graduate school looms…

This week I recieved a huge packet from Lewis & Clark with all the information I need before school starts next month. I got book lists, fingerprinting locations(!), parking guidelines, lincenture requirements, and my summer schedule. The whole notion of grad school has been very abstract up until now. I mean, I applied to school, got accepted, was placed with a mentor- but it never felt totally real. My day to day life didn’t change much, and what with the break-up and Ultimate Blogger to occupy my every waking thought, I sort of forgot about school. (Except for the money part of course. I have spent A LOT of time thinking about budgets, loans, and expenses.) But now it’s real. I went to Powells and bought my first round of books. My first round of licenture exams is complete, and I go for my second round in a few weeks. Classes start in less than a month. In just over a year I will have my Masters degree and hopefully a teaching job lined up. Um, when did I become a grownup? I feel more solid than ever before. I feel like I’m doing the right thing.
Jordan, my 7 year old ward, was driving me crazy yesterday. He kept using gestures instead of words to tell me what he wanted. Like, he would point at the fridge and then at his mouth. Or he would put his booted foot in my face instead of asking me to help him get it off. He thinks this is cute and funny. I think it is infuriating. All afternoon I asked him to use words, explaining that it was rude to gesture that way, and that he was really ‘pushing my buttons.’ (He loves figures of speech like this.) He would nod, apologize, and then five minutes later he’d be whimpering like a puppy and shoving his backpack at me. I had effectively decided that I hate all children and do not belong in the childcare industry by the time his parents came home. I said quick goodbyes to the kids and got into the car, cranking the Springsteen in my tape deck. Just as I was pulling out of the driveway, Jordan ran outside and gestured (grr!) for me to stop. He came over to my window and gestured (GRR!) for me to roll it down. “What do you need, Jordan.” He cupped his hand around his mouth, and in an exagerrated stage whisper said, “I really, really like you.” I am such a jerk.
Ultimate Blogger is getting heated. I almost got the boot this week, but fractures in the other alliance saved me. I ended up tying with Lois 3-3, with one vote for Mimi as well. Thus no one was eliminated, but two will be kicked off this round. The stakes are high, immunity is crucial. My last entry was not my best by any means, and I relied heavily on my coaching staff for ideas. I hope I haven’t lost my touch, man! I gotta get back on my game…