Wrapping up this term means closing out a major chapter in my life.  Over the past 13 weeks I have grown as a person and a teacher.  Everyday I went to school I learned something new about teaching and life in general.

Now, here I am on the brink of the real world as I am filling out applications for teaching positions.  Before I get there, though I still have some things to accomplish on campus.  I have 2 more terms, meaning 6 classes, 1 Professional Education Exam and that is it.  Off to the real world…

Columbus Day weekend i was lucky enough to go to the Fire game with COW (Cardinals On Wheels).  It is a club for commuters, but they were cool enough to bring be along!

At this game, the fire clinched their play-off berth with a 2-2 tie!  It was most definitely an amazing game…

Also, last Thursday’s game was pretty sweet with a 5-2 victory over New York!

This was a truly busy day!  I was all over the place from NCC Express, to riding in the parade, to the dance that night!  Again, here is some of my photo journalism…

–Wentz Concert Hall!  It is finally done!!!!

–Sweet Homecoming ride…

In the Sky!

Me and the Queen!

I have known Lauren for like 10 years and we were paired together!!!

NCC Express at the Pep Rally!

And again…

Singing the National Anthem…

NCC Fans!!!!!  Cardinal Crazy!

Court at half time!

Lauren and me again!

Introductions at half!

Dance time!

As you can see, it was a busy day…

Things have been very busy with student teaching.  I have full control and now I only have four weeks left!  It all goes too fast…

Here are some pictures of things going on in my classroom!

–Civil War map.–and again.–Posters for the Founding Presidents!

That is just a bit of what I have been up to…

Margaret was disappointed with one of the pictures I selected of this group of people.  So, here is an updated picture, a better picture!

This weekend our football team played Milikin and put up an impressive 31-13 victory!

On the weekends, we have been having bbq’s…

That’s me in the WAY back by the bags set!

This week is wicked busy.  BUT, lots of good things have been happening to me!

Showchoir is off to a great start!  We are going to have an awesome time with some awesome people!  Make sure you come out and see us!

Last night was the gala event for the fine arts center!  I got to hang out with some alumni and sit FRONT ROW for Wynton Marsalis.  Definitely one of the best experiences and memories I will take away from this place…

Also, teaching is going really well!  I am having a GREAT time!  But keep in mind, it is a whole lot of work…

Sorry no pictures yet!  I will get some soon…

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Now playing: Eric Clapton - Before You Accuse Me (Take A Look At Yourself)
via FoxyTunes

After having been in the classroom for four weeks now, my counterparts at North Central have just now started classes!  It is incredible how different life is as a Student Teacher versus being a student!  I have been working as a full on teacher while coming back to the ResHalls everyday!  It is an interesting balance to strike wanting to live as a professional, but coming back to act like a college student with my peers.  Either way, it is still a great time teaching and having people back on campus.

Fire update…  Hold onto 3rd in the division.  Every game is a must win situation now!  I feel as though they will do well in the play-offs!

Political update… No worries, this is not a bias sounding board!   I just want everybody to VOTE regardless of affiliation!!!!  VOTE!

For two weeks now I have been student teaching.  It is, by far, one of the most interesting, stressful and fun positions I have had!  Everyday, there is something to learn.  It can be about students, what works, what flops, about planning, instruction, and most of all, about yourself.

Everyday, I have two sections of American Government and one of U.S. History.  The school is on block scheduling, so this is, indeed, a full course load.  I have been dealing with the U.S. History class the most.  My best lesson, so far, has been about the colonial era.  With my co-operating teacher, we devised an assignment where students created a movie pitch to be presented to a room full of investors (their classmates).

Amidst all of the teaching has been RA training.  I done the training twice, so for this third time, my time was definitely invested in my teaching.  Nevertheless, I am excited for all of my residents to move in and the school year to begin!!

Tonight the Fire play against the Red Bulls.  They REALLY need to win tonight…

Since Jr/Sr Scholars ended, I have been in an in between place. I am waiting to move into my fall housing, so I have been living at home. At the same time, I have been working (mostly on campus). The commute isn’t bad, but it is kind of annoying at times!

Right now, I am on the verge of student teaching! I am really excited and I think it will be a blast!

What has really been dictating my life these days are the Olympic Games. I unequivocally LOVE the Olympics. It does not matter what the sport is, I will watch! I even watched sports that I don’t know was is going on! Take fencing. Obviously they are trying to strike first, but I have no idea what the strategy is or how to train for it! Phelps is a Golden God of swimming, and deservedly so! He swam and carried himself like a world-class champion. But, also keep in mind the Beach Volleyball pairing of May-Treanor and Walsh. They have won their past 104 matches. If that is not a winning streak, I don’t know what is! Maybe they can’t win eight gold medals in one Olympic outing, but they sure hold their own for records. Now the football (soccer). The US womens team has been doing a rock star job out there. I watched the match this morning against Japan and they pulled that out with at 2-1 victory. The men were not so fortunate. However, the national team’s misfortune brought Brian McBride to the Fire faster!

The Chicago Fire obtained Brian McBride, a US soccer legend, at the beginning of August. However, he has been in China for the Olympics. He came back to the states only to start the second half of the Fire v. DC United game. With only a day of practice with the team, he was in fine shape. The team lost 1-nil, but the opportunities to score were there! In short time, the Chicago offense will take off…