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Grading Playlist and Trench Coats

We are getting close to one of my favorite times in DC...the Cherry Blossom Festival!! The blossoms are incredibly gorgeous [as seen above] and the weather is downright amazing. As you may tell, I have tweaked my blog name a bit, Life in Flats. I am still going to incorporate teaching into my blog [see below!] but I also want to talk more about my life as a grad student, organizer, planner addict, 2-star chef and aspiring vlogger. I live in an amazing city and I want to share my experiences in and around it with my readers, all 43 of you. I am not much of a creator in terms of having an Etsy or TpT shop so I do feel very much on the outside of teaching blogs. As I have mentioned in previous posts this year at my high school has been especially difficult. Our Principal of 7 years left after much media scrutiny over the safety and security of our building after a few robberies by students against other students took place. Since then there has been a sort of continental divide between the Administration and the teaching staff which is growing larger by the day. Through in two months worth of PARCC testing and this is becoming a recipe for disaster. I don't know whether or not I will stay at my current school. Time will tell!

Moving on to more pleasant things, today I found myself with a foot high stack of papers that I haven't graded in the past three weeks thanks to the never ending grad school work and administering PARCC testing. I created a playlist for myself for when I run, lift weights or grade papers. Sometimes I need some serious power music to get through grading, either because of the amount of grading or, I hate to say this but it is true, the quality of work. EXCLAIMER!! Some of these songs are EXPLICIT! And unfortunately I know that majority of my students the explicit ones word for word...

You can listen to the playlist HERE

I also have been in the market for a nice trench coat. If my life was perfect and I was married to Tom Hiddleston, I would purchase this 1800USD Burberry Trench Coat. But that is the cost of one month's rent for my little apartment in DC and I am fairly certain my loverboy would slice me if I spent rent money on this coat. I have always loved London Fog coats since I stumbled upon the factory store in Sawgrass Mills in Sunrise, FL. I have two LF trench coats from Macy's that I think are pretty affordable, 129 and 159 each. 

Aren't they both great?!

So leave me a comment below! Let me know if you like or dislike the new blog name or the new content.

Some Thoughts...

Hi All! I have been thinking lately about my blog, ways to improve it, ways to change it, etc. I have been considering making this blog more than just teaching. I want to incorporate more of my personal life - productivity, food, grad school- into this blog but I feel as though no one will want to continue reading if every post isn't about teaching. Obviously all of my personal life ties into my teaching life so I do feel as though everything will still be relevant to all of you wonderful readers! I am also considering changing my blog name to Life in Flats...please leave me a comment below and let me know what your thoughts on this potential change!!

March Currently and Update

I cannot believe that it is already March! Only 70 more days of school for me. We are getting into the PARCC testing window here in DC and let's just say that it has been a simply terrifying time. I have been chosen to be one of the main testing administrators during this time [I will be testing a total of 8 days] and apparently if I screw up this test, I could lose my teaching license! I am hoping that the testing won't be as difficult as it has been for other school districts that have started testing this week. We are looking at another snow storm this Thursday that could be a doozy, anywhere from 5 inches to over a foot. I personally wouldn't mind a snow day so that I can catch up on some grad school readings! This semester has been easier than last, thank the lord. I also haven't heard back from Montgomery County yet, but I have submitted all my items and made it through the interview so I am expecting a contract this month from them. While I am waiting, I have linked up with Farley over at Oh Boy 3rd Grade! for this month's currently. I love Currently's! Check out below and let me see those currently's!

Listening: Barefoot Contessa...I enjoy her show, sometimes she has great recipes.

Loving: The fact that we are finally above freezing! I even wore a T-shirt outside even though it was 38 degrees. Felt amazing.

Thinking: About my contract. I really want to start fresh and I want that to be Montgomery County. I am hoping to hear back this month!

Wanting: My poor iPhone 5 is crapping out. I make a phone call on 100% and my battery drops to 80% immediately. I need my upgrade which comes March 27, thankfully.

Needing: A snow day which hopefully will come on Thursday so I can catch up on my readings.

Spring Break: Spring Break in the District is so freaking late! I will have only two weeks until the end of Spring semester at American University so I will be spending my time prepping for exams and papers.

So that is it! Go link up with Farley, you won't regret it.

Currently!

It has been a while since I have done a "Currently"! I love Farley, she has the greatest IG too. I would recommend checking her out. Check out mine below and then link up yours with the link above.

2015 Goals

Whewwwww it has been too long! 1st semester has been...interesting to say the least. My Principal resigned two days before Christmas so things are all sorts of crazy right now. Between grad school and teach two subjects, things have been quite stressful. Being a teacher leader in the Union and having to deal with our Principal resigning is adding a bit more to the stress plate. I also am interviewing in another district this month (January). It is time for a change and with my Principal leaving us this is a great opportunity. Anyhoo, on to the goals!!

Stay on top of my planning! I am about two/three days out. I want to be at least two weeks out going into the end of the school year (omggggg).

Move to another school district. I am ready for a change. 

Stay on top of my grad school readings. Part of the reason why I didn't do as well as I wanted to this past semester is because I didn't focus enough on myself and MY schoolwork. I need to practice what I preach to my students. 

I have lost about 11-12 pounds so far and I want to keep that up. I want to swim 2-3 times a week and go to Hot Yoga at least once. I have no excuse since the pool is located in my school building the Hot Yoga place is literally just on the other side of the street from school. 

Niagara Falls! I am trying to plan a visit over the summer.

Sushi. I have never had it and I am scared crapless to try it. 

A language. Duolingo is an awesome website and I have signed up to refresh my Italian and start German. 

Experimenting in the kitchen with recipes. I found a recipe for Chicago style deep dish pizza from Sally's Baking Addiction and I want to try it so badly. I need to get some baking dishes!

Get through a grad semester with straight A's.

Leave me love nuggets! [comments]

August Currently

Oh God. I can't believe I start Advanced Placement US History training next week and then pre-service week after that. AND THEN SCHOOL AND GRAD SCHOOL ON THE 25TH! I am hyperventilating! I have no idea if I can do this :( Anxiety is definitely running high right now. I am taking the time to do Farley's Currently over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade! Join up, it is a great link party.