Flashback Friday

Four years ago today I was at a debate tournament. I was coaching my team. See I was hired by That College to form a debate team and I had done just that. Yes, that's me in the middle of my students. Yes, I was older than them ;-) I'm just dainty. I loved coaching debate. I loved teaching them how the 'sport' worked and teaching them argumentative techniques. It was a lot of fun I could have done it forever. But I moved to the NW and thus couldn't not continue to coach. However, I will always be known as the person that created the debate team at That College, and the team to date is doing pretty well and that makes me proud that I had a part in that.

Year Two

Our second year of marriage started back in Southern California after a nice anniversary in the NW. I surprised my husband with a trip to the local mountains I grew up near, as he had never been there. I found a cute little bed and breakfast and reserved the "presidential suite" for the weekend. We celebrated his birthday and enjoyed another nice weekend away after spending several weeks apart.

I started teaching at That College in August and became the director of Forensics and Loving Husband was very helpful assisting with the debate team.

Our second year of marriage was a hard year for me in general, I lost both my grandpa and my dad within two months of each other. LH was my rock during that and was very helpful and loving through that.

At the end of 2005 Loving Husband received a job offer in the NW, however I was under contract at That College through the end of May. So my husband and I prepared and began a six month separation while he began his job in the NW and I wrapped up our lives in California. We saw each other about once a month and talked every day. While a challenge it was good. I moved to the NW in June.

For the first time in... forever I didn't have anything to do. My job at That College was done for the summer. I was planning to teach some online courses for them, but that didn't begin until August and so I found myself alone in a new state with only my husband and our two kitties. I slowly made friends and sorta (not really) studied for the bar exam again.

It was so nice to be in the same house again and to enjoy the beautiful summers that exist here in the northwest. We were reunited with our kitties and enjoyed spending time as a family together. We celebrated our second anniversary at the Space Needle for dinner. It was wonderful, we walked around the area before dinner and Loving Husband won me a prize at the carnival :) It was a nice way to celebrate another challenging by wonderful year together.

Debate Party!!

So we had our party - with a small showing... all the girls and only Josh. Not to discount him or anything, but yes, just Josh. Which is funny because normally the boys out number the girls. That's ok. We ate at Corvette's and had a grand time. We had a rude waitress - and not the kind of rude that you're supposed to get there. Blah - she was the epitome of the "cat lady" so I suppose she has some credence to be bitter. It was fun, cards were passed, a video was attempted to be run, a straw contest which I lost, some water was passed, a cup of whip cream was discarded, french fries anyone? Grand times! I'll miss them.

Family Time, Turkey, & Tournaments

It has been a busy few weeks - since Disneyland life has been a whirlwind of ups and downs. My grandfather died on the 10th of November, leaving me in my hometown for two weeks unexpectedly. Derek was able to come home to be with the family, and was able to see Grandpa before he passed. It is sad, but it was quite a blessing for my grandfather. He had a very happy and fulfilling 83 years. Thanksgiving came and went with little event. I avoided Black Friday, but truly made up for that today... more of that to come.

This weekend was PSCFA Fall Champs - before the weekend began, I had little desire to really go. I was glad that I did. Not only did my students do great, but it was simply a lot of fun!!!! I can't believe that the students managed to get 5th PLace sweepstakes. That's crazy! That makes me feel like I've done something this semester. :)

Teaching

It is crazy to me that in two days time I am going to be teaching... ME! I've been thinking about this fact, and for whatever reason it feels very natural that this is the path that I am supposed to be taking. I am starting to feel a little nervous, but overall I have this eerie peace about the whole thing. It's nice. NOW, ask me on Wednesday before I go into the classroom whether that state is the same... it might catch up with me, and I'll feel different.

I've been working on syllabi, lesson plans and handouts. Reading through textbooks and figuring out what chapters, books, and articles to have the students read to maximize their learning on the subject of Ethics, Debate and Communication. It's all so strange to me! I mean seriously, who would have thought I'd be teaching COLLEGE! Teaching at a FOUR YEAR COLLEGE! I'm so excited about it and it's sooo great that I have this opportunity... it's just so mind blowing!

The best part?! I get to start a debate team! I am in charge of developing this program from the ground up, and if nothing else I'll always be known for starting the program at the college. That alone is so cool to me!

Well, I best get back to reading through the C.S. Lewis book that I chose for my students to read for the Ethics class. :)

A full week...

So it's been a full week since graduation. Graduation was wonderful, hot and amusing. Only my ghetto school would not have an operable sound system at the momentous occasion... sigh. The party was wonderful, my thanks to Shannon and Chris for making the food run (all greatly appreciated) Pals and friends thank you all for coming and for the wonderful sentiments and gifts. :) Britton thanks for the great flare added to our Balderdash game... Ahh Brad- "You're all wrong it's A TWIT!" - (SHAKING HEAD)

Monday was nice, I simply relaxed and did NOTHING. It was wonderful... the rest of this week I have been at work trying to get everything in order for my departure. My last full day of work will be Tuesday next week. I've been told that the job is mine when I come back, but at the same time --- you never know what can happen in 3 months.

I was offered a contract at the college on Thursday. I haven't seen it yet, nor do I know the official price, but I do know that it was enough to not make me WEEP at the thought of it... so that was good enough. Next school year I will be officially the Director of Forensics for the College Speech and Debate team and part-time professor. :) It's all very exciting. A real job! And an exciting one at that. However, my life is still lived in semesters... think that will ever end?

I am sad that I am leaving for the summer again, although this time the NW  is a much better location than Turlock. Shannon, I was laughing at the coincidence that the last time I left So Cal was when Harry Potter 5 came out, and now I am leaving again for the summer and Harry Potter 6 is coming out. I still think when Harry Potter 7 comes out it would be fantabulous to simply sit in a room and read with you. Amusing and strange to other - but totally perfect for a true fellow Harry Potter fan. We can still do the excessive phone calls over that weekend to discuss plot progression, as I have made the official decision to take the weekend off from studying and read the book.

Loving Husband's off to Canada with Troy this weekend. Their friend from HS is getting married. So, tonight I am enjoy the quiet time at home and starting to pack and catch up on some CSI. Tomorrow I head to Berdo to see the fam one last time before hitting the road.

Carrie and I leave for our trip on Friday morning.
Updates will definitely will follow, mapping our adventure.

Happy Graduation LeAnn! Having had a week free of finals, papers, classes and teachers - you will enjoy it and you have earned it! CONGRATS!

The Interview

It's been an insane week of winding down and running out of time... and amid that was my interview at the college. I was asked to run a debate, critique a debate (NO PROBLEM) give a brief lecture (extemp style, I had 7 minutes) and then have an hour interview in front of facutly - which was roughly 8 people that showed up to grill me. It went E-MAZINGLY. I actually interviewed for 1/2 facutly position, but I sorta edged in the idea that 3/4 position would be equally as exciting and that I would love to do it! Theoretically that would mean more money, and the position is available, so I don't see why they wouldn't want to give it me, I'm great... err ok enough overthetop bigheadedness. Seriously the interview was fantabulous, I gave my testimony, talked about my teaching philosophy, where I expect to see a team after the first year... how I first heard about the college.

The debate was awesome, these students are going to rock with a little training. They debated "Home Schooling Should Be Banned" It was interesting. Pretty decent clash for such little instruction provided throughout the semester. Everyone is excited about having the team and joining it. It sounds like we have a commitment of about 9 right now. I am so excited for next year!

Regarding this year. I have a final on Sunday (MY VERY LAST) and one last paper to turn in on Tuesday and then I am done.

Palz I think that we're doing a mild party here at my place around 4:30 on Saturday after the OH SO EXCITING GRADUATION CEREMONY (Which all are invited to, but those things are not much fun, I know I've been to all of yours! jk)

I hate money!

Guys what am I going to do?!?!?! This is what I was told today:

"Your stipend for each course taught will be $2100 per semester. At present, Jon believes that you will earn between $6300.00 to $8400.00 depending on enrollment and number of courses taught (If you teach 3 courses over the course of the year, it will be $6300, if four, then 8400)."



$8,400.00 a YEAR?! UMMMMMM I know it is PART-TIME, but seriously?! My LOANS alone are going to be around $19,000 a year!!!!!!!!!! I shot an inquiry back regarding a stipend for being the DOF - Cross your fingers that DOUBLES that figure you see there.

I have to go cry now.

DOF

So today I met with the kids (what are they 5 years younger -if that- than me?) from That College. I also met Lisa, who I have been communicating with via email for the last month, the department chair, Dean - and the Academic VP - Jon. Yah lots of people - but it went well because this was the email that I just received from Lisa:

"Thank you so much for your time. It was great meeting you. Your expertise in debate is SO evident. I personally feel that you are the best person for the job both from a talent standpoint as well as from a theological one.

I hope this relationship works out. Again, I will keep you posted on our budget situation--that will be the deciding point for the extent to which your team can really participate.

Thanks again for your time here at That College.

I'll talk with you soon."

Excellent - now let's hope that the budget comes through and in my favor. :)

Much Better

So frustrations are calming - life is settling into a routine for the final "semester" of my life. I look forward to one day not categorizing my life in such methods. :) It will be sureal at the very least. I have furniture! and loving it. It arrived on Friday and we (me) have been accessorizing around it nicely. I need another opinion or two on the coffee table, I think we need a bigger one. It's comfy, loving it... I finally, just this evening have been granted the classes that I want! I finally have the schedule that I want! It's going to be a lot of work, but it's worth it. I'm a happy camper (I normally hate that expression... we're not camping, and what is so unique about a happy camper anyway?) I am looking into a part-time, DOF position at The College out in El Cajon. It sounds really exciting, and I would love to do it. It's all up to God though if he wants us to stay here, if he thinks I can handle it, etc. Besides I am sure that I have plenty of peeps around to use for their services of knowledge and skill :) if I were to get the position. Well, I am off to entertain myself for the next hour or so-- and then it is off to Sammy's!