Tuesday, August 28, 2012

First Day of Class



Yesterday was back to the books for college students and instructors. I'd like to say it went off without a hitch. I'd be lying. I was on campus by noon. I had a wonderful meeting with my mentor for English 104. I walked across campus to the security office to get my keys. I have no parking permit yet so feared my car would be ticketed. I was lucky and it was not.

I learned at 4:15pm that my class was in a different building from where I believed it would be. Ugh. I had to scramble to get the testing material I needed so I could have the students take the Nelson-Denny Reading Test. This is a non-graded test that helps me to know where they are. We will take it again to know how far they have come. I managed to get all that and arrived at my classroom at 4:50pm. I was surprised to see most of the students already there. Class begins at 5pm. I had three who had already taken the test and sent them to the library to do some reading. An hour later we were done with the test and those who had already taken it were back. We went over the syllabus, introduced ourselves. They seem to be a good bunch. I am looking forward to Wednesday's class. On Wednesday we meet in the lab in a different building. If you don't think that's confusing....ugh. Ten minutes before my class was over I had students from the next class entering. How rude. It's a good thing we were about done.

Then I had to scramble as I had ten minutes to get back to the other building for my 7pm class. I gathered all the testing materials to take to that class. I had four students who had already taken the test. They were dispatched to the library. One student showed up an hour late as he had been waiting outside the lab. *shakes head* The class went well again we did introductions, and went over the syllabus. This class is currently at 14 instead of the 25 it could have.

Things in both classes went well. I think the make up of the classes is great. Not sure how I got so lucky. Unfortunately because of heat I chose to wear my sandals and not put on nylons. My right foot blistered, broke open, and bled. I am having trouble walking today. I have soaked it in epsom salts, put neosporin cream on it, and bandages. I've taken a couple motrins and I am keeping off it as much as possible. I still have Wednesday night to teach this week. Then I have a week off.

Aside from injuring myself. Things went well and I am looking forward to more time with the students.  All in all not a bad first day.

TTFN

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Saying Good-Bye

Yesterday I did one of the hardest things a person ever has to do. That is to bid a last farewell to a friend. I had not seen Tony in more years than I care to count. Not since his youngest daughter got married. While the funeral was like old home week, as many of my former neighbors and friends were also there.

Life it too short to lose touch with friends. We have lost two from the old neighborhood in the past two month. Both were good men and good fathers and grandfathers. Both were a part of my life at that time. Both died suddenly. Diagnosed with an illness and gone before anyone could even comprehend the diagnosis. No time to prepare.

It was wonderful to see the children my daughter grew up with as adults. It was nice to meet their children. It's a sad day that we are that estranged. I'd love to see them more often and to be there  for them. I loved them as little girls, I admire them as young adults.

If you have family and friends you've not seen in a while, take the time to see them. Don't let another moment go by without making an effort to see them, talk to them and let them know you care.

R.I.P Tony Toth my old friend.

TTFN

Friday, August 10, 2012

Back in the Saddle Again



The above photo is Pioneer Hall on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University where I will begin the fall semester as an adjunct faculty member in the English department. I taught developmental reading and writing for eight years at Kirtland Community College. I am excited to be teaching again. I have wanted to teach at the university level, so I will be putting my best foot forward here.

While the commitment is only for the fall term I would be delighted to return in the summer or fall of 2013 if they have a need. I am excited to look at the curriculum and begin looking at the texts so that I know what I will be teaching. I know it will be English 103 and 104. That is reading strategies and study skills. Very similar to what I taught at Kirtland twelve years ago. I am excited to be back in the classroom.

Monday I go down to fill out the obligatory paperwork, get my photo taken for an ID, a parking pass, and whatever else is needed. I will have to have training on the computer program used for grades, and posting the syllabus. I also need to be brought up to speed on what happened during the August 2nd in service that was held for the staff teaching the courses I will be teaching.

Why you ask did I retire from teaching only to go back part-time? I retired from teaching because it was time for me to move on to other things. One being writing, the other being to possibly teach part-time at the college level. I am working on both. Looking forward to the release of the second novel in the Macy McVannel series, working on a co-authored book, and starting book three in the Macy series. I am also looking forward to enabling students to succeed in college.

TTFN

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Liebster Blog Award



On August 5, 2012 Awakenings nominated RamblingsbyRebecka for the Liebster Award. I honored to receive this award.

 What is the Liebster Blog Award? 
“The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The Meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome.” Wow! What a mouthful! Thank you Awakenings for honoring me in this way!
As with all blog awards, there are 'rules' so I will proceed with the 11 questions Awakenings left for me to answer:

1. Who do you admire most and why?
     Loaded question, I admire strong women. My family is full of them.

2. What is the best book you have read this year and why would you recommend it to others?
      Heaven is for Real. I think it answered a lot of questions for me and helped me to understand some things about myself.

3. Where do you get your inspiration?
    From life. Everything in life can be turned into a mystery. 

4. What is your favorite part of nature?
      Anywhere near water. I love the babbling of a brook or the pounding of the ocean surf.

5. Would you rather be a bumble bee or a butterfly?
       I think I'd prefer being a butterfly.

6. When did you first begin to write?
     I first began writing at age 10 or 11 when a teacher I had told me one day I would be in print.

7. What is your favorite sport?
      To watch, women's gymnastics. To participate in: swimming.

8. If you had a choice for a pet, would you rather have a gerbil or an iguana?
     Neither, I missed the animal gene in the family.

9. If you could be reincarnated, who would you like to be?
      I don't have an answer for this one.

10. Which would best describe you, a cool cucumber salad or a hot tamale?
       I'm most likely a hot tamale...just ask my friends.

11. What is the best food you ever ate and where?
        You know the best food is at potlucks prepared by family or friends. 



My five nominees for this award are:







Here are your questions to answer:

1) What is your biggest dream?
2) Do you have a plan for making it happen?
3) What keeps you going when you want to give up?
4)Who are your favorite musicians and why?
5) If you could invite anyone at all to dinner who would it be and why?
6) What's one thing you'd like to change about the world?
7)What is one small thing you can change?
8) Where do you see yourself in five years?
9) Who do you most admire and why?
10) What one thing about yourself would you share?
11) Which is more important making millions or making a change?

October Already

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