I have not been in Typepad for several months, it seems. Things at work have been horrendous with a new principal making several unnecessary changes and demanding all follow those changes because it is "my philosopy" and there is "no negotiations". She and I had a "meeting of the minds" though neither of us agreed with the other but she did change her mind so now instead of me traveling to other classrooms, I now am able to have all my kids come to me in my classroom, as it has been over the past 10 yrs. The kids are extremely glad for this and the bonding which generally takes place during the first wks of school has now been accomplished. The kids beg to come to my room, even if they are having a "game day", or recess, or movies. They know they are loved, respected, and even though we are "working" on reading fluency and comprehension rather than playing outdoors, they want to be in my room. I am proud of them.
The past weeks have been horror ridden with the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It brought things into stark proportion! We as teachers have a responsibility and a commitment to protect our children from all harms. The week prior to the shooting it was necessary for me to report a parent for abuse of his son (and as it turned out, his wife as well). He is a very angry, hateful man and he scares me to death. I felt sure he would find out who reported him (it was done anonymously) and come to shoot me. Also that same wk, one of our Kindergarten (pregnant) teachers was threatened by a parent. She reported it to administration (who ignored it) but the teacher researched the man and found he had been arrested for attempted murder so now there is an ongoing investigation happening. AND THEN, Sandy Hook happened. When the children returned to class on Monday morning, they all wanted to know if I had cabinets in which they could hide or a closet or bathroom. I have no closet and I have no bathroom in my room. None of the teachers do in my building. There is not one place for me to hide my kids. I assured them I would do everything in my power to keep them safe and not allow anything to happen to them. We are now constantly to have all doors locked. We must all carry our ID badges with us at all times. No one is to use any entrance except the main one; no one coming onto campus is to walk about freely without a badge in place. Our Code Yellow Lockdown is very restrictive andif you do not carry your keys everywhere, you get locked out. BUT I would rather be over-reactive than have to plan what to do AFTER something horrible happens.
So now, after it seems to have been, many months, we are on Winter Holidays. I have been finally able to wrap gifts, finish all my Christmas shopping, get all my packages mailed out and all my cards. In the past few days I have baked over 20 mini loaves of breads and over 20 dozens of cookies. I have painted ornaments my great nieces and nephews made one day (of my insanity). They were to have returned to paint the ornaments however, we ran out of time so Great Aunt Cookie is painting and shellacking them.Image may be NSFW.
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We had some confusion as to how we would celebrate but as it turns out, Christmas Eve I will be at a dinner party with friends from church and school. Christmas Eve night, after the party, Barbara and I always open our gifts. Then Christmas morning she is going to her sister's home for brunch. That evening we are going to my youngest brother's home with his family for dinner. Then the day after Christmas evening, we will all gather at my other brother's home for a "left overs" meal and gifts with my nieces/nephews and great niece and nephews.
Last Saturday night was our faculty Christmas party and we got a little silly, finally beginning to "wind down" and relax. It is always fun to see people with whom you work on a different playing field. All dressed up; with their significant others; and relaxing, dancing and being silly.Image may be NSFW.
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So now my time to relax begins, now that the baking and wrapping are completed. Now I have time to sit back and enjoy Christmas music, watch sappy Christmas movies I love so much; and most importantly, pray for the day Mesut and I can spend Christmas together and begin our lives together for always. It is 4 yrs ago tomorrow that I flew to Turkey to spend the holidays with him. What wonderful memories were made and the desire for memory making grows stronger moment by moment. It has now been 7 yrs since we met. It is definitely a God given love for it to have lasted this long, 3 continents apart, thousands of miles, minimal time together and scant times online and only 5 min daily phone calls and text messages (will be nice not to have a $400/month phone bill) but HE is definitely worth it!!!
There are only 103 work days left for me before retirement. I am getting my "ducks in a row" getting ready for this day. Lining up my insurance, my benefits, social security, etc. I have an appointment with the retirement person at the district on Jan 4 and then on Jan 7 a meeting with my financial planner. Actually, there is not much for which to plan...but I want all to be in order when Mesut says, Askima, come my near. Begin our lives together as husband and wife, legally". I anxiously await and pray for that day.
So with all this said, I want to wish everyone a wonderful, joyous and peaceful Christmas, remembering the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for a one yr cancer free year (not without its ups and downs, but Cancer Free). I am thankful for my friends and family. I am extremely thankful for my job. I love teaching and love my children. I will miss both very much, however, what I am doing now is not teaching and the joy of going to work everyday has diminished with new plans; new ideas; new ways to be more efficient for tests. I am thankful for the love of a man I met online (people have said I am stupid). I am thankful for 7 yrs of loving this man and for 2 trips to Turkey to spend time with him. I am thankful for the ability to be able to talk to him, hear his voice, feel his love and to see him smile in my minds' eye.
To one and all, thank you for your friendships and love. I wish you all a wonderful holiday and a blessed 2013!!! God bless you all.