Who here likes inhaling dust? Just what I thought - no one. Then why do teachers let the dust and crap build up in their rooms? I’m sorry, but I just don’t get that. There is no way having all of your stuff covered in dust can be enjoyable to either the teacher or the students.

Me and my mom have been working in my classroom this week. There is so much junk in that room. Dust is only the beginning of it. There are books in there from the 60’s. Come on people, if you want to get kids reading, showing them an old black and white picture book with blurry pictures from the 60’s is not the way to go about it. There are also about four old sets of reading series materials: the student books, teachers’ manual, practice books, etc. If the teacher isn’t using them anymore, why keep them?? I stacked them up in the hallway for the janitor to do something with. Some of the books are ones I had when I was in first grade myself. They’re like over 20 years old people!!

I have a big pile of stuff to get rid of: old rugs, a dollhouse, some blocks from the 60’s - 70’s, old Legos, tons of very outdated teacher resource books, and the list goes on. It’s just overwhelming how much junk is in that room. It’s also amazing how a little bit of colorful border and bulletin board paper can really liven up a room.

I am grateful that there is also a lot of good stuff in the room. When I taught in Lexington three years ago, I walked into a completely empty room. I had no materials at all really except for the reading series and some Social Studies books. I am lucky that I am going to be teaching in an awesome school, with awesome teachers, and “stuff.” ‘Tis better to have junk than nothing at all? Then again, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure? Whatever the case may be, my room is going to be the rockin’-est room in the school.

(I will have to edit this post later (hopefully) and post pictures of the progress!)

I had ordered some Bare Escentuals from QVC back around the 8th or 9th (whenever it was the Today’s Special Value). I ordered their 10 piece kit and also the compact. Well, I got the compact in the mail on 12th I think, and since it was shipped the same day as the other thing I ordered, I expected to receive the second part of my order shortly after. I didn’t.

I finally did some investigating last night. I found my tracking number on QVC.com and found out my package has been sitting at the UPS facility here in my town since June 11th. It said that “the customer called and said they would pick it up at their local UPS facility. UPS will hold this item for 5 days.” What??? I was surprised by that. I have called UPS and went to pick things up before if I missed a delivery. They always leave a slip on your door that says they tried to deliver your package and they will try again tomorrow or you can call and pick it up yourself. I never received a slip this time though, and I most certainly did not call them.

Last night all I could get was automated service, so I had to wait until this morning to call and speak to a human. I told them the situation and the guy said my package was there. I went to pick it up, and the lady was a little confused by the situation (after I explained) and said she didn’t know what had happened but that someone must have took my slip and called for me. I’ve lived in my apartment for over two years and I’ve never had anything stolen or any problems with mail or anything. You have to have an ID to pick up packages, so luckily no one actually came and got my package.

Anyway, I now have my makeup and I am happy. <3

I also got my 40 tubes of Winsor and Newton watercolor paint I won from Ebay. <3

And… it’s my anniversary. <3 Colin and I are heading down to the lake area shortly. We’re going to spend the night there, have a romantic dinner, etc.

P.S. I had my “official” interview yesterday. It went super well. I got the thumbs up. They aren’t interviewing anyone else for first grade, so I pretty much have the job. I should get the “official” answer by Friday though.