Well we have moved in and settled all down in our new apartment. There is so much that has happened the past month and a half I do not know where to start!!
Erik is having a great time at Boeing. He is now working programming a part a bull gear which is a gear that runs a plane's engines. (A 747). That is all I really know or understand how to explain! He has met a friend there, Lane. Lane and his wife, Ashley live in the same apartment complex. We seem to have dinner together at least once a week, so that has been fun.
He is going to Seattle in two weeks for training for a week. He has a company credit card, company car, etc. etc. etc. He is loving not being school. We both have to get up pretty early, but I think our bodies are getting used to it. We are young but go to bed at 8:30 and wake up around 5:30. It's the only way to not fall asleep during the day!
I am in a first grade classroom full time and have been teaching everyday. I get along with my teacher and all the other staff members. I enjoy going to "work" everyday, although 24 seven-year olds really wear you out by 2:20. : ) I have been interviewing for jobs in Lebanon and Corvallis. I am going to the final interview for Corvallis next Wednesday. You interview, then teach a reading lesson to a group of 1st graders. YIKES. It is going well, but somedays it is very hard dealing with all the kids. 99% of them live below the poverty line. Most live in apartments.
I have been getting lidocaine injections in my neck and head for my neck issues and head aches. It is starting to help a bit, which is a blessing. It is not fun getting the injections, ouch. Then, I got a cortisone shot in my knee which has reduced the pain 75%. Now, in physical therapy we will start building back my quad muscle. So, God has been good to us, showing both of us that my body will heal. I still have a long recovery, but seeing little improvements is very encouraging. Counting my headaches and knowing it is one less each day is very good! Bless Erik, he drives 45 minutes with me to Physical Therapy and then drives all the way home (another 45 minutes). He is so supportive.
We have been here for four weeks I think and have gone to a couple different churches. One had many thousand. It is so interesting to see what church is like in a big city. In Corvallis, we do not have the range of choices.
Just a quick update for those interested. Send me anyone's email address so I can send them the link for this blog, I set it as private. Katie, Debbie, and whoever send me your emails!!! : )
Hope all is well!!!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
4 Days to Go...
Well, we are moving on Friday... Our bed is now in the living room because boxes have slowly overtaken our bedroom. it is a bit of a treat because we get to watch TV or a movie in bed, that is always fun.
Yesterday, my boss at the coffee shop had a going away party for me. That was fun... It is always interesting when work people hang out outside of work. Hmmm.
Everything is basically packed (just all the odds and ends that you have to wait for).
Erik is in a final right now and has another one tonight at 6. Then one more on Thursday at 9:30. I do not have finals but am in the library trying to do my work sample for next term. I am teaching a unit on poetry. OH boy.
We are antsy, stressed, and tired! We just want to be up in Gresham unpacking our massive amounts of boxes and have a few days of "spring break."
I will post some pictures of the tornado that came to visit... : )
Have a great great week!
Yesterday, my boss at the coffee shop had a going away party for me. That was fun... It is always interesting when work people hang out outside of work. Hmmm.
Everything is basically packed (just all the odds and ends that you have to wait for).
Erik is in a final right now and has another one tonight at 6. Then one more on Thursday at 9:30. I do not have finals but am in the library trying to do my work sample for next term. I am teaching a unit on poetry. OH boy.
We are antsy, stressed, and tired! We just want to be up in Gresham unpacking our massive amounts of boxes and have a few days of "spring break."
I will post some pictures of the tornado that came to visit... : )
Have a great great week!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Odd Things About Me... : )
Tarah and Katie tagged me to write about ten weird/odd/random things or facts/habits about myself. I don't know if I have ten, and there are only a handful of people reading this but here it goes:
1. Erik refers to my toes as "bottle openers" I admit that they are a little weird but they curve up just a bit.
2. When I was little, my sister and I were painting a huge pumpkin on a cardboard box for a carnival at school. My mom left us in the kitchen to paint and came back and we managed to take off all our clothes and cover ourselves from head to toe in black and orange.
3. When I was 6, my best friend dared me to take an m & m out of the bulk candy in Safeway. Then she turned around and told my mom. My mom made me go PAY for the thing and the lady said I needed to pay 1/2 a cent. I was so confused.
4. I have Terrien's Marginal Corneal Degeneration. Its an eye condition that happens to men over 45. Its where one of my eye's cornea degenerates over time. Yes, I know...
5. When I was in middle school, my friend and I flew by ourselves to California. In the Burbank airport, we met and took a picture with Bruce Vilanche, he was the rather large guy on Hollywood Squares with blond curly hair and red glasses.
6. My mom wanted to instill good financial habits in me when I was young, so she signed me up for a credit card at 10 years old. She would wait in the car and I would grocery shop. We both loved it. I went to the bank the first time when I was 5 to get my first savings account.
7. I started working in my family's toy store (The Zoo) in Sunriver when I was 7 years old. I stocked all the toys and did the cash register.
8. I had Lasik eye surgery two years ago. I don't have to wear glasses or contacts anymore, YAY!!!!!!
9. When I was 14 I got my belly button pierced with a friend. We drove to Salem with her older sister. We were so rebellious.
10. I ice skated competitively for several years when I was young. My mom made all my outfits and I would go to practice before elementary school and after school until bed. I loved it.
I have no one to tag because I only read Tarah and Katie's blogs. So, girls, wanna do it again!? : ) Just kidding!
1. Erik refers to my toes as "bottle openers" I admit that they are a little weird but they curve up just a bit.
2. When I was little, my sister and I were painting a huge pumpkin on a cardboard box for a carnival at school. My mom left us in the kitchen to paint and came back and we managed to take off all our clothes and cover ourselves from head to toe in black and orange.
3. When I was 6, my best friend dared me to take an m & m out of the bulk candy in Safeway. Then she turned around and told my mom. My mom made me go PAY for the thing and the lady said I needed to pay 1/2 a cent. I was so confused.
4. I have Terrien's Marginal Corneal Degeneration. Its an eye condition that happens to men over 45. Its where one of my eye's cornea degenerates over time. Yes, I know...
5. When I was in middle school, my friend and I flew by ourselves to California. In the Burbank airport, we met and took a picture with Bruce Vilanche, he was the rather large guy on Hollywood Squares with blond curly hair and red glasses.
6. My mom wanted to instill good financial habits in me when I was young, so she signed me up for a credit card at 10 years old. She would wait in the car and I would grocery shop. We both loved it. I went to the bank the first time when I was 5 to get my first savings account.
7. I started working in my family's toy store (The Zoo) in Sunriver when I was 7 years old. I stocked all the toys and did the cash register.
8. I had Lasik eye surgery two years ago. I don't have to wear glasses or contacts anymore, YAY!!!!!!
9. When I was 14 I got my belly button pierced with a friend. We drove to Salem with her older sister. We were so rebellious.
10. I ice skated competitively for several years when I was young. My mom made all my outfits and I would go to practice before elementary school and after school until bed. I loved it.
I have no one to tag because I only read Tarah and Katie's blogs. So, girls, wanna do it again!? : ) Just kidding!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Moving part 2...
I realized that I have not written for three weeks... (Thanks Katie!)
We are moving in two weeks from yesterday (Friday). We went to Gresham two weeks ago and found apartments. It was an odd process because we drove through the down over 10 times going from place to place. We were so defeated by the end of the day so we went to Outback for dinner. We decided to drive around a little more that night (it was SO dark!) and stumbled upon these great apartments that were in our price range and had more than what we were looking for. There is a pool, hot tub, and fitness center. We found a one bedroom on the third floor which is great because we won't have anyone above us. I realized it is not so great because I struggle horribly with stairs because of my knee. Oops.
If you are interested in where we are living... the website is www.carlaprop.com and then on the left hand side you click on Aspen Highlands and it shows pictures, etc... ;)
Erik found out his hours are M-F from 6 am to 2:30pm which I was thrilled about, but he is a night person! I am slowly converting him (devious, I know). If he is not out studying until the wee hours of the morning, he is in bed with me around 9:30. Yes, I am only 21 and go to bed at 9:30. I need lots of beauty rest!
The drive for Erik will be 10-15 minutes (no traffic at 5:45 AM!) For me, it will be about the same. Yesterday we drove back up to Gresham so that I could find a teacher that I can student teach with full-time. I more or less "interviewed" two different teachers. One is a male, who I really liked and one was a female. I got along really well with the lady and found out half way through our conversation that she is a Christian and she even invited Erik and I to church when we move up there... (whole other post). I have thought and prayed and thought and I think I am going to go with the man. I think I will learn more from him, and he is pretty organized (I am crazy organized).
Katie asked the difference between student teaching and a work sample here is the scoop...
Student teaching- I have spent this whole year in the classroom. I teach lessons, do things with the kids, etc. It is the hardest experience because I am always being critiqued. Starting March 31, I will be in the classroom ALL DAY long every day of the week. I will teach full-time for three weeks (so, I teach all day everyday, which at this point is a big deal). Then for the rest of the term I teach at least half-days... During these 11 weeks, I will teach my second work sample.
Work Sample- A compilation of ten related lessons on the same topic (not necessarily same subject) You can integrate math, PE, writing, etc. You have to assess the students in the beginning (pre-test) and at the end to show learning gains (post-test). I just finished my first one, which took hours and hours and it is now 75 pages. I will do another one of these next term.
I graduate on June 15 which only a hop, skip, and jump away! Who Hoo!!
Other news... I go to the surgeon again (who did my knee surgery) on Monday to figure out what is next in the knee saga. I have more pain now than before surgery and it is continually swollen. The physical therapist can't figure out why. Hopefully the doctor will have some answers.
Our house is a disaster with boxes. We had to buy them, unfortunately. My mom got us several free ones in Bend and Chuck and Debbie brought them over when we saw them two weekends ago. Then we found some for sale on Craigslist. It doesn't matter if they all say "Cat Food" right? : ) I am so happy that we will be unpacking them in just two short weeks.
Okay, obviously I should post more because this is a novel.
I will try and be better. : )
Have a great weekend everyone! Happy Birthday Chuck!!!! We love you!
We are moving in two weeks from yesterday (Friday). We went to Gresham two weeks ago and found apartments. It was an odd process because we drove through the down over 10 times going from place to place. We were so defeated by the end of the day so we went to Outback for dinner. We decided to drive around a little more that night (it was SO dark!) and stumbled upon these great apartments that were in our price range and had more than what we were looking for. There is a pool, hot tub, and fitness center. We found a one bedroom on the third floor which is great because we won't have anyone above us. I realized it is not so great because I struggle horribly with stairs because of my knee. Oops.
If you are interested in where we are living... the website is www.carlaprop.com and then on the left hand side you click on Aspen Highlands and it shows pictures, etc... ;)
Erik found out his hours are M-F from 6 am to 2:30pm which I was thrilled about, but he is a night person! I am slowly converting him (devious, I know). If he is not out studying until the wee hours of the morning, he is in bed with me around 9:30. Yes, I am only 21 and go to bed at 9:30. I need lots of beauty rest!
The drive for Erik will be 10-15 minutes (no traffic at 5:45 AM!) For me, it will be about the same. Yesterday we drove back up to Gresham so that I could find a teacher that I can student teach with full-time. I more or less "interviewed" two different teachers. One is a male, who I really liked and one was a female. I got along really well with the lady and found out half way through our conversation that she is a Christian and she even invited Erik and I to church when we move up there... (whole other post). I have thought and prayed and thought and I think I am going to go with the man. I think I will learn more from him, and he is pretty organized (I am crazy organized).
Katie asked the difference between student teaching and a work sample here is the scoop...
Student teaching- I have spent this whole year in the classroom. I teach lessons, do things with the kids, etc. It is the hardest experience because I am always being critiqued. Starting March 31, I will be in the classroom ALL DAY long every day of the week. I will teach full-time for three weeks (so, I teach all day everyday, which at this point is a big deal). Then for the rest of the term I teach at least half-days... During these 11 weeks, I will teach my second work sample.
Work Sample- A compilation of ten related lessons on the same topic (not necessarily same subject) You can integrate math, PE, writing, etc. You have to assess the students in the beginning (pre-test) and at the end to show learning gains (post-test). I just finished my first one, which took hours and hours and it is now 75 pages. I will do another one of these next term.
I graduate on June 15 which only a hop, skip, and jump away! Who Hoo!!
Other news... I go to the surgeon again (who did my knee surgery) on Monday to figure out what is next in the knee saga. I have more pain now than before surgery and it is continually swollen. The physical therapist can't figure out why. Hopefully the doctor will have some answers.
Our house is a disaster with boxes. We had to buy them, unfortunately. My mom got us several free ones in Bend and Chuck and Debbie brought them over when we saw them two weekends ago. Then we found some for sale on Craigslist. It doesn't matter if they all say "Cat Food" right? : ) I am so happy that we will be unpacking them in just two short weeks.
Okay, obviously I should post more because this is a novel.
I will try and be better. : )
Have a great weekend everyone! Happy Birthday Chuck!!!! We love you!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Moving!!
Well we finally know the next six months of our future!! Erik found out today that his internship for Mechanical Engineering will be at Boeing in Portland. This is great news for both of us. He is very excited as he will be doing more of the manufacturing and designing aspect of the company. He does not know full details but will find out soon. He receives benefits and paid time off. Praise God!
Tomorrow is my last day teaching my work sample, which is required to become a teacher in Oregon. It is a long process and becomes a 90-100 page book. Yikes.
Another high point of this week is that I found out that I passed my Praxis test for my ESOL endorsement. This means that I can teach kids who do not speak English as their first language. YAHOO!!!
We are reminded this week of God's faithfulness and blessings...
This weekend we will be going to search for the perfect apartment. I have to find a student teaching placement in Gresham or Fairview. It will be interesting!!
Tomorrow is my last day teaching my work sample, which is required to become a teacher in Oregon. It is a long process and becomes a 90-100 page book. Yikes.
Another high point of this week is that I found out that I passed my Praxis test for my ESOL endorsement. This means that I can teach kids who do not speak English as their first language. YAHOO!!!
We are reminded this week of God's faithfulness and blessings...
This weekend we will be going to search for the perfect apartment. I have to find a student teaching placement in Gresham or Fairview. It will be interesting!!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
My Life in Weeks...Week 3
Our terms at OSU are divided by weeks. We know when is due what week, what tests are what week, etc. This is week three, we are almost 1/3 done! (Yes that does not seem like much, but believe me, it is a milestone!)
I decided to post today because today is the first day at physical therapy since surgery that I made it through without a tear! YAHOO!!! Hopefully I only have three more weeks of physical therapy (this is week 6). I just had to tell you all the good news, because I have been so down about it lately. There is even some muscle contraction in my quads... (you would think there would be after SIX WEEKS!) Anyways, that is all good news...
My days are insane! I feel like I run around most of the day like a chicken with my head cut off! I run to spend mornings with the third graders, grab some sort of a lunch, take Erik to school and sit at the library, go to physical therapy or chiropractor, back to the library (where I am right now NEEDING to be doing lesson plans), get Erik, make dinner, then do homework as late as I can stand! Then I go to bed but most nights don't sleep well (I hear that most teachers have trouble with this in the beginning :) ).
Anyways, compared to last term things are already improving. Erik is happy that I am becoming more myself and am able to actually do things. I often think of myself (selfishly) and then think of others like Bill who have such a long road of recovery, but still have a great attitude. I have struggled with letting it all go and giving it to the Lord, but when I FINALLY do everything seems so much more simple and there is WAY less heartache!
Be blessed this week!
I decided to post today because today is the first day at physical therapy since surgery that I made it through without a tear! YAHOO!!! Hopefully I only have three more weeks of physical therapy (this is week 6). I just had to tell you all the good news, because I have been so down about it lately. There is even some muscle contraction in my quads... (you would think there would be after SIX WEEKS!) Anyways, that is all good news...
My days are insane! I feel like I run around most of the day like a chicken with my head cut off! I run to spend mornings with the third graders, grab some sort of a lunch, take Erik to school and sit at the library, go to physical therapy or chiropractor, back to the library (where I am right now NEEDING to be doing lesson plans), get Erik, make dinner, then do homework as late as I can stand! Then I go to bed but most nights don't sleep well (I hear that most teachers have trouble with this in the beginning :) ).
Anyways, compared to last term things are already improving. Erik is happy that I am becoming more myself and am able to actually do things. I often think of myself (selfishly) and then think of others like Bill who have such a long road of recovery, but still have a great attitude. I have struggled with letting it all go and giving it to the Lord, but when I FINALLY do everything seems so much more simple and there is WAY less heartache!
Be blessed this week!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Winter Term
I realized that I have not posted for nearly a month! So here are the updates....
We are going into our second week of Winter term. Erik is taking all mechanical engineering classes once again. Although his classes are very challenging he does not have class on Tuesdays and only two hours of class on Thursday. He is able to spend those days doing homework and studying...
He was accepted into an internship program which consists of two six-month internships in different locations around Oregon. The first one starts the end of March. We find out where we will move (or stay) the middle of February. Most likely we will move to the Portland area. Hopefully, I will find a new student teaching placement for the Spring term (my LAST term of COLLEGE!!)
My classes are also crazy. I remember the great days of being a freshman. I am in a third grade classroom this term. It is a bilingual class (Spanish) so I am only there when they speak mostly in English. Most of the kids are below the poverty line... you can imagine. It is very challenging but I am reminded daily of the rewards. Although it is more work I have ever done in my life, my heart gravitates to the kids.
Job fairs for me start next month (AHHH!). I have not decided what to do next year, as Erik will have another internship next spring. I want to move with him and not break a contract. Hard position to be in but something will work out, it always does.
We went to Bend for two weeks. It was so fun to see family and friends. I was in a good friend's wedding and Erik got to spend a lot of time with his good buddies Robby and Scott.
We are very happy to be back home, not so happy about school... : )
My knee is doing great. I am still in physical therapy two times per week, but I am seeing so many improvements and so much less pain. Praise God! Now the pain is in the recovery, not the previous pain before surgery. YES! I am still going to a chiropractor and massage therapy every week. Although it is a lot of time, I know it will be worth it in the end.
Well that is enough blabbering for now, my posts do not even compare with Tarah's or Katie's!!
We are going into our second week of Winter term. Erik is taking all mechanical engineering classes once again. Although his classes are very challenging he does not have class on Tuesdays and only two hours of class on Thursday. He is able to spend those days doing homework and studying...
He was accepted into an internship program which consists of two six-month internships in different locations around Oregon. The first one starts the end of March. We find out where we will move (or stay) the middle of February. Most likely we will move to the Portland area. Hopefully, I will find a new student teaching placement for the Spring term (my LAST term of COLLEGE!!)
My classes are also crazy. I remember the great days of being a freshman. I am in a third grade classroom this term. It is a bilingual class (Spanish) so I am only there when they speak mostly in English. Most of the kids are below the poverty line... you can imagine. It is very challenging but I am reminded daily of the rewards. Although it is more work I have ever done in my life, my heart gravitates to the kids.
Job fairs for me start next month (AHHH!). I have not decided what to do next year, as Erik will have another internship next spring. I want to move with him and not break a contract. Hard position to be in but something will work out, it always does.
We went to Bend for two weeks. It was so fun to see family and friends. I was in a good friend's wedding and Erik got to spend a lot of time with his good buddies Robby and Scott.
We are very happy to be back home, not so happy about school... : )
My knee is doing great. I am still in physical therapy two times per week, but I am seeing so many improvements and so much less pain. Praise God! Now the pain is in the recovery, not the previous pain before surgery. YES! I am still going to a chiropractor and massage therapy every week. Although it is a lot of time, I know it will be worth it in the end.
Well that is enough blabbering for now, my posts do not even compare with Tarah's or Katie's!!
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