Let the Games Begin!

It's a week before I start student-teaching, and my break is officially over. Life has become hectic again, but it's chaos for which I am thankful.

We got our Travel Authorization orders this morning, which make me moving to Hawaii official. I'm so confused by what they say in all of the different sections, and I've tried to Google some sort of forum or Army publication that explains the different sections and terms, but no such luck. Things get tricky because of the fact that he already PCS'ed to Hawaii before we got married. They say "all travel expenses incurred will be borne by the individual" and I'm not sure if that means we have to pay for everything, or if our HHG is still paid for. It says my "travel [must] be completed by March 3rd" but I can't leave for Hawaii until April. I'm worried that's going to cause problems. And what is an availability date? It says "command sponsorship is approved for the Soldier's dependents" so I'm not sure what that means as far as our entitlements for shipping, etc. go either. It's all so confusing. I'm going to the Transportation Office at Fort Lee tomorrow to get them to explain the orders and proceed from there with setting up my travel and HHG/POV shipment. Just having the orders and being able to now go up there is one step closer.

My university, the school system in which I am teaching, and the VA State Police have made it a marathon achievement to be able to student teach. No one is ever on the same page when it comes to all of this. I have to go to the State Police Dept. tomorrow to get finger-printing and a background check. I was supposed to have already taken the VCLA but when I looked in December, all test dates through February were full. So I can't take that until February 20th. Thankfully that test is pretty easy. My Teacher Work Sample hasn't arrived in the mail to my professor yet, either, which is annoying considering I sent it within plenty of time to get there by now. I have an Incomplete in that class until it gets there and is graded, and I'm not supposed to even student teach with an Incomplete. So I'm praying it gets there tomorrow. I am meeting with my cooperating teacher on Thursday to prepare for the following week. I'm not really nervous about student-teaching at all. I'm looking forward to just being able to do my job without all of the extra papers to write and books to read. It's long overdue. Now if only student teachers got paid...

I'm hoping by the end of this week, every issue will be solved--or at least progressed further--and I will feel much better. We shall see...