Things I don't understand

There are some things, alright a list of many things, that I do not understand but one of which is starting to irritate me. I know that men and woman are different; men are from Venus and women are from Mars, so the saying goes, and some people have their secrets. I try my hardest to obey the boundaries, not ask questions, and let things be. I always figured when my significant other was ready to discuss it, he would, but those times are becoming farther and farther between. He use to eventually come around and talk to me and now his choice of a conversationalist is a mutual friend of ours. While he is pushing me away, he is choosing to talk to someone else. I understand that loss is difficult especially when it is a truly loved one such as a parent or sibling that had a life end way to early and unexpectedly and I understand that each year on the anniversary of the death there will be certain emotional upheavals until the heart begins to heal. Why does this process include pushing away the one person in life that you have pledged to be a partner with, share things with, and open up to others? I don't get it. Everything can probably be chalked up to the man versus woman emotional differences . . . and it is one more thing I need to learn to deal with.

Great Reno Ballon Race

It has become tradition, once a year, to pull ourselves out of bed before the sun comes up to see the Great Reno Balloon Races. The events start with a glow show then dawn patrol, and usually ends with a mass ascension. The last couple years we drove to the convention center, paid the dollar per person and rode the bus right into the park. This year I thought that I would try to park, I was able to park at the university and walk up with the kids but for the sake of ease and convenience, I think we will stick to the annual bus trip. It means getting up a little earlier but it definitely pays off. The kids enjoy the miniature donuts that we partake in every year. The field is full of little ones in PJ's, college kids who have been up all night, families and friends from around the world, and an experience one will not soon forget. Because of our wonderful Nevada weather dressing warm for the pre dawn festivities is a must and we always bring a few blankets in tow with thermos's of hot chocolate and coffee. Layers are a plus so you can shed clothes as the sun comes out and warms the day. This year we had some new balloons; a globe, a shark, a strawberry, a pepsi can, and a man with sunglasses to name a few. We also had some good old dependable balloons such as Smokey the bear, the Wells Fargo Wagon, and Darth Vador. This year mass ascension did not take place due to the unstable air conditions so for the first time in a couple years we were able to wonder around and take really great pictures of the balloons that are hard to get during mass ascension. Both experiences are great in different ways.

A picture of dawn patrol

Up, Up, and not so away . . . 

Newbies

Oldies but Goodies

Busy Busy Busy

The last week has gone by so quickly. Amongst all the excitement of a teaching job there was a graduation party, and a birthday party. I am quickly learning that the first week of school is exhausting. It isn't entirely a bad thing, it is just a busy week. On another note one beautiful young lady tried out for the volleyball team and made it and a beautiful little lady will be moved to first grade instead of staying in kindergarten. What an exciting week!

Turning up

Well  . . . I think things are finally turning up. I had interview for a 5th teaching job on Monday, which I felt really good about it. When I got the call back I was a little saddened by not getting the position but the principal and vice principal liked me enough to find a way to hire me. It was kind of nice to know that they like me enough to make something work so that I could be a part of their team. The position isn't something I had originally seen myself doing but it is an adventure and I am going for it. So . . . the last couple days have been a whirlwind of human resources and trying to get classrooms ready. So exciting!

Movie, Movies, and Movies

Yesterday I took a break from my reading goal, worrying about whether or not I would get a job, and spent the day watching movies. I went old school and enjoyed a day of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, and Ginger. Sometimes there is nothing better than a classic.  Watching movies with such Iconic actors reminds you of why they are iconic, why they are the standard. A lot of classic stars carry an elegant nature that you don't see very often anymore.

On another note, I watched a more recent movie called The Red Baron, as you may have guessed, is it a movie based on the german flying ace from world war one. The movie focuses mostly on The Baron's military career as a pilot but you see a personal side to the man that is intriguing. I truly enjoyed the film and would't hesitate in recommending it. Yes the movie is based on historical information but because of the movies basis there is a lot of action that pulls in those that need more than a great story to stay interested in a film. The movie has a little bit of everything for everyone.

A little discouraged

I know that this is a difficult time for people to obtain jobs, especially in particular fields. I have been working as a substitute teacher for my local school district the last year and a half, graduated with my teaching degree in May of 2011. I currently have applications filed with three districts close to where I live, which allows me to send a letter of interest when I see an opening I would like to be considered for, and nothing. On several occasions I have been sent an e mail from a principal saying that they will be reviewing applications for a certain teaching position and if interested to let them know. I respond to the e mail stating my interest and then never hear. It has been the same on the few interviews I have been on, we like you, we think you are great, but then someone else gets offered the position. I know for the charter school I was lacking the Masters degree that they "preferred." Otherwise I am at a loss. There are quite a few teachers that request me as their go to for a substitute. After a long term substitute job in which I took on all the duties of a teacher, to include planning, I was told I would make a great teacher by many of my colleagues I had worked with during the time at this school, a couple of them even wrote me letters of recommendation, so why is it I can't manage to land a job? I know the job market is tough and that there are many teachers, especially ones who have several years of classroom experience out there, but how does one get long term classroom experience when they aren't even allowed out of the starting gate?

Hot August Nights, Cars, Cars, and more Cars

In Reno, Nevada, where I live it is that annual time of year. The time of year where we see the warmest days and the hottest cars. The streets are filled with the automobiles of the past. Model T's, Muscle cars,  and the long forgotten "boat." Hot August Nights is one of the few annual events held in the area that I make sure to attend every year. There is something about the smell of rubber after watching a drag race that causes your seat to rumble because of the purr from an engine. The music, the cars, the crowd, are reminiscent of days that have past an older generation by and a small glimpse of what that generation was for those of who missed out on the experience. The event brings generations together through a love of cars.