giveaway

I'm doing a giveaway on my first grade blog. Check it out.



ps I promise I'll blog again soon. :)

D Day

Happy Birthday to my brother, Jordan.

For your gift, I will blog.
You're welcome.

I've now enjoyed about 10 days of absolute freedom. I had my master's defense on November 11. I was absolutely sick to my stomach scared for that moment. I couldn't eat or function in any way. My advisor told me to prepare a 20 slide PowerPoint with only talking points on them. I wasn't supposed to use notes or anything else. I had to just memorize all the information from my 100+ page paper. I had practiced a few times, but could never do it without my notes. On d-day, I was amazed by how well it went. There were three members on my defense team: my advisor, another education professor, and a professor from the languages department. I felt completely comfortable with them and went smoothly through my presentation. I didn't use notes, and just flowed from slide to slide. They didn't ask me any hard questions (like statistics or research and writing). After one hour and forty-five minutes, they sent me out of the room while they deliberated. That was the most nerve wracking six minutes of my life. After that, Dr. Squires opened the door and said "Congratulations! You passed!". I was just beaming the rest of the day!

I met my parents for lunch afterwards. They were on their way to Arizona, and just happened to be passing through on d-day. We spent a couple of hours together, and then went our separate ways. The rest of the day I was on cloud 9, beaming everywhere I went. It felt like a 91,594 pound weight was lifted off my shoulder.

I celebrated my new found freedom with my besty, Wendy. We will forever call November 13th "Freedom Bash 2010". We began this glorious day with some delicious German Pancakes while we watched "Date Night" (funniest movie EVER, btw). Then we went to the gym for a couple of hours, showered, went to a matinee, "It's Kind of a Funny Story" (not my favorite movie, but only $2 wasted). We then ate dinner at Wendy's apartment, painted our nails, and watched another movie, "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" (SO funny). It was the best day EVER!

Now my life consists of doing whatever I want, whenever I want. It is AWESOME! I'm reading the books I want, going to the gym, cooking, watching tv/movies, seeing my friends I've alienated the past 2 years, and keeping my apartment clean! All great things!

I've never been so happy in my entire life.

And yes, you must all address me as Master Van Orman or Master Janae.

A huge thank you to my good friend, Liza, for loaning me her laptop since mine died. I am thanking my lucky stars it did not break before November 11th.

Happy Halloween!

I don't really like Halloween, but being a first grade teacher kind of forces you to dress up and embrace this ridiculous holiday. In the past, I have always been a cow. The reasons being:

-It was only $7 at Wal-Mart
-I refuse to be a witch (so cliche, every does it)
-The only other costumes available were slutty versions. First grade teachers can't be slutty. It's in the handbook.

That being said, I still think I made a pretty cute cow.



Last year, I tried SO HARD to find a different costume, but all I could find were witches, slutty versions, or costumes over $50. That's a bit out of my price range. So, I ended up being a cow... again. I didn't really mind, since I only wore it at school and the children think it is so funny.

This year, I FINALLY found the PERFECT costume. I was in a costume shop in Pocatello and saw it. The Tooth Fairy! But the premade version was $52.99! Yeah right! So my dear friend, Victoria offered to help me create my own version. I have to say, it is much better!



My class LOVED it! And I felt great wearing this costume, instead of the cow. You can't really tell int he picture, but my hair was all glittery. I also had white tights and silver flats.

So from now on, I will be the Tooth Fairy!

I didn't do much celebrating. We had a school carnival on Friday night which I helped out at. Each teacher did their own station and got to keep all the profit. It was a great idea and I ended up earning about $112. Oh the things I can buy...

On Saturday I was too worn out from the busy weeks and needed a day off. But today, my friend Wendy and I made delicious Halloween sugar cookies. My mom's recipe is my all time favorite, and I make them every holiday. You should all feel so lucky I am going to share it with you!

Sugar Cookies
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tarter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients. Add to butter mixture 1/3 at a time.

Chill 3-4 hours. (But, if you are as impatient as I am, about 30 minutes in the freezer)
Roll 1/4 inch thick
Bake at 375 for about 6 minutes

Frosting
1 tablespoon soft butter
2 cups icing sugar (or powdered sugar in America)
vanilla
milk

Enjoy!

check it out

Doesn't it look so beautiful?! I can't believe it is finished. I finally did it! I turned in my master's paper today!!!!!! In two weeks I defend it, and then I am officially a MASTER!!!!!!!!!!

(I'm sorry, but this post really needed a lot of exclamation marks)

just call me grandma

Okay, fine. Georgia convinced me. Here is a quick, not very creative post about turning over the hill. I am officially in my late 20s... I'm not too happy about it, but I did have a GREAT time celebrating.

I LOVE my birthday. To me, it should really be a national holiday. And it is so much fun in first grade. A few gave me real gifts, but most gave me drawings, dances, songs, hugs, etc. We celebrated with a color party of rainbow jello jigglers and color bingo. It made them feel like it was a really party and my principal feel like it was still educational.

My spectacular friend Georgia came up from Soda to spend the night with me. We went out to dinner with my friends Wendy and Sarah. It was delightful. We went to Carino's, and since my roommate works there, we got 50% off. THAT was a real treat! Wendy and I shopped at Ross (my new favorite store and part of her lovely gift to me). Georgia made a delicious chocolate torte that we devoured in a matter of two days. Michelle came over for a little visit. It was a fun day!

Birthday Gang

A few days after my birthday, my parents sent my birthday card/gift with Michelle's parents. So I got to celebrate my birthday all over again! Disappointing, right? :) My dad finally trusted me enough to get me a new camera. I have literally had about 63 cameras in my lifetime that have been lost or broken. Now I have this little beauty I am going to take care of. Promise.

Another update: I have exactly 22 days before I turn in my master's paper. Then 14 days after that I defend my paper and officially become a Master! Bring it.

On a side note, don't I have the cutest nieces/nephews ever? This is sweet little Gus showing you his awesome/spooky trick.

excuse

I have very good intentions to blog. But somehow, I keep finding better things to do with my time. Sad, huh? An update will occur soon. But for now, if you want to see what I've been up to, go here.

hello goodbye

Goodbye:

Staying up late
Sleeping in
Spontaneous vacations
Weeks with family in Canada
Camping trips (I'm almost to the point where I can say I really enjoy them and can't wait for next Summer... almost)
Care free days
Clear, stress free mind

Social life

Going to the bathroom whenever I need to

Manicured nails
Money

Freedom

Hello:
Going to bed at the same time as my grandma
Waking up before the garbage men
Working 16 hour days/6.5 days a week for approximately 5 cents/hour
21 first graders/basically just taller kindergartners/infants

Stressful mind wondering if there is any way to get these illiterate children reading in 163 days

Acne

Holding it for up to 8 hours

Smiling all day long
Getting set up by your student, whose dad "hasn't had a girlfriend in, like, a month"

Tieing shoes
School

3 days down, 160 to go