Surviving First Grade

And the radio silence continues. Life has been crazy busy for me and blogging has been the last thing on my mind. I'm 3 weeks into my final 8 week practicum and I'm feeling ok about it. There's only 1 week left until it's Spring Break and I won't lie.. I'm counting down the days. I'm at an amazing school and I have the sweetest class ever, but they are draining my energy reserves for sure. I am definitely ready to be done with school and onto the next chapter of my life.

Looking back at the game plan I made back in January, I'd say I've been doing a pretty decent job.

Attitude change - still pretty grateful to be in the position I am, even when I get crazy stressed out I always go to bed with a smile on my face. :)

Rocking practicum - I'd say I'm doing ok with this. I haven't broken down in tears yet, which is miles ahead of where I was last year. My mentor teacher is great with leaving me with the class, which has allowed me to really get a feel for what it means to be the teacher. And of all the little things you have to remember in a day. There are still lots of days where I leave feeling crappy and stressed but I know I'm lucky to have the class I do. *Wednesday's update: I had my first official breakdown yesterday and am still feeling it, but am trying to get my attitude around in time to celebrate St Patty's Day with my students. Thankfully only two more days until Spring Break!!

Motivational system - I put together a quotes page and some of my favourite notes from students in my binder, but so far I've only had to look at it once.

BDHQ - I am so so thankful I decided to stay with the group for the year, for lots of reasons. One of my friends in the program picks me up from the school and drives me to our workouts during the week, which I am SO appreciative of. Being able to leave my stressful day behind in a pile of sweat works like nothing else.

Part of me is scared for these next few months. I have no idea what life will bring for me once practicum is done. I don't know where I'll living, who I'll be living with, or where I'll be working. I might not have my cat anyone either. Life is about to get turned upside down for sure. As someone who's not the best when it comes to change, it definitely has me stressed. But I've known about this for a while, and I am confident that I'll make the right choices when the time comes. I am just SO thankful to be where I am. Knowing that no matter what happens, I have wonderful family and friends that will support me. I could never end up starving or homeless, which is more than some people can say. I will also have a degree at the end of this, which opens up many avenues for me. I know I want to stay in Victoria for another year, so at least I've made that decision. Lots of life decisions will be coming up in the next two months, but I'm just happy that I am living life and getting to make these decisions.

So yes, that pretty much sums up my story right now. Stressed about practicum and life after it but extremely thankful for what I have.

I'm still managing to stay mostly healthy during practicum, which is good. I'm utilizing these three strategies right now.

Strategy 1: Water Intake
Not being able to run to the bathroom whenever I want to has thrown my water consumption off track. It's taken all 3 weeks but I finally have a new system. 1 bottle from when I wake up to when I leave the house (go pee twice before the bell rings), 1 bottle throughout the day, 1 bottle between 3 and 6 when I leave the school and one more bottle between when I get home and go to bed. I find it really helpful breaking it down that way, because I know that if I still have half a bottle left at the end of the school day that I need to chug what's left and then go for a refill.

Strategy 2: Late Night Snacking
A few weeks ago I made a "Pick-a-Strategy" jar which I've since renamed "Pick a Stick." I've been using popsicle sticks so much in the classroom that I figured if it works for 6 year olds it can work for me! When I get a craving or am standing in the kitchen debating if I want that extra snack or not, I go to my jar. Some pictures for you:

It's in my cupboard so when I open it up to see what to eat,
it's staring right at me :)

The idea being of course that I pick a stick and do whatever it tells me instead of eating. It's worked pretty well so far! Other than the 4 in the picture, I also have clean the bathroom, organize a cupboard in the kitchen, clean the fridge, etc. I realized I needed to stop telling myself I didn't "have time" to clean my house because I know how much better I feel when it is clean. 

Strategy 3: Meal Planning

Since I'm at the school for 10-11 hours a day, my food needs to be seriously planned. I did up a blank weekly meal plan sheet on excel and put it one of those clear sheet protector sheets. I then taped the sheet to my kitchen cupboard. I use markers to write down what I'm going to eat each day and then simply erase it on Sunday when I plan the next week. I don't always follow it, but it's been so helpful when I'm dead at the end of the day and can't think of food to pack for the next day. I also wrote up my favourite meals on sticky notes, which helps when I'm standing there contemplating my meal plan.

The teacher in me is so proud of this organization :) 

So now I am off to finish prepping for tomorrow.. doing my second printing lesson and I've been practicing my teacher writing all weekend :S Oh the things that stress you out in primary! Oh, and also, a picture of where I'm spending 90% of my time these days:

View from teacher's corner

View from door