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School is IN!

We all went back to school really early this year...August 5. Well I can't say "we" because I didn't start back until August 17, and I'm not the student this time :) I'm teaching a Dual Enrollment class at a local high school and I'm loving it. These seniors get the opportunity to take a college level class when they are in high school. How cool is that? I am also teaching developmental writing again. I really enjoy that because of the people with whom I work. Reading the college English versus the Writing papers is a HUGE difference, so I'm staying on my toes. My students were surprised to find out that I play Pokemon. I've even had one come by league to say hi (or maybe she was just checking to see if I really was that nerdy). I do it for my kids, not to mention its a lot of fun! Speaking of the kids, all are doing well with their new schools and teachers. My son has even picked up a second instrument...now he plays trumpet and is learning saxophone. He is also quite a miser lately on the computer, making a new movie of his own Pokemon-ish characters.

All this returning to school and work has me worn out. I hope that I can find the strength and energy to get used to it all before I totally crap out!

St. Louis

Ok. So this is a little bit late, but the pictures are now available. Our vacation this summer was to St. Louis, Missouri. The National Pokemon Tournament was there this year, so we decided to go for the whole week and make a trip out of it. We had a lot of fun except for the hellacious hotness and humidity. It almost felt like we were still in Tennessee. We went to the St. Louis Science Center where Kyle built a Lego robot that beat all the competition. We also saw a cool sky show in their planetarium and now the kids watch the stars at night hoping to see one of the constellations they had learned. We also went to the Six Flags park one day and the water park another day. We stayed in a campground really close to the parks, so it was rather convenient. Our cousin Taylor came on Thursday and went with us to the park...she and Evan rode pretty much every rollercoaster in the park - in the FRONT car - and had a blast. The Six Flags old man on the commercials is hilarious; at the park, he is kind of freaky.

The rest of the weekend was devoted to the Pokemon tournament. Kyle actually got into the Video Game Championship again, so he didn't play the card game. He was in a flight of 5, with the top 4 going on to the finals...and of course he was #5. It was disappointing, but he handled it very well. Dad judged and had a great time doing that, but the other three of us actually played in the tournament. We didn't win anything, but we all had a great time meeting folks from all around the U.S. Everyone was very friendly and it is a great family fun event. Needless to say, we were exhausted (at least Dad and I were) when it was time to head home. Everyone had a great time and can't wait to go back next year...although I'm hoping we just go a couple of days and actually vacation somewhere near a beach and lots of water :)

I know, I know...

I've been slacking badly. This has been a busy summer. We took a trip to St. Louis (and those pictures will have to come later...they are still in the camera and I have to wait for the hubby because I'm technically challenged). These pictures are from my last post. We were at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville for the Pokemon Video Game Championships. My youngest son, Kyle, got chosen to participate and you can see he was pumped! He was also chosen in the National contest in St. Louis, but that's another blog entry.

The kids start back to school in less than two weeks (thank you, GOD!). No full time position has come my way as of yet, but I'm ever optimistic.

On another happy note - I got my diploma. Nevermind they got my name wrong...but that little piece of paper was hard-earned! Now on to the one with the Doctor of Arts or whatever :)

Oh blah de, oh blah dah, Life goes on

This has been a busy couple of weeks. I finally hosted Bunko at my house, and it was a lot of fun. I didn't bother with a lot of cleaning and such because we had been running around with the kids and doing the tournament things. My friends got to see how I actually live, and it didn't seem to scare them to death. My two cats moved out over a year ago, but I think they still linger somewhat...one of my friends was having allergy problems. I guess I need to shampoo carpets and wash all the draperies to get it completely out.

This past weekend, on a whim, we went to the Opryland Hotel where there was a Regional Video Game Championship for....you guessed it...Pokemon. It was a horrible set-up. Over 300 "seniors" (13 and older) and even more "juniors" (12 and under) were there. You had to register and just HOPE to be one of the 128 people that were randomly picked. As luck would have it, only one out of my three was chosen. He actually made it to the top 8 in the tournament, and now that is all he thinks about. They will have the National Championship in St. Louis when we go, so he wants to try to make it into that tournament. It is really sad, however, that hundreds register, get their hopes up, practice their games for months, and then only have their hopes shattered by not being chosen in the drawing. I'm trying to prepare him for the possible disappointment, but you know how kids are...he is sure that he will be chosen.

Life goes on...A friend got engaged, another found out she was pregnant for the third time, and my quest for a full-time teaching position continues. Meanwhile, I'm reading a lot and hanging out with the kids. Our BEYOND wonderful Grandmother turned 82 this weekend. My kids are so extremely fortunate to get to know their great-grandmother. She is still active and quilting daily, although some headaches and coughs have kept her down lately. She is by far the best person I know.

Summer has started!

The kids have been out of school for a whole week now and they are all still alive. I've started a countdown for them to return to school...how awful is that? We've been to Atlanta for a Pokemon tournament, but thats the only traveling so far. They even got ME to play in the tournament. Scary. I will admit it is fun, but even more important than that is my husband and kids' reaction to me playing. They are all getting a kick out of it. I've battled them several times over the past few days, which is wonderful because it keeps them off of the computer and fighting over video games.

We will be going to St. Louis for our family trip this summer because of the National Pokemon Tournament. That one is where scholarship money is at stake. Dorky, yes....but free money? I'll take it. We're going down a few days earlier to do the Six Flags/Arch/Science Center tour. No beach, but it will still be fun.

I still have no word from the school system. I'm afraid that I waited too late to start the interviewing process. I was led to believe I had to go through the county before I could go directly to a school, so I was left behind by those who already knew to go directly to the schools. Oh well...as I've said before, I love it at the college. I will be happy to stick with that.

Today I take my daughter in for an I.Q. test. She is testing as a gifted student, just like her brothers were. I think she will have no trouble with it, although she is sort of nervous about it. She started naming off "smart kids" that she knew in kindergarten and hopes they are all in her class. I wish it worked that way, but at least she will be getting some much needed stimulation in the first grade. Kindergarten was just way too easy for her, so she was not the best behavior-wise. She'd get bored and get antsy. Here's hoping it all goes well!

HAPPY DANCE!

Final grades were posted today, and I got all three A's! Even on that infernal final project...an A! I'm glad its over but also missing school already. Am I weird or what?

I've been in kindergarten the past few days helping out my daughter's teacher. I swear they do not pay those teachers enough. I'd be gone after a week, but I know I have zero patience. I like to teach the older kids. I've had a preliminary interview with the Board of Education, so now I just have to wait for principals to put out a call for English teachers. But like I've said before, my heart won't break if I stay at the college. I really enjoy the people there.

I'm toying around with a Ph.D. There is a semi-local (45 minutes away) school that offers one in Adolescent Literature. If I can get a graduate assistanceship (i.e., they pay me AND pay my tuition), I just might do it. I'd have to take the GRE...and I'm NOT good at written exams...but thats a cross I will bear if I get to it.

YIPPEE! Now just to get that diploma and frame it :)