Testing Woes

So much happened during this first week back!
But, it seemed to drag on FOREVER!
Did anyone else feel this way?
It was slow, and it was tedious.

I expected to have more issues with my kiddos getting back into the routines, but they came in and did what they needed to do like we had never had a break (for the most part). I was proud of them!

I took my first Zumba classes!!
I LUH-VE it!!
On Wednesday, I felt like I was constantly checking the clock because I was so excited to get to the studio!
I can't wait for my classes this week!

Found this picture floating around Pinterest - if anyone knows the original source, please let me know! But boy, is it the truth!!

By the time Friday rolled around, I was starting to get sick.
My throat was sore and my body just felt... heavy.
With every few minutes that passed, it got worse and worse.
And by the time school was over, I thought I was going to pass out at my desk.

This was a HUGE problem because I have to cover everything in my room and re-arrange my desks.

Why?

Because we have testing in this upcoming week.
ALL week.
It's terrible and I hate it!
Seriously, I feel like I'm torturing my kids.

Monday we have to somehow take both Language Arts and Reading six weeks tests,
followed by four days of benchmark testing.
Waaaaah!!

I don't like testing so much, I feel like all we do is test.
It's really an issue I feel deeply about for many reasons.
I think this infographic is pretty interesting, if you want to check it out.

Anyways, so I came home on Friday evening and went to sleep.
My wonderful husband brought me some Tom Kha (the best Thai Soup around!!), so I woke up to eat that.
Then, I went back to sleep.

So, I have basically been sleeping since Friday.
No lie.
This is the first time all weekend I've been sitting up.
All of my work I needed to get done to prepare for the end of the six weeks?
Yeah, right.
I'll get as much done as I can today, but I'm just going to have to realize that I probably wont finish.

So, how did everyone else enjoy their first days back at school?
I hope no one got as sick as I did!

New Year, New Resolutions, and January Currently

Good morning, 2013!

I know. It has been months since I blogged.
I did not anticipate how drained I would be after the teaching day.
Not really tired-drained, more of a I-don't-want-to-do-anything-except-veg-out-drained.

Or, of course, grade papers.
Mountains and mountains of papers - yikes!

The first half of my first year has gone pretty well, and I'm excited to make the last half even better!

So, along with a new year of course comes new resolutions! So, I am linking up with The Teacher's Cauldron to share my resolutions!

Personal Resolutions

• Budget, budget, budget! My husband and I are planning an exciting year with (hopefully) exciting things to come, so that means that I have to take it very easy on the wallet and save, save, save!

• Fitness! Ya'll, since I started teaching, I have gained 15 pounds. 15! And it's all from stress eating at night. So instead of stress eating, I'm joining a wonderful dance studio and will take Zumba classes along with some others. I need to get this weight off and get fit, and this is the year to do it!

Blogging Resolutions

• I have been a TERRIBLE blogger since August. I want to change that - I love to blog and I love to reflect on my teaching! So, I resolve to blog at least once a week! More than likely, that day will be Saturday mornings. :)

Well, there you have it!

I could have written TONS more, but I want to keep it simple this year in terms of the "biggies".

Because what's the use of having goals if  there are too many to focus on?!

Just like I tell my kids - simple, focused goals will get you to where you need to be!

And finally... my January Currently!

Don't you love the OLW bit? I love it! Head over to Oh Boy 4th Grade to link up!

By the way... look who we kept:

He is a TOTAL pain, but he fits right in. We named him Fry. :)