Also- 2,100 views? 

I'm feeling a little special =)

Especially since I don't have much time to frequently update anymore. 

Thanks for reading =)

Yes, I'm goin' to (North) Carolina in my mind-

"In my mind I’m goin’ to carolina
Can’t you see the sunshine
Can’t you just feel the moonshine
Maybe just like a friend of mine
It hit me from behind
Yes I’m goin’ to carolina in my mind"

-James Taylor, Carolina In My Mind

Hello!  North Carolina, I'm missing you this week. =)  The song is appropriate.  However, I am definitely enjoying my break regardless.  Between working over the weekend, and having a smaller check due to meetings one weekend, it just wasn't realistically feasible for me to make it home...  HOWEVER, look out Christmas Break because I AM coming home.  I can't wait =)  It's a little hard to believe this is the first holiday I won't be with all of you, but I'll be thinking about you for sure!  Mom, I will certainly be missing ALLLLLLL of your food. 

I did work this past weekend, and was able to sleep in yesterday and today, and plan on doing just that the rest of this week!!!  I know a few people that are here through Wednesday so I haven't been completely alone, and I met another new person this weekend, so he and I have had dinner a couple of nights as well.  (He comes into the country club sometimes, and I have met him previously, serving tables obviously.) 

Yesterday I drove out to South Haven, Mississippi to walk through Target, even though I bought nothing, andddd I may have stopped at Bruster's since I finally found it and got a brownie sundae with chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream.  I have been CRAVING some Bruster's ice cream for quite some time, so it hit the spot, and was a nice little mini-reward to finally making it to Thanksgiving break!

I also had the joy of being taken to dinner in downtown Clarksdale last night at a place called Oxbow, and trying fish tacos... I have heard about fish tacos before, buttttt have never tried them.  Everyone knows I will try most anything, and don't really dislike anything... but I definitely give them two thumbs up.  I now know why they are so popular.  I should have taken a picture.  Oops. Oh well.

Today I went to my school and my classroom is SOOOOOO much cleaner now.  It's still not organized the way I would like it, but it is certainly clean now!  I have been dying to have time to clean it and we really don't have time after school or before school, nor is the school ever open on any weekends.  I never did post a picture of my Thanksgiving door. I'm pretty pleased with it, even though my kids like to make fun of my turkey because he has no feet.  They always make fun of my drawings.  I don't blame them... I know you always enjoyed my "artwork" too, Mom... hahhaha   Anyhow, here it is:

I really wish I could put some pictures of my kids up here because they really have won my heart, even though they also make me want to rip my hair out sometimes....

Alright, I guess that's all for now.  Happy Thanksgiving, I miss you, and I love you all! =)

State of Grace, State of Grades, State of Mississippi

"This is a state of grace

This is a worth while fight"

-Taylor Swift, State of Grace

Hellllllo!   It has been quite some time since I have had a chance to write.  Yes, I am alive.  Yes, I am still sane.  Yes, I'm still glad I'm here.  No, I still don't know what the heck I'm doing some times.  No, I still don't understand why a kid cries every two minutes over the silly things like not having a purple crayon or the extra clothespin in his/her center bag.  No, I still don't know why the chicken crossed the road.  (hahaha.. get it-- because the joke always has a different answer!  Okay, so maybe me and my corny jokes have just never liked that particular joke.)  Either way, I'm back to update quickly, as usual.

I'm four days shy of having a week-long break.  Let me just say for a minute that it is absolutley superkalafragilistic expealidocious!  I absolutley can not WAIT.  I know several of you are waiting to know if I am coming home.  I know it is short notice, but until I know what is on my country club check Friday- I don't know whether or not I'll be home.  Unfortunately this is my last month, hopefully, of playing catch-up on moving expenses before starting an actual savings account again, along with Christmas and the traveling that will come with that as well.

On another note-I'm getting the kindergarten lifestyle down a little more each day.  I've discovered the wonderful world of the white lies...like secret spy cameras, and the spectacular sticker craze that every child posseses.  ESPECIALLY when it comes to the "special stickers."  hahaha... they work wonders. 

I should have a million things to say, but I am honestly just keeping one thing in my mind-and that is my break coming up in four days... ha.  We haven't had a day off of school since Labor Day and started school much earlier than schools in North Carolina.. August 6th. Soooo this break is all that I'm thinking of until it gets here.

I'm still in between about the decision to apply to work at Institute this summer or to be off for the summer, while keeping my job at the Country Club.  Both have wonderful things about the them, so we will see.

The above lyrics are of course coming from my favorite person ever- Taylor Swift.  They are from one of her new songs on her new album.  "This is a state of grace, this is a worth while fight."  I absolutely couldn't put what I'm doing into words any better.  Anyone can look at where I'm teaching, what I'm teaching, or who I am teaching and say good and bad things, but all it really comes down to is the fact that it's a "fight" every day.  Yet, in each of these kids is the need to be loved, cared about, and taught something.  So many of them carry a burden of things some of us have never had to deal with and cover themselves up with a hard cover.  Uncovering that, even in my little kids is my goal.  They need to know they are worth it, that they too can be anything they want, and can go anywhere and do anything.  I spend a good chunk of my mornings giving out hugs and asking the same questions every day. "How are you?" "Did you have a good night?" "You ready to learn today?" "What are your grades like?" "How about that attitude?"  So many times they aren't even my students, and so many times there are a million and two other things I could be doing with that time in the morning.  Then, I remember that, hey, Amy, take a minute and give it away, that question may be the one thing they need.  Maybe not, but for some reason they keep coming back to hear it.  So long story short- this is a worth while fight.

I think it helps that I have come from a background of different things too.  I worked through college, and even after college didn't do what I went to school for.  I think having that to look back on helps me realize that I am where I need to be.  As much as I hated some of those long days of school followed by a long night of work, I think it has given me the drive and experience to share with the people I'm meeting down here.  I can relate, and show that things are possible, so long as you want what you are after. 

I'm in the right place for now, struggles or not.  I hope to talk to you all soon! 

Oh and I think I mentioned it on Facebook- but a continual thank you goes out to everyone.  Your thoughts, prayers, letters, postcards, packages, and support continue to make me smile and make my days better.  THANK YOU =)