Long overdue update!

Wow- hard to believe it has been over a month since my last update! Thanks to my hubby- Azahar- who reminded me to update.

However, it has been so long I am not sure really what to say. I have 15 days left until I am done with classes at JWU. Then I get to focus on nothing but student teaching, my students, and being a good teacher. For this- I CANT WAIT!

I get sad when I think that college is pretty much over. It is a bitter sweet feeling that I just tend to not think about. I will miss so much (and not miss just as much). With this also comes time for me to figure out WTF I am doing with my life... and well... I have no clue to be honest. Moving? Staying? Teaching? Something else? Who knows!

I think about this literally, at least 5x a day. Each time I think about it I never have an answer. When the time comes I will have the answer or know inside and I will sit tight until that day comes.

Its kind of funny. I am really getting used to this Mr. Judge thing. I, by accident, introduced myself to someone the other day 9an adult not at the high school) as Mr. Judge. i laughed so hard!

Recently I have been missing my friends who are all over the country. It feels good to know I have amazing friends that no matter how far away, keep in touch. However, not having my two strongest support systems (great friends and family) not around me can be rough at times. I just have to remember that they are out there, I am loved, I love them, and geography can not separate us.

I am going back to NY for thanksgiving to see my family. I am very excited! I have not made it back for most thanksgivings after moving. This, I regret - but it was mainly financial reasons.

Until my next update (which I promise will be sooner than later)

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Camping

This weekend I went camping in Breckenridge. It was so nice! However, being there reminded me of my friends, Leadership Academy, Kellie, Matt and all the gang.

Believe it or not this was the first time I had ever been camping. i loved it up until the time to go to sleep. I quickly found out i am not the camping type and love my bed way too much!

Here are some pictures form the weekend!

Mr. Judge

So...

I just signed my first email with "Mr. Judge." It WAS SO WEIRD!

Introducing myself to new students I meet is odd too..... every time I do it, I smile. Just thought I would share!

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

One week down!!

I have just finished my first week back at school! What a week it was! Classes, the work load and just the experience in general have been stressful and very overwhelming. I have a lot of work ahead of me this year.

Trying to get everything ready for student teaching (documentation etc), going to my ED courses, making up a culinary lab, and setting up early field experiences, has me exhausted this week. I say there are not enough hours in the day, but honestly, if there were more hours I do not think I would have enough energy to keep going anyways.

I am making up a culinary lab this segment (Storeroom). I am in it with all first time freshmen. It has been frustrating at times (at most times actually). Patsy tells me it is good practice for having patience and being compassionate for teaching. However, college students are and should be held to a higher expectation than them. If a high school student does not know what a clove of garlic looks like, while I would be surprised, I would understand. However, if an individual decides to go to culinary school to be a chef and DOES NOT KNOW WHAT GARLIC IS.... I am appalled. What in their mind said culinary school is a good idea when they do not even know what garlic looks like?!??!?!

So anyways… THIS is the type of things that come with freshman labs that is DRIVING ME BONKERS!

There is a student in the class who is mentally disabled. His actions and lack of knowledge and social skills are not his fault. However, most people in the class are not tolerant of that and unwilling to help him or show compassion. This has me even more frustrated……

I have been helping him a long. Chef put him in my group on purpose so I could help. He is MAANY questions about everything and I do my best to help him understand situations and the content. However, there are certain actions that I cannot seem to get him to understand.

First being that his constant singing is driving people crazy and when they ask him to stop they mean it. Also, he touches people when it is unwelcomed. Even after people ask him to stop touching them; he does not seem to get it. I am not sure how to handle this as to an extent he cannot help it… but at the same time it is also not ok that people are being touched unwelcomed.

These are the types of things I have been thinking about and doing this week. I start at my student teaching placement on Wednesday. I am very excited for that (and scared and nervous and happy and anxious…)

Until next time…

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan

Organization

It amazes me how much time it is taking me to organize my last 3+ years of disorganization. I have spent the past 2 days attempting to organize all of my files, lesson plans, worksheets, notes, power points etc.

I am only about 2/3 of the way done and it feels endless. Then once that is done I need to take all of my Field Experience hours, teaching documentation, lessons, licensing hours, and work samples into one fancy binder. If I get this done now I will be in good shape at the end of the year when it comes down to graduation and applying for my license.

I wish I was more like my roommate Rob. He has manage to keep up with all of this. I am hoping that by living with him it will rub off! Once organized they key will be to remain that way through student teaching. However, it is easier to stay organized when there is a system.

Amazingly, in the past 3+ years of going to school, being Student Body President etc. I never came up with a real system. My system was out of sight, out of mind. LOL. That is just not cutting it anymore.

I wish I had the motivation to start all of this last week when I was being a bum. However, I guess it was a well deserved break. Now- I will stop procrastinating and get back to it!

Autumn

So... it's been a little chilly here in CO lately. This means one thing... Autumn is coming! Autumn is my favorate season ever. There is something about the changing leaves and crisp air that makes me feel alive.

Also, I can wear sweaters. I LOVE to wear sweaters. #1 they are comfortable, #2 they are professional, but most importantly, #3 I LOOK HOTT in them! :)

My favorate weather is when I can just wear a sweater, no coat and be fine! Any colder is just blah.....

Sadly in CO, if you blink you miss autumn. We have the weirdest weather that is simply unpredictable. However, the leaves changing is not a matter of months like on the east but instead what seems like a matter of days.

Anyways, all these pictures are from home (NY) by G. Steve Jordan. Wonderful photographer, I own some of his work.

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-

Ryan

Job update

It lasted 3 whole days (5 if you count the weekend). I am back to work at The Center. I left because of school and student teaching. I would not be able to work there during business hours.

Well, I got a call from my boss Deb on Tuesday. I am going to work for a few hours on Saturdays. Running reports, acknowledgment letters etc. No real big deal but I am happy to have the connection again. Also, the few extra dollars will not hurt at all.

When she called I was like – It has been 3 days…. How can you need me already! HAHAHA. I guess it made me feel good to know my work was appreciated.

Peace, Love & Apple Pie-
Ryan