Grace's Student Teacher Survival Kit

For Christmas, I received many wonderful gifts, several related to my upcoming practicum.  Among them were professional clothing, new teacher shoes, nice jewelry, reusable snack bags, a bookstore gift card, and more.  However, my favourite teacher gift came from SO:  Grace's Student Teacher Survival Kit.  In a small, hand-painted wooden box, I found several items and an explanation for why each was included:

1.  A band-aid for when things get rough
2.  An eraser to remind me that everyone makes mistakes
3.  A curb ball to help me find my Explo (a magical summer program where SO and I both feel strong and happy)
4.  A star to remind me that I am a shining star
5.  A die to remind me to take chances
6.  A tissue for when I need to wipe away tears -- mine or my students'!
7.  A rubber band to remind me that flexibility is important
8.  A battery to keep me going, and going, and going
9.  A penny to remind me that I am priceless (or extremely cheap? :P)
10.  A paper clip to help me keep it all together
11.  A flower to remind me of all my "special flowers"
12.  A pearl to remind me how precious I am
13.  A chocolate kiss as a reward for the wonderful job I'll do
14.  A heart to remind me how much SO loves me

I'm still deciding where it will live:  my desk at school, my desk in my dorm, or by my bed.  We'll see how it unfolds :)

Tomorrow is my first day!  I'm feeling a bit nervous, but mostly excited to get rolling.  My initial action plan is complete, my goals in order, my first meeting with my cooperating and supervising teachers in place.  I have written out (and timed) morning and evening routines; I am a creature of habit, so having a regular schedule like that will do wonders for me and my sleep patterns.  Today has been spent doing laundry, tidying my room, and running errands.  Tonight I've got a work shift (I tried to cram in as many as I could before student teaching!) then early to bed before my first day.  Wish me luck!

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Currently reading:  still A Dance With Dragons -- halfway done!
Current high:  my birthday is on Friday :)
Current low:  feeling a bit like I'll never be ready for this semester to begin...