Liebster Award (Again)!

So, I've been nominated for the Liebster Award again! I was nominated for the award way back in November last year but I guess I'm still eligible since I'm still under 200 followers. Plus, the design of the award this time is different so I'm still pretty honored! Thank you Sliding into Second Grade for the nomination! :)

In order to accept this award I need to do the following:
1. Link back to the blog(s) that nominated me
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs that have fewer than 200 followers
3. Answer the questions posted by my nominator
4. Create 11 questions for my nominees
5. Share 11 random facts about myself
6. Contact my nominees and let them know I nominated them

Questions from my Nominator:
1. If you could teach ANY grade level (Pre-K - college) besides the one you teach now, which grade would it be?
Uhoh, second grade IS the level I want to teach! At least, I think it is (this is my first in second). I had the best experience ever student teaching second grade so I can't imagine it being horrible. But I also really enjoyed my two year teaching first grade so I probably wouldn't mind going back to it again. :)

2. What's your favorite way to unwind at the end of a long work day?
Sit on the couch, turn on the tv, and just go brain dead. 

3. If you could retreat anywhere for a weekend where would you go?
Hm, that's a tough one. I want to say Hawaii but that's not really a place I can get to easily and quickly enough for a weekend trip. I've been wanting to go to Disneyland recently so I guess that's closer. 

4. If you could spend $1,000 at any 1 store, what store would it be and what would you buy?
Target always seems to be my go to store. I would buy a little from every section (including the dollar section, of course!). 

5. What's your favorite season?
Summer! Absolutely love the heat! :)

6. What's your guilty pleasure(s)?
On Fridays, I try to stay up as late as I can, just because I can. :)

7. What organizational advice do you have for veteran/new teachers?
Start early! Decide on how you want to organize your materials (by month or by unit). Keep them stored away in boxes or binders and ONLY pull them out for that month or unit, especially the books. That way, they are always where they need to be and you don't have to spend the end of the school year re-sorting your books.

8. What is the most recent Pin (or idea if you're not on Pinterest) for your classroom are you most excited about doing/trying?
Turning a straw dispenser into a pencil dispenser! 

9. Which childhood book was your favorite growing up?
Does the BFG count as a childhood book? I remember my elementary teacher reading it to us as a read aloud when I was in school. This, of course, meant that I had to read it to my class too. 

10. What is your teaching goal this school year?
Try implementing reading workshop in my classroom this year. 

11. What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
This is more general, but when parents send me emails and notes thanking me for everything I've done for their kid. Kids will love you no matter what. But when you get the love and support of parents, it really is something else.

11 Random Facts About Me:
1. I have two younger brothers. One is 6 years younger. The other is 12 years younger.
2. My favorite color is blue.
3. I've always been a blogger of some sort, even when I was younger. I've had blogs on Xanga, Live Journal, Blogger, Wordpress. So, of course, it only makes sense for me to have a teaching blog once I become a teacher. :)
4. I watch probably waaaaay too many tv shows. If you were to categorize them, I would say crime shows (NCIS, Law and Order, CSI, etc.), medical shows (Grey's Anatomy, House, etc.), and reality shows (Master Chef, Kitchen Nightmares, etc.).
5. I actually hated being a student. But I love being a teacher!
6. I also speak Mandarin. Sometimes I think about getting certified to teach Chinese. But I doubt my Chinese is good enough.
7. I was born in Taiwan but moved to the US when I was only six months old. Despite that, I still consider Taiwan as my second home and go back very often.
8. Caffeine does crazy things to me. Coffee will make me jittery. Highly caffeinated tea will keep me up all night so I can't drink it in the afternoon.
9. I REALLY want to have two dogs. One big and one small. I keep telling myself that I will get a dog. But I still haven't gotten to it yet.
10. I'm actually a night owl and NOT a morning person.
11. I don't really like chocolate. I like fruit-flavored candy much better.

My Leibster Nominees:
1. The 85 Commute
2. Oodles of Fun Teaching
3. Ms. Lua's 2nd Grade Learners
4. Hooo-Ray for Teaching!
5. Fun in ECSE
6. Karmen's Kinders

Questions for My Nominees:
1. Why did you decide to start a teaching blog?
2. Where do you teach?
3. What's your favorite subject to teach?
4. Who is your teaching role model?
5. Do you use a classroom theme? What is it this year?
6. Where do you buy most of your teaching materials?
7. What's one piece of advice on classroom management you would give to other teachers?
8. How do you usually spend your summers?
9. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
10. What's a quote that inspires you?
11. What's your favorite movie?

Whew. I'm finally done! Hope you all enjoyed reading! By the way, Oodles of Teaching Fun is having a 150 Awesome Followers Giveaway! You can win my newest product, Get to Know You - Owl Glyph, if you win the giveaway! Go check it out!

P.S. Speaking of giveaways...make sure to check back here tomorrow for a special giveaway! Super excited! :D