What's next....

Packing is probably the most physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting activity ever. There is nothing like putting your whole life into a box, or lots of boxes. I really dislike packing. I don't have nearly enough done but it's hard to live in your house and pack it. Thankfully, I'll be house-sitting for my friends (and neighbors), the Longs, starting Monday. I'm going to take care of their dogs and fish while they are gone and I'm still in town. I'm grateful for friends.
The experience of getting ready to move without knowing exactly where one is moving is a little terrifying. As of right now, I'm moving my things to Anchorage and putting them into storage. I'm ok with that. I still don't have a job for next school year, but I'm not totally worried about that either. I'm sure I've said that statement several times, including on here. I will admit that I'm at times completely terrified of the unknown in respects to this. I have faith that it will all work and I'm going to trust that things will turn out the way that they should.
I think I have 14 boxes packed. This doesn't count the tubs that I already had "packed." Including those, I think I have about 20. I'm leaving some of the furniture I brought. The only furniture I'm taking is my bed, futon, 2 coffee tables, kitchen table and chairs, 3 bookcases, and the tv stand. I'm getting rid of my dresser, couch, and a coffee table. As I look around my house I ponder about what needs to be put in boxes and what can go into the Uhaul as is. I don't see any reason to put most of my tools into boxes or some of my instruments. I'm trying to think of all the things I need to pack, but not be overwhelmed by it. I'm almost done packing the spare room and the bathroom. The other spare room has very little in it. There are only clothes in my bedroom that need to be packed, and some stuffed animals. That leaves the kitchen and the living room that really need to be packed. Maybe it isn't as overwhelming as I think it is but still it seems like a lot. I just need to do some everyday. I also need to work on my final project for my Multicultural education class.
I guess I have a good bit to keep me busy.

Trying not to countdown

Happy Mothers Day to everyone out there. I hope you have a wonderful day. I'm loving the sunshine here in Metlakatla, this makes 3 days of sunshine in a row. Yesterday was spent doing packing and waiting for an interview. I also fell asleep on my couch at one point. Today it will be church and then maybe a walk. Friday afternoon Megan and I went and hiked up Yellow Hill, then I drove out the road with some friends. It's been a pleasant weekend, but I still don't like packing. I know that I need to pack, but it's the process that bugs me.
Last Tuesday was the Spring Concert. It was my last concert here in Metlakatla. I might have lost my mind when I planned it, it was a K-12 program. The whole concert was a little over an hour long. The kids did a great job. It's all down hill from here. We have about 3 weeks of school left.
I can't believe I move in 3 weeks. I still don't have my next job yet, but I'm not worried. I know something will work out. I have lots of faith. My plan right now is to move my things to storage in Anchorage, then fly home and get my car. I then plan to travel for part of the summer (and sleep on friends' couches). We'll see how it all works.

Sunshine and Blue Skies

The title should say enough. Holy cow what a gorgeous day. The sun is shining, the tank is clean.. Sorry movie line. Can you name that movie? I'll give you a hint...it's finding Nemo.
Anyway. Last night Megan, Jacob, Taelyn and I went out the road. I let Megan do some driving. Then we went out to Point D. I took tons of pictures. We had a great time. It's been a great weekend. I can't wait to get outside and spend more time in it. Oh and deep fry snickers.

Happy May Day!! I can't believe it's May. 29 days till I move....somewhere. Tuesday night is my last concert in Metlakatla. A small part of me is going to miss it here, but it's only cause I will miss the friends I've made and my students. I need to do some packing but it's hard to figure out what to take and what to throw away. When you pack it feels like you're going through everything in your life and deciding if some part of it has value. I'm probably not the first person that thinks packing is not only physically draining but mental draining as well. There are so many moments that I just want to scream. I just want all of this to be over. In ways I wish I knew where I was going next. I feel so discombobulated. I have faith that everything will work out and I will end up where I need to be, but it's hard to just take that leap of faith sometimes. I packing up and leaving without knowing exactly where I'm going to work next year. It's an odd feeling. Everyone says it takes a lot of guts to just leave without anything certain in the future. I know that I can find a job. I know I'm employable, especially since I turned down two jobs. At times I wonder if I did the right thing but then I feel like there is something better waiting for me. I don't know what but I'm excited to find out.
This week has been a rough week at school too. I got back from Music Fest and things just kinda hit the fan. Oh well. 4 more weeks.

April crazyness

I don't even know where to begin so I guess I'll start with Do (sorry music joke).
April has been a little bit of a crazy month. April started with the high school principal leaving. We then had testing. I had my performance review with Anchorage. I passed that. The next step from there was to have an HR screening interview. Meanwhile, I had an interview with Copper River School District. I also received an email from the Northwest Arctic Borough School District about a job in Kotzebue.
I went up and saw a foot doctor and went to the job fair. I had 4 interviews that day. To not drag all the details out. I passed my HR screening interview. I got offered the job in Kotzebue, which I declined. I had an interview with Copper River School District while at the job fair. Later I had a final interview with Copper River School District. I got offered that job, which I also declined. I also interviewed for a job in Tok. The job fair was an intense experience.
Tuesday we left for Music Fest. This year it's in Juneau. We took the ferry for 36 hours from Ketchikan. My students did well and I'm proud of them. My choir of 6 sang on the big stage Friday evening. Earlier in the day I had one student do a solo on the clarinet and my twins did a duet. I wore a bright orange shirt and styled my hair in a faux hawk. It was awesome.
After that I flirted a little with Tyree (the orchestra director at Thunder Mountain). I flirted with him quite a bit on Saturday too. It was so fun. It is great talking with him, and as a bonus he's cute and gives good hugs.
In about 10 hours I get on a ferry for 36 hours. It's going to be another long ride. I'll survive. At least I have had a great time. Everyone said bye to me and I told them all to keep in touch. The directors here are a great group. I got a lot of hugs. If I get a job outside of Southeast Alaska, I'm going to really miss them. Tyree and I talked for awhile after the meeting, that was fun.
We'll see what life has in store for me next. :)

Last quarter of the 2009/2010 school year

Where has the school year gone? I can't believe there are only 8 1/2 weeks left to the school year. I have so much to get done. I have Music Fest, the Spring Concert, my multicultural education class, packing, finding a job, finishing out the rest of the school year, etc. All in about two months.
March has been a busy month. I've traveled most of it. It's nice to spend some time at home. April is going to be the last big push to get things ready. Music Fest is the 22nd-24th and then it's about a week till the Spring Concert. It should all work.....I hope.
There continues to be way too much drama at school. Last week tenure teachers finally got their contracts. Non-tenure still haven't. The rumor I've heard is that they will offer them after the next board meeting which is I think the 3rd week in April. I'm really hoping to have found a new job by then. This school year has really left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm ready for the end of May. (well sort of).
I've applied for a job in Anchorage. They called me this week. I have a performance review to pass before they continue with the application process. I need to prepare a tuba piece, a vocal piece, and then practice some piano. It's going to be interesting. I get to do this all over the phone. They will email me the piano thing right before I have to play it. The piano part of this is the only part that actually makes some sense to me. I don't totally see how my own performance skills on my main instrument and voice actually shows what kind of teacher I am. I have no problem going through this hoop, I can play my instrument and sing a song. My piano skills are getting better, I just need to practice more. So much to do.
Well off to have a couple really long days. Today and tomorrow are parent teacher conferences. There isn't really anytime to go home between either. We'll see how these go.
I'm off to get ready for the day.

It's been too long

So, I apologize for neglecting my blog this past month but I've been busier than can be. I've spent 2 days home so far for the entire month of March. I'm finally home from some of my travels. It's been a wild ride but fun. We had the regional basketball tournament at the beginning of the month up in Sitka. I was then home for about 2 days and then left for spring break. I got home today. It feels like all I've been is busy. I have about a month until Music Festival and then about a week after that is the spring concert. Crazy. Time flies.
I'm trying to think what is worth recapping. The pep band rocked out at Regionals. I think we played at about 13 games. (This is what I get for having my kids play for 3 schools including our own). Heck there would've been 2 more games to that list but I took pity on them. The day we left John, the Sitka director, made breakfast for the directors. Four of us showed up. It was fun and the food was good.
Spring break was nice. It was great to see my family. Lots of good food. I went and talked to my cousin Mackay's class. She's in 4th grade. I talked about Alaska. It was really fun. I finally saw Avatar and the Princess and the Frog. I did some shopping and shipped stuff up to me. I had a good time but it felt kinda hectic. I enjoyed going up to the spice store and going grocery shopping with my dad. I dislike the clothes shopping I did but I needed some clothes that fit so it was more out of necessity. I got to see my little brother's new dog. He got a basset hound named Missy. She's adorable. He adores her and she really likes him. It's a good fit.
I've applied for some jobs for next school year, all in Alaska. I'm just going to go where I'm supposed to go.
Well, the time changes are still messing with me so I think I'm going to get some shut eye. Happy spring!!