I have to admit, I'm not thrilled with the name I randomly picked out for myself. So, I am accepting suggestions (appropriate ones, please). Feel free to submit as many as you like to the naming committee (namely, Divine and me). The winner will get a free e-mail from me thanking them for the name.
On your mark, get set, NAME!
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Blech!
Being sick/tired for a week
Living with parents again
Ekeing out some sleep, once in a while
Chasing a missing paper throughout the house
Having to remind self this IS vacation
!
Living with parents again
Ekeing out some sleep, once in a while
Chasing a missing paper throughout the house
Having to remind self this IS vacation
!
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Too Much Free Time?
Yep. It is possible to have too much free time. Sure, I have plenty that needs done, but very little structured time. Ergh. I will overcome this!
Ode to a Germ
The Germ
A mighty creature is the germ,
Though smaller than a pachyderm.
His customary dwelling place
Is deep within the human race.
His childish pride he often pleases
By giving people strange diseases.
Do you, my poppet, feel infirm?
You probably contain a germ.
- Ogden Nash, 1902 - 1971
I thought since everyone and their mother (including mine) is sick, it was time for a poem. Fortunately, someone already wrote one. My head is not quite up to creating one.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas!
This morning started out at 4am, with a mini-munchkin coming into my room. Not my favorite time to wake up. I finally get to sleep after watching mini-munchkin go off to Nonnie/Poppy's room. Fast forward. 5am: Return of the mini-munchkin. Good morning! Final wake-up time, 6:30. Ergh.
Wake-up time made somewhat better by the opening of presents. Watched mini-monster and munchkin tear through box after box of presents from Nonnie/Poppy, J/A, Santa, and everyone else. 2 kids are so tired they go back to bed almost immediately after.
We will open stocking stuffers at a later time.
At 10:30 am, Divine and I are off to help deliver Christmas meals. We get there, only to be told that they don't really need us. They only sent letters to people who they accepted help from, not to those who they really didn't need. (This did not seem like the brightest idea in the world to me.) So we drive home, ready for collapse.
I've not mentioned that I'm sick. Ugh. Awful, no good, very bad cold. In fact, everyone here is sick. Kids are sick; A/J are sick; Nonnie/Poppy sick; everyone is sick.
Merry Christmas!
Wake-up time made somewhat better by the opening of presents. Watched mini-monster and munchkin tear through box after box of presents from Nonnie/Poppy, J/A, Santa, and everyone else. 2 kids are so tired they go back to bed almost immediately after.
We will open stocking stuffers at a later time.
At 10:30 am, Divine and I are off to help deliver Christmas meals. We get there, only to be told that they don't really need us. They only sent letters to people who they accepted help from, not to those who they really didn't need. (This did not seem like the brightest idea in the world to me.) So we drive home, ready for collapse.
I've not mentioned that I'm sick. Ugh. Awful, no good, very bad cold. In fact, everyone here is sick. Kids are sick; A/J are sick; Nonnie/Poppy sick; everyone is sick.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 23, 2005
Wrapping Presents
Not my favorite thing in the world, but I'm getting better everyday. I had plenty of practice wrapping 23 books before I left Utah. I even did the thing with ribbon. Heeheehee. I have amazing kids, so I wanted to give them great presents. They got two no homework assignment passes, 1 10 bonus point pass, a book, a pencil, and a personal note. (Did I mention I'm an amazing and generous teacher?) Yep.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
More Ramblings
First of all, I would like to apologize to anyone who actually left a comment on my blog. Turns out you can answer them. Hmmm. Learn something new everyday.
Secondly, I am going to bed. I have nothing more to say.
Secondly, I am going to bed. I have nothing more to say.
I'm Spending a Day at School . . .
of my own free will, and it's not even my school. My sister has to work today. The kids aren't there, but the teachers found out they needed one more work day, so Miss A chose this one. I got invited. I came; I saw; I helped (a little).
Needless to say, I am exhausted. I got in at 10 pm last night, said hello to everyone, and eventually went to sleep. Waking up at 6 am (5 am Utah time) was not my first priority. I am glad to meet Miss A's coworkers.
the end.
Needless to say, I am exhausted. I got in at 10 pm last night, said hello to everyone, and eventually went to sleep. Waking up at 6 am (5 am Utah time) was not my first priority. I am glad to meet Miss A's coworkers.
the end.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Home!
Yes, I'm finally here. Home. Well, kinda home.
Southwest lady finally reset my account. I then scurried around running hither and yon doing everything under the sun. (enough cliches?) I am now at home, ready to go to bed and get up early tomorrow (thanks Miss A).
Have you ever noticed how Heavenly Father won't let you hate someone. Every time I cultivate a nice loathing for an individual, I find myself confined in close spaces with that person for as much time as it takes to force me to like, or at least understand them. This is why today, I found myself saving a seat for the girl I had decided to dislike only this last Friday. We sat next to each other and babbled back and forth for the three-hour plane ride, plus. Yep, I no longer loathe her, and I may even come to truly appreciate her some day. (Just not today.)
Southwest lady finally reset my account. I then scurried around running hither and yon doing everything under the sun. (enough cliches?) I am now at home, ready to go to bed and get up early tomorrow (thanks Miss A).
Have you ever noticed how Heavenly Father won't let you hate someone. Every time I cultivate a nice loathing for an individual, I find myself confined in close spaces with that person for as much time as it takes to force me to like, or at least understand them. This is why today, I found myself saving a seat for the girl I had decided to dislike only this last Friday. We sat next to each other and babbled back and forth for the three-hour plane ride, plus. Yep, I no longer loathe her, and I may even come to truly appreciate her some day. (Just not today.)
Free at Last!
Yes, it has finally happened. School is out for almost 2 weeks. (I can deal with the almost because it comes directly before TWO weeks. We do not go back until January 3. In the meantime, I am going home to visit family.
The last two days of school before break feels like trying to get 8 bolting stallions, all going in opposite directions, under control. I went home each night ready to collapse into anything soft: bed, couch, blanket, carpet. The students seemed as though they had too much candy, energy, and excitement. (The day after Halloween X 10)
I am now on the phone with Southwest airlines. The length of this entry depends entirely on their ability to solve my problem. Namely, the site has determined that I am not worthy of printing out my boarding pass. Ergh. I am speaking with a very nice, yet still unhelpful lady.
The last two days of school before break feels like trying to get 8 bolting stallions, all going in opposite directions, under control. I went home each night ready to collapse into anything soft: bed, couch, blanket, carpet. The students seemed as though they had too much candy, energy, and excitement. (The day after Halloween X 10)
I am now on the phone with Southwest airlines. The length of this entry depends entirely on their ability to solve my problem. Namely, the site has determined that I am not worthy of printing out my boarding pass. Ergh. I am speaking with a very nice, yet still unhelpful lady.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Graphic Addiction
A picture is worth a thousand words, and so I find them efficient as well as wonderful. This is probably why I am adding so many of them lately. Even if I can't always focus, I can find a graphic that adds to my message (or at least looks cute sitting there next to it.)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Home
Despite the fact that I live and teach in Utah; there's something wonderful about returning home. I love seeing my family, and it seems like it's been forever since I saw them last. I'm here from today until Saturday at 6 am. I'm looking forward to a somewhat insane (but FUN) couple of days.
My sister with three kids is also in town (J). She lives in KC now, and so I don't see her nearly as much as I once did. (That and the fact that I live in UT. Married sister (T) lives in town. Twin sister (M) still lives at home (she's moving out this summer). Mom and Dad are here as always.
Note: Graphic on right is not actually my home, but a person's house is her castle, right?
Yesterday
Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. I can't even get very specific because it was all because of school stuff. I wish parents truly understood that I love each and every one of my students. I would never dream of retaliating against any of them. That's not my personality, and I have no idea why anyone would ever get that idea. I've racked my brain thinking how anyone could think that. I've even gone out of my way to make sure that some of my students get extra positive attention.
I'm trying to forget things at school so that I can have a good Thanksgiving break. The only problem is that teaching has become more than just a job (I kinda think it always has been). It makes me so sad that people can be so hateful. I do understand that men and women love their children deeply, and that love makes them do and say things they might not otherwise do or say. I do hope that when I have children I'll try to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt. (Only time will tell since I won't have any children until I'm actually married, and who knows when that will be)
I'm trying to forget things at school so that I can have a good Thanksgiving break. The only problem is that teaching has become more than just a job (I kinda think it always has been). It makes me so sad that people can be so hateful. I do understand that men and women love their children deeply, and that love makes them do and say things they might not otherwise do or say. I do hope that when I have children I'll try to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt. (Only time will tell since I won't have any children until I'm actually married, and who knows when that will be)
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Brand New Day
I woke up this morning, went to the gym, and exercised. Hurrah to a bright new day! I went a whole 30 minutes on the elliptical trainer and felt like I could it again. On second thought, though, I decided that I didn't want to overdo it on the first day, so I got off. The minute my feet touched the floor, my legs turned into jello. (Trite, but true) I wobbled my way out the doors, took a shower, and still felt like I could meet the world. Miracle!
After my shower, off I went to the library for my weekly pilgrimage. I got a whole new installment of books to last me through long waits for flights, longer airtime, etc. I always pray for buried book treasure, and today I found it. I believe I found an unread Barbara Michaels and a previously undiscovered Agatha Christie (my tastes run toward brain candy and mysteries).
I actually made it to school and was productive, too. I rearranged my bookcases based on genre (Wohoo!) I worked on the communal puzzle (fast finisher). I almost worked on my lesson plan for Monday (I finished that this evening.) I spent most of the time listening to a book on tape. The title of the book is something like King of Shadows or Shadow King; it's by Susan Cooper. In between tapes, I transferred back to my car and started the long journey home.
I have very little memory of what I did with the rest of my day. I think I spent it reading, watching one of the Matrix movies on T.V. (last time roommate and I had been watching it and had been interrupted). That's about it. Except for the pumpkin pie.
Yep. pumpkin pie, and not even Thanksgiving yet. I went to Macey's for either fruit or fat (I wasn't quite sure at the time which, preferably both). I left Macey's with frozen veggies, nerds, laffy taffy, lite cool whip, and a pumpkin pie. How do I do these things? (Noone knows.)
Anyway, luckily I've had help eating said pie and am now off to bed. Good Night!
After my shower, off I went to the library for my weekly pilgrimage. I got a whole new installment of books to last me through long waits for flights, longer airtime, etc. I always pray for buried book treasure, and today I found it. I believe I found an unread Barbara Michaels and a previously undiscovered Agatha Christie (my tastes run toward brain candy and mysteries).
I actually made it to school and was productive, too. I rearranged my bookcases based on genre (Wohoo!) I worked on the communal puzzle (fast finisher). I almost worked on my lesson plan for Monday (I finished that this evening.) I spent most of the time listening to a book on tape. The title of the book is something like King of Shadows or Shadow King; it's by Susan Cooper. In between tapes, I transferred back to my car and started the long journey home.
I have very little memory of what I did with the rest of my day. I think I spent it reading, watching one of the Matrix movies on T.V. (last time roommate and I had been watching it and had been interrupted). That's about it. Except for the pumpkin pie.
Yep. pumpkin pie, and not even Thanksgiving yet. I went to Macey's for either fruit or fat (I wasn't quite sure at the time which, preferably both). I left Macey's with frozen veggies, nerds, laffy taffy, lite cool whip, and a pumpkin pie. How do I do these things? (Noone knows.)
Anyway, luckily I've had help eating said pie and am now off to bed. Good Night!
Friday, November 18, 2005
24 Hours of Fitness
Last Night
So . . . guess who just joined a fitness club. Yep, me. Last night, on the way home from school, I saw a sign boasting $0 enrollment fee (an exaggeration at best). However, the sign and my high cholesterol were catalysts to get me inside the club.
Once inside, I met J. Yes, helpful sales associate (although here I think they have some fitness-related name) J. is the only boy I've met who reminds me completely of my ex-boyfriend, the one from Southern California. J. proceeded to tell me all about the different fitness solutions they had available, etc., etc. I let him go on for what seemed like FOREVER, and finally, I asked him how much all this would cost. (I think I caught him off guard.) He asked if I would like to tour the facilities. I told him that I wanted to go over pricing. Now. He suggested that if I looked around first, I would realize the value the price was later. I told him I wanted to know the prices. Now. I explained that I realized that policy was probably to tour first, tell the consumer the cost later, but I didn't care. I also promised to stay for the tour. (This seemed to make him feel a little better.) Finally, I got what I wanted. We went over price options and payment plans, and I got to think about all of this while I went on the tour.
Of course, after all of this, I was a bit tired, but the experience continued. Oh, yes. Next, I decided to get the plan that included 5 personal trainer visits. Over the long run, it's a better deal. We worked out payment, which means I'll still be paying for my personal trainer in January (by which time I hope to be seeing major/minor results). We finally got everything set (a guy came over to help J. two times), and off we went to the cash register. The cash register was another annoying, time-wasting endeavor. J. somehow set the amount I would pay tonight as $40/$50 more than I had wanted to. At that point though, it was worth the money to leave the club. Did they engineer the whole thing to make me want to pay more? I doubt it, but they couldn't have done it better if they'd tried. One-and-a-half hours after walking into the club, I finally emerged, tired, but triumphant.
Tonight
I met J2. tonight. J2 will be my personal trainer. J2 is nothing like my ex-boyfriend, is married, and is efficient and competent. I like J2. I had my prelim session with J2. This was the part where we saw how overweight and out of shape I was. Fun, huh. I go back on Tuesday at 6 am. While I'm not looking forward to the hour, I am definitely looking forward to going back. We'll see how this works.
Well, I have to be going. I'm off to a Book of Mormon read-a-thon. I have to admit that I'm a big fan, but I'm a bit skeptical about this activity. I'm going anyway, though. It will be good for me, less I'll be behind with the challenge. Anyway, here I go.
So . . . guess who just joined a fitness club. Yep, me. Last night, on the way home from school, I saw a sign boasting $0 enrollment fee (an exaggeration at best). However, the sign and my high cholesterol were catalysts to get me inside the club.
Once inside, I met J. Yes, helpful sales associate (although here I think they have some fitness-related name) J. is the only boy I've met who reminds me completely of my ex-boyfriend, the one from Southern California. J. proceeded to tell me all about the different fitness solutions they had available, etc., etc. I let him go on for what seemed like FOREVER, and finally, I asked him how much all this would cost. (I think I caught him off guard.) He asked if I would like to tour the facilities. I told him that I wanted to go over pricing. Now. He suggested that if I looked around first, I would realize the value the price was later. I told him I wanted to know the prices. Now. I explained that I realized that policy was probably to tour first, tell the consumer the cost later, but I didn't care. I also promised to stay for the tour. (This seemed to make him feel a little better.) Finally, I got what I wanted. We went over price options and payment plans, and I got to think about all of this while I went on the tour.
Of course, after all of this, I was a bit tired, but the experience continued. Oh, yes. Next, I decided to get the plan that included 5 personal trainer visits. Over the long run, it's a better deal. We worked out payment, which means I'll still be paying for my personal trainer in January (by which time I hope to be seeing major/minor results). We finally got everything set (a guy came over to help J. two times), and off we went to the cash register. The cash register was another annoying, time-wasting endeavor. J. somehow set the amount I would pay tonight as $40/$50 more than I had wanted to. At that point though, it was worth the money to leave the club. Did they engineer the whole thing to make me want to pay more? I doubt it, but they couldn't have done it better if they'd tried. One-and-a-half hours after walking into the club, I finally emerged, tired, but triumphant.
Tonight
I met J2. tonight. J2 will be my personal trainer. J2 is nothing like my ex-boyfriend, is married, and is efficient and competent. I like J2. I had my prelim session with J2. This was the part where we saw how overweight and out of shape I was. Fun, huh. I go back on Tuesday at 6 am. While I'm not looking forward to the hour, I am definitely looking forward to going back. We'll see how this works.
Well, I have to be going. I'm off to a Book of Mormon read-a-thon. I have to admit that I'm a big fan, but I'm a bit skeptical about this activity. I'm going anyway, though. It will be good for me, less I'll be behind with the challenge. Anyway, here I go.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
An Inauspicious Start
Hurrah!!! Survived the day! This morning, I woke up (several times, actually), stumbled sleepily to the bathroom door and looked, only to find that M, the guest of a roommate, was taking a shower--at 6:20 in the morning. I waited only to realize that it would be faster to just go to school and the rest of the way ready there. You see, I basically live at school. I keep a toothbrush, toothpaste, and face wash there. Since I take showers at night, I had everything (except makeup) in my classroom.
I stopped by Wal-Mart on the day to school. I needed to make sure I had deodorant--a definite must since I teach P.E. on Thursdays. I actually had good luck, asian pears were 2 for $1, not a bad price.
I spent the morning making sure my lesson plans, etc. were ready. I get observed tomorrow morning by some teachers interested in seeing Investigations taught. Ugh. I get observed Monday by my principal. Ack! This afternoon, I spent arranging my display outside my classroom and reorganizing inside my classroom.
Well, I'm still at school, and whether or not I really am, I am definitely done for the day. It's time to head home.
I stopped by Wal-Mart on the day to school. I needed to make sure I had deodorant--a definite must since I teach P.E. on Thursdays. I actually had good luck, asian pears were 2 for $1, not a bad price.
I spent the morning making sure my lesson plans, etc. were ready. I get observed tomorrow morning by some teachers interested in seeing Investigations taught. Ugh. I get observed Monday by my principal. Ack! This afternoon, I spent arranging my display outside my classroom and reorganizing inside my classroom.
Well, I'm still at school, and whether or not I really am, I am definitely done for the day. It's time to head home.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Energy Anyone?
Well, I've been trying a prescription to help me with the constant fatigue. After three tiring days, I have to admit I'm a bit skeptical. I'm not sure how long it should take to be effective, but I'm getting a little impatient. Although, it is midnight, and I'm sitting here blogging because I took a nap earlier and now can't sleep. Hmmm...not quite the effects I was looking for.
Overall, it's been a productive day. I spent the afternoon at school working on grading paper after paper and recording them two places: on paper and in my computer. Tomorrow, I'll need to spend the day cleaning my room. Ergh. I have people coming to observe me teach Math on Friday, and I don't want them to walk into a pigsty. Talk about pressure, I'm definitely feeling it. I also have to read over the lesson tomorrow morning. (If I can wake up that is.)
We've been in school awhile now, and I am still vascilating between feeling in complete control and wondering how I can provide my students the best education possible. I've had to stop putting in twelve-hour workdays, but I am trying to work smarter, not harder (yeah, it's not working too well yet, but I'll keep trying.)
Anyway, here's to tomorrow.
Overall, it's been a productive day. I spent the afternoon at school working on grading paper after paper and recording them two places: on paper and in my computer. Tomorrow, I'll need to spend the day cleaning my room. Ergh. I have people coming to observe me teach Math on Friday, and I don't want them to walk into a pigsty. Talk about pressure, I'm definitely feeling it. I also have to read over the lesson tomorrow morning. (If I can wake up that is.)
We've been in school awhile now, and I am still vascilating between feeling in complete control and wondering how I can provide my students the best education possible. I've had to stop putting in twelve-hour workdays, but I am trying to work smarter, not harder (yeah, it's not working too well yet, but I'll keep trying.)
Anyway, here's to tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)