principal (regardless of who she is and how she feels about physical touch) and we are going to have a dance off right there in her office. I will love every school day next year and adore each of my students regardless of how crazy they drive me. Because after this, I've learned that I need to appreciate every aspect of my job next year.

Haven't passed the stone. It could have dissolved by now. But who knows.

How are you?

Quarter Life Crisis

2009-05-19T11:53:00.001-07:00

I stole my title from Laura's blog. I hope she doesn't mind but I feel that it's absolutely fitting for life right now.

These last few days, it has been total chaos at 1321, 1106 and all over Waco. Moving out is no fun. It's hard enough saying good bye to people that you are used to seeing on a daily basis and don't know the next time that you will see them but then add packing/cleaning/fixing/packing/dusting/scrubbing to the mix and it is a recipe for a stressful diseaster.

Yesterday, I went to the Emergency Room. I woke up with horrible lower back and groin pain. Rachael and Laura took me to the ER while I laid down in the back of the car. I found out that I have a kidney stone and a kidney infection. Although we spent the majority of the day there, it was nice to finally just stop my crazy life even though I felt terrible. I kept asking the nurses for drugs thinking to myself that there is no way that I will have a natural child birth. But it was good to sit with Laura and her momma. (We actually went a week ago with Laura. The nurses recognized us and everything).

I had my first day of training at the YMCA today. I'm going to be a Speciality Camp Counselor which is going to be so fun. I get to teach curriculum based camp classes to kids. I met some of the people that I'm going to be working with today and I'm totally stoked. Plus the fact that I get to sing songs, dance and play with kids makes it wonderful.

Now to continue my search for a teaching job. This task is more challenging. Super economy and super swine flu.

G-R-A-D-U-A-T-E-D

2009-05-17T12:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I graduated. It still feels weird when the "g" word rolls off my tongue. I'm officially a Baylor alum.

It was so surreal sitting on the floor of the Ferrell Center. I was happy to graduate with my EC-4 girls and our two boys. They know what it felt like to be off campus our last year, work like a real teacher but pay Baylor's tuition, survive Spanish (sometimes some of us having a round 2 in one of the classes) and loving on our kids. I could not have asked for better sidekicks to learn how to be a teacher with.

And I couldn't ask for better friendship. I have made such strong bonds with so many people over the last 4 years. It has been truly a blessing. I love each and every one of my friends. They are wonderful.

Bite My Bait

2009-05-01T13:13:00.000-07:00

I'm at Cedar Creek Lake right now in Gun Barrel City (population a little over 1500 people). It makes me want to save all my earnings to buy a lake house one day. I love being at the lake and being outside.

I've been continuing searching for teaching opportunities. I think I could actually fill Cedar Creek Lake with a fishing pole for each principal I have sent my cover letter/resume to, applications I have filled out, job fairs attended and visiting elementary schools with scarce signs of fish biting my bait. I promise, though, it's excellent bait. Probably the best bait you could ever come across. It's just a matter of trusting your instincts to hire a fresh teacher straight out of college.

I do have a little bit of promising good news. I have two jobs lined up for this summer. I'm perfecting my tie tying abilities to gain my J Crew rock star status once again at Northpark Mall. I'm also going to be a day camp counselor in the Speciality Camp at the YMCA at the Russell Creek location. Speciality Camp is where I will teach lessons on different areas of interest for kids from ages 6-12. The areas that I will be teaching are art, culinary, science/space, forensic science and wilderness survival. It seems like the perfect fit. I get to work with kids and be preppy too. Life couldn't be more perfect.

Unless I had a teaching job lined up too. Then life would be perfect.

Sweet Ending to a Wonderful Experience

2009-04-22T20:14:00.000-07:00

Today was the last day of my internship at Spring Valley. After 28 weeks, 112 days and 896 hours, I had completed my 4th grade student teaching experience. It's definitely overwhelming. I feel like it's still just the first day of school when I was meeting them all for the very first time and trying desperately to learn their names.

Today was really special. My students had sad, droopy eyes when they came to class because they knew that today was the last day that we would be together. Lots of hugs were given, last few questions were asked and teary eyed Miss Chambers loved on them all. I wrote each of them a letter expressing how much I had enjoyed working with them this year. I included my address with the letter so we could be pen pals this summer. After I was in 4th grade, I was pen pals with my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Meachum. I absolutely loved her. I thought she was the greatest. I still have those letters tucked away in a shoe box back in my room in Dallas. Pretty neat, huh? Maybe I will have 80 pen pals this summer. :)

When the end of the day rolled around, 4th period was cut short and all of my students scurried out of the classroom. I was left there confused until a few minutes later when Mrs. Humphrey called that she needed me for a minute. I walked into the hallway to find Kristina (my partner in crime) waiting in the hall too looking just as confused as I was. We didn't know what was going on because all of the classrooms were empty (usually there is total chaos). They took us to the AV room and find all 80 of our wonderful love bugs sitting quietly and excitedly when we come into the room. In the middle of the room laid two giant totes filled with supplies that every first year teacher needs. On one side of the bag had famous quotes from scholarly people in our history that understand the needs of teachers and the other side had all of the kids' signatures. I burst into tears when I saw my kids so excited to present the bag of goodies to us. Mrs. Humphrey tried to say how much she has enjoyed working with Kristina and I but she was crying too. Whew, lots of tears.

After the tears were dried and mascara was cleared from underneath eyes, the kids got to tell one word of advice for us for next year when we are first year teachers. Some of my favorite pieces of advice includes:

"Let them have recess all day when they are good."

"Go down to Austin to stop the printing of the TAKS test"

"Be strict, but not too strict"

"Always remember the golden rule"

"When a kid is bad, mark their chart"

"Treat students how you want to be treated."

"Make every lesson fun or kids will fall asleep"

Then we took one huge group picture with Miss Santen and I in the middle of our kids. We took 3 serious pictures and then all of the sudden, there was a stampede of kids coming at us, hugging from every direction possible saying, "I love you, Miss Chambers. You are the best!"

There is nothing better than hugs from kids that really love you for who you are. They hold on tight, hoping that you never let go and forget them. But how can you? These wonderful little rascals have refined my philosophy of education in so many ways that I don't think I can fully express. I do know that 110% that there is nothing I would rather do!!

Stickin' It Through Pays Off

2009-04-19T07:11:00.001-07:00

Hello, Blog Readers.

What an overwhelming, doubtful and stressful Spring it has been. As you might know, I have been on the hunt for a teaching position at one of the 7 school districts that I have applied to (Allen, Plano, Richardson, Coppell, Frisco, McKinney and Highland Park). I have basically blanketed the entire Dallas area. Essay questions on applications were thoroughly answered, transcripts were sent in, resume with cover letters attached were sent to principals in these schools districts and anticipation of certification letters were sent in to Human Resources offices. The next course of action was to attend the job fairs for these school districts.

On March 28th, there were 4 job fairs from 8am-noon. Plano, Coppell, Allen and Highland Park. Because of the geographics of where each of these were located, I had to pick and choose which ones I wanted to attend. I decided to attend the Plano job fair since I am a graduate from there and Highland Park because it was the easiest one to attend after Plano because you go straight down 75.

I got to Plano early and waited in long lines with other aspiring teachers who were all various ages and different levels of experience. In 3 and a half hours, I was able to talk with 20 schools (there are 42 schools in all in Plano). More or less, each school stated the same pitch, "I'm sorry but we have no openings." It definitely put a dent my spirit. To be rejected over and over regardless of how much I expressed my love for teaching and all of the neat experiences I have had in student teaching did nothing. No worries, I still had Highland Park to go to. There are only 4 elementary schools in HP which was nice. But, when I got up to the 3rd principal, she stated how HP doesn't hire 1st year teachers because they don't believe that there are experienced enough. I wanted to yell back at her, "Then WHO GAVE YOU THE CHANCE WHEN YOU WERE 22 TO START TEACHING?!?!?!!?" but I bite my tongue, smiled sweetly and shook her hand thanking her for giving me the chance to talk to her and left. I felt defeated. Totally shook up. Trying to paddle through the mucky water I was drowning in.

But nothing dampens this girl's spirit. I continued to email teachers, went and dropped out my resume to school secretaries and continued to pray.

Then the greatest day happened.

I attended the Richardson Job fair this past weekend, April 18th to be exact. I arrived 30 minutes early before the job fair began believing that being early would give me an edge. While I waiting in line with the rest of the hopeful teachers, it started to mist. My hair that I had perfected minutes early was now drowned out like a vegetable that gets its timed mist at the grocery story. When I got inside, I checked in, received a badge that had my name and walked into the cafeteria filled with all of the school districts for Richardson.

The vibrancy of this job fair was unlike any of the others I have attended yet. Each table was carefully detailed with a theme to lure people over to come hear why their school is awesome. There were teachers dressed as fishermen "fishing for fabulous faculty", teachers walking around with milk mustaches proclaiming "moo on over to our school!" and even michael jackson's greatest hits playing. One table caught my eye. They were dressed as Harley Davinson drivers, even the principal herself had on all of the black leather and a bandanna wrapped around her hair. I introduced myself and she then proceeded to ask me detailed questions about my behavior management style, how I prepared for TAKS and how I deal with parents. I felt like I didn't have all of the right words to convey my thoughts but I must have said something right. After we talked, she gave me a card to have a formal interview with human resource people. I was escorted upstairs to a room filled with a principal who was going to do my interviewing. I was asked 35 questions dealing with all areas of education. She was not allowed to express how I was answering and add any additional thoughts. She just critiqued what I said. It was then taken to Human Resources where they were going to evaluate it and then I would hear back in the next few weeks.

When I got back downstairs, I visited more schools. The "o" word was finally said. Openings were found and they needed teachers to fill them. It was such a relief. I feel that this is where God wants me to teach! A handful of the schools are Tier One and others have ESL learners. I have a hunch that this is where I will end up. And I'm ready for the challenge. BRING IT!

I'm on going to write on my blog

2009-03-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

I have wonderful news. I got an A on my Teacher Work Sample (138 points correct out of 150. If you divide that amount, it's a 92). Teacher Work Sample is education's version of a thesis for all those U-Scholars and Honors kids out there who fingers are typing away at the moment before their big day comes. My TWS ended up being a little over 60 pages. I was thrilled. A handful of my friends failed so the fact that I managed to pull off an A is miraculous. This teaching thing is maybe meant to be.

Last Wednesday, my kids took yet another practice TAKS Reading test. The big day for these two tests is April 28th and 29th. Tuesday we took a practice TAKS Math and somehow forgot that we were taking a practice TAKS Reading so when they came into the room and saying it on their assignment board, they let freak out screams. Not going to lie, I would let them out too. I do not enjoy TAKS at all.

Students were given their test, a quick pump up about remembering to use their strategies and to read every story twice if not three times. While I was working on grading papers and job applications, one of my students raised their hand. I walked over to him and stated that he was done. It had merely been an hour and I thought he couldn't possibly be done unless he had done his very best work which for this one, he is notorious to racing through his work because he has it wrapped around his head that there is still a prize waiting at the end of the finish line for completing first. I did not take the test from him until 11, 3 hours after the test was given. He let out a grunt and I stated, "Do you want an A on this test?" And he apathetically stated, "I guess." 2 and half hours later, I picked up his test.

This student made a 98. The first time that he took it this semester, he got a 50. A 48 point increase, not too shabby eh?

Lots of my students made A's. It was beautiful. Mrs. Humphrey and I were so excited. I love when my students do well.

Next weekend is big. I will be heading to Dallas for Teaching Job for Coppell, Plano, Highland Park and possibly Allen (if times permits). This is where I will be meeting numerous principals from each elementary school in the districts there. I'm nervous, not going to lie. I'm crossing my fingers and toes for job interviews.

Okay, that is all for now... I'm going to work on sending more cover letters and resumes to principals. Enjoy today's beautiful weather.

Really, REALLY?!!?!?!?

2009-03-05T17:56:00.000-08:00

Hello all you readers out there that read the latest and greatest of my blog entries.

It is March 5th. Scary thought, I know. I'm sitting in my apartment relaxing, such a foreign word to this year. I feel like I never really stop. Even when I'm sleeping, I'm running through in my head what I have to do the next day.

There are a stack of papers staring at me right now (my kids would say I found SMAPHO. And I would receive a penny for that last sentence), waiting anxiously to see if they will receive any purple ink marks. (side note. I don't like grading in red. I would rather grade in purple or green).

It is FINALLY Spring Break. Today was the longest of days. My kids had the jitters. Nobody could sit down. They received their progress reports for this nine weeks this week. A good chunk of them aren't doing too hot. Due to the fact that they never turn in their assignments. Even daily assignments (you would think daily assignments would be easier to do. We do it together in class. The only task that they have is to follow along, ask questions when needed and turn it into the tray for their class period. Apparently that is a hard task for a nine year.

The task of writing your name on your paper is hard too. It's two words you have heard from day one and somehow we can't get the pencil on the top of the paper to write these down. On average, when I'm grading 78 papers from them, I will have 14 that don't have names. Having 78 students, there is no way that I can decipher their hand writings. Especially when they are circling letter choices. But o do they have attitudes when their work is missing. These last two days, I would read off who had missing work and my kids would run up to me accusing me that I had lost their work or thrown it away. Then I would ask them to check their purple folder and wha-la, there it is, perfectly placed there as if the homework fairy had placed it there herself. If the fairy didn't give them fairy dust, I run off extra copies for them to do. They complain doing the same assignment twice but my statement is, would you rather have the zero or some credit?

Next week, I'm headed to Seattle slash Vancouver with the roommates plus Jenny and Melissa. I am SOOOOO EXCITED! It is going to be so much fun traveling to another country together.

Favorite Quote from today

Miss Chambers asks student: "Where are you going for Spring Break?"

Student: "I'm going to Memphis to see Elvis."

(puzzled look on my face)

Student: "You know, the King of Rock and Roll?"

Love Bugs

2009-02-19T20:24:00.001-08:00

I wasn't full teaching this week. It was a nice break from the hectic life of me trying to rally in my 4th graders from changing classes, marking charts of kids that aren't prepared/talking/throwing objects across the classroom/forget their homework. So I decided to brainstorm how to describe each of my class periods and this is what I came up with.

My 1st period are my Patty Procrastinators. I race the halls every week trying to gather all of the assignments that they haven't turn in on time. Their behavior charts resemble a mosaic of colorful "2's" and "3's."

My second period class are my hardest workers. They are good at following directions the first time and still "aim to please." If they could receive a TAKS score for their effort, they would have commended performance.

My 3rd period class are my frequent flyers. IF they earned points for how many times they came up for help, they could earn a trip to the North Pole to if Santa is real. Ironically, this is the cream of the crop group. They constantly question everything. You name it. They will ask it.

Attention Getters.My fourth period class is filled with class clowns. They are the quirkiest and most theatrical group. The class ratio is 13 boys and 7 girls. I often find the boys desperately trying to to get my my attention

One of my favorite parts of my career is the statement of fashion trends. In our 4th grade, we have it all. We have the t-shirt/jean short trend, we have the sunday dress and running shoes look, we got the more barrettes in one's hair than someone can count look, we have the socks that are pulled up to the calf look and even the argyle sweater and wind pants look. I love it. They are so confidence in their own fashion ways that they could care less what everyone thinks one of 4th graders.

One of my 4th graders yesterday asked me if my boyfriend's name was J Crew. I told him yes.

Snippets

2009-02-15T20:02:00.000-08:00

I can't remember the last time that I wrote a blurb about my whereabouts so before I hit the hay, I will give you brief snippets of my life and what it entails.

On Friday, I turned in my Teacher Work Sample. 62 pages double spaced with charts. Probably the most strenuous and insane project I have done to date. I had to write a unit covering either Science or Social Studies (I taught about Early Colonization in Texas) then devise learning goals that covered TEKS that also related to the Contextual Factors that were found in my class, teach the unit itself, produce a pre and post assessment to see what the raw scores of each of the learning gains were and after teaching the unit if they were any learning gains out of the students (I'm proud to say that all of my students had positive learning gains. I must be doing something right, eh?) discuss any changes that were made during the unit.....I think you get the idea. I'm glad it's done.

O yes, I have come to the realization that my favorite subject to teach in school is science. I love doing experiments with my kids. Next year, my goal is to have a garden somewhere at my school where my kids and I can learn about the growing process of different plants (ie. fruits and vegetables) and have a garden of our own. Wouldn't that be neat?

I have the Teacher Job Fair on March 4th. It's just around the corner and I haven't even begun thinking about it. Part of me is freaked out because all I hear about is how awful our economy is and how there are no jobs to be found and then the other part of me knows that I will find a job at the perfect little elementary school and will begin the great adventure of refining my teaching tactics to be one of those teachers that kids talk about at their high school graduations and how they made an impact on their lives. That's what I want to be. Pretty neat dream. You should jump on the band wagon. I'm pretty psyched.

Okay, that's all for now. Until next time...

My Heart and Soul Poured Out Into Words

2009-01-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

In my senior year at Baylor, I have the opportunity to work with a group of incredible fourth grade students. During my experience in the classroom this year, I have begun my lifelong journey in becoming the educator that I dream of being. An interaction with a student that touched my heart was with a boy who has Asperberger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism in which the student lacks appropriate expression and has difficulty interacting with peers. One day in class, I was searching for an overhead sheet with math vocabulary and he came up from behind me. I asked him if he needed anything and he stated that he just wanted to give me a hug. As he was running back to his seat, I realized why I had chosen this profession as a career.

My philosophy of education is to develop children's faith within themselves. I believe that in order for a student to be successful, he or she must have the confidence to accomplish their dreams. As an elementary teacher, I have learned the depth of children's vulnerability. They cannot have faith in themselves if we don't have faith in them as educators. Regardless of what learning styles a child possesses, I do believe that each student is capable of reaching his or her potential. It is up to us as teachers to instill students' full capacity and celebrate their unique personalities while inside the classroom. My goal is to teach with authenticity. Faith in my students is an expression of my love for them. Each child has something to offer. It is up to a teacher to allow students to explore their gifts.

New Year, Goals are in Place, Dreams Waiting to be Reality

2009-01-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

Today is my last day in Plano. I leave for Waco tomorrow. It's has been a superb Christmas break. Confession. I was a little apprehensive at the beginning of the break. I was technically done the Tuesday before Thanksgiving so I thought it was going to move slow like pond's water (that's a common phrase that comes out of my mom's mouth. Something moving as slow as pond's water. I've never personally sat by a pond to see how slow the water actually moves but I'm taking my mom's word on it. She's usually right about things).

Like others, I have tried to make a list of New Year's Resolutions to accomplish before I'm doing another countdown and wondering who is going to be the lucky man to receive a New Year's kiss. Here is what I have come up with so far.

1. Graduate - I feel like this is a given. Something that is sitting on a silver platter that I will pick up on May 16th. But it's not! I still have 15 weeks of my internship, science seminar, Teacher Work Sample and evaluations done by mentor teachers.

2. Find a Job-this is one of my resolutions that is dicey. I know, there are so many teaching jobs in every district, you have nothing to worry about, blah blah blah. But mind you, there are thousands of college graduates doing the exact same thing I am doing right now. Fighting for the same jobs that I am. Everyone dreams of having their perfect job. Being in an elementary school that feels like a hand in a glove. But you have to stand out a little bit more than the rest. That's what I've been picking my mind at during Christmas break. What can make me, Claire Chambers, stand out a little bit more than the others?

I think the fact that I have had a year long internship at a elementary school for student teaching will get the ball rolling for being unique in a line-up of college graduates. Many education majors only work with a class for merely 15 weeks. But Baylor seeks to have college graduates from the school of education to work with a class for a school year. While in my internship, I have worked with 80 kids (4 different homeroom classes rather than one), and also have taught different subject to another 60 kids (the other 3 homeroom classes at Spring Valley). This makes teaching 140 kids (soo many names) and working alongside 7 different teaching styles. Pretty neat, eh?

Since I've been at Baylor, I have working in every area of my degree. Freshman year, I worked with a 1st grader named Stephanie Nava, Sophomore year, I worked in a kindergarten class at Bells Hills Elementary, Junior year I taught 2nd grade (the best grade) in the Fall, and 3rd grade in the Spring. And this year, I'm teaching 4th grade. So my EC-4 degree will show evident that I've dapped into each area.

Whew, maybe one of my new year's resolutions should be to move onward. Not freak out but take what I have and run with it.

Sounds good.

O, something yall can think about. In an elementary class, there is a theme to the room. When I think back to what I enjoyed in elementary school, I think of ballet, the color pink and American Girl dolls. Not too great for a class theme. Do you guys have any ideas on what could be fun for an elementary school class???

Getting Through The Growing Pains

2009-01-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy 2009!!

I cannot believe it's 2009. I'm still in a state of shock. I remember being a senior in high school and saying, "Yes, I DO know where I'm going. Baylor University, class of 2009!" And here we are, in the last semester of college. I can't believe it and I don't think I will ever be able to believe it.

I'm heading down to Waco on Friday. My little sister, Grace, is transferring to the best place on Earth that day and has transfer orientation so I'm going down to help her move into Collins. (Yes, she will be a Collins girl. Let's see how she does, eh?)

I've applied for Certification over the break and got fingerprinted as well. I've been working on job applications for Plano, Frisco, Richardson and Highland Park. It's so surreal though. It's definitely exciting because I'm getting closer to achieving one of my dreams but also it's closing a chapter of my life that I have loved so much and beginning the next.

I've also began working on my Teacher Work Sample. It's a project that as Education majors we have to turn in and get a particular grade on it before we graduate. If the graders do not believe that we have earned the grade that is needed to pass, we have to write another one. Lame, I know.

There are 7 steps to the entire project.

1. Contextual Information and Learning Environment Adaptations. Here, I need to explain relevant factors nad how they may affect the teaching-learning process. Include any supports and challenges that affect instruction and student learning (ie. gender, achievement level, racial backgrounds, etc.).
2. Unit Learning Goals and Objectives-listing the learning goals (which are TEKS, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) that will guide planning, delivery, and assessment of my unit. Objectives for each goals, types/levels of goals, how they are appropriate with pre-requiste knowledge, skills and other student's needs.
3. Assessment Plan/Rubric
4. Instructional Design and Implementation
5. Instructional Decision-Making
6. Analysis of Learning Results
7. Reflection and Self-Evaluation

And they say education is the least amount of work when it comes to majors. Bahahahahaaha

shabam! I learned the dance to "All My Single Ladies"

2008-12-29T11:06:00.000-08:00

By popular demand (aka. Christy Davis) I'm writing maybe my last blog post of 2008.

Does anyone else feel like they just mastered writing the perfect 8 in 2008 and now it's time to write 2009?

I met Chris from SYTYCD last weekend. He dated one of my ballet friends at SMU. I tried to play it cool when we exchanged introductions but inside I was like "OMGOSH!!! You know the love of my life, Gev!" Of course my ballet buds read right through me and exchanged glances back and forth at me. Chris and I are now friends on facebook. It's pretty rad.

I love seeing the girls that I danced with. We try to see each other twice a year when we are all home for breaks. Brittany is a dance major at SMU, Hilary is a musical theatre major at Boston Conservatory and Elizabeth is a history major at Princeton. Although we are all over the place, it's like we never skip a beat when we see each other. I think that what true friends can have. Being able to not see each other for a long period of time and then pick up where they left off when they see each other again.

They were my rat pack when I was the aspiring ballet dancer. We were with each other through all of the blood (yes, blood. I have a collect of pointe shoes I've bleed through and there were there with the advil, masking tape and cotton balls to fill in our shoes to mask the pain), sweat and tears. They are wonderful.

One of my favorite things about us is that when we are together, we unintentionally dance wherever we go. True story. We are walking into a bar on McKinney Ave and Beyonce's "Single Ladies" dance. I've sat in front of a computer for hours at a time trying to perfect the dance so then I can I know it but long behold, all four of us know it by heart and procede to perform right there in the club. Ah, it was great. We are laughing hysterically knowing that everyone there must think we are crazy. Little did they know, they are the crazy ones for not knowing such a hot dance.

I've been working on applications for jobs over the break. It's stressful. I keep thinking how many teachers are there wanting jobs? Hundreds. How will I stand out in a sea of them? I have no idea. Still working that one out. Maybe I should perform "All My Singles Ladies" for them. That might my foot in the door. haha, jk.

On a spontaneous note, I've realized that dancing is still a huge part of what feds my spirit. I feel like I have closed the book on something that still had chapters that needed to be written. Dancing somehow rejunevates my soul in a way that I can't describe in words. I miss wearing a leotard and tights in a studio while there are bullets of sweat streaming down my face. When I finally get settled in my new life after May, I'm finding a studio to dance. Who knows, maybe I will perfect my skills in order to audition for SYTYCD. That would be wild.

Hope all is well with everyone that reads my random thoughts.

Love,
Claire

Tis the Season to Be Sensational

2008-12-22T07:40:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas on Thursday and I can harely believe it. It feels like yesterday when I was turning 21 and I was a running around as Raphael (TMNT, duh).

This Christmas break has been going splendid. In ways, I thought it was going to be a little bit of a drag because I finished school/classes on November 25th (okay, technically I had one more day to take an ESL final, but I don't really count that) so for the total, I will have 7 weeks off for Christmas! INSANE, I know. But surprisely, it hasn't been slow at all!

I have been living in my favorite store for the majority of the time working and being prep. I have mentioned them before, but I do love my c0-workers. They are absolutely hilarious. It's not every day when you get to dance to "All My Single Ladies" with a bunch of boys while we are supposed to be folding our chinos correctly and put tissue in our neatly folded cashmere sweaters. Those boys have some moves.

Christopher, from the CREW, is going to teach hip hop classes sometime over the break and wants me to come in and teach a master ballet class. How fun would that be? Cody is coming too, to take a class from his fav "firecracker teacher." That's my nickname at J CREW. Firecracker.

Seeing old friends from high school has been great too. Fran is exactly the same. Such a sweet heart. Stephen and Fran are still best friends and get soo excited to see each other when I bring Fran as a surprise when we all go out. Stephen is notorious for remembering facts about my life that I don't even remember happening. (We met in Sunday School when my mom was our teacher. He's one of my friends that sat through Nutcrackers, recitals and DCF performances growing up.) Kelsey is more hilarious than ever. Love her. Who would have thought the kid that I sat next to in my 3rd grade class would be one of my best friends? Funny how life is. And o yes, she wants to move back to Dallas after we graduate (she's an interior design major at OU).

I've put it off long enough but I'm beginning to dive into the search of elementary schools around the metroplex. It's scary, not going to lie. I truly feel like I am playing "grown up." I've also been apartment looking. My mom and dad loaded up Grace and me and we went down memory lane with them to their first apartment (they met and lived in Dallas right when they got married). My mom was crying saying "o Tom, let's be young again! Oh, how I wish we were still in our 20's," while my dad is pointing out his favorite places to eat and hang out. My mom on the other hand was telling me where she had to sell her first car (behind some dumpster) and where she and my dad went on dates. They were cute. But it's not that surprisely, they are still pretty adorable. It's so funny to think how opposite they are. My mom was a buyer for woman's bags that she sold in Italy in her impecable fashion trends, full of sass and wit while my dad wore thick rimmed glasses, birkenstocks and made his own yogurt and juice in his apartment and took off weeks at a time in the summer go hike and camp. They are fun.

O yea, since I have been home, Dad and I have been on a search for decent icecream places here in Dallas. We have discovered a Ben and Jerry's place in Plano. Sadly, though, they don't have Coffee Heath Bar Crunch.

6 Interesting Facts

2008-12-15T17:35:00.000-08:00

So Laura tagged me in this thing on her blog about six random facts about yourself. I decided that since I am one of the most electic people to come across, I might as well spit out six facts about myself. Let's see if you already knew these about me!

1. I'm left handed
2. I can only wink my right eye
3. I don't know how to parallel park
4. My middle name is Gilmore
5. I have the same birthday at Jennifer Aniston
6. I have given roses to Julie Kent (the ballerina who dances with Cooper Nelson in Center Stage. She was Juliet and he was Romeo) for a performance called Titus in Dallas.

Insert Witty and Totally Awesome Title Here

2008-12-10T10:41:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Hope everyone's Dead Days are going splendid. Splendid might not be the word that you would choose to describe your days of grueling work and reading chapter after chapter in your textbooks but you are almost done and Christmas is almost here!

I came into Dallas on Sunday morning for a shift at 11. Apparently anyone who is a die heart Northpark shopper doesn't go to church on Sunday because I struggled with finding a parking spot. On a Sunday morning! Isn't that insane? J Crew was filled with woman carrying cashmere scarfs and cable sweaters when I walked in. It was a fun shift. Filled with my co-workers's hilarious life stories that make you fall to the floor laughing.

This week, I've actually gotten a chunk of hours from J Crew which is wonderful because I honestly don't know what I would be doing with myself otherwise. There was a rollout on Sunday night which means that you have a shift from 9pm till 9am. During this time, you take everything off the floor so it can be shipped out to the outlet mall, unbox everything that has come in that day and put it on the floor by following the pictures that the headquarters in New York City has sent us. It's fun. I've done it once when we got our new Fall collection in.

I'm a full blown J Crew associate these days. Meaning I can tackle the woman's dressing room with ease by putting everything back on the floor where it belongs, I can help the damsel in distress purchasers in the back of the store when they come in solely to buy new pants because their trousers have huge holes in them, the cashier no longer is a threat towards me because I have had a crash course lesson on the ins and outs of giftcards, credit card purchases, how to use Northpark gold, do returns, send out packages in the mail, have gift receipts for multiple gifts...I'm basically unstoppable. Who knows, maybe J Crew wants me to become a manager and then one day move up to New York City to be a buyer.

On a better note, I am receiving the greatest gift for Christmas. My little sister, Grace, is going to be attending Baylor next Spring. She is transfering from her school in Mississippi and coming to live in Waco. I'm so incredibly excited. It will be the perfect end to my four years here in one of my favorite places on Earth.

Okay, that's about it. O yea, somehow Grace and I will have ESP moments because she called me a few days ago to ask if I had found the Beyonce video online for "Put a Ring on It" because she has been practicing the dance in her dorm room. Sound familiar? haha.

Two in One Day

2008-12-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

I know, I'm one of the lamest people ever for posting twice in one day but Autumn (one of the teachers that I teach with at Spring Valley) made a list of things that she was thankful for and I decided to create my own too!

Things that I am Thankful For

1. Paperclips (if you are an intern too, you know why this is number one)
2. My mom's laugh
3. My little sister
4. Crisp fall weather
5. J Crew catalogs
6. Dark chocolate m&m's
7. Running Shoes
8. Christmas music
9. Lofties
10. Spontaneous Dance Parties
11. Jason Mraz
12. Central Market
13. My dad's sense of humor
14. High heels
15. EZ Graders
16. Baylor
17. My friends that make my life so entertaining
18. Children's Books
19. My 4th graders
20. Photographs
21. White Out
22. Burberry Brit
23. The Office
24. Being a brunette

Rounding to the Last Lap

2008-12-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

Hello Readers (Man, I still hope there are some readers out there because I do enjoy being read about. I should have finished living the dream of being famous).

I'm sitting in Plano right now. Unlike the rest of my fellow Senior Friends, I have just one more test to take (this Thursday in ESL) and then I'm home free. So I really didn't have anything to run back to Waco to do. It's so strange being done with teaching. I woke up this morning at 8:45 thinking omgosh, 1st period is almost over and I'm still in bed. Wait, I don't have to be at school. I'm still insync with the schedule that I lived Monday-Friday this semester so it's going to take some adjusting.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. My family and I (including our golden retriever, Spencer) participated in the Turkey Trot. I think Spencer had the most fun out of any of us. We then came home and had Thanksgiving at our house. On Friday, I worked at J Crew for the infamous Black Friday. It was insane. I have never seen so many people in one place before in my life. You would have thought that we were handing out cashmere cardigans for free.

During Winter Break, I am going to continuing my rockstar status at J Crew. I really enjoy working there. It might be the fact that I get to straighten clothes all day. Or help ridiculously good looking boys in thick rhimmed glasses, argyle sweaters and scruffy faces or the fact that my male co-workers insist that we play "dress up" during our shifts meaning that they pick out clothes that they think are cute (both guys and girls because everyone knows I love guy clothes. alot) and then I run into a dressing room, throw it on, and model it for a while for customers. It's fun.

O yea, we have headsets now at J Crew. They are neat-ish. I wore one today while I was working and looked ridiculous. I would be talking to someone and all of the sudden, someone was screaming into my headset about some shenanigan going on. O zang.

And I absolutely love how cold it is outside. It's wonderful.

Coming to a Close

2008-11-19T19:32:00.001-08:00

I have three more days of my internship for the fall semester at Spring Valley and then I'm home free. Not going to lie, I'm thrilled about the fact that I won't have to leave my house at 7am for 6 weeks but I'm going to miss my students like crazy. I spend 32 hours a week with them so going from that to not seeing them at all is going to be so strange. I have found appreciation for many things because of them this year. I appreciate homemade homework assignments addressed to "Miss Chambers," I can now throw a football correctly, Hannah Montana is a rockstar along with the Jonas Brothers, cooties still exist and the "cootie shot" is still given...the list goes on.

I absolutely love them. I feel like saying "love" doesn't even begin to describe how much I care about them. I have really developed in the type of educator that I inspire to be over these last few months. I've learned to be stern when needed but also show my students that I love each and every one of them. Each of them is so incredible. So so incredible. I love their habits, their isms, the things that they find absolutely hilarious, their questions that make me laugh hard. They are so wonderful. I wish you (people who still read this) could meet them. They would make you smile.

Today, one of my kids came up to me during our Math test. He started coughing and sneezing at the same time while trying to ask a question and I found it to be hilarious so I burst out laughing during the test. Real mature, I know but if you knew Cory just his stance and his humor and personality cracks me up. I interrupted my students' concentration but o well. I told them "I'm sorry but I think I have lost my mind over the course of this semester." And they asked if they could lose their mind too. :)

Today was Abby's birthday. Matthew Sumrall wrote her a love letter and song. Pretty cute if you ask me. She was totally embarrassed and he has no idea that 99.9% of the fourth grade knows about it. Tomorrow should be fun.

O yea, I'm going to InterSpace Caverns tomorrow on a field trip with my kids. It's an hour and a half cave tour. Bus ride will be long but worth it. Good stories should be coming in tomorrow. Hopefully no bats will attack me while I am in there with them.

There's Nothing Fancy

2008-11-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

I just got home from eating dinner at Baris for Molly's birthday. It was so nice to see people that I don't see during the week and catch up with them. The topic of subject over dinner was post-graduation plans. The majority of the friends at the table have a handful of options, sometimes them ending with "eventually" (eventually I will go to grad school, eventually I will find a job I love, etc.).

But with me, it's different. I'm bursting from the inside out when the question of post-graduation is posed on me because I love telling what my heart is saying and it tells me that I am called to be a teacher. An educator. A selfless career whose greatest award is when my past students come and visit my classroom to tell me what dreams they are following when they began listening to their hearts.

I couldn't have picked a better fitting career for myself for so many reasons. I love children. Absolutely love them. I love their topics of interest, their innocent questions, their simplistic views on life, their uncontrollable laughter when you least expect it and their genuine love. Today, I had my 2nd formal evaluation from Ms. Cox. She expressed in my write up how I have developed such a strong relationship with my students. She told me how neat it was that I could tell her little details about each of my students even when I have 80 of them. In turn, the relationship is recripricol. I have a folder filled with letters from my students that I find tucked within my papers that they hide for me to find when I get home at the end of the day. Bliss. Absolute Bliss.

One of my students has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. It's a mild form of audism where you struggle with social interaction, lack empathy for others and might get aggregated easily in simple situations. My student never smiles. He always looks mad at the world and depressed which is horrible saying he is only nine. Today, though, was different. I was up in the front of the room searching for the transparency of vocabulary for the students to copy down and he came up behind me and put his arms on my back. I stood up and asked him if he had a question for me. He stated, "I was just trying to give you a hug, Miss Chambers." My eyes teared up and I opened up my arms for one of the greatest bear hugs that I have ever received. Today made me realize that there is nothing fancy about teaching. It's what I am called to do.

Gilmore Girls

2008-11-10T15:41:00.001-08:00

It's November 11th. In three months, I will be 22. Pretty neat stuff.

This week is my last week of full teaching. Today, I introduced traditional multiplication to my 4th graders. They freaked out. Had all of these questions of "why this and why not that" and after teaching it 4 times today, I'm exhausted. I have learned the beauty of not having to talk. And PTA luncheons. And nights when there are not any papers to grade.

Last weekend, I went to Dallas. I went to the Symphony on Friday night. Absolutely beautiful. The Myerson is beautiful and the fact that I got to get dressed up. Perfection. Then Tinsley came in on Saturday and we went to Northpark. Shopped, had dinner and hit up lower Greenville for Justin's birthday. It was fun. AND I did NOT get lost on the way home! It was such a weird situation. I have my dad on speed dial for a reason. To help me find where I am in Dallas.

I have 9 days left of teaching for my internship this semester. It is definitely bitter-sweet. I absolutely adore each and every one of my kids (remember there are 80. Lots of names. Lots of personality. Lots of ridiculousness). But it will be great not having to leave my house at 7 in the morning and getting home around 4. I have been stretched further than I have ever thought I would this semester. So many unique situations have happened this year. My eyes have really opened up to different teaching ventures once May rolls around. I think it would be incredible to teach overseas. Finding teaching positions is the tricky part. But I think it would be incredible.

Over halfway there

2008-10-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have completed nine weeks of teaching for my internship year. From day one, I feel like I have been on a roller coaster. I had no idea what to expect what it was going to be like, teaching all day. My brain feels like it's bursting with knowledge which is interesting because I don't have textbooks to read and study. It's all just what I do day in and day out. I've learned more than I ever imagined when I got my placement in August. I have a list of ideas of what I am going to do when I have my own classroom in less than a year. Wow, wrap your mind around that. In less than a year, I will be in full control of what students' success will be. Nervous? Absolutely. Excited? 110%. Ready? Almost, but not quite.

I have fallen in love with 4th grade. I could totally see myself being a 4th grade teacher one day. I love the fact that you can be sarcastic with your students. And I love how they can carry a normal conversation with you. It's great. They are so fun. They make my day everyday. It's never a dull moment when I go to school in the morning. The constant questions that I get are "Are you married?" and "Do you have a boyfriend?" I feel like I have single plastered on my forehead because my roommates have significant others, but apparently to them, I seem like I'm not.

Students still get crushes on their teachers. Kristina, my partner in crime in 4th grade, is Miss Pretty to Matthew O'Bryant and I'm the future Mrs. Calhoun to Andy. They still give out cooties shots, which is one of my favorite parts of recess. The girls distributing cooties shots while my boys are playing football.

One of the neatest things that I have learned from me is how they still believe in loving people for who they are. They are the age before people begin poking fun at others for their differences or call out on imperfections. They love each other deep down and it's soo refreshing. I think that's why I'm drawn to my career.

Okay, I've got to start grading my stack of papers. 4 homework assignments for each student times 80 students, then dividing each group of papers for every students by 4 to get an average homework grade for the week, plus alphabetizing them to transport the information into the grade book is my first activity of the weekend. I have two sticky notes in my planner of things I have to get done. Stressful but I still love it. Alot.

Oh I wish I were a punk rocker with Flowers in my hair

2008-10-19T11:39:00.000-07:00

Tis the end of Fall Break Day slash weekend. Elise, Rach, Tins and I went to New Orleans for Fall Break. It was incredible. I have never laughed so hard in the last 72 hours in my life. And that's a bold statement because laughter tends to fall out of my mouth fairly easily. (side note. Laura, we talked about you constantly. We would listen to your song that you have on burned CD's floating around our apartment so it was like you were with us. :) ) Tinsley's parents took us around New Orleans. We went to various coffee shops, boutiques, watched Sex and The City (we don't have television/cable so it was a big deal for us), piled in the Whole Foods bathroom together because we are ridiculous and can't wait our turns when it is a one person bathroom, thrift stores, Bourbon Street, ate an amazing meal at Tinsley's brother's house. It was perfect. It was exactly what we all needed.

Nothing beat though, the four of us running through the airport because we were late constantly. bahaha. At one point, we had lost Rachael and Elise was in a wheelchair because her knee so an airport worker came up to us and told us to climb aboard her the bus thing that takes you from one place to another. Tinsley, Elise and I piled on with our driver lady to go on search of Rachael and long behold, we found Rachael walking out of the restroom. The driver goes "Rachael! Jump on!" It was funny. Then we had to race over to the terminal because we were the last ones to board (we lost track of time while eating scones from Starbucks, although we had a bag of them that Tinsley's mom made us).

I love them. My roommates. They are pretty incredible. They make life so much more enjoyable.

Fall is Approaching

2008-10-05T18:36:00.001-07:00

So it's been forever and a day (maybe more than a day) since I have written on my blog. I have begun full teaching, which is mix of nerves, patience, creativity and agility (or lack there of). Every time that I stand in front of my students and I teach, I feel like a total rookie. I hear myself giving directions and instructing a lesson and at the same time, I'm thinking "man, this could totally be better if I did (insert new and improved idea). But that's what an internship is all about, right? I have learned more this year than I have learned in my previous three years. Intern year has really broken me apart and made me get out of my comfort zone. I am doing things that I never imagined myself doing which is really neat. Maybe I am cut out to be a teacher.

Since I only have one night class, I have some free time every now and then. I am reading The Witch of Portobello. Laura recommended it to me. I'm really enjoying it. There is one particular quote that has really stuck out to me. It is:

"Dance until you are so out of breath than your body is forced to obtain oxygen some other way, and it is that, in the end, that will cause you to lose your identity and your relationship with space and time. Dance only to the sound of percussion; repeat the process every day; knowing that, at a certain moment, your eyes will, quite naturally, close, and you will begin to see a light that comes from within, a light that answers your questions and develops your hidden powers."

Back in the day I danced. And in ways, I wish I could drop everything and go and audition for companies across the nation, have leading roles in Swan Lake and Giselle and travel to the Paris Opera House and dance in front of thousands of people. It's still one of my dreams. To dance in some shape of form. I've had the dream since I was a little kid and I feel in ways, the dreams that you had as a kid are never let go.

Perfect Despite Its Rough Edges

2008-09-20T11:06:00.001-07:00

I'm about to embark on writing a set of full week lessons, but I feel the urge to blog before so here I go. P.S. before I begin (actually a p.s. should be at the end but I like drumming to my own beat) I want to give a shout out to Laura's mom. Thanks for reading about my ridiculous thoughts!

Last week, we started Scattergories. We break the 140 kids in fourth grade up into different groups to work on Math and Reading. Math is on Mondays and Tuesdays. Reading is Wednesdays and Thursdays. During this time (12-12:30, in between specials and lunch), we go over TAKS practice problems and work on students' writing because they are taking the TAKS writing test this spring. My math group of students is made up of kids who didn't pass the TAKS test, but passsed between the skin of their teeth the second time. They struggle immensely with basic skills that should have be learned (ex. they are still using their fingers and toes to find what 8 + 7 is). The group of kids that I work with in reading, I've been told, are the ones that probably won't pass the TAKS test at all due their differences in learning styles (ie. dyslexia, adhd, etc.) On Thursday, we discussed the differences with fact or opinion. After going through some examples, I had them write out their own fact and opinion and share with the group what they wrote and then we would decide whatever statement was a fact or an opinion. My student couldn't write a full sentence. The thoughts were just jumbled pictures with letters.

The one thing that sticks out to me to be the most frustrating part of new part of my day in teaching is the fact that someone didn't take the extra effort with these kids. I know I might be sounding too nieve; some of them have legit learning problems. But for the most part, these kids come from backgrounds of being ignored and pushed to the side. Why would anyone push aside someone's success?

Although it's challenging, it's absolutely perfect despite their rough edges. My kids were soo excited that I was their teacher during scattergories. Heath, one of the boys in my reading group, used to be in my 1st period class but now works with the math specialist during my teaching time. When he came into my class and found out that we would be working together alongside 6 others, he ran over to my group, grabbed the seat next to me, flashed a huge grin and wanted to tell me all about his day and what he had enjoyed most. This is why I love my job. Seeing the joy in my kids' eyes over the little things.

Okay, time to get started, but I wanted to share one of my crazy kid stories.

On Thursday, we were working on book work in Math. When one of the kids doesn't understand something, they come up to either Mrs. Mateleska's desk or mine and we work on the problem with them. During third period, I was helping Robert. I looked behind him and there were 6 boys lined up behind him; Bryce, Ryan, Preston, Mitchell, Matthew and Andy. Bekah was working with Mrs. Mateleska. Mrs. Mateleska looks at me and then looks at the boys and says, "Now, boys. Do you really need help or are you lined up to ask Miss Chambers a question because you think she is pretty?" All of the boys' ears turned bright and they ran back to their seats. haha.

Ah, to be in 4th grade again.

Jumbled Thoughts

2008-09-14T17:24:00.000-07:00

So I've attempted to do some homework this afternoon slash weekend, but my brain is everywhere. I think it's part of that time of our lives. Trying to figure out what we are going to do after we are handed our diplomas. Personally, I feel like I have taken this huge hunk of life and can barely chew on it let alone swallow it.

It's a whole new level of stress this year. Deciding what career path to take. Then there's trying to figure out how I will support myself. Then there is where am I going to live? Who else is thinking about living there? Am I going on a crazy idea that should be more grounded? What if it doesn't work out the way I have planned it will in my head? Just a handful of things that keep me laying in bed at night.

I have decided to apply for Teaching in Thailand. Part of me wants to chase an adventure. I would love to have the opportunity to teach a foreign country. I feel like it would make me a stronger teacher coming back to states from working with kids that are from a totally different culture from one that I have been accustomed to. Plus, as my dad would say, I can eat all of the Pad Thai I want. (He's a funny one).

Lighter note. My kids rock. I have realized from teaching that being 21, I have lost a part of me that was so genuine. The heart of a kid. My students don't stress out nearly as much as I do. Their biggest concern is "omgosh, Miss Chambers!! My pencil has broken. What do I do now?" or "Miss Chambers! I have run out of room on my sheet of notebook paper! What do I do?" (never dawns on them to simply turn the paper over, haha). They don't pet the small things. They enjoy the moment more. They believe that they are invincible and that they can conquer whatever their heart is set on, from beating everyone in the class in "Around the World" to dominating at Dodge Ball during recess.

Another fabulous aspect of my kids is that there is such a sense of community amongst them. One of my favorite things to do during my day is watching them interact with each other; from working in groups during class to listening to conversations that they carry with each other during lunch. The majority of them have been at Spring Valley since kindergarten so they been in class with each other for the last 5 years. They have such a sense of love for each other. It's so neat. They look past each other differences and just accept each other for who they are. They see each other's strengths and help each person strive to be the best that they can possibly be. And they are only 9!! Incredible little people. I just wish yall could see and experience what I do everyday. It's quite possibly the best thing ever.

Selfish vs. Selfless

2008-09-08T20:26:00.000-07:00

Today was completely and utterly a Monday with a capital "M."

It rained today. Most of the time I think "ah, we need the rain because it's been so hot and and things will finally cool off." And plus I absolutely love the scent of rain. It's such a wonderful mixture of clean and refreshness. But today, the teacher inside of me said "crap, it's raining. What the heck am I going to do with my 4th graders?" They didn't get the chance to release their energy from sitting in a desk for the majority of the day so they were stuck with me in the classroom playing board games during recess. It was fun, but I felt completely out of control. It was hard to bring back all of the kids to get them ready for 4th period. P.S. I taught solely today during 4th period and felt like a complete idiot. They were my GT kids (Gifted and Talented) which means they love correcting the teacher.

It's quite an art form, teaching that is. I feel like many people don't fully grasp what it means to be a teacher, especially in the early grades (K-4th). Some people have the notion that we are babysitters, making sure that they color in between the lines and cut out shapes for them for math. But you people out there that are reading this and are believers of the previous statement are clearly mistaken.

Education is one of the most selfless professions to pursue. You climb out of your bubble of your own selfish needs and put a class full of bright eyed students in front. You are constantly working toward success for someone else. You bend over backwards trying to explain knowledge to someone who doesn't understand the way you understand. Believe me, I can't even begin to tell you how many different ways I have learned to teach a simple task like multiplication.

You learn to look past your own selfishness in so many ways. You stay after school to help that kid who doesn't understand their homework. You are a ear to listen to for a kid who is crying because they were chosen last during kickball at recess. You are the answer to all questions, regardless if you are 100% confident behind your answer or not. You are a role model for students who come from a rocky family life. You build a relationship of trust and love for each student, regardless if they are the brightest kid in your class or the one who is in the back row not paying attention at all.

But with all this venting, I couldn't see myself doing anything else. I know that my heart is in the right place. Now it is just a matter of finding the location of where I will take my dream.

J'Adore La Clase De Quatre

2008-09-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

Since I never see anyone these days, I am going to keep writing on my blog so if you are interested, you can read bits and pieces of what I am up to. It's pretty rad.

Tonight I had my ESL class. It's really interesting. Goodness in a class for sure, kind of how my Social Issues in Education class was last Spring. For the class, we have to tutor through the LEAF program with children who don't have English as their first language. I feel like this will give me an opportunity to get my feet wet in teaching non-english speaking children and seeing if I am a fit for this type of teaching style.

Also today, I tried to jot down all of my students' names to see if I knew them all. We are having Parent Night next Thursday and I will be mortified if one of my students runs up to me to introduce me to their parents and I have no idea what their first name is. In case, you didn't know, I only teach Math this fall. Instead of having just one class, I have four. My students names include:

Xavier, Jaslynn, Andy, Austin, Lance, Abby, Katelyn, Lauren, Eddie, Sean, Kylah, Jailene, Iris, Hallie, Marc, Erin, Garreth, Anna, Ethan, Matthew, Garrett, Tyler, Eve, Emaleigh, Paxton, Zack, Teddy, Jayda, Desiree, RJ, Casey, Corey, Heath, Becca, Megan, Samantha, Emily, Ethan, Eric, Ryan, Bryce, Robert, Gage, Areon, Nathan, Joseph, Daniel, Rachael, Lauren, Amy, Gillian, Kenzie, Callie, Hannah, Ailyn, Travis, Paul, Hannah, Mitchell, Matthew, Preston, Alex, Kat, Fallyn, Abida, Mackenna, Daniel, Matthew and Ryan.

I know I'm forgetting 6 names and it's driving me nuts who I am forgetting.

They are funny. My fourth graders. It's so fun. Teaching that is. Everyday I get a joke told to me by Teddy from The Joke Book that he carries around, I have a hold my breath contest with Sean to see who can hold their breath longer, Abby tells me about her ballet classes, Paxton shows me his very best "monkey" face, Austin has a new idea of what he wants to be for Halloween... the list can go on an on because although it may look like a long list of names, each one of them have a unique personality that helps me the teacher learn their names faster. I adore them. They make life more fun.

What Blows...

2008-09-02T20:29:00.000-07:00

Getting sick for teaching my ridiculous 4th graders. A handful have been sneezing and blowing their noses since the beginning of school. Of course, none of that goes into consideration when they come at me with arms open for big hugs and passing pencils back and forth when I'm trying to explain a math method in a different way. And here I am with a running nose and sneezing constantly. But it's okay. I will just have an amazing immune system by the end of the year.

P.S. 4th graders are scandalous. One of my students made a "That's What She Said" comment during writing/spelling class. No 9 year old should understand the connotation behind "that's what she said."

P.P.S. One of my kids threw up today. It was for a time one of my biggest fears about teaching. Having one of my kids throw up in class. Luckily she grabbed the trash can just in time. And ran down the hall with the trash can wrapped in her arms to the nurse. The fear is now gone. Whew. I'm should be called "FearLESS Miss Chambers." haha jk. There still is a long list of questions slash events that I've afraid of a student asking me like...

1. Why does my friend have two daddies/two mommies?

2. One of my kids getting a huge gash in their arm and bleeding badly

3. Where do you go when you die? (The only reason that I'm adding this question to my list is it is such a touchy subject to talk about in public schools.)

It's only been a week, but I have already learned so much about teaching especially with situations that I have never experienced before until now. Everything that I have learned only makes me love what my future holds even more.

Addendum to Blog Post

2008-08-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

I have realized that teaching children is where my career path is pointing 110%. I absolutely love it. I feel totally in my element when I'm standing in front of a class giving a lesson, reading a story to a group of kids and answering endless lists of questions. There is nothing like having a light bulb finally go off in a student's head over something that they have never understood or if they lacked confidence in mastery it. It doesn't matter how early I have to get to school to tutor a student, how much patience a student will test with me when they feel the need to be completely obnoxious or how long it takes for each of my students to be picked up in the carpool in over a hundred degree weather, it's absolutely worth it. I wouldn't change a single thing about it.

A Day Filled With Bottomless Bliss

2008-08-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day as Miss Chambers, the 4th grade teacher at Spring Valley Elementary.

One word: Perfect

I got to school at 7:30 this morning (yes, I know. Nobody in the right mind would be up at this hour, but a select few of us have a heart to teach and I've got a big one that is bursting at the seams).

My 19 students filed into my class around 7:50. Nervousness was plastered all over their faces. They didn't know what to expect or how the day was going to go. Little did they know that I felt the exact same way. My teacher, Mrs. Mataleska (try saying that name 6 times) introduced herself and welcomed everyone to 4th grade. After introductions, she states "Now, if you turn your chairs around you will find Miss Chambers, my wonderful Intern!" 38 eyeballs were instantly on me. scary thought. I then walked to the front of the class and did a mini get to know you worksheet where I would state a fact and the kids would decide if it was true or false. We then went around the room and everyone would say one introducing fact about themselves. My kids are wonderful. Full of zest of spunk.

The morning was filled with handing out textbooks, labeling school supplies, finding homes for their backpacks and lunch boxes and learning the different procedures for school. Next came specials where they went to each of their specials' teachers (music, art, pe, and technology). During this hour, Mrs. Mateleska and I sat and tried to compose our sanity. After that, we went to lunch, recess, ran through our schedules (I actually teach 76 students) and then car pool duty (100 degree weather, outside for an hour. sounds like a ball, eh?)

Overall, it was the perfect beginning to a wonderful day. Everyone should change their major to education.

Miss Chambers's 4th Grade Class at Spring Valley Elementary

2008-08-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

What a crazy last couple of days!

Tuesday, I came into Waco. All of my roommates came in that day as well (Tinsley, Elise, Laura and Rachael) and it was simply wonderful. It was like it was just an ordinary day, nothing has changed between us. Except the fact that we are all more beautiful and are wiser. Then Wednesday, I had my CPR Training here at school with 30 or so other fellow future teachers. It was so good to see people that I usually see everyday. We are a riot, the school of education. Full of zest and spunk. The poor teachers who were trying to administer the CPR training and we are trying to reenact crazy trauma stories with our dummies. haha, o the ridiculousness of the future teachers.

Then TODAY everyone got their placement for next year for their internship. You would have thought it was Christmas morning the way everyone was running around with sheets of paper telling what grade they were teaching and with what teacher. I am (drumroll please......teaching.......4TH GRADE! at Spring Valley Elementary. It's in Midway ISD. (sidenote. after I finish writing this post, I am going to have to venture out and find out where this school is located because I have no idea where Midway is on a map.) Today, we had our last intern orientation where they went through all of the calendar dates that for this school year, what is to be expected of us as educators, etc. etc. etc. Then, I met my mentor Baylor professor. She is the essence of Mr. Falker from Patricia Polacco's book (except that she is a girl and her name is Grady Cox). She is a delight. She gave all 20 of the interns a bottle of anti-bacterial to put on our desks (apparently we are going to get "teacher" desks next year) because she doesn't want to see any of her girls getting sick. And she is super chill and funny! I enjoy funny people.

But yes, I'm going to be having a year long internship this year. It's mind-boggling right now. All of my roommates have went out and bought their textbooks at the bookstore whereas I am filing out paperwork to get a teacher ID and making sure I know the guidelines on how to write my lessons. It's like everyone else is still a college student and me and the rest of the education majors are being all adult-like. Kinda crazy. But totally awesome at the time same. It's like a oxymoron. But here are some of the highlights for being an intern rather than just a normal everyday Baylor student that I feel the need to share.

1. We are done teaching the week before Thanksgiving and that's it! whereas everyone else will have finals to study for and the rest of us will have a month or so to do whatever we please. Same thing happens in the Spring ( we get done a month or so before everyone else). I will probably be substitute teaching in Midway ISD.

2. We observe both the school we are working for and Baylor's holidays.

3. Fridays we have off from teaching (we just have seminars that we have to go to.

4. We get to get dressed up everyday (okay, maybe not everyone likes this part but I absolutely love it. Dress code is pretty fierce in some school districts, especially for the boys that are teaching. A lot of school districts don't allow guys to have facial hair. It has to be clean shaven.

5. You get to do something all day everyday that you absolutely love

6. You have all of your education major sidekicks to help you when you freak out about writing a particular lesson plan.

7. There are parties in the elementary schools.

8. That's all I can think of right now. More will probably come to me when I have actually started teaching.

2008-08-20T18:54:00.000-07:00

Filled with Eagerness to Jump on 35 ASAP

2008-08-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

I don't even know if Eagerness is a word but I'm just going to roll with it.

TOMORROW. I'm going to WACOOOO. O my goodness. And I will see ELISE! My long lost love that I haven't seen in 9 months. (Side note. I got a wonderful voicemail from her the other night that consisted of her rambling about 6 different things. I didn't really understand half of what she was saying. It was goodness in a voicemail.) And LAURA and TINSLEY are coming home too!! Omgosh, tomorrow night I don't think I will sleep at all. It's just going to be one big dance party slash hugging and tears of joy slash adventure story telling slash jaws dropping to hear who has done what this summer (maybe I have some jaw dropping stuff to share with the lofites....who knows.... :) ) . Ah and RACHAEL will be back in a few days!!! Ahh I'm sooo excited!!!!!!

Thursday is also when I find out what grade/school I was being doing my internship with this year!!! Also exciting!! It's like waiting for Christmas. I have been window shopping this summer at teacher stories thinking about what grade I will get to teach this fall. I have a few ideas up my sleeve for some stellar lessons. I cannot wait to meet my students!!!

Okay, that's about it. I'm on a bliss high at the moment so I'm just going to leave this post at that. Ahh, it's going to be glorious from here on out. All of my favorite people are slowly coming back to Waco, I get to do what I love most for an entire year, and I get to spend all of it in one of my favorite places in the world. Doesn't get much better than that!!

The Little Things in Life

2008-08-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

I thought today was going to be just an ordinary day at Capital Title.

I was wrong.

I was researching Teach For America online and I was reading through the requirements of what you needed to apply. I then heard someone cough and I looked up. Matt and Parker were standing in the doorway of my office! I looked back at my computer and then thought, wait what? Matt and Parker. What are they doing at work? I look back at them and they are both standing there like little kids, not really knowing what to do with themselves in the office. I get up and we made some small talk. They had gone to lunch at Corner Bakery, so they decided to come visit me at work. (Actually, Matt said it was Parker's idea to come visit me at work, but I believe it was mutual). It definitely made my day.

For awhile, I've been anxious about the future. Not knowing what is going to happen in the next year after I gradute freaks me out. I hate not knowing the unknown. I wish I was sent a text message once a week that told me my future plans in pieces so in baby steps, I would know what was going to happen next in my life. But life doesn't work out that way. A friend once gave me this verse:

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

Easier said than done, right? But then I take a step back and ponder what I enjoy most about my life. It's definitely the small things. Like Matt and Parker coming to visit me. I think it's the small things that help us get through the rocky points. I sometimes overlook the wonderful blessings that I have given. Like my lofties. I could not have picked more wonderful girls to live with for three years. They are my strength and are so encouraging. I also adore my family. And teaching children. Silly, Claire. Too many things to appreciate to be distracted by worry.

Julia gave me this Spiritual Gift Analysis test. I took it yesterday during work. Here are my results (I think they are kind of interesting.) My top 5 are...

1. Faith-the ability to see God's purpose in a situation and to trust his wisdom and power to accomplish that purpose.
2. Intercession-the ability to pray often and with unusual perseverance with the result that answers to prayer requests are experienced in a remarkable way.
3. Exhortation-the ability to bring out the best in other by means of encouraging, challenging, comforting and guilding. Essentially it is the gift of counseling others to become all that God wants them to be.
4. Mercy-the ability to feel sincere compassion beyond normal Christian sympathy for persons who are in distress and to provide practical support to meet their needs.
5. Wisdom-the unique capactiy to understand how to apply biblical truths to problems or opportunities which face a group of believers.

Interesting, huh? I feel like these strengths desribe me very well in many ways and in others not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_8hFfy1DL0
Watch this. It's one of my favorite pieces from SYTYCD

Waiting On The World To Change

2008-08-08T06:41:00.000-07:00

It's Friday at the title company. wahooo!!! It's been one heck of a week here in the title world. Lots of stress, turmoil, uncertainty and unexpected situations have been floating around the office. But the wonderful part is that it's Friday and it's raining. I absolutely love the rain. It's so peaceful. I'm also listening to John Mayer. Two key ingredients on the start of a wonderful day.

I don't know how yall's family households are run, but somehow I am always the last one to find out some big news that everyone else knows about. My dad has decided that he needs a career change. He is the Senior Account Manager at Verizon where he has worked for as long as I can remember. A friend of his works at Cisco Systems, one of the largest accounts in the country for financial regulation. Last night, he was working on his resume and was running it by my mom and I for grammatical errors.

The resume is stellar (he has been in the finance world for over 30 years and has held many job positions) but he didn't have anything that popped. I told him that he needed to have a section on his resume underneath where he got his undergrad degree and masters and write out his interests. Because right now he looks so vanilla on paper and the man is far from it. He is so completely diverse. He loves the outdoors, camping, organic foods (he's kind of a hippie), but on another note, he loves to golf, wears seersucker shorts and enjoys watching college sports (more fratty). He is brilliant, one of those people that you tell/teach him something once and he remembers it for life. (Who Dad remembers ballet terminology?). Loves history, literature and spending time with his family. Above everything else, he is hilarious. One of the sharpest, wittiest people ever. His dry sense of humor makes life more fun.

My dad told me that people who are 54 don't add interests. But you know what? Men who are 54 should not wear Volcrom shorts and you know what? He does. So I don't what would hurt to put a few things of interest on his resume. It will make the interview go more smoothly.

I know, this post is a total shout out to my Dad, but I don't care. I love him. He's the best.

Affogato Al Cafe

2008-08-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

Last night, I went out with my life long friend, Kelsey. (On a side note, she is probably one of my favorite people ever. We've known each other since kindergarten, tell each other everything from the good to the bad, have similiar senses of humor...I think you get the idea). Anywho, we headed up to Legacy Town Center and had dinner at Nicola's, this sqanky Italian restaurant. While we were eating our Lasagnetta (most glorious thing ever), this guy in a suit comes up to our table and asks "Have you two ever eaten here before?" We were both in mid-chewing so Kelsey shakes her head "no" and I nodded "yes." He goes, "Well then, dessert is on me!" We were like "wow, thanks!" thinking that this was the manager of the restaurant by the way he was dressed and how he approached us. False. 5 minutes later, our waitress comes to our table and tells us that the man that was at our table earlier ordered these for us and has left! I got Affogato Al Cafe (vanilla bean gelato with a shot of expresso and cantucci almond cookies) and Kelsey got Profiteroles Alla Vanigilia (cream puffs filled with vanilla bean gelato and covered in Belgian chocolate). It was definitely the highlight of our night. We were cracking up, being approached by a guy where we are sitting there eating away and laughing at each other's stories. We don't even know what his name was. Maybe he thought we were hot and wanted to impress us. Who knows.

It was definitely a good time. After dinner, we met up with our friend, Daniel. He ordered us mojitos and we chilled at Twenty Two for a bit to people watch. Have you ever sat somewhere for a period of time and just people watched? It definitely has to be one of my favorite past times because people are hilarious.

Overall, the night was excellent. Good food, free desserts and drinks, great conversation. My favorite quote of the night would have to be this. We were talking about girls's names and which was ones were more common than others. Kelsey had decided that her name was just not original anymore and wants to change it. (okay, Kelsey has wanted to change her name since 6th grade and has yet to change it. I think her name suits her). I told Kelsey and Daniel how I know a handful of Claire's and Kelsey goes:

"Wait, I think I only know one Claire and that's you!" pause "Wait, the girl on my fake id was named Claire. I know two Claire's. You and random girl from Oklahoma that I impersonated for 6 months." haha

I love being a girl. It's so fun.

Coming To a Close

2008-08-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it!!! It's August 4th!!! This summer has flown by more quickly than any other summer thus far. I don't know why though. Throughout my years of school, I have always stayed busy with summer school classes, jobs, camps, studying at different ballet schools, but this summer definitely tops the charts of the fastest summers yet!! It might be because it's the last summer before everyone has to be a grown up (unless you are an education major, then you will have summer for the rest of your lives. Sorry, I don't mean to brag, but it's one of the perks).

For the last few days, my aunt, cousin and her three boys have been staying at my house. It has been a whirlwind from the moment that there were running up the sidewalk up to our house until now! The boys are all under the age of 5. Andrew is going to kindergarten in the fall and Austin and Alex are 3. They are quite the characters. One is always screaming, one is always laughing hysterically and one is always getting into trouble. They tend to be the daredevils, always testing the limits to see what they can get away with. Growing up with a sister, I have never seen anything like it. Running around my front year in the nude and taking a whiz in the flowers, throwing toys over the banister to see if it crashes on the floor, tackling each other on the ground until one of them starts screaming just for the fun of it, aw man it's absolutely entertaining. I love it. Little boys are crazy!!

I have really enjoyed watching them explore around and try to figure things out how stuff works, listening to their questions, laughing at their comments, etc. It has definitely put what I have read in textbooks over the last three years about child development to use. On Saturday morning when I was getting ready for work, Andrew came into the bathroom and states "CLAIRE! My brothers keep playing with the electricity (aka. the cords in the wall that hook up with playstation) and won't stop it when I ask them!! :) Just imagine that for the last 4 days and you can maybe catch a glimpse of what I have been up to.

This weekend, we headed over to Hawaiian Falls, a waterpark made just for kids. They absolutely loved it, although the heat was a little too much for them (they are from Indiana where the high is in the upper 80's). The twins can't say "claire" so they call me "teacher" instead of calling my sister "grace," they call her "sassy." We have gone to the park, went to Sunday School, Gattitown, and just have been playing at the house. We have pulled out all of our old toys (aside from the countless barbie's and dolls Grace and I accumulated through the years) and our children's books. It has made me realize how much I love children and how I love the idea of teaching them!!!

On a random side note (I know, total surprise, but what do you expect?!) I am going to miss working at J Crew. I only work 10ish hours there each week, but it's such a blast!! I will definitely miss all of my metro co-worker boys that try to help me get my prep-style all in order. I cannot tell you how many times one of them will come up to me with something off the floor and make me go try it on in the dressing rooms because they think it will look cute on me. haha, and o yea, we have matching critter ties too. It's pretty rad. We should be J Crew models for sure.

Sick to My Stomach

2008-07-31T12:21:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not literally sick. After walking out of my final exam last semester in Early Learning Literacy, I have had this knot in my stomach that grows as more stress accumulates about the novel that we are all about crack open, entitled Post-College.

People tell me that I'm one of those that seem to have everything together, that I never let anything really get me down. That I take situations when they come and learn from them. That I never let anything really freak me out. News flash. I'm an excellent actress.

This summer, I've been working two jobs, both of which are fields of occupation that I could never see myself doing for the next 30+ years. One job is great pay, little transportation needed (which is golden because gas prices are mind-bogging right now), and has a wonderful incentive. My mom works right across the hall from me. Now, I know most of you would think "what?! you work with your mom? You must be out of your mind." But little do you know, my mom is one of the two people that I admire most in this world (the other one is her hubby). She is strong, smart, driven and has such a wonderful heart. She takes life's challenges head on and doesn't let anything defeat her. I aspire to be like her. She tells me that my zest for life, sense of humor and love for people will carry me far. Hopefully she is accurate.

Capital Title is filled with woman that has all different backgrounds. The majority of them might make you look twice. They have stories that I have never heard. J Crew is my other form of income. On the outside, everyone is all prepped out and classy, but when you get underneath the argyle sweaters and skinny ties, there is world of unstable jobs, drama and low incomes.

I plan on being a teacher Post-College. I would love to teach in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Right now, I have my heart set on teaching in a private school in Dallas. It sounds like a grand adventure, but underneath my shield of confidence, I'm scared out of my mind. I'm scared of the unknown. Not really knowing what to expect when I come across situations that I have never dealt with. Is anyone feeling this too?

The ultimate theme for the novel called Post College is this, whatever I pursue will be something that I absolutely love and have a passion for. Regardless of where I am living, how much I am making, how far I have to drive, etc., none of it will matter. As long as I have loving what I do, then everything else will fall into place.

See you tomorrow in Dallas...

2008-07-29T14:10:00.000-07:00

Today J Crew Galleria opens. In honor of all things preppy, I have on a madras skirt, green loafers, blue woven and a tie. Yes, a tie. Yes, I know I'm a girl and girls don't wear ties, but I don't care. I like to drum to my own beat.

It has been sooo slow today at the title company. Have I told you that I work with 15 other woman? There is so much estrogen in this office that I think we would be the perfect line up for a Tampax commerical. On a weekly basis, they talk about how fat they are and how they need to lose weight, what hot celebrity men they would love to meet (my mom's list is quite electic), how it's okay that they are overweight because they are already married and it doesn't matter anymore, how they wish they would workout more because they have no energy...the list goes on and on. I just sit back and watch em. My sense of humor helps everyone get through the day I've decided. They would be completely bored without me.

Surprises in the ordinary life

2008-07-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

I can't wait till next week. I know it's only Monday, but next weekend is going to be glorious. John Mayer + roommates = perfection. A bunch of us are heading out to see one of our favorite rockstars. It's going to be sweet.

J Crew is launching their new store tomorrow. It's going to be preptastic. On Friday, I skinny folded for 5 hours, making sure all of the piles were crisp and ready.

Also, my aunt, cousin and her three boys (all under the age of 5) are coming to Dallas for a long weekend. My dad has gotten way into planning activities for the kids. He was the youngest of three boys so he has this notion that he knows how to entertain boys, rather than girls. He has set up a craft table in our computer/game room for them filled with crayons, markers, play doh and coloring books. He has pulled out all of the children's book from my closet to read to them. It's pretty adorable. He loves kids.

I'm at work right, Capital Title that is. It's kinda slow. Nothing too exciting is happening. Although, I have a least a day's worth of ridiculous stories to tell you (the reader who happens to read this every now and then) about situations in the office. After this summer, I can attest that the office that I'm working at would be more entertaining than Michael Scott's. I know that's an extremely bold statement, but it's true.

Grace is leaving for college soon. It's so weird to think she is about to begin the next big chapter in her life. I still feel like she is a freshman in college studying the little manual in order to pass her permit test. She is going to study Nursing at Mississippi College. She is going to have a blast. I'm so excited to watch her grow and learn about herself in these next four years. I just hope she doesn't forget about her ridiculous sister back in waco. :(

Attempting to Keep My Sanity

2008-07-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hello!

I actually have no idea who reads these wonderful entries about my adventures, but they are fun to write so I'm going to continue writing them.

Last weekend, my girls from high school and I headed up to Gilley's to two step our hearts out. McCracken and Matt came along for the ride. McCracken danced with each of us because we had no boys to dance with for the first part. I was told that I dance "too stiff" and I can't lead when I'm dancing with a boy. Rude. Jon came up later and we tore up the dance floor. Jon was almost offended when I asked if he knew how to dance. "Kid, I went to Tech. Of course I know how to two step." It was wonderful, we were definitely the preppiest people out there. Me in a buttondown and jeans and Jon in a burberry polo and topsiders, definitely a sight to see among the men in their wrangler jeans and pearl snap shirts. Jon's my fav. dancer slash above the music you could hear our laughter because it's endless when the two of us are together.

J Crew is opening a new store at the Galleria. Super exciting, it opens July 30th (i think). Last night, me and 40 other employees went to work at the new store. The first shipment of clothes came last night at nine so my crew and I were down in the garage where the truck was, unloading the 600+ boxes that came. One group was then to take the boxes on dolly's up the elevator to the 3rd floor, but to our disadvantage, the elevator was broken so kids were running up the flights of stairs with boxes. The third group of kids were in the store opening up boxes and seeing where to sort everything. When the boxes were up in the store, we started opening them up and jcrew folding the jeans, chinos, polos, buttondowns, etc. It was like Christmas. glorious.

My metro boys at jcrew have decided that I'm going to be their mini project of fashion on what i should be rockin' on baylor campus when I come back in the fall. Better watch out, it's going to be smokin' hot in jcrew gallore.

By Friday, I am going to have banked in 64 hours of work, between Capital Title and J Crew. I know, sounds totally insane. J Crew is so fun. A bunch of people in their 20's hanging out and getting paid to help me prepify themselves? Glorious. And Capital Title. Man, if you have a chance, I can tell you the stories gallore behind the scences of CT. It is scandalous with a capital S.

The Dash

2008-07-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend the dash.

So think about this long and hard,
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we'd never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of things they say
About how you spent your dash?

2008-07-16T14:38:00.000-07:00

I decided that about 18 years ago when I was onstage at my first recital wearing my hotpink tutu, tap shoes, and hot pink bow to match.

I'm at the title company right now, counting down the second until 5pm when I will be released to go outside and get away from my white walled office. I've been listening to Tristan Prettyman all afternoon. She's pretty rad. I have a crush.

I have been researching schools all over the Dallas.Fort Worth area. I'm looked into PISD, DISD, FISD, RISD and MISD. All of them sound great, everyone seems to be on the search for teachers. I'm getting my ESL Certification and in a few of these school districts, they will give you an additional bonus just to teach in the bilingual classroom! Score! I've also looked into some private schools in Dallas. There are some really neat ones out there. I think it would be neat to teach in both types of environments. The best part of private school teaching is that in some of them, if you teach there for a handful of years, they will help you pay for grad school. I would love to be a elementary school counselor or a principal one day. I also want to write a children's book too. Anyone have any suggestions on what to write about? It has to be Newberry Award Worthy.

What else...O YES! I'm going to audition for After Dark. It's something that I have talked about doing since freshman year and what the heck, I'm going to do it. Dancing of course. I have already mapped out in my head the choregraphy that I'm going to use. Another random and crazy notion, I want to audition for So You Think You Can Dance when they come to August. I mean, seriously, what do you have to lose? They tell you that you suck at dancing and should never consider doing it as a career? Lame, I've been told many a "compliment" back in the day when I was hardcore. You just have to be a tough cookie, take it as it comes and don't let it get to you.

And back to the title, I'm more ridiculous than ever. I've got everyone laughing whenever I say something funny at the office. It's fun. I never thought of myself as a funny person. Apparently I am. One more thing to add to the resume. "What is something unique about yourself?" Answer: I bring laughter out of people when they least expect."

Being completely ridiculous

2008-07-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

I decided that about 18 years ago when I was onstage at my first recital wearing my hotpink tutu, tap shoes, and hot pink bow to match.

I'm at the title company right now, counting down the second until 5pm when I will be released to go outside and get away from my white walled office. I've been listening to Tristan Prettyman all afternoon. She's pretty rad. I have a crush.

I have been researching schools all over the Dallas.Fort Worth area. I'm looked into PISD, DISD, FISD, RISD and MISD. All of them sound great, everyone seems to be on the search for teachers. I'm getting my ESL Certification and in a few of these school districts, they will give you an additional bonus just to teach in the bilingual classroom! Score! I've also looked into some private school in Dallas. There are some really neat ones out there. I think it would be neat to teach in both types of environments. The best part of private school teaching is that in some of them, if you teach there for a handful of years, they will help you pay for grad school. I would love to be a elementary school counselor or a principal one day. I also want to write a children's book too. Anyone have any suggestions on what to write about? It has to be Newberry Award Worthy.

What else...O YES! I'm going to audition for After Dark. It's something that I have talked about doing since freshman year and what the heck, I'm going to do it. Dancing of course. I have already mapped out in my head the choregraphy that I'm going to use. Another random and crazy notion, I want to audition for So You Think You Can Dance when they come to August. I mean, seriously, what do you have to lose? They tell you that you suck at dancing and should never consider doing it as a career? Lame, I've been told many a "compliment" back in the day when I was hardcore. You just have to be a tough cookie, take it as it comes and don't let it get to you.

And back to the title, I'm more ridiculous than ever. I've got everyone laughing whenever I saw something funny at the office. It's fun. I never thought of myself as a funny person. Apparently I am. One more thing to add to the resume. "What is something unique about yourself?" Answer: I bring laughter out of people when they least expect."

3 Meanings of Shag

2008-07-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

My mom is telling everyone to "shag" today at work. We tried to explain to her that shag meant sex but she denied it so she has looked it up on google for the definition. This is what she found.

Shag
1. rough, matted hair. (ex. A Shagged Dog)
2. To dance a step a vigorous hopping on each foot (my mom's response. "Claire! You know how to shag!! I've seen you do it before.) not awkward in any shape or form, eh?
3. To chase or follow after (My mom told us that we need to shag for our clients. I personally think she lucked out).
4. To engage in sexual intercourse with.

I then explained to my mom how Shag might be like a homaphone. She had never heard of a homaphone so she looked it up. Her next response was "I'm so glad that you have learned at least one thing while you were at Baylor"

Speaking of Baylor, I finished up with summer school on Tuesday. Try to wrap your mind around this next idea. I have no more class, ever. All I have next year is my internship. I will never have to walk to class on Baylor campus again. I won't be there to have lunch at the SUB. I won't have finals. Or midterms. Won't need Blackboard. Isn't that crazy? I still can't believe it. I only have one more year to go.

O yea, but back to why my mom wants to shag. I'm back in Dallas, working at the title company. Everyone is ridiculous here. They are all chopping on gum so they won't be attempted to eat from the candy dishes around, but my take is: if you want the candy, eat it! haha, nobody is following my advice though. Everyone is on a "diet" at the moment. Lame.

Red. White and can't forget Blue

2008-07-06T17:13:00.001-07:00

Hello!

The title for my blog felt appropriate for this weekend. Today at church, all of the men who served in war would stand up when their particular music was played during worship. It brought tears to my eyes to see all of the senior citizens who would stand up proud for what branch that they had fought in. Both of my parents' dads were in the Army. Grandpa Hooley fought but got injured so he was sent home early in World War II. Grandpa Chambers was drafted into the war at 18 years, just after he graduated high school. While at war, he also got severly injuted but then got captured in Europe and was held as a prisoner of war for 19 months, the end of the war finally releasing him. When he came back home to Fort Wayne, he weighed less than a 100 pounds and still severly wounded. Because of his heroic acts, he received the purple heart. how incredible is that? It was one of the neatest moments today to see goosebumps form on my dad's arms when the army music was played and he could see all of the brave men like his father stand proud. What an incredible country that we are so blessed to be living in. Sometimes I feel like I can take it for granite. But think about. We are free to choose what major we wish to pursue in college, free to choose who our friends are, free to drive wherever we please in our cars, free to practice our religion of choice, free to speak our thoughts. Isn't that fantastic? I love America.

Overall, the weekend was enjoyable. A group of us went out to Addison to Kaboom Town for the 4th. It was a lot of fun. A bunch of people that work with me at the CREW came out so it was neat to see them behind the walls of polos and madras shorts. Lots of traffic though, I would recommend hitch-hiking back to Plano if you are adventurous.

I also wakeboarded again this weekend! It was me, Kelz, Mr. Baker and a couple of kelsey's friends from OU. I've learned how to turn the board to skim the water a bit more but still crash on my face. haha, we went tubbing too which was a lot of fun. O yea, and I have a wicked sunburn. It's only on the tops of my legs (via. Wakeboard) and on my back. We stopped the boat in the middle of the afternoon and laid out. I laid on my stomach because my legs were burned but I forgot to put sunscreen on my back. silly me. o yea, and my wet ponytail was perfectly aligned on my back as well. haha, it's pretty rad. the suntan, I mean. haha

That evening Paul, Jeremy, and I headed up to Legacy Town Center and had dinner at Taco Diner. Then we headed out to Jeremy's for cards (actually the game was called Phase 10) and played Wii. I dominated at Phase 10, by a landslide. In case, you didn't know. Girls always land with their two feet planted firmly in the ground, regardless what we are doing. Running, studying, working, cards, dancing, cooking, always come out on top.

Words Cannot Even Begin To Describe...

2008-06-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

Last weekend. Glorious. I can't even begin to place in words the incredibleness of it. But here I am, attempting to write a blog about it so here goes.

Friday, I went Dallas to go to the Symphony at Meyerson Hall in Dallas. It was beautiful. The concert was filled with pieces from Chopin, Strauss and Tchaikosky. And plus, it was also a chance to get dressed up and be all girly. And if you know me, I'm a big fan of wearing a dress and walking around in high heels.

Saturday morning I went to Plano and ran up to Stonebriar Mall with Mom, Dad and Grace. We parked at Nordstrom's and my favorite shoe salesman was working that day: Matt Leonardo. His face lit up when we came in. Actually I bet we looked super awkward. An entire family going together on a shopping expedition. Ridiculous. But it was good to see Matt. Also, I got to use my discount at J Crew (50% off, holla) so that was pretty sweet too.

After I left Stonebriar, I loaded my car up and drove up to Northpark to met up with Rachael, Tinsley and Laura. We shopped around there for a bit, then headed to a vegetarian restaurant downtown Dallas. We then went to Rachael's to get ready to go to Billy Bob's in Fort Worth. When we hit the road to go to Fort Worth, it started to rain so we freaked out about our hair that we have spent working on at Rachael's. But no worries, that's where umbrellas came in handy. We got to Fort Worth, parked our cars at Stephen's (Stephen is one of my best friends that I grew up with that goes to TCU and let us crash at his house) and took Rachael's car to Billy Bob's. We got a bit lost, but no worries. We got to Billy Bob's just in time to see Hootie and the Blowfish.

Billy Bob's was a blast! We danced and sang at the top of our lungs the majority of the time. I don't care what people say. Hootie and his Blowfish are a pretty rad band. After we left Billy Bob's, I called Stephen and we met up with him and his friends at one of their apartments. Hung out there for awhile and then went to Fuzzy's and got the most glorious nachos ever at 2:30 in the morning.

I crashed at the end of Stephen's bed around 4 while Laura and Tinsley slept at the top. We woke up around 11, got dressed, and headed out to get back to Waco. Stephen was out cold on the couch so it was kinda awkward trying to wake him up and tell him that we were leaving. I don't think he was too thrilled about a bunch of girls waking him up. I thought that would be every guys fantasy though. Maybe Stephen is one of those exceptions. On the way out, when I was trying to close the door, I accidentally took out the door knob. haha, so I had to come back in and be like "stephen, I think I broke the door." haha, we ran up to Yogi's and had a wonderful breakfast of whole grain pancakes with bananas. O yea, while we were at breakfast, Stephen called to give me directions from the breakfast back home to Waco. This is why he is one of my best friends. He knows that I am directionally challenged and is also ready to explain directions without the words north, east, south or west and just tells me left, right, straight and landmarks.

The drive back to Waco was fun. Tins and I sang at the top of our lungs to Christina. All in all, it was the best weekend of the summer. This post doesn't even begin to do justice. A few random thoughts I want to add.

1. Tinsley slapped a guy on the butt at Billy Bob's.

2. I never got carded throughout the entire weekend.

3. I never had to buy any of my drinks during the entire weekend. Score!

4. It's so fun to dance with complete strangers and have them tell you that "you guys are totally awesome!!!!"

5. I love getting lost with my roommates.

6. I've never been so happy.

"I Should Go Grab a Towel"

2008-06-26T20:41:00.000-07:00

So Tins and I come into the apartment after going to the grocery store at like 10 because she needed organic peanut butter and i needed brownie baking ingredients. Melissa and Jenny come over to her about Tinsley's date with the 24 year old man from Truett Seminary last night (o believe me. It's been the craziest summer ever for Tins and I. That story itself is just the tip of the iceberg). but anyways, we are all sitting home in the apartment and we hear this dripping noise and long behold, our air-conditioning is dripping water!!! Tins and I don't know what to do. There is mold on the door and it has been dripping for awhile but we never paid any attention to it. We put a towel on the floor, turned off the A/C, and wrote a request for Sergio. It's now the temperature of outside in our apartment. Sick Out.

O yea, I'm totally into this whole triathalon now. I love challenging myself everyday at the SLC. Does anyone have any advice though, on how to train for this?

insert funny subject line here

2008-06-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Whew, it's Sunday afternoon and Waco is sunny and beautiful. Tinsley and I just finished having breakfast at our cute little table in the kitchen. She made cereal and I made pancakes with sprinkles (apparently no one else put sprinkles in their pancakes as a kid except for Grace and I). During our breakfast, we have come to the conclusion that we wish we had studied abroad with all of our friends last semester. And then it dawned on us. Let's go travel for a month after we graduate and before we have to be actual adults! Anyone want to join? We want to backpack all over Europe, packing as light as possible and taking as many pictures as possible. Recipe for brillance? umm yes.

I took the Generalist EC-4 Exam yesterday morning at 8am. Sick out, it was 110 questions long. By the time I got to question 60, I was thinking "are you kidding, me?" Now, the Generalist is no kicks and giggles. It's everything ranging from Social Studies trivia that you should know from K-5th, along with Math, Science, P.E., Art and Music content in those grades as well. For the Literacy portion, you read a scenario and based on the grade level in the question, the TEKS that are presented in the question, the theorist that is being followed after by the teacher in the question (ie. Vgotsky, Piaget, Skinner) you pick the most logical answer. It's not as black and white as you would wish, saying something like a math question. It's more analytical.

Fun story, though. When I was in 3rd grade, I missed some school due to a flu illness and when I came back a few days later, I had to take a test in Science. It covered material about clear prisms and what happens when light catches it and sends beams of rainbow colored lights through it. I failed the test. In 3rd grade, I thought to myself "why did i just take a test on stuff that I will never need to know" and long behold, yesterday on the generalist there was a question about the clear prisms used in a science lesson. Little did I know that 12 years later, I would be at Baylor taking a Generalist to become certified as a teacher and that question would be on it! crazy.

i'm sweating bullets

2008-06-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Today is one of my dad's favorite holidays. I was in Dallas for the weekend, which was fun. Never a dull moment at the Chambers. One of my Gilmore cousins got engaged this weekend!!! So exciting, there is going to be two weddings next summer. Mom and Grace left for Sunday school at 9 and my dad and I rode together to go to big church at 11 to met up with them. For some reason, he likes to drive my car on the way to church instead of his own. He tells me how he likes to do a mini-drive before I leave for Waco so he can see that it is running smoothly. We got him Topsiders for dad's day. He's such a frat star. Today he had on his pink slacks and baby blue woven shirt. If he were in college, he would totally be president of a frat, probably Kappa Sig.

I can't believe that it's already June 15th. The summer is going by so quickly! I have been busy with school, jcrew, and capital title. I have been going home on the weekends to work at J Crew. It is such a blast. All of my employees are in their 20's, and the majority of them are boys. hot. They are so cute, all decked out in their skinny ties, vests, knackis and jack purcell's. They are fun to flirt with too. Whenever I have been working, it's just been me and 6 boys. The rest of the "girls" are managers. No worries, though. I don't let them mess with me. Last Sunday, I came to work with a madras skirt on, woven shirt and a tie. The boys told me I was hot. Score! With just a dash of sass, i'm basically unstoppable.

Summertime girls have it going on...

2008-06-12T13:04:00.000-07:00

It's Thursday. Whew. Crazy that tomorrow is Friday. I'm going back to Dallas tomorrow to go work at the CREW. A bunch of girls are going to road trip to Dallas to come visit me in my rockstar life. Now, I should warn you, if you are considering to visit me at work, embrace yourself. It's pretty ridiculous. I'm always laughing, helping a customer and finding out some fun fact about them like they are a graduate from Baylor, risking my life in the shoe closet when I decide to climb the shelf to find a pair of stelletos instead of using the ladder, hearing a life story from one of my favorite co-workers, accidentally hanging up on a customer who is calling from another store, and frantically running around with a handful of clothes in my arms and trying to put them back neatly on the floor.

O PS! A week or so ago when I was working, I was knocking on doors in the dressing room area to see if people were in there. I knocked on this one door and the person inside knocked back! haha, it was so hilarious. Instead of saying "yes, i'm in here," they just knocked. I almost went "who's there" and expect a joke. Sadly, I didn't hear a punch line.

O fun thought. Today I was at the SLC working out (aka. preparing for the triathalon that I've told many people about doing) and I was looking around at all of the people who were in there with me. I was in there at 9am this morning and you know what? It takes dedication to get in there that early in the morning to get your workout in. And then I thought, idea! What if instead of teaching, I could be a physical trainer of some sort and help people become healthy? I always worry about people who don't take care of themselves at a young age and unintentionally don't know what they are doing to their bodies now. Wouldn't that be neat? It would also help me maintain a healthy life style so it's a win win situation. perfection.

2008-06-10T13:17:00.001-07:00

Holla Waco.

So I've decided that I should begin working on my New Zealand project that is due a week from Thursday. But I'm an profound procrastinator so I'm updating my blog instead.

So this summer, I've been reminiscing over all of the wonderful memories from college. It's finally starting to hit me how in just less than a year, I will be more than likely working in an elementary school. O M G!!!!! I'm not ready to leave college. I absolutely love Baylor. Every aspect about it. I love my friends, I love my roommates, I love how beautiful Baylor is at night, I love all of the hole in the wall restaurants in Waco, I love how small Waco is in the fact that you are more than likely to see someone you know wherever you go, I love going to the movies and the tickets only being $5, I love the HEB on wooded acres, I love SING, I love Baylor sports, I love the bears, I love Draper/LRC. I could keep on going but it would take a lifetime to describe all my favorite things about Baylor.

With that being sad, a new chapter is about to begin. Post college. Now, the majority of me is saying "go teach in the Dallas area at an elementary school." But part of me also wants to go live abroad for a year and go teach English in a country like Thailand. I still want to go abroad and experience life in a new lens. I also want to teach in a developing nation. Somewhere maybe in Central America. Shoot, even a part of me wants to drop everything about education and go work in New York City in the corporate department for J Crew. I also would love to do Teach for America.

I wish God would just shoot me an e-mail on what I'm supposed to do with my life. A text message would even be great.

I would love to hear yall's thoughts and commentary on this. And if you are a senior at Baylor who is reading this, I know you are going through all of these same thoughts too, even if you are admitting it or not.

Waco is a wonderful place

2008-06-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

Right now, I'm sitting at the table that we talked Jenny into letting us keep in our apartment for awhile. It's the cutest table ever. It fits perfectly in our kitchen. Tins and I like to eat meals here and people watch outside. It's just Tins and I living in the apartment for the month. No worries though, Laura, Molly, Melissa, and Jenny come and visit often. Molly and Marv moved the kitchen table out a few days ago. Not going to lie. It was sad. There are SO many wonderful memories that go along with that table. It was like a little part of the apartment was moving out and then it hit me, o my gosh. We are ALL going to be moving out of this apartment in a year. I'm not such if I'm ready for the next chapter in my life. I'm pretty much in love with the book right now called college. It's such a page turner. There is constantly surprises, "o my gosh!" moments, laughs, tears, the whole thing. It could definitely be a best seller.

I'm taking summer school. Geography 1301. Here's a crazy notion. This class is my second to last class ever to take at Baylor. Next year, I am solely doing an internship for the entire year. Instead of going to class like a regular bear, I am going to be teaching everyday at an elementary school. I will do bus duties, lunch duties, parent teacher conferences, the whole shebang. It's pretty neat. It's like I will be a real "Miss Chambers." Neat. O but the other class that I'm going to be taking next fall is my ESL certification. Apparently, it looks really stellar on the resume and in some school districts, there are in high demand for the ESL teachers so I could be hired quickly.

Jenny, Tinsel and I are supposed to begin training for our triathlon. I've been going to the gym everyday since I have been here and have been doing random things but I don't know if I'm doing any of the "right" things in order to prepare. Haha, I should probably get on that.

T G I F

2008-05-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

O my goodness! It's finally Friday!

What an eventful day. I just got back from having lunch with one of my life long friends, Elizabeth. We met in a ballet class when we were 2, danced all through high school together, graduated together, etc. She is now studying history at Princeton while I'm working on becoming a stellar teacher at Baylor. Hands down, she is one of the most hilarious people I know. I do believe she is going to be the next star on SNL. Watch out for her.

In a few days, I'm going to be moving back down to good ole Waco. I can't wait! I have loved the time that I have spent at home for the last three weeks. It has been very adventurous. I've gotten the chance to see lots of people that I needed to catch up with. I've also been busy with the Pam life and the J Crew rockstar life. So fun. Many stories entailed...

burnt, red, and sore

2008-05-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

I look like a lobster, but only on my shoulders and chest.

This weekend, I went wake boarding on lake Lewisville with Kelsey and her family. It was a sight to see. I strapped on the wake board, threw on a life vest, jumped into the lake and hung on to the rope for dear life while Doug held me in the water and tried to push me above it. Out of ten tries, I skimmed the water once. The other 9 consisted of me flying face forward onto the water. It was blast to say the least. I plan on being to ride some small waves by the end of the summer. Maybe even hang some air, I don't know. Endless possibilities.

It's Tuesday at the Title Company. I've had to make a few phones calls to people verifying their home address in order to send them basic information about the house that they plan on buying. One woman was a snotface when I called her. I told her why I was calling and she proceeds to tell me that they have decided not to buy the house and just slammed down the receiver. Rude.

I did it

2008-05-25T21:09:00.000-07:00

I did it.

I joined the group of blogging. My lofties are into it so I decided to join.

Before I write anything, I'm going to apologize in advance for any random thoughts that come falling out of my head. It's just the way it goes.

It's summertime. I really love it. So far, it's been filled with new adventures, experiences and challenges. I'm working two jobs. (crazy, I know). I'm an escrow assistant at Capital Tile Willowbend during the week days. I build title policies to be sent out to relators, print up recording receipts to be released, file papers, send things to the vault, call home owners to verify information, etc. In a sense, the office that I am working out reminds me of the infamous show starring Steve Carell. Except no Jim's (tear), Toby's, Stanley's, or Kevin's. It's just an office filled with Phyllis's, Angela's and me (Pam). It's still entertaining though. On Friday, the microwave broke in the kitchen and all of the middle aged woman started freaking out about how to cook their lean cuisine lunches because everyone swears to be on a diet. And here I am with a candy stash in my drawer. haha. good times.

My second source of income is J Crew. It's so fabulous. I'm at the Northpark location so it's always filled with Dallas woman on a hunt for cashmere cardigans and sundresses. The cliental at J Crew is very diverse from CT. I work with men and woman in their 20's. Everyone is always decked out in J Crew wear which is so fun. The boys wear skinny ties, vests and buttons (love) and the girls wear sundresses. So far, in the last two days I have worked, I have pooled in $2,900 in mechandize. Not too shabby for the first few days of work, eh?

I've also made a list of goals that I want to accomplish this summer as well. First and foremost, I've decided to read more. I have a collection of books that I skimmed for one of my classes last semester dealing with the Social Issues found in education. Now, with the extra time (besides working) I want to read them all. Also, I want to learn how to play acoustic guitar. Learn a few chords. So then I could be "that teacher" that ties into music on her guitar into her lesson plans. totally rad.