Things

Well, part of my waiting is over! I found out that my placement is at Farragut High School, one of the largest schools in Knox County. It wasn't one of my choices at first, but my supervisor highly recommended that I take the opportunity. So I did. The only thing is that I will be at the high school for the entire semester, not part of the time at a middle school. But that's ok, I've gotten good middle school time this semester. It's really nice to let that go and prepare for it instead of wondering. My student teaching finally has a name, a voice, and it's a real place, not just somewhere I'll go in January....

So it's nice to have an actual school to think about in my last 19 DAYS. Whew. The home stretch. We have a lot of things going on in December and I know it will fly by, in a good fun way. Speaking of "we," Pastor Jack and I had a great time with our families over Thanksgiving! It worked out so well with both families and we got to spend a lot of fun times over the long weekend. (This part is for you Jenny). It was even better because this was the first time I had ever had a major holiday with a boyfriend! And I won't speak for Jack, but I'm pretty sure he has never had a girlfriend at a major holiday at home either. We are just full of special things. The whole holiday extended almost a week for us. Even until last night when MY cousins came to town! And we celebrated Osh's birthday, Thanksgiving, and LIFE at Salsarita's. I haven't seen all three of my cousins together at one time in such a long time. PLUS, little Felicity came, which was just delicious. It was nice for everyone to see Mamaw too....

So last night was my last "real" School Law class. What a joke! That class has been an absolute waste of time. I never felt like I was in grad school while I was taking that class. The first class, we had to take a "Pre-Test" to see what we knew about school law. Last night we took a "Post-Test" that you have to make 20 points higher on than you did on the pre-test. So everyone knows that you are supposed to do really bad on the first one, so you don't have to try that hard for the second one. For example, I got a 33 (ha!) on the first test, so I have to make a 53 on this test to get the points for the test. How funny. I also had to fill out an evaluation, not for the school, but for the "teacher." He asked if we "got our money's worth out of the class." I said (my name wasn't on it) that I had only because it was a required credit. The only thing that I learned in his class the whole semester was that the last time it was as hot as it was in August, we had the Blizzard of '93. Take that, Farmer's Almanac. Next week we are not having class, but merely turning in our last assignment then going to dinner as a class. Sheesh.

So, I have to be careful what I eat at work this month. People are starting to bring in holiday goodies. I just had some chex mix, some homemade cracker candy, and now my old boss in the sales department just called and is bringing me some cheesecake. Great. Gina is coming to Knoxville today to shop (yay!) so maybe I will give her some of my cheesecake.

Remember when I was so excited that it was fall and a new season? Well, I am just as excited about December. I love all the holiday parties and gatherings and everyone is nicer, except maybe on the roads. This year I am going to learn more about Advent. I think there is more to it than just lighting candles at church each week. I'm sure the Good Reverend will be glad to bestow some knowledge upon me. By the way, back to student teaching, I am so ready to feel smart again! I miss using my brain all the time and learning and reading so much.

One last thing, congratulations to my dear friend Ashley! Ashley is my oldest, dearest, sweetest friend and she got engaged on Sunday! She lives in Washington, D.C. and she is so great. We have known each other since we were little bitty and I am so happy for her!