Category: Job Hunt/Work

My last day of work. I had my big bag with me with all my essentials (like bottled water and granola bars) for the field trip. I got to work and I passed out thank you cards and received some more gifts. I spent about half of first period with a few of my favorite kiddos who stopped by to say goodbye *tear*. I tried not bawling my eyes out when Mrs. V. announced through the intercom that it was my last day, so to feel free and stop to say bye. She got there and the kids all froze; they thought she was going to be livid that they were still there so late. Looking really stern she said, “Any other day I would have sent you guys to class…but since it’s Mrs. V.’s last day, I’ll let you stay.” They looked so relieved. I’ll miss them so much :*(.

As Mrs. V. was going over the rules with the kids and I was running around getting everything done (like the newest thank you cards) and put away a fire alarm goes off. We found it really weird and wondered if it was a kid messing around, because we only have fire drills at 9am. It was 7:50. After sticking our heads out into the hallway and seeing other classrooms filing out as bewildered looking as we are, we turn all the lights off, lock the doors and follow.

It was a pretty long drill, or whatever it was. We’re usually only out there for about 8 minutes before they tell us it’s okay to go back in. This time, we were late leaving on the field trip because we’d already been out there 40 minutes. The bus got there and we got the kids on the bus. We still don’t know what happened. All we do know is that it was something weird going on in the gym.

The kids were quiet and entertained themselves really well. It was the Book Club kids, so that says a lot. They’re so well behaved.

I caught up a little on Twilight and just enjoyed the gentle rocking of the bus and the quiet as we made our way to Pan Am University.

When we got there, Mrs. V. gives me a look of concern and asks, “Are you going to walk the whole tour?” I tell her of course; if I could walk through the Gun Show with Mario, I’d be fine walking the campus. She doesn’t look convinced and says ok.

I had forgotten how many stairs we have to climb. I’m happy to report, though, that I made it through the whole tour and I didn’t even get winded. Thank God I had my bottled water…

We left the university and stopped by El Pato so the adults could get some food. We all ate and then rushed to the theatre to watch Inkheart. I didn’t get a chance to read the book (because I’m reading a just-as-thick-book at the mo) but I loved the movie. From the conversations we were all having after the movie was over I learned that tons of things were changed…as they usually are, unfortunately.

I was so hoping we’d get back to school on time so I could say goodbye to the rest of the kids I didn’t get to see, but we got there late. I was so sad. I got to go outside and say bye as they were leaving on the bus and got to say goodbye to some of the teachers.

I went back to the library and started getting my few things together and getting the manual I typed out for the new assistant off my pin drive, printed and e-mailed to Mrs. V. I didn’t get to go through the My Documents folder that they’d messed up during summer school (all the summer school librarian’s documents had been mixed in with ours) but Mrs. V. said it was fine. When I finished putting the last file away and explaining to Mrs. V. where everything was for the new assistant we kind of just stared at each other. Neither of us could believe it was my last day. She said such really sweet things; that I spoiled her and that I could always be proud that I helped establish that whole library! We walked out together as I was carrying my things out and we picked up our paychecks and I tried my best to say bye to everyone. It was so sad!

Still, as sad as it was to leave, I had this unmistakable feeling of…relief. I felt so thrilled picking the boys up and just going home and knowing that I wouldn’t have to be waking up at 5:20am come Monday.

As soon as I got home, I called Human Resources to check if there was anything else I needed to do, but they said I didn’t have to take further action. They’d take care of the rest.

The baby’s been moving around like crazy. Every little step I take makes me feel like I need to pee again, even if I just went. I’m going every 30 minutes! She stretches so much it feels like her little foot will just pop out through my side.

Mario was acting like a jackass since he got home. He was in a bad mood and yelled at the kids and took whatever was bothering him out on me. First, we were supposed to go to his boss’ house for a bar-b-q. For some reason that didn’t end up happening. Then, we were supposed to go as a family to Kumori but the boys were at Mary’s at they were already eating something so that set him off even more. It was going to be just the two of us (Mom was staying with Alaethia) but he yelled at me in the car for some stupid reason and I just started bawling. He either felt guilty or annoyed so he turned the truck around just as we rounded the corner. So much for our date. I couldn’t believe he could ruin my absolute perfect day in less than half an hour.

I was so upset I started bawling as soon as I walked through the door. Of course he left, probably to David’s, his boss. He wasn’t annoyed enough to leave there, oh no. Even though I tried hiding it, Alaethia noticed that I was crying and it was the cutest, saddest thing I’d ever seen: she started bawling also, with her little hand over her face and asked me, “Why you cwying, Mama? You made me sad!”

I quickly composed myself and scooped her up in my arms and rocked her, telling her I was okay and not to cry anymore. I tried distracting her with Noggin and she kind of laughed at the cartoon. She remembered about the crying and started wailing again but calmed down. Poor girlie!

We washed up for bed after Mom left home and I spent the night trying to distract myself by catching up on my blogs. I wanted to stay up all night and finally catch up on my entries, but I was exhausted. I hoped the next day would be better because it was Alaethia’s birthday. When Mario walked through the door I acted like he wasn’t in the room…until I asked him, “So where did you go?” And of course, just as I suspected, he’d gone to David’s…and had a shitty time, buahaha.

We were Benchmarking at work again so the library was closed. Orlie and the other students walked in and he took a seat beside me, ready to tackle his Science test and get some drawing in. I told him I unfortunately couldn’t sit with him for that test that day; this time I would be working on the bulletin boards per Mrs. V.’s request. He was a little upset, but I told him he was in good hands. I let her know about how he needs to distract himself with drawing sometimes so he doesn’t become so overwhelmed.

I laminated the heart die-cuts that were still not laminated and sat and chatted with Elva in her office as we cut the hearts out of the plastic. I’m really going to miss all the girls. They’re all so fun to talk to.

I finished as much of the boards as I could and later, when Karina and Jesus finished their tests they went out to help me. They did the high stapling for me since I didn’t want anyone scolding me for stretching again. When we were done, I started looking through files and putting my stuff in my bag (like my hairspray and lotions and stuff). I had enough time to cut out, laminate and glue the bright pink number cards for the computer center which I hadn’t had a chance to do all year! As I was instructing Saul and Jesus where to glue the cards, Mrs. V. let me know about the field trip the next day. I had no idea I was going with the Book Club to the movies, so that was a nice surprise!

I picked the boys up afterschool and they handed me a very last-minute note about a TAKS meeting and report card night. Grr. I hate that they do that, let us know about stuff at the last minute. So I waited till the last possible moment and got the boys in the car while Mom entertained Alaethia.

The TAKS meeting was about what we should look out for when the kids are doing their TAKS practice homework. Basically, if their passages and math work doesn’t have writing all over it, then they’re not doing their strategies correctly. I’m one of those people who’s extremely anti-TAKS, because they focus so much on stupid, confusing strategies than just getting to the point and showing the kids what the hell to do. It’s seriously more confusing then just doing regular work to get the right answer. Eenan can find the answer himself but has so much trouble trying to correctly assemble his strategies. I think it’s bogus. I do have to admit, though, that the strategy, or game as they called it, that they used to elaborate and be more descriptive with their sentences was pretty darn neat.

The meeting was over and Eenan’s teacher gave me his report card. He got all A’s! I’m so proud of him. And even after the whole perfect-attendance-field-trip fiasco, they still did give him perfect attendance. Good. Or I would have raised hell again—crying, or no crying.

The 4th grade classes are having fundraisers to visit the aquarium in Corpus. We have the pleasure of selling 51 different types of candy. The good thing is they’re candies people actually want to eat, like Snickers, M&Ms, and Skittles.

Jaylen’s teacher had nothing but good things to say about him, too. He’s reading anywhere from 1st to 4th grade reading level and he actually comprehends, so that’s great :). That’s what I love about his teacher; she doesn’t hold them back, regardless of the “rules” of the program.

He’d also be having a fundraiser, but they didn’t know what it was yet. I told myself last year, after they lost his whole packet with $174 or so in it (and didn’t believe ME when I went to complain about it) that I wasn’t going to sell crap from those booklets if that’s what it was. We’ll see.

Mario had just gotten home when I arrived with the boys. We all picked at left-overs at Mary’s and then Yadira and the kids got there and everyone started working on the candy bags for Alaethia’s and Angela’s party. I felt awful leaving them but Mary said it was fine and shooed Mario and I away. The kiddos all stayed with the in-laws while Mario and I went to Scent Chips and then Target. I wanted to get Mrs. V. and Mrs. Ruiz something nice and found some cute angels at Scent Chips. We went next door to Claire’s where we found a Jonas Brothers tote bag for Angela for her birthday. Then we went to Target where our first stop was nail polishes for Angela (she had actually told us that’s all she wanted) and went on to the stationery I picked out some thank-you cards for the baby shower and tried finding the perfect card for each Mrs. V and Mrs. Ruiz. It wasn’t easy, let me tell you. Mario had been doing wonderfully till I started taking long at the cards. I decided to start making up my mind when he said, “I’ll be in electronics,” which means he’s pissed and he’s probably going to wait in the car LOL.

I went to bed that night feeling bittersweet about my last day of work the next day. I even prayed that I’d keep my composure and not cry throughout the day.

Tues. Jan 20th – I don’t remember much from this day, oddly enough. It was probably another hectic day in the morning, downtime from 10-11, lunch at 11:30 and organizing the rest of the day.

I know for sure I didn’t want to go anywhere that evening. Mrs. Ruiz had brought me a huge bag-full of grapefruits from her trees at home a few days before and I had every intention of eating/using them. I decided I wanted grapefruit pie that night and I made it with Mario’s help. I hate making it because peeling the grapefruits is so tedious and it takes forever. I’d only made it once before this and I wasn’t too happy with the results at that time. As we were peeling the fruits Alaethia kept running over to us like a little puppy, opening her mouth for some grapefruit and running back to her room. She loved it. If all she could eat is fruit all day she’d be such a happy baby.

When the pies were done I stuck them in the fridge to cool. It was torture knowing I’d have to wait till lunchtime the next day to eat a piece. I’d be leaving one at home and taking one to work.

Wed. Jan 21st – I knew we’d be Benchmarking that day but I had no idea we’d be closing the library and testing kids there. We had a total of 3. Mrs. V. asked me to finish up the bulletin boards, and I really felt a sense of panic because Friday would be my last day and the bulletin boards were still not done. It’s not really like I could have done much anyway during the previous two weeks since I was busy with the usual every-day work, but still. I happily took my packs of construction paper to the copy room and got started using the die-cut machine. Mrs. V. called me from the copy room about 15 minutes later and asked me to sit with one of the kids testing in the library. I said sure. The cool thing was I could read while the student was testing and I actually got a bit further with my Twilight book.

The student I’d be sitting with was Orlie, one of my kids who usually came to visit me at the library. Or should I say who’d try to skip at the library LOL. He wanted to go at a faster pace than the other two students so he wanted to be separate. He reminds me a lot of Eenan. Eenan has to get distracted for a little bit with drawing or talking because he gets bored, or else he’ll become disruptive. So I let Orlie have some breaks and draw and then get back to work. He did my last name in these awesome graffiti letters and I laminated it. I kept all his drawings from that day, to remember him. He used to drive me nuts since last year—he never did what he was told and would roll his eyes or just plain ignore me when given a directive. He made a complete 360 from last year. He actually asked me not to leave, aww.

Since the library was already closed Mrs. V., Mrs. Ruiz and I all ate lunch together. We ate with the dance teacher, nurse, and a substitute. I offered everyone some of the grapefruit pie and they all loved it. I promised I’d type up some recipes and hand them out the next day.

The social committee had a baby shower after school for Mrs. Saenz and me. There were so many co-workers who couldn’t make it because they had afterschool activities, but they promised to get me a gift. I felt so odd and humbled at the same time. I wish they’d gotten a chance to actually be there and just have fun and not worried about gifts. They got to play 3 games and we ate and just talked about the babies and pregnancies. Mr. Dennett stopped by when everything was over and he, Mrs. V. and Mrs. Duty all stood around talking. Eric, one of our students, showed up later and helped Mrs. V. and I take things to the library and he took some cake with him to his guitar class. When I got home I opened my gifts and found out Mrs. Ruiz had given us a very generous gift! I couldn’t believe it; I even called to ask her if she’d maybe made a mistake! Of course she said she didn’t. I couldn’t believe how generous everyone was. We’re truly blessed to know such amazing people.