Can't Wait for School!!!...wait, what?

So the worst part about the whole process of getting hired for a teaching position is the timing. I was hired May 11th. School starts in mid August. You know that feeling on Christmas Eve or the night before you go on vacation where you want so badly to fall asleep so the happiness of the next day comes faster, but you can't fall asleep because you just keep thinking about it? Yeah try having that for 3 months.

I had all these plans for summer like: complete all of my new hire paperwork, choose a benefits plan, write my syllabus, brainstorm ideas for my classroom, pick out posters for my classroom, make a rough calendar for lesson plans, etc. Unfortunately, I had completed each one of these within the first two weeks I was hired. Now what?

Here's how I've been filling my time lately:

1. I'm the Dallas Mavericks' newest fan. The only person in this world that I hate more than Kobe Bryant is LeBron James. He's an arrogant, selfish, self-proclaimed "king" that I would like to personally dethrone with physical force...nothing fatal, just career ending. Thus, Go Mavs! In my defense against those that would accuse me of being on a bandwagon, I have always liked Dirk Nowitski. The guy is an animal. In short, I would love to see Miami's infamous "Big 3" fall... hard. On a semi-related note, is it just me or is Rick Carlisle seriously Jim Carrey's long lost twin brother?

2. I have officially memorized all of my favorite channels- both in standard cable and in HD. This may not seem like any feat, but oh let me tell you, it is. I have experienced what I like to call Television Viewer Evolution. Phase 1: Beat the remote against something like a primate until the TV turns on. Phase 2: Learn where the power, volume, and menu buttons are on the remote. Phase 3: Scroll through the channels using the menu button-starting at channel 2 and working my way up- until finding something entertaining to watch. Phase 4: Learn such functions as "Info" and "Last" to increase viewer pleasure and channel maneuverability. Phase 5: Memorize channels' locations relative to ESPN HD since that is always the channel that the TV gets left on. For example, E! HD is about 15 channels up from ESPN. Phase 6: Begin to memorize frequently watched channels. Phase 7: Effortless transit throughout the cable world by combining memorized channels with functions of the remote for guaranteed entertainment pleasure.


3. I work...I'm not that pathetic.

4. I cook again! Brock did a great job of taking care of me that last year of school. Because of my job I didn't get home until about 7:30 each night which would have been a ridiculous time to start cooking our dinner. We would have been digesting dinner half way through our REM cycle...gross. However, now that it's summer and my work hours are in the morning, I have time to come home and provide some good home cookin' for the hub. Now I'm no Cat Cora, but I do enjoy cooking and being in the kitchen (not in a 1950's housewife sort of way, but as a hobby). Fun fact: my favorite chore is doing dishes.

5. I've been spending more time outdoors. As much as I hate Utah (I don't actually hate Utah, I just hate the way it pales in comparison to California), I have come to realize that it is beautiful. I'm trying to take advantage of the scenery while we're here. We went hiking last weekend to Battle Creek Falls. It's a short, easy hike but it was beautiful. The water levels are super high right now so the waterfall was gorgeous. We also go on bike rides quite often. The weather has been so nice and I know that soon it will be disgustingly hot, so we're enjoying it while we can. Also, we've started running...I hate running so I have nothing more to say of this.

Even though I want nothing more than to get in the classroom and start teaching, I'm trying to enjoy my summer. This is my last summer before I start my career...weird. I know that come fall, I'll be wondering where my time went. So for now, I'll take some time to soak up some sun, watch some TV, and just enjoy life!