I love my new job. Love, love, love. I hate waking up at oh god thirty, and sometimes get stuck trying to be creative when coming up with lessons. But I'm so happy to be teaching. I feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be.

So I guess the Universe decided that I was too happy, because I've been informed that the school I teach at doesn't qualify for my student teaching. Even though it's a charter school. And that it follows DC Charter School rules. And is governed by the Charter School Board. Did I mention it's a CHARTER SCHOOL. It just happens to be a charter school that caters to the adult learner. Because of this, I cannot use it as my place of student teaching for spring.

Needless to say I'm unbelievably pissed off by this. Yes I teach adults, but I'm applying EVERYTHING I've learned in my program to my work. There is a very fine line between adult education and secondary education, by my grad program has decided that it's not.

I admit that I'm partially at fault for this. I should have asked my advisor prior to accepting the job if it would create any issues in the future. But because it's a charter school I honestly didn't think there would be any issues.

I was wrong.

There's a part of me that's still holding out hope that they'll say it's OK and sign off on the paperwork, but after being told from a classmate that her paperwork was rejected as well, I'm not sure how hopeful to be.

Once I get the official word (right now it's been a stream of emails back and forth) I am going to have to weigh my options. I can tell you right now that leaving a job I love is not one of them.

Things are pretty crazy, so I've not had much time for posting.

It turns out we were wrong about Ginger 's pancreatitis, and does indeed have pancreatic cancer. She's is on some anti-nausea and appetite stimulant to help her quality of life. Since being on them her disposition has improved dramatically, but we're not sure how long it'll last. The vet is guessing Ginger has about two more months, but I'm not so sure. :( We're taking it one day at a time. Needless to say we've been taking lots of photos of her.

Niels took this one this morning:

It's been a busy week with the start of the new semester, teaching and the Ginger situation.

Most of the week was spent on pre-testing to ensure students have been placed in the proper level as well as to see what skill set needs to be worked on.  I did my first lesson today and 2.75 hours goes REALLY fast!!! I didn't get to all of what I had planned. And to think I hadn't planned enough!!

Ginger doesn't have cancer, but does have a severe case of pancreatitis. The only thing that can be done is for her to be on supportive care, which is pretty much just pain meds, and she's been on them for about a week. The vet is concerned that her condition may be fatal, but we're going to continue with the supportive care for another 10 days, and has a follow up on the 16th, where we'll decide what to do next.

I think the two classes I'm taking will be good, but they will be a lot of work.

I know this is kind of disjointed, but my brain is fried and I'm tired.