First 2 Weeks

The first two weeks of school have been a lil crazy! Its been amazing learning under someone who loves their job. My supervising teacher is amazing! I hope to one day be as good of a teacher as she is, if not better!

     

 Lets see, we had an amazing first week (although not without incident)... and I actually got to teach during the first week. :) I taught some math and learned myself about the lattice method for multiplication which is used for multiplying large numbers... (If you struggle with it, this may be one way for you to figure it out.. just google it). I am working on learning to not just teach what the paper says, but to extend it and use examples that will help the students. This can be hard for me....

Haha!! I sure do hope this isn't true!

Today is the first day of the 2nd week that i was in the classroom... You see, on Friday, I had all four wisdom teeth removed.... BOY DID THAT HURT!!!!! Anyway, I am still dealing with the pain even today, but it is not as bad and I haven't had to take prescription pain killers since yesterday. :) :)

I guess the biggest thing right now is that I learn so much in a day that its hard to remember it all... My goal was to write on here every night... but most nights, I am just ready to crash (I am shocked I haven't fallen over already)....

I really like how my supervising teacher tries to teach me and at the same time treats me as an equal.... It makes things so much better that way... I am almost totally comfortable teaching in front of her... although today I got nervous a couple of times while reading....(Meaning, I had to reread a sentence or take a breath... LOL!).... Who I am most scared of is my university supervisor, who just so happens to be the principal of the school I work at... I am not quite sure where I stand with her.... and well, she is going to be grading me as well as the teacher... Anwyay... I am probably just worrying about nothing...

Hope your Thursday is full of joy!!
Ang

I am a terrible blogger/ What if??

I have figured out that I am terrible at remembering to get on here and blog... I always think "Oh I'll post on there tomorrow" and well.. It doesn't happen... Sorry to anyone who actually reads my blog... I know, I am terrible.

My life is a lil crazy right now due to all the "What ifs"...

Lets see, my husband may loose his job in the Air Force due to his back.. We still have no idea what is wrong... However, today (in about an hour) we go to the newest Dr. to see if he has any idea... I am hoping we get a diagnosis and treatment plan... but I don't know that that will actually happen...
"IF" he does loose his job, we have to find a new one and a place to live and all that.... probably by the end of this year... :( 

Earlier this week I went to the ER due to what felt like terrible horrible heart burn... Only it was worse than the one time I did have heart burn (I couldn't sleep, eat or drink anything without feeling like my chest/stomach were on fire). Some people were asking me if I was pregnant (I'm NOT) and that brought up all the of the feelings of "What if" I am pregnant... Will I be able to make it through student teaching etc. (The Dr. says I have acid reflux.. but i'm not sure whether I believe him.)

These are just two of the many that are on my mind... 

Anyway with all the "What IFs" its hard not to worry... I am a planner... I like to plan things out for like the end of the year... but you know what?? I can make all my plans and IF God's plan is different mine gets thrown out the window... Its hard to trust, when you have no idea what is going on or what will happen... This is what I hold on to:

Matthew 6:25-34


The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10


And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5


What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31


How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

I know that God's got the whole world in his hands... He cares for me... He loves me as a daughter and will work all things for good. He will never leave me nor forsake me.. If God is for me, who can be against me? Everything will be ok... God will be right here with me.. to get me through it! I do NOT need to worry! Hes got it under control.....

There's my blip for today... Have a great Monday!!!
Ang

Student Teaching

So for my student teaching, I was hoping to work with students K-2nd.... However, I have 4th grade. Last fall I worked in special education, with 4th-8th graders... I really liked the fourth graders.. but I still prefer kindergarteners. Anyway m my thy goal is to put my thoughts about this experience on here, starting around August 27th....

Here's what I know as of right now:
      I will be expected to create and teach 2-3 unit plans(plus various other assignments). I will also be required to have at least 6 of my 10-16weeks in the classroom, be full time teaching experience; meaning I control and teach all lesson and do everything in the classroom. Starting week one I will get to know the school and students (I have to meet with the teacher beforehand). Week 2 I will begin to slowly take over subject areas one at a time until I have finally taken them all over and keep them for at least 6 weeks. After this I will slowly give each subject area back to the teacher.
       During this time I will also be taking 2 classes: Senior Seminar and Curriculum for Teaching Students with Severe Disabilities. This means I will be taking a total of 15credit hours... This would be no big deal because I have taken 15 credits most of my college experience; However, 10 of those hours are considered "Student Teaching". The problem is that I have to be in the classroom/school the entire time the teacher is required to be there Monday thru Friday... This means working from 7am-4:30pm. That's more than 9hrs a day making it  around 50hrs a week in the classroom, not including the time I have to take to complete "extra" assignments for that class as well as do whatever homework is required for my other classes.    Plus making dinner, spending time with the hubby and taking care of our multiple pets.

I am already starting to stress and its not even here yet... All I can think is "Can December 15th get here already??"


"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...." Ever read the book/seen the movie "The Little Engine that Could"?
(If you havent.. Read the book! LOL!)

Anyway, I am so happy I have Jesus on my side! He will get me through this, so I shouldn't be saying "I think I can" I should be saying "With Him I can". :D

Have a Super De Doooper Tuesday!
Ang

New Look/Sorry Everyone!

So... I haven't blogged since April..... WOW! A lot has happened/changed since then.

Since I last blogged:
1. Mikel's Parents came to visit us. We had a great time together, went to the grand canyon, the zoo and just were plain lazy tourists. LOL!

Carol (Mom), Mikel, Me, Carl (Dad)

2. I survived Finals week made: 3 A's and one B.

3. Mikel and I went back to FL for a trip. We had a great time in FL! We went to the Heidi and Jerold's Wedding, my mom's graduation (So proud of her!), the beach and spent much time with friends and family. :)

Me, Mommy, & Grammy

Me, Heidi, Jerold, Mikel

4. Summer classes started for me about 3 weeks ago. I only have one class so hopefully I will keep up with my blogging better. My hubby also started one of his last 3 classes for his Associate of Science. :D

5. I got my placement for Student Teaching (aka my teaching internship). I will be working with 4th graders in a school 15min away from where we live.

6. Mikel, my husband, got switched to mid-shift aka night shift. He now goes into work between midnight and 2am each night/morning (Whatever you want to call it). Tonight he goes into work at 1am... Just 2hrs from now.

7. We adopted a Chinese Water Dragon. They get to be 3 feet long. Right now our lil guy "Toothless" is about 6 inches long.

Well, there's my update. I am sorry I never finished the A to Z challenge. Things got crazy and I got behind and then it got to the point of that there was no way to catch it back up.... :/

Ang

A -> Z: The letter "A"

Ok so today's letter challenge is the letter "A", so I thought I would would answer some questions about myself since my name is Angela.

What kind of music do you like and who are your favorite bands?

 I love contemporary Christian. My favorite artists are Francesca Battistelli and BarlowGirl.

What are your favorite movies and what was the part you liked best?

 My fave movie is the 6hr Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth.

Do you like to travel and where have you been?

 I love to travel and so far in the US I have been to: CA, AZ, TN, KY, PA, MI, DC, VA, WV, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX, NM, NY, & NJ. Outside of the US: Mexico, not just border towns but deep into Mexico on missions trips.

What's your favorite season and what sports do you like best?
 Fall/Winter and Synchronized swimming.

What is your favorite food and favorite take out place?
 Fettuccine Alfredo is my FAVE food, I would have to say Taco Bell is my fave fast food place.

Do you believe in God or another supreme being?
I believe in God/ Jesus Christ.

Are you introverted or extroverted? 

 I am kind of in between, it really depends on who I am with.

Do you like group activities or one on one activities?

 Both!

Do you have brothers and sisters? What are they like? Are you close?
 I have two brothers and two sisters.
My brothers are now 11 and 13 years old. They are boys..... They love lizards, snakes etc. I wouldnt exactly say we are close although I was to my baby bro before I got married.


My sisters are almost 17 and 20 years old.  We are kind of close. They love doing crazy things that I would never do like sock races in Walmart.

I am the girl in the middle. I am also the oldest even though my sisters may look older. :)

What are your hobbies?
 Currently my hobbies are gardening and reading.

Are you in College? If so, what are you studying to do?

 I am currently a student at the University of West FL. I am a senior working towards a degree in Elementary Ed and Special Ed.



I guess that is all for my first post. :) If you read this and want to join the A to Z challenge click on the picture below and it will bring you to the page to link to.

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge: A is for...All-Aboard

Have a great Sunday everyone!!!
Ang

Good News and Bad News

Good news first... Not so good news later.. LOL!

Good news: I lost 4 pounds in a week. My exercising/dieting is paying off. I was so excited yesterday when the scale said I had lost 4 pounds.. only 46 more to loose. Other good news I survived yesterday... A day when I had a HUGE test, a quiz and a paper due...

Bad News: you know that test I was worried about??? Well I made a 70% on it.... Most of you are now thinking... that's passing..... But I am really striving for all A's this semester. If I can pull it off I will get the highest honors (other than the one for 4.0) when I graduate. I wanted at least a B on it. So, its bad news to me!!!

Other Bad News includes the fact that my hubby's Dr. had him fill out the info for the medical board. The medical board, whenever they ask for the paper work, will then decide to either retrain my hubby or kick him out of the air force... This greatly worries me, as IDK what we would do at that point. We would have to move back to FL but Idk about jobs or any of that... Lets just say.. its going to get crazy if they decide to kick him out before the end of the year...

We still have no answers as to what exactly is wrong with his back.. Nothing is wrong according to the Dr.s He sees the Ruematologist on the 10th of next month... If that Dr. cant do anything he will then be sent to a spine specialist and if he doesn't work out then to a chiropractor... After that... there is nothing more to be done... :/ We have already been to the neurologist, and pain management. He is still in a lot of pain!! Yesterday he came home for lunch and just laid on the couch... :(

Anyway, theres the short update.. I have to write a paper today.. so I am done with posting for today anyway...
Have a great Tuesday!!!

Ang

Complaining about classes

*Warning, I am aggravated with a class right now, so this writing might not be nice. *

OK, so I am in this class called Curriculum for Teaching Students with Exceptionalities right? So when you think of that name what do you think of? Well, to me it means learning about curriculum for teaching students with disabilities. So far in the class all I have learned about is how to look at students assessments and decide what to do with that student next. I guess yes, it does have something to do with curriculum because I am writing how i will teach the student... But most of what I am writing are instructional strategies such as pairing the student with a buddy or spending extra time tutoring that student in some area. Either way... to me, that's no curriculum... I thought curriculum was what you used to teach the students.. like the books, lesson plans etc. Not different strategies for solving student problems. I mean I know that is part of it... but... that's all we have done and the semester is almost over. I am scared I wont know what to do when I enter the real classroom for student teaching... Ugh... 

Also this class has a test on Monday that I am stressed about. Yes, I said my classes are easy this semester.. but this class is the hardest of them. I made a 75% on the last test which I am not happy about... the test on Monday covers 150pgs worth of a huge text book. If you took anatomy and physiology in college you may know what I mean by a huge text book... Its not one the size of a normal reading book at all... On top of that there is another book that is the size of a normal reading book that we have been reading for this class and I have no idea how much of that book will be assessed on this test... Oh, and don't forget all of the online readings...

I wish this teacher would give us a little more hints about what we are expected to know... a study guide would be great! But I guess thats too much to ask.... 

Anyway, as you can tell I am a little stressed. I am going back to reading/studying for that test...

Ang 

Trouble Posting and Other Random Stuff

I seem to have trouble actually getting on here to post.. I come up with ideas for the day.... I even open blogger, then something distracts me. So I have decided to force myself to blog in April. I joined the A to Z blogging challenge. It begins April first and every day I will be posting about a topic related to the letter of the day. This will be tough for me. But I know I can do it.... Below I posted the banner for the A to Z challenge. If you want to join click on it and it will bring you to the website. :)




So, I realized since we moved that we have too much stuff. I mean when we moved, I got rid of a trunk load of stuff that was extra and that we didn't need. But somehow, After moving from an apartment half the size of this house, I am having trouble coming up with places for things. I am very tempted at this moment to just tote all the boxes of stuff i don't know what to do with to the trashcan. I mean, if i don't know what to do with it, shouldn't i just get rid of it?

Another note, school this semester is seeming super easy. I am not used to this. I mean I have a 100 in all but one class and a 95% in that class. (So terrible right?). It just seems like its super easy. Maybe it’s just because I am almost finished. But I was told the last few classes would be the hardest... Well, whoever said that (I can’t remember right now) was wrong. These classes are super easy. My classmate and I are like wow! EASY semester.

Maybe it’s just God is giving me a needed break. It’s easier to focus on Him and my husband since school isn't driving me so crazy. I actually kept up with my devotions this past week and my husband has been doing a devotion with me each night before bed this week. This is something that I have longed for... But had not happened since we got married and then all of the sudden we started working through the book of Ephesians together. We have the couple’s devotional bible as well so we have been reading the short devotions having to do with the chapter we read in Ephesians. I am currently working my way through the book called "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian. The first chapter really hit me. It’s all about praying for his wife and how I need to change and let God change me. I can't change Mikel, only God can and He might not change him the way I want him to. But He knows what's best.
  

This Sunday, one of our pastors taught in Sunday school how Christians are actually priests. We were chosen by God to praise and worship Him. That is our sole purpose; To be priests unto God. I mean really think about that. Have you read in the Old Testament about what the role of the priests were? They were the ones who were supposed to be set apart unto God alone. They served Him in the temple. They were the ones who were allowed to enter into the temple and bring sacrifices to God. No others could. No others had that connection with God. 

Well now, the temple is the body of Christ. We worship God or satan every day by what we do. We were called to be servants, priests, set apart for our God. I mean think about that, and the way you live your life. Are you living your life as worship and praise to the most high God? Are you bringing glory and honor to His name by the things you do? Are you spending time with Him? Does your life show that you are set apart from the world unto God alone? Does your thinking show that you are set apart? Does your life show that God is number one? Are the sacrifices to bring to God acceptable to Him?

A few verses to think on:

1 Peter 2:1-12

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,

a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone,”

8 and

“A stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles it abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Joshua 24:15

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

 If you are a Christian, you are also a priest. That is something that is special, that God has given to us. The honor to be a priest to Him. We are sinners, we do not do what God wants us to do. But he choose us to serve Him as priest and to bring sacrifices acceptable to Him. This is a privilege not to be taken lightly. 

Ang

Graduation and life

So today, I applied for graduation and student teaching. I graduate Dec 15th of this year. I cannot wait! I wont be walking although I kind of want to. But my school is located in Pensacola, FL and I live in AZ. My family in FL lives like 8 hours from the school so its just not worth it to me. However, I will be buying a tassel because I want one and I figured out how to buy one today without buying the cap and gown.

Its been 5 years since I graduated high school, 3 since I graduated with my AA.(If you are wondering why it is taking me so long, I changed majors so that put me behind by a lil over a year.) So I think its about time. I am 22 and 3 months after I turn 23, I will graduate with my bachelors degree in Exceptional Student Education and Elementary Education with minors in ESOL and Reading. I cant believe by Christmas I will have graduated 3 times... I am finally done!!! I am considering going on for a masters in ESE, but at the same time, I haven't decided yet...

Here are some Graduation photos from the past. :)

High School Grad June 2007

High School Grad with my parents June 2007

 A.A. in Spanish Grad May 2009

A.A.in Spanish, Grad May 2009

~LIFE~

Ok, so you are probably wondering what else is going on in my life huh?
 Well for starters, we get the keys to our new home on Wed... yes, just 6 days away. I am very excited about that, yet its driving me crazy because of all the work I have yet to complete.

Mikel's back is still bothering him.... Nothing has worked so far. They are sending him to a ruematologist (sp?), hopefully that Dr. will help...
Oh and speaking of doctors, I went to the hospital Tuesday night due to severe ear pain. I was diagnosed with an ear infections and given pain meds and antibiotics, I seem to be doing better. 

I am not really reading anything but school book as of right now due to classes and not having extra time.

My animals are driving me crazy as when I clean they are right behind me messing things up.. :(

Anyway, I hope your week has been going well! As of right now my goal is to post on here at least once a week. With everything going on, its hard for me to remember to, so please be patient with me!

Ang

I am an Aunt!!!

My Nephew: Colton Clay born 1/31/2012 at 12:20pm EST 8lbs, 6oz and 21 inches.

The above is the newest news. Today my nephew was born. Both mom and baby are doing great! I am so happy and proud to be an aunt!!! On another note... I finished his quilt. He was born at 34weeks so I mailed it last week and it should be getting to their house today... a little late... but hey, at least they got it! Here are pics of the finished quilt!

FL was loads of fun, of course I wish I could have spent more time there!!! We went to Legoland and tons of fun there. I also got to see my newest cousin AJ.

My brothers and hubby had some fun posing infront of walls at Legoland.

 

Miniland Pictures

The White House

Another Mini Land Structure

Anyway, FL was loads of fun. We are going back to FL in May for a wedding. :D School is going well. Only taking 4 classes is weird... I have always taken more than 4... LOL! We get the keys to our new house on the 15th and do the big move on the 18th. I am so excited to have a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house. Here are a couple of pictures of our new home.

So I hope the last couple weeks have been treating you well! Happy blogging!!!
Ang

This week: 1/13/2012~~I Passed!!!!

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!!!!!!!!

I passed all three of my (FTCEs) Florida Educator Certification Exams. :) I took Professional Education, Elementary Ed K-6 & Exceptional Student Education. I am sooooooooo happy right now!!!!!

School is a little crazy and it has just begun. I cannot believe one of my teacher requires me to write 2 papers this week on top of discussion posts. I have so much reading to do this week, I haven't worked on it yet because of taking my tests these last 3 days. LOL! I don't want to read! I don't want to read... PLEASE don't make me!!! LOL!!

Tonight we are having a party(not because I passed). Over 200 people were invited to my parents house. Its going to be one crazy night!!! Its a late New Years party, as my family always does one and was in TN and a come see Mikel & Angela party combined. We are expecting around 100 people to come to the party today.

So far I am having a good vacation. I wish we had more time to spend with family... but that's ok. :( We do get to come back in May.

Hope you have had a great week!
Ang

Going to FL

I am currently sitting in the airport waiting on our flight to go to FL. I am so excited!!! I cannot wait to see my friends and family again! We board the plane in about 30min. We will arrive in FL at 3:45pm. I miss everyone so much!

On another note, classes started today and look like they will be intense... But I am almost done! I can do it! =)

Anyway, due to being in FL and school starting, I may not post for a lil while. But I will at least get on to respond to any comments and to view my bloggy friends posts.

Hope you have a great Monday!
Ang

Goals for 2012

My goals for this year are:

1. To learn more about God, to continue to develop my relationship with Him, and to become more like Jesus.

2. To read through the whole bible in a year.

3. To be the best wife to my husband (be like the proverbs 31 woman).

4.To pass my teacher certification exams.

5. To graduate Dec 15th.

6. To loose 60 pounds.

goal 

noun

1.the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.

2. the aim or object towards which an endeavour is directed  

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

 

What are your goals for this year?

Ang.

~Bragging~ God is so AWESOME!!!!

This post is to brag! This is the first time I have received all A's since I started college so I am very proud of it. :D If you notice below I got all A's. I don't mind that two are A-'s I am just proud that I made all A's. :D (BTW The Field Experience Class grades satisfactory versus unsatisfactory. But if you added up all the points in the grade section of my FE class I would have recieved an A anyway. :))

I thank God for these grades! The Lit class, I was failing in the beginning of the semester and I ended up with an A. I am so happy!!!! I could NOT have done this without Him!!!! God is so awesome!!!! He is in control of EVERYTHING!!!

FALL 2011
Course	Reference Number	Title	Grade
EEX4772	0711	PERSONAL/SOC/SKILLS	A-
EEX4833	0713	FIELD EXPERIENCE 2	S
RED3310	1743	LIT INSTR INTERMED	A-
SCE4310	1768	TEACHING SCI/ELEM SC	A
TSL4081	1938	TCHG ENG TO ESOL STU	A

	Semester
UWF Undergraduate GPA:	3.85