I've just spent the past four days at school setting up my classroom (well, one of my classrooms) and attending meetings.  It's all very exciting in a teacher-sorta-way.  The art room is clean and ORGANIZED.  I have a ton of supplies already in my room, which means that I haven't spent any of my own money yet.  Woo hoo!  Now I just have to start on the music room/stage.  There's not as much to do in there...at least, I don't think there is.  I'll find out next Tuesday when I go back to school for one last work day before school starts on Wednesday.

 

I'm super stoked about working on invites and doing some serious clothes shopping this weekend.  One last long weekend before school starts...lovely!

 

By the way, I've been moving boxes of clay.  Really, really, really heavy boxes of clay.  My back is soooo mad at me right now. 

My summer is officially over.  I attended two days of new staff orientation last week and my first official day at Maple is Tuesday.  (Of course, I'll be there Monday just to move stuff in and get organized, but that's besides the point.)  Orientation was sooooo boring, but my ID badge photo is excellent.  I actually have a long, graceful neck! 

 

I've planned out my first lesson on self portraits and I'm slowly but surely realizing that this is not some sort of delicious dream.  It's just my dream job.  Since I'm teaching the kids how to draw their own faces, I had to draw my own.  (Lead by example, eh?)  I was a bit apprehensive; it's been a long time since I've done any figure drawing.  But, on my first attempt I came up with something that slightly resembles me.  I'll take it!  Check it out:

Brandon's at rehearsal and I am bored.  Luckily, my days of doing precious little are coming to an end.  This Thursday and Friday I will be attending some sort of "new to the district" orientation.  And starting on the 28th, I'll back back at school full time (for the most part).  So I guess that means three last days of summer vacation.  Wow, that's not much.  All of a sudden I regret not doing more on my vacation.  Oh well.  My only real concern is finding a way to get in my exercise when I start school again.  I really liked this whole "staying in bed until 9 and then meandering to the gym whenever I felt like it" thing.  Now I'm gonna have to get up EARLY or go right after school.  I like calling it "school" instead of "work".  It just sounds better.  Maybe that's because I always liked school.  I haven't planned anything for school yet.  Not a single lesson plan.  I love being a PCP teacher.  It's so much less stressful.  I only need six lesson plans a week.  Six!  Woo hoo!

 

I was really worried about weighing in this morning.  We dined out quite a bit last weekend... and I did have SEVERAL blushing brides and cupcakes at the shower.  So, long story short - I did gain; but luckily it was less than half a pound.  Crisis averted.

We survived Meet the Parents/Bridal Shower weekend!  Despite plane travel woes, the weekend went off without a hitch.  We had a lovely dinner at Syun with Dad, Di and the Bakers.  Then an equally delightful brunch with Mom, Jack and the Bakers.  Ella and Ashley did a fantastic job on the shower.  Everyone thought they'd had it catered by a pro - well, Ella is a pro.  I think my favorite part was the carrot cake cupcakes, or maybe it was the Blushing Brides...maybe both.  Yesterday we ordered my dress and picked out a fabulous bridesmaid dress for all of the girls to wear.  Check out the photos of the shower - you can't even tell that I spilled a cocktail down my dress!

It's official!  We are going to Paris for our honeymoon next June!  We'll be there from June 23 to July 3.  (Right after school gets out.)  We might even be able to extend it by a few days and make it a full two-week vacation.  I am so excited.  I've always wanted to go to Europe...always wanted to go to Paris.  We're still gonna go to Vegas for a couple days after the wedding, but this will be our official honeymoon.  Woo hoo!

I signed my contract with Seattle Public Schools yesterday and did a walk-n-talk through with my principal and the new kindergarten teacher today.  It is totally official.  They can't take my job away from me now!  It's really too good to be true; like living in a dream.  I think this is my first job of any kind where I've felt entirely competent.  I'm not scared or anything.  I can do exactly what they want me to do and I will be more than glad to do it.  I might need to consult someone about using the kiln, but aside from that...totally competent!

 

On the wedding front:  Linds came over and shared a whole bunch of music with me for the reception.  Score!  I am so glad that we are our own DJ.  Not only do we save $$$, we get total creative control.  In the words of David Bowie, "I am the DJ, I am what I play."  We have a photographer - officially - and I just adore her.  We have someone to do the ceremony - tentatively.  I'm gonna meet with the coordinator at Bear Creek on Tuesday and then I have a hair appointment on Tuesday.  I wanna create some sort of plan for the next five months.  FIVE MONTHS.  We're just that close!