The Zuroevestes: February 2010

Wow, I can't believe it's already been 2 months since we visited Boise! It seems like it was just yesterday!

Rodney and I have been keeping busy lately, which has been great. For a while, I was feeling very... stale-- I'm used to a VERY busy life, and so when I was realizing how much free time I was having (with not much to fill it in), it was getting pretty boring. Substituting was nice, but it only went until 2:20, and then I had the entire rest of the day to do... well, nothing! (haha!) Rodney's gone all the time at school doing classwork, ensembles, practicing, or work for his assistantship so I don't get to see him much. :( We've luckily come up with a bit of a better schedule so that we can see each other more, but it was pretty hard for a while. Now that more things have been happening lately, I can update you all. :)

First of all, I have some updates on my job(s)! When I was substituting one day at the middle school, human resources called me down to talk to me about a position that opened that they would like me to take-- a paraprofessional at an elementary school (Wildwood Elementary). They told me all of the benefits and asked me to think about it, and I really did have to. The $$ was slightly less per day (I was making $85/day substituting and this job is $80/day), but it comes with benefits and a steady schedule. Plus, some of my substituting jobs would be subbing for assistant teachers, where I would only make $60/day, so I did an approximate schedule for the rest of the year, factoring in only substituting and then only the paraprofessional job to see which one would end up being better for Rodney and me financially. What I found out is that they made almost the EXACT same amount at the end of the school year, so I decided to take it! A paraprofessional is basically there as an instructional assistant for the students and the teacher, and usually is "geared" toward one or two kids specifically in a class, depending on the behavioral needs. I'm focusing primarily on one student who is a smart kid, but has focusing and behavior problems in class. I'm also in an advanced class, all-around, so I'm able to provide more support/enrichment to students in the class. It's a fun job-- the kids (3rd graders) are absolutely ADORABLE, and I'm really having a nice time working in a job that is consistent and -- well, in one place (where I was moving around a LOT with substituting).

I ALSO got a second job to keep me busy after school- at American Eagle Outfitters. My "first day" was Tuesday, but it really was more of a 3 hour orientation with paperwork, some training, and showing me around. It seems like it will be a REALLY fun job, with some great people to work with, and GREAT discounts on clothes :) (Although I won't be able to buy anything... for a while at least). :) This job will allow me to have something to do after school, and give us some much-needed help with our financial... struggles.

We've also had a lot more opportunities to get together with friends out here lately. Last week, we did something almost every night with different people, and had a great weekend of game nights, Saratoga Springs NY with a friend, and recitals. I also went to stay with Aunt Robin, Hillary, and Andrew in their condo up at Sugarloaf, Maine and did some skiing last week, which was REALLY great. As many of you know, I've really really missed having people to hang out with (which was brought to my attention MORE when we went back to Boise for Christmas), so this has been much better lately.

Rodney has been doing REALLY well at school. The other saxophone players seem to really like him, and he's doing well with his academics too. He had a performance today for the masterclass (the saxophone studio was the audience), and it went really well. Mr. Klock has been challenging him with lots of difficult pieces and keeping him really busy with quartet things, performances, and other various jobs. He's gone most of the day (usually wakes up at around 6am, gets to school by 7:30, and is there until about 7 or 8, depending on the day). The work seems to be really paying off, he's just doing so well. I couldn't be more proud of him!

Well, there's an update-- finally! I hope everything is going well for everyone in Boise. Love you guys, and miss you!

-Ang and Rodney