What a Week + Awesome News

There are many reasons I smiled this week.

Just like this owl, I am a very happy camper ...and have a lot to be thankful for!

plus, I absolutely LOVE owls. extra smile.

Reason #1

I had two interviews scheduled for a potential job.

I was just excited to get interviews at a time where finding a job is incredibly difficult

Reason #2

A kiddo made me laugh. A lot. Here's the story...

There is boy I work with that has very poor fine motor skills. He cannot write
(it is not legible whatsoever, so he is required to type all of his assignments)
Well, I was looking through his health homework about "morals" and I noticed it has scribbles (his writing) for every answer and a 100% plastered on the front. I said "Bobby (obviously not his name) why did we write our assignment? Obviously your teacher can't read this buddy." I then proceed to ask him what his answers say, as I am just a tad curious...

The first question said "You didn't study for your test. The teacher  has you sit next to the smartest kid in class. What do you do?" 

His response (literally, verbatim and 100% serious) was: I would make sure the teacher wasn't looking and then copy his answers.

I stare at him in utter disbelief and immediately respond, "Bobby!" "You can't do that, that's called cheating!"

He then looks at me, with a weird look on his face and responds...

"I would make sure the teacher is not looking first... DUH!"

too funny. I have to give him props for his mad honesty. 

needless to say, we had to have a "talk".

...after I finished laughing

:)

Reason #3

VitaTops in morning. 

Absolutely delicious and fairly healthy!

Reason #4

Fish frys with friends :) 

It's never a dull Friday when a fish fry is added in the day!

Reason #5

My interview on Wednesday!

...it went well I thought

Reason #6

*last but certainly NOT least*

The missed call I received on my phone around 8:30am...

The email message I received around 8:35am....

The note from my school office brought down to me around 8:45am...

...all saying to contact the principal I interviewed with the day before :)

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will officially be a second grade teacher this August.

Grad school begins THIS May and I will receive my masters in 14 months.

FOR FREE :) 

just an added bonus

It will be a lot of work.

First year teacher+Full time grad student= no life

But I'm ready for the ride. To tackle this exciting new start. 

To spend all summer taking classes and getting my classroom ready.

I think this week was definitely worth a BIG SMILE.

:)

So excited.

xoxo

Spread the Word to End the Word

Spread the Word to End the Word

-- March 7, 2012 is the National "Spread the Word to End the Word" Awareness Day --

The "R-WORD" (retarded) is a slang for Mental-Retardation, a term that doctors or professionals use to identify children or persons with an intellectual impairment. Unfortunately, in today's world, the term is used loosely to insult or call some one "stupid". It is important to remember that people with Mental Retardation are NOT stupid nor shall they be the root of all insults. 

Regardless of whether it is meant to be hurtful or rude, IT IS.

Please note: As of October 10, 2010, the term Mental Retardation was officially changed to "Intellectual Disability" from a law passed by President Obama known as Rosa's Law.

***

Have you ever heard a friend, colleague, family member, or even stranger use the word 'retard' or 'retarded'? I would say that approximately 99% of Americans have used or heard this word used in a derogatory manner. 

The most common phrases that I witness are...

"That's so retarded"- "Stop being such a retard" - "You're retarded"

 ***

It IS offensive. It IS rude. It IS hurtful. It IS wrong.

To family members

.friends.

.loved ones.

.victims.

.people.

So my question to you is this.

What are YOU going to do about it?

I challenge you to take a stand. Confront others and educate them about the derogatory meaning of the r-word. Encourage others to eliminate the word. Be a change. Help make a difference.

Click here to take the pledge

***

::As of March 6, 2012::

 people on the world wide web have used the r-word 

157,015 times 

It's Monday and You Know What That Means

It's The Bachelor!!!! : ) 

So - Monday nights is bonding time. My mom and I get together, eat some food and gossip about each girl in detail. I mean we talk about their attire, personality, looks, you name it. We then will rate each girl and guess how far they will go at the beginning & make predictions. I think this year we might even start a mini-journal and give stars for each girl based on first impressions! This is our time together where we can just relax and laugh. I also talk with my friends and people online about this too. (Maybe I shouldn't be divulging how into this show I really am, it's kinda pathetic to the outside folk). I'll be blogging on Mondays about my predictions and updates!

 Here is what we are going to enjoy tonight during the premiere episode!

(I know it's not quite the healthiest or best thing for me 

- but it just looked so good!)

Anyways - these past two days have been rough. I have had a pretty fantastic Christmas break and I think it's safe to say that I over did it. My body is now paying the price. Loads of fatigue, muscle pain, chest pain, tachycardia and migraines! : ( But it was so nice to enjoy my break! Last year I was in the hospital over New Years so this was great to spend it with some friends and ring in the new year with my grandma and mom. I treated them to the movie theater we have here in Omaha where you eat dinner and watch the movie. We sat in VIP and it was a great day! Especially to make my grandma so happy and take her out... she does so well for a 90year old lady.

Side Note: I just watched the movie "Because I Said So" again last night and it reminds me so much of my relationship with my mom. It makes me smile. If you haven't seen it - I would definitely recommend it! 

20 minutes till' the premiere!
xoxo - erinj0

Secrets

As I sit in my still apartment, thoughts and feelings run through my head...

I came across this website called PostSecret that seems to be very well known.
As I just glanced and started to read the words on my computer screen, I was mesmerized by all the people who I can relate with (and the stunning words of those whom I cannot).

This project is like an outlet for people who keep such pain inside.
It's a release.
Could it be yours?