Happy Fourth of July!

I cannot believe it is already July4! This summer is just flying by. I haven't written in almost a week so I will do my best to catch up.

This week at HIH, while I didn't work all five days, was very hellish. The kids were just nuts. We had a lot of kids every day and maybe a poor combination of kids or something. Monday we went to Owen Park. It was fine but literally we didn't do anything special. Tuesday I felt sick and had some chest congestion so I asked if I could go home and rest up for my interview Wednesday. They let me leave at 9:30 which was earlier than I would have thought, but great. I went and got a new drivers license because mine expired and plus I have no idea where it went after my birthday celebrations. After that I brought some clothes to Goodwill and went to Target and got groceries and a couple of shirts that might work for interview clothes. Then I went home and cleaned a little, put my laundry away from last Friday finally, and napped too. While I felt a little sick, I still felt restless, which has been happening a ton lately. I went to bed at a decent time but couldn't sleep all night because I was thinking about my interview.

I'll get back to my interview in a second, but so Wednesday I had off from work. I took my Birthday Pay and had the day off for my interview. Apparently the daycare kids were awful when I was gone. I wonder if it would have been better if I were there, or if I should just be happy I wasn't there to experience it.

Thursday we went to Petsmart. They didn't know we were coming apparently, and everything was a disorganized mess. The kids were naughty and I have never ever ever in my life had such little patience with kids. We left a little early and went around the side of the building and such reemed the kids out. It was much needed. They needed to be put back into place, reminded of the expectations and consequences of their behavior. It worked for the most part. The were on "red light" the rest of the bus ride back, then we had quiet reading when we got back. I was just so ready to leave by five. I don't even think I said bye to anyone, as soon as the clock hit five I was gone.

Friday was a Fairfax Pool day. It was a better day because we had a little over half of the kids there. Most had off for the 4th weekend. Kids were better, but still they just tattle a lot, and whine. We had a new kid on Monday who is kind of stirring things up I guess you could say. He has EBD(Emotional Behavior Disorder) and we just haven't figured him out yet. When I read his IEP, it sounded like he got angry often, and threw total fits where he would hurt himself, other kids, or teachers(like biting, kicking, etc.) I was expecting a short temper. Well, the bigger problem with him is that he talks ALL the time, blurts any little thing out in a loud voice that he wants, and he doesn't understand sharing or how to play nice with other kids. When he wants something he takes it. When the other kid tattles he doesn't even give it back and he tries to change the subject or lie about it. It's like I feel like he doesn't get it. I've gone over what to do if someone has the toy he wants, but he just must always get his way or is able to fight for his way. Luckily, he hasn't had any breakdowns but it is exhausting to constantly be talking to him about respect, and how to keep friendships, etc. He also has said a few things that are inappropriate for school and I don't know where he learns it. My heart goes out to kids who have EBD and on top of it, don't have the best home life. While he might throw a fit, I wonder if he wouldn't get so bad, or use bad language if he wasn't exposed to that kind of thing. His mom is a giant lady. Wow, her gut hangs out under her shirts everyday, it's like there isn't a big enough shirt for her. It's weird. I am trying to love him and be helpful to him, while still holding him accountable for his actions. It is very hard work. I give Spec Ed teachers props. Anyways, the pool was colder than I thought and I was glad when we left. I started early yesterday so I got off at 4pm which was sweet.

After work last night I took a much needed nap. I had the strangest dream too. It was with HIH people, some from school age, some from T1 and the director. Something about the director trying to electricute us, a jello cake(was I hungry?), something about burning my couch, and Katie slapping my ass way too hard asking if I was wearing a thong, and I wanted to punch her. I told you it was weird. Then I picked Theresa up from work and we went to Kohl's so she could use a coupon for her work khakis and then we went back to the apartment and hung out with Becky. We did karioke On Demand and had a fun time singing. Haha oh man.

Today I am surprised how early I am up. I woke up at 8:45. I had to pee pretty bad so I knew I had to get up, but I normally would go back to bed. I am just wide awake I guess. I am going to clean yet again. This apartment needs to be cleaned every friggin day I swear. I am also going to do laundry and finish my TO DO list I made on my break yesterday. I have to do my plans for HIH next week. I am on for the Pirate theme. Any ideas? We'll probably make pirate eye patches and hats, and we'll have a treasure hunt for them. I have to figure out the rest. Then later tonight I guess we're going to some fireworks with BJ. It should be a fun time, wish I knew where they were.

OK, back to my interview. I interviewed in the Howard-Suamico district on Wednesday and it went alright. I just didn't feel that great about the interview, even though I answered everything fine. It was just the principal and me in there, and she made a big deal right at the beginning to let me know that this was just a screening process and that she is looking for people that seem like a good fit to actually go forward with interviews with a bigger committee. She just kept saying things about how it doesn't matter how qualified you are if you aren't a good fit. I almost felt like she looked at my experience and the fact that Owatonna has a nationally recognized program and was already setting me up to think that I was better than their position or something. It just didn't feel right being there. She talked way more than I thought she would, she seemed very into herself. The questions she asked her weird in my opinion. She asked a lot of valid questions, but just didn't get to the ones I consider the meat and potatoes. She asked about performing a lot, like what, when would I have my kids perform, what instruments would I use in concert, what kind of performances are relevant to kids, etc. I thought my answers were good, but it gave the impression that they are more interested in looking/sounding good for the public, rather than providing a true learning experience for kids. I was looking for more questions about working with kids in class, adapting for special needs or varying abilities/learning styles, how to motivate my students, how to connect with them, etc. These things are far more important to me. If you do all of those things well and right, then your performance level is up anyways because the kids trust you, are having fun, and no one is left behind. OK, long rant, but anyways it was an awkward interview. They said they'd call the next morning to let me know if I'd be advancing. At 11:15am the next day I called mom on my break to tell her I still hadn't heard, but was irritated it was taking that long, and I decided not to go either way. While I was on the phone with her they did call and leave a message saying thanks but no thanks. Well, whatever I hope they found someone that fits their needs. In the meantime, I am not upset about it and I know that I will be happier elsewhere. (like Owatonna)

Owatonna is FINALLY meeting on Monday to discuss music positions. I can't wait to hear the results, even if it isn't in my favor. I just want to know if I should close the door or not. I also wish Waukesha, Sun Prairie, and Faribault would call soon. Now that it's July I am starting to panic a little bit. If I hear bad news from Owatonna, then I will be in full panic mode. Gah. Try not to think about it.

In other news, we are planning a trip to Chicago July 30-August 2. Becky and Theresa are going to SAI National Convention and I am just along so they can use me for my car and I get to see Joe and Stephanie and their babies, also maybe Errin and Ryan. Hopefully everything works out well, and we will have a total blast. I am getting excited for it. I feel so restless lately, and I just need to get out and do something.

Well, onto that mentioned cleaning. I hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend and stays safe!