Time to go

Just wanted to write a bit before heading to class.

Linguistics is going well so far, I think. I'll find out for sure very soon, as I have my first exam (out of 3 total) this evening. I am looking forward to the probable conclusion of schooling for a while, but actually managing to enjoy my present class.

I am also looking forward to tomorrow-the 8th graders are going on a trip, so I will be studentless (is that a word?) unless I get coverages. (In NYC, we don't primarily rely on substitutes when teachers are absent. Instead, we're asked to watch a class on our prep period, and then they pay us the hourly teaching rate.) I haven't really had coverages with other classes this year because I have been teaching 6 periods, one of which is considered an 'automatic coverage' because it's actually part of my schedule-I have my own students and I am expected to treat it like a regular class.

The average teacher teaches 5 and has 2 preps and a lunch. With 6, I get one prep and a lunch, therefore, getting an additional coverage would push me to teaching a grueling 7 out of 8 periods in a day, which here, is against our contract. Sometimes it does happen-usually on standardized test days when the schedules are strange. Sometimes someone is slated to take over the class in my classroom, since kids who are taking a test can't just pick up the exams and walk around with them, and that other teacher forgets to come, so I get stuck. Then I end up teaching 7 periods, and I'll tell you, I have really come to appreciate my lunch and my prep.

If I return to teaching next year, it should seem a lot easier, since they are revoking the 6 period schedules altogether.

Anyway, I am starting to close down my classroom for the year (here, our last day is the same as the students, so if we have to come back to take care of storing things, then it's really on our own time.) Things are going well with that, and even if I don't teach here, it'll be easy to come and get my things because everything will be organized already.

I hope everyone is doing well as summer approaches. Try to stay cool (and in Florida, I hope you find a way to stay dry as well!)

Not much

I'm honestly not doing much exciting lately...the summer session of university classes has started again, so I'm going to the same class twice a week. That continues until the middle of next month.

In other basics, I'm still working on decluttering my house and getting all my papers organized. I have to take at least one additional test over the summer (separate from my class) for my teaching certification, and I need to have my materials organized to study. Also, my cruise departs just a few days after the end of school, so I'd like to have things in order before I go, instead of coming home and thinking, "Wow, I live like this!?!"

This is the last full week of my regular schedule, as most of my students graduate on Monday, so I'll be mainly alone in my classroom after that, just preparing to go home and whatever...

I'm excited about the summer. Not only am I doing the test and the cruise, but I'm also applying to Kaplan test prep for summer work and taking a class in proofreading. I don't know if I'll be returning to my present school, so I'll also be poking around to see if I can find a more fulfilling place to work.

Finally, I'll also be seeing a mortgage broker. I don't know if I'll qualify for a decent rate, because some of mom's credit deficiencies went onto my report and I'm still clearing that up, but I've started going to open houses in the hopes that I'll find the perfect co-op or condo to buy with my inheritance as a down payment. (For those of you non-New Yorkers, a simple condo in a nice neighborhood goes for around $400,00. A house is in the $700's, so I guess we'll just see what happens.)

In a totally unrelated comment, I had fallen asleep when I got home from work today and just woke up, having had the strangest dream. Ex-boyfriend, ex-friend and...Jeremy Piven???

Laundry? In this weather?

I've always thought that the saying about Texas weather, "Wait a minute, and it'll change," must have been meant as a joke. After more than twenty years in Texas, I am qualified to say that there is rarely any change. It's either hot as hell or pouring rain to the point of flooding.

New York, on the other hand, really does get its share of weather-all kinds! Today, after a bright and sunny morning, it started to pour torrential rain. Naturally, this happened just after I had gotten on the train to head home, which brings me to the next point: Here, you gotta live in it.

Texas, the most you really have to do is run to the car. In NYC- rain, shine or snow- you're out in it, walking, climbing stairs to get to a train platform, or waiting for a bus. And for me, that includes having to go to the laundrymat.

I just think it's hilarious that the weather can dictate whether (hahaha) or not I get to have clean underwear! ! No one said moving to the City would be easy! :) Those of you that have washers and dryers in your house, be thankful!