Job Fairs

Yesterday I went to my first job fair. Even though I am starting my second career, I never went to one when I was an Undergraduate. I knew it was going to be stressful, but wow.. I was EXHAUSTED at the end of the day! Between dressing the part, being prepared, and walking through a mass of other potential candidates, I didn't know if I would make the drive home.

All of my TCPCGers looked amazing! We dress up nicely don't we?

In turn, I learned that it is hard sometimes to just talk about yourself when there are so many other people the person has talked to. It is hard to come up with original things to explain at each booth. It is also hard to hold your bag and portfolio for 3 hours!
I did not get an interview yesterday, but I learned a lot of valuable lessons. I saw my cohort and I grow and blossom and I found out how ready I am to be a teacher!
Hopefully the next couple days I will have some calls about interviews or other items, but I am starting to feel one step closer to the future Ms. McG's classroom!

Disappointment

Life isn't always smiles and laughter. There are times when things are just not what you wanted or not something that ends up helping you out in life. You cannot control everything. I know there are many people who would love to be able to, but it is not physically possible.

How we handle this disappointment is a true description of how you hold yourself up. You are allowed to feel upset or sad for a certain amount of time, but all experiences in life can be educational moments. If you are disappointed in a relationship, think about what happened and how you can be different or approach the situation different if it occurs again. If it is an outcome of a test, think about what you could do differently when you take it again.

I have had my share of disappointments in life. Not always small disappointments but sometimes things that make your course of life even change. Our life is full of decisions, one way or the other. You cannot tell which one is the way you "should" go but you will learn something either direction you choose. You always have to choose, and live with the decision you made.

Disappointment though is hard to go through when it happens, but you always have to remember there are more days down the road. There will be chances for redemption and I think that it shows a bigger person to learn from the experience and make the necessary changes for it to become a more successful time the next time. When life gets you down, you are worth getting yourself back up and dusting off the disappointment. You will feel a lot better when you do. It isn't easy, it isn't fun, but it is motivational when you see the brighter side or the chances you have now given yourself.

For me, disappointment is in all forms. With school, work, relationships, job hunts, etc. But there is a song that always helps me think about getting through it. "Hold on" by Wilson Phillips is a great song to think about moving on to another day, even if it seems like you are struggling to get yourself up. You can also turn to "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson too, both songs will always help you out when you are down.

Just remember, there is always another chance to prove yourself and pick yourself up. I know all of you out there know what I mean with disappointment and that everyone has had their share of it. Use your supports to help, that is what they are there for. Remember though, you can make it through!

First "Quarter" Loves

As March ends, that means the first quarter of the year is over. And there are some things I have not enjoyed in these three months, including the amount of times I got sick, but there are many things I have begun to love this year. Here is a quick list of some of my favorites:

1. NEW GIRL!
If you have not started watching this show, you MUST! It comes on right after Glee, which is easy for me, and it is only 30 minutes, so you don't have to focus too long. This show is HILARIOUS! The premise is a girl who moves in with 3 guys and she is like me in so many ways. Loves to break out in song, a little odd at times, and really just is trying to enjoy life and her job. I find myself non-stop laughing for the whole 30 minutes. Everyone much give this show a chance!

2. New Recipes
I am always someone who is looking for new recipes to try and cook. Sometimes you just get in a rut with what you have been eating. The best thing Rich and I have tried recently is adding Chocolate Chips to his usual Banana bread... and let me tell you.. it was DELICIOUS! Everyone needs to add some chocolate to banana bread, trust me!

3. Dresses
I have always loved dresses, but I tell you, this year the designers are going all out! Every time I am in a store they have great new dresses in all sorts of colors and styles. Hopefully I can continue to find them into the summer with even a cheaper price.

4. Books
Lots of great books out there right there. I finished the Hunger Games, I have read a lot of other good books this year so far including Run like a Girl, Cinderella Ate my Daughter, and Getting In. Now I am going to try the new "trilogy" the Fifty Shades of Grey. Any reviews?

Hoping the next quarter will be as good, especially with the weather. Graduation and hopefully securing a job.. here I come :)

End of Month Thoughts

So some how March is almost already over, and I am not quite sure where it went. But with it being the last full week of March, I thought I would say some things that I have thought throughout the month.

1. Basketball is ALWAYS unpredictable
           As much as I watch basketball, follow it, and read about it... when March comes around, nothing is by the books. Either way, another NCAA tournament has reached its last week. Crazy! I know my Huskies aren't in the Final Four this year, but at least the Big East is showing they can always a compete by having one team in.

2. Friends can Cure ANYTHING
          March is a month between school and everything else in my life that sometimes gets a little interesting. But if you remember your friends and who can help keep you sane then you surely can use their company to help when you are feeing a wide range of emotions. Thanks guys! :)

3. Charles Barkley STILL hates the Big East
         I am not sure what we did to him, but he drinks Hatorade anytime he talks about us. Why does he think he is so much better than us?

4. New Recipes are like Finding A Treasure Chest
        When I find new recipes that work, it is like I have found a gold mine! I love trying new recipes to cook and especially since I have had some more free time this semester it is easier. It is scary trying something new since you are not sure how it will turn out but when you find something that works, it does feel like you have won a great prize!

5. You get Busier As You Get Older, Free Time Ie Hard to Find
        It surprises me each and everyday how as I got older I thought I would have more time to do things in my life. But between family, friends, birthdays, celebrations, meetings, etc. there is something going on every weekend and sometimes everyday! You sometimes wonder if you will ever find a second to have a spontaneous trip or day of relaxing. I have realized though I have to make the best use of my time! I only have so much time!

Some of these are obvious, but with it a cold Monday Morning in March, I have decided as unpredictable as some times are, some things are always the same. No matter what you try to do to change it up! To another month, good riddance and onto some April "showers' :)

Good Fortunes

It is March, and winter is "almost gone", even though there wasn't really much of one this year. But I can say that after a rough January and February, I am ready for this month. And this month has already started out really well for me. Here is just a list of some of the good things going on:

1. It is Spring Break, and I leave tomorrow for a lovely long weekend with great friends in Northern Vermont... hitting the slopes in 50 degree weather, could be a fun ride

2. My Dad's latest scan turned out amazing so it is good times all around for the McGary family. We are totally thankful and hoping this is a sign of things to stay :)

3. I have found a new-found obsession for The Hunger Games. I read all of Book 2 yesterday, with slight breaks every hour or so for a drink, bathroom break, or to swap the laundry. I love getting into new series of books and glad all three books were out so I could read them back to back! Can't wait till next week for the movie!

4. Obviously it is March Madness, my Huskies got in, and I am pretty excited to get to play Kentucky in round 2. I am sure that we can keep up with them and show them which blue is better :)

5. Getting lots of Save The Dates in the mail... can't wait for the celebrations of some of my dearest friends!

There are plenty more... including new meals that went over well, some new clothes, good tax returns, and even more. Hopefully we all have something to be looking forward to this March. It is a great time of year, especially with this abnormally warm weather! Enjoy it!!!

The Emotional Rollercoaster

It is March 8th in Connecticut and it is warmer  here than it is in my hometown in North Carolina. What is wrong with his picture? I do love spring but I think I need a little more skiing this season before it is over. Luckily I will be hanging with some of my best buds next week at Stowe Mountain. I am pretty pumped... and C McG, that is where our beloved Von Trapp Family went when they came to the USA. There is a Lodge that is theirs, I should def. stay there :)

But either way, this month has started a rollercoaster of emotions. I am currently in my 3rd "Senioritis" of my Career. First high school, Undergrad, and now Graduate time. Everything else was intense.. student teaching, a packed summer of classes, but this semester I just cannot find the motivation I need. It does not help that I am currently loving the Hunger Games Series and am forcing myself to wait till Saturday to start book 2. Either way, this whole project and just weird schedule has me just wondering... "Where is my job??"

I know now what it is like to be a teacher and what it takes out of me, why make me wait another 5 months? One good thing though is how things can remind you about that though. Today when I was at my school for my project, it was the day before the Connecticut Mastery tests for my 7th and 8th graders. (Like the EOG's for my NC fellows) They were nervous, as my school does not usually do that well on them. 2 of my former students came up to me and we soo excited to see me and that it makes them feel better about their tests the next couple of days.

Teachers are there for their students 100% 24/7. Even though I am not there anymore, I am always thinking about my students. I thought of them that night saying "I hope they are all in bed and resting up before the long day ahead" and then that day during the day I was hoping and thinking about some of them that I know get really nervous about "formal assessments". That little push this week has helped me get over this slump I have found myself in.

My cohort and I needed this Spring Break we have this week. Between all our work on our studies and numerous applications and everything else, it is hard to enjoy this nice warm weather. For me, at least I know I have College Basketball right now. It keeps me excited, and "sane" at times. I can let our some anger, get pumped, get excited, jump up and down, and scream if I need to. My Huskies did not win the Big East Tournament this year, but I am confident they can make some noise in the NCAA tournament. It is just not fair that teams are leaving the Big East. Who would want to leave a conference that plays in MSG every year? It is amazing. But I guess it is not always about those things.

Hopefully my week off next week gets off to a good track. Good basketball seeds, good food, relaxation, then a good time in the mountains, and then a 4 year olds birthday party over the weekend. I do have a lot going well in my life. Even if I do not always feel happy and like everything is going my way, I am a lucky girl and it is a great spring day, so why not show it :)

It's the Most WONDERFUL time... of the YEAR :)

No, some of you might be thinking you are reading a post that was from Christmas. I am sorry to disappoint. There will be no Christmas trees or jingles right now... but the other great time of the year.

Well maybe if your last name isn't McGary you don't think so much my calendar says it is March which means....

AMAZING COLLEGE BASKETBALL!!!

I am so pumped, I know my boys UConn have had some rough times this season but I am feeling good going into this. I like our match-ups as a 9 seed better then a 10 seed so we will see.

My boy Lamb-Chops has got to come through for us... I know he can :)

I am ready to see this picture again.... and this year I WILL go to the Final Four if we make it..... no "maybe" from last year. I would have loved to have been there

But it all started, when I was young. Watching my favorite team ever.... Wake Forest... beat down on their long time rival UNC. By the man named Randolph Childress it was a game and shot that changed my life forever!

Hopefully Wake will get back to these days, I cannot wait to set my bracket and sit around and watch games 24/7. If you need me the rest of the month, find me on ESPN or CBS stations... have a great dance everyone :)

And don't forget to Set The Puppies!!!!!