Currently May

Just 3 days behind on the Farley's monthly Currently fun!
It's finally May!! Only 24 more school days for the kids and 26 work days for me until SUMMER!!!

Listening...Mat Kearney!  (Just realized I wrote his name with 2 T's up above)  I just love the sound of his voice!  Listening to his tunes while planning.

Loving...Did you know this month is my birthday Month?!  This year, it will be my golden birthday--meaning I'm turning 25 on May 25!  :)  I'm just loving the great, spring weather as my birthday is nearing.

Thinking...I've been doing a lot of thinking as my first year in China is coming to an end.  The end of the year is busy, with prepping lessons, and discussing details on Kindergarten Graduation, Sports Day, and other End of the Year stuff.

Wanting...So I've always been a doodler.  I doodle around my notes, my hands, napkins, and now my iPad.  I've been playing around in creating my own clip art since sometimes what I envision in my mind, I can't find anywhere online.  I've always used my fingers to draw and doodle but now I realized my finger cannot replace a steady pencil!!  Will let you know which stylus I end up choosing!

Needing...My school has been doing a soccer league this month.  I love it as it brings our community together but boy are my legs sore!!  I definitely need to do more stretching pre and post our soccer games! Haha

Surprise...Who is in love with Charlotte's Clips clipart?!!  I love how many of her Christian clip art are for free too!!  I love her work! You must check her out on her TpT store and blog!

 

Glad you stopped by to check out my currently! :)  Don't forget to go back to Farley's linky party to check out more bloggers out there!

Currently March

Wowza! It's March 1st already! Time is zooming by and I am embarrassed to say I don't remember the last time I wrote a Currently post...

I enjoy reading everyone's posts especially Farley's!  Also I just ADORE her new blog layout and I can't believe it's from the fabulous 3AM Teacher, Michelle!  I love Michelle's work, too!

So here's my currently:

Listening: So my spring break is in 4 weeks and my roommate and I are planning on traveling to Southern China to visit the famous, beautiful mountains and rivers of Guilin.  (If you haven't already guessed, I work in China at an International School!)  I'm super pumped about this trip but also nervous because none of us in the group I'm going in knows how to speak good enough Chinese.  It would be adventure anyways.  We use a lot of hand gestures and acting in China.

Loving: Lately, the pollution is getting very high.  All the news reports says the pollution has been unnaturally high in Northern China (I live close to Beijing).  Since Friday, I've finally seen blue skies!! Today I saw a plane in the air, which is really rare to see when the pollution clouds up the skies.

Thinking: On Mondays, I always cook for my roommate and I.  Sundays is when I plan all the things I need to buy.  So right now, my shopping list is getting extensively long for Monday's supper.

Wanting: I feel like I always need a good full body massage.  Surprisingly, I haven't been to a massage place here in China yet, even though they are relatively cheap here.  I must do some more research!

Needing:  Since I've moved to China in August, I realized how hard it is to find a good gym other than my school.  Here, there is no such thing as Zumba, yoga, or kickboxing (wah)!  I keep telling myself to just use YouTube or ask my friends to mail me some workout DVDs.

????: Did you figure out my question?!!  Hope it's not too hard!  I hope Laura, Han, or Natalie would get this! Guess my question in the comments below!

Don't forget the rule of 3 and link with Farley below!

July Currently

It's the beginning of the month and you know what time it is! Time for a link up with Farley's July Currently!

Listening- Anyone else obsessed with Robin Thicke's song?? It's so catchy!

Loving- If you didn't already know from my previous posts, I got my DREAM JOB as a kindergarten teacher.  And the best part is that I'll be teaching in CHINA at an international school.  I'm so blessed and excited to start my teaching career and life in a new country, new culture, and making new friends!

Thinking- I haven't seen my family or boyfriend for about 2 weeks because I'm in New York (near Niagara!) for new teacher orientation for all overseas teachers.  Thank God for Skype!

Wanting- I realized how much I don't like sleeping on dorm beds! I've been in NY for training for 2 weeks!! I go home on Friday and I'm really wanting my own bed to sleep on.  Also, I'm bummed out that I'm going to miss celebrating July 4th with friends and family this year. :(

Needing- I've been reviewing and reading a lot of educational books instead of pleasure reading this summer.  I'm definitely going to get some for my LONG flight to China.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Tips, Tricks, & Hints- Having 2-3 people reviewing your final products for TN and TpT is great because you might not catch that little spelling mistake or missing a picture.  I tend to create my products and blog really late at night, so I know there will be a small mistake or two.  It's easier to catch it before you post the final product in your stores.

Also, I know I mentioned Bloglovin before but I wanted to add Anna @ Crazy for First Grade's adorable Bloglovin button to advertise it more!! So on the right sidebar, find the Bloglovin button to follow me!! Or click on the pic below!

Currently February and a giveaway!

Already one month down in the year 2013?  Wow, time does really go by fast...

Before I forget (missed the last couple months), here is my Currently from Farley.

It's been a very LONG and LOUD week for me.  Many of my students had many meltdowns (I'm blaming the weather change).  I felt like my head was constantly filled with kid's screaming.  So I'm praising and thanking the Lord that it is FRIDAY!

About my pet peeves:

Nail biting-  Honestly just sticking your hand in your mouth is gross.  Also, I think I just developed this pet peeve recently because I work in a Kindergarten classroom and they just can't stop sucking, licking, and biting their hand/nails!

Bad Drivers-  I believe I don't have a high road rage but I get very irritated with bad drivers on the road.  Especially cell phone drivers!!  It's super annoying to see people texting, talking, checking Facebook, etc instead of paying attention of the road.  Anyone else annoyed about this?

Put Downs-  I think this is many teacher's pet peeves.  I don't like it and I don't like hearing it.  The good thing about working in an autistic kinder classroom, I don't hear too many put downs compared to a typical Kindergarten classroom.

One more thing! Don't forget to check out my fellow blogging friend's , Mary at Pitner's Potpourri, 11000 Followers Giveaway!

Last but not least, if you can't wait to win my product from Mary's giveaway then check out my Chinese New Year product at my TpT store.  It's on sale for the Super Bowl weekend!!  Use the code SUPER to get 10% off on top of my discounted product.

Have a SUPER DUPER Friday!

It's Almost Friday and November Currently

Today was a hectic day!  Many of my kindergartners get easily tired by the end of the week and become very grouchy, especially during transitions and afternoon centers.  Today was worse because at least 3 of the little ones had a meltdown at the same time.  My conclusion is that last Sunday was Daylight savings and that everyone (including me) is off their usual sleep schedule.  Even though I love the fall season, the weather change is really messing up my internal clock!  I feel like I haven't seen the sun in DAYS!!! I guess that's what I get for moving up here in Chicago.  I can't wait for the weekend to come so I can relax and enjoy some quiet and peace.  Anyone else in the same boat?

Well it has been about a week since Farley started her November Currently Linky Party. PS- I am loving the color scheme and clip art she used this month! It's so fall-ish!

So here's mine!

I just bought new flannel sheets and pajamas (for our Pajama day next week) from Macy's and I am in love!  They have a lot of cute flannel stuff at their stores.  Waking up in the morning is becoming more difficult for me since they are so warm and cozy.

I've had my bedroom furniture for over 10 years and it doesn't fit in my new bedroom anymore (it's a lot smaller now), so I've been researching all of the furniture stores for good deals.  I can't wait to shop at Ikea.  I hope I can find something good there!

I moved to Illinois at the end of summer, right before school started and I haven't had a haircut since MAY.  I am in dire need to get one.  But I haven't had the time to look for a good salon here yet.  I am kind of anxious of going to a new hair salon since I've been going to the same one for at least 15 years back in Ohio.  I need to get over my fears of having a new hair stylist doing my hair and get it done before Thanksgiving rolls along.  My split ends are hideous!

As for music in the classroom, this song on YouTube has been stuck in my end since November 1.  My kids LOVE it and since it all the time (on the way to P.E., in the hallways, during centers).  It's very catchy and I love the body movements that is incorporated in this video.  We watch this every day during calendar.

Have a happy Thursday night and Thank God tomorrow is finally FRIDAY!

First Year Bliss Linky

I'm linking up with Michelle from The 3AM Teacher!  She is so awesome and sweet to her followers.  I love her work, especially her clip art.  Michelee's blog is a definite must-see!

My first year blog memory?  I have so many to choose from since this is my very first year of blogging! My blogversary (is this the correct blogging term?) was on October 11, 2011.  I didn't even know that I past the date until today!  Time flies so fast and I can't believe how much I have learned and grown this past year from the blogging and teaching world.

So here are my top memories of my first blogging year:

My first comment ever! I couldn't believe other bloggers were clicking onto MY BLOG to read MY POSTS.  I definitely felt the blogging rush after that moment.  The more comments you leave, the more and more I want to blog and talk with you!

My first freebie.  I was such a newbie, I didn't know what to expect after posting it.  But I received a lot  of sweet comments that made me keep making more.

Winning my first giveaway and starting my own giveaways.  I seriously didn't think I would ever get a shot in winning any giveaway but receiving an email on the prizes I have won instantly puts a smile on my face.

Monthly Currently's!  :)

Deciding to create my own TpT and TN stores!  Best decision ever.  Selling my products to teachers that care and respect my products is an amazing feeling.  Being thanked for the products I make motivates me to create more!!  Who else is addicted to these two wonderful sites?!

Since I'm still looking for my "forever home", I've met many wonderful bloggers who tell me their district or area in their state are looking for teachers  This has helped me with my job search and I am grateful to have blogging friends who think of me since the job market is tough out there!

There are so much more memories of my first blogging year but I tried to sum it up to five BIG ones!  This has be a very blissful year for me and I hope for another blissful year!

Link with The 3AM Teacher to read about more blissful memories!

Currently October

So I definitely failed to post my freebie up this past weekend!  Life caught up with me over the weekend/ I was doing some major house cleaning with my dad.  My poor hands are tired from all the scrubbing!

Because of my procrastination, I will post a freebie that I have been working on tomorrow!!  Stay tuned tomorrow because I can't wait to show you what I worked on the past two days.

Since it's midway through October, I'm linking up with Farley's Currently October Linky Party.

I always seem to be very busy when Once Upon A Time airs on Sundays!  So I'm catching up on it online (I just discontinued my DVR, but at least the commercials are shorter).  Anyone else obsessed with this show?  I love the whole twist with the classic fairytale stories into a modern "Lost" drama.

Some people have cold hands, I have cold feet!  One thing I love about the fall/winter seasons are FUZZY SOCKS!

Halloween is coming up and everyone in the teacher's lounge are talking about their outfits this year.  I have no idea what I want to be this year! My previous school I was at didn't allow staff and students to dress up for Halloween.  Any suggestions?!

I've been craving apple pie since I went apple & pumpkin picking with the BF a couple weekends ago. I definitely need to make more ASAP!  Also, I need to start carving my pumpkins soon!  I Can't wait to crack open this bad boy up.

I need to make an appointment for a massage! My whole body hurts.  I think it's the change in weather...I might have to have a spa day with some girlfriends. Don't we all deserve a little girl time once in awhile?!

Stealing Heaven is actually a young adult novel and I saw it recommended to me through my GoodReads account.  I just started and it's a pretty good book and it's a fast read.

Here's an overview:
Dani has been trained as a thief by the best-- her mother.  Together, they move from town to town, targeting wealthy homes and making a living by stealing antique silver.  They never stay in one place long enough to make real connections, real friends-- a real life.

In beach town of Heaven, though, everything changes.  For the first time, Dani starts to feel at home.  She's making friends and has even met a guy.  But these people can never know the real Dani-- because of who she is.  When it turns out that her new friend lives in the house they've targeted for their next job and the cute guy is a cop, Dani must question where her loyalties lie: with the life she's always known-- or the one she's always wanted.

So long subbing, hello full-time job!

First of all, is anyone have difficultly with blogger lately? For some reason I can't click on some people's blogs and it's really hard for me to catch up on my blog hopping!  Honestly, I think it's partly my internet's fault because it's been going on and off all weekend and it's driving me insane!  You don't realize how much you rely on technology, especially the internet, until it doesn't work! :(

So I am excited to announce that I am done with subbing and found a full-time job!  Today was my first day with the kindergarteners and I loved it!  I am the special education teaching assistant and I work the with autistic students in the classroom.  My district is trying something new this year by putting ALL of the children diagnosed with autism in one classroom, so then the teachers, aides, speech path, social workers, and others can all work with them and really focus on each individual's needs.  Today was a CRAZY day because Labor Day threw off their school routine.  I love how I know I will be going to school everyday without worrying if I have a "job" or not.  I learned a lot from subbing last year but I am glad to start a new adventure in this awesome kindergarten class.

I'm so happy to have my work figured out for this year so I can start focusing on my lesson and unit creations.  I have so many unfinished projects I need to go back to!  How do you guys do it with kids, prepping for work, husbands, etc?!  Kiddos to everyone who blogs daily on top of their busy, busy schedules.  I'm hoping by the end of the month I can pull out and share some of my new products with you.

Now, I will end my post with Farley's Currently September!

Today was so hot, I wish I didn't wear black pants! I was thinking the school would be nice and cool inside, but running around with kindergarteners sure does bring on the heat!

After meeting many lovely ladies in the building, everyone had such cute summer outfits and SHOES that I made many mental notes on new cute teacher clothes I wanted to buy! Wish I had time last weekend to shop over Labor Day for all the awesome sales.

I'm very lucky that my work is less than 2 miles away but I forgot to prepare my day with caffeine to a mid day "pick me up".  I definitely need to remind myself to buy some more Diet Cokes this week!

At first I was hesitant in moving back into my parent's house (and a NEW state). BUT I'm so happy I did.  The transition to Illinois is great and everything seems to fall into place.  I am in LOVE with our kitchen (I need to take pictures!) and I can't wait to start baking/goodies for friends and family.

May Currently & news

Hooray! May is here! I can't wait because in 18 days, it will be my birthday!  I love it when Farley does this every month! I'm linking up with her at

So here's my May Currently:

And here's my big news!  I was checking my blog and I noticed I'm just 4 followers away from 100!!! I'm so excited to see this since I remember barely having 10 when I first started this blog a couple months ago.  Anyways to celebrate I will be having a giveaway!!  I am almost finished with my Summer Olympics mini-unit that I will giveaway and will probably do a TpT gift certificate!

So come back later this week to enter my 100 follower giveaway!  Hopefully, my Summer Olympics mini-unit will be completed by the end of the week! (Keeping my fingers crossed)

Have a happy Monday!

Currently April and a Job Hunt Tip

I'm linking up with Farley's Currently April party!  Here's mine!

Anyone addicted to the new ABC TV show, Once Upon A Time?  It's so good! You need to check it out if you like all of those princes and princesses and fairy tales.

I've been struggling with my free time on my laptop between blog stalking and trying to complete my TESOL online course.  I just started this month and it's a lot of reading!!!  Many of my teacher friends, school staff, and other substitutes have told me that adding a TESOL certificate to my resume will boost my chances to finding a full-time teaching position next year.  I am hoping and praying that's the case, since it is a decent amount of money and time I am spending.

Do you or do you know any teachers that also have a TESOL certificate on top of their teaching certificate?  I would love to hear some input about this.  Since job hunting season is about to come up, I wonder how people are preparing themselves (definitely people like me who are already a year out of college).  It's scary to not know what will happen this year will a lot of school budget cuts going on nationwide.

Anyways, here's my Job Hunt tip that I learned from last summer: If you are like me and are willing to move anywhere for a teaching job, you must stay organized!  The teaching applications will add up and the emails will become confusing (or at least for me it did).  I use Microsoft Excel to organize all of my teaching applications.  This is what mine looked like last year:

The main sections I use are:

• Location/School District
• Contact (I put the name provided on here (phone # and email). If there is no name, then I put the website link so I can look up the principal or HR contact. I also put the grade I applied for to reference.)
• Date Updated
• Date Submitted
• Need to Submit!
• Documents submitted

I organize my list by state.  So I with my home state and group all of the schools/districts within that state under it.

Then I color coordinate my list.  This will be helpful when you list becomes really long.

• Blue = didn't get the job
• Red = need to complete application, send cover letter/resume, contact school/principal/HR (basically anything you need to finish!)
• Green = have an interview.  Then I wait for results.  I change this to blue if I get the rejection call/email/letter.

Did you have a system of organizing your teaching applications?  This was the best way my friends and I came up with.

Don't forget to link up with Farley!