well, i wanted to share some exciting news! :]

[disclaimer:::: this is kinda a long post, and you might not understand most of it. But, read it anyways.]

I finally quit the learning center! For those of you who know, that place has basically been my life since I was 16.5 years old! I've grown to love the kids who I've worked with and been surrounded by. Children with special needs are the most incredible people in the whole entire world. I've learned so many things about different disabilities, behaviors & disorders. I thought I would compile a list of the things that I've learned at while working at good old TLC

1. Sometimes, you really can't tell who is actually the tech or the client. 

2. Never underestimate a child who cannot verbally speak.

3. Money will get stolen if you leave your purse around.

4. Concrete playgrounds with razor trimming must be okay for some parents to let their kids play around all day.

5. More than half of my best friends have worked there at some point since I've been there.

6. TLC 3 will always be my favorite center as far as co-workers go, TLC 1 as far as clients go..for the most part.

7. I wont ever forget my two favorite clients..one had  Down syndrome & the other had Aspergers.

8. How to talk to little kids, it's kind of a lingo around TLC...I've noticed that you can't really use contractions in your speech..for example.."you don't get to have snack because you haven't finished your goals yet.." would turn into something like.."you do not get to have snack because you have not finished your goals yet.."
or..."that is not okay" is a common phrase around there..kinda funny. everyone talks the same.

9. it may take you nine months to teach someone how to draw a triangle, but when that day comes its GLORIOUS!

10. Really strange people get hired on over at that place, man.

11. Working with disabled children and children with behavioral issues is really draining, but whenever a rewarding moment comes along, it's like my cup is full again, overflowing more like.

12. I have cried more than once before talking to people about my work experiences.

13. I get offended when people call handicapped children retarded. it's so rude. go sign the r word petition ;) [i'm serious, click here]

14. I've sang "baby bumblebee" at least 2,100 times since I've worked there. I calculated that out at work today.

15.  Since I've worked there, I've been certified in CPR & first aid, twice, had over 36 staff meetings, which means over 72 hours of training on everything from Seizures, Medicaid, Billing, Aspergers, Down-syndrome, Austism, more billing, behavior management, early childhood, Alzheimers....the list goes on. 

16. None of the people I started working with are there anymore, and only 5 that started before me are still working somewhere for TLC.

17. I really really suck at craft time. I'd have to give myself a D- in that area, or on billing sheets it might sum up to (++--++--++) 6/10=60%

18. Getting together with co-workers (aka, some of my BEST friends) and talking about learning center stories has to be up there on the top 10 of my favorite things to do. 

19. when someone asks me "hey can you watch my kid while I (insert lame excuse to get away for 5 minutes)...?" I always say yes, but I never remember to. i'm the worst.

20. If you're ever looking for a job, try the learning center. they are always hiring. well, until they go on a hire freeze. apparently when jobs go on hiring freeze, its a free for all for everyone to quit, making the learning center have to get off the freeze to hire more. what i'm saying is its the best place to work, but its the sketchiest place to work. and by sketchy, i still mean the best place to work.

shout-out-to-nathan-ashley-julie-ashley-maggie-courtney-cass & lauren

[who i know have at some point read my blog..]

also shout out to carrie-tambra-& ashley r. 

oh. and don.

can't forget don.

okay. enough nonsense. 

TLC-you've been good to me. i've learned lots of things. lots and lots of things.

you should work there so you don't feel left out at taco nights.

annd. I guess you might want to know where my new job is?

Its called anna's kinderland. its a daycare/preschool. 

& I've been hired to be the tuesday/thursday preschool teacher!

I'm so stoked! and I love it already!
also, my photography business has picked up a little since and it's been keeping me pretty busy!

School (for me, like, college) starts on Monday.

BUMMER! summer's been real nice to me.

[like, really nice. see picture below]

...labor day part 2 is coming up this weekend! :]