Liking this song, "Heaven" by Brandi Carlile.

Sorry for the lack of posting; life's been busy but not really exciting (the irony!). Happy almost Thanksgiving!

Thailand Elephant Camp

I'VE FOUND IT! Experiential Learning International offers volunteer spots at an elephant camp in Thailand. Volunteers help take care of the elephants, and teach English. PERFECT!

Save save save save . . .

Doodle 4 Google

Wow, these doodles are really good . . . and there was one from Northern CO!

So, the semester just keeps going. For a curriculum and instruction class, I needed to do an observation of an early childhood interventionist for kids ages 0-3. I got to shadow her for a visit yesterday, and it increased my sense of self efficacy. I can do this job, and be good at it!

I've felt the same way when working at my job. It's like I've finally found a field where I feel confident that I can really help out, and be competent. I hope I can come back to my current school next year; it all depends on if they have a need for my position.

Andres and I are planning on going on a road trip to Wisconsin in July. Some friends have a cabin out there on a lake, and they've invited us to come along. A lot of my relatives are also in Wisconsin, so it might work out well to see them. I'm planning on taking a full load of classes in the summer, though, so I'll have to work something out around that.

For Valentine's Day, we saw "Avatar," and got a pizza from Casbah. I thought "Avatar" was incredible; usually I don't like movies of that genre, but I really felt for the characters and got into the story. I've also been getting these awesome Putumayo World Music CDs from the library. I'm listening to a French Caribbean CD now, check them out if you get a chance.

Anyway, back to work, enough procrastinating . . .

Flying time

A few weeks ago, Dre and I celebrated three years of being together. In August, we'll celebrate our second anniversary :) How time goes!

I met up with my roommate from my freshman year of college last week, and it was so good to re-establish the connection. This year will be the six year mark of our graduation from high school, and subsequent beginning of college. Oh the memories!

Anyway, not much else is happening. My job and classes are going well, and I did some thrift store browsing yesterday and found a tray made of "sovereign New Zealand timbers" for five bucks. It's got a kiwi (the bird) painted on front, and on the back it lists the different kinds of NZ timbers (one of their trademarks) used to make the tray. Definitely brought back some longing for NZ, but a cool find nonetheless.

Still trying to figure out when/ where/ why we can travel next. Things like that always take some time and planning (and funds), though.

New things in a new year

First off, you've probably heard about the devastation in Haiti from the earthquake this week. Please take a few moments to consider donating to relief efforts, and keep those affected (here and abroad) in your thoughts and prayers. Such tragedy; it's hard to not watch and feel totally helpless.

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It has been a while since I've updated. We had a radon mitigation system put in the basement today, and my dad has offered to come up and help us finish the flooring. I'm excited for spring/ summer to roll around so we can spend more time outside, doing landscaping/ gardening and such. The radon mitigator involves this white PVC pipe outside our front door, and I'd like to maybe get a clematis or ivy to grow around it. We don't have any bathtubs (only showers), and eventually I'd like to put in one. My dad has offered to help with that too, but it will probably be a little while before we get to it.

I started a new job close to our new house, and it is going so well. It's part time (which has reduced my stress load incredibly) and at an elementary school. Some of the students have behaviors, but most just need extra help with academic tasks. The kids are great and the teachers and I share good rapport. Everyday is an affirmation that I love helping all kids learn; it's something I guess I just never realized until after my undergrad years. In any case, I am very happy with my place right now.

My second graduate semester started on Monday, and the classes I'm taking revolve around educational psychology, assessment of kids with special needs, and curriculum in the early childhood classroom. The last one I'm really excited about, as I'm trying to figure out what my future classroom will consist of. I met with my advisor and I will be done with coursework after fall 2010, then complete three practicums: one with infants, one with toddlers, and one with elementary aged kids (up to age 8). I'll be done summer 2011.

Speaking of teaching, I found this site on Experiential Learning International from a friend's blog. I looked around at the different programs and fees, and there's one in China I (and I think Andres) would be really interested in. Maybe in summer 2011, after we've had some time to save . . .