Pumpkin Coffee

Well I know we all had the pumpkin discussion in this class and some are fans and some are not.. But my pumpkin coffee is so delicious today from Dunkin Donuts I just had to blog about it!! I know Dr. Ries would rather a chai latte but I'm not kidding today it was better than usual!!!

I love thunderstorms ;)

Today as I was walking to class, the rain started to fall.  By the time I entered my classroom, it sounded like bowling balls were bouncing up in the sky.  The lightning began and thunder rolled in.  I absolutely love thunderstorms.  I can't wait until after class when I can go home and put on a movie while watching the rain fall.  There's nowhere I'd rather be than home during a storm. What kind of weather do you guys love?  Snowstorms? Rain/Thunder?

First Day of Field Work!

Today was my first day of field observations in Lincoln School (Nutley NJ) for ED 331 (Exceptional Child)  I enjoyed it very much and am interested being that it's special ed and children with needs.  I know the class here at Caldwell is required for us to be certified to be an elementary teacher, however, I enjoy helping these children on my own.  I always had a big heart for children and that's why I wanted to become a teacher, but when it comes to children with special needs I just want to help them in any way I possibly can.  I can't wait to help them out with their struggles and questions.  This morning, I already had 2 different students coming to me for help.  It felt so great to be able to be there for them and help them with their problems.  This is definitely different from last semester, being that I'm in the resource room now.  There are 3 teachers in the room and they go to different classrooms for in-class support.  They also do inclusion and resource services.  Today one little girl was very alert and eager to answer questions and the teacher was so proud of her and rewarded her.  When other students see this it makes them want to achieve and then they participate more and more.  I had to say I was even proud.  They are so cute I just want to hug them over and over! How do you guys feel about special ed?  Do you think you'd have the patience to try and certify in special ed?  I'm really considering it.

Catching a Cold :(

This morning I woke up feeling sinus pressure and a stuffy/runny rose. My throat was scratchy and my head and ears were feeling clogged and painful.  My first thought was I hope I'm not getting sick. I pushed myself to come to class being its an hour and 15 minutes, and my only class of the day.  After this I can't wait to go home and hit the couch.  I'll be having tea and soup all day and watching movies.  I want to rest because I work tomorrow night and Saturday all day as well, then Sunday I am free all day for football :) and homework :(.  I waitress in a pizzeria and its a great little job, but when it's busy I really have to hustle.  We not only waitress but we do the counter, answer phones, and bus tables.  So there really is no resting for us girls and we are exhausted once we get done.  But the tips are great and the hours aren't bad either.  I've been working there since my junior year in high school so I know the place inside and out.  You guys may have heard of it -Scotto's Pizzeria in Clifton, NJ.  Gerardo Scotto has been there for 41 years and is known for having the best pizza in town.  Friday nights get pretty crazy because everyone goes out for pizza night! That's why I need all the rest I can get tonight and tomorrow.  What are your plans for the weekend?

Falling for fall =D

The weather is changing and that brisk breeze is in the air.  The days are getting shorter and pumpkins are everywhere.  Time to put the flip flops away and whip out the boots because fall has arrived.  This is my favorite time of year, although it is sad seeing summer come to an end.  I enjoy pumpkin coffee at least once every day from Dunkin Donuts.  It's heaven you guys should try it.  I love when the trees change colors and the leaves begin to fall.  How about you guys? When is your favorite time of year? What do you like about the season?

Happy Birthday to me and Dr. Ries!

Today is my birthday, I turned 22! and I know Dr. Ries' birthday is tomorrow so im wishing her a very happy birthday as well.  We are both virgos.  I'm not crazy into zodiac signs but I will read my horoscope from time to time and get a little fun out of it.  Some people I know do theirs daily!  How about you guys?

For my birthday my boyfriend took me out to an amazing dinner.  He got me a Michael Kors handbag that i love so much! My brother is taking me for lunch today, I am meeting him after class, and going out later and partying with friends.  Good thing i have no classes tomorrow.

Remembering 9/11

This past week we are all aware of what happened 10 years ago on September 11, 2001.  I still remember being in 7th grade, my first few days of Franklin Middle School, sitting in study hall when the news broke.  Everyone was in a panic and children were being picked up from school to go home, including my brother and I.  The feeling I get every time I see footage or hear about it is chilling.  Right now New York City is under high security being that it is the 10 year anniversary and we have been notified of some terror threats.  A girl i went to school with unfortunately lost her father on that horrid day.  He worked in the World Trade Center.  She was only about 10 years old but remembers it horribly.  My heart goes out to her and her family and all of the others who lost a loved one in this incident.  I saw her on television the other day talking about it and quoting " I thought my dad would be around forever, you know?... I never thought he was going to go away or anything like that could've ever happened."  I had the goosebumps all over and tears came to my eyes.  She is 20 years old today and doing alot better but says she still never forgets.

The Calm AFTER the Storm

For the past 3 days or so it has been raining nonstop.  It felt like Hurricane Irene all over again.  A lot of students couldn't make it to class due to more flooding on top of the last storm which still was not fully cleared away in some areas.  So you can imagine what that must have been like.  Luckily, my area does not flood easily.  Homes in Fairfield and Wayne had to get rid of furniture and valued items that all were destroyed from the floods.  Some houses were under 2 feet of water and the resident's could not leave for 5 days.  If you drive in those towns you will see tons of ruined items on the sidewalks ready for garbage.  The people have no other choice.  I am thankful that didn't happen to me and my family, however, I would like to do something to help out the others who were less fortunate. I have tons of clothes, and extra belongings that I do not ever use or need.  I'm thinking these people could really get use of this with the situation they are in.

Last Class before my weekend begins! =)

Well, I made it through my first week of classes.  I have Fridays off so my weekend starts at 1:15 today.  I'd say all classes were a success but I am a little weary about my Western Literature Class on Wednesday night 7-9:30.  It seems very long, boring and it consists of a tough work load. I am just nervous that it may stress me out and cause a little chaos on keeping focused in my other classes.  I get overwhelmed very easy which is not good.  As for my other 4 classes I love my teachers and am really looking forward to learning the material in their courses. 

Today is the first day of September which is my favorite month of the year because my birthday is on the 15th. I am turning 22 years old and I'm not excited to get much older than this.  I also love September because its the start of fall which I think is the most wonderful season.  I love decorating the house with pumpkins, when the trees change, and then Halloween, of course! The brisk nights and breeze in the air are divine. If it could be this time of year all year round I'd take it.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy the summer but after awhile the extreme heat in Jersey gets to me.  I can only take so much of it.