Home Stretch

I am almost done with my first semester! I can't believe how quickly it went by. I have this week off from classes for Thanksgiving break and the following week is my last. I'll be at the Charter School for an extra 2 weeks to make sure I have enough hours before leaving to come home for Christmas.
This semester is by far my hardest. I am taking 6 classes (it would be 7 if I hadn't come early to take that summer class) and I can definitely feel the burnout happening. Myself, as well as my classmates, have begun checking out already. Thankfully, I only have 2 more papers to write before the end of the semester. As tough as it has been, I think I will be able to pull A's out of every class. This is a very exciting possibility and I know that if I can do this, my next 2 1/2 years here will be a breeze.
The Charter School is still number 1 on my list of things that cause me stress. It is such a crazy environment to be in and I can confidently say I do not want to ever be in a classroom ever again. It takes a special kind of person to do that every day and it's not me. That's not to say my work with the students hasn't been rewarding. I love teaching my Second Step lessons and the two students I currently do individual therapy with are great kids. I have found a lot of great therapy resources and the results have been awesome with the two students I work with. I have really taken to art therapy and I am finding out about so much through that. Also, it's fun and therapeutic for me as well since the students like when I do the same art project. I have built a great rapport with the entire 7th grade class and am trying to incorporate more positive interactions with them. Unfortunately, I'm just not used to the blatant disrespect that occurs between the students and the teachers. If you walk down the middle school hallway at any point in the day you will hear an adult yelling at the students for being so disrespectful. I have been able to help out in science since they tend to be pretty well mannered during that class period (it may be due to the teacher or due to the fact that it is the first class of the day for the 7th graders). Math on the other hand is impossible for me to be in. I am working on my patience level and my supervisor has been a great support for me. Even though I have some successes, I will be happy for the break coming up.

                       A group of us taking a much needed "selfie" break in our social work office

My social life has been great. My friends are a wonderful support system and provide me with some much needed self-care time. Unfortunately, all of them will be out of town for Thanksgiving so it will just be Mushu and I. I may take advantage of my recent sleeping problems and do some Black Friday shopping. Although, it has quickly dropped to 30 degrees and below so I try to limit my time traveling outdoors. The recent change in weather quickly erased all the beautiful fall colors. Here is one picture I managed to take before the leaves dropped:

As cold as its been, I can't wait to see everything covered in snow. I think I'm only excited since I know I will be leaving for 3 weeks during the winter. I think I can put up with 2 weeks of snow before heading out.
Mushu update: he is getting so big and has finally stopped biting me! After finding a baby tooth in my bed I realized that maybe he was teething. I'm definitely glad that stopped though - even though it was playful biting, it was still annoying. I am so excited to bring him home and introduce him to everyone. He is my little pride and joy and has such a great personality. Here are some pictures:

After a bath - he was very mad at me 

Making it impossible for me to get any work done on my iPad

Overwhelmed with kitten problems

Miss you all!! Can't wait to see you. Home in 23 days!



xoxo Sam and Mushu

Fall time!

I survived my busiest month and have almost survived my first semester! I can't believe how quickly time has passed. This is the hardest semester of the program so once I get through this, I know I can get through the rest of it.
It is also officially fall. The colors here are gorgeous. I will start taking more pictures but here is one I snapped last week:

My classes are going great and starting to wrap up. I don't have many papers due this month which is a welcome break after the chaos of October. My field placement has me incredibly busy. Friday was the math teachers last day; I had a feeling she would leave but I thought she would at least stick out the year. Unfortunately, it was not a good fit for her and the relationship she had (or better yet, did not have) with the students was not strong. She blatantly disrespected, so in turn, they had zero respect for her. The school is in the process of finding a long term sub for the rest of the school year, but as of tomorrow I will be in charge of the class. I plan on having a discussion with the students about how to make the classroom a productive and positive place once the new sub comes in.
I am really becoming attached to these kids. As I learn more about the history of Chester - which I plan to dedicate a post to once I have a complete understanding - I understand how difficult it is for them as students. I really want them to succeed and have begun advocating for them. I am attempting to get them some recess time because I find it ridiculous that they only have PE once a week and only 5 minutes in between each class to collect their things. They have so much energy and I think letting off some steam for at least 15 minutes would be a welcome break and improve their behavior in the classroom.

Socially, I am growing some great friendships. My friend Mary Faith and I went to Philadelphia last weekend to participate in a painting event. Its called Paint Nite and they organize different social events that normally take place at a bar. There you drink and socialize and learn how to paint a certain artwork. Here is our masterpiece:

We were about 30 minutes late due to good old city traffic but were able to catch up in a timely fashion. It was probably one of the funniest things I have participated in. We definitely plan on doing it again and I hope to take my friends to an event in San Francisco when I come home. I have my painting hanging up in my kitchen and it makes me so happy and proud every time I walk in. I actually painted a piece of artwork!











This past week also involved some Halloween parties. I went to one on Halloween night and another over the weekend (its weird figuring out when to celebrate when Halloween falls in the middle of the week).

 As a graduate with no extra funds to but a Halloween costume, I took the cheap, creative route. On Wednesday I went as a "Nudist on Strike" which all my human sexuality friends seemed to enjoy. Here we all are on Halloween :)

I went to a party with Mary Faith over the weekend. She was Jenny from Forrest Gump (during the 70s) and I went as a "minion" from Despicable Me. Mary Faith's boyfriend went as Forrest and even made his own leg braces. It was hands down the best costume of the weekend.







I'm happy I have been able to socialize, relax and blog in between school work. I registered for classes today and am looking forward to only taking 5 (technically 4 since my field placement is counted as a class) classes next semester.
Now for a Mushu update! He is getting bigger every day!

He loves helping my write my papers - although he does anything and everything to distract me for attention. 

Helping me put away my laundry

He is always watching me.....

....but his favorite thing to do is snuggle!








Miss you all like crazy! Only 1 month and a few days until (we) are home! xoxo