Saturday, July 25, 2009

Lucky.

First of all, I can't believe how long it's been since I've been able to blog! Secondly, as soon as I typed "Lucky" I thought of that Brittney Spears song and now its super stuck in my head. Finally, I feel very lucky - to have wonderful friends to share memories with and continue our friendships across the country or wold, to have opportunities of a life time, to meet amazing new friends, to be able to make learn so much each day, to impact the lives of others, and to live in this amazing city!

On BroadwayOne of my roommates Emilie is my Broadway guru. She knows all there is to know about Broadway, okay. Its pretty amazing. So two weekends ago, we went to go see Avenue Q and it was AMAZING! It was so funny I can't even tell you. We were running across town, we had to take a cab because the subway would have taken too long but then we got stuck in traffic and had to hop out of the cab and run (literally run) down the streets to the theatre - we sat down literally just as the overture started playing! Amazing timing haha.

The show was sooo funny! I would say "you gotta see it" but its closing in a month... so that may be a little hard haha. Its about this boy who graduates from college, moves to NY and doesn't have any money ...it was pretty easy to relate to! hahah. The performance was fantastic! There are these puppets in the show... kind of hard to explain and I thought it'd be weird but I loved it! haha And the songs were sooo funny! I just loved it! I can't wait to go to another show! haha

Tricia's wedding!!!
Mrs. Wynn!!! Tricia was such a beautiful bride!!

I was sooo glad to be a part of such a beautiful union between two wonderful people!

So let me tell you what - it was such a great weekend! First of all, I had been looking forward to this wedding since I found out about it, and it was crazy that it was finally here! Tricia looked absolutely beautiful and everything about the wedding embodied "Tricia". We were all talking about it during/after and it just completely displayed her character and personality - very classy, beautiful, romantic, and fun! Its amazing when two people love each other as much as Tricia and Nate, and I hope they live a very long and happy life together!

And I got to see some friends from OU who I didn't know would be there!Its funny how not that much time has passed since I've seen them, but oh my gosh does it feel like so long! It was great to catch up and chat about whats new in our lives.

Welcome home!
So let me tell you something. I had the most amazing flight back on Sunday night after the wedding. As you know if you read my previous blog, you can use the internet on the airplane!!! To answer some questions, yes it costs money - $6, but thats how much you have to pay for it in the airport anyway! And it kind of saved my life because I had work I had to do and turn in - I was going to turn it in on my layover, but weather made our flight longer so I would have like no time on my layover so good thing I could turn it in while 25k feet in the sky.

Now the amazing part. Because of the weather we had to fly around the airport... I have never been happier to have the window seat. I'm looking out and I see water, and then a bunch of big buildings and then a huge gaping whole... and I think to myself "that must be ground zero... what else could it be... but you're not allowed to fly over that area" and then I hear a kid on the other side say "look mom - the Statue of Liberty!" and I was like "oh my gosh - thats ground zero!" Then we preceeded to fly over all of Manhattan - birds eye view from Financial District with ground zero, across Time's Square, over Central Park, and just for Callie - both of the Yankee's stadiums. Then we turned towards the airport and got an amazing view of the skyline. All of this, at dusk! It was potentially one of the most beautiful views I've ever had and something so few people probably get to experience. It was an amazing way for the world to say "welcome home." I didn't have a camera with me, but I kind of liked that I didn't - I captured it with my eyes and will always have it with me, and no lense would have done it justice.

I love/miss my old home.
I love my new home.

Random pic from NY:
One of my new favorite restaurants... and $3 Margs!!! :)

Love,
Laura

Sunday, July 19, 2009

airplane!

Airplanes have internet now! I'm writing this blog from waaaaay up in the air! How cool is that?! Gotta go!

Friday, July 10, 2009

week one!

I've just finished week one of teaching and finally have some free time to blog! I wish I had some pictures to add to this blog, but something to look forward to in future blogs!

I love teaching, and I'm learning a lot! It's amazing how much goes into being the most effective teacher possible, especially when you're faced with greater challenges. Its also funny how even though I've only spent half a day for four days with the nine students who regularly show up - I feel like I've known them for weeks, at least. You get so invested and so connected to the outcomes of your students, and you can't help but love them. And no matter how tired or frustrated I may be, it doesn't matter when I'm with them. Being a teacher is pretty awesome.

My favorite quotes from this week:
"Ms. Olson, can I apologize for what I did on Wednesday? I'm sorry I got mad at you for making me that book... I know you just want me to be a better reader."
She was also the student who made sure to point out that she was wearing a baseball t-shirt to match the baseball theme of our classroom. (so cute!)

There are some definite challenges that need to be worked through, and I wish I had more than just a month with them... but I hope that in that month they can become better prepared to succeed next year and after that. I'm excited for the fall when I'll have a whole year to help move kids forward.

My adviser, group members, and friends at TFA are amazing. I love going to them for ideas, support, having fun - the whole experience is really great. I feel very lucky to be a part of this organization, and to be able to join this movement with such amazing people!

Time is flyyyyyying by... mostly because we're always busy! Take a look at my typical daily schedule:
5:00 - shower
5:45 - breakfast/lunch pick up (social time with friends)
6:30 - bus (listen to music while prepping mentally for the day... and drinking coffee! My favorite part of the ride is when we pass over a Brooklyn cemetary and behind it, you can see the whole skyline over the dawn-colored sky. Its beautiful :)
7:30 - prep time at school
8:30-11:00 - teach
11:00-12:30 - sessions (professional development)
12:30-1:00 - lunch break... debrief on day
1:00-4:15 - sessions (professional development and group/individual work time)
4:30 - bus
5:00-6:00 - gather thoughts, check in with friends about day, lesson planning
6:00-6:30 - dinner (social time with friends!... but the food is terrrrible!)
6:30-11:00 combination of lesson planning, making posters, meeting with groups, attending sessions, and a random variety of other things that make it a constant go, go, go.
sleep and repeat.

I don't think I've ever worked so constantly before really... at least not on like one 'subject'. Its good though - I love it, and I don't tire of it.

I'm lucky to be where I am. :)

and last weekend I was super lucky because I got to spend an awesome weekend with Callie and her crazy/awesome family!!!! It was really nice to have a taste of home and to be able to spend that time with her! I can't wait for her to visit me... and I guess Terry and Megan too hahaha. (which reminds me that I'm excited Megan and Molly decided to move here!)

Look how cute we all are in our matching July 4th tie die!!!! I love Callie and fam!

And happy 4th of July!!!! (best holiday ever.)


so this weekend I'm going to my first Broadway show! hopefully a little apt hunting, and lots of lesson planning, preparing etc. Oh and going out and celebrating/relaxing of course! (and btw, is it clear that I absolutely love NY?)

Next weekend is TRICIA's WEDDING!! I'm so excited!!!!!

much love from NY!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

super fast

HELLOOOO! Super fast update while I'm waiting for my lesson plans to load up on this computer.

I'm busy, but I'm happy. I will explain in further detail ...when I have time = soon! haha I also don't have internet in my room so that makes it harder too.

I have read everybody's blogs but I do it on my phone so again, its harder for me to comment. But don't worry - I am reading them and LOVING them!

I just wanted to write and say hello to hold you over until my next post. Get ready to hear about my baseball themed classroom!!! :) (I'm going to LOVE being a teacher!)

And a special shoutout to my best old roomie - HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIGIDAIRE! (you can finally drink with the rest of us legally!!!!)

Love love love.