Podcasts I'm Listening To... V.2

I didn't think I'd write another post about podcasts this soon but here I am. Part of the reason I am writing this is because they are all, with the exception of one, relatively new so there aren't many episodes, and I'm able to listen to them as they come out. The other part is that I'm just obsessed with them. I wish I would have thought about it a while ago because they make my bus commute or walk so much more enjoyable. I can't imagine how many podcasts I would have gone through if I started two years ago. One benefit, though, is that my Netflix consumption has basically gone to zero.

Podcasts I'm Listening To...

"Binge-watch" has become an overused word in my vocabulary (thanks, Netflix). I rarely ever watch shows on an actual television set, especially since moving to Russia. However, the amount of complete television series I have finished on Netflix is sickening. I thought about writing a post on what I've watched since moving to Russia, and my review of them, but I, honestly, won't be able to remember all the shows. I also don't really want to think about how many hours I've wasted watching Netflix. It's definitely way over the average number of hours a person watches television. In my defense, I do watch shows when I cook, get ready, or lesson plan, but I'll be the first to admit I still watch too much.

Currently

Reading: Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. Seriously, such an amazing book. It was so hard to put down from page one. I really like historical fiction, especially stories set during World War I and II, such as The Book Thief. This book is set in 1950s Russia (aka Soviet Union), and it sets the perfect setting for being stuck in a country and realizing that there is really nothing you can do when you have no help from the country. It is very similar to 1984 with the idea of big brother watching you.

Watching: Mad Men Season 5. I haven't started season 5 yet, but I am looking forward to it. I've been waiting for Netflix to have it ever since I ended season 4 months ago. Luckily, Spencer was awesome enough to give it to me!

Working on: Nothing yet, but I need to start a new craft project. I have an idea of what I want to do, but I need the supplies to do so. I'm also trying to brainstorm ideas for where I want this blog to go. It needs a makeover. A while ago I actually made a banner, but I ran of out photo space so blogger wouldn't let me upload it unless I bought more space. Let's face it I'm CHEAP. I am also working on a photo project or 52 week project. I have until tomorrow to figure it out if I want to do it still. Oops.

Thinking about: I am highly considering quitting from one of the school districts. I applied hoping it would be like my student teaching experience, but I was in for such a blow. I am not one to care about what students think about me. What they say or do to me doesn't make me feel like it is personal to me. You know what I mean? But working in this school district is just so hard. I have panic attacks and I can't sleep because I hate doing it so much. I wanted to stick through with it to use it as a learning experience, and I hate quitting jobs, but I just can't do it. Many people have told me that it's not worth being this stressed out about, and I'm finally starting to agree. I'm hoping to get hired with another school district, which I am almost certain will happen. 

Anticipating: 2013. I have 12 months where anything, and I mean ANYTHING can happen. My future jobs, relationships, travels are all up in the air.

Also, anticipating getting over this bronchitis so I can finally start running again.

Listening to: States. I love this band, and now that Christmas (and Christmas music is over) it was the first cd I put in my car and have been playing it over and over.

Eating: Pea soup and drinking Erie Island Coffee Co coffee. My mom makes the best pea soup, and I really need  to eat fast because I have to be at work in a bit.

Wishing: Something good and exciting would happen in my life. I just feel like I'm going through the motions every day. I hate living at home. I don't have many friends and I don't do much. I need something exciting to happening or someone good to come into my life.

Currently

Courtesy of Heather

Reading: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. Honestly, if you never read another book again make this your last. It is one of the best books I have ever read and I'm not even half way through it. PLUS! It's a nonfiction book. I am not a huge biography fan but this book is just so good and so hard to put down. I kept thinking about this book all day at work and couldn't wait to get home and start reading again. What he went through is completely amazing!


Watching: Top Gear (U.K.). I love this show. I am not a car person at all, but I love the British humor and it is so entertaining. I finished watching all the Mad Men episodes on Netflix so I had to start a new show. By the way, if you haven't seen Mad Men you need to start it! 


Working on: Putting together my interview binder. I actually haven't started, but I did take a baby step last night and looked up a good website where I can rewrite my teaching philosophy. My view on the kind of teacher I want to be and what I understand teaching to be has completely changed since I wrote my first philosophy my junior year of college. I also need to organize some lessons I created and other minor details. Finally, I would like to write out ever detail of how I want my classroom to run, from what the room will look like when students enter to how I want papers passed back. It might not seem like a big deal, especially if you have never been trained as a teacher, but every little thing matters in the classroom.


Thinking about: One of the residents at work who passed away today. I recently moved to the 4th floor to work full time and on that floor the residents are more independent and "with it." This means that I interact with the residents more and get to talk to them. The one who passed away was so funny. His birthday was the day before mine! I don't know why I took it so hard. I wanted to cry at work today when I found out during the lunch service. I don't do well with death and I think that because he was a WWII vet and I am reading a book about WWII it just hit me that people who have experienced such an incredible amount of hatred cannot escape death.


Anticipating: My sister's graduation in about a week and a half! I cannot believe she is graduating. I also can't believe that my brother will be a junior in college next year! It seems like just yesterday we were all playing outside in the yard with the neighbors.


Listening to: I haven't really listened to anything new. At work I always play oldies because I hate everything else on the radio and who hates a good classic hit? I have always loved oldies. They remind me of being younger and my dad. He would always play oldies in the car and around the house. Whenever Cats in the Cradle or Brown-eyed Girl*  plays on the radio I can't help but think about my dad! (*My dad would always play this song for my sister because they both are the only ones in the family with brown eyes).


Eating: Nothing at the moment. I just finished a cheese burger my dad made that I took back with me. My dad makes the best burgers! I'm also thinking about eating the dichotomy popcorn I bought at Westside Market this past weekend.


Wishing: I would get a teaching job for next year. I have such a passion for teaching and I really hope a school district will see that! I guess I can also rename this praying because I really need to start praying about it!

Currently

My cousins and me on the cruise we went to in the Bahamas in 2004.

Loving: The dog I'm pet sitting for a few hours today. It's actually Haley's dog! He's so adorable and put me in such a good mood today! I love dogs so much.

Thinking about: My job interview tomorrow! I still feel like I'm not prepared to answer questions or that I haven't researched every single minute detail about the company. Crazy, right? I also received a call from them today too confirming my appointment. I hope these phone calls get back to the recruiting staff because I'm always happy when they call and am in a good mood!

Anticipating: Again, my interview tomorrow. I could be offered the job on the spot if they like me enough! They told me to be prepared to accept an offer. This means my job search is over and eventually I will start making some adult money! :) That would also mean I would have to move (to Charlotte, I believe). I'm so ready for a life change!

Listening to: Silversun Pickups Pandora station. Seriously  the best Pandora station. They play all my favorites: Silversun Pickups (obviously), Death Cab for Cutie, Ellie Goulding, Metric, Phoenix, and others!

Eating: Nothing. I'm trying to hold off until I meet Haley for lunch, but I think I might end up making a cucumber and cream cheese sandwich when I'm done with this. If you've never had one you are clearly missing out. They are delicious!

Wishing: I would get the job tomorrow! Also, that I would stumble across mass amounts of money. Maybe win the lottery? I have too many loans to pay back.