Love Bugs

Seeing as how it's "Love Bug Season" I felt it was appropriate for me to write a post about them so all of you who live outside of Florida can understand the plight that befalls us here twice a year.

We call them Love Bugs. They are quite possibly the most annoying bugs you'll ever find!

Basically Love Bugs are little winged balls of acid that drift through the air in packs while perpetually mating. The major problems with these bugs is that they stick to the front of your car and as soon as they dry their acid "eats" through the clear coat of paint on your car. I looked them up on Wikipedia and this is what I found...

Love bug swarms can number in the hundreds of thousand and blanket an entire small town in a dense cloud of insects. The thick swarming of these slow flying, almost drifting, insects almost is reminiscent of snow fall. The swarms occur twice each year, first in late spring, then again in late summer. The spring swarm occurs during late April and May. The summer swarm occurs during late August and September. Swarms extend over periods of 4 to 5 weeks. Mating takes place almost immediately after emergence of the females. Adult females live only 2-3 days.



Its character as a public nuisance is due not to its bite or sting (as it is not capable of either), but to its apparently highly acidic body chemistry. Because airborne love bugs exist in enormous numbers near highways, they die en masse on automobile windshields, hoods, and radiator grills when the vehicles travel faster than fifty miles an hour. If left for more than an hour or two, the remains become dried and extremely difficult to remove, and their acidity pits and etches automotive paint and chrome [1]. Scrubbing deceased love bugs off the front of one's car immediately after the evening rush hour each day of their three-week "breeding season" is sometimes described as a twice-yearly ritual for high speed drivers in the Gulf South[citation needed]. The use of dryer sheets makes cleaning love bugs off your car much easier[citation needed]. Pouring soda on your windshield can also make the cleaning process easier. Driving on local streets at lower speeds for the breeding season is another alternative to having to scrape them off daily.

I also found it very interesting that some people believe that Love Bugs can be a predictor of the Hurricane Season to come.

There is a theory that love bugs give a clue as to whether there is going to be an active hurricane season. Florida, in 2004 saw a lot of love bugs prior to an active hurricane season. In 2005 and 2006, there were fewer love bugs and the state had relatively quiet hurricane years. This year (2007), in May, there are loads of love bugs and it is predicted that the Atlantic is to have a very active storm season from June to November. However, many people theorize that the lack of love bugs in 2005 and 2006 was mearly the resuly of the active hurricane season in 2004 and that the love bug population in 2007 is mearly the species at it's full force.






UPDATE:
my Sister provided me with some pictures of Tyler's truck covered in Love Bugs (since I JUST had my car washed...which spurred my need to write this blog...I had no pictures of my own to post.) Thanks Ash!!!

update update update

I know, I was doing a pretty good job at updating regularly for a little while but I've fallen a little behind. So, here we go!

I'm officially off work now but I do have TONS of workshops that are going to be ongoing throughout the summer. I'm still trying to find a job because, of course, most of these workshops don't pay. I've gone and applied at the restaurant down the road from our house but I still have to go back and talk to the manager. He's off on Wednesdays and Thursdays so I have to wait until Friday at 4:30 to go in and talk to him. After I do that tomorrow, Chris and I are going to head down to Parish to see Nannie and Grandaddy at Mom and Dad's house. They just got back from bringing Benjamin back from the family camping trip. I'm so excited to see them and Ben and Warren!

I know I post a lot about my job but I don't really say much about Chris' job. Chris works for a "Grand" Format printing company and they do many different things. They basically print anything that's REALLY big. The main thing is that they are "full service" in what they do. Most people only request they do printing, but sometimes they both print and install projects. Yesterday and today, He has been installing graphics on a Goodwill Truck. So, I had to go out there today and take him some sunscreen, because he forgot to put it on before he left. I decided to take some pictures while I was there to show you all what he's been up to.







In other news...I just have to share, I'm watching CNN with Chris while he's home for his lunch and they just announced that J.K. Rowling has decided to open up a Harry Potter area at Universal Studios right here in Orlando! I'm really excited about that!!!

We were planning on heading up to the Outer Banks of North Carolina next week, but I have a two week workshop that I'm required to take for work and it's only offered during the time we were supposed to be gone. So, there is really no question that I'm not going to be able to go. We are still trying to work out if we are going to be able to get Chris there or not. This summer is going to be really challenging, with all the requirements I have to complete within my first year of employment, but hopefully I'll be able to get through it all and the coming summers will be a little easier.


As always, Thanks for reading!

I'M FREE...well kinda...

Today was the last day of the school year for my students!!!! YEA!!!
However, the last part of that line is the important part "for my students" I actually have to continue to work until mid-day on Thursday...(probably a good thing...since I'll still be getting paid)...still haven't found another job.

We had a "Graduation" (promotion ceremony) for our 5th graders today and I had one kid who moved on to middle school and won't be back next year. It was emotional...but I'm sure next year is going to be so much worse because by then I'll have had these kids for 2 years and I'll be losing about 7 of my class of 11!!!

So that's really all from here...not all that much going on. I just have lots of loose ends to wrap up at school and then I'm done...I really HAVE to find another job NOW!!!!!!!

I'M BEAT...

I have to say, I'm so exhausted, mentally and physically. I expected this to be a really long week but my own expectations were surpassed! This, thank the Lord, was my last full week with my students for this school year! Monday is their last day...I stick around for pretty much the remainder of the week to get my classroom in order and attend meetings and workshops. I am really looking forward to the summer...but not as much as I would be if I had a job!

That said, this is going to be a short post...I'll just get on with it...

I signed off on my observation with my AP earlier this week. He was absolutely FULL of praise for my performance. I actually asked him at one point if he was in the same classroom I was in! He said I had control of the kids and that there was very little down time and for the activity we did, that was great. He did acknowledge the kids who ran around and did all the things I explained to you on my previous blog, but followed by saying that he understood it was in the nature of these students and that he did understand it is the END of the school year. I pretty much anticipated his understanding of all that...but didn't really expect to receive highest possible marks in every area of my report...which I did! :) So that was good.
Today they sent out a list of all the teachers and positions for next year. Next to ESE EMH (my class) There was my name! So, guess they really meant it! They are keeping me :)

About the job search. I filled out an online application for Universal Studios earlier this week. That's how they do their hiring. I still haven't heard anything back. They pay more than any of the other parks so I'm really trying to hold out for them but just can't reasonably wait much longer. I did get a message from my original interviewer at Disney last night. She just said she'd seen they hadn't offered me the PhotoPass position and that she'd like to offer me something in Attractions, if I'm interested. I will call her back if I need to but I really just want to give Universal a few more days! :(

My Mom and Grandmother are down at my Sister's for the weekend (or part of it) and wanted me to come down but I'm really just SOOOOO tired and SOOOOO overwhelmed with all the stuff I've done this week and have yet to do next week, let alone this weekend...It's just not practical. I have to go in to work tomorrow to get finished up on all my report cards I want to be able to print them out first thing Monday morning so the kids can leave after 5th grade graduation, if they want. Don't think I'm that lucky though. I'm pretty sure my one and only 5th grader will be the only one leaving.

Ok, this is getting too long and I'm too tired. So I'm stopping now. Thanks again for reading!

My next observation

So...now that it's the very end of the school year, (4 days left with kids to be exact) and the kids are completely INSANE, my assistant principal finally got around to doing my observation. Please keep in mind, as you read this story, that this observation plays a very big role in deciding if I have a job next year. I was really nervous about the up coming observation because it was scheduled to take place during the one block of the day when I switch with the other EMH teacher. She teaches the K-2 kids that will later become students in my class. These kids are not nearly as advanced as my kids...but that's not really the point. It's just that they come to my class for one hour a day so they don't really respect me or listen to me or really behave at all! They've been especially bad these past few weeks...much like all the kids in the school. So...I wasn't thrilled about doing an observation during their class time...I'm sure that goes without saying! Now that you know the preface...here's the story....

If I had gone to Hollywood and hired the very best child actors money could buy...and paid them millions of dollars to be the most unruly, out of control, crazy children you have EVER seen...they could not have done it better than these kids today! Seriously...I'm not exaggerating one little bit!!! They were truly running around the room like crazy. I decided, of course, to show off today. I had planned to do an activity where we would make paper out of old newspaper by tearing it up and blending it and the laying it across screens to dry. I just HAD to try to show off!!! So, I prepped the kids yesterday and assigned them all jobs to do and talked to them about all the steps of the process...that was a total waste. I laid out all my supplies and asked the kids to tear the paper into small pieces. Some of them tore huge chucks...some of them wadded it into balls...but the large majority of them grabbed onto one single piece of paper tugging at each other, screaming how everyone else was doing it wrong and how he/she stole the paper from "me," how "I had it first!!!" And please, don't underestimate the word screaming here!!! All the while. One of my kids is wandering aimlessly around the classroom while another kid is hanging over the assistant principal asking what he's doing with his computer! Then I move on to the blender. I ask the kid wandering aimlessly to push the button...he does...I'm think "this is good! I'm doing something right!" Then it happens...He's so excited he's pushed the button, he RUNS around the room SCREAMING "I DID IT!!!!!!" with his arms flailing above his head!!!! Then all the other kids are upset they didn't get to push the button so they start to argue about who's turn it is next...it just went ON and ON! Like a really bad nightmare that wouldn't stop!

I know that my AP understands the type of kids I'm working with here and with that understanding, he probably will not see today as being the disaster that it was. I did keep the kids from killing each other, no one got hurt, and they probably did learn SOMETHING from it all. I just hope that's enough to get me by!

Needed to share this with you all. Thanks for reading!

Living...and enjoying...the Florida life

Chris and I woke up today with out a plan. No schedule. Nothing really to do at all. We cleaned up the house and I cooked us some french toast for breakfast and then we decided to go to the beach. Let me please just tell you how nice it is to just wake up and decide that you'd like to go to the beach today...and actually be able to just go! The water is finally warm enough to swim in and enjoy...so we went! We made the 40 mile trek to Cocoa beach and it was a wonderfully enjoyable day! These are not actually pictures that I took but just some I found to post to show you what Cocoa looks like if you've never been. We got to lay in the sun and play in the water and took along some sandwiches for lunch. It was a nice day and really, it is what living in Florida is ALL about! Just wanted to share what we'd been up to. As always, thanks for reading!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Friday...and Happy Mother's Day weekend!

I wanted to share the pictures with you of the project my kids did for their Mom's. We painted flower pots with their hands after I dipped them in paint. It sounds like a disaster waiting to happen but we took turns and all the kids were very patient and neat. Here are all my pictures. Sorry they are poor quality but I had to take them on my phone. I really need to get a little digital camera to keep in my purse so I can take better pictures of our classroom activities!



All our little flower pots!



Our pots again...please excuse Shayne's hand!



This is the message I printed on each tag for the Mom's.

Thanks again for reading...Have a wonderful weekend!!!

and the answer is...(a resounding) "NO"

I'm a little disappointed...to say the least.

I went back to Disney today for my follow up interview.

I met with a guy...who seemed nice enough...he didn't really seem interested in what I had to say. He kept checking his phone and looking at his computer as I answered his questions. I apologized for being too long winded...just incase. He said, "No, it's great, you're fine!" So, I continued...answering his questions thoroughly. He still looked disinterested.
So, he asks me tons of questions about myself and my current job. The ONLY photo question he asked me was what is my favorite photo and why. I answered. He never asked me about my experience in photography. He finished his barrage of questions and sent me back out to the lobby to wait on someone else.

I wait...and a woman came to get me. She asked me how the interview went...I said I thought it went well. She then informed me that he "really enjoyed talking with me" but unfortunately, my availability does not fit what they are looking for. I asked her to specify and she asked me when I was available. I told her it was from May 24th through the end of August. She said she needed to go clear up something and left the room for a few minutes.

She came back...she informed me that actually, the issue was that they were looking for someone with more experience in "corralling" people for photographs. (It bears mentioning at this point that I worked, for a little while, for a commercial photographer when I was in college. I don't list my experience there because it was very short term and I have no contact with the guy now. I took pictures for pageants, sports teams, and various other commercial events...what I'm saying is...I have more than sufficient experience in "corralling" groups of people for photographs. However, the guy who interviewed me NEVER asked about my experience...so...he wouldn't have known this!!!) So, at this point, I can't mention all this to her, she's just following orders and basically has the terrible job of telling people they didn't get a job. So, she tells me I can still work at attractions and will probably have a better chance getting this job next year. She goes on to inform me that she had actually even hired some more teachers for the job just today...because they had already done "attractions" for a summer. I wonder if they had degrees in Photography.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this job pays more than all the other jobs. They treat it as a perk job for people who have "done their time in the trenches." They don't actually care about your photography back ground or experience. They just pick the people they think deserve to be paid a higher wage.

So, I'm a little ticked...and I think I deserve to be...they are supposed to call me soon to talk to me about a position in "attractions." In the meantime, I'm going to look for a job in other avenues.

I'm just not sure how I feel about how they've treated me!

Job Fair

So I know I said I was going to the Disney Job fair last weekend...however, I was wrong. It wasn't actually scheduled last week. It is this week. So, I decided to go down there today and check it out. It went really well. It was a real experience, from start to finish...I guess as you'd expect from Disney. You walk in to a tent where there are representatives from every department. They each give you a little spill about what they do for their jobs and you get to decide what you'd like to do. I talked to several different people. Talked to one guy that drives the safari truck from that ride I went on at Animal Kingdom a few weeks ago. He even showed me the driver's seat of the truck...:) that was cool. However, I think the best fit for me at Disney this summer is working for the Photo Pass. I get to walk around and take pictures of visitors. I really thought the Photo Pass job was actually going to be based on sales and so I didn't go in today with it in mind. However, I learned that it is not only NOT based on sales, but pays a higher base rate than any of the other jobs they were interviewing for. So...seeing as how Photography is my second passion in life and is the area in which I hold my second degree...I'm thinking this is a pretty good deal. The whole process took almost two hours. I'm glad I didn't wait until Saturday to go. Before my actual interview we were put in a little bit of a "holding" area they were playing "A Bugs Life" on the TV and they had sodas, chips, and pretzels for everyone waiting. The whole thing was really relaxed and quite enjoyable. By the time I got to my one on one interview it was past 5:00. People being interviewed for the Photo Pass job have to interview with a member of Administration. So, of course, they all went home at 5 and I have to go back tomorrow for my second interview. I'm less than thrilled about that, but still pretty excited at the prospects. So, hopefully tomorrow I'll know for sure if I have the job. The girl who interviewed me said the people she talked to (about my second interview) were thrilled to have someone with a degree in Photography who was applying for the job. So that's good news. I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes.

Chris is also looking into getting a second job. We are just trying to be able to make it comfortably through the summer. He is looking at the prospect of getting a job at a restaurant (probably pizza, because that's where his experience is). I'll keep you updated on that too!

Thanks again for reading!

Allison's work

First let me say I'm sorry this is so long, I guess it's just been a long week and I have lots of new things to say about my job!

I had my first "parent night" on Thursday night. It was lovely. I have to say, I was a little nervous. I visited my parents in Tennessee this weekend (for a family wedding) and my wonderful Dad made me watch the movie "Freedom Writers". If you haven't seen the movie, I'll give you a little bit of what it's about. First of all, let me say...EVERY teacher needs to watch this movie. It is heart-wrenching (I'm pretty sure even for people who aren't teachers) but it really makes you realize the power of a good educator and the extreme need for open minded, optimistic, supportive people in our education system. With that said, in the movie, no one shows up for her first parent night. As I was writing "Welcome" on our board, the thought came to mind that maybe no one would show up for my kids either. Thankfully, I was wrong. I had 5 kids out of 11 show up. That's not bad. We called it an "Academic Showcase" at our school and it was pretty much an end of the year open house. We had to decorate our rooms with projects we'd worked on in class. My kids studied bugs. Mostly butterflies. They pained wooden butterflies and dragonflies and we hung them from the celling. It turned out really well. All the parents that came echoed each other in saying that they were really happy with me as their child's teacher. They all said they felt like I was doing a really good job and that they had really seen progress in their children since I started teaching them. That, to say the least, felt REALLY good. I have to say. Teaching, especially Special Ed. kids, is a challenge in and of itself. It is really tough to know when you are doing a good job. My kids are so unpredictable. It's very hard to gauge sometimes if they are making progress. But hearing it from the parents of my kids made me really realize, I'm really helping my kids. So that was my first encouragement for the week.

My second came in the form of something I was dreading a little bit. As a new teacher in Florida, it's mandatory that I have a "mentor". Mentors are teachers who have been teaching for a long time (mine is over 15 years) and they also have to take a class on how to be a mentor. They have a portfolio that they have to keep on their new teachers. They have to do a few observations over the course of the school year as one of the requirements. So, my observation was scheduled for Wednesday. I planned to do a science experiment with my kids. I wanted to teach them about how water runs down mountains. I waited and waited for my mentor to come and she didn't show up. I had to go ahead and do it without her. I was a little disappointed but she came to me right after school and explained she'd been really overwhelmed and had just completely forgotten. The next day, she did come. So, I recapped the experiment for her, and my kids and displayed the illustrations they had drawn of their experiments as part of my lesson. The review that she sent me in my email today was so wonderful, I need to share it with all of you. I'm going to post it here...

Dear Allison,
I just wanted to send you a quick and casual note to tell you how much I enjoyed visiting and observing in your classroom yesterday. The lesson was GREAT and I was so impressed with so many things. Some examples are: the children were so engaged and enthusiastic, the use of specific and general praise, classroom management, your animated and pleasant demeanor with the children. I really liked the reveiw and the compare/contrast (of plants/animals that live in fresh/salt water). Many questions were higher order and open ended. I was so pleased to see you turn the boy's incorrect answer about the octopus into a correct answer in a different context. I can't begin to list all the wonderful teaching practices and tecniques that I saw. Can't wait to come back on Tuesday.
P.S. It must also be nice to work with such a pleasant, smiling assistant.
Have a wonderful weekend - you DESERVE it!!
Your mentor and friend,
Denise

Wow. That really just made my day!

So, My birthday is on Sunday and my kids, with more than a little help from my WONDERFUL assistant, threw me a party today! It was so much fun. My assistant went way overboard with the gifts, as she does. But my favorite thing was a bag they made me. I've taken pictures of it for you to see. We call ourselves "Holland's Horses" and the kids painted this using their thumbs to make the heads and bodies of the horses. Each horse is a different child. How thoughtful! This is something I will always treasure!







I'm very excited about the weekend. We are going to have a little get together at our friends' house tomorrow. And I think Chris and I are going to go in the morning to check out the Disney job fair to see if I can't find some summer employment. I've been told they hold lots of seasonal positions for teachers, I'll let you know how that goes.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend and thanks so much for reading!!!