Life After Graduation

It is crazy to think that this momentous day in my life happened over 3 months ago. Actually if we are being technical  we are getting rather close to the 5 month mark. Honestly, I believe I have accepted that I am a college graduate, and I really am happy to be one. I still wish I could be teaching full time, but I am in a good place right now. I look forward to seeing what God is going to do in my life. So far, it has been an amazing ride!

   With that being said, it is a tad strange to still be at home. Now that my mom has gone back to her teaching job and the weather is changing, I know school has begun. Some days I think I should be headed to class or attending my church down in West Virginia, but alas, here at home sweet home I remain. Some days it seems strange to be home in the middle of the day with my brothers (when Matt doesn't have class) while our mom is the one at school. I'm getting used to it though. I love the fact that I own a car now, and I always have the option of going places on the weekend. I might be a little busier than I would like to be right now, but overall it is a great thing.

Here is a list of things that I am excited about after missing the last 4 years:

1. Fair Season!!!!!! I am so pumped about this. I have not been to a community fair since fall of 2007. I cannot wait for the taste of funnel cakes, face paint, arena lights, farm smells and the chill of fall in the air. I am looking forward to seeing another local rodeo, and hopefully I will still know some people participating so I can cheer them on. Not only will I make my return to the West Lampeter Fair, but I will also be representing my preschool at the Solanco Fair. It starts this week and it is going to be awesome. I believe I might have a chance to visit some fairs I have never been to before. I might as well make up for lost time.

2. Kids4Truth: My church started a children's program while I was gone. I enjoyed participating in the AWANA Cubbie program for 2 awesome years, and let me say I miss that group like crazy. However, I am looking forward to a ministry opportunity to teach 1st and 2nd graders as I learn about this program. I know many in my church have prayed for me faithfully, so I am looking forward to these opportunities to serve in my home church.

3. Owning a Car: It took a long time to buy a car. It has added expenses, so it isn't all sunshine and roses. However, it provides a little more independence, and I am enjoying the opportunity to work even if my situation doesn't always feel ideal. It is all blessings from God.

4. Living with my mom: Let me be clear - I seek independence, and I hope that I can move out on my own sooner rather than later. However, living close  with my mom has provided a blessing. She has many old resources that I can use in my preschool classroom. I am also enjoying looking at her projects and hearing the daily stories I missed when I was at college. Family time in general has been awesome.

5. My own classroom: Student teaching was probably one of the best times of my life. Though I loved it, I have found running my own classroom is awesome. I don't have to worry about grading deadlines, filling all my requirements for my student teaching notebook, not stepping on the toes of a host teacher or wondering if I should use my ideas. I just run with what I come with and what works best with my students. It's awesome!

6. Family & Friends: This year I get to join my family's annual trip to Hershey Park, I attend C4 with my friends, and some other things I enjoy to do with my friends that got put on the back burner while I was a college student.

There are several other things I could say about this phase of life. Again, I am busy with both jobs, there are financial responsibilities, so I really am getting a dose of reality. Still, I am enjoying reliving some of these long lost experiences and making new memories. I am also getting better about trying new things and becoming a little more outgoing. Another exciting happening in life is losing 27.5 lbs and dropping a pant size. Now that I am not on a meal plan, it is easier to stick to a diet. Life is good...