So this past weekend, I got to spend some quality time with my parents. Quality time with them is very limited because every time that I go home is always shared with my siblings that their families. So some "alone" time with them is cherished. We went to Pompilio's Italian Restaurant in Newport (which I strongly suggest!!), so that was delicious. Then we went to Newport on the Levee and shopped around for a little but ended up sitting in the sun people watching and talking to each other. Then we went to see a movie called State of Play, which was an okay movie but I am not that type of person that likes to think a lot throughout a movie. I am more of a comedy lover.

It was so great to have my parents come into town because they haven't been in town since they moved me in to my apartment in the fall. The relationship that I have with my parents will always be a good one and will last a lifetime. They are my inspiration and ones that I can seek advice from on anything. They are the type where nothing is not worth asking. Always ask what is on your mind, which can be a good or a bad thing. I think that the earlier on in life you really build a strong bond with your parents. They get you through anything.

Also, these next 2 weeks are going to be very stressful for some but more than likely everyone. I think that I waited until the last minute to accomplish all of my assignments that are due pretty much next week. Through my years in college, I have come up with ways to relieve stress. Some of these include: shopping (for the girls), exercising, and hanging out with friends and not talk about school-related things such as the assignments. 

Shopping is the top stress reliever for me but is not a good thing for my money situation. I always burn a hole in my pocket after I am done with shopping. But it takes my mind off of everything. Exercising also another stress reliever for me because I believe that when you exercise you are getting that brain moving faster and help you accomplish all of your tasks at hand. Then especially hanging out with friends make it easier to not think about stress from school and really get crazy and take it easy sometimes.

In one of my education class, we had to find a journal article about students with disabilties. I found an article that talked about how teachers who are fresh out of college are ill-prepared for teaching students with disabilities and from other cultures. I learned that colleges, along with the Mount, do not require pre-service teachers to take a second language to brush up on other languages to be prepared for students from other cultures. Many first year teachers do not plan to teach students with disabilities in their classroom but there will always be some students that have a difficulty with the material being taught. I really think that all teachers should be exposed to students with disabilities because then they can be ready for eveything.

Many people have different opinions on this subject because they think that the teachers are prepared enough for the classroom. I think that colleges today are not doing a very good job in preparing teachers to teach culturally diverse children. Myself, being a pre-service teacher, is seeing this happen before my eyes but I am glad that I am realizing it now because then I can take some other classes that help with this situation before I enter my own classroom.

I really think that this subject is very interesting!! If you have any comments that you would like to add to this blog, please do not hesitate to comment.

     Well over the Christmas break, I finally passed my Praxis exam in Math. The Praxis exams are required for education majors in order to be admitted into the Education department here at the College. So finally I am now admitted into the department, so I am able to take some more difficult classes and get more into my major. I am very excited about this semester but then on the other hand, I am nervous. I am nervous because all the classes I am taking require a lot of time and some more critical thinking that I am not so great at. But I am up for the challenge!!! I came to this school to take the challenge of a more difficult program in Education.

    This is also a time where I actually need to evaluate my path in life and how long it will take me to get to where I want to be. I need to know what it entails and what I am in for in the long run. I have known for the longest time that I wanted to be a teacher for children with special needs. You can say that it is my "calling" in my life. I have always been able to picture myself in my classroom. I have become over the years more and more excited to reach my goal as I become closer and closer.

  For some, it takes a long time to figure out what your goal is in life. It is hard to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life right out of high school, unless you are like me and have known for a long time what you want to do. That is why you are assigned an advisor to help you put things together for you to make it easier. They really put things into perspective.

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays! The sugar that is coated on your teeth and the variety of costumes that are seen all night long. I am to the point that I do not go trick-or-treating anymore but I do enjoy seeing children run around from house to house. Halloween is another time of year where many places host haunted houses for the season. I am not a haunted house person because I am scaredy cat. My friends have always tried to get me to go to one but I have never gave in. For example of a haunted house around the area would be at Kings Island, Howl-o-leen. I have heard that that is very frightening.

When I was a child, I always loved to dress up for Halloween. My mother was very creative with my costumes. I wasn't your average witch or pumpkin. She made some of my costumes from scratch. I was a gumball machine one year that was made out of a clear garbage bag and multi-colored balloons. I loved that costume. I was also a joker with a white face and the actual costume was made by my grandmother. 

After my siblings and I were finished trick-or-treating we would sit in the family room and sort our candy. We put the Snickers in one pile and the Milky Ways in another and so on. Then we would trade candy with each other. This became a family tradition evey year but sometimes it got out of hand because some wouldn't trade with me and I would cause an uproar.

The traditions of many holidays are near and dear to my heart because anytime that I can spend with my family is so much fun.

Fall has finally arrived but we are still feeling summer like weather. Hopefully soon the trees will turn colors and leaves will start to fall on the ground. This is the season that I love to do my homework outside because it is not too cold and not too hot. It is just right. Do not get me wrong, I love the summer but not when it get so hot that you can barely move without becoming dehydrated or gross. Also, this means that Mid-semester is coming up and professors are dropping the work on us, but I do not know about everyone else I am ready to take it on full force. There are so many events that are coming up that really get the season started off right. First would be the Beginnings Retreat that is this weekend for all freshmen. Also, this weekend there are sporting events that could be a good time. Then next weekend there is the Metanoia Retreat for all upper classmen that would like to attend. I have some good things about this retreat that really make it relaxing and a great time to unwind and feel at ease. There are many other events that are coming up in the next month or two. Get involved!!

Here at the Mount, it is so easy to meet new people and join great organizations and clubs. The people here are very welcoming and enjoy to see new faces.

This semester I decided to live off campus to try and get a feel of being on my own and responsible for paying bills on time and buying my own food. My dad and I actually calculated everything out and it is actually a bit cheaper to live off campus at the Mount because room and board is somewhat high.

I am living with my good friend Megan who is a nursing student at the Mount. We have totally different schedules for each day but we always seem to meet up and have dinner together and talk about what happened that day at school. Dorm life was fun because pretty much everyone that you knew were just like a few steps away from you to ask them about homework or just to see what is going on. I also liked the fact that you always knew that you safe because of campus police always around to protect you.

But on the other hand, the Mount has taught me a few tricks about safety during Safety Week, so that I can use them when they are not around. Also I liked that all your resources for your classes were just a walk away. As for living off campus, there are some perks too. Some would include: having no rules to follow, whicn do not get me wrong can be good sometimes, you learn how to be responsible, and the feeling of independence. These can be very helpful when you graduate from college and you are out on your own. That is my big fear. THE REAL WORLD!!!!

Please keep reading and hope you enjoy!!!

This summer was so much fun. Our family had so many events that brought so much joy to my family. First on June 20th, the most beautiful day of the summer, my sister got married. I was the maid of honor so I had alot of duties that required some big responsibilty. It was so nice to have the whole family around to enjoy this happy moment in my family. My whole family is very close but we all live far away from each other, so when we have big events like this you have to make the most of it. Also July 23rd my first nephew was born into the family. He was 8 pounds and 13 ounces. He brought so much joy to this family that all of us love so much. All of us come home just to visit little Will. On top of all this happiness, I had to work 3 jobs at the same place. I was a lifeguard, swim instructor, and assistant swim coach. These may seem like they can be very easy but they need so much patience and understanding. As an assistant swim coach, I had to prepare for all the swim meets by finding out what each swimmer can swim and if we will score any points.

But, by the end of the summer, I was somewhat ready to make a change because I was home for 3 months and it got old. I did almost the same thing everyday. I needed a change in routine.

Find out about how the first 2 weeks went in my next blog!!! Keep reading..