April, you are the longest month ever. Ever.
Feeling the burn. Not in my legs or my arms. In mah mahnd.
Tonight is "man meal" night. That means that Daniel is in charge of cooking. He's on his way to Chipotle right now. Yum.
On this Tuesday (Tuesday is not my favorite day of the week), I will leave you with this question: Can we teach responsibility? If so, how the heck do we do it!?
Answers big and small are welcome.
And with the last bit of energy in my apparently-allergy-prone-doesn't-help-that-I-sleep-next-to-the-most-allergy-prone-individual-on-the-planet body, I say to you, "Happy Tuesday."
April 26, 2011
April 22, 2011
Friday Rambles
The weather is nice out, but I chose ice cream over running. Not the best decision, I recognize that.
I did 15 minutes of plyometrics from the P90X work-out, and my legs are fried. A good feeling.
Some kid (that just sounds demeaning, sorry)...some student started a rumor about me on Wednesday. I was fuming. I promptly took care of it the next morning. Scratch that. I was FUMING.
I was told today that I matched the ceiling in my classroom. Not sure what to think about that.
I had to tell my sophomores today to put on their "mature pants" for this unit (we're reading Their Eyes Were Watching God). Someone said, "I left mine at home." So I said, "Well you better dig them out this weekend. You're going to need them." Teenagers have filthy little minds. Filthy. And the bad part is that when they laugh at something, I know exactly why they're laughing. Does that mean I'm filthy?
I think our neighbor is moving. We're not very good neighbors. Not at all. We need to work on this.
Headed to McPherson this weekend to celebrate Easter. Looking forward to a grand old time.
My devotions lately have been about giving God control of your whole mind. And boy-howdy, do I ever need to do that. My mind is nuts, absolutely crazy. It's a daily (sometimes hourly) struggle. One of my hobbies is thinking (ha, no but really, I'm serious), so to give up control of that glorious hobby is tough. However, each time I do, the results are beautiful and my thoughts are much more edifying.
I have a difficult time with commercialized holidays. Especially Easter. So this weekend, with all the bunnies, the eggs, the ham, the sweet treats, and the family time, take a minute (or more, preferably) and remember the real reason for celebration.
Go celebrate. "Jesus is not here, for He has risen, just as He said." Matthew 28:6
I did 15 minutes of plyometrics from the P90X work-out, and my legs are fried. A good feeling.
Some kid (that just sounds demeaning, sorry)...some student started a rumor about me on Wednesday. I was fuming. I promptly took care of it the next morning. Scratch that. I was FUMING.
I was told today that I matched the ceiling in my classroom. Not sure what to think about that.
I had to tell my sophomores today to put on their "mature pants" for this unit (we're reading Their Eyes Were Watching God). Someone said, "I left mine at home." So I said, "Well you better dig them out this weekend. You're going to need them." Teenagers have filthy little minds. Filthy. And the bad part is that when they laugh at something, I know exactly why they're laughing. Does that mean I'm filthy?
I think our neighbor is moving. We're not very good neighbors. Not at all. We need to work on this.
Headed to McPherson this weekend to celebrate Easter. Looking forward to a grand old time.
My devotions lately have been about giving God control of your whole mind. And boy-howdy, do I ever need to do that. My mind is nuts, absolutely crazy. It's a daily (sometimes hourly) struggle. One of my hobbies is thinking (ha, no but really, I'm serious), so to give up control of that glorious hobby is tough. However, each time I do, the results are beautiful and my thoughts are much more edifying.
I have a difficult time with commercialized holidays. Especially Easter. So this weekend, with all the bunnies, the eggs, the ham, the sweet treats, and the family time, take a minute (or more, preferably) and remember the real reason for celebration.
Go celebrate. "Jesus is not here, for He has risen, just as He said." Matthew 28:6
April 19, 2011
Back at it...
I made loads of funny jokes today. And they (the jokes) were funny. And they (the students) laughed at all of them. Well, most of them (the students) laughed at most of the jokes.
My classroom-humor is mildly different from my real-life humor (or is it?). Here is an example of my classroom-humor. While looking at a picture of a huge tree house that represents the vocabulary word "incredulous," I say (quite excitedly), "Wow, that tree house is _________!" To which they tiredly, non-chalantly respond, "Incredulous." To which I say, "No, no. Say it like you mean it!" And one student humors me. HIlarious. Absolutely hilarious. You would laugh too if your English teacher was nuts (or is it "were" nuts?).
My folder on the common drive with all my English 9 students' projects in it was deleted. Gasp! No, more like GASP, SCREAM, PULL HAIR, GASP AGAIN. The culprit? A sweet, semi-innocent freshman. When I chatted with him, he seemed legitimately remorseful. So the question is, should he be punished? All the files were recovered, so the gasping only lasted for 90 minutes. Oh discipline. It's so dang tricky. If only every incident was black or white. If only.
This girl is coming to see us tomorrow. And we are pumped. Like a gas tank. Get here faster, Bees!
Today it smelled like Spring and Fall. An odd sensation. Odd enough to make me want Fall. But then we'd have Winter. I like Winter. And I love the transition from Winter to Spring. So this sounds like a swell plan. Tomorrow is the first day of Fall. In Mrs. Carlson-land, at least. The children will be thrilled.
Are seasons supposed to be capitalized? I feel odd that I don't know. And I feel too lazy to look it up.
My classroom-humor is mildly different from my real-life humor (or is it?). Here is an example of my classroom-humor. While looking at a picture of a huge tree house that represents the vocabulary word "incredulous," I say (quite excitedly), "Wow, that tree house is _________!" To which they tiredly, non-chalantly respond, "Incredulous." To which I say, "No, no. Say it like you mean it!" And one student humors me. HIlarious. Absolutely hilarious. You would laugh too if your English teacher was nuts (or is it "were" nuts?).
My folder on the common drive with all my English 9 students' projects in it was deleted. Gasp! No, more like GASP, SCREAM, PULL HAIR, GASP AGAIN. The culprit? A sweet, semi-innocent freshman. When I chatted with him, he seemed legitimately remorseful. So the question is, should he be punished? All the files were recovered, so the gasping only lasted for 90 minutes. Oh discipline. It's so dang tricky. If only every incident was black or white. If only.
This girl is coming to see us tomorrow. And we are pumped. Like a gas tank. Get here faster, Bees!
Today it smelled like Spring and Fall. An odd sensation. Odd enough to make me want Fall. But then we'd have Winter. I like Winter. And I love the transition from Winter to Spring. So this sounds like a swell plan. Tomorrow is the first day of Fall. In Mrs. Carlson-land, at least. The children will be thrilled.
Are seasons supposed to be capitalized? I feel odd that I don't know. And I feel too lazy to look it up.
April 18, 2011
Sick Day
I took a sick day today. It was...interesting. I have never taken a sick day from anything work-related. I tend to be a workaholic, so it wasn't all bad for me to step away from work for a day. I may have made myself even more sick thinking about how my students were doing today.
A good reminder today: the world does not revolve around me. As far as I know, WRHS functioned just fine in the midst of my absence. My kids are resilient, so I'm sure they're hardly wounded as a result of my absence today.
Nearly every week, I preach to my kids about how life is all about perspective. I think I've even mentioned that on the blog. Anywho, I took a dose of my own medicine today. My attitude has been, at best, crappy in regards to my job. I've found the silliest little things to complain about. And poor, poor Daniel has been the recipient of nearly all my complaints. But today, I missed my kiddos. Don't get me wrong, it was good to be away from them for an extra day. However, they are my kiddos and I love them to death.
Yes, they make me want to pull out my hair every 15 minutes. Yes, I regularly question the calling on my life. Yes, they drive me nuts. But they are mine and they are also perfect, sweet, darling kids who just want to fit in, be loved, and prove to the world that they are worth something. Well, they are worth something to me. They are worth a lot. And I'm excited to see them tomorrow. And if you've had a conversation with me in the past week, you know that I've been seriously lacking passion of any kind.
So tomorrow I'll go back here:
And I will smile.
And I will see all 130 of my students as people.
And I will tell awesome jokes.
And they will ROTFL (roll on the floor, laughing, of course).
And it will be the best day this month.
A good reminder today: the world does not revolve around me. As far as I know, WRHS functioned just fine in the midst of my absence. My kids are resilient, so I'm sure they're hardly wounded as a result of my absence today.
Nearly every week, I preach to my kids about how life is all about perspective. I think I've even mentioned that on the blog. Anywho, I took a dose of my own medicine today. My attitude has been, at best, crappy in regards to my job. I've found the silliest little things to complain about. And poor, poor Daniel has been the recipient of nearly all my complaints. But today, I missed my kiddos. Don't get me wrong, it was good to be away from them for an extra day. However, they are my kiddos and I love them to death.
Yes, they make me want to pull out my hair every 15 minutes. Yes, I regularly question the calling on my life. Yes, they drive me nuts. But they are mine and they are also perfect, sweet, darling kids who just want to fit in, be loved, and prove to the world that they are worth something. Well, they are worth something to me. They are worth a lot. And I'm excited to see them tomorrow. And if you've had a conversation with me in the past week, you know that I've been seriously lacking passion of any kind.
So tomorrow I'll go back here:
And I will see all 130 of my students as people.
And I will tell awesome jokes.
And they will ROTFL (roll on the floor, laughing, of course).
And it will be the best day this month.
April 15, 2011
náhodný: it's Slovak
So happy it's Friday. So happy. Feeling like a pretty crappy teacher these days. Needing a break. Understanding the people who grace my classroom every day are real people with real problems. Sometimes wishing those problems didn't exert themselves in the form of poor behavior. Desiring grace from my students and asking for patience for my students.
Daniel and I had a delightful time with Carri last Saturday. Good eats, good shopping, and good conversation. Unfortunately I had no control at Orange Leaf. Fortunately it's frozen yogurt. No calories. Right? Sure.
Carri is a superb gift-giver. Slow-cooker cook book, new Tabor shirt, an over-the-shoulder bag that has about a bazillion pockets. And she didn't even know that I was looking for a purse just like that. I am seriously blessed with the best mother-in-law on earth. Love you, Carri. And jealous you now get to spend every day at Tabor.
Wednesday was freezer-meal night. Our last freezer meal. And Daniel was not impressed. After a few bites he said, and I quote, "This makes me sad." Apparently we don't have the same taste in noodle doneness (yes, that is a word).
Listen to this. This is nutso. Daniel and I are running a 5K on May 21. We both tend to be goal-oriented people, so now we have something to prepare for. It'll be our little Spring getaway. Wanna run with us? Holler back. We'd love to have company.
In preparation for our training, and because I had leftover cake and leftover frosting, I made cake balls. They taste fine. Just fine. Apparently they make me sad:
Or elated:
We're enjoying a relaxing Friday evening full of laundry and the TV. First person to guess the movie on the screen wins a prize. Prize TBD.
These two beauties are about to embark on a big adventure. They will be traveling from Topeka to Wichita. And they will exchange hands at least three times. And the transporters don't even know. Here's the deal: Beauty Brands in Topeka was have a hahuuge sale on hairspray. So I bought two for Cheri. So Chers, they're on their way. Holler when you receive them. If you never get them, know that I indeed did purchase them.
Well that was random and not very full of hilarity. My apologies. It's the ants that I swear have been attacking me in my sleep. You see, my lovely potted herbs are covered in ants. So we finally moved them to the great outdoors. But not before they had a chance to bore holes into my skull.
One of the greatest feelings in the world is when I get to turn off my alarm on Friday night in anticipation of Saturday morning. Sweet bliss.
Daniel told me a funny tonight. It will make you smile. He said that on field day in second grade, he traded a kid for a second place ribbon. Prior to the trade, all he had was a participation ribbon. And we all know participation ribbons are jokes.
I will end with my favorite quote from chapter one of Their Eyes Were Watching God (my sophomore's current novel): "Unless you see de fur, a mink skin ain't no different from a coon hide" (Hurston 7).
Chew on that for awhile.
Happy don't-set-your-alarm day!
Daniel and I had a delightful time with Carri last Saturday. Good eats, good shopping, and good conversation. Unfortunately I had no control at Orange Leaf. Fortunately it's frozen yogurt. No calories. Right? Sure.
One of the greatest feelings in the world is when I get to turn off my alarm on Friday night in anticipation of Saturday morning. Sweet bliss.
Daniel told me a funny tonight. It will make you smile. He said that on field day in second grade, he traded a kid for a second place ribbon. Prior to the trade, all he had was a participation ribbon. And we all know participation ribbons are jokes.
I will end with my favorite quote from chapter one of Their Eyes Were Watching God (my sophomore's current novel): "Unless you see de fur, a mink skin ain't no different from a coon hide" (Hurston 7).
Chew on that for awhile.
Happy don't-set-your-alarm day!
April 13, 2011
They get me...
For some reason, I get a kick out of moments when the kids really "get" me. Like when we're defining "hyperbole" and I say, "I use hyperbole all the time" (did you catch that?? it's a hyperbole!), to which the students unanimously respond, "Yes, you do."
I want to grow something this summer. I don't have a yard. Or a pot. Or potting soil. Or a spade. Or whatever those garden tools are called. But I want to grow something.
So all you gardeners out there, what should I grow? I'm willing to make a small investment. Perhaps buy a pot. And some soil. And a spade. Or whatever those garden tools are called.
What shall it be? What would be easiest? Pro: my mother has a green thumb. Con: my mother lives 80 miles away. Low-maintenance, people, low-maintenance.
Peppers? Cucumbers? Lettuce? Do tell. Please.
Sometimes I think this is how the students view me:
Awkward.
Without a life.
Friendless.
Uninteresting.
Mildly creepy.
Spastic.
I don't mind numbers 1 and 6, but the descriptions in the middle are the ones that really bother me. And there's truth to the fact that students think teachers eat, breathe, and sleep at school. Sometimes there's legitimate truth to the belief, but hopefully my life is healthily balanced.
Back to gardening....seriously, now.
What should I grow?
Just out my window
To grace my patio
The rhyming! Make it stop! But it's sooooo awesome.
Like a G6.
I want to grow something this summer. I don't have a yard. Or a pot. Or potting soil. Or a spade. Or whatever those garden tools are called. But I want to grow something.
So all you gardeners out there, what should I grow? I'm willing to make a small investment. Perhaps buy a pot. And some soil. And a spade. Or whatever those garden tools are called.
What shall it be? What would be easiest? Pro: my mother has a green thumb. Con: my mother lives 80 miles away. Low-maintenance, people, low-maintenance.
Peppers? Cucumbers? Lettuce? Do tell. Please.
Sometimes I think this is how the students view me:
Without a life.
Friendless.
Uninteresting.
Mildly creepy.
Spastic.
I don't mind numbers 1 and 6, but the descriptions in the middle are the ones that really bother me. And there's truth to the fact that students think teachers eat, breathe, and sleep at school. Sometimes there's legitimate truth to the belief, but hopefully my life is healthily balanced.
Back to gardening....seriously, now.
What should I grow?
Just out my window
To grace my patio
The rhyming! Make it stop! But it's sooooo awesome.
Like a G6.
April 12, 2011
Like a G6
Today my sophomores shared their original poetry. I felt like a proud mother and about wept tears of joy.
The babes are growing up. Part of me wants to write each of them a note that explains all the growth I've seen in them over the year. I have 130 students...which makes me realize that it would indeed be a labor of love. We'll see. Perhaps I'll feel especially motivated during the last few weeks of school and decide to give them each a "going away" note. Should "motivated" and "last few weeks of school" even belong in the same sentence? Don't answer that.
Several times today I heard the phrase "like a G6". Each time it was in the context of a poem. And the hilarity of it all is that the students were required to use a "element of poetry" in each of their original poems. We all know "like a G6" is a simile. Hilarious. At least they recognize what they learn in the classroom in the real world. (Pretend the last sentence makes sense. I refuse to edit it.)
(For those of you unaware of "like a G6," cough...mom...cough, check out this link. I'm not promoting the song. I'm just giving you some context.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvgJEznqtms
For the first time in my teaching career, I about had to break up a physical altercation. And I feared for my life a bit. I won't go into details. Just know that a word that rhymes with "luck" was used about 35 times (not by me, naturally), and a plastic chair tumbled across the room. Get the picture? Oh yes, quite exhilarating.
Did you notice the new blog design? One of my design friends, Kitty (you should remember her from previous blogs), is advising me. And I'm pretty pumped. Look for additional adjustments in the coming weeks.
Oh I have so many, many other things I have meant to share with you. Alas, I either forget or I just fail to do so. Well rats, I suppose I just will have to move on...
Let's look at a picture and call it a day. I once spent every evening with these boys. Oh the memories. So many of them. They are truly brothers from other mothers.
Happy snoozeday Tuesday! What? You didn't know today is a "snoozeday"?! Me either. I'm just feeling especially rhyming. Like a G6. (Urbandictionary.com that. You'll love what you find.)
The babes are growing up. Part of me wants to write each of them a note that explains all the growth I've seen in them over the year. I have 130 students...which makes me realize that it would indeed be a labor of love. We'll see. Perhaps I'll feel especially motivated during the last few weeks of school and decide to give them each a "going away" note. Should "motivated" and "last few weeks of school" even belong in the same sentence? Don't answer that.
Several times today I heard the phrase "like a G6". Each time it was in the context of a poem. And the hilarity of it all is that the students were required to use a "element of poetry" in each of their original poems. We all know "like a G6" is a simile. Hilarious. At least they recognize what they learn in the classroom in the real world. (Pretend the last sentence makes sense. I refuse to edit it.)
(For those of you unaware of "like a G6," cough...mom...cough, check out this link. I'm not promoting the song. I'm just giving you some context.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvgJEznqtms
For the first time in my teaching career, I about had to break up a physical altercation. And I feared for my life a bit. I won't go into details. Just know that a word that rhymes with "luck" was used about 35 times (not by me, naturally), and a plastic chair tumbled across the room. Get the picture? Oh yes, quite exhilarating.
Did you notice the new blog design? One of my design friends, Kitty (you should remember her from previous blogs), is advising me. And I'm pretty pumped. Look for additional adjustments in the coming weeks.
Oh I have so many, many other things I have meant to share with you. Alas, I either forget or I just fail to do so. Well rats, I suppose I just will have to move on...
Let's look at a picture and call it a day. I once spent every evening with these boys. Oh the memories. So many of them. They are truly brothers from other mothers.
April 11, 2011
Dr. Laura
On Friday, I celebrated my dear friend, Laura. She's gonna be a doctor, folks!
(And every time I say, "Dr. Laura," I can't help but think of the psychologist Dr. Laura. Sorry, my friend Laura, I will attempt to refrain.)
I have been friends with Laura since 4th grade. I think we got our necklaces (those lovely heart-shaped "Best Friends" ones of course) around the same time. It blossomed fast.
To this day, Laura can make me laugh like none other.
So in honor of all Laura has accomplished and all she will accomplish, I have written her a poem (it's about animals, you see, because she's going to be a veterinarian):
Laura is funny.
As funny as a bunny.
And bunnies are really funny.
Laura is smart.
As smart as a tart heart.
And tart hearts are really smart.
Laura is my fave.
Like a brave man named Dave.
But Dave is not my fave.
Laura will tend my pets.
There will be many pets for the vets.
I will not put them in nets.
(I never said that I'm a skilled poet...I just happen to be wrapping up a poetry unit with my sophomores, so I'm thinkin' real poetically...)
Brie and I coated her to show the world that Laura is one step closer to being a doctor. Sit back and watch the scene unfold:
So fun, huh?
Finally, in perfect Laura-fashion, her first spill on her pristine jacket was not animal fluids but blueberries from a scone. Oh Laura, I love you.
And I'm so stinkin' proud of you, friend.
(And every time I say, "Dr. Laura," I can't help but think of the psychologist Dr. Laura. Sorry, my friend Laura, I will attempt to refrain.)
I have been friends with Laura since 4th grade. I think we got our necklaces (those lovely heart-shaped "Best Friends" ones of course) around the same time. It blossomed fast.
To this day, Laura can make me laugh like none other.
So in honor of all Laura has accomplished and all she will accomplish, I have written her a poem (it's about animals, you see, because she's going to be a veterinarian):
Laura is funny.
As funny as a bunny.
And bunnies are really funny.
Laura is smart.
As smart as a tart heart.
And tart hearts are really smart.
Laura is my fave.
Like a brave man named Dave.
But Dave is not my fave.
Laura will tend my pets.
There will be many pets for the vets.
I will not put them in nets.
(I never said that I'm a skilled poet...I just happen to be wrapping up a poetry unit with my sophomores, so I'm thinkin' real poetically...)
Brie and I coated her to show the world that Laura is one step closer to being a doctor. Sit back and watch the scene unfold:
Finally, in perfect Laura-fashion, her first spill on her pristine jacket was not animal fluids but blueberries from a scone. Oh Laura, I love you.
And I'm so stinkin' proud of you, friend.
April 9, 2011
Recipes
Lemon Pound Cake
By popular demand, here is the recipe for the lemon pound cake:
1 pkg lemon cake mix
1 pkg lemon instant pudding
4 large eggs
1 c water
1/3 c vegetable oil
Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour 10” bundt cake pan or tube pan.
Combine: cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, and oil in a large bowl. Beat at a medium speed with electric mixer for 2 minutes. Pour into pan.
Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.
I iced it with butter-cream frosting (as requested by a student). It was a bit sweet. Too sweet, in fact. But good and moist, all the same.
Tomorrow I'm making coconut cream pie (yikes). We'll see how it turns out.
And just for kicks, here's my fam. Good golly miss molly, I love them so:
PS: remember, I need recipes for things with rosemary, thyme, and mint. Help, please.
PPS: I also need a recipe for sun tea...do they have "recipes" for that??
PPSS: I ate too much Orange Leaf fro yo tonight. Way too much.
PPPSS: Orange Leaf is coming to Topeka, and I couldn't be happier.
PPPSSS: I have decided that Manhattan is way cooler than Topeka. Dangit.
And that is all.
EDIT: The recipe is from Cheri Flaming. Many thanks, Cher.
EDIT: The recipe is from Cheri Flaming. Many thanks, Cher.
Before & After
When I was a mere child, my favorite show of all time was "Trading Spaces" on TLC. Oh goodness, I spent every afternoon watching this show. My family can attest to this. One of my favorite parts of this show was when Paige Davis showed us the "before" and "after" shots. I still remember some of my favorite rooms as well as most of the designer's names.
And so...
What you are about to see cannot compare in any way to my beloved show; however, it is our guest room's "before" and "after." For the most part, we (mom and I), used what we had. Some call that staging. It was real fun.
Prepare. What you are about to see is atrocious in every way. And to think, people have had to stay in this terrible place! So sorry, previous guests. Please come back. We will give you a kinder space.
Before:
And so...
What you are about to see cannot compare in any way to my beloved show; however, it is our guest room's "before" and "after." For the most part, we (mom and I), used what we had. Some call that staging. It was real fun.
Prepare. What you are about to see is atrocious in every way. And to think, people have had to stay in this terrible place! So sorry, previous guests. Please come back. We will give you a kinder space.
Before:
(This pretty painting is now in my classroom - thanks, Brie!)
Thanks to the help of one brave lady, my momma, this room now looks like this:
Ain't it pleasant? I think so.
So come visit us! Please. We love visitors. We'll even feed you.
April 7, 2011
Listen to this!
I don't really have anything profound to say. I just wanted to say, "Listen to this!" but there was no one around to say it to. So I chose you...
This is the first week that I have not stayed at school every night until the wee hours. Let me elaborate...most weeks I have at least one day that I can leave between 4:15 and 4:30, but this week, I've been outta there by 4 every day. What's happening?! Either I'm getting the hang of this thing or losing all motivation. Perhaps a mix of both. Truthfully, this week was a lot of work to prepare, but not much to facilitate. And I don't hate those units. I might just die during my last units for both my classes. Gearing up...
I tried to be real calm and collected all day today. And I think I was. It's a struggle every day not to lose my cool.
Last night I was reminiscing about all the fun times I used to have with my cousins on my mom's side. I mean, we had fun. Hey cousins, let's play "Annie Annie Over" next time we're together. And I'm kinda not kidding. Then I found this sweet picture of the girl cousins.
Some of my oldest memories are with these ladies. Oh to be young again.
Tonight we're having beef and bean burritos. I hate the way that sounds. For some reason, the alliteration of those three words drives me nuts. Absolutely nuts. So I will call them hamburger and legume wraps. That's what we're having.
I want guacamole so bad, but them dang avocados is so dang expensive. And we're on a budget. Gotta pay off them there dang skewl loans. (I get a kick out of speaking grammatically incorrect. There's something freeing about it.)
Let's finish with a pic of my favorite Nick:
Ain't he darling looking? And that there is his betrothed. 2 1/2 months! Yipee skippy!
EDIT: I can't handle it. I NEED guacamole. I'm going to Hyvee. Right now. This is crazy. Totally nuts. Thursdays make for super suppers.
EDIT 2: Guacamole was sub-par. I am the world's worst at selecting apropos (go ahead, sound it out) avocados. The wraps were super-yum. Now I'm making lemon cake and perhaps brownies for the winners of my classroom NCAA bracket challenge. And listening to lovely piano music. Daniel thinks death has come to the apartment in the form of classical music. He's got a rough life.
This is the first week that I have not stayed at school every night until the wee hours. Let me elaborate...most weeks I have at least one day that I can leave between 4:15 and 4:30, but this week, I've been outta there by 4 every day. What's happening?! Either I'm getting the hang of this thing or losing all motivation. Perhaps a mix of both. Truthfully, this week was a lot of work to prepare, but not much to facilitate. And I don't hate those units. I might just die during my last units for both my classes. Gearing up...
I tried to be real calm and collected all day today. And I think I was. It's a struggle every day not to lose my cool.
Last night I was reminiscing about all the fun times I used to have with my cousins on my mom's side. I mean, we had fun. Hey cousins, let's play "Annie Annie Over" next time we're together. And I'm kinda not kidding. Then I found this sweet picture of the girl cousins.
Some of my oldest memories are with these ladies. Oh to be young again.
Tonight we're having beef and bean burritos. I hate the way that sounds. For some reason, the alliteration of those three words drives me nuts. Absolutely nuts. So I will call them hamburger and legume wraps. That's what we're having.
I want guacamole so bad, but them dang avocados is so dang expensive. And we're on a budget. Gotta pay off them there dang skewl loans. (I get a kick out of speaking grammatically incorrect. There's something freeing about it.)
Let's finish with a pic of my favorite Nick:
EDIT: I can't handle it. I NEED guacamole. I'm going to Hyvee. Right now. This is crazy. Totally nuts. Thursdays make for super suppers.
EDIT 2: Guacamole was sub-par. I am the world's worst at selecting apropos (go ahead, sound it out) avocados. The wraps were super-yum. Now I'm making lemon cake and perhaps brownies for the winners of my classroom NCAA bracket challenge. And listening to lovely piano music. Daniel thinks death has come to the apartment in the form of classical music. He's got a rough life.
April 6, 2011
Power
I spent all day in a computer lab. Best part? There's one of those teacher computers that I can see exactly what each student is doing. Bwahaha.
So I looked. Sent a few "get back to work" messages. Blocked a few from the internet (oddly satisfying - they would turn around, see me smiling, and get the hint). I used my powers to the full extent. And it felt nice. Like a power trip that was okay to have.
It was 80 degrees in the computer lab. Yikes. 25+ students in a hot computer lab=interesting smells.
My motivation from 6:45 am to 3 pm was about 12/10. My motivation from 3 pm until I left was about 1/10. It is a good thing the rest of the day was productive.
Someday this kid will be in school. And it will make me smile.
It astounds me that we only have a few weeks of school left. Astounding. I've been reflecting all year, but I'm sure I'll get pretty sappy-reflective in the coming weeks. Here's yours truly on the first day of school. Poor girl. She had no idea what she was doing...
And some days, she still doesn't.
Oprah has a column at the end of her magazine every month that is called "What I Know for Sure." It's been suggested that she change it to "What I Know for Now."
So here's what I know for now:
Enough rambles. Tomorrow is Thursday...the best day of the week.
So I looked. Sent a few "get back to work" messages. Blocked a few from the internet (oddly satisfying - they would turn around, see me smiling, and get the hint). I used my powers to the full extent. And it felt nice. Like a power trip that was okay to have.
It was 80 degrees in the computer lab. Yikes. 25+ students in a hot computer lab=interesting smells.
My motivation from 6:45 am to 3 pm was about 12/10. My motivation from 3 pm until I left was about 1/10. It is a good thing the rest of the day was productive.
Someday this kid will be in school. And it will make me smile.
Oprah has a column at the end of her magazine every month that is called "What I Know for Sure." It's been suggested that she change it to "What I Know for Now."
So here's what I know for now:
- Most days, I enjoy my job
- I need to be more patient
- I need to remember that my classroom isn't the real world. The real world is everything that happens just outside of my classroom.
- I need to take myself (and my students) less seriously
- I love asparagus
- I'm sometimes tech-savvy (today I almost lost all my students' annotated bibliographies due to a tech glitch...good thing I sometimes know what I'm doing)
- If every student had an i-pad, my life would rock. So much.
Enough rambles. Tomorrow is Thursday...the best day of the week.
April 5, 2011
Humble Pie
Today I was told that I become "all worked up really fast." That I "get mad" at my students quickly. And there's truth to those statements. Sigh. Literally. One step forward, two steps back. Such is life.
To learn to be patient, why must we practice with situations that make us want to be impatient?
Tomorrow is a new day...
And because I need something to make me smile, I will look at this picture:
To learn to be patient, why must we practice with situations that make us want to be impatient?
Tomorrow is a new day...
And because I need something to make me smile, I will look at this picture:
April 3, 2011
BIG Decisions
Daniel and I (and my parents, and Daniel's mom, and Daniel's sis and bro-in-law) have been talking about big decisions a lot this weekend. Sheesh, sometimes making big decisions is weighty.
So in an attempt to free my mind from all thoughts regarding big decisions, I cleaned this beauty that I found at a garage sale yesterday.
Daniel (and everyone else who has seen it) is most disturbed by this:
They are gracing our front window currently. So cute. Between my potted babes and my cow stool, I'm sure our neighbs are enjoying the eye candy.
And finally, what's not to love about another garage sale find: my ceramic pitcher/vase!? And my bday flowers remain oh so lovely.
Now that my mind has been sufficiently distracted from weighty decisions, I suppose I should finish my lesson plans for tomorrow. Naturally, I wait until Sunday afternoon/evening to do my lesson planning. Ah, the carefree life of a first-year teacher. Jk, kind of.
Until next time, I will continue loving life, hoping for more sun, and rooting for Butler. Go Bulldogs.
So in an attempt to free my mind from all thoughts regarding big decisions, I cleaned this beauty that I found at a garage sale yesterday.
I paid $5 for it. Daniel says I paid too much. I'm not good at haggling. In Mexico, I think I paid $10 for sunglasses. They broke the next day. I'm just too compassionate. Or maybe I'm just passive. Probably the latter.
And this:
I don't know why! I mean, come on people, it's just faux cowhide. I hope. It does smell a tad funky. Yes, I smelled it. I had to. You would, too.
So I decided I MUST clean it before it descends upon the students. It's really for them. I already have a throne at school. I will never grace this beaut.
First, I cleaned it with good old soap and water. Then, I used this classy spray:
I think it served an appropriate purpose. Then, I used my new classroom cologne (by 7th hour, it's mighty smelly in 167):
It's outside right now. When it's dry, it will grace our dwelling place. Until then, our neighbors will be delighted by its presence.
Now comes the all-important question: Would you sit in it? Be honest.
Daniel bought me potted herbs for my birthday. And I love them more than my Pineapple Orchid classroom cologne...and I LOVE my Pineapple Orchid classroom cologne. Here's my dilemma: I have never cooked with any of them. Thyme, rosemary, and peppermint. All you chefs out there, give me a hint, puleeze!
Until next time, I will continue loving life, hoping for more sun, and rooting for Butler. Go Bulldogs.
April 2, 2011
Why oh weye...
The past 12 hours have been interesting. If you have known me since my freshman year at Tabor, you probably know that I am prone to eye issues of all kinds.
Pink eye.
Dry eyes.
Itchy eyes.
Irritated eyes.
Sleepy eyes.
Ingrown eyelashes.
Etc.
The past few nights while taking off my eye make-up, it has felt like something is lodged in my eye for a second, and then it goes away. Last night, it didn't go away. It stayed, and it was awful. We flushed my eye with Saline and water, and it didn't help. I decided to sleep on it hoping it would be better in the morning. It wasn't.
I decided I had three options. 1: go to the eye doctor. 2: wait for it to get real bad and go to the ER. OR 3: have Daniel pluck what I thought had to be an ingrown eyelash.
I chose number 1.
After a routine exam, the eye doctor (a sweet lady about my age - fresh out of medical school) flipped my eyelid like this:
And it felt weird. I had to hold my left eye closed because I just couldn't handle it. Makes me wonder how I'll handle more painful things in life...like childbirth... Moving on.
And what she found was a little pink ball that was growing into my eyelid. And it came from my cleanser (Mary-Kay TimeWise Normal to Dry Cleanser). And it had been there for a few days. Yikes.
She was thankful I came in. And I was, too.
So I went from this:
For 12 hours to this:
She put numbing drops in both my eyes. A weird sensation.
So I'm all better. For now. Why oh weye these things happen to me, I do not know.
Now we're going garage saling. Gotta spend me that there dang birthday monay!
Happy Saturday!
Pink eye.
Dry eyes.
Itchy eyes.
Irritated eyes.
Sleepy eyes.
Ingrown eyelashes.
Etc.
The past few nights while taking off my eye make-up, it has felt like something is lodged in my eye for a second, and then it goes away. Last night, it didn't go away. It stayed, and it was awful. We flushed my eye with Saline and water, and it didn't help. I decided to sleep on it hoping it would be better in the morning. It wasn't.
I decided I had three options. 1: go to the eye doctor. 2: wait for it to get real bad and go to the ER. OR 3: have Daniel pluck what I thought had to be an ingrown eyelash.
I chose number 1.
After a routine exam, the eye doctor (a sweet lady about my age - fresh out of medical school) flipped my eyelid like this:
And it felt weird. I had to hold my left eye closed because I just couldn't handle it. Makes me wonder how I'll handle more painful things in life...like childbirth... Moving on.
And what she found was a little pink ball that was growing into my eyelid. And it came from my cleanser (Mary-Kay TimeWise Normal to Dry Cleanser). And it had been there for a few days. Yikes.
She was thankful I came in. And I was, too.
So I went from this:
So I'm all better. For now. Why oh weye these things happen to me, I do not know.
Now we're going garage saling. Gotta spend me that there dang birthday monay!
Happy Saturday!
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