Let's Get Acquainted Linky Party

I happened to stumble upon Latoya's awesome linky party today and I knew I had to instantly join!

It's super easy and fun to do!  My intials are AMH and here are my 3 things about me starting each letter.

A is for Air Traveller.  For some reason A took me forever to think of a good word to talk about myself. I was very fortunate enough to have parents who instilled my love for flying.  I tend to associate flying with family because I always have to fly somewhere to visit extended family members.  My closest family member outside my intermediate family is in California and Hawaii.  I love going to new places near and far and learn about the culture, food, attractions, and history of each place.  I'm lucky to have family living all over the world (Hong Kong, Australia, Paris, London, & more!).

In honor of the new pope being selected right now, here's a pic of me at Vatican City.  I went to Italy with my boyfriend this past summer.

M is for Movie-goer.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE going to the movies!  Recently, I watched Jack and the Giant Slayer, Identity Thief, and Safe Haven (Love Nicholas Sparks books!).  I am still in the hunt for a good dollar theater near where I live though.  If I'm not at the movies on the weekends, sometimes I'm glued to my TV at home watching Netflix movies.  Anyone see the new OZ movie yet?  That is on my MUST-GO SEE list!

H is for Hair.  I love my dark black-brown hair!  I try to keep it long so I can style it many, many ways.  I love curling, braiding, and accessorizing it!  I have a crazy stash of headbands and I always on Pinterest looking for new ideas to do my hair.  I think if I didn't have a teaching blog I would most likely start a hair blog. Haha!  You can check out my "Bombalious Hair" board here!

Here's a quick snippet of my hair today.  Just a simple headband braid, very Lauren Conrad from Laguna Beach.

Well I hope you liked learning a little more about me!  Definitely go back to Latoya's blog to link up!

Happy Tuesday! :)

Bloggers by State (Midwest)

While I was blog stalking I stumbled a fun way for teacher bloggers to connect thanks to All That Glitters in First Grade's earlier post this week.  Diane from Fifth in the Middle has an awesome way to network with other bloggers by state! I can't wait to meet new bloggers in my NEW state!!  (I just moved to Illinois from Ohio this past summer)

So if you haven't done it already, link up and find other bloggers from your state!

Videos of the Day: Winters Coats and a Pep talk

What do you think about the weather lately?  Here in Chicagoland, we've been getting days that are cold, snowy, and icy while there are other days that are wet, warm, and lots of wind.  It is crazy to have snow one day and then 50 degree weather on the next (like today).

Since we've been back to school, we've been showing our kinders this awesome coat video.  This video shows a cat (Crawford) on how he puts on his coat.  He uses the strategy where you put on your coat by placing it on the floor and flip flopping it on.  I know a lot of OT/PT and preschool teachers LOVE this video because of the floor flip flop strategy.  Does your school use this coat strategy?  Our district does and we now sing it to our kinders every day.  The best part of this video is the catchy Coat Flip Flop song as you do it!  It will be stuck in your head for weeks!

Here is another great video you can share with your friends, co-workers, family, and students.  Have you heard of Kid President? He has many awesome videos that make you think and smile.  This particular one is great to share before the Super Bowl next Sunday.  This video is great to start group discussions and reflect.  I love his little encouragement messages.  If you love this video as much as I do, you definitely need to check out his other videos.  This kid definitely knows how to make you feel good. :)

Stay tuned later this week as I talk more about Chinese New Year and maybe another freebie! In the meanwhile, Laurah at The ESOL Odyssey is having a Chinese & Lunar New Year Linky Party. Go check it out for free and paid products for the upcoming holiday.  Also click {here} for my Year of the Snake freebie I posted a while back.

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!

End Of The Year Gift: Class Address Book Freebie

Have you seen Tessa @ Tales from Outside the Classroom and Courtney @ Swimming Into Second's End of the Year Gift Linky Party?  Click the images to check out all of the other great ideas you can do for your students.  Also, don't forget to link up if you have an End of the Year Gift you would like to share!

As you read in my older posts, my family is trying to sell our house because we are relocating to Chicago.    While I was packing my room up a couple weeks ago, I found many old school memories tucked in my desk and closet.  I found this and thought I could share it with you guys!  This is when I was in 2nd grade (circa 1996-1997, yes I know I'm young!)

My 2nd grade teacher called this "Treasured Memories".  It is basically an address book for students to write to peers over the summer.  This is great for kids who go on vacation and can send a postcard to a friend.

This is the cover page.  I put it on top of an 8x11 booklet so you can compare the size.  (I wish my teacher took a cuter picture of me for my cover page! haha)

Here is what the inside pages look like.  One page per student. 

Katie was one of my best friends in this class so my teacher put a picture of us on colored card stock.  She had 3 pages like this in my booklet.  All of the pictures on card stock and cover pages (front and back) were laminated.  

All of my pages were signed by my classmates, so I'm pretty sure we passed our booklets around the class during the last week of school.  I think this is a wonderful idea to include for your end of the year gift!  To make this address book gift up-to-date, I would also include space for the student's email and phone number.  Don't forget to include yourself in the address book! My teacher added her information on the last page as well.  

To make your life simpler, I know how the end of the year can get hectic for y'all, here's a template you can use to fill in your student's info.  The Document is in landscape form and just cut it down the middle and bind it together! Click here for the freebie!

Let me know what you think about this gift! I love to hear your comments and thoughts!  

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!