Coffee Verdict

I did not start drinking coffee until I was in College and then I stopped when I got married and surrendered to Dr. Pepper.

When I started teaching I needed something in my morning to establish routine and delishness. So, I started drinking coffee again.

I move to NC 3 weeks ago and had coffee ready for me every morning in the hotel lobby. It was a great convenience.

One morning I went to a meeting with another teach and she brought me Dunkin Doughnuts coffee. How nice of her! Business teacher are the best.

It was so good that for the next week I went and got DD coffee in the mornings.

I posted this picture on Facebook. Saying "I have found the best and I am never going back"


My friend, who is a big coffee drinker was not happy with my decision that the best coffee was DD and challenged me to try Starbucks Blonde roast. I had heard it was good...so I did.





My Reviews of each drink:


I ordered large coffees at both place with cream and sugar. The prices were about the same, so that's a non factor. Strictly flavor.

Dunkin: smooth, flavorful, fixed for me, not bitter, taste like no other coffee I have ever had. Great service, nice people.

Starbucks: bitter, taste like same ole coffee coffee, I had to fix it my self. Great service, nice people.

I can only vouch for the Dunkin doughnuts on HWY 54 in Durham, NC and the Starbucks inside Harris Teeter (fancy grocery store) of of HWY 54 in Durham, NC.

All that said the winner is DUNKIN! Try it!!

Sorry Friend, I tried.

MoW

NC thus far...

As you probably know AnW and I moved to North Carolina about 3 weeks ago officially. For the first two and a half, dreaded, long weeks we stayed at an extended stay hotel. It got the job done as far as living was concerned.

On Saturday we moved to our more new place. It is exactly 8.6 miles from AnW's work and 8.7 miles from my work. Couldn't be more perfect.

Work...lets talk about my work. We could talk about AnW's, but I really don't know much about it except for the fact that he works in Research and Development and they make light bulbs.

My work...I work for Chapel Hill-Carborro City Schools. Chapel Hill is where University of North Carolina is...this makes for a very interesting dynamic group of kids. They certainly are not my Tupelo babies but I am learning to love them ;) They bleed Carolina blue and are obsessed with ACC basketball. If I really want to get them all worked up I just tell them basketball is stupid and SEC rules...two facts they don't seem to know as true...yet.

One kid walked in on my first day of school and had on a TSUN shirt...I about fell out of my proverbial chair. The very next day he came back with TSUN shorts...typical of anyone associated with TSUN. This same kid called all Mississippians rednecks and proceeded to ask me when the first time I shot a gun in my life. When I told him It was when i was about his age he died out laughing...I didn't get it either.

Today, with it being the first day of spring and all, there was a rabid fox loose in Chapel Hill...yes you read that right RABID FOX...which I think means a fox infected with rabies. This said fox had bitten two people in the neighborhood around our school so no students were allowed to go outside today...I'm serious, google rabid Fox Chapel Hill, NC. You can't make this stuff up.

On a technology note. I have now converted to Google Chrome. I use to be a big Firefox fan, but Google is now, obviously, superior OBVIOUSLY. And if you are still using Internet Explorer PLEASE, for the love of this technology teacher....stop. It.

I have tried a few new things since I have been up here.

#1 I got my eyebrows threaded instated of waxed...way better than waxing in my opinion. The redness goes away a lot quicker.

#2 I went to this exercise class where you jump on a trampoline. I hurt my knee. I may go back. I was having a fun time before my knee collapsed.

We will officially me out stuff from MS during Spring Break which is the week after Easter. But for now we are sleeping I a mattress on the floor and our living room furniture consist of two lawn chairs. We have no Internet (coming Monday) no TV...so we bought season 5 of The Big Bang Theory and are making our way through it on Andrews laptop. Right now I am posting this on my phone.

A few pictures for the road.

News

Well, the Watkins have BIG news.

If you know us well you know that Andrew got laid off at the end of October. His company closed, shut the doors, turned the electricity off closed.

We began looking for jobs around the Golden Triangle (Starkville, Columbus, West Point or is it Tupelo) Someone please clarify if the Golden Triangle includes West Point or Tupelo? Thanks!

Anyway...we found no job what so ever. He applied and applied and applied. Never got a call for an interview. We were pretty down in the dumps about the job thing. Most of the jobs he applied for were through the MS Depart. of Employment Security. He went to that office one day to apply for a job and they told him that they didn't think that he would have a job until JUNE....JUNE 2013...we are, at this point in November of 2012.

I am teacher....

I drive an hour to work.....

We can't make it till June....

So, we sorta realize we have to navigate outside of the Golden Triangle area in our search.

When Andrew's company closed a company that does the same sort of thing came recruiting his old companies employees. At that time we were sure Andrew would find another job so we didn't peruse it...

Once the whole "You won't have a job till June" thing came up we thought we better look at this other company.

I was just browsing their website one day and it turns out the is a job that Andrew qualifies for PERFECTLY....no if ands or buts about it....he is the perfect candidate for this job.

We apply. On Wednesday.

He gets an email less than 12 hours later....wanting more information about him...

He interviews over the phone the very bext Sunday.

They want to see him face to face. We go...face to face a few weeks days later.

We like the area. We can see ourselves there.

We wait...

and wait...

still no call



Call...still in hiring process...but can't say pay or anything official...

we wait...

still processing...

we wait...


ok, he got it! The pay is good...Called on a Wednesday...can we have till Monday to decide? Sure...they say.

Another company calls Andrew for and interview....he goes.

He could do this job. Doesn't really want to but he could.

Turns out from our under standing the pay is less the half what the other company offered.

It's clear to us now. We have to take the job that is guaranteed in North Carolina.

Monday comes. He accepts.

Paperwork comes we fill it out...

Paperwork goes back...

Background check clears...

He starts this coming Monday!

MoW

Opinion: Magic Mike and Fifty Shades

Everyone else has shared their opinion on the Magic Mike/50 Shades of Grey issues so, I will too.

Let me start by saying I get annoyed when I see status that say something like "it saddens me to see Christian women going to see Magic Mike/read 50 Shades of Grey." To those people I say: don't let it bother you...your Facebook status or blog won't change anybody's mind...only the Lord. Yes I know he could use your FB status, but I feel like conversation with the person would be MUCH better.

I have a friend who is way more smart than me that wrote a blog on this. Check her out at hacraig.blogspot.com. Her blog takes a little different turn than mine, but still very good.
My friend makes some good points. What I think she is saying and what I am saying is you have to make the decision for yourself.

I think this a great time for you to evaluate what you believe and really grow in your walk with Christ.

I have a really awesome group of friends that always discuss fun issues like this. I feel like this has made me grow a lot in my walk with Christ by simply forcing me to define what I believe. We don't always agree, but we have a great time discussing!

Back to Magic Mike etc. I will not see the movie or read the books..mostly because...I would say unrealistic expectations but not really. I would never expect my husband to dance like Channing Tatum or act like Christian Grey.

The most obvious reason I will not see/read, it is out of respect for my husband. We TALKED( oh, so important) about it and we agreed probably not a good idea...

I think I am annoyed by the statuses because it shows how close minded Christians are today. Now before you post a comment about how I must not be a christian for being open minded, stop yourself. I will just delete it. You know good and well I am a Christian.

I also know that there is a lost and dying world that needs a savior and people are not getting reached because of closed minded, set in their ways Christians...

See its not all about the books or the movie it's about people who need the Lord and Christians who need to listen to their own convictions and define what they believe based on prayer, scripture, and Godly counsel...not screaming Facebook status's...


MoW

ATL 2011

First, I want to say happy birthday to my sweet Mama! Happy Birthday, Mama!

Last weekend AnW and I took our annual anniversary trip to Atlanta. Our purpose is to see the Braves play and that we did!


This is the first picture I took. This is what ATL traffic does to my husband. Forces him to drive with one hand on the horn.


Our first stop was CNN center. This very tall escalator is the tallest free standing (only attached at the top and bottom) escalator in the world or North America or something. It was tall and led into a very big globe.


AnW in the globe with the CNN logo.


Sweet lady took our picture.


I believe this is the HLN news room


Us and one of the news rooms.


Our shadows and the globe...sorta


Again...a little better, but blurry


We made it to the Ted! We were there just in time to see the Dodgers finish batting practice.


The Braves photographer took this awesome picture of us. She also took a picture with her camera that will be on the Braves website.

The end of Day 2 (Saturday)



Now on to day 3! That thing in the picture is an elevator to.....


What?!??!


Yup, there it is.


We had to go see this underground Wal-mart!


There it is! Looked just like a normal Wal-mart! Crazy!!


Braves day 2- dollar seats! If you are going to a game and you are going to sit in the upper deck you might as well sit in the $1 seats! They were great. We paid $10 ( deal of the week originally $15) for our seats on Saturday and the $1 seats were just as good.


Ok, this was at the end of the game, bottom of the 9th. Chipper on first and Jose Constanza on second. Martin PRADO at bat. Here we go!


3-2, 2 outs, runners are moving (cause the have nothing to loose, it's either a strike out for the out, a walk, or a walk off hit)-


It's a walk off single! Braves win! Martin Prado gets mobbed between first and second.

A video of him getting mobbed. It was an accidental video so it's short.


BRAVES WIN!

We had a great time! Until next year! Or if we pray hard, maybe we will go to a play off game ;)

1/7 rough....real rough

http://morganwatkins.blogspot.com/2011/08/17-roughreal-rough.html

Here is the link to my "first year teaching blog"

I would appreciate your read, follow, and prayers.

MoW

The rest of the days

Day 89 - A picture of you at a hotel
How about at a condo. Sweet friends!


Day 90 - A picture of you wearing your favorite color
This is my favorite t-shirt color. WHITE! Not sure why, but I prefer white t-shirts.



Day 91 - A picture of you and your friends playing a game
BUNCO! Here are a few pictures from our last Bunco meeting. You will see our two ghost. I forgot their names.


Creating one of the ghost.



Ghost #2



They were BFF



Me not so much...



Two ghost were ay the same table. Hahagaha!
Day 92 - A picture of your school
Oh, you will have to wait a bit for this, but pictures of my school coming Soo !

Day 93 - A picture of your favorite board game
I really don't like board games, but Cranium is my favorite out of the few that I do like. Girls always win!

Day 94 - A picture of you and your friends eating



Can you see us?
Day 95 - A picture of you on a plane
I haven't flown in over 2 years. And I never took a picture while on the plane
Day 96 - A picture of your favorite movie

Day 97 - A picture of something you no longer have

I no longer have this much gas in my car :)


Day 98 - A picture of you and your friends out somewhere

My sweet CFR family!


Day 99 - A picture that was first on your facebook.
A while back I had to create a new Facebook. Mine got deleted. Yes it's possible. This is the first picture on my newest one


Favorite professor and favorite classmate. Yay for Business Ed!!
Day 100 - A picture of you smiling (because it's over?!?)



It's over!!

MoW

Days 84-88

Day 84-A picture of a school project.
Can I just say...I AM OUT SCHOOL!! This makes me happy.



How about this. These are the keys to my new room at Tupelo. It will be my project for the next few days until school starts!


Day 85-a picture of your favorite holiday.
My favorite holiday is Christmas.



Now, does this not just scream Christmas?


Day 86-a picture of someone who helps you with school!




This new little puppy has been helping me a lot lately!!


Day 87-A picture of someone you grew up with.




Sister :)

Day 88-a picture of your dream car

I don't know if you would call it a dream, but we have looked at it and thought "That is nice."

NEXT BLOG: Bird Pillow:the good, the bad, and the ugly

MoW

Can I just give you an update on life....

Lets start with my life one year ago. I believe this is when I gave you my last update on life.

Then I started graduate school. Well I am finished with a 3.9 GPA...I made one dadgum B.

I graduated in April and began looking for a job around Marchish...

I heard rumor about a position being open at S school district. That seemed perfect...I live less than 2 miles from the school district.

I applied at S and other school districts in case the S position fell through. I applied at:

L County (N, C, WL)
O County
T
M County (to please my parents, sorry mama, but you know its true :))
probably some more...just can't remember all of them...

In late April I interviewed at N school. I didn't fell good about the interview...

I never heard from the school...guess I didn't get the job :(

I find out that there is a position open at my #1 choice S Whooo!

I was in contact with the principal throughout the entire process. Sadly, I find out that a transfer filled the position. It happens...schools always fill a positon with a transfer over an outside teacher. Especially a teacher with zero experience.
So I learned.

But fear, not. There was still the possibility of another Business Ed. position being open. So I was hopeful!

I called the school around mid-June to find out that the position has been filled by another transfer.

I happened to know this teacher. So I immediately call the middle school in S to see if her position is open....

"No, I am sorry, but the position has been fill. But, we may have another ICT position possibly coming open.

Hopes. Still. Alive.

I am in continuous contact with the principal at the middle school in S. But she has now word on weather or not the position is open (if a teacher is or isn't leaving).

In the mean time...

I get a call from C High school to interview. Of course I say Yes! I would love to...

The next day I get a call from T asking if wanted an interview. Of course, YES! FYI: T is the technology capitol (school wise) of Mississippi! Would never turn down an interview.

But at this point my ranking on the schools is this:

#1 S, middle school, as always
#2 T middle school
#3 C High Scholl

SIDE NOTE: This is all on July 12. Most schools had all of their positions filled on June 12th.

I go to C. My interview goes great. I really feel good about it. But as you see above it is my last choice.

SIDE NOTE: When I leave C I come up on a curious looking wrecked car. When I get closer I see a girl sitting in a ditch. She has been thrown from the vehicle. She is ok other than her leg. It is turned in all different directions that it's not supposed to be. I call 9-1-1 and they come get her. As soon as the get her in the ambulance it starts to POUR down rain. Then hailing...and then I pull over on the side of the road cause I cannot see to stay on the road. I FINALLY make it home!

The very next day I go for an interview at T! The interview goes well and lasted about 20 min. I was there for about 50min. The principal and I and the staff visited for the rest of the time. It was great! Really great! It made me want to be a part of the school at that very moment...I told the principal that. I think I said something like...

"Well, you've got me all excited about teaching here"
Principal: "Are you still interested in the position?"
ME: "YES!"
Principal: "I would like to recommend you (to the board)."
principal looking at me for an answer
Principal: "Do you need to talk to your husband?"
ME: "Yes!" (remember I have the S-hour-closer-position to think about)

The principal and I continue to chat. Turns out she is from Benton and her first job was in Madison and I think she taught my sister.

I leave the interview super excited because I was just offered a job in an interview. On top of that its at T, technology capitol of MS.

I call my mom, and she was super optimistic. Normally she would have said. "Morgan, that is an hour away, I think S would be better"
Not this time she said "that is great, T is a great school!"

I still have not heard from S, but Caledonia calls on the way home to tell me that I DID NOT get the job. This is a little more significant than you may think because the teacher at S that may be leaving interviewed right after me at C. You can put two and two together.

I go home talk to AnW and he says the position at T sounds great.

I call the next day to ACCEPT the POSITION!!

I am super excited! I have now seen my classroom and ready to set it up.

In case you didn't figure it out Tupelo is "T".

If you want more updates on my teaching adventures you can follow my new teaching blog.

Morganwatkins.blogspot.com

See you there!

76-83

76- a picture of you drinking something.



An oh so delicious milk shake!

77-A picture of you and friends making a silly face.



Not silly, but cute and fun!

Day 78- a picture of you in the dark



There we are. And it's dark.

Day 79-a picture of you in the water



How about near the water!
Love friends.

Day 80-a picture of you and someone you love being silly.



Oh here we are. Not being silly, but in our required red, white, and blue outfits which may be considered silly

Day 81-a picture of you with a character



Same picture again. Bully is a character right?

Day 82-a picture of someone you love asleep.



I love Simon, and here is asleep with his big teeth. Grrrrr!

MoW