Big month

Lots to report on!!!! BIG news of the past few weeks: (not listed in order of importance)

1. I have a job. 

2. I have an apartment.

3. I went home to see the adorable Brady Barnes!

4. Tim came to Texas this past weekend!

What a couple of weeks it has been!!!! Expanded version of the above events: 

1. I will be teaching Spanish Language Arts to K-5 graders at IDEA Academy in Donna, TX. IDEA Public Schools is a charter school system serving primarily low-income Hispanic/Latino students. Their mission is to put every student into college, and for the past four years 100% of high school graduates have enrolled in a 4 year college or University. The High School was ranked the 19th best high school in the nation according to US News and World Report. Fancy, fancy!! TFA places corps members there because over 80% of students qualify for free/reduced price lunch (are low-income). 

2. I feel way over my head and intimidated by my new job. School started this week, but I will start teaching on Monday. I have been observing this week, which has been great. However.... being around primarily native Spanish-speaking co-workers makes it a wee-bit intimidating to come in as the new, non-Hispanic Spanish teacher. Lord have mercy.

3. I have an apartment!!! I am living in McAllen, TX which is about a 17 minute commute. 2 bed, 2 bath, gated apartment complex. I like it a lot! I'm living with Lydie, who is from Philadelphia and is teaching 5th grade math at an elementary school in Donna. 

4. I flew home to see Brady!!!!! The trip was totally worth it to see Little B and his parents! (not to mention getting to see the rest of the fam as well). What a precious baby he is. Can't wait to see him again!!! I got the sweetest birthday card from Brady..... he's developing quite the signature :) 

5. Tim graciously drove down to Texas to bring me furniture. What a guy!!!!!!!!! He left on Thursday, got here Friday night (my bday) and left Monday morning. A whirlwind trip, and it was super fun to have him in the Valley!!! We had a great weekend--- besides unpacking and setting up my apartment, we went to South Padre Island, a TFA event at a restaurant alongside the Rio Grande Valley, and ate at Taco Palenque! Thanks for coming down Tim!!!!!!

6. I'm 23. Old. Yet I feel too young to be in charge of 35 youngsters at a time. Did I mention I have a cubicle?? (I'm a floating teacher, so no classroom for me) We'll see what the next week brings.....