I'm still alive..

Yes, there have been reports that I have dropped off the face of the earth, but do not listen to them, I am still alive and kickin. Actually, I would define it more like this: alive and paddling. Yep. Paddling. I'm just trying to keep my head above water and paddling like crazy to do so! I never knew there would be a time in my life that I had no time. I mean, it's like monday morning when I step out of bed, somebody hits a stopwatch and says, "Go!," and it's a race 'til friday. The week feels like one long day without a break. I came home this past friday and went to sleep at 6:00 and woke up at 10:30 on Saturday morning. Can you say, "POOPED!?"

Teachers do not get paid near enough. Everybody always says that, but I mean it. It's ridiculous. A beginning teachers salary in SC is $28, 608. I am there at 7:15 every morning and it is rare that I leave before 6:00. And when I leave, I don't "leave." It comes home with me in some form or another. Papers to grade, lessons to plan, parents to call... it's insane, really. It blows my mind how people do this their whole lives. PLUS, I still haven't gotten paid. I am basically volunteering right now. New teachers don't get paid until Sept. 9th. (Unless you jumped through a hoop that I didn't realize you were supposed to jump through until it was too late) All that to say, I'm alive, but I don't quite have this whole "life" thing down pat yet. Each week gets a little smoother, but whew.. it's been a bumpy ride so far.

I don't know what I would do if it hadn't been for Benjamin. He's been my calming wind these past few weeks. Even now, it's precious to be to see how the Lord has blessed me with a husband who can calm my soul when it's all swirling. He's been so helpful and understanding about the "wifely duties" that I've been slack on.. He's been light-hearted and easy going. Last week he took me Kayaking down to Saluda river and boy did we have a ball. So the "marriage" part of life has been a delight and refreshing as I've entered into this world of "adulthood." I must say I did my fair share of complaining in collge about late-night studies and the like.. but now that I'm here, I must say the grass isn't as green as I thought it'd be... Maybe it's just different grass is all.. This life is about seasons I suppose.. each has their own positives and negatives. Each one is sweet in their own ways. This season is hard in one sense, because I am working very hard and without much rest, but I think the Lord is blessing me through it because if it was easy, I'd be depending on myself... now, I'm weak, and through that, He is strong. Praise Him!

Blogging really is theraputic for me.. so maybe I'll try and get back in the swing.. we'll see.. if you'd like to keep up with what I'm teaching my classes you can go to my beautiful (yeah right) website:
https://www.edline.net/pages/White_Knoll_High_School/Classes/322200CW-03
or this one for my physical science classes:
https://www.edline.net/pages/White_Knoll_High_School/Classes/321101HW-06

I am supposed to update them everyday... we'll see how that goes..

Benjamin's been walking around the house singing "Tiger Rag." We're so excited about going back up to Tiger town next weekend! He's excited about the football and I'm excited about seeing all the faces I've missed these past few months. It's going to be a fun time.. and my Dad and Mrs. J. are even coming... my Dad is especially thrilled about that! :) Life is good.. and I am not sure the ride is ever smooth. Maybe it was meant to be like this.. who likes to ride on a flat roller coaster?!