Monsters, bugs, and Jack Sparrow!? Final Update 7/13!!!!

[AZMickeyfans]

Ok I did completely forget about your DBF's parents. I'll admit it!

The penny chase! So none of them were actually in the correct country! This is going to be a mad adventure with the kids. I need to reread through your report and take notes on the penny find. I know a little cheatish. shhhh

 

[irky416]

Yummy...I have had no breakfast and now I am starving!!!

Glad you got most of your pennies! Cool! I am ever so jealous...but there will be a next time!

I read your next update to say "Back to the Future" ...I really need food now!

I really hope you've eaten by now. It's sounding like you're desperate!

Back to the Future would have been a good next update name!

Ok I did completely forget about your DBF's parents. I'll admit it!

The penny chase! So none of them were actually in the correct country! This is going to be a mad adventure with the kids. I need to reread through your report and take notes on the penny find. I know a little cheatish. shhhh

Hahaha...I kind of forgot about them too!

Only China and Japan weren't in the correct country. The rest were all there, some just harder to find than the others. Hopefully, the Mexico machine will be working when you go! And it's not cheating...it's using all the resources available to you wisely!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Loving your trip report. looking forward to more!
Lx

 

[Ms Sleepy]

Really enjoying your trip report great photos. The photos you've got with the Character signatures on how did you get the signatures on the photo's are they added on by the photopass photographer or by youself on the web site please advise

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

You sold me on the pretzel! I will be getting one when we go again.

 

[PISCESANGEL]

I just got caught up - great update!!

Your snacks from Norway looked great, but we had a similar problem with the birds. At one point, my DD thought one was going to hit her as it swooped by while we were sitting out there on their patio. People really should heed the request not to feed the birds!

 

[jmskinner]

The pics are how I remember the trip also, but I usually have to have the photobucket open and Kodak, but I end up with the photobucket ones out of order, but the Kodak program will place them in order of time and date taken.

I had totally forgotten about DBF's parents. My brain is turning to mush.

I may have to try one of those pretzels. Great pics as always!

 

[irky416]

Loving your trip report. looking forward to more!
Lx

Thank you!!

Really enjoying your trip report great photos. The photos you've got with the Character signatures on how did you get the signatures on the photo's are they added on by the photopass photographer or by youself on the web site please advise

Thank you. The character signatures are a part of Photopass. After you get your pictures taken and you login to the website where you can see your pictures, they are part of the options for borders and things for your pictures.

You have to add them on yourself if you want them, unlike the Simba, Stitch and Tinkerbell photos the photographers have to do. I hope that made sense and helped!

You sold me on the pretzel! I will be getting one when we go again.

Haha. Good. I hope you enjoy it!

I just got caught up - great update!!

Your snacks from Norway looked great, but we had a similar problem with the birds. At one point, my DD thought one was going to hit her as it swooped by while we were sitting out there on their patio. People really should heed the request not to feed the birds!

Thanks!

I agree don't feed the birds! I'm glad I'm not alone!

The pics are how I remember the trip also, but I usually have to have the photobucket open and Kodak, but I end up with the photobucket ones out of order, but the Kodak program will place them in order of time and date taken.

I had totally forgotten about DBF's parents. My brain is turning to mush.

I may have to try one of those pretzels. Great pics as always!

Yeah, I usually have them opened on my harddrive for the right order and then on smugmug (which tend to be out of order as well) to actually copy them to the website. I just had to delete the pics from my harddrive because they were taking up too much space, so now I'm going to have a problem I think when I go to tyoe up the next chapter!

Don't worry, I almost forgot about DBF's parents, too and I was on the trip!

The pretzel was pretty good, especially if you like almonds (which I don't!).




I don't know when I will get to the next update. I am ridiculously overwhelmed with all the paperwork I am having to do this year because of No Child Left Behind and our new principals. I've been working 12 hour days and I am going to be working all day this Saturday just to keep my head above water with all we are expected to do. I feel like I can't even make a dent in my list of things to do.

Please, to any of you out there who think teachers have it nice because we only work 9 months, please please understand that I fit 12 months of work (really about 15 months of work) into those 9 months. Nothing makes me angrier than when I hear people make comments about that. I don't yell at people often, but when I hear people say that I start screaming at them. DBF and I figured it out that I actually only work about 8-10 days less than him (and everyone else who has a 9-5 job with 2 weeks of vacation a year) when all is said and done and hours spent working are totaled up.

Ok, sorry, I had to vent there a little. I've been a little frustrated lately. I think I need a trip to WDW!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Teachers rock!!! I for one appreicate all that you do! Christmas in Disney? Maybe? That's your next big break right?

 

[ScotsMinnie]

Please, to any of you out there who think teachers have it nice because we only work 9 months, please please understand that I fit 12 months of work (really about 15 months of work) into those 9 months. Nothing makes me angrier than when I hear people make comments about that. I don't yell at people often, but when I hear people say that I start screaming at them. DBF and I figured it out that I actually only work about 8-10 days less than him (and everyone else who has a 9-5 job with 2 weeks of vacation a year) when all is said and done and hours spent working are totaled up.

Ok, sorry, I had to vent there a little. I've been a little frustrated lately. I think I need a trip to WDW!

Well I am hoping for voluntary redundancy at work just now so that I can do a post grad course in Primary Teaching (5-11 years) so don't scare me!!!!!!

It is something I have always wanted to do so i am changing my life plan at last! Its a one year course as i already have a degree and I'm really hoping to get in. I have 2 kids to juggle but it should be fine.

I know the benefits aren't nearly as good as I have it at the moment. Good salary, company car, 5 weeks paid holiday a year etc but I am hoping that I will ENJOY it which I can't say for my current job!!

The holidays in summertime are handy but I think a lot of teachers find they have to work weekends and do some in the holidays just to keep up.
I totally respect all teachers as they do a hard job. Hopefully I will be joining them soon!

Lx

 

[jmskinner]

I have a lot of respect for teachers. I couldn't do it. Locked in a room with all those kids all day and then grade their papers, get assignments ready. As previously stated "you guys rock." Especially if you have kids like mine.

Hope it gets better for you, and I'll try to be patient about the TR.


Melissa

 

[irky416]

Teachers rock!!! I for one appreicate all that you do! Christmas in Disney? Maybe? That's your next big break right?

Thanks for the encouragement! I would love to do Christmas in Disney but it won't happen this year.

Well I am hoping for voluntary redundancy at work just now so that I can do a post grad course in Primary Teaching (5-11 years) so don't scare me!!!!!!

It is something I have always wanted to do so i am changing my life plan at last! Its a one year course as i already have a degree and I'm really hoping to get in. I have 2 kids to juggle but it should be fine.

I know the benefits aren't nearly as good as I have it at the moment. Good salary, company car, 5 weeks paid holiday a year etc but I am hoping that I will ENJOY it which I can't say for my current job!!

The holidays in summertime are handy but I think a lot of teachers find they have to work weekends and do some in the holidays just to keep up.
I totally respect all teachers as they do a hard job. Hopefully I will be joining them soon!

Lx

Good luck at your journey to become a teacher! Please, don't get me wrong... I love many of my students and most days I love my job...when I'm in the classroom and teaching. Many of the students are pleasant, funny, and I love talking with them and learning about them. You might be surprised how much you learn about some kids by the end of the year.

I complain and people (especially DBF because he gets the most of the venting) always ask why I keep doing it and I always answer because "Most of the time I love it and couldn't imagine doing anything else."

I don't know much about how schools work over there, but here the politics of school is what is miserable (the things that need to be done and dealt with not directly related to teaching and my students) and especially now with No Child Left Behind it's ridiculous! NCLB and other state laws are in direct conflict with each other and it's causing many problems here and for my school in particular and the responsibility is passed to the teachers.

I didn't mean to scare you! Really, I do enjoy it and I know I couldn't do anything else. The thought of working in an office all day makes me want to poke my eyes out, even if I was making double the money I do now and had better working conditions. I hope you'll enjoy it more than your current job!!

(Sorry for the long reply! I get started and I can't shut up! )

I have a lot of respect for teachers. I couldn't do it. Locked in a room with all those kids all day and then grade their papers, get assignments ready. As previously stated "you guys rock." Especially if you have kids like mine.

Hope it gets better for you, and I'll try to be patient about the TR.


Melissa

Thanks. Most of the time I do love it. I hope Jacob has gotten adjusted to his new school!


I'll try to work on an update soon. I'm feeling a little more caught up now since I spent all day Saturday working!

 

[RachelNinja]

Please, to any of you out there who think teachers have it nice because we only work 9 months, please please understand that I fit 12 months of work (really about 15 months of work) into those 9 months. Nothing makes me angrier than when I hear people make comments about that. I don't yell at people often, but when I hear people say that I start screaming at them. DBF and I figured it out that I actually only work about 8-10 days less than him (and everyone else who has a 9-5 job with 2 weeks of vacation a year) when all is said and done and hours spent working are totaled up.

Ok, sorry, I had to vent there a little. I've been a little frustrated lately. I think I need a trip to WDW!

Hear, hear! I totally agree with you! I mean, yes, I do love the fact that I do have a summer vacation. But seriously? The work put in throughout a regular week? Weird gets angry when he realizes how much time I have to put into this job without receiving proper compensation. I get home and work (thankfully reading things on DIS during my breaks keeps me sane, but it's so difficult to actually find time to write anything!). I don't finish until about 11:30pm, and even then, I'm nowhere near done! And now with only having those 4 preps a week, it's even harder to get things done.

I work on Friday nights so I can hopefully have a Saturday afternoon with Weird since I wake up early on Saturdays to get work done too! People with 9 to 5 jobs, leave their work AT WORK!

Recently Weird and I went to my brother's apartment for a family thing, and since I still had work to do, I brought tests and homework assignments to grade. He didn't realize how long it took until he saw me go through only one assignment for one class. Even if it takes "only" 15 minutes for an assignment, I have to do this for every single class! And that's not even including reading ELA essays, arggg.

The teaching itself is great. But all the stuff with administration and parents ... blech. I had to sacrifice a prep period today to have a meeting with a parent, the principal, and a para who will be helping that parent's child. Yeah, I know people who work in offices have meetings too. However, I think these one-on-one meetings are so much more stressful (just like how faculty conferences aren't as stressful as these parent meetings). I mean, essentially we hold a lot more important matters in our hands ... we're educating children! That's a weighty responsibility!

Saturday was fun because Weird and I went on a 25-mile bike trip in the Poconos. However, as the day got closer, I was actually thinking of backing out because I knew I'd be giving up a day to do lesson plans and grade ... but I know I needed the break too. Especially since I was looking forward to it for months! Of course, "losing" the Saturday wasn't very good in terms of grading on top of losing a prep today so I'm so behind!!! That mountain just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and there never seems to be an end to it because by the next day, there's more on the way!

Haha, I know I just totally started venting on your thread. Sorry about that! I just figure out of all people to understand, you would! Of course, like you said in your later posts, I can't imagine doing anything else. There's this sort of fulfillment that I don't think an office job can ever provide. I love being there for the students, and even if they can't stand anything academic, I hope that they leave my classes feeling that they're loved and appreciated by me, regardless of their particular talents and weaknesses.

I second your trip to WDW! We should have a mini-DIS meet with our DBFs

 

[jmskinner]

You said you couldn't imagine working in an office, and I so love working in an office. Just shows how people are different. Hang in there.


Melissa

 

[kathleen27]

Sounds like some great character meets!
Cool that you met Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie together!

I'm glad you found the rest of the pennies!
We searched for them this time too, got all the countries but one.

I think that teachers do a great job, and work hard.

 

[irky416]

Hear, hear! I totally agree with you! I mean, yes, I do love the fact that I do have a summer vacation. But seriously? The work put in throughout a regular week? Weird gets angry when he realizes how much time I have to put into this job without receiving proper compensation. I get home and work (thankfully reading things on DIS during my breaks keeps me sane, but it's so difficult to actually find time to write anything!). I don't finish until about 11:30pm, and even then, I'm nowhere near done! And now with only having those 4 preps a week, it's even harder to get things done.

I work on Friday nights so I can hopefully have a Saturday afternoon with Weird since I wake up early on Saturdays to get work done too! People with 9 to 5 jobs, leave their work AT WORK!

Recently Weird and I went to my brother's apartment for a family thing, and since I still had work to do, I brought tests and homework assignments to grade. He didn't realize how long it took until he saw me go through only one assignment for one class. Even if it takes "only" 15 minutes for an assignment, I have to do this for every single class! And that's not even including reading ELA essays, arggg.

The teaching itself is great. But all the stuff with administration and parents ... blech. I had to sacrifice a prep period today to have a meeting with a parent, the principal, and a para who will be helping that parent's child. Yeah, I know people who work in offices have meetings too. However, I think these one-on-one meetings are so much more stressful (just like how faculty conferences aren't as stressful as these parent meetings). I mean, essentially we hold a lot more important matters in our hands ... we're educating children! That's a weighty responsibility!

Saturday was fun because Weird and I went on a 25-mile bike trip in the Poconos. However, as the day got closer, I was actually thinking of backing out because I knew I'd be giving up a day to do lesson plans and grade ... but I know I needed the break too. Especially since I was looking forward to it for months! Of course, "losing" the Saturday wasn't very good in terms of grading on top of losing a prep today so I'm so behind!!! That mountain just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and there never seems to be an end to it because by the next day, there's more on the way!

Haha, I know I just totally started venting on your thread. Sorry about that! I just figure out of all people to understand, you would! Of course, like you said in your later posts, I can't imagine doing anything else. There's this sort of fulfillment that I don't think an office job can ever provide. I love being there for the students, and even if they can't stand anything academic, I hope that they leave my classes feeling that they're loved and appreciated by me, regardless of their particular talents and weaknesses.

I second your trip to WDW! We should have a mini-DIS meet with our DBFs

I'm glad you feel the same way! Sometimes I feel like it's just my crazy school that makes me feel that way.

Wow! 25 miles is crazy! I'm impressed!

You said you couldn't imagine working in an office, and I so love working in an office. Just shows how people are different. Hang in there.


Melissa

I know. I worked in an office all through college and I hated it, but the people I worked with loved it and thought I was crazy for wanting to be a teacher. DBF and I always are saying to each other there's no way we could do each other's jobs. I'm glad you love it!

Sounds like some great character meets!
Cool that you met Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie together!

I'm glad you found the rest of the pennies!
We searched for them this time too, got all the countries but one.

I think that teachers do a great job, and work hard.

Which country didn't you get? Isn't it sad when you get all but one!?

 

[PISCESANGEL]

I know you're busy but...maybe an update this weekend?

 

[Michelle_and_Aaron]

Yay I am all caught up! I can not wait for the next update.

 

[irky416]

I'm back! First nine weeks is almost over, my first formal observation is out of the way, Thanksgiving break is only 20 short school days away, and I'm finally beginning to feel like things are slowing down a little. Three weeks away from the DIS is just too long! (I'm scared to know how long it will take me to catch up on everyone else's TR's!) I promise I'll be updating again more often. Especially since now that it's hockey season, I can type while we watch the games! The trip was in June, I need to get it finished!

Chapter 20 – Irky416 doesn’t like this ride!!

I can barely remember where I left off, but I think we were headed back to Future World after circling the WS twice! We had some time to kill before our Maelstrom FP’s and before Illuminations, so we headed back to ride Mission: Space. We stopped on the way for a picture with a Photopass man. We made sure Jack was in these pictures!

We got to MS and tried to decide which side to ride. We had to get some pictures of course first, though!

Me and DBF’s mom wanted to do Green, but the Orange line was way shorter and so we were convinced to do go Team Orange. I was a little nervous about it. One time I rode the Enterprise at our local amusement park (it goes upside down while spinning around like a ferris wheel kind of while you’re sitting in a little car capsule) and it made me sick for three hours…like I couldn’t walk without feeling dizzy sick.) DBF convinced me as long as you follow the directions, you couldn’t even feel the spinning, so reluctantly I decided to go.

DSis and I were nervous about the ride and took a picture of our scared before faces!

(Ok, that's a weird picture!)

Here's us with our launch cards to prove we went Team Orange!

The wait was very short and we got on the ride. DBF’s parents in one car and the three of us in our own. I don’t even remember which position I was, but the ride started and I immediately didn’t like it. I was screaming “I don’t like this ride!!” and of course DSis and DBF were cracking up and yelling at me to push my buttons! They’re so compassionate.

We got off and I really didn’t feel right. I didn’t feel like I was going to be sick or anything, but my body just did not feel right. It took at least a half hour to wear off and I had to sit down for a few minutes after I got off the ride. I know I will never be riding Team Orange again! Team Green all the way! (That is if I ever ride MS again!)

Of course, DBF had to take a hat picture as we left the ride.

We headed over to Maelstrom after MS. It was time for our FP’s and getting close to time for Illuminations and we wanted to get a spot. We were all pretty exhausted also and were looking forward to sitting down for awhile and relaxing.

We got on Maelstrom and of course had to hear the famous story we hear any time we ride a log flume ride about DBF when he was little. (DBF was riding a log jammer when he was little and decided halfway through he didn’t like it. He tried to climb out of the boat saying, “I don’t think I’m going to like this!” repeatedly while his dad had to literally hold him down to keep him in the boat! ) We liked Maelstrom but DSis kept freaking out because she thought she would get wet!

Up Next: Illuminations!

 

[pmama]

What a great big sister you are to bring your sister along for the fun.