Hello Monday... On a Tuesday

     Happy Monday, Y'all

Make that... 

Happy Tuesday, Y'all

Today I'm joining Holly and Sarah, and a few other bloggers, for today's Hello Monday link-up, where we say Hello to Monday with a look at what's going on in our lives at the moment. However, I kind of forgot to post this yesterday. So just use your imagination :)

 So what's on my mind?

A lot. But 'tis the norm with me, I suppose.

Things like...

This Past Weekend - I went as one of the chaperones of our senior class for their senior trip. We went on a safari and stayed at a beautiful hotel/resort for the weekend. And my fellow class co-sponsor and I commented at multiple times over the weekend, just how lucky (blessed) we are to have such a good class. It was such an incredibly nice weekend with our seniors :)

Sunset - Seeing this over the ocean each evening was such a fun perk of the weekend!

Safari - Did I mention we went on a safari? ;)

Sunburn - Oh yeah. That happened too. ;)

Job Search - I finally have some news on that front. Once I get my background check/screening done in June and sign on the dotted line then too, the job is mine. I don't want to share the name of the school publicly yet. But I can say that it's in Alabama. If you want more info, shoot me an email (HERE) and I'll fill you in on the details :)

Car Search - I'm looking for a vehicle. I'm not picky on make/model or anything like that. I just need something inexpensive that will get me from point A to point B. And since my last paycheck on the field is in June and my first pay back in AL won't arrive until a few months later, I need to stretch my savings (on top of paying for food, gas, and all the random tests/screenings associated with getting this job, setting up a new classroom, etc.). So yeah... If you or someone you know of has something like this for sale, could you send me an email and let me know?

Housing - I'm also looking for an inexpensive place to stay in the Mobile, AL area for 2-3 months, starting in August - just until I can get my own place. Anyone have a spare room or a spare apartment over their garage or something like that, that they're willing to rent me for cheap? :) Same as the last 3... If you do, could you send me an email and let me know?

Packing - I hate it. Just so everyone's aware. And this year, I have to pack up my life into just 3 suitcases, since I'm too cheap to pay for any more than that. Plus, I have to basically pack up my classroom too. ...the thought of which breaks my heart, so I've been putting it off until this week. Big sigh.

19 - That's how many days are left 'til I leave Senegal... So many emotions are packed into that one seemingly simple statement. I'm excited to live near family again. I'm also excitedly looking forward to my new job. But it's still sad to say goodbye to this place, to close friends, to my students, to the place where I've lived the majority of my adult life... See? So many emotions :)

Reminders - Sometimes we need reminders of why we're doing what we're doing. I know the phrase, Remember your why, sometimes gets a bad rep in teaching circles today. Unfortunately, some schools use it to gaslight teachers into dealing with bad working conditions and make them feel guilty for fighting for change. But for me... I love this phrase. Teaching isn't always easy, y'all. Teaching Special Education isn't always easy. Teaching overseas isn't always easy. But I kept doing it. Why? God called me to work with incredible kids. I first came to my school in 2009. And minus 1.5 years mid-way through, I've been there this whole time. I've taught elementary, middle, and high schoolers. I've taught Gen. Ed. I've taught ELL. And I've taught Special Ed. I've led clubs. I've mentored. I've co-sponsored a class and a small group. I can honestly say that the best part of my job, hands down, has been my students. It wasn't always easy. But it was always worth it. They were (are) my why. And sometimes... Sometimes, God sends me a little reminder of that why and what a gift it's been to do what I've done all these years. And for me, that reminder came in the form of a message and cap & gown photos from a former student's parent last night. What a gift this life of mine has been. And what a gift that reminder from God was for me last night :)

What's on your mind today?