it's been awhile...

I haven't updated my blog in over a MONTH! There are quite a few new things to share, but I have been just too busy to write about them! I am making time tonite to catch up on life in the following message:

1. So, this is my last semester of Grad school and I am SOOOOOOOOOOO ready to be done with school!!! Trying to balance student teaching a couple of ESL classes at North Jr. High, with the ESL class I teach at SCSU, as well as trying to find a job for 2008-2009 AND squeezing in time to finish my thesis is nothing short of exhausting. Everyone says that grad school is a lot of work, but I think what makes it feel 10 times worse is all of the other responsibilities we have (besides doing research for your thesis). If I could only focus on writing my thesis and NOTHING else---I would have that stupid paper finished in a week! Argh....I can't wait to be done with it, so I can have my life back!

2. My lease was also up in March - so I have moved back home with my parents for the next couple of months. They are my best friends so things have been going very well...although it does seem strange to live independently for a few years and then return home at my old age :) I appreciate them "taking me in" and hope to be out of their hair this summer!

3. I have been trying to start the job hunting process this last week. I swear "finding a full time job IS a full time job in itself!" I am swamped with cover letters, organizing all my credentials and preparing for ESL jobs in a K-12 OR college setting, either in the USA or abroad. There are simply TOO many options!

So far, I have sent out about 50 applications to 10 different countries.

I am interested in International Schools --- so K-12 settings in which all students are English speaking and the curriculum/school calendar/philosophies are the same as the USA.

Some of my top Asian picks are: Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Phillippines...

Some of my European choices would be: Italy, Germany, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Scandinavia...

And just for good measure, I've also applied to Venezuela, Chile and Costa Rica.

I am reallllllllllly anxious to hear back from some of these places...though I am beginning my international job hunt a little late (most hiring commences in February), I am hoping that an opportunity comes my way soon!?!?!?

Easter Sunday

I haven't put a photo on here of my parents lately...so here it is on Easter Sunday!

After a rather long mass (1.5 hours!) we returned to the house for an early happy hour. Mom prepared her usual traditional Easter foods - ham and quiche - and my role was kitchen clean up!

Mom makes the most gourmet dishes and today was no exception.

But what made the day most memorable was watching my Grandma try out the Wii!

And she blew us all away!

Here bowling skills are quite competitive but her golf skills are unparalleled.

She smoked me by 10 strokes on the Intermediate level!!! :)

But I gotta love her for trying (and totally showing me up!)

(Below) Here's a good one of her in action....89 years old!

Incredible! I hope I have her longevity genes!

sheila's bridal shower

Sheila came home from Arizona for a dose of snowy Minnesota.
It had been TOO long since I had last seen her...and we enjoyed catching up a bit at her BRiDal ShoWeR in her hometown of Benson Minnesota! Must admit, it was my first trip to Southwest Minnesota...and was amazed by how peaceful and quiet the drive was!

Sheila looked fabulous and has one of those engagement-glows about her! I am so happy for her and Joe and SO excited about her BIG day coming up in June! ....and I was also a bit saddened to see her for such a short visit. Maybe we will get a quality hangout while you are in MN for your wedding week? Enjoy the next couple months of engaged-ness!!! :)

will it ever stop?!

Here is the view off of our deck at about 6:30 AM before heading to school. I woke up to a surprising snow village scene!

I can't remember the last time I saw so much snow in late-March!?

This weekend saw another few inches and light flurries that would not quit!!!

It is very pretty and I do enjoy the softness and stillness that surrounds us during the winter...but since when did winter last 6 months!?!?

new cousin!

My cousin Sara had her baby about 6 months ago...and I have yet to post pics on this new addition to our family. So, with no further adieu........here's CORINNE!