the evolution of Leni

3

3 days and counting! It's definitely bittersweet. I'm excited to move forward onto my next student teaching position but, at the same time, I have grown to love each and every one of those 30 students in my current first grade class. It will be hard to say goodbye and transition to a third grade class with 30 students that I don't know.

 

I uploaded some of the photos that I took on Sunday. I had a little bit of time to wander around before the engagement shoot and took these beautiful shots. I just love the nature photos! Before going on, let it be said that NONE OF THESE PHOTOS HAVE BEEN PHOTOSHOPPED! They are very raw.

 

Next, are a few photos of the newly engaged couple. I didn't want to put any photos up with their faces since I don't know them well. They were so sweet and photographing them was so much fun! I learned so much and can't wait to bring out my cameras again! [The first and last photos are some of my top favorites.]

 

4

I went out on a photo shoot yesterday with the same people who did a shoot for M and I. (See photo above.) I have yet to upload my pictures, but I had such a fantastic time with them. I learned so much more about photography that I knew before!

I have to be in the first grade classroom in about 15 minutes, so I better head out. Here's to finishing the quarter off strong! 4 days (including today) and counting!!

Ready, set, GO!

 

Neglected

Frankly, this man, and our relationship, have been seriously neglected over the past semester. I am really looking forward to spending some serious quality time with him over the next few weeks.

I have my only final later today and a few small assignments left to complete by next week. After that, I will have 10 days to decompress from this stressful semester and make up for lost time with M. We are planning a mini-retreat to Joshua Tree next weekend that I am very excited about.

Here's to a productive and relaxing weekend!

What day is today?!

I woke up this morning and literally did not know what day it was. I had a moment of panic where I thought it was Friday [the day of my final which I have not studied for!]. After looking at my cell phone for the date, I gave a huge sigh of relief.

I have been overworked this entire quarter and last two weeks have been the worst of it all. I am just doing my hardest to finish it off strong.

I promise to upload some of my photos over the weekend. I know the last few posts (and lack of posts) have left a dull feeling on my blog.

Woot Woot!

Tuition has been paid and I am now $4471.50 dollars poorer. That also means that I am officially signed up for and enrolled in 22 units for Spring quarter!

I decided to celebrate last night with a trip to the grocery store. My refrigerator is now packed with vegetables, fruits and milk. I'm so excited! Surprisingly, I still have a lot of food in my cupboards that I want to eat before I move out in June!

I also found out that I got the spring placement that I wanted! I will be teaching 3rd grade in a classroom that implements Cognitively Guided Instruction. I'm so excited for this! I feel as if the only way I can successfully teach CGI in my own classroom, is to learn it from a classroom that uses it. I feel so lucky to have gotten this placement! The school is in Ladera Ranch, which is about a 30 minute commute from me. But I can't really complain about it since it's where I requested to be!

Here's to finishing off this winter quarter strong! Ready? Go!

 

Super-Mom to the rescue!

A huge thanks to my mom who was able to convert my 80 page, single spaced, 16.6 K word document into a pdf just moments before it was due at midnight.

Thank you, Mommy, you're the best ... and a life saver!

 

Ouch.

I got hurt in our playoff soccer game tonight, lost a little blood. While it does hurt, it's not that bad. The only thing that would make it feel better would be if we had won. I hate it when I go all out, but other plays give up or don't bring their game. We had a great season and were undefeated up until tonight. Anyhow, I can't continue to think about it because I have my teaching event to finish. It's due tomorrow [Wednesday] at midnight and I'm only about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way done. 55 pages and counting.

Go!

Counting and Saving EVERY Penny!

I literally pick up every penny I see on the ground. I go on walks whenever I have some free time, just to pick up someone's discarded change. Every penny adds up!

I have not spent any money since January 7th. It's been over a month and it has not been easy! I am about $450 away from being able to pay for my tuition, but I still have about 2 weeks left to make up for it. On the bright side, I can cross of #8 from my 28 before 28 list! Woot woot! Just a little bit longer to go! I daydream about what I will spend my first extra dollar on. I have accumulated a lot of items on my wish list over the last several weeks. I have no idea exactly what I will purchase yet, but I know it will be something worthwhile!