I started my English Language Learner endorsement. I think I mentioned this before. It's through Seattle University (I love to support the Jesuits!) and it's 24 credits. While I'm only taking it post-baccalaureate (instead of for graduate credit) and therefore each class is pass/fail, I'm still swimming in assignments, papers, reading, and general homework. Each 3 credit class is 9-10 classes over 5 weeks, so it's an accelerated program and the work turn around is QUICK on top of full time teaching. The perk here is the whole program is 9 months and then I'm done. So while there are times this year where I feel like I'm just going one day at a time to get everything done, I will be done with the program by summer and that is fantastic! I will have a test to take for the state in order to add this endorsement to my license, but I'm hoping that will be no big deal by summer.
I thought I was done spending so much time in coffee shops, but I was wrong. I'm also in a book study for our district this trimester, so I have lots of text book reading happening.
In other testing news, I didn't pass my National Boards. Sad face. I missed the cut off by one weighted point, which is only .35 of unweighted scores. I will be retaking two parts of the testing component this spring and then I wait until December again to find out if I pass. I lucked out and don't have to redo an entire written component again and am only retaking two parts of the testing component, so I'm trying to see this through rose colored glasses. It really is a best-case-scenario as far as re-take options are concerned.
Otherwise, I've been considerably less adventurous with all this homework to get done (I am really procrastinating by writing this right now...), but I'm trying to be sure to take time to enjoy. I was home for Christmas and got to squish a Squish. Lucky me!!!
I went to south Seattle and walked around Kubota Gardens on a beautiful and rare sunny February day- these Japanese inspired gardens are in the middle of a residential neighborhood and are beautiful, even in the winter months.
Then I managed to get the flu and it knocked me OUT- probably about 2 weeks until I felt like I had my regular energy back. It left me feeling super behind with my job, homework, and general life, but I am finally bouncing back.
Should I dye my hair purple? Do I need bangs? How fun is that filter? This picture was 7:30am at urgent care, feeling like the walking dead so I needed something to make me look more alive.
Right after the flu, I had mid-winter break and my mom and sister made the flight out here to spend some quality time with me. I hope all they wanted was quality time, because that's really all I had to give them. We did no sight-seeing or crazy February adventures... we just sat around, ate out every meal (I didn't even cook), and laughed. At one point, I made them walk around by themselves while I sat at a coffee shop and wrote a paper and a speech for class. I swear I'm usually a better hostess......
I think they had a good time. It was fun to have them around for a few days!
What a downer of a blog post. Things really are great! Life is good, things are getting done. Living the good life over here! It really is, though. I really can't complain because everything I'm working on is teaching me a ton, and while it's a lot of work, I'm enjoying the process.
Seriously though, I have two chapters to read and journal entries to complete today, so I better get on it!
