Some things I overheard/was told today in class:
1. "Excuse me, but do you think God will make dinosaurs again?"
2. "Mrs. Clark, I need you to button my pants."
3. (One boy scolding another boy after he hit a girl) "If you hit a girl, you go to jail."
4. "Mrs. Clark, I haven't cried all day because I decided I like Kindergarten."
5. (Upon introducing Eric) "Is he your dad?"
6. (After me asking why they are crying) "Because I hate my life!!"
7. "I'm too embarrassed to go to PE today."
8. "Deeeessuuuhh!!!" (How one girl pronounces teacher)
9. "Is your first name really Mrs.?"
10. "Mrs. Clark, you actually aren't mean at all!"
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Kindergarten
Well now that our life has settled down a bit (for now!) I feel like I have the energy to fiinnallyyyy write about my new incredible job! I've been annoying Eric with loads of stories lately so I'm giving him a break and filling you all in.
First of all: I love my job. Here's why...
Dr. B: Maria Berastain (or Dr. B as the kids call her) is the Kindergarten teacher I am paired with. I really don't think they could've made a better fit for me. She used to be in the Army, and has been teaching for over 40 years--everything from Elementary to College level--and has 2 Bachelors, a Masters AND a PhD (mostly dealing with Special Education). Needless to say, she's super smart, but she's also got a great personality. She's from Puerto Rico, really sassy, and the kids & parents LOVE her. We've become quite the duo and are doing really well at working as a team. I've already learned so much from her and she's given great advice: both personal and job-related.
The Kids: So so so cute! We have 24 "Kinders" in our class and I love each one more than the next. Sure, some are a little hyper but for the most part I spend my day laughing my head off at all the hilarious things they do and say. Not to mention they love me too---"Mrs. Clark, you're the nicest teacher in the whooooole world"---just one example, haha. I've already had a few encounters with them at the Commissary where one has spotted me and sprinted over for a hug. Gosh, I can't even begin to tell you how cute they all are!
The Co-workers: Since it is an elementary school, 90% of the teachers and aides are women...which allows me my daily dose of girl talk during lunch. They're all really supportive and understanding too (especially during all this stuff with Eric's health) because they are ALL Army wives. It's so nice to be working with smart ladies who totally get what my life is like. What's really crazy is that out of all the young women working there, I am the ONLY one whose husband is not in Afghanistan.
The Environment: The school is about a 5 minute drive from our house and just is the best place to be working. It's only about 3 years old, so everything is nice and new. The day goes by fast too with our schedule (and so many kids) but each day last week just got better and better.
School for "Kinders" started this past Tuesday, but I have actually been working with Dr. B since the 25th doing things like setting up our classroom, making copies, writing LOTS of name-tags, etc etc. One other awesome thing that the military schools do for incoming Kindergartners is have home visits. That's about a 30 minute visit we make to the child's home the week before school starts to meet them, their family, and get a lot of background on their personalities and lifestyle. It also gets the kids used to us. Visiting each family was so informative and interesting: in good and bad ways. It was just really good to get that insight into each child before they showed up on the first day. Having a class full of 100% Army-kids lends to different issues than you might have state-side. We have handfuls of Kinders whose fathers are in the Middle East, a few who JUST moved to Germany, a few who are moving to the states in a few months, one whose parents are BOTH enlisted and were BOTH deployed at the same time last year, and one girl who is being raised by a single-parent enlisted father. Meeting them at their homes, and finding out all this background info really made me completely more patient, understanding and nonjudgmental than I think I would've been otherwise. It gave a lot of answers to questions like "Why is he so hyper?" or "Why is he always so tired?" But it's not all bad stuff either; after most of the houses we visited, we'd leave saying something like "What a loving family!"
Tuesday was a hectic day having them all there and none of us being 100%-set on the schedule, but like I said: each day it has gotten easier and easier. We've had a few criers but really no serious problems whatsoever. The other aides have been really helpful when I need it and I can tell that we're all getting really close. All in all, it's already one of the best jobs I've ever had and I'm going to be sooo sad to leave them when we find out when we'll be leaving here and headed back to WA.
(Little off-topic note: Eric's little sister, Jane, started Kindergarten the same day our school started!! How cute right? I'm so anxious to see her this winter and see everything she is doing and learning. I think it's really special that we both had our "first year" together.)
First of all: I love my job. Here's why...
Dr. B: Maria Berastain (or Dr. B as the kids call her) is the Kindergarten teacher I am paired with. I really don't think they could've made a better fit for me. She used to be in the Army, and has been teaching for over 40 years--everything from Elementary to College level--and has 2 Bachelors, a Masters AND a PhD (mostly dealing with Special Education). Needless to say, she's super smart, but she's also got a great personality. She's from Puerto Rico, really sassy, and the kids & parents LOVE her. We've become quite the duo and are doing really well at working as a team. I've already learned so much from her and she's given great advice: both personal and job-related.
The Kids: So so so cute! We have 24 "Kinders" in our class and I love each one more than the next. Sure, some are a little hyper but for the most part I spend my day laughing my head off at all the hilarious things they do and say. Not to mention they love me too---"Mrs. Clark, you're the nicest teacher in the whooooole world"---just one example, haha. I've already had a few encounters with them at the Commissary where one has spotted me and sprinted over for a hug. Gosh, I can't even begin to tell you how cute they all are!
The Co-workers: Since it is an elementary school, 90% of the teachers and aides are women...which allows me my daily dose of girl talk during lunch. They're all really supportive and understanding too (especially during all this stuff with Eric's health) because they are ALL Army wives. It's so nice to be working with smart ladies who totally get what my life is like. What's really crazy is that out of all the young women working there, I am the ONLY one whose husband is not in Afghanistan.
The Environment: The school is about a 5 minute drive from our house and just is the best place to be working. It's only about 3 years old, so everything is nice and new. The day goes by fast too with our schedule (and so many kids) but each day last week just got better and better.
School for "Kinders" started this past Tuesday, but I have actually been working with Dr. B since the 25th doing things like setting up our classroom, making copies, writing LOTS of name-tags, etc etc. One other awesome thing that the military schools do for incoming Kindergartners is have home visits. That's about a 30 minute visit we make to the child's home the week before school starts to meet them, their family, and get a lot of background on their personalities and lifestyle. It also gets the kids used to us. Visiting each family was so informative and interesting: in good and bad ways. It was just really good to get that insight into each child before they showed up on the first day. Having a class full of 100% Army-kids lends to different issues than you might have state-side. We have handfuls of Kinders whose fathers are in the Middle East, a few who JUST moved to Germany, a few who are moving to the states in a few months, one whose parents are BOTH enlisted and were BOTH deployed at the same time last year, and one girl who is being raised by a single-parent enlisted father. Meeting them at their homes, and finding out all this background info really made me completely more patient, understanding and nonjudgmental than I think I would've been otherwise. It gave a lot of answers to questions like "Why is he so hyper?" or "Why is he always so tired?" But it's not all bad stuff either; after most of the houses we visited, we'd leave saying something like "What a loving family!"
Tuesday was a hectic day having them all there and none of us being 100%-set on the schedule, but like I said: each day it has gotten easier and easier. We've had a few criers but really no serious problems whatsoever. The other aides have been really helpful when I need it and I can tell that we're all getting really close. All in all, it's already one of the best jobs I've ever had and I'm going to be sooo sad to leave them when we find out when we'll be leaving here and headed back to WA.
(Little off-topic note: Eric's little sister, Jane, started Kindergarten the same day our school started!! How cute right? I'm so anxious to see her this winter and see everything she is doing and learning. I think it's really special that we both had our "first year" together.)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
He's Back!!
As of yesterday afternoon, Eric is safe at home with me & the puppies. Just in time to:
1. Spend the weekend together.
2. Eat healthier (so far so good!).
3. Solve the problem of the hedgehog whom has invaded our backyard.
4. Get questions answered about our future.
5. Relax.
More details and related stories coming soon!
1. Spend the weekend together.
2. Eat healthier (so far so good!).
3. Solve the problem of the hedgehog whom has invaded our backyard.
4. Get questions answered about our future.
5. Relax.
More details and related stories coming soon!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Learning Process
Well Eric's still in the hospital, but he was granted a few hours off again to come home and have some normalcy. It was a good day.
I met with him and the Diabetes Specialist at about 10am. She spoke pretty good English and really took her time (1.5 hours!) to explain everything to us regarding Eric's diet so we would be experts. She literally had flashcards of different foods/side-dishes and drilled us on what things need insulin (and how much) and which things didn't. I feel so much more confident now and 100% more prepared at supplying Eric with the right nutrition. Or as she pronounced: "nutreedishun". It really is a lot easier than we thought: no insulin needed for fats, meats, cheeses and veggies...insulin needed for carbs, starches, sugars and fruits.
After we met with her, we went back to Eric's room so he could eat his lunch. Before he ate she made him discuss what he needed the insulin for and how much his dosage should be--and he got it right! It's going to be a little time consuming at first, but I think we'll catch on quickly and pretty soon it will be second nature. He'll always have to see his food before he injects and eats it, but as long as he has his pen on him he can really eat anything he wants. She even told him to go grab a cheeseburger from McDonald's (he quickly obliged).
They also gave him new pens for his insulin (he has 2: one long-lasting for a 24 hour dose, and one quick-acting for using before meals) which look like super fancy business pens. I told him he looks like a spy now. He definitely has a lot to keep on him at a time which is a little tricky but I know that once he is back home, and we are on our own schedule, that it will fall into place. As for now the house is slowly getting stocked with healthier foods and we're anxious to get him here.
After all that (and an ultrasound of his pancreas, liver, and arteries--which all looked good!) we headed back home. We stopped on the way to buy new fencing for the backyard since we discovered Rambo can now jump over the existing one. After that was set up we spent an hour or so relaxing on the couch then I drove him back to the hospital for his dinner. As much as we are saving on groceries while he is gone, we are definitely making up for in gas money.
I met with him and the Diabetes Specialist at about 10am. She spoke pretty good English and really took her time (1.5 hours!) to explain everything to us regarding Eric's diet so we would be experts. She literally had flashcards of different foods/side-dishes and drilled us on what things need insulin (and how much) and which things didn't. I feel so much more confident now and 100% more prepared at supplying Eric with the right nutrition. Or as she pronounced: "nutreedishun". It really is a lot easier than we thought: no insulin needed for fats, meats, cheeses and veggies...insulin needed for carbs, starches, sugars and fruits.
After we met with her, we went back to Eric's room so he could eat his lunch. Before he ate she made him discuss what he needed the insulin for and how much his dosage should be--and he got it right! It's going to be a little time consuming at first, but I think we'll catch on quickly and pretty soon it will be second nature. He'll always have to see his food before he injects and eats it, but as long as he has his pen on him he can really eat anything he wants. She even told him to go grab a cheeseburger from McDonald's (he quickly obliged).
They also gave him new pens for his insulin (he has 2: one long-lasting for a 24 hour dose, and one quick-acting for using before meals) which look like super fancy business pens. I told him he looks like a spy now. He definitely has a lot to keep on him at a time which is a little tricky but I know that once he is back home, and we are on our own schedule, that it will fall into place. As for now the house is slowly getting stocked with healthier foods and we're anxious to get him here.
After all that (and an ultrasound of his pancreas, liver, and arteries--which all looked good!) we headed back home. We stopped on the way to buy new fencing for the backyard since we discovered Rambo can now jump over the existing one. After that was set up we spent an hour or so relaxing on the couch then I drove him back to the hospital for his dinner. As much as we are saving on groceries while he is gone, we are definitely making up for in gas money.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Diet
Why are all Sugar-Free foods 4x's more expensive than their tastier counterparts? The selection at the Commissary is slim and braving the German grocery store looking for things with no "Zucker" seems like a lengthy process. It was weird being so diligent at reading nutrition labels and being extra picky about what I put in the cart. But definitely not bad for us to start being more aware of what we're consuming anyways.
On a high note, I bought 4 books off of Amazon today: Diabetes 1 for Dummies, and 3 different Diabetes-friendly cookbooks. I am sooo anxious to get them and start really learning how to keep Eric healthy.
Eric got to come home for a few hours today (yesterday too) between meals. The dogs were thrilled to see him and he seems all-around more relaxed and happy. I think he's ready to be home for good and start packing on some pounds. He knows he'll never be as big as he used to be, but being in shape is super important to him. He actually has been considering starting a blog if not just to log what he eats, how he works out, and how he gets his weight up. I think that would probably be a good thing for him....I'll keep you all posted.
Thanks still for all of the comments and kind emails.
On a high note, I bought 4 books off of Amazon today: Diabetes 1 for Dummies, and 3 different Diabetes-friendly cookbooks. I am sooo anxious to get them and start really learning how to keep Eric healthy.
Eric got to come home for a few hours today (yesterday too) between meals. The dogs were thrilled to see him and he seems all-around more relaxed and happy. I think he's ready to be home for good and start packing on some pounds. He knows he'll never be as big as he used to be, but being in shape is super important to him. He actually has been considering starting a blog if not just to log what he eats, how he works out, and how he gets his weight up. I think that would probably be a good thing for him....I'll keep you all posted.
Thanks still for all of the comments and kind emails.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Eric
Well I started my new job--and it's going amazingly well, but just a warning that I probably won't be blogging about anything for awhile due to some new developments with Eric's health.
For those of you who don't know, he's been pretty sick for the last month or so and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on Tuesday. He was then hospitalized Wednesday in order for the doctors to get him totally stabilized on his insulin plan. It now looks like he will be staying there until Tuesday. I've been trying to make calls to family all week, and have been emailing with his professors and his Sgt Major, in order to keep everyone updated. This week has just been completely emotionally draining, and adding a new job, plus a HUGE language barrier (the hospital he is at is a German one about 30 minutes away) is only adding to the stress.
Eric's in good spirits--mostly just complaining about the food and the boredom--and is really learning how and when to eat, check his blood glucose level, and insulin dosage. As of yesterday he was at 7 injections per day, but it's been changing regularly. He's lost a lot of weight and is probably the skinniest he's been in years, so we're just ready for him to get stable, healthy, and self-sufficient. Eric's always been a healthy active guy, and once we know what to do I'm sure he'll improve quickly. I'm meeting with the Diabetes Nurse on Monday for her to help me with a diet plan. We still don't know what this means regarding his job in the Army and probably won't get any real answers until he's back home and has a regular system in place--but the outlook doesn't look good.
I'll try to keep everyone posted on his improvement but honestly this is the first chance I've gotten to sit down in awhile. After work each day I've been heading straight to the hospital for a few hours, then back home just in time to eat, sleep and start the day over again. We still haven't really had time to even let this news sink in.
We've appreciated the kind notes and good thoughts.
"In sickness and in health"-we are sure our vows have come back to test us.
For those of you who don't know, he's been pretty sick for the last month or so and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes on Tuesday. He was then hospitalized Wednesday in order for the doctors to get him totally stabilized on his insulin plan. It now looks like he will be staying there until Tuesday. I've been trying to make calls to family all week, and have been emailing with his professors and his Sgt Major, in order to keep everyone updated. This week has just been completely emotionally draining, and adding a new job, plus a HUGE language barrier (the hospital he is at is a German one about 30 minutes away) is only adding to the stress.
Eric's in good spirits--mostly just complaining about the food and the boredom--and is really learning how and when to eat, check his blood glucose level, and insulin dosage. As of yesterday he was at 7 injections per day, but it's been changing regularly. He's lost a lot of weight and is probably the skinniest he's been in years, so we're just ready for him to get stable, healthy, and self-sufficient. Eric's always been a healthy active guy, and once we know what to do I'm sure he'll improve quickly. I'm meeting with the Diabetes Nurse on Monday for her to help me with a diet plan. We still don't know what this means regarding his job in the Army and probably won't get any real answers until he's back home and has a regular system in place--but the outlook doesn't look good.
I'll try to keep everyone posted on his improvement but honestly this is the first chance I've gotten to sit down in awhile. After work each day I've been heading straight to the hospital for a few hours, then back home just in time to eat, sleep and start the day over again. We still haven't really had time to even let this news sink in.
We've appreciated the kind notes and good thoughts.
"In sickness and in health"-we are sure our vows have come back to test us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)