#teacherlife

The custodian came in and asked if we (preschool) had the same schedule as the elementary school next week for Thanksgiving Break. I told him we had the entire week off, but that I would be going in Monday even though I wasn't scheduled. He said, "Ya, that's what all the other teachers do too- and you guys always work 10-12 hour days even when you're not supposed to, because that's what you need to do." 

I laughed and said #teacherlife...

Sadly it is. 
Sad because teachers feel under-appreciated, misunderstood, over-worked, and under-paid!
Sad because even with those 10-12+ hours a day, there still isn't enough time to do everything you need to do.
Sad because those things that make teaching FUN and enjoyable for you and your students gets pushed to the back-burner so you can finish reports to show the government how good of a teacher you are.
Sad because the government doesn't care if you do it "right"- you only get punished for doing it "wrong".
Sad because the government's idea of right is so, SO wrong.

But then you think of those 20-30 little ones depending on you to show up to class the next day with a smile on your face, a warm greeting, and an engaging lesson planned.

So you do it.  

You do it all- you do what needs to be done to placate the government, advocate for your students, and find ways to inspire those young minds despite being stifled by administration regulations.

And when one person mentions how he sees, he SEES the teachers being over-worked, it helps a little in the "feeling misunderstood" department.

Cheers to all my hard-working, over-worked, under-paid teachers! Here's to 1 more day (ok, 2) and then Thanksgiving Break [where I will try NOT to do too much work. Except I know I will. Because that's what I have to do.] 

#lifeofateacher

Day 28 :: Do You Want to Build a Sandman? ::

7/9/14 

After C's request, "Auntie, I wanna go beach?", we packed up and went to Kailua Beach Park. I couldn't remember where the canal was (calm, shallow water that empties into the ocean) so we ended up on the shore. So beautiful!

Per usual, Z made a new friend at the beach who was visiting from the mainland. They shared sand toys and played 'princesses'. When they asked me to help them build a sand castle, I asked if they would be interested in building Olaf from Frozen. "Yaaaa!", was the excited response. 

This was the result:

"Do you want to build a sandman? C'mon let's go and play..." 

Looks more like a sand monster, haha :)

Day 27 :: Best Summer Job :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/8/14 

Hung out with these two cutie-patooties today! We colored, watched Frozen, attempted to walk to the park but got ice cream instead, danced, and did an art project- just to name a few things. Tomorrow is the BEACH! 

#bestsummerjobever #lifeofapreschoolteacher #summer #theepicsummer2014 @knplaw

It really is the #bestsummerjobever. I mean, not many people get the privilege of living in paradise every summer and watching 2 of the world's cutest, most well-behaved children.

 ("Can we listen to princess songs?" and "Auntie, where Torbin?")

Whenever my preschool students excitedly tell me about something they got to do or a gift they've received, I often reply, "Wow, you are so lucky! That was so nice of ____ to give that to you/take you there!"

That's what I should be telling myself every day. I'm so lucky to be in Hawai'i and it's so nice of Portland and Kenneth to give me a job/place to stay/car to drive. :)

Day 26 :: 2nd Home :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/7/14 

 I'm in #hawaii!! Love my 2nd home ♡♥ 

 #theepicsummer2014 #oahu #lifeofapreschoolteacher #summernights 

I feel very blessed to have a job that allows me to travel during the summers, visiting family and friends whom I don't get to see during the school year. The last two summers I've been able to stay for extended periods of time in what I consider my 2nd home, Beautiful Hawai'i. Thanks to some of the most generous people I know, I have a summer nanny job, a place to stay, and a car to drive while I'm there. (More about that in this post.) 

My first night on O'ahu, some of us went to dinner at Kua'aina Burgers near Ala Moana beach. So good to be back in my old stomping grounds!

Group selfie!

Day 25 :: New Swimsuits :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/6/14

 

Finally got to wear my new swimsuits! (The top from one and the bottom from the other.) I took a break from packing for #hawaii and laundry to relax by the pool with @luannajbruce. AND I got to sleep in my own bed for the first time this summer! 

P.S. I'm thankful my Mom is so awesome and helped me clean my apartment before I left to Hawai'i for 5 weeks! ♥

#theepicsummer2014 #portlandissunnyforonce #victoriassecret #semiannualsale

Day 24 :: Good Surprise :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

 4/5/14

 @ericamohler @babblingbrook08 @leximus8 & Matt decided to stay another day! 

#crazybrucefamily #goodsurprise

We tried to go to Stuffy's, somewhat of a family tradition- we usually always go there the morning that someone is leaving to go back home. However, the wait was over an hour. The only other breakfast places in town that we could think of were Denny's or Shari's...ew. Then we remembered the Pancake House! We used to go there during high school on Late Start mornings.

Day 23 :: Independence Day :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

4/4/14

Happy Independence Day! 

#crazybrucefamily #myniecesrockmysocks #theepicsummer2014 #Phonto

Usually there isn't much to do in the Kelso-Longview area, but it comes alive with the Go Fourth Festival every year for Independence Day! Maybe a little too much alive...too many Kelso-Longview citizens in one place is a little bit scary... ("My eyes, my eyes!!!).. Kidding! Kind of. After my sister got yelled at for stopping on the bridge to tend to my niece when she cut her foot "*Siiiigh" Really? You're just gonna stop on the bridge?", we decided to call it a day and head back to Matt & Sarah's :) 

But not before we got our faces painted!

L didn't want her picture taken...she kind looks like Michael Jackson!

Walking back to Matt & Sarah's from the lake.

Dad photo-bombing me

Mom really liked these flowers.

Minecraft, anyone?

 The cousins all LOVE this creative-mind based video game. They set about building their own real-life Minecraft world using cardboard boxes, scissors, duct tape, and markers.

K chillin' on the swing during the Minecraft building frenzy.

I had to snap a picture of these 3 before we left to go back to my parents' house for fireworks. They were friends way back in the day before they were family!