Fall is upon us and I haven't written in a while. I am teaching and tennis season is almost over. I love this season... the leaves changing and cold air sweeping through. And it means that Thanksgiving and Christmas break are almost here!!!!!

I have been reading a great book entitled "Gates of Fire" that is about the Spartan stand at Thermopylae. It is a great book! Check it out.

Will update when more is going on. Enjoy autumn!

Just call me coach......

I received the best news yesterday. I am the new Pine Forest tennis coach, girls and boys! Go Trojans :-) Not only will I be molding young middle school minds in the classroom, but I also now have a daily workout regime out on the courts everyday! I am really excited! It is also the passing of torch, so to speak. My father was the previous coach at PF - worked there for 25+ years as a teacher and coach. Now I will be able to carry on that legacy...... just call me Coach Ratledge :-)

Tennis

I was able to see some old greats play tennis on Saturday.... Pete Sampras and John McEnroe. It was quite entertaining :-) Sampras, of course, won, but, by far, McEnroe was the more entertaining of the two. He definitely has the temper, I mean passion, for tennis! If only I could get tickets to go to the U.S. Open and see Andy Roddick play. Now that would be nice :-)

Going after the dream....

I am in the process of applying for jobs at the moment - anything that will get me out of NC and allow me to continue my educational pursuits and dreams. I just applied for a technical writing/editing position.... which would allow me to work at the Library of Congress!! If I get this job, it would be incredible. Keep your fingers crossed for me :-)

So here it is... my first posting on my very own blog. Never thought this would happen. But, I should know by now to never say never! This is certainly an experimental thing and we shall see what happens. As for a briefing: I am on summer vacation, planning on teaching in the fall, still looking for my dream job and wanting to get out of NC :-)