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 . . .