Last night after I finished my last blog post,I went to bed around 1:00 or so. (I'm a night owl these days...) Aaron had been in bed for a while. Just as I was drifting off, we were both startled out of our sleep when Joey yelped really loud and we could hear him jump up and struggle. I leapt out of bed and went to check on him. He seemed fine. No injuries that I could tell of. The only thing was that he wouldn't lay down anywhere. For about an hour- maybe more- he kept pacing the floor. He'd sit for 30 seconds, then get up and walk around, then sit again for 30 seconds, then get up again. Aaron finally got up (I think he got woken up and couldn't get back to sleep)and sat for a while on the computer and Joey calmed down a bit sitting on the couch with Aaron. Fast forward to this morning. Aaron wakes up around 6:30, frustrated because he forgot to set an alarm and wasn't up as early as he wanted to. He jumped into the shower, and I got up quickly so that I could make his lunch. As I was standing in the kitchen, Joey all of a sudden tried to "get" something (the way he normally plays with his ball) in the corner by the cupboard. I told him to stop and when I knelt down to see what was going on, Joey was shaking! It was really pathetic. He was shaking so hard I could tell he was definately scared! So Joey and I went into the bathroom and talked to Aaron while he was brushing his teeth and getting ready for work. As all three of us were sitting there, we saw it- a mouse! It ran from the kitchen into the bathroom... where I promtply locked it in, with Aaron inside!
Aaron eventually got out, but I don't think the mouse can. So now there's a mouse in my bathroom. And because Aaron is gone all day at school and will be gone tonight at a Knicks game, I have to go buy and set the trap. Awesome. Wish me luck...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Life Update Part One
Since it's been so ridiculously long since I've updated this blog, I thought I'd try to update you on what’s been going on with us. Tonight I’m going to share about our job situations; tomorrow I’ll talk about what’s going on personally and how you can pray for us, if you feel led. We do appreciate all your prayers!
I am still working with the after school program at the YMCA, and really enjoying it. It’s challenging at times, but I like working with the kids. When I was hired in October, I was assigned to work with 4th and 5th graders, which was a bit difficult for me because of all the “attitude” I was getting from them. Also I feel that, as a female, it was somewhat difficult for me to gain their respect. If I raise my voice, for example, I just basically sound like I’m squealing. Doesn’t do so much for commanding attention. However, by the end of the semester, I felt like I had made some progress and was already beginning to learn about what it will be like to work with kids on a more regular basis. After Christmas, I was assigned to a K-2nd grade group, which I like a lot better. These kids are tough in a different way: lots of shoe tying, bathroom breaks, and tattletaling. Not so much attitude. I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work with a few different age groups, because it’s given me exposure to the challenges of working with each, and has helped me think about what I might want to do as far as my future teaching career.
While I am enjoying my job, I only work for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. This really isn’t enough money for us, nor is it enough hours taken up out of my day. So I am currently pursuing other part time opportunities that will work with my current schedule. Yesterday I had an interview at a new YMCA opening up on my block (super convenient!) and I’m hoping to get hired there. My only concern is that the pay won’t be what we need it to be and that I won’t get the kind of hours I’m looking for. So we’ll see…
Aaron is still pressing on in his crazy difficult job situation. He is such a trooper! While things are still tough, he feels like he is getting a better grasp on curriculum and instruction. His students, however, are still very difficult to handle. He never knows what might happen in his classroom. For example, last week a student brought in matches and was lighting them in class, threatening to light Aaron on fire and also to burn the school down. Aaron called for security, who came but basically just waited until the kid threw the matches out the window. After that, it was business as usual. No punishment for the student! This is the kind of situation Aaron has to deal with, and it’s very frustrating for him. I don’t think his job is totally without hope, though. Whenever his students show up and do their work, or when a student shows genuine interest in what they’re studying, Aaron is encouraged, even in a small way. I think he has to cling to those moments and try to remember them when things are especially tough. I also think his genuine concern and compassion for the kids is what is getting him through. I admire him so much for his determination to stick it out through this school year, even when opportunities presented themselves to possibly move on to other schools. In spite of everything, I think the kids, too, realize that he cares for them, and I think that does make a big difference.
Enough for tonight. Stay tuned for part two tomorrow!
I am still working with the after school program at the YMCA, and really enjoying it. It’s challenging at times, but I like working with the kids. When I was hired in October, I was assigned to work with 4th and 5th graders, which was a bit difficult for me because of all the “attitude” I was getting from them. Also I feel that, as a female, it was somewhat difficult for me to gain their respect. If I raise my voice, for example, I just basically sound like I’m squealing. Doesn’t do so much for commanding attention. However, by the end of the semester, I felt like I had made some progress and was already beginning to learn about what it will be like to work with kids on a more regular basis. After Christmas, I was assigned to a K-2nd grade group, which I like a lot better. These kids are tough in a different way: lots of shoe tying, bathroom breaks, and tattletaling. Not so much attitude. I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work with a few different age groups, because it’s given me exposure to the challenges of working with each, and has helped me think about what I might want to do as far as my future teaching career.
While I am enjoying my job, I only work for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. This really isn’t enough money for us, nor is it enough hours taken up out of my day. So I am currently pursuing other part time opportunities that will work with my current schedule. Yesterday I had an interview at a new YMCA opening up on my block (super convenient!) and I’m hoping to get hired there. My only concern is that the pay won’t be what we need it to be and that I won’t get the kind of hours I’m looking for. So we’ll see…
Aaron is still pressing on in his crazy difficult job situation. He is such a trooper! While things are still tough, he feels like he is getting a better grasp on curriculum and instruction. His students, however, are still very difficult to handle. He never knows what might happen in his classroom. For example, last week a student brought in matches and was lighting them in class, threatening to light Aaron on fire and also to burn the school down. Aaron called for security, who came but basically just waited until the kid threw the matches out the window. After that, it was business as usual. No punishment for the student! This is the kind of situation Aaron has to deal with, and it’s very frustrating for him. I don’t think his job is totally without hope, though. Whenever his students show up and do their work, or when a student shows genuine interest in what they’re studying, Aaron is encouraged, even in a small way. I think he has to cling to those moments and try to remember them when things are especially tough. I also think his genuine concern and compassion for the kids is what is getting him through. I admire him so much for his determination to stick it out through this school year, even when opportunities presented themselves to possibly move on to other schools. In spite of everything, I think the kids, too, realize that he cares for them, and I think that does make a big difference.
Enough for tonight. Stay tuned for part two tomorrow!
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