Marathon Monday!!!

It's here, it's here, it's here!!! The coveted marathon!! One of the best, most historic, most amazing marathons in the United States, and I was in Boston for it this year!!! It was amazing. I have seen some pretty amazing running events in my life, this one was especially unique and different than anything I had seen before. Track races are different to watch (anyone reading this who doesn't run, quit rolling your eyes...) because the excitement is all right there in front of you to watch. Even though during the marathon I only got to see a short section of it, in the 30 seconds you see the runners, it is a true testament to the endurance of the sport, the effort, the hard work, and the spirit of running. I got up early to make sure I was all packed to go home. I met up with Stephanie to grab an early morning mimosa... which after the cover charge (the bar is right along the course) and the drink, it ended up costing $14... but it was still worth it! We sat and watched army units who walked the course in their full gear with 60 pound packs pound their way along the course. It was amazing. People were chanting "USA...USA...USA..." as they went by. Then the elite runners came flying past. The leader looked really tired, but the second place woman looked strong and in a position to make up the minute gap between first and second place (she ended up coming very close - within 1 second, but ended up second).

Soon after the women, I got to see the elite men... including Meb Keflezighi and Ryan Hall.

My first real job interview.... over the phone

On Friday, April 16, 2010, I had my first official real job interview, over the phone...! I received an e-mail earlier in the week saying a position had opened up at Forest Ridge in Bellevue. Having been raised by two wonderful parents who taught me always to call and write thank-you notes, as soon as I received the e-mail asking me to participate in a phone interview I called the Head of the Middle School. The outcome of the conversation was that they wanted to move my interview ahead so that if necessary they could fly me out to Seattle for an interview!

I hung up, with a looming interview for the coming Friday.... Hoping I could WOW them with my personality, good looks (too bad they couldn't see me), and stunning intellect, I set off to conquer every possible interview question known to mankind.

Friday came around, slowly but surely, and I felt prepared and ready to take on the world. Ok, maybe not that quite dramatic, but you get the point. After a great 45 minute phone interview, the conversation ended with me being asked to fly home to meet with them personally! Holy smokes! I had become ok with the understanding that I wouldn't be going home until the middle of May, and now I was actually flying home, free of charge, in less than 3 days! Yikessss!

I packed my bags, laid out my best clothes, accidentally drove to New Hampshire when I was really trying to go a town just north of Boston to get my evidence binder from my supervisor... yes, it's a true story - my sense of direction failed me, which is rare, and I set off for the West Coast Best Coast (again, this is true).

I flew in late Monday night and my own bed was AMAZING. I got to play with the cutest little Leila, hang with the family, go for a run around Greenlake, get my haircut (a bigger deal than it may appear at first sight), see Jacquelyn... and oh yes, I was there for an interview.

I was oddly calm, yet secretly my stomach was in knots. I was quietly nervous, but I also felt fairly confident. I was teaching about resources in Latin America and designed a lesson to focus on Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Long story short, I loved the school and left feeling as though I absolutely rocked the interview. Apparently they thought so too, because a mere 6 days later I got a phone call telling me I landed the job! My first real job, at an incredible school, and in Seattle! Amazing! I couldn't be more excited, and I feel like it is absolutely the right place for me to be right now. The best part is, I will get to coach! Even though it is a small school with not much of a running team, it will be great to see what I can piece together!

Late Thursday night I begrudgingly headed back to Boston.... I had 2 weeks left of teaching to power through and two weeks left of classes... Lovely. The upside? Andrew and Courtney were flying in the next night to spend the weekend in Boston with yours truly :)

Easter Weekend

Alright, so.... I am a bit behind in the blogging world, but it's hard keeping up with the craziness of life that has been going on. Get excited, sit back, relax, and enjoy some (hopefully entertaining reads).

Easter weekend took me back to Martha's Vineyard. It was a MUCH needed break from school and a MUCH needed break from the world of Boston. Before I can begin the events of the weekend, I think it is essential to explain the week prior...

A student in one of my sections had recently been having several issues with outbursts of anger, frustration, and disrespect (read as: he was being a complete punk). One day in class, he was being the most annoying creature ever. He was tapping his pen, drawing in his book, slamming his chair, moving his desk, blah blah blah. I told him an exuberant number of times to STOP. No, no, no, that would be too simple. He chose instead to stick his face in his book while reading and play drums on his desk. After class I told him the next day he would only receive one warning and then get a JUG. This was much to his dislike and he clearly had no problem telling me so... mister smarty pants mouthed off to me, but whatever, I was over it. Clearly, however, he was definitely NOT.

The next day in class, he would not sit down. He was arguing with his "friend" Harry over who sat where. I said to them "you little brats, work out your issues later, sit down, and shut up". Ok, so maybe it didn't happen quite like that, but I wish it had. Bottom line, he still would not listen, so I warned him, he turned, yelled "WHAT? That's so unfair, this is bull", threw his book at my feet, turned around, and according to everyone else's understanding, but luckily not heard to my little ears, said "F***ing B**ch"... Awesome. Glad I could help. The kid got suspended.

That being said, I took off on Thursday afternoon for Martha's Vineyard. The sun was shining, the weekend was supposed to be glorious, and I had a backpack full of work that I could finally sit down to work on. I had an awesome time, again, with Colleen and her family. We sat outside in the sun, had lunch outside, I went for some runs, I had my traditional night at the bars with her son.... awkward. I am beginning to feel out of place in the bars we go to. I dress for the fancy bars that I want to go to downtown, where the boys where button-ups and boat shoes. That's more my type. As evidenced by my clothes consisting of: a J-Crew ruffled shirt, a sweater, and my Tory Burch shoes.... hmmmm... Didn't find any of this at the bar we were at. And, don't worry, for all you out there wondering, I did indeed get to be the designated driver, yet again.

All in all, it was a fun, relaxing weekend. Beautiful weather, good company, and I got lots of work done, surprisingly. I can't wait to take Mom there in May! The shopping downtown looks amazing!!!