I'm Surviving!

So, after the third day, and getting used to everything a little bit more, I am starting to feel more confident. I ran two (TWO!) class periods yesterday! Granted, the teacher got the class all settled and everything before I took the reins, but for the most part, I was in control! We read a story out loud in class, which went well. Except 2nd hour was quite rowdy! I don't understand how kids can be that excited at 9 in the morning! I think, or hope at least, that the students are starting to like and respect me, which is a big plus.

Today, I arrived at school around 7:20am, before my cooperating teacher, to find my very own desk! And computer! I am going to bring things tomorrow to put on it... fun office supplies and such :) The kids reacted when they walked in today, saying things like "Woah there's another desk in here!" and "Ooo Ms. Rostad got her own desk!" Haha the only reason they probably noticed was because some of their desks were out of place. But still, it made me feel so good to have my own desk!

I taught one class period today, where we discussed the study guide for the short story we read. Leading this discussion was a little hard for me. I knew the information, but I found it hard for the students to continue participating without me prodding them. The first two classes, my cooperating teacher got through only 14 of the study guide questions, where as I got through all of them. I feel like she has an easier time carrying on conversations and expanding on topics with the students. I do understand, however, that she knows the students and has taught the lesson for about 6 years, so she's got her bearings on the topic. BUT! I feel very good about the conversation I had with my students and that they got the general gist of the lesson :)

I am excited to keep teaching lessons! I feel like my confidence will keep going up with each day I get to go up there and take control of the class. I can't believe tomorrow's already Thursday! :)

first day of school!

Today, I began the much anticipated (maybe feared?) endeavor of... dun dun dunnn... STUDENT TEACHING! And, honestly, it was great! Although... all the students did today (because their winter break was SO exhausting) was watch a movie. Actually, it was "To Kill a Mockingbird." So, I had some time to read over my schedule, talk to the teacher, and get acclimated with the basics.
My cooperating teacher is great! I was definitely glad I went in mid-December to meet her and get the books I'll need to teach. And get this, I'm already teaching a lesson tomorrow! Woah! She wasn't kidding when she said she was going to just "throw me into it." (A tad intimidating, huh?) But really, I'm super excited!
All the other teachers I met were so nice, and welcoming, offering their help whenever I needed it, which shows a lot about the school as a whole!
The kids seem great so far. Also, I love that the school runs on a block-schedule. There are four 90-minute periods, and my teacher and I have three of four of those periods occupied with students. SO, we get a prep period, which is awesome! :)
And something else that completely makes me excited is that i get my own DESK! To fill with office supplies! And! My own computer!! I was completely surprised to hear this, but am extremely excited about it!
I can't believe how FUNNY kids are... I remember back when I was in 10th grade and how I didn't think me or my classmates were funny whatsoever... just catty and hormonal. But now, being a great deal more mature than I was in 10th grade, I realize how truly funny teenagers are!

Well, seeing as how I had a wonderful first day, I am hoping that they will only get better as I go! :)
Hopefully I'll do well with my lesson tomorrow!

Kickin' my feet up

So, after being FINISHED with finals, and college classes... and a long gruesome bus ride... we are finally here! Keystone, Colorado. So, now that we're here, I am relaxing! And, of course, drinking some beers :) Tomorrow is the day to start boarding! I wish I would have been able to go out before we came to Colorado, but oh well.
TIME TO PARTY!
...to the deer!

Winding Down. . .

I am taking a moment for my brain to relax, have some coffee, and write a post before I must start my 3rd to last project for the semester. I can't believe I only have three things left!
-432 Final Exam Portfolio
-459 Portfolio
-459 Paper
Wow! This time last week, that list was tripled! It feels good to know that I am actually accomplishing something :) However, I DID have to do homework ON my birthday (yesterday). Oh well, it was just my 23rd. Nothing special, right? I'm bummed no one was able to do anything, but what can I expect for having my birthday on the first day of finals week?! Lucky me, huh? Hopefully I will be able to go out and celebrate with friends Wednesday night :)
On another note, I did have a wonderful birthday, for being which day it was on. Sunday, I went to the Vikings v. Bills game with my parents and Kyle- which was AWESOME! They kicked some major butt and pulled off the win for me :) Kyle gave me my birthday gift- a Columbia softshell jacket. I love it! It's so warm :) Some of my best girlies got me gifts too, which they didn't need to. I find more and more that everyday I am just so blessed to have the people in my life that I do. ♥
Next venture after finals are completed??? NEW HAIR! I have an appointment Thursday to get a body wave perm (PERM?!) and I'm halfway excited, halfway scared shitless because I don't want to look like a poodle. (I've heard horror stories!)
SO until then, TAKE CARE and HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK TO ME! Go have a drink :)

ooopsies!

Wow, I am horrible at keeping up with my blog! Wish I had time...but there are SO many other things I need to be working on :( papers, projects, e-portflios... THE LIST DOESN'T END! But one thing I am sure of, is that I am ecstatic that this is the LAST Monday of this grueling semester. I had my usual Monday class this morning, and wanted to just blow up because of how boring it was, mainly because my professor had repeated about three stories that he/she has told at least once before. But hey, I thought to myself, will I have to hear those stories again? Probably not! Ah well... they were interesting I guess.

I just realized that in this past year, I have traveled more than I have in any previous years! A timeline:
March- Spring break road trip to Daytona Beach, Florida
May- Colorado! To visit some good friends
July- Milwaukee to Summerfest, and then straight to see Dave Matthews Band
November-Indiana to visit (and meet) Kyle's dad and family (which was awesome!)
December (the big one!)- Colorado AGAIN! Road trip (or, bus) to Keystone for some snowboarding
-Florida AGAIN! For a Christmas vacation with my family
Also, various trips to Chicago to visit Katie were sprinkled here and there.

HhhMmmm... I foresee a post in the future full of pictures and stories of these travels :) to recap my year!

On an end note, I found this quote yesterday when visiting my favorite blog, goodmorningandgoodnight, and thought I'd share it! ♥

katie :)

good morning all! you think today would be the prime day to sleep in, but of course my ambitious self is up at 8am! oh well, i guess maybe it's a sign that i need to start my endless amounts of homework, huh? wonderful.
today, i would like to touch on how much i value friendship.
my best friend, katie, who now lives and teaches in boulder, colorado, is probably one of the best friends i've had, ever. she is coming to visit over her thanksgiving break for a few days. i can't even express the amount of excitement building up inside of me right now! it's kinda like a firecracker! although i haven't seen her since about mid-summer, i know that we will pick up right where we left off. some days, when i'm bored or sad thinking about how much i miss her, i look back at our wall-to-walls on facebook and almost instantly start laughing and feeling better. we're such goons together and have endless inside jokes and antics. i know that when she comes she'll break me out of that shell again, since i've somewhat cocooned up into a comfort zone around my new roommates (which, is not necessarily a bad. thing).
so, just NINE days until my twin lovebird gets here, and i NEED to make sure that i get ALL of my homework done prior to her arrival, because i am almost certain i will not want to do it when she is here!
LOVE YOU KATIE!

So, since the semester is coming to a close, I am definitely feeling the pressure. I seem to only to think and ponder about the things that I need to complete and all the tasks looming in my assignment notebook. I have no time to think about having any trace of fun (what IS that? i can't even remember anymore!), relaxing, or even exercising. Sad, right?
SO for a change, I plan on writing about things that make me happy, and that I am thankful for. (A friend of mine is doing 1 thing she's thankful for each day!)
Here we go~
-My family! I am so thankful for the support of my family and everything they do for me. If I didn't have their support I know I wouldn't be where I am today!
-My friends! I don't think I'd survive without them, I love you ALL and we can get through anything together! Whether far or near, I know I can turn to you guys to give advice when I need it, a shoulder when I need one, and an abundant amount of laughs and memories :)
-My boyfriend! I love him so much and consider him my other half. He is my strongest support when I need it, and can make me laugh regardless of what I am going through. ♥
-My puppies! They always make me smile and are always up for a cuddle. Though I don't get to see them very often, but when I do, they are always happy to see me!
-Believe it or not, SCHOOL. So, why be thankful for the thing that is causing me, by far, the most stress I've ever experienced? Because I am so lucky to have the opportunity to actually attend college, unlike many other people in this world. So, something I always try to remember when I am feeling the stress from the books, is that people would die to be able to go to school and get an education.

There are SO many more things I am thankful for, but these are at the top of my list! Whenever I feel stressed beyond the point of no return, I turn to my base supports, always remembering that, in fact, everything is going to be OKAY!
♥