Super Size Me

So last night I previewed Super Size Me because I'm showing it in school today. I'm having the kids create their own menus for the days as if they were able to buy or eat anything from anywhere for 1 entire day. I'm curious to see how they would plan their meals.

Then I'm going to give them a list of Foods and the Calories and I'm going to have them add up their possible total calorie "intake" for the meals they planned for the day.

And then after that we are going to watch the Super Size Me Documentary so they can truly see the effects that Fast Food will and can have on your body.

I'm not saying that I NEVER eat french fries or an occasional McDonalds cheeseburger (once a year , I rarely every have fast food). I figured it could be something fun and interesting for the kids to watch...

Here is a brief overview of the movie:

What happens when you eat McDonald's for thirty days, three meals a day, super-sized when asked, widely sampling selections from the entire menu from Big Macs meals to yogurt parfaits, salads and fish filets? With a team of highly qualified doctors monitoring his health every step of the way, director Morgan Spurlock answers this question: your body falls apart.
Spurlock also has the perfect narrative hook: himself. Following in the tradition of Michael Moore, Spurlock is the narrative hero of his own film – and this is just fine. An articulate speaker, he is also a compassionate listener and a wonderful guide.

Super Size Me" is a terrific film that takes the seemingly not-so-sexy subjects of health, nutrition, and corporate greed and turns them into informative entertainment. Crisply edited, Spurlock's steady stream of meals at McDonalds are cut with interviews with his vegan chef girlfriend, his concerned nutritionists and doctors, fast food consumers, and corporate lobbyists.

I'll Never Get Used to......

So I've been at the new job now for almost 2 months and I will say that I am completely and utterly in love with my job!! I am sooo fortunate because SO SO SO many people out there can't say that about there jobs.. I am a fortunate one. But though I love my job there are things I don't think I'll ever be able to get used to!

When I was first hired my bosses told me to possible expect anxiety attacks, stress, or sadness because all of the horrible things I would be reading, hearing, and seeing. These are things that have happened to the children I work with. What makes it really hard is that I get close to some of these kids and form attachments and I really feel for them, ya know? And no matter how great of a teacher I am to them and no matter how well I listen there problems with horrible pasts will never go away... And that makes me sad. Children should be allowed to remain children while growing up! They should be able to experience a carefree childhood with friends, laughs, and fun!!

Here are 3 of the top things I don't think I'll ever get used to while working within the hospital:

*The blarring sound of the panic button and then the aftermath...

*The smell of hospital food...

*Having to unlock ever door I want to get in to, even the bathroom...

And it went.....

My first day went ok, as expected i guess.. I didn't love it!!

but who loves change!!!??? I assumed I wouldn't loooove it my 1st day...

The people seem very, very nice.. My supervisor is a McDreamy, lol...

No seriously.. Seriously!!!

I didn't interact with the kids today, just saw them from a far and heard some screaming.... We'll see...

Tomorrow I am going to another psych hospital about an hour away to observe to other teachers so I should get some good insight!!!

***BIG SIGH*** LONG DAY...............

I see lots of vodka and wine in my future.....

And it All Comes Out

So like I said yesterday.... I've been a little secretive about a few things lately because I wasn't sure who was and who wasn't reading my blog. Some of you may already know this because of our

DM messages on Twitter... But for those of you that do not... I quit my job yesterday because I interviewd and received a new job

that is set to start in January!!

It is a great opportunity for me, especially in todays economy where people are having a difficult time finding work. Back in September I got a phone call from this woman who said she came across my resume on Monster and asked if I was still interested in a teaching position with a local hosptial by my house teaching children between the ages of 5 and 17 that have mental and behavioral disorders. So for the hell of it I said sure! And right then and there she set up a phone interview for the next day... A week later they set up another phone interview and it too went great... I hadn't heard anything in about 2 weeks but sure enough I got a phone call asking if they could set up a 3rd and final in-person interview.. I was very excited, never did I think it would have gotten this far...

You see, I was 1 out of 50 that were intitally interviewd....And then I was

1 out of 10 that got a 1 on 1 interview. So I went, the interview lasted 2 hours and it seemed to go great... But again, I didn't hear anything for about 1 month so I assumed I just didn't get it...

Sure enough I got a phone call with an official offer! And this is where the stress begins.. I kept thinking how am i going to leave my students, students that love and admire me. Students that love being in my class, students that are sad when I'm out for the day! I felt like such a bad person, like such a bad teacher... And then I thought about my friends at work and my bosses and how I love everyone.. And I thought about how comfortable I am there... And that's when it hit me! I can't stay at a job just because I'm comfortable. And just because I'm scared to go somewhere new.

So yesterday i told my bosses that this would be my last week of work. I have a 2 week Winter Break coming up so I was fortunate enough to leave them with 3 weeks notice. It just all happened so quickly. I was so upset when telling them I sobbed... I sobbed because I really want to stay even though I know I can't!

There are a million reasons for me not to take the job! But when it comes down to it there are only 2 reasons for me to take it. 1. It's double then what I'm making now and 2. Health benefits... So I've realized the time has come for me to move into a different stage of my professional life no matter how scary and anxious I feel. No matter how much I want to cry and hide in my comfort zone. It's somthing I have to do to grow both in my professional and personal life.

I have really enjoyed working at my school and that's why it was an extremely hard decision for me to make. So now I have some big changes coming up in my life and I just hope I have made the right decision. I'm sure I'll have many tears the first few weeks and I'm sure I'll need you all to lean on! I'll need you to listen and ask for your advice...

JOB UPDATE Part Dos

so I know you all have been waiting for my 2nd job interview update (lol, just kidding)! OK... so it went really, really well.. I made sure I was extremely prepared and even gathered together a list of questions that I wanted to have answered. The interview lasted about 40 minutes! I have a good feeling about it, eventhough I am really trying not to get to excited about anything yet. The next step in the process would be a final interview at the facility by an HR rep! The lady I spoke with told me to expect to hear something in about 2 weeks, give or take a lil and that the job wouldn't start until mid-November.

I also asked how many people they were interviewing..(I'm not sure if I mentioned this prior, but THEY found ME! I have my resume posted on 2 different job websites and they found it and called me for the available position! Kinda cool, right?) So anyway, they said so far they had 50 applicants and that I was 1 of 4 who are up for the job! I think that is pretty good odds.

I think the job has the potential to be very interesting and rewarding! I think that teaching children that have some emotional and mental problems also has the possibility for being very difficult! That is something that I have to think about also if I am offered the job! The lady that interviewed me also did say that I would never be left alone with the students and that I would have a male mental health supervisor with me at all times! There is also a phone in the room that goes directly to the front desk and (this is what spooked me a lil, but not too much) that there is a panic button on the desk! She gave me the example: it is there incase a student trys to stab you through the neck with a pen falls and hurts themselves and starts to bleed! I would be able to hit the panic button and help would come instantly for the child!

The good thing is that my salary has the potential to more then double and I would have full benefits, completely paid for! My day would only consist of teaching for 4 hours a day - 2 in the early morning and 2 in the early afternoon! The rest of my day would consist of educational reports, contacting public schools and preparing lesson plans. I thought it was pretty cool! But like I said - we'll see! I'm just going to go about my buisness and continue working at my present job! I mean I love my present job - but I also need to think about my personal security financially! I want to get married and buy a house and double the salary is a great start! And like I mentioned I am not going to get excited until there is something to get excited about! Who knows - I may not even want the job, right?(eventhough I kinda really do**BIG SIGH**)

What do you think!?!

Potential Job

OK - so today at 3:45 I have a preliminary phone interview for a new teaching job. The job sounds kind of interesting - not your typical school job. The job is for a teaching position within a medical center. I would be teaching children between the ages of 5 and 17 (at different times ofcourse). The children have problems with depression and bipolar disorder. The interesting thing is that the children have a fast turnover rate! They only stay at the medical center on average for 7 days. And the class size is about 12 - 14 children at a time.. I am very intrigued and hope that i find out more valuable info. I think this could be a good change, plus more money and health benefits!! So..... Wish me luck!!

Lazy Sunday

Today I am going to have a lazy sunday because I start my Summer Program tomorrow... That week off(eventhough it wasn't really a week off) went by tooo quick.. I can hardly believe that I won't have any more time off until the 2nd week of August. I'm a teacher, shouldn't I be enjoying my summer off? Shouldn't I get to sleep in, take naps, and have fun? Grrr....

Why can't I be rich? LOL...

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!!

Schools Out For Summer

So I am happy to say that "Schools Out For Summer!"

Yes, today is my last day of school for the 2007 - 2008 school year. Yesterday my class had their Kindergarten Graduation and it was oh so cute!! They were so nervous to come out in their caps and gowns and stand infront of all their parents, grandparents,and friends.. Thankfully the

"ice was broken" when 2 of my kids fell of of their chairs as they sat down. Everyone started to laugh and they settled right in.

They sang songs(ABC Rock by Greg & Steve: it was too cute) and received their diploma's as everyone cheered them on! At the end of every year I say how this class was so special and that I will miss them dearly and that next year my class won't be as great! I get very attached to my class - I mean I see them every day, all day, every week, each month as the days go by throughout the year. We laugh, we cry, sometimes I yell(as teachers sometimes do). But all in all I will truly miss my rugrats next year.. I will hold a special place in my heart for this years class.. Here is a poem I put in their end of the year gifts - I thought it was sweet poem and really meaningful!

It's time to say good-bye

Our year has come to an end.

I've made more cherished memories and many more new friends.
I've watched your child learn and grow

and change from day to day.

I hope that all the things we've done

Have helped in some small way.
So it's with happy memories

I send them out the door,

With great hop and expectations

for what next year holds in store.

So like I said before schools out for summer - but that doesn't mean I'm off.. I have next week off and then I begin Summer Camp at my school. I am the Director of the camp! I have created a seven week long program for the students - so that will keep me busy every morning. I also babysit a 7 and 10 year old Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays after camp - and I tutor on Tuesdays & Thursdays after camp.. Some summer vacation huh?... May August come quicly so I can really enjoy some of the summer...

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Welcome to My Blog... My name is Dana and I'm a 27 (almost 28) year old Kindergarten Teacher from New Jersey. I decided to start a blog because one of my best friends, Danielle, recently started one (check her out at New Mommy Rant) and really seems to enjoy it! I thought that I'd love a place to go to every day to "Just Talk."


Sometimes we need a place to come to and vent! Sometimes we need a place to come to get away. This is my place to "Just Talk", to share new "secret" recipes, to make new friends, to review products, to rant and rave about everyday life.


I graduated college with a BA in Communication in Radio and TV. I had a great internship with VH1 in NYC, but being in the City at the time of 911 I rethought commuting and working there everyday. So I decided after I graduated to go back and get my Masters in Education. I have been a teacher for 3 years now. Being a Kindergarten Teacher you always have to be on your toes, keep your eyes open, and be REALLY happy! I love my students and enjoy teaching them. It is truly rewarding to see it all click within them, espceially when they read their 1st sentence! So with all of that said I'll spill my 1st secret - I don't know if I want to be a Teacher anymore! Now What? :(