Yay it's benign! GREAT news.

Rainy and very humid morning. Spent an hour and a half at the BMV and I got there at 8:09 and they opened at 8. Birthday was last month but it's packed like that every single day they're open, and I don't even live in a major city. Worst drivers license pic ever, lol, but I don't care b/c I just wanted it done.

@ kate I've been around addicts and when I was younger, I was anorexic. Just a diagnosis, tho. Back in High School, people were more normal looking and I never grew up on a fast food diet and still don't. I honestly wish I could offer advice on your b/p, but what I do know is that there is a root cause and that's what you need to fix and if the current therapist isn't getting you there, then you need to move on. It's been a major problem for me - they are truly a dime a dozen, even moreso than lawyers. It's so important to find the right one. I'm glad you check in, though. That in itself takes a lot; knowing there are people that care is extremely important; And getting your mind into a different and distracted state is optimal. You can't focus on the bad things day in and day out, but you need to find just a single piece of greatness in your every day life. Just a piece, and work from there.

@ ent I totally understand the frustration of a co-workers problems. Of course I don't tolerate things well, especially what I've gone through from others that have worked there 5-10yrs longer than me that have gotten away with talking down (obviously so) to others and only gotten a slap on their wrist, but when it comes to people I feel are less vocal and too afraid to defend themselves, I go overboard. I've always been that way and in some ways, it has made me the "pot-stirrer". I accept a lot of things b/c they don't change, but I still mention them. Other things that are just absurd, I keep records of conversations and emails now. Most HR depts for major companies are absolutely not there for the little guy... they are there to protect the companies interest.
It may not be a bad thing for you to continue on working there. Everyone's path is different and if there's one thing I've learned through personal experience - just saying, I'm pretty much atheist - is that when you are doing s/thing that just isn't right for your path, you will receive all kinds of "signs" if not just straight up bad things that happen in your life. I've read allll kinds of shit in the area and really didn't think more than twice about it until a decision not too long ago led to a much greater quality of life. Now, I pay more attention to things and I notice it in a lot of people's lives. This time around, w/ my new position included, it's looking really bad. If it's not looking bad for you and things are going good, then it's more than likely your path.

I meant to mention that I was really glad your TMJ is mildly under control. I was just more concerned about reminding you of who I see, and you know I've talked to you many times about my own daughter. It was IN those conversations that I saw you, and expressed how few I actually met in her many years of being on an IEP, that have truly been willing to help. I've heard from both my daughters throughout the years how other kids acted and treated their teachers, especially in my current area which is nicer (although I'm in an older part of town, close to where I spent time as a teenager), and there are a whole lot more snowflakes here. It's unreal to have seen so many girls that are in upper middle class homes - 300k plus - always have money and things paid for them, turn to drugs and pregnancy, and running away.
Your heart, soul and mind is in the best interest and seriously, I don't see how you do it but I just don't have that in me and I've learned that it's ok; But I've also learned that there are a TON of people that go into teaching and really have no business there.
Ohh... online is a great place to hide, but it's also a great place to vent! ;) I don't mention everything and maybe one day I will to some like I did w/ Skye, but for now, I've seen no reason to.

Ahhh it's been like 2yrs now since the ablation, which is really good. While it's a really difficult procedure and the "sunburn" type feeling for weeks on end is intense, it allowed me to straighten my neck muscles back out (w/out paying for PT) which is what really allows you to naturally realign your neck - when you're not scrunching up all the time. I would definitely be ok w/ doing it again, especially since it seems to be favoring one side. Oh, and I was in extreme pain w/ the type of migraines other people experience for headaches. I didn't know they were considered migraines, but he made me light sensitive, dizzy when walking and really sharp pains that went from the neck and through my head, into my eyes. I pretty much got nothing for pain meds to help, but also denied several more commonly given b/c they make me feel sick. I now have to add Soma (muscle relaxer) to it b/c I discovered that it gives me restless leg syndrome. Can't take codeine, either. Allergic.
I'm just trying to express that anyone who has neck and back problems, I can totally empathize with and it can truly be the worst. <3 HUGS

Did you have some spots you have to have removed? Must've missed it but if that's the case, I've seen several people have spots "scooped" out. I wouldn't worry. Those tests aren't always accurate and they're just taking safety precautions.
Definitely not trying to dismiss it or anything!! Just seen quite a bit of it.

Urania is very, very busy. It's not so much that the guests provide income, but that being registered w/ the AirBNB network has it's own stipulations and in order to have good ad placement, you have to get a 5 star rating. I actually read about this earlier this year when looking at costs of taking a trip and choosing a privately owned place that was registered through different companies. Guess I thought it was more of a privileged American thing and hate to hear about the stress she's under. I've been using Goggle translate to talk to her, to make things easier. She said it translates well. :D <3

Sorry if it seems that I've been more... idk.. I guess forceful on my opinions and/or experience. I just don't think some of us are reminded of the fabulous humans we are, and I want to share my experiences in a way to help, b/c I stay in this group and on this site for the people. Wanda became a big part of my world, even though we had never met. We clicked instantly and I don't think I'm the only one.
Maybe this is just my way of reaching out to others whom I can relate to, as I've been in this group long enough and even had a child. LOL (had to take away some of the seriousness) I truly love seeing when the people I've known stop in to express their hardships, and how we all rally together to support them. It's a beautiful thing. 🌹

That is awesome news!! Yay!!

At this point with the TMJ, I'm just thankful my doctor is not a fan of meds. A coworker has TMJ issues, and after the first time seeing their doctor they were given pills. I was given stretches. I think area has a lot to do with the whole snowflake situation. Where I live an work, we have a lot of lower-income students. The other high school I was at was in a nicer part of town, and some of the teachers did complain about students like that a bit more. I'm just not very up to date on the gen ed kids, mainly special ed. I'd also like to think a lot of it is classroom management issues, but that is probably wishful thinking because that is more of an easy fix than the students themselves xD I've actually come across a teacher that partway through the semester still did not know the names of their students and had to look at the seating chart...It's like...if they can do it..so can I, right? ^_^ I also just keep reminding myself of the benefits, like state retirement, and that practically every teacher has said that becoming a teacher is more difficult than being a teacher. If you ever need an ear, I'm just a message away! ❤

Hey sweets... I don't the "becoming a teacher" motto applies to you so much. Maybe it's my outside perspective but I've dealt w/ a TON of teachers aides, teachers, "study skills" people ("whom I think are similar to the aides) over the years and what they put in to the teaching is very apparent to me, personally. Like, I would spot you out from the last dozen I saw, easily.

Here's a technique I totally agreed with, but could not instill... Constant reading will improve her comprehension (main source of falling behind") but getting her to "get" that, having multiple people express it in different way, ddn't convince her. What else can you do? I've told you how she tries her best in everything and it's appreciated, but after school is done, she wants to take a serious break and honestly I can't blame her; But that doesn't mean I didn't give constant suggestions towards it and how it would benefit her.

Seems you do better when you're thinking of others. ;) More than willing to help when it's not about you. :P Think about it.

I think the teachers were just oversimplifying when they said it was more difficult because even if all I wanted to do was teach lower end mathematics in high school since I want to be in a high school, I have to be able to go all the way up to calculus. You have to know far more than what you are going to be teaching. So once you start teaching, in that respect, it is easier.

I don't blame her for wanting a break. She's been working hard! And so have you! Beyond what was already suggested, I'm not sure what else you can do. You've done all you can, it's up to her now.

Thank you for being you, and voicing...well...everything!

Love the lyrics in your signature, by the way! That is one of my favorite songs!

It might or might not help your daughter, but it made a huge difference with my son. He HATED reading because he is dyslexic and it was so hard for him. He really struggled. We got him tutors and he went to a special school where they showed him techniques of how to read with his dyslexia and they certainly helped. BUT when he started playing the D&D video games where you have to read what the Innkeeper said etc all the way through and develop a map and all that, he wanted to read and he didn't really realize how much of it he was doing. Over time the games got better and better and more convoluted but he was reading at an accelerated rate and clearly understanding everything. I think a lot of that was the visual with the written and the fact he WANTED to play. Now he still plays of course, but he also actually reads books and has for years and reads everything online. Every now and then when he's tired it still jumbles up but he just stops and does something else. She might try it. If its games its fun and not homework. But it was amazing for my son. :)

I like that perspective. I've been thinking a lot about that lately. I tend to be the person who just goes along with things because in the end it's easier for me and I like being overlooked when things come up. Up to this point, I had been considering asking my boss if a year off to go home and try things out would be possible, but now I fear that he's not going to be as open to that idea as I originally thought. There are many reasons why hanging on for one more year would be good for me. The big one is that I will have permanent residency in Austria starting in the fall of this year and that in itself will have value and allow me to be more free than I am now where I rely on my job to employ me in order to be here. Nothing majorly bad has popped up in my path at the moment so I feel like you are right that at least for another year this is probably the path for me. Next year we have a major change in staff coming and who knows what could happen. The job changes so much from year to year that by next school start things might be completely different than what I am experiencing now. I'm feeling some potential obstacles coming my way, but I want to w ait it out and see if they actually come or if it's just me being me at the moment. I've also always said if I do return home I want to be prepared for it so doing a knee jerk reaction and just leaving wouldn't be very me and it also wouldn't help with the whole being prepared idea. I will also feel better once I meet with my boss and figure out what I am doing. I don't expect to be laid off from work, I think those announcements were all made last week since another teacher in my department was let go as well (thankfully actually...she was hard to work with), but I will feel better once I know it's not happening to me.

On a more positive side. I just started watching Gravity Falls. I know this show was super popular a few years ago, but they JUST added it to Austrian Netflix and I am in love. They onlyhave two seasons so far though so I am going to have to find the other seasons elsewhere I think. They always do that just giving a few seasons because of copyright issues etc. I had the same problem with RuPaul's drag race only having 3 seasons available. :(

I briefly saw a bit about your daughter not being the biggest fan of reading as well Taarna. My brother's teachers had the same comments about reading and honestly reading totally helps with comprehension, but at the same time not every kid is going to love reading for oh so many reasons from dyslexia and other reading issues to just not being interested. Despite all attempts my brother never got into reading, but he does love reading directions to cook or to build things these days. I think it's also important to realize that there are lots of other ways of reading besides reading a book and I feel like people go straight away to my kid isn't reading a book so they aren't reading, but there are tons of games that involve storylines like Chrys said with D&D, magazines, instructions, recipes, etc. A lot of times too it's not reading that is the issue it's the pulling information that isn't explicitly stated so you can do that with lots of audio/oral things as well. Also, people really need to understand that their kids need a break. I currently have one student and his Mom wants him to move up to the next level in German, but his motivation just isn't there and I honestly believe she's pushing him so hard at home that he's started using school time as break time. I'm not going to be able to change that Mom's opinion and get her to allow her son to just relax sometimes, but taking a break is important because kids can burn out too. It's okay to allow kids to be kids and it's also important to realize that not every kid is exactly the same and they also develop at different times. There's way too much blanket statements of kids should be able to do this or they can't succeed or kids should pass this test or they aren't ready, whatever. That's just not true.

, , ,
ty all for the well wishes. I know it's still hurting like crazy so didn't sleep well but God will get me through this.

Hope all have a great day

- squishes Mama I didn't end up getting into the program I applied to this January (I don't even know if I told you or not). It's a pretty good time set-back, but there's definitely room for improvement in my application, so hopefully I'll get that done and have more points for the next application session. It's a really big set-back for me personally, but I know I'm still in a good timeline logically. It's just really personally frustrating, especially when my friends are all graduating this year (the ones I went to high school with and am still very close too). I know that doesn't mean anything, but everyone compares themselves to their peers, and I find myself doing just that. Oh well. hugs I wish Bria all the luck! I can't imagine how hard school is for her sometimes, especially when the 'so-called' resources aren't doing all they could to help (from the way you talk about them). sigh What can you do? What grade is she into now?

- I really hope you are able to sort the job thing out! So, question, if you get your residency, how does that work? Do you have to stay there to keep the residency? Or, could you go back to the US for a while and then go back, and still have residency? I'm really just curious. I don't know anyone who's done that kind of thing.

- I hope your pain levels ease very soon and that you can get a better nights sleep tonight!

- How come they would want you to be able to teach Calculus as well as lower math if all you were doing was lower math? That's seems weird to me.. but I guess maybe they want back-ups and extra help if the higher maths is where the kids want help?

I'm going to find out myself how the residency works later this spring/summer when I go to the authorities and start the application process. The thing I am worried about is that it's not perfectly permanent meaning I have to check in with them every 5 years to renew it. At least that's the way I am understanding it, but I don't know if the 5 year check in is just to update things or if it's something they'd take if I've not been in Austria the whole time. The link to find out a bit more is here. There's also this sentence that makes me think that once I have it it's more permanent than just 5 years, but I'd have to speak to an actual person who knows all the laws to be sure.

----->"Residence permits "Daueraufenthalt - EU" are valid for five years. This limitation (i.e. the limitation of the validity of the card) does not change the fact that the person's right of residence is unlimited."

-----> "Das Aufenthaltsrecht selbst ist unbefristet. Der Aufenthaltstitel in Kartenform (Scheckkartenformat) muss aber alle fünf Jahre erneuert werden." (The right to stay is unlimited. The right to stay in card form must be renewed every five years."

So, that's where I am seeing it as more of a permanent right, but like a driver's license, it needs to be updated every five years with a new photo and of course a bit more money. :)

I actually didn't know this was possible myself until I went in to renew my visa last year. You have to be in the country for 5 years without interruption and this last time was the first time they mentioned it saying with a couple extra documents I'd be up for it next year. I'm not sure how I'm just getting to five years now though since I've lived here for 9 years, but it looks like this might not have begun until 2011 and then who knows. I have changed visa types three times as well so I'm sure there is some reason why I couldn't have it earlier.

In addition to having the five unbroken years living in Austria, I also have to show that I've done a significant amount of work towards integrating into the country. I have to have a B1 level of German, which isn't really too hard to do I have to be honest. I also have a degree from an Austrian university with a certain amount of the coursework having been completed in German. I think I have way more than needed on that since it just says about 16 hours of coursework, which isn't very much, but I think is just meant to show you could complete it in another language.

I think they also mentioned a background check at some point, but that part wasn't something I was too worried about. :) I should know more once I start the visa process, which will probably just be in a few months since I like to have/pretty much need to have all the paperwork in before I go home for the summer. I'll keep you posted!

Also, I'm not sure which program you missed out on since I am so MIA all the time, but if you ever need something read over for an application I'd always be up to help you! Just putting that out there!

- For a long while, I was pursuing engineering, but I realized that absolutely was not for me. So, I made the really quick decision to leave my university and take classes as a community college until I could figure some things out. So, I started taking classes to apply to a community college nursing program, but I didn't have enough time to get all the points possible before the deadline for this year, but I figured I would apply anyway. It could have been enough, it just depended on who had applied, and clearly most had as many points as they could. So this year I'll focus on getting the rest of those points and then reapplying. It was more of a time constraint really. I had 2 semesters to take classes before applying, but three of the courses were in series, so I didn't have the 3rd one completed when I applied. sigh It's not a really big deal, just a time-wise setback. I really appreciate the offer to read through anything! Fortunately, the community college program is based on points rather than essays and such, so there's nothing to read over! All the college essays were back when I was applying to the big unis, but I've decided those aren't really for me anyway. The classes are too big, and it's too easy to me to not care in large classes (it's a mind-set thing really). Small classes where professors actually know you are much better for me.

smushes I didn't know you had changed your mind on the engineering. Honestly I don't know how anyone really knows right away what they want their career to be and my daughter is constantly thinking that she needs to decide right away just b/c her friends are going to college and seem to know what they want (although I think a good number of them are going b/c they can, you know). That's definitely understandable to compare yourself to your peers. It can just be exhausting. At least you're brave enough to follow your own path.

I'd like to hide this comment but I'll admit... I must be the only one that doesn't like the blob pets. lol :P

jeez and I thought it was hard becoming a US citizen, from what I heard. Guess that's a bit different than getting a Visa but damn, pretty ridiculous if you're not applying for dual-citizenship or s/thing. (or is that what the permanent residency is?) I haven't watched Gravity Falls. What I like seems to be quite different than the rest of us gals, lol More common shows are The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. I'll take a look at it and see what's it about, though. Are you able to find some streaming sites? I watch a lot of stuff on my laptop, which I'm now using my work laptop to watch stuff on. i ;)

and Ent - She's not dyslexic... just haven't found much that interests her in the way of reading. I think it's also the pressure of it all so even though it's been suggested, it's not s/thing I really pursue and would rather let her have her space to figure things out on her own, especially now that she's 18.
That's pretty cool that your son found s/thing that really helped him, though!

I heard that song the other day and it made me think of her. Is definitely one of my favorites, also. Just reminds me that life and good people can be so fleeting but we shouldn't close ourselves off from those experiences just b/c we're afraid of the pain of loss.

If you're super good w/ math, does that mean you can create your own algorithms? :D Never knew that's what you had to do to become a teacher, but how long does that last? It seems they keep re-writing the definitions of what is taught and how it's taught... I guess save for math. English and History are 2 of the biggest that comes to mind.

Back to the chilly weather again. ugh... Really need to get some pics uploaded to Imgur and share them. Just got in this new industrial that's a heart w/ an arrow through it and it looks so cool. Of course, the good looking ones aren't exactly the easiest to sleep on, lol. Guess it's a trade off.

Pretty much! Depending on how many freshmen come in, and then how many from previous classes go further, sometimes teachers have to teach several different subjects.

Yeah, songs can be such a great reminder of things in life when it seems like we just want to give up or withdraw ❤

I think algorithms would be more computer science, but maybe! xD There is a HUGE certification test you have to take to become a teacher that proves you are proficient in your field. I know some teachers who have taken the math test once and passed, and others who had to take it four times. Nah, math is changing a lot, too. I'm sure you've had to deal with Common Core math stuff, and PEMDAS is no longer as concrete as it used to be. Enginsh and History definitely change, too, though. English is annoying because of all the different punctuation rules that seem to keep changing on a whim xD

ty , I did sleep better and I thank God for that.
hope you have a great day

Good Morning, KSrs! We have a pretty decent storm last night, so we took down all the bird feeders and the swing, so they couldn't cause any damage. It was SUPER windy. It seems there's no damage to anything though, so we'll have to get stuff back up this evening!

- I hope you have a great day as well!

- Ah, that does make sense. The needs of the students could change and they need to make sure they can cover those needs. At least for once someone is thinking like that.

- For the love of everything, just make sure Bria doesn't go to a 4-year university when she isn't sure! (unless you're getting really good financial aid, which I wouldn't know) It's really silly to go to the bigger universities that cost more in those early years anyway, because you can take the same courses at a community college and they cost WAY less. Also, the classes are smaller there, which is better for transitioning from high school to college. It's also better because if you choose a 4-year school with a major, and then change that, it's hard if the one you chose isn't offered by the university you attend. It's much better to go CC first, take some time, and then once you have a better idea transfer to a bigger university if you want a 4-year degree.

I wasn't going to mention it b/c I've been around too many adults at school that think going to college is the only way to go, but yeah, I talked her out of that way of thinking. It's the absolute worst thing to do financially if you don't know what you want to do. Not to mention a ton more of the same kind of work she still needs help with. She's come a long way and I know there are assistance programs for her, but she just doesn't understand the sheer amount of classwork she'd be doing and I would hate her to quit after a year or so in b/c it was too much, too boring or whatever for her.

Would definitely take an advanced and particular kind of architect or engineer to need that kind of mathematics. But hey, math can be applied at that level to so many useful fields in technology or science.
Kinda weird that s/thing as basic and structurally sound as math would have changes, too.
Are you taking classes throughout the summer, too?

After Spring storm Xanto, there are models showing similar storms still to come. There's 12-20in of snow on the ground for the grain belt and they should've been seeded by now. Food is such a big expense and it just has me thinking that if the trend continues w/ a shorter growing season, I want to start investing in year round grow room, which really I'm only talking about a few more lights and a bunch of planters.

- I'm so glad, honestly. There's also no problem with her starting part-time to make sure she can handle the work load also, because you're right, it wouldn't be good to get overloaded and then her want to quit. Unfortunately these days, it's extremely helpful to have some kind of degree or certificate when finding work, but there's a lot of different ways to do that.

and Really good advice to go to community college first and get a bunch of those basic courses out of the way and be able to transition. just have to make sure all of them will transfer when or if she goes to a big university. I did that and also had a double major (What was I thinking???) of pre med and computer science. Tho back then the comp sci was so much harder and far more limited than today.

I realized after that there are only two seasons of Gravity Falls so they are all available. From other people talking about it, it felt like it was on much longer. Gravity Falls reminds me of Stranger Things, but a cartoon and for kids. :) I do enjoy watching cartoons here and there though. I like looking at the art and animation as well. Archer's background art blows me away. I just bought an art of book from that show because it impressed me so much and I wanted to look at it more closely and just treat myself to something.

I think that permanent residency is kind of like dual citizenship, but most countries don't really do the dual citizenship thing so I think this is like their less committed sounding version. It's definitely easier to get since if you want dual citizenship you usually need parents from two different places and that's not something you can just go out and get. :)

I understand with trying to apply anyways. I've done that several times hoping to kind of get through because it can make things go faster rather than having to wait. I totally get it and super smart to try. It sucks that you didn't get to go through with it, but at least you know you'll be good for the next round. My friend went to the big university and then went back to community college for nursing. I wish I knew then what I knew now that community college is the way smarter and cheaper option, but unfortunately it took me a while to figure that out. Her too. You're just super smart and know better than us. :)

Not much to report today. I submitted some art for a deadline and somehow it was all messed up...the resolution was too low...so I spent all evening fixing that in a rush. I should be thankful really that it's only 10:30 that I am finishing up so I can still get to bed at a normal time. I'm just mad at myself that I made so many mistakes with this project and I'm kind of embarrassed since I really dropped the ball. I can think of a few things they could have been more clear on to help, but at the end of the day it's my fault and I'm mad at myself because I feel unprofessional. :/ On that note, I'm going to go get a shower, head to bed and have a bit of reading time to calm down. Have a good day everyone!

- That's what I ended up doing. I was at a big university and then quit it for a community college program. My uni didn't have nursing or I would have tried to transfer. I would have been waay better off going to UNC to begin with (which had nursing, but I made the wrong call there and went to the other uni for engineering. Anyway, too late now.