Moving is an excellent way to clear out the collected “stuff” and start anew. We are two weeks and one day away from the the move and there is plenty to accomplish before the big day. This weekend will be yard sale and discard time. Either way, my garage will be empty by next week. We are simplifying our lives! I can remember that only if I do not scan the den. Boxes everywhere! Up until yesterday Alli (our cat) was fine. Today, she’s a little stressed at the boxes and missing furniture. Tiki isn’t helping the situation either. The little doxy takes full advantage of the situation by getting as many hisses out of Alli as she possibly can. I guess I am partially to blame. I do not totally discourage the occasional cat chase because it really is the only exercise Alli gets these days. Maybe a daily sprint through the house will help her shed a pound or two.

I know she acts like she hates the little dog, but at the end of the day they both are snoozing on the same couch.

This post was inspired by a comment Lor made in my previous post. Lor is apparently considering a degree in education and wondered what I meant on a forum post where I said “summer’s off is a joke.”

During the summer teachers spend time in workshops, seminars, and other professional development meetings. Some have to be on the interview committee for new hires, or other planning and development committees that meet in the summer. If you aren’t working on school responsibilities you may be working on professional opportunities to maintain your license. Then there is the planning for the new year. Check out Tense Teacher sometime. She has spent a significant amount of time preparing for the new school year by completing the summer reading for her classes. You can’t teach it if you haven’t read it. My procrastinating self is about to finish 1776 and prepare questions and review for students. I also have to prepare new plans and strategies for teaching two new subjects. The intro letters and handouts have to be created as well plagiarism policy and honor code which will reflect the new school. This has been my least school related summer since I have only been to one workshop, but I have spent most of the summer searching and interviewing for a new position. Those who coach have teams to train. Teachers do not stop when the school day, or year, ends. Even though you are not physically with students you are thinking about them, preparing for them, or doing something related to school almost everyday. Most winter and spring breaks are spent grading papers or projects. Summer breaks you get done everything that you couldn’t work on during the school year.

It was a great day for a hike in the woods so we packed a lunch, harnessed Tchaik, and drove to our destination, Dismals Canyon. It is a place of Native American significance and supposedly a place Aaron Burr made his hideout. However, in searching the net I can find no historically sound evidence that Aaron Burr ever spent time in North AL. Now, he may have passed through the area as he traveled from Nashville to Natchez along the Trace, but trekking over to the Dismals in Phil Campbell is a little out of the way and off the beaten path. I do not dispute that it is possible. It just isn’t likely. Despite the historic lore that surrounds the place it was a great place to take the girls for a good hike. Not too strenuous, but enough so that they feel like they have done something. The rock formations and trees were beautiful. I really loved the rocks, caves, and ledges. I did not like descending the stairs to the canyon floor. It wasn’t HUGE, but it was high enough that I was uncomfortable. My pictures were not as spectacular as I had hoped, but you can still see that Dismals Canyon has potential for great beauty.

Ever tried to shave a dog while he insisted on getting in your lap? Yeah, not easy.

One more thing…look at the 70’s laminate floor. Just one more reason I can’t wait to move. I don’t know what “grandma” was thinking when she chose the flooring/wallpaper/light fixtures but yikes. At least the rent is reasonable and it is in a good neighborhood, but I’m ready to move! Three weeks!

Desperate to get out of the house we headed to the TVA grounds and visited the waterfall. It was a wonderful way to spend an hour and it kept the girls occupied. It was also a great opportunity to take a few photos. I figure the more I take of the girls the more likely it is that I will take one that is frame worthy. There were several that might make the cut, but here are the nature shots that I liked: click here if below does not open

Now that I have a job and we have found a place to live I feel like I can sit back and enjoy the summer. The only problem is we are three weeks away from a move and I need to pack. It’s not a problem really. It’s actually a blessing. I am so happy to not be worried about the job thing anymore. It feels so good to be going to a new school and teaching advanced courses. I’m ready to start preparing, but I have this issue where I can’t settle down to work until everything is done. Going to have to get over this little OCD tendency. I’ve been listening to 1776 for the AP summer reading. So far I am really impressed. Time to buy the book and prepare a few lessons though.

Hard to believe it is really happening.

Feels good.

We got the house! Much relief. Time to really get to packing. Everything is falling into place nicely.

In less than a month we will be living in another state, a state I have never resided in. The last move was a rather large leap for us and it was only one state over. Moving last time I knew exactly where I did and did not want to live. I knew the area. This time we do not have that luxury. The cost of living is more and our knowledge is less. I have been in a tizzy, to the point of being ill. TMI? So sorry. Today we made a leap of faith and chose a house. We’ll see if the app is approved and all will be well with the world. If it is then my stress level will experience a slight drop. As it stands I am not in a good way. What if it doesn’t work out? What if it does? We will have to juggle even crazier school schedules! OK…need to get my mind off this and focus on something less stressful. I’m going to the park. Maybe that will help. If nothing else the girls will be exhausted when we return.

It is now July 07 and it is time for the fireworks to stop. The dogs have been inside for four days now, going out for only 15 minute potty breaks during periods without popping or explosion. Good practice since they are probably about to be inside dogs anyway.

Too much time on the net is making me ill…off to relax and stop stressing over the housing sitch. Pray please. I need sanity.

My interview was Tuesday. I felt rather confident that this was the job for me and that admin had to be really interested or she wouldn’t have me spend the time and money to come for a face to face. I made it clear that I did not want to come if I was not being strongly considered. I didn’t want to be rude but a 550 mile drive with gas prices hovering near and over $4 is not what I call the best use of my money. If I’m going to drive that far there had better be a beach involved or a life changing opportunity. No beach, but a life changing opportunity there was.

I detailed day one with my post To the Cabin in the Woods. For the truly curious this is where I stayed. The tiny cabin was mine and Wooza-wooza was my sanity friend. Your are five minutes from fast food and a grocery store, but it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere.

After arriving I took a few minutes to relax then began the short journey to my interview site. Since the school is on a university campus I had to figure out which building. I was impressed by the campus. It was not awe inspiring, but it was classic and historical. I love 19th century buildings and the university campus that maintains its historical look. The entire campus had the feel of a place that was part of history. A very helpful university student was able to show me the school of my future. After exploring for an hour or so I headed back to my cabin. The last thing I wanted to do was try to find my way back in the dark. Besides, getting up way early and driving for what seemed like forever makes for a long day. I was ready for a period of relaxation and sleep.

As I posted before it was difficult for me to sleep and I was up at 4 AM on interview day. After several hours of reading and exploring I get ready and traveled to my interview. I find the administrator organizing her office. It was really good to put a face to the name and voice. It was rather informal. She told me more about the school and asked very few questions. The associate director came in and we chatted about the school and they answered my questions. Mrs. Admin took me on a tour of the building and explained the operation process. It is very college like. No bells. The teacher starts and stops the class. No teacher really has a classroom to call their own, but they do have a workspace. We looked at the textbooks I will be using and again discussed the rigor expected.

Back to the office we asked Mr. AD (associate director) what classes I would be teaching. He asked how I would distinguish in AP and Honors US. I found it to be a difficult question to answer. I have high expectations regardless of the class I am teaching. I would expect more research and analysis out of the AP students. In the end my experience was a factor and I will be teaching AP US and Civics. I did not share that teaching the economic aspect of Civics scares me to death. I have had two economics courses and one of those was Economic History of the US, a history course masking as an economics credit. However, my first teaching placement was Government/Economics and I survived. It will be good for me b/c I need to be stronger in this area. It unnerves me that the students are inquisitive and will be a challenge to teach. I’ll survive.

After chatting for well over an hour Mrs. Admin explained that she had a good idea I was the right candidate before the face to face, but felt it was still better to conduct the in-person interview. She also stroked my ego a little by saying that there were over 50 applicants for this position and my application jumped off the page. I think it is my mock trial experience that really boosted my chances. Either way, I have a job and it is time to move.

After lunch with Mrs. Admin I spent the rest of the day exploring. The next task will be finding a place to live and it will be a difficult one from 550 miles away. I’m finding Craig’s List to be an amazing tool in the process.

I don’t know why but somehow the drive home is always worse than the drive to a place. Maybe it is the excitement hype of starting a new adventure vs. ending it. In my case I think it is the fact that I was away from home for three days, ready to be back with my family, but flat out exhausted after seeing the sunrise each day of my trip. I am not a morning person so being up at 3:30-4:30 AM just does not make for a bright eyed, bushy tailed, camper in my world. Between the stress of what might be and all that goes along with it and being alone in a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere, I could not sleep. Up at 3:30 Eastern and on the road by 4:00, there was a long drive ahead. By 5:30 it was time to stop for breakfast. I had to stretch my legs at 7:00 and by 8:45, just outside of Atlanta, it was time for a short nap. 9:15 I was back on the road maneuvering ATL traffic and looking embracing the half-way point. The AL welcome center was a wonderful sight to see. Another quick walk and stretch break and I was back on the road. By Birmingham I was feeling the need for another good rest. Fortunately I had family that was perfectly willing to perk me up for the final two hour stretch. After the day of driving the last stretch felt like nothing.

I didn’t mind the solitude of driving and listening to the newly downloaded AP summer reading (1776, by David McCullough) kept me alert. I know, for some that would be a great snoozer, but I’m a history geek so it was worth the download and beats trying to read through it when I need to be packing.

Now what? We are playing keep or toss, planning a yard sale next week, and searching for a place to live. We have one month. I’ve done it in one week so one month is very doable. The twist is doing it from over 9 hours from the destination.

JP, you gotta get there and be my eyes!

Long post I know, but thanks for stopping by!

Lots to think about and I will update later but…