So it is official - Tim and I are engaged. If you want to read about it and follow along with the ups and downs go to http://www.tands2012.blogspot.com/

I always say that I will keep up with blogging. But sometimes it gets forgotten. The beginning of this year has been crazy busy. Just before Christmas, I received a call from LeTourneau's GAPs program. They needed a teacher to teach Texas and the American West starting February 23. So I rushed around trying to take care of all the paper work needed and my teaching demonstration. Missouri State sent my transcript to the wrong person so there was a hunt on LU's campus looking for it. While doing all this to become an official professor for the GAPS, I was taking two classes for my teaching certificate. It was a crazy month. I had to do my homework which involved lesson plans and assessments and I had to prepare my first lesson for Texas and the American West. The first night I was so nervous. But as the weeks went on I became more comfortable. I used a lot of techniques from my various teaching classes. The students loved it. I have heard from a lot of them that they enjoyed the class and that they want to have more classes with me. I personally enjoyed teaching the class. I was offered another class this summer -Early American history. For me, this is my favorite time period. I cannot wait!!!!!

I am finishing my last class for my teaching certificate. I am registered to take LU's practice content exam in May. I hope to have my certificate this summer. In a few weeks, Longview ISD is holding a job fair. I am going to go to that and see about a teaching job there. Whenever hallsville has one, I will be going to that one too.

While teaching the GAPs class, I have really been thinking about going back and getting my PhD. I know for a fact that I need to be teaching college. So I have looked into Texas Christian University. They have a really good doctoral program. I will want to start in Fall 2011. I would have to take my GRE so I need to be studying for that this summer. I know my life revolves around school again. But I just like school too much!!!!

I thought I would do better at posting, but I have not. I am going to try better though.

After years of trying, I accepted a adjunct teaching postition at LeTourneau. The position is for the adult program, but it is a teaching position nevertheless. I am excited. My first class is next Tuesday. This class deals with Texas and the American West. There is a lot of information to cover, and I hope I can teach the material and not look like I am clueless.

Last week, Tim's mom house was broken into. For those that do not know it, I stay with here. They came in right after she left to go to work. The neighbor saw two guys with hoodies coming from the back of the house. They left when she saw them, but that was not before the made off with a lot of stuff. What makes me upset is that the neighbor did not call the police right then and there. I wish she had. These punks took off with the computer tower, the tv, the dvd/vcr combo, tim's unopened wet vac (his christmas gift from his sister), sheets and blankets, some of my clothes, an old cell phone, and some of Tim's mom's jewerly (that cannot be replaced). That first night no one slept. I know I was still awake at 4. Every little noise woke me up even the heat turning on and off. It has gotten better to sleep, but still the tiniest noises are waking me up. I am constantly checking over my shoulder making sure there is no one following me. I no longer feel safe there, and I am sure Tim's mom feels the same. Whenever these people get caught, I would like to give them a piece of my mind. I would also like them to pay for all these emotions and for taking away my feeling of being safe. It is going to take some time to not think about it while trying to fall asleep, but I am sure one day it will be just an incident that I do not dwell on.

Well, the day finally came. I think I am almost a Texan.

I realized that last night when Tim and I went to Michael Martin Murphy's Cowboy Christmas presentation at LU. I really did enjoy the cowboy songs and the music. We have also been attending a Cowboy Church. We haven't figured out which one fits us right.

In addition to that I am really into tractors and earth moving machines (thansk to Tim)

What is keeping me from being a full Texan is that twang and the use of "fixin' and ya'll." I haven't brought myself to using their language yet.

Anyways, back to last night show, one word for you - amazing. I have been wanting to see it for the past three years, but the tickets have always been extremely high at $50 a ticket. However this year for LU staff, faculty, and students, you could buy tickets for $5 on the day of the show. I thought it was a steal of a price. The music was really good. You should have seen and heard the fiddle players. I don't think I could play that fast on the violin, but maybe on the piano. I really enjoyed the stories he told. He was talking about a cowboy going to look for his Christmas tree. I pretty much did what he talked about last weekend looking for my Christmas tree. I took my hand saw and walked Tim's land until finding two perfect trees, one for his house and one for his mom's house. Tim just watched as I cut the trees down. I was able to drag one back to the truck. For the other one, it was two big and Tim had to help me. Last night's story about walking through the woods and dragging a tree back was an experience I could relate to.

Guess who is back!!! ME!!!

I know I have been a slacker. Just recently I have gain access to the internet on a daily basis. I guess I should catch everyone up with my life. It has been up and down since moving here. I had a hard time finding a job. I tried working in food service at the hospital, but when I was told no to going and visiting my dying grandmother after been told yes, I quit. I then went to working at McDonalds as a manager. It was not what I was expecting. I was working 60 hours a week and constantly not feeling well because of no sleep. I then moved over to Chick-fil-a. I had a plast there. I met wonderful people, both coworkers and customers. I worked there for a little over two years, before I was offered a job as a secretary for a program funded by the department of education. I have been here for almost 3 months. I don't mind it. It is a lot different than working fast food. However, I still want to teach. I have been working on my certification to teach history at the high school level. Tho I really want to teach at the college level, I have to start somewhere.

I figured I will start writing again as a way for me to express my opinions especially of what our government is doing and to give updates on my life.

I guess I will write some since I have the time to. The past 6 months or so since moving to Longview has been an up and down one. I have had three jobs since moving here. The first two did not last long at all. I never signed on to work 12 hours or more days. So, I looked and found another job that I enjoy. I am working at Chickfila. It is really fun. I could not ask for a better boss or hours. I am working 7-3 Monday thru friday. What could be better than that? Oh, I teaching job would be. But until things get straightened out with my thesis. I can't teach. I have a teaching job at LU. All I need is paper to be done.

I was able to go home in september and spend some time with the family. My grandma was supposed to come out and visit but she was just too weak. About 2 weeks latter I went to the East coast for her funeral. It was good to see and catch up with cousins again. I was only there for three days but it totally did not seem like three days. I took the last flight out of DFW and arrived in Philly after midnight. It took me a while when I returned to get caught up on sleep. Tim picked me up in dallas when I returned. He went ahead and took me out to eat and spent some time there because my birthday was the next day. Also that same weekend, my brother got engaged. She is a wonderful girl and I am so exxcited.

The holidays came. I was sad to not be able to spend them with my family. But I am thankful to have been able to spend them with Tim and his family. Christmas was fun. I was able to get to know his brother and his wife better. :) After Christmas, the weather turned really nasty. Havent been able to do a whole lot outside, but I try to when I can.

Things between Tim and I are going great. Like any relationship it has its good days and bad days. We have definately stayed busy. Over MLK weekend, we went to arkansas and experience three days of below 32 degree temperatures. We have had access to a backhoe. Those are soo much fine. I have learned a great deal of things from Tim. I am also helping him out in so many ways. His interests are soo exciting and intriguing. They are also becoming my interests very quickly.

Well thats about it for now. Bed time. Work tomorrow.

I am still alive. I have been extremely busy here. I don't know really where to start except to say call me if you want to know what has been going on. I don't have a consistent access to the internet.