I'm baaaaaack!

Yes, Yes, I know it's been literally months since I've been on here, but a recent comment inspired me to come back! You all have Nic to thank for that! (Sorry but I'm at the library and it's not letting me link back to her page.)

So here's the short version of my last few months...

The biggest thing is I GOT A JOB!!!!!!! That actually only happened quite recently (like a month ago), so I've been super busy with all that comes with being a first year teacher, blah, blah, blah. It's a Special Ed position within a well known district in my area. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but it's actually pretty awesome. Long story short, I interviewed back in July for a new program/classroom they were beginning for students with autism. I was kind of strung along for 3 weeks the whole time hearing that I was #1 on the list, they just had to check with a few in-district transfers. Well, finally someone got back to me and said that they actually weren't going to go ahead with the program because they didn't have enough students or a building. So I was pretty bummed! But I still signed up to be a sub, hoping to get a few long term leaves. So, 4 days before school starts, they call and ask if I'd be interested in working with a student (who turns out to be known throughout the district for her behavior) until late Sept. I say of course and think great, I'm employed for a month and a half. So, I start and I realize why everyone in the district knows her. She has low functioning autism, and just in April, became extremely aggressive, not only to others, but also herself. And on the first day of school, head butted the aid in the nose, sending her to urgent care. So, then 8 days later, the asst. superintendent of student services comes to the building and calls me into the office. I'm thinking, crap, they hate me and are going to tell me to just leave, they don't even want me til the end of Sept. Well, he goes into this 10 minute speech about how they really wanted to hire me in July, but they didn't because they didn't want to throw a first year teacher into that kind of position, but I'm handling everything great and they're so impressed. And the Director of Sped for the district had been in a few times just to see how the student was doing after the break, and she was highly complimentary of me, which apparently is a really good thing, because she rarely compliments anyone. Then he offers me the job!!! I seriously had a lump in my throat and almost cried. I was ecstatic!!! So, all first year teachers have mentors to kind of help them and guide them through their year. Well, my mentor is the behavior specialist for the district so she's kind of 'high up there' and knows certain things. She told me that they really loved me and have been talking about me since July and this is the first time they have ever hired someone before they even really had the position ready for them. Even the superintendent knows who I am and checks to see how I'm doing! So, really I guess it was a long story long, but there were too many details to leave out! I'm just so happy where I am and know that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be!

My grandma hasn't had the greatest last few months, she had pneumonia, then a heart attack, and while having a stint put in for that, she had a stroke. She's been to 3 different hospitals, then a nursing home and now she's living with us (I moved in with my aunt and uncle, because I can't afford anything on my own right now and they only charge $100 a month). So just keep her in your prayers, please!

I've also cut my immediate family out as much as I could, minus my littlest brother, G, who I'm extremely close with. If it wasn't for him, I'd probably have no contact at all. The comments from my mom have gotten worse and I just can't take it anymore. She made one comment in front of people I didn't even know, which really crossed the line and since then, I've been done with her. Her and her husband may be getting a divorce, but they throw that around all of the time, so we'll see if it really happens. He finally had proof that she was unfaithful and confronted her about it. It, of course, led to her freaking out and begging for attention from any outlet she can get it (especially facebook status updates) and unfortunately, people are feeding into it. Please just keep my little brother in your thoughts, because that's who I'm most worried about.

I don't think anything else too great is going on. For most of the summer, I was just focusing on getting a job and nothing else. I am really excited for this weekend, because I'm going on a golf themed pub crawl and we're all dressing up in crazy golf attire! It's going to be hilarious and I can't wait! Hope all is well with all of you!