Science Training

For the first time in a LONG time, I left my 6 hour training day feeling as though I had learned something valuable. Another first: I looked up at the clock at one point and thought, "Wow! It's 2 o'clock already?". The guy who is doing the presentation is funny and smart and very engaging. Instead of telling us "This is how you should do it" and doing it a completely different way himself, he is actually teaching us using the methods he thinks we should be using. It makes the whole thing fun and completely motivating. In my district, the teachers have become fairly jaded. We have had so many people telling us what to do and ignoring the skills we already have that we approach all newcomers with a "You think you can do it better? Well, prove it, buddy!" mentality. We all start each training sitting back in our chairs with our arms crossed and our minds tightly closed. This guy was able to overcome that in a BIG way. I am absolutely excited to be going back for the next two days.

I'm Sorry, Kids

By the end of this week, I will have missed 6 days out of three weeks. 6/15. Almost half of the days. And although I am missing them for school related business (intervention meetings, training, etc), I am feeling an overwhelming combination of guilt and exhaustion. I keep trying to show my kids how they are going to benefit from me being gone (Hey, guys! We get to have new computers in our room if I go to this three day training!), but I know that they are starting to feel neglected. Thank goodness I have a wonderful regular sub who knows how things go in my room, and who my students enjoy.

Conferences

The thing I like best about conference time is that it gives me a chance to focus on the students in my class who rarely get their fair share of my attention. I spend 90% of my day redirecting the same 4 kids over and over. They need to be reminded of the rules, they didn't hear the directions I just gave, they want a drink, a break, an extra copy of the homework, and so on. Meanwhile, there are 22 students who manage to get through the day with minimal assistance from me. I try to touch base with each of my kiddos every day, but I'm not always as good at that as I would like to be. Meeting with the parents, one on one, gives me a chance to really notice how helpful, diligent, cooperative, or just plain nice most of my kids are.

My second favorite part about conferences is hearing variations of these words: "My son/daughter just LOVES being in your class. She/he is so excited to get to school each day!" Parent-teacher communication tends to focus on the problems, and the parents who feel this way rarely see a need to get in touch with me. (This goes the other way too. I don't like spending my evening on the phone, so I tend not to call the parents of the well-behaved.) If the next two days go like last night did, I might be set with a store of compliments that will last me through the end of the year!

Brothers and Sisters

Have I mentioned lately how amazing my siblings are?

Shanta - performing all the task involved in raising 4 happy, healthy, active children while holding a high-stress job that involves caring for the well-being of other people, dealing with the depth and breadth of everyday challenges that life can throw at you with humor and perseverance

Tyson - attending a variety of high level math and science courses and maintaining exceptional grades while holding a job and establishing a solid plan for his future, in a long-term relationship with a very nice girl, displaying a depth of caring and understanding that is incredibly rare in his generation

Brooks - also taking a wide range of extremely challenging classes and performing exceptionally well, clearly illustrating that it is possible to change the path of your life given the proper strength of character, constantly teaching me something fascinating about politics, geology, botony, or whatever else has captured his interest

For a long time, through the happenstance of birth order, I was ahead of my siblings in the game of life. I went to college first, I moved out on my own first, I got married first. Suddenly, they are catching up to and surpassing me in so many ways. I am constantly amazed at the adults my brothers and sister are becoming. I have always loved these three as siblings, but I find myself developing a deeper respect for their individual talents and knowledge. They each have abilities in areas that complete baffle me. So, let me state for the record:
My siblings ROCK.

Stuff I've Been Thinking About

1. Work
Between getting ready for conferences (testing, report cards, etc) and covering extra hours as Escuela del Sol, I have been working some long hours. I left home by 7:00 am every morning this week. I returned home at 8:30, 7:30, 8:30, 10:00, and 10:00. Long days. Surprisingly, (aside from a particularly rough Tuesday) I have been able to maintain a fairly positive attitude despite my lack of sleep or personal time. Yay, me! I now get to enjoy a 3 day weekend (thanks, veterans).

Conferences start on Tuesday. The students go home early all three days, allowing me to finish my meetings at a more reasonable hour. It is still emotionally draining to be "performing" for parents for such an extended period. My first conferences start at 1:30 and I am booked almost constantly until 5:30 on Tues, Wed, and Thurs. I know that there are many jobs that require you to be in meetings for extended periods of time, but rarely are people required to justify their job performance to 30 different bosses in back to back meetings. :) Wish me luck.

2. XM Channel 130 - POTUS '08
I have finally found a news station that is worth listening to. Most news sources are so flooded with less-than-vital information that it is difficult to filter out the stuff worth knowing. I really don't care who won the 35th annual Cookie Bake-Off in Podunk, MO. Nor do I need to hear anything further about Brittney Spears and her poor parenting skills. On POTUS '08, I get to hear news that is directly related to the upcoming presidential election. This combines my need for "high value" news with my interest in being somewhat educated about this important decision. They seem to give balanced time to both red and blue candidates and their supporters. (I say seem to because I only listen for the time it takes me to drive to work and back. I can't vouch for the rest of the hours.) I get to hear the candidates' ideas straight from their own mouths, and the few filler things they run are focused on presidential history - odd facts and Today In History type things. Entertaining AND informative.

3. Tutoring
When I first thought about opening EdS, I was worried that I was going to resent having to spend time tutoring in the afternoons. Typically by the time my students leave at 3:15, I am usually exhausted and the only thing I want to do is go home. However, walking into my own business seems to revitalize me. It helps that my tutoring kids are all quite pleasant to work with. I get a huge kick out of working with them on a more individual basis and seeing them make progress from week to week. It's a good feeling.

4. Parental Visit
Mom is coming to visit! :) I am especially excited about this because she hasn't been out this way since my wedding, 5 years ago. So much has changed since then, and I can't wait to show her everything - the dogs, the house/property, my school and Escuela. Luckily, I have a 3 day weekend in which to clean and prepare for her arrival. Not that she's that picky - but I want to show the place off a little. :)

5. Observation
I was observed by my principal this week. She is a tough one to read sometimes, and when she left I had no idea whether she had enjoyed my lesson or not. At our debriefing afterward she had lots of very nice things to say. She praised my growth and development as a teacher since she first (and last) observed me 4 years ago. She also complimented my classroom management, the tone of my room, and my ability to model/explain concepts to students. It was a wonderful meeting and I left feeling as though she was very glad to have me on her staff. I haven't been too worried about that, but it's nice to know that she didn't hire me just because someone said she had to give me a place. She truly appreciated the things I do, both in the classroom and as part of our school-wide community. That is an EXCELLENT feeling.

All is Well

Sorry to be in absentia during such a worrisome time. We're fine. No fires near us, just all around us: Escondido is just south, Irvine is just north, Fallbrook is just east, and Julian is just west of us. We saw smoke and some flames from our place, but they were many miles off in the distance. No real danger. Just enough to stir up that instinctual "FIRE BAD!" response in me. I'm not sure if it is related to my control-freak personality, residual caveman genes, or distant childhood memories, but my fear of larger fires borders on the irrational.

Anyway - no problems here. I wish I could say the same for everyone else in Southern California. Fortunately, as a community we have banded together and we're taking care of our own. Thanks for the concern...

I now return you to the regularly scheduled lack of posts. (Hopefully that is a joke, but with report cards and conferences just around the corner, I suspect it's not. Sorry.)

Snuggle Kitty

Bonsai, our wacky orange cat, has become extremely affectionate lately. I don't know if it is because I haven't been around as much or if it's just a phase he's going through, but I like it. When I walk past him, he gets as high up as he can and then reaches his paws up to my shoulder. That's his way of saying, "pick me up". He then gazes at me adoringly and rubs his cheek against mine. When I lay on the couch, he climbs under my blanket and flops into my lap. The only time I don't like this new attention is at 3:00 am when he climbs onto my chest, tickles my face with his whiskers, and drools on me.

Must be Friday.

I never could get the hang of Fridays. I know the reference is to Tuesdays, but it's Fridays that are kicking my butt this year. I just can't seem to get the hang of them. I spend the whole day running from one thing to the next, never quite keeping up. The kids recognize this and take full advantage. Fridays are always their most chatty, chaotic day. Instead of being able to gently and humorously redirect them, I have to get very strict to keep them on track. As much as I would like to spend every Friday playing with them, we have a limited amount of time in which to complete a magnitude of activities. My Fridays are remarkably akin to herding a roomful of yowling, energetic cats through a waterfall. Damn near impossible.

Is Anyone Here?

I bet you thought I was gone for good this time. But I'm not. It's just that with my full-time school job and my part-time tutoring job I don't have much time left over for anything else: breathing, sleeping, blogging...

So, what am I up to these days?

1. Teaching - I'm having a great year, albeit a busy one. I have 30 students, each with their own abilities, challenges, and personality quirks. Despite my certainty on the first day that I was never going to get comfortable, I am actually getting to know them pretty well. They are a very helpful, sweet, TALKATIVE group. Some days it's hard for me to get a word in edgewise! There is no hope of getting them to stop. I can only hope that they will learn to focus and direct their conversation a little. As usual, the day to day workings of fifth grade keep me hopping. I am also part of the Student Success Team (extra support for struggling students) and the Caught Building Character (we rode scooters at our Friday Flag Salute last week!) program. Oh! And I am the library liaison for my grade level. I am getting to know the members of my team, and I get the feeling that we're going to work well together (lots of different personalities, all fun).

2. Tutoring - I am pleased to be able to say that we are starting the month of October with enough clients to pay the rent each month. Woohoo! I currently work 3 hours and my partner is working a bunch more. We are covering a wide range of ages (7 - 12 years old) and topics (reading, writing, math, study skills). We're having a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to business picking up enough for me to revisit my need for other employment. :)

3. Dieting - The doctor put me on a low-carb diet in an effort to control my cholesterol. Turns out I might be part of a small percentage of the human population who can eat all the cholesterol they want as long as I keep the carbs down. Just another of the fun genetic twists I inherited! I am doing better on this diet than I thought I would. If you know me, you know that I am a total Carb Queen. Mike has been working hard to keep me fed with interesting low-carb foods (he's a great cook!) and I have been exercising a great amount of restraint. There are 2 things about this diet that are helping me keep on track. First, I have very few cravings. If I smell something really great like french fries or toast, it's a struggle, but for the most part I don't really feel a NEED for carbs. Secondly, I have lost nearly 10 pounds. In the past, I have busted my butt, dieting and exercising like a maniac, without losing a pound. This time, the pounds are just melting off me. Not only have I lost the weight, but I can actually SEE the difference. My stomach, which has been distinctly un-flat since the kidney transplant, is on its way to my pre-college days. Fun!

Okay. There is lots more to tell you, but I'm not sure what it is. I will try to come back again soon. But I wouldn't recommend holding your breath. :)

it's the little things that give me away

If you were to sit and have lunch with me today we would probably talk at length about the two exciting things that are soon occuring in my life: starting a new school year at a new school, opening a new business. I would seem calm and confident, exuding enthusiasm for both projects equally. You would later tell someone how impressed you are with my ability to take on such challenges and still remain so relaxed and energetic.

That is because I wouldn't mention how hard it is for me to fall asleep these days. Or how I look for any excuse to keep sleeping in the morning. I won't tell you how much hair I find in the drain after a shower in the morning. You wouldn't notice how I avoid moving my right arm too often or too quickly due to that pain that just won't go away.

I am very excited about my new classroom. I can't wait to meet my new team and my new students. I am thrilled that I am making an attempt at a dream I have had for some time. I am just as enthusiastic as I seem, but I am in no way as confident as I look. I am terrified by both of these new things, and it's the little things that give me away.

For You?

Often I am struck by a particular group of lyrics while listening to music. Most of the time it is something that is relevant to my own life, but every once in a while I get hung up on words that don't feel like they are for me. This has happened to me twice lately...

Performer: SONiA
Album:No Bomb is Smart
Song: "Won't Let Go"

don't let go
just hold on
keep your eye on the road
and your heart in a song
whatever happened is already gone
don't let go

Obviously this is a message that applies to many people, and I have always liked it, but lately it seems to be persistently trying to get through to someone. Since there are a number of people who might be needing it now, I am posting it here and hoping the perhaps it will get through to its intended recipient.

Performer: Bill Staines
Album: First Million Miles
Song: 'Phoenix'

Oh, Lord, have mercy on this poor, poor heart.
Take it from the ashes
and teach it how to fly again.
Oh, Lord, have mercy on this poor, poor heart.

I am quite fond of this album, but I have never paid much attention to this song until my MP3 player started playing it obsessively. Bill has such an expressive voice that I just want to cry thinking about being in such pain that you would cry out like this. Again, I'm not sure who this applies to (pain seems to be fairly common these days), but I hope it reaches that person.

Escuela update

We are a business in everything but actual work now. We have our location (accessible on the 15th), we have our name, license, tax ID, and bank account. Everything is ready for us to actually get started. Now we just need to...get started. Some upcoming goals...
Aug. 20 - Flyers ready to go out to schools (want them out there by the 23rd so we hit back to school night!)
Sept. 5 - Open House (need to have our sign, brochures, sign up paperwork, materials and environment all set by then)

Yikes!

See?

This is what happens when I start to whine and complain about my own health. I get a reminder of just how good it really is. Amy went back to Mayo this week because her creatinine levels were headed in the wrong direction. She had to undergo all kinds of tests and probes, including a biopsy of her transplant kidney. While the kidney is obviously not a happy camper at the moment, there are no signs of rejection either.

I'm not egotistical enough to think that all that happened just to remind me that I am relatively healthy and I should appreciate it. But it has that effect. The few pills I take are ones that I am choosing to take in an effort to avoid later problems. If I forget them or run out I am not going to end up in the hospital or worse. My lack of exercise it due to lack of motivation and effort, not lack of ability. High cholesterol, while carrying a few long term health risks, is not an immediately life threatening situation. All in all, I am an incredibly lucky individual and I do realize it.

I think the real issue here is that I am realizing that I am no longer as healthy as I once was. I am mourning the days when I could move furniture without pulling a muscle, eat whatever I wanted without first considering its calories/fat/cholesterol/sodium/protein, and sleep through the night without waking up to sore joints. You lose a certain amount of freedom and innocence as you reach the point of having to take care of yourself, and I am just coming to terms with that. I know that I am not old (again, I'm younger than all but 3 of the adults in my life, and those are my siblings), but I am not really young anymore either. I'm sure everyone goes through this, but it's hard when my 30 year old body won't/can't do what my 20 year old brain wants to do.

Anyway. Just wanted to tell everyone that they should aim any sympathetic feelings they may have had for me over toward Amy's kidney and related parts. Technically, that's still feeling sorry for me. :)

No Need for Food

Please note: My health problems are miniscule compared to those of just about everyone I know. However, they are MINE and consequently seem important to me. I apologize to everyone who is reading this and thinking "What a baby. She should see what I have to go through every day."

Since my last visit to the doctor, I have begun taking a variety of pills and supplements. Each morning, I take 2 glucosamine (for my bad joints), 1 fish oil (for the joints and the cholesterol), and 1 multivitamin (to make up for my deficient iron and B12). None of these pills is smaller than the end of my pinkie finger, and by the time I finish choking them down I am too full for breakfast. Or maybe my lack of interest in breakfast is because I consider that to be medication, too. 1/2 cup of oatmeal every morning to aid in reducing my cholesterol. Meh. What I really want is a couple of scrambled eggs, slathered in cheese and wrapped in a tortilla. The really sad thing is that my cholesterol continues to go up, so I am going to be forced to add yet another pill to my routine. Hooray for genetics!

Yikes!

It's done. We signed the lease papers for Escuela del Sol today. We get to pick up the keys on Aug. 15th and we will hopefully be doing business by Sept. 1.

I own a business.

Hehe.

FYI

Nothing much happening here. Only have internet access when I got to the public library, thanks to our crappy satellite and it's crappy crappiness. They're coming out to work on it someday. Until then...you won't see much of me.

So Busy

Today we...

...checked out a space for our business to be located. It was very nice. Just the right size, reasonably priced (compared to local stuff anyway), lots of natural light, comfortable neighborhood, adequate parking, nice owners. We're still looking around, but in my gut it feels like this is the place.

...went to the dentist. I have 3 cavities. THREE?!!? I don't know who was more shocked, myself or my dentist. I never get cavities. To be fair, one is an old filling going bad, and the other two are back to back between a couple of teeth (so they should really only count as one!). I'm bummed though. I have to have 2 more visits back. Bleh. Luckily, my dentist is kind and gentle and only slightly religiously nuts. :)

...went to the doctor. Mikey had a follow up on his visit to the ER last week. Things are much better now, but the doc sent him to get his back x-rayed. She wants to know if there is a reason to send him to the specialists for further attention. She's also sending him to the tummy folks, something he has needed but put off for some time, so I guess there will be good coming from this craziness.

...went to the blood bank. Mikey wasn't feeling up to it, but I gave a unit. I try to go as soon as I am eligible (every 2 months). It is a good idea, if you're capable. There are lots who need it. I am a universal donor, so I figure it's particularly important for me to give.

...watched the new Bruce Willis movie. He's still yummy even though he's getting old. (Shhh...don't tell Mikey I said that!) The movie wasn't great, and some of the dramatic action scenes were a little silly, but it was fun. Plus, Kevin Smith is in it. Hooray!

...bought Orange Guard, which is supposed to repel ants. We have been having serious ant trouble lately, and this is our compromise. I am perfectly willing to sacrifice some karma points killing the little buggers, but Mikey is a gentleman and would like us to deal with the issue non-violently. The compromise was that we would use the Orange stuff to keep them out, but I toasted the ones that were already in. This stuff better work, or I am going to start breaking out the heavy duty poison.

...bought an edger. We are going to be setting up an invisible fence (of the underground variety) in a further attempt to keep the dogs on our property. It will follow the same perimeter as the regular fence, and will hopefully keep them from getting close enough to dig out. This is getting a little rediculous. We will then have a 6 foot chain link fence, fortified with shock wire and the top and bottom and protected by another hidden wire that first beeps and then zaps the silly creatures. So much work for two goofy black dogs. I can't stand the alternatives though.

Time for bed. Another busy day tomorrow. G'night.

Holy Adreneline Rush, Batman!

Yesterday was quite an adventure for us. And not the kind I want to repeat any time soon. It all started with a pain in Mikey's right shoulder.

It felt like a crick in his neck from sleeping funny (he slept in a chair due to heartburn), but it came on very rapidly around 10 am. He went from feeling fine, to not being able to lift his right arm or turn his head at all without intense pain. He spent about an hour resting uncomfortably on the bed, and then decided to get up to make some toast.

It was very painful for him to stand, and by the time he got to the kitchen, he needed to sit down. He was very lightheaded and dizzy. When he said he was having trouble hearing, I turned to look at him. I had just enough time to notice how blue/white his lips were and get concerned before he passed out. I was close enough to catch him before he fell off the chair.

I was actually thinking that it would be a good thing for him (he hadn't been taking very good breaths because of the shoulder pain) and that he would feel better when he woke up before I realized that he wasn't breathing at all. Instantly, I became that hysterical girl in the movies, slapping him and shouting for him to wake up. I laid him down on the floor and ran for the phone. All I could think was "Shit - I don't think I remember how to do CPR."

Eventually (in a matter of seconds, I'm sure, although it felt like several minutes), I managed to dial 911. Just as they were answering, Mikey started to shake and make choking noises. I rolled him over on his side (I remembered that much from my seizure training) as I was telling the 911 Operator that "there is something wrong with my husband and I need an ambulance". She got our information and sent out the Fire Rescue vehicle and an ambulance. While we waited I was a wreck, but Mike calmly reminded me to do things in preparation of leaving. I got him shoes and socks, fed the cats, etc. He directed it all from his prone position on the kitchen floor.

After about 15 minutes, the paramedics showed up and took over. They asked all kinds of questions and took all kinds of vital signs. Everything seemed okay for the moment, but they suggested that Mikey take a little ride to the ER anyway. Considering how pale he was, I thought it was a good idea. What I wasn't so thrilled with was the idea that I wasn't allowed to ride with him. So, they took off with him and I stood alone in the kitchen wondering what the hell to do next.

I called his parents and told them briefly what had happened and where he was going to be. I then tried to think of what we would need in the off chance that he would end up staying the night. I managed to pack him a toothbrush, hairbrush, and book. I got stuck as I stood in my closet. Most of my brain was shouting "just pick something!" but part of it was very concerned with whether each shirt would be appropriate for the weather and the environment and the company. It was very strange what my brain would get hung up on as I tried to get ready to go. I finally decided that I couldn't wait any longer, grabbed my purse, and jumped in the car.

At the hospital, I walked in and asked them where I might find my husband. "He would be in there...but we have some important papers you need to sign here." Stupid red tape. I finally signed enough of my life away that they were willing to let me back to see him. He was on a bed, in the hallway. This is apparently how things work in this overcrowded hospital. Despite the less-than-satisfactory location, we were happy with the doctor and the nurse who were attending him. They were very kind and seemed to know what they were doing. The nurse was quite amusing, guessing our weights and throwing out little political barbs.

They did a series of diagnostic tests, mostly wanting to rule out anything heart related and to make sure there wasn't any internal bleeding happening anywhere. He had a chest x-ray, an EKG, bloodwork, and regular PB/pulse/O2/etc readings. Several hours later, they decided that it was all a result of his shoulder pain, which was muscle related. The pain was bad enough that when he stood up his dilated blood vessels weren't up to the job of getting blood (and therefore oxygen) to his brain. He fainted and somehow his breathing got messed up (this is the part I don't understand so well). His brain, in an attempt to get things back in working order hit the "Reset" button, causing the the shaking/seizure-like stuff. They gave him some heavy duty pain meds and some muscle relaxants and sent him home.

I didn't sleep very well, trying to make sure that Mikey was still breathing and getting him to take his medications and such. But this morning, he was looking much better. His shoulder still hurts, and he refuses to take the pain meds because they might make him nauseated, but he's taking the muscle relaxants and moving much better than before. The whole thing was really not such a big deal, and he was never in much real danger, but I will never forget how awful it was to look at his completely slack face and realize that I couldn't see any breathing.

Okay...enough. Time to take him out for ice cream. It is 100.5 F here. Bleh.

Speaking of our Government...

It's easy to get caught up in the beauty of the buildings and the honor of the ideals that Washington represents. Before too long, however, someone does something to remind me of how far we've drifted from the intentions of our Founding Fathers.

Rather than try to sound intelligent on this issue, I will just point you to this Special Comment by Keith Olbermann. Mr. Olbermann takes a good 10 minutes of MSNBC's airtime to throw down the gauntlet. If only Bush/Cheney were men enough to take it up. It's a sad day in history when we are challenging our leaders to be as noble as Richard Nixon.

You both crossed the Rubicon yesterday. Which one of you chose the route, no longer matters. Which is the ventriloquist, and which the dummy, is irrelevant. But that you have twisted the machinery of government into nothing more than a tawdry machine of politics, is the only fact that remains relevant.

It is nearly July 4th, Mr. Bush, the commemoration of the moment we Americans decided that rather than live under a King who made up the laws, or erased them, or ignored them — or commuted the sentences of those rightly convicted under them — we would force our independence, and regain our sacred freedoms.

Amen.

You can read the transcript here, but you really need to see it to get the full emotion behind it. You-tube has it up here.

Washington Pictures

~Arlington Cemetery~

Standing in the middle of Arlington, seeing row after row of gravestones as far as the eye can see, has to be one of the most heartbreaking things I've experienced.

There is a section of Arlington reserved for Supreme Court Justices.

JFK and wife are buried here, marked with the Eternal Flame. After Kennedy was buried here, they had to put stronger restrictions on who was eligible. Everyone wanted to be in the same cemetery as he was.


Another heartbreaking sight. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, memorializing all those who have died defending our country. Despite my feeling about war and violence, I can still be grateful to those who have given their lives to protect us.

~D.C. Monuments and Buildings~
Our first stop was the Korean War Memorial.

Our guide described the Korean War as the "forgotten" war. It is often forgotten there between WWII and Vietnam, but that doesn't make the sacrifices of those soldiers and their families any less important.

Being abused by the Right to justify taking away our constitutional freedoms doesn't make this statement any less true. We have paid greatly for our freedom throughout the years.

The next stop was the Lincoln Memorial.

Walking up those steps was tiring. I relished the ache in my legs and let it remind me how so many struggled and fought for those rights that I take for granted today.

Anywhere the states are listed in D.C. they are put in order of statehood. Until taking this picture, I had never noticed that WI, CA, and MN all fall right in a row. My three homestates.

Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for his "I Have a Dream" speech. It is marked (very subtly) with this engraving.


Definitely one of my heroes. He just LOOKS like someone you could talk to, you know?

From Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address.

From Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

The Washington Monument standing elegantly behind the reflecting pool. I'm disappointed in how dark this picture turned out, but it's still an amazing sight.


We then went to the Vietnam Memorial.

I love the image of the hand supporting a fellow human. If only we could memorialize more acts of kindness and support and fewer acts of war and violence.

So many names. There were several letters and photographs along its length. The one that got me was about a dog which had been adopted by a soldier. She would greet his helicopter after each run. After he died, she continued to meet each chopper, waiting in vain for his return.

The reality of war. People die. There is pain and suffering. War is bad.

Finally, we went to Pennsylvania Avenue.

The building which houses the executive branch of our government.

The building which houses the legislative branch of our government. The flags above the right and left wings let us know that both the Senate and the House were in session that day.

Virginia Pictures

On this fourth of July, I share with you my pictures from Virginia and Washington, D.C.

~Colonial Williamsburg~

An important government building during Colonial times.


A silversmith at work.


A pewtersmith's shop.


A kiln used for firing bricks. Notice how the bricks are different colors in different areas. This is due to the difference in temperature during the firing.


A giant stack of bricks, ready to be used in building.


The Williamsburg armory. It was from this building that King George's men confiscated gunpowder, upsetting the colonists and contributing to the start of the Revolutionary War.


The mansion of the Williamsburg Governor.

~Monticello: Home of Thomas Jefferson~


The house where Thomas Jefferson lived. I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside, but there were some very cool things. He had a Museum of Curiosities in his entryway, and a gigantic library (of teeny, tiny books).




Jefferson had a huge, beautiful garden. He organized it according to which part of the plant was used (roots, fruit, leaves).


Check out those copper pans. The kitchen was located on the lower level and the opposite side of the house as the dining room (I think this had something to do with keeping the heat out of the main house during the summer?).


Jefferson wrote his own epitaph, identifying the Dec. of Independence, the Virginia Constitution, and the University of Virginia as his greatest accomplishments.

~Mount Vernon: Home of George Washington~


Again, internal pictures were forbidden, but I was able to get these of the outside. Washington lived a lavish life, complete with fancy bright green paint and a plethora of guest rooms.

A brief (but important) aside -

I promised these pics a long time ago and then forgot all about them. I came across them as I prepared my Washington pics for uploading, so here they are...






My heart dances for each of you every day. Keep fighting, Kate.

Happy 4th of July!

July 4th, 1776. One of the few dates I actually require my students to memorize! :)

I don't feel very festive today, since I spent all of Saturday celebrating the 4th. It seems as though this should be just another day. Except that the Post Office isn't open. Meh.

In honor of our nation's independence, I am going to post some of my pictures from the Virginia/D.C. trip. What better way to remember our country's birth than to show pictures of her birthplace? :) If I can get them from the camera onto my computer that is...

I'm Learning!

A particularly important passage that I came across while I was working on my masters today:

The idea that goals should be specifiable in advance and that success in teaching consists primarily of bringing about predictable outcomes are themselves what is at issue. Such a set of beliefs, fostered not through an explicit educational rationale but rather embedded in the very techniques that one is encouraged to use, can have significant effects on the way the teacher's role is conceived and what educators believe they are after. Surreptitiously but inexorably, techniques that go unexamined with respect to the ideology that they reflect can be debilitating. Training comes to be substituted for education.

Elliot W. Eisner, The Educational Imagination

The emphasis at the end is mine. This conclusion seems particularly important to me on two distinct levels. First, it refers to the fact that we are training future employees rather than educating future citizens. Secondly (and more importantly, if you ask me), it seems to point out that teachers are no longer being educated in the learning process and their role within it, but instead are being trained to manage a set number of students and move them from predetermined point A to predetermined point B.

Part 2: The Capitol

~Day 5~
This was the busiest day of the trip. It was also the most emotional/meaningful for me. I loved all the historical stuff, but Washington is what's happening NOW. We first took a tour of Arlington Cemetery, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (in time for the changing of the guard even!), and John F. Kennedy's grave and the eternal flame. It was quite sobering to see those rows and rows of white gravestones. We then rode to the Mall area to see the Lincoln memorial, the Washington monument, the Korean War memorial, the Vietnam memorial (the wall and both statues), the White House and Capitol buildings (both with their own protesters), and the Federal Reserve building. We even got stopped in traffic for a motorcade, although our guide wasn't sure if it was the President or the Vice President who was within.

I had a hard time with the war memorials. It was so disturbing to me to see people standing in front of those statues, smiling and hamming it up for their vacation photos. There were very few who looked as though they were thinking about the reason they were there. I was holding it together until I read some of the letters at the Vietnam memorial. I know the rest of my group thought I was a little crazy as tears streamed down my face, but I couldn't stand thinking of all the people and lives connected to the names on that wall. The statues flanking that memorial are some of the best I have seen. Instead of showing the soldiers as invincible and warrior-like they show the reality of war. The first shows three soldiers (white, black, and hispanic) supporting one another. Their sleeves are rolled up and they look tired. The second is a monument to the women of the war. It shows several nurses holding a wounded soldier. The sorrow and pain show on their faces. It was a very emotional visit for me.

I was also strongly touched by the Lincoln memorial. I loved walking up those steps, feeling the burn in my legs and thinking about how it represented the struggle for freedom for so many groups in our country. Fighting for justice will always be an uphill battle, but it is one I can face with joy, knowing that so many have fought before me and so many will fight after me. It was something else to stand in front of that giant statue of Lincoln and think of how far we have come since the birth of our nation. And how far we have left to go.

My dark mood was somewhat eleviated by visiting the White House and the Capitol building. It at least gave some purpose (however questionable) to the deaths we had been memorializing. While I am not a fan of our current president or many of the decisions being made in our Senate these days, I am a HUGE fan of what our country stands for. We have a government built on the ideals of liberty, justice, and basic human rights. We have a government that is required to not only put up with, but also listen to those who disagree. There is a man and woman team that has been living in front of the White House for the last 26 years. For 26 years, they have been there, with their signs and pamphlets, fighting their own government. And they have the freedom to do just that.

We got to see the woman while we were there. Our kids were stunned (most of them having been shielded from anything like it) but they were interested. We discussed freedom of speech and the rights/responsibilities of US citizens. I was quite disturbed by the choice of a teacher from another group. He was there with a group of high school students who were equally enthralled by the sight of this dirty, shouting woman and her signs. She had focused on this group of students, accusing them of being the children of fascists and blaming them for the ills of this world. Instead of explaining to the students that she had the right to say these things and that she was a little bit disturbed, the teacher went up to her and demanded that she stop speaking to his students. The irony of it was quite...um...ironic?

When we had finished racing around the mall, we headed over to Union Station for lunch. Shortly after that, we were dropped off at the airport for a lengthy check-in process and our return home.

I'm tired of writing now. I will add pictures and make any editing changes another time. Now, I must finish watching an Evening with Kevin Smith (Evening Harder). Catch you later!

Part 1: Birthplace of our Nation

I'm going to recap my trip to Virginia now and add the pics in later. I'm afraid I will start to forget details if I don't get right on it.

~Day 0~
We left from San Diego International at 10:30pm on Friday, June 15th. There were 49 of us all together, with an adult to student ration of about 1:2. There were 4 students and 3 adults along from my class. Because of the red-eye flight, a brief layover in Atlanta, and the time change (lost 3 hours), we landed in Dulles Airport (D.C.) at about 6 am. We immediately jumped on a tour bus and headed to Williamsburg, VA. There was quite a bit of traffic, so it took about 4 hours to get there. We also had to make an unscheduled stop for breakfast. How they thought we were going to fly all night and then travel/tour all morning without eating is beyond me.

~Day 1~
The delays got us to Williamsburg a little late. We managed to spend some time on the guided tour of Colonial Williamsburg, however. It was quite informative, and I enjoyed it very much. If we hadn't all been so tired, it would have been perfect. We got to see recreations of a colonial seamstress's shop, a silversmith's shop, the magazine (armory) from which gun powder and weapons were confiscated by the British, and a foundry, as well as a typical household setup. The characters there are all well played and very authentic looking. We got to see the
Governor's mansion as well.

Eventually, we went to dinner (uninspired pasta dishes) and checked into our hotel room. We had just enough time to rinse the travel grime from our faces before heading back to Colonial Williamburg for a Ghost Tour. We heard stories about ghosts that supposedly haunt Williamsburg. Although they weren't very frightening to me (the kids were somewhat spooked), they were very well told and enjoyable. (At some point this evening, one of our teachers managed to trip in a hole and hurt her ankle.) We chased some fireflies on the way back to the bus, returned to our hotel, and collapsed into bed for the first time in 38 hours.

~Day 2~
After an excellent breakfast (one of the few places in the world that makes GOOD scrambled eggs), we spent time at the recreation of Jamestown. They have an excellent museum/gallery there that really focuses on the interactions between the English, the Native Americans, and the Africans at this time. We were given a quick tour of the gallery, model villages (native, colonial, and slave), and the three ships used to reach the new world: the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery. I can't even begin to imagine traveling ACROSS THE OCEAN on a ship only slightly bigger than my father-in-law's speedboat. We were given some time to do further exploration on our own before lunch. I chose to return to the gallery to read all the information we had previously sped past. It was quite informative. (The ER docs were also quite informative regarding the teacher's broken foot. She was given pain meds, crutches, and orders to stay off of it as much as possible.)

After a sandwich lunch at Jamestown, we went back to Williamsburg for some shopping and wandering on our own. The kids had a blast spending their money on colonial toys (mostly guns and bow-n-arrow sets). It was somewhat disappointing because we couldn't go into any of the houses (where the characters were), but it was fun to walk around and soak up the atmosphere. We had a decent dinner at a local pizza place, and then headed back to our hotel for some swimming. Trying to lifeguard a pool full of 30 over-excited 11 year olds is a challenge. Thanks to the assistance of many parents, we managed to keep everyone safe.

~Day 3~
We returned to the same place for breakfast, and then we headed off to Busch Gardens for some fun. The kids were AMAZED to hear that I was willing to ride with them on any roller-coaster they wanted. The group I was with managed to hit about 4 coasters, along with several water rides (necessary because it was HOT!), the bumper cars, and lots of walking. We put off getting our lunch until the last minute and ate on the bus, so we wouldn't waste any of our fun time. I managed to soak my cell phone on the Roman Rapids, causing it to refuse to acknowledge some buttons while randomly pushing others. 97482lshh2984! I had to turn it off for the remainder of the trip.

Upon leaving the park, we took a 3 hour trip to Charlottesville, Virginia, where we stayed the night. There was plenty of time for swimming (imagine a tiny indoor pool surrounded by incredibly slippery floor and filled with 30 screaming children - this should be one of the circles of hell, if you ask me.) and hanging out before bed, although we were pretty Busch-ed from our fun in the sun.

~Day 4~
Up early for a very bad continental breakfast before heading to Monticello - the home of Thomas Jefferson. We had a very nice tour of the house before being allowed to wander the grounds and (of course) do some gift shopping. Then we were off to Mount Vernon - the home of George Washington. Again, touring, wandering, and shopping, before heading to Washington, D.C. and checking into our hotel for the night. Thank goodness, the pool here was outside. Even better, it had its very own lifeguard! My relief was boundless.

The remainder of our trip is discussed in the next post...

Officially.

I am assigned to a 5th grade position at Pauba Valley. Since this is the one and only position that I wanted (or interviewed for), I am quite pleased.

I plan to open my tutoring business anyway, with myself having limited tutoring hours for the time being. Luckily, I have some excellent friends who are eager to pitch in.

Whirlwind

I know it's no big shock to stop by here and not see a post, but this time I have a good excuse. Really!

I spent the week of June 11th finishing out the school year. I managed to get my 33 chickadees graduated and moved on successfully, thanks to some excellent work on their part and not a few sleepless nights on my part. I am thrilled to see them heading off to the next leg of that adventure called "Life", but I am going to miss them terribly. I have never shared so much with a class, and that tight bond makes for a more painful separation. I'm pretty sure many of them will keep in touch, though.

Immediately upon dismissal, Mikey and I kicked it into high gear to finish packing and labeling the contents of my room. I would have left it until later, but since I didn't want to miss out on having my boxes moved for me, I figured I better get it done. (For those who don't know yet, I was finally offered a position (actually, THE position) in the district for next year. More on that later.) We packed and stacked until 5 pm, when we headed down to the San Diego airport so that I could catch my flight to Virginia/Washington, D.C.

The trip was great. We had a group of 49 (I was the official headcounter.), including students from all four 5th grade classes, three teachers, and a bunch of parents. We all managed to get there, enjoy ourselves tremendously, and get back safely. All, that is, except one of the teachers (not me) who tripped in a hole and broke her foot on the first night. I took a million pictures, which I will share with you as soon as I get them uploaded, and bought many books/games/etc. to help me with my teaching in the upcoming year. We returned late Wednesday evening, and I am just now getting my sleep back to normal. It's amazing how sleep deprived one can get on a 5 day trip!

Now that I am back and all the school stuff is done for a while, I am getting to work on several different projects. I am continuing to move forward with Esquela del Sol, although I am relying more on my partner in crime than originally planned. We had our first "official" meeting of the minds yesterday at Starbucks. (I felt like a true entrepreneur, sitting there with my tall, mocha frapp!) I am going to be starting Spanish lessons next Tuesday, as well as continuing to work on my masters program. So that I don't spend the entire summer working, I already have plans for plays, stand-up comedy, a couple of dance recitals, regular trips to the beach and the movies, and a baseball game (Little League).

Action!

We've been working hard on the Escuela del Sol idea. I stopped in at the library to get books on starting a business and writing a business plan. Mikey worked his tail off today setting a very smart looking website, which will go up as soon as I secure my domain name. It mostly consists of a main page, some info about me, and a form to fill out if you want to get more information as it comes available. He also designed me a great logo.

I am mostly spending my time completing the numerous end-of-the-year classroom tasks. I went in to school both days this weekend to work on getting things packed up. Thanks to the help of several students and a wonderful parent volunteer, the only things left to pack are the things I will need access to during the next week. I am done with all my grading and ready to write out the final report cards for the year. I have also been doing lots of thinking about my mission statement and the things I would like to do with this whole opportunity.

It feels terrific to be taking action on my own behalf. This is one of those decisions that just feels RIGHT. This has happened a few times in my life - moving to CA, marrying Mikey, and donating a kidney - when making decision just makes me feel good. These moments have always worked out for me. This is one of those decisions.

Job Update

I probably should have posted this first, but the other was more interesting and fun.

Anyway, this is the story of my search for a new position as it currently stands. For the sake of my sanity, I will present it in bullet format.

* I have not received any word on the job I interviewed for at School A.
* The principal I interviewed with hasn't contacted me.
* The District Office hasn't contacted me.
* The grapevine has informed me that School A was already staffed.
* The teachers who were chosen are friends of School A's principal.
* I received an email offering to let me INTERVIEW for a job at School B.
* Other teachers have been GIVEN jobs that they didn't ask or interview for.
* School B is over an hour long commute from my house.
* I am working my way through the grieving process.
* I don't really want to talk about it.

Screw 'Em

I'm seriously thinking about getting out. The public school system in general is a huge mess these days and obviously, the part of it that I work for could give two shits about me. I don't need to be debasing myself for a system that doesn't appreciate me. I can be working for myself, getting the same student interaction, providing the same (if not better) assistance, and actually feeling appreciated for a change.

I am very strongly considering starting up my own tutoring business. I have always wanted to open my own school someday, and this is a good first step. I have a lot of great ideas, and I know several people who would be interested in helping me. I think we've got the savings and equity and credit to make it financially possible. I can easily drum up the business through my parent and teacher connections. I have the expertise to do the tutoring part. The necessary components are there.

Plus, there are some great benefits for me. I would be working for myself. I would be making my own hours, which would be much shorter than the ones I work now. I would get to focus on what is really important about teaching and forget about the crap. It will be GOOD for me.

Stay tuned for further information about my business, to be known as Escuela del Sol.

Courage, Serenity, and Wisdom

I can change the way I present myself to the world, but I cannot change the way the world sees me.

I cannot change the way they go about sharing information in this district, but I can change the way I react to it.

The trick is keeping this in mind while I am in the thick of things.

I need the courage, the serenity, and the wisdom to handle everything these days.

Meanwhile

At the same time that all this crap is going on with interviewing and hiring, I have been having some of the best days with my kids. We are past the final testing days and we are into the "live it up together before summer comes and splits us up for good" days. We have been going on field trips, doing interesting activities, exploring the US government and our role in it, playing softball, and generally having fun together. I have gotten enough hugs, high-fives, and smiles to keep my spirits up despite the best efforts of my "friends" in the DO. The next 2 weeks are going to be wonderful.

Like We're Not Even Human

This afternoon, they started making phone calls to inform us about placements for next year. They talked to 3 members of our staff, offering them positions they didn't want (and hadn't asked or been interviewed for). The rest of us heard nothing.

This doesn't mean that we get nothing. It just means that they arranged to do the informing in the stupidest way possible so that it will take several days (they only call during work hours when we don't have students - a grand total of 1 hour per day) to complete it. While we know they made the placement positions, we do not know anything about our own positions until they get to us. Although, we do know that apparently our requests and interviews had NOTHING to do with our placements. WTF? Every action the HRD people take shows us clearly that we are nothing more than a name and number on a piece of paper. They demonstrate absolutely NO consideration for our emotional well-being in any of this. It is enough to make one consider leaving. If I weren't so attached to my little home here, I would look elsewhere for a position - I bet Northern California would be nice...

I am still trying to maintain a level of hope. I can be grateful that I didn't get placed at one of the schools I really don't want to go to. There is still a possibility that I will get the position I requested. This will all be over soon - I will definitely hear this week about my job for next year. I have to have faith that it will be something I am comfortable accepting and that it will be something I can live with.

Rockin' Out

I had THE BEST time on Sunday night!

My friend, "K", and I went to a concert at the casino in Temecula. Who did we see? THE INDIGO GIRLS! Only my favorite band in the whole world! The theater had great acoustics, and the seats were awesome.

They had a great opening act by the name of Thao (sounds like Tao) that I had never heard of before, but I ended up buying their cd. Very interesting, new sound with thoughtful, meaningful lyrics.


The Indigo Girls sounded great. I was worried that they would be playing all new music that I didn't know, but the set list included many of my absolute favorite songs. There were some great new songs as well, meaning that I am going to have to get their latest albums for myself sometime soon.

The crowd that night was energetic and friendly. There was lots of dancing and singing and laughing. It was interesting to see so many lesbian couples, since I have only heard the term mentioned once in my entire stay in Temecula. I wanted to run around the room asking all these liberally minded, enviromentally oriented people for their names and numbers. Those are the kind of people that I need to surround myself with, and they are few and far between around here. The whole evening was fabulous. I left making two promises to myself: I will most definitely be going to every Indigo Girls concert that takes place in the area, and I will be returning to the Pechanga theater for any concert that sounds interesting. It's a great place to see a show.

Next show: comedian Jim Gaffigan in July

This is a Test.

If you were driving down the road during a traffic jam, with all the cars slowed to a stop-and-go crawl, and you stepped on your brakes, only to find yourself rear-ended by the guy behind you, what would your first words to him be?

A. "What the *$^@ were you thinking!?!?" (with lots of violent hand gestures and shouting)

B. "Can I get your insurance information?"

C. Something else entirely, in which case you should post it in the comments.

Just so my parental units don't worry, this did NOT happen to me. It is something I witnessed when I was driving home the other day. The guy it actually happened to chose option A. Since I was the car right behind the one that hit him, I got a chance to see the 'hitters' reaction to the accident and he was obviously quite shaken. Realizing that the guy you just accidentally hit is a violent nut-job (as evidenced by all the insane flinging about of his hands) couldn't possibly help. From my vantage point, the 'hitter' needed more sympathy than the 'hittee*'.


* I don't care if that's not a word. It suits my purposes. I'm sticking with it.

Interview

Yesterday, I interviewed for another position. (It seems like I've interviewed a lot, but that's only because I am a whiner. This was only my second interview.) I wish I could say I have total confidence that I am going to get the job, but I just don't know what to think. I was in there for about the same amount of time as everyone else, but most of it was spent chatting. She asked me two basic questions, one about my recent growth as a teacher and one about my ideas on how to develop a cohesive/cooperative team. Then she said, "Well, I already know you pretty well, so I'm not going to waste your time asking a bunch of nitpicky questions." Or something along those lines. We chatted a little more and than I left.

Augh!

I didn't get to sell myself. I know she already knows me, but I walked out feeling like I didn't get a chance to tell her how great I am. I get the feeling that this means she has already decided what she's going to do. Either she already knows she wants me and doesn't feel the need to make me jump through hoops (which means I should stop complaining), or she already knows she doesn't want me and doesn't feel the need to waste my time (which means I am going to start competing with the high schoolers for that deli clerk job at the grocery store cause I can't take any more of this). I just wish I knew which one it was. I would hope that if it was the latter, she would have at least given me a chance to convince her otherwise, but who knows.

The hardest part is that I want to harness the power of positive thinking. I want to tell myself and the universe that I don't have to worry because this is MY job and I'm going to get it. However, I know that if I do that and I don't get the job, I am going to be destroyed. It will be bad enough if I DON'T get my hopes up. If I do, I will be a wreck. I think about how devestated I was to not get the last position, and I don't know if I can take that again. So, I am sitting here, trying not to get too down, but trying not to get too up. It is a difficult balancing act.

Wanted: Luck

Please take a brief moment to send some good vibes my way. I am interviewing for a position this afternoon and I could really use all the help I can get. I am very concerned about what will happen if I don't get this job. I am right for this school. I am right for the position. We just have to convince the principal.

Freudian?

It seems that in all the chaos of my week, I forgot to do the weigh-in. Could this be because in all the chaos of my week, I managed to gain back almost everything I had lost? The holiday weekend filled with lying around doing nothing but snacking didn't help. Not to worry, I am back on the right track, and currently only +2 from last time. Just out of curiosity - why is it so hard to lose 5 pounds (taking many weeks) and so easy to gain the same (taking only a day or two)?

So, how are you doing?

PS - nice job, Thom! :)

Some Thoughts on Stress

Things have been a tiny bit stressful lately. (I feel like an ass saying that knowing what some people have been going through at the same time, but this is my blog, so bear with me.) The traditional end-of-the-year chaos has been multiplied by the fact that I am having to find a new position and pack my entire classroom for relocation. Because of my trip to Virginia/D.C., this has to be done BEFORE the last day of school - not an easy feat. Most recently, I have been getting my kids ready for a talent show (which we put on yesterday), including creating props, teaching curtain/light/sound skills, and trying to convince them that it will look better if they FACE THE AUDIENCE!

Anyway. There was a moment earlier this week, when all of this combined to actually throw my brain into overload. I could feel the moment when my grey matter finally said, "That's it. I quit." What had been hard became impossible. What had been complicated became confusing. All the very important things on that running list in my brain were forgotten. The file just disappeared. Instead of being friendly, I was crabby and snippy. When I finally got through to the end of that day, I did some thinking on it.

I believe that what happened is my system went into Fight or Flight mode. I reached the point where my instincts decided that I was actually in danger. My brain clicked into survival gear - only that which is necessary for survival is considered. Years of evolution prevented me from actually fleeing the scene (although there was a moment when it was seriously considered), but I was functioning on a purely instinctual level for some time. This, of course, only added to the stress, since I couldn't fight anything OR run away. I had to spend the rest of the afternoon forcing myself to do the things I needed to do despite my defiant brain.

The next morning, I was fine. My brain had gone back to normal and I was able to easily take care of some things that had been completely overwhelming and impossible the previous day. In fact, realizing that I was in Fight or Flight actually helped me. I was able to look at things in terms of Vital/Not Vital. My mental To Do list got a lot shorter and I felt much more capable of handling it. There is something very relaxing about realizing, "Well, if that doesn't get done it won't be the end of the world. In fact, no one but me will even notice."

Happy 29 Years to Me!!!

You know what makes me feel really good?

On my birthday, the one day on which I am allowed to do WHATEVER I want, I choose to do the same things I always do. I spend the day laughing and playing with my students. I come home to my comfy home and spend the evening with my wonderful husband. My life is so good, that there isn't anything better I would hope for.

Oh. And also, I am very glad to be the age I am. I am still young enough that everyone around me comments on how young I am, but I am old enough to be past all the crap that goes along with being in your early 20s. I am no longer looking for myself. As mentioned above, I have not only found myself, I am thrilled with what I have found. :)

That makes me feel good.

20/20 Challenge

It's time to weigh in.

I hit my lowest weight in pretty much the last 12 months this week, but I have since come up a bit from there. I am still down 5 from my starting point. Yay, me!

How's it going for YOU?

These Days

SO...It turns out that the more things change, the more they stay the same. :) Since that is a work related complaint, I'm going to leave it at that.

Some things I CAN talk about...

There are only 19 days of school left. This would be a very exciting thought if it weren't for all the stuff I have to do between now and then. It's a might overwhelming. The one redeeming factor is that no matter what, it will all be over by June 15th. :)

I am taking a few students on a bonus (re: expensive) field trip to the East Coast immediately following the last day of school. We will be going to Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Washington, D.C. It's going to be a whirlwind tour (the 15th to the 20th), but I am very much looking forward to it. I have never been to the birthplace of our country, and I am very interested to see these places I teach about with my own eyes.

The puppies have been much better lately. They still get kenneled when we aren't around (which means we have to be around most of the time - goodbye summer trip!) and during the night, but they are respecting the fence enough to be trusted out during daylight hours.

Things are going well for the most part. While the work situation remains chaotic (and will stay that way until the end of the year, I'm sure), home continues to be calm and relaxing. Everyone is healthy (thank goodness for Airborne!) and happy. What more can I ask?

Testing

We are in the middle of our big standardized testing week. This means that we (by we, I mean the kids) work like dogs for the first few hours of the day (gotta test them when they're freshest) and then act like lunatics for the rest. It's been quite animated in my room. We're working on several more artistic projects (while still being adequately academic, just in case someone important walks in) that are keeping them involved fairly well. I have gotten several things done thanks to the two hour block of testing in the morning. Nice quiet time for me.

This post is brought to you by the number 8.

That's how many miles I ended up walking yesterday. Actually, that is a guess. I am working on the assumption that a regulation track is about 1/4 mile long. I walked 32 laps. I could have done at least 10 miles if I hadn't been taking time to help my pal "S" with the running of the booth. That, and taking longer than strictly necessary for lunch.

It was lots of fun...there were tons of people there and all kinds of information about cancer testing, prevention, and assistance. They had really loud music playing all day long (I came home with a headache) that kept us moving. There was a Ms. Relay contest for the guys. My student was one of the ones who dressed up to try to get additional donations. It was pretty funny. I also bought a bright green hat shaped like a monkey.

Just before I left, they were putting out the luminary bags (paper bags with rocks and a candle inside). "S" took pictures of each of my bags, one for Kate and one for my grandpas. I will post those pics as soon as she emails them to me. Since she was up all night for the Relay, I'm guessing that won't be until later in the week.

I am excited about putting together my own team next year. I'm hoping I can get some teachers and students to work on raising donations and such next year. I managed to raise $195 with my minimal fundraising efforts (I only had a week to get ready). Next year, I'll do better. The Relay raised somewhere around $36, 000 total and our team raised...I forget...around $1,500 maybe? I'll get the final numbers from "S" and let you know. Thanks to everyone who helped out. And thanks to everyone who is helping Kate these days. That's even more important.

Trainwreck

For fear of putting my job more at risk than it already is, I hesitate to say too much here. However, I must vent a bit, not to mention getting some of this down for some time in the distant future when I need a good laugh.

As I have already told you (I think), I am being downsized at my school. In a nutshell, they built another school nearby that is taking away a large portion of our population (approximately 28%). This means that they are going to need 10 fewer teachers than we currently have. So, I interviewed recently for a position at the new school (the only positions they were flying). Yesterday, I learned (in a way that makes it painfully obviously just how little HRD thinks of us teachers) that I had not been picked up. Not really surprising considering that I was one of 90 applicants for ~17 positions.

Today, I learned that there are even more changes in store for my beautiful school. Enough changes that I might potentially end up being able to stay due to other people choosing to leave. Enough changes that I don't really want to stay any longer.

This whole thing has been one big, long, disturbing trainwreck. The way information is withheld and people mistreated goes a long way toward making me think about looking at other districts. I'm not ready to do that yet, but it wouldn't take much of an incentive to make it happen.

The worst part is how all this upheaval affects my teaching. It is difficult to focus on the needs of the students when your own basic needs aren't being met. One can only take so much uncertainty and confusion before one starts to crack. Luckily, I know where my cracking point is. I spent the day wrapped in a warm blanket, watching crappy mysteries, and playing Kingdom of Loathing (with an occasional visit to the kenneled dogs, who are still doing their best to escape the confines of our little yard). Come Monday, I am going to try to put all this behind me and focus on enjoying the last few weeks I have with this charming crew of mine.

Bad Dog (Owner)

Remember how I left the gate open and allowed the dogs to run free a few weeks back? Well, guess what? I managed to do it again last Friday. It took an hour to get them back, and we never actually managed to catch them, they simply returned home when there were tired and thirsty enough. Stupid dogs. Stupider dog owner.

Yesterday Mia managed to dig under the fence and bother the neighbor lady again. Ugh. Thanks to my idiocy, we are still keeping a close rein on the puppies to prevent any further escapes.

Keep Dancing!

On Saturday, I will be participating in a cancer fundraiser. I am going to be part of a Relay for Life. The local Young Marines group will have several teams in attendance. I am partially motivated to join in order to provide one of my students with an incentive to come to school (I really will do anything!). Even more, I am going to walk in honor of my friends and family members who have battled or are battling cancer. I have lost many family members to various forms of cancer. I have watched my aunt bravely battle cancer for the last few years. I am excited to be helping raise money to fund research that might one day provide cures for the cancers that have plagued my friends and family.

If you are interested in joining me in this fight, please follow this link to my personal webpage. I am hoping to raise $250 before Saturday. As far as I can tell, there is no per lap donation, it is strictly a flat donation of your choice. Every little bit helps! Thank you for your support.

Keep Dancing!

Back to the Beginning

Did I tell you about my big mistake a couple of weeks ago? Well, I can't be bothered to check, so I'm going to tell you again. :)

One day, I came home and left the gate wide open. This wouldn't be a problem, except I also released the hounds from their kennel. Bad move. They hung around with us until they realized my mistake, then they were GONE. It took nearly an hour and much footwork before we managed to get them back. Even then, we had to lift them over a fence, as they had managed to get themselves trapped inside a neighbor's yard. Stooooopid dogs.

Anyway, since then, Mia had been bound and determined to get out into the "real world" again. One day, she dug a hole under the fence. Another she jumped over the fence, only to find herself trapped in the yard next door. They always keep their gate chained and locked, so the only way for Mikey to get her back in our yard was to dig a hole and coax her under. As special bonus, she managed to terrify the lady next door while she was there. Wheee!

I understand that this recent bad behavior is entirely my own fault. They had been PERFECT for months before I inadvertently gave them a reminder of what lie beyond the fence. Consequently, I have had to go back to square one with the training process. They spent all weekend on Kennel Detention. This means that they are dogs in a box unless someone is outside with them. Just today, I have started letting them roam the yard as long as someone is checking in with them at 5 minute intervals, just to remind them who's boss and praise them for sticking around. In fact...brb...OK, found them. :)

I could just kick myself for undoing everything we had so carefully taught them. Ugh.

20 in 20 Challenge

Ante up, folks. :)

Amy, I know you were just in Rochester trying to convince them to remove more body parts so you wouldn't have to exercise. Quite the scam you have going on there. :)

I am currently holding at the same weight from last week.

As Good As It Gets

As I have mentioned, I am required to interview for new positions because of downsizing at my school. The first round of applications was for the new school opening nearby (the cause of the downsizing, actually). The observations and interviews are taking place this week. I was lucky enough to get mine over with right away.

On Monday, the principal observed in my classroom for about 15 minutes. I had prepared a math lesson on lines, angles, and triangles using PowerPoint as my presentation mode. This was a calculated effort to stick out, as I had heard that she was into technology (and I have been focusing on technology for my prof. development this year). She seemed happy while she was in my room, looking around and paying attention to what they students were saying and asking. I made sure that I was using as many effective teaching strategies as I could. This is something I always do, but I was particularly conscious of it for that brief stretch of time. When she left, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I am happy with how it went, and I really feel that I showed her the best I can give.

Then, on Tuesday morning, I had my interview. They were scheduled for 10 minutes each, but mine ended up being almost 20 minutes. I am hoping this is a good sign. Despite the fact that she is doing 70+ interview this week, I felt like she was really listening to my answers. She seemed to respond well to my responses, and she even let me ask HER a question regarding her report card policy. I left feeling as though I had made a good impression and shown her my true personality and passion for teaching.

So, at this point it is a waiting game. I am going to forget all about this mess for the next two weeks and focus on my class. We are currently finishing up our Colonial/Rev. War unit. Sometime on the week on April 30th, I will find out if my days of uncertainty are coming to an end, or just getting started. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

PS - Thanks to T&K for the Easter card. It's message came just in time to reinforce my belief that LOVE is the greatest aspect of teaching. I made sure to focus on that in both my observation and my interview. :)

My Day

Yesterday was a fabulous day.

In the first game (softball), I got to see my student hit against a very difficult pitcher. She didn't hit the ball very far, but the other team wasn't expecting it and she managed to get to 2nd base (thanks in part to an overthrow at 1st). She was grinning so much I thought the top of her head might fall off!

The classroom part of the day was super productive. I had 2 girls there helping me from 10:30 until almost 4:00. It was like having 3 of me in the room. I would tell each of them what to do and then go work on something else. I had planned it well enough that I always had a couple of things that they could do with no assistance from me and something I had to do on my own. We flew through a bunch of things on the list before 12:30.

I took them to lunch as a special treat for helping me. They were so funny about it. "The others aren't going to believe that we rode in the teacher's car!!" It was fun. After lunch, we got a call from some of the guys. They were nearby and didn't have anything to do so they stopped in to help out for awhile.

With 5 kiddos working for me, we got through quite a few more projects. Honestly, I think it was about the same amount as we would have gotten with just us girls, though. Everyone was quite distracted by those of the opposite gender. :) It was funny to watch how everyone kept switching jobs to work with someone else. After a few minutes, I knew who liked who! :) The boys left at about 4:00 (they were getting a little rammy), and the girls took off shortly after that. I spent 2 more hours doing last minute touches and when I left around 6:00, it looked BEAUTIFUL in my room. I am actually excited to have company on Monday. :)

Then I got to reward myself with another ball game. Baseball this time, with one of my boys and his brother playing. They both had some good plays, although their team lost pretty badly. I had a great time cheering them on. That game didn't end until 9:30. I headed home and fell into bed, tired but happy.

20/20 Challenge

Alright, you guys...it's time to fess up. How're you doing? I am thrilled to be back at school. The combination of running around like a headless chicken for 10 hours straight and not having enough time to actually eat anything does wonders for the diet! :) I'm down by 3 this week.

I :heart: Parent Helpers!

This past week has been a stressful one. We were just returning from break, we had to get ready for the field trip, and I had the knowledge of an upcoming observation and interview hanging over my head. The latter is the one that really threw me off.

Normally, I keep my room relatively organized. Lately, I have been noticing piles here and there. There are papers that I am too busy to file correctly, assignments that I still have to grade, and boxes of supplies that have come in. I was doing okay until I realized that we were going to have company. And not just regular company, but important company that has a large amount of control over my future. So, being me, I started to stress about the mess, but didn't really have time to do anything about it.

Enter one of my parent volunteers. She showed up, not once, but TWICE this week to help. She got all the filing completed, changed one of my more tired looking bulletin boards, and then peeked into my closet. My horrible, messy, disgusting closet. I don't normally ask parents to organize my closet because it's a time-consuming job and it feels like making them clean up after me. I don't mind asking them to do something for the kids, but asking them to do something for me is awkward. I bit the bullet (knowing that I only have so many hours in the weekend) and hesitantly asked her, "So...how do you feel about organizing?"

"I thought you'd never ask," she said. "I was going to just start straightening it out anyway, but I thought you might be offended."

Ha! I told her to do whatever she thought necessary. By the end of the hour, I wanted to throw my closet doors open and leave them that way because seeing the shelves made the whole room look neater. I have the best parent help in the world. :)

Now, I am off. I have a softball game to watch first. Then I am going to spend many hours in my classroom making things look nice and neat. This evening I have a baseball game to attend. It will be a long, enjoyable, productive day. Have a good one, yourself.

Field Trip!

My students and I went on a field trip today. We went to a Revolutionary War reenactment camp. It was so much fun. The kids loved seeing the guides in their costumes with their amazing accents. They got to drill like a Colonial soldier, make biscuits, write with quill pens, print flyers encouraging boycotts of tea and such, learn how to politely ask for a dance, and attend a mock trial run by a rude Redcoat. It was a blast. The only sad thing was that we had to leave early and we missed the mock battle at the end. Of course, the reason for leaving made up for our loss. It hailed like crazy and then snowed on our heads. The kids were thrilled, and I didn't miss the opportunity to point out that we were dealing with similar conditions as Gen. Washington's troops at Valley Forge. It was great!

Back to School

The first day back went well. My feet hurt from spending so much time standing on them, but otherwise, no problems. Mikey and I donated blood after work. Now I am tired. Goodnight. :)

But I Don't Wanna!!

It's time for me to start thinking about school again. I have to be ready for my kiddos tomorrow. But instead of doing any planning or grading or anything productive, I have spent the last 4 hours (yikes!) playing Kingdom of Loathing.

Stupid Food

I was doing very well with my diet/exercise thing earlier in the week. I was down by 3 pounds. Really, I was. Then we spent two days with various family members, some of whom feel that feeding you is the best way to show affection. (Not that I am complaining...the food was delicious.) With my seriously malformed sense of willpower, I was unable to stop stuffing myself with goodies. I am now right back where I started. I guess I should be happy that I don't have to start using improper fractions to show the amount remaining to be lost. Bleh.

If you want me to update your numbers, you should send them to me.

Wild Animals

We spent the day wandering around the Wild Animal Park with Mikey's sister and her two urchins. It was tiring, but lots of fun. We got to see the elephant training show, the butterfly exhibit, and lots of cool animals. The lions were so close to the glass that they were practically within arms reach. The cheetah was chillin' in the shade, calmly ignoring all those who flocked to adore her. The antelopes and giraffes and zebras on the African Safari were great fun to look at. We are now quite exhausted, but thinking seriously about getting Zoo memberships so we can go more often. For the exercise and for the entertainment.

GO, me!

I am so impressive. 2 essays down. 1 unit down. Now if I could only progress through the second unit before school starts again.

Cognitive Pluralism

In my studies I have been reading about different educational ideologies. One of my essays requires me to take a more in-depth look into the ideology of cognitive pluralism, the idea that knowledge can be expressed in a wide variety of ways. Although our public school systems tend to focus on the literacy of words and numbers, it is also possible to express thoughts through sounds, colors, shapes, and movement. I especially enjoyed this speech given by Elliot W. Eisner as the John Dewey Lecture for 2002 at Stanford University.

In brief:
There are 6 lessons educators should learn and implement.

1. Experiencing qualitative relationships and making judgements

- evaluating and making decisions without strict guidelines

- "feeling" the correctness of an action

2. Flexible purposing

- developing the ability to allow action to create/influence the goal

3. Form and content is most often inextricable

- developing an environment that is most conducive to the intended goal

4. Not everything knowable can be articulated in propositional form

- respecting non-traditional expressions of thoughts and ideas

5. Looking to the medium

- understanding the relationship between the materials/environment/processes used and the end product

6. The aesthetic satisfactions that the work itself makes possible

- recognizing the motivating quality of the process

Read the whole article for a more in depth look at the relationship between the arts, child development, and what public education SHOULD look like.

Source

*Eisner, Elliot W. (2002) 'What can eduction learn from the arts about the practice of education?', the encyclopedia of informal education, www.infed.org/biblio/eisner_arts_and_the_practice_or_education.htm . Last updated: April 17, 2005.

Yay!

One essay down.
Eating lunch now.
Will begin the next one soon.
:)

This, That, and The Other Thing

(This)
Yesterday I got a little cabin fever (not surprising since i hadn't left our 2 acres in 4 days), so we headed into town for a date. First up was a movie at the "cheap theater". If you want something hilariously funny and totally inappropriate, I recommend Reno 911: Miami. I laughed a lot. Then we grabbed some Rubio's burritos for dinner. They have an Especial that is especially good. (This, combined with the greased popcorn and mega-sized Sprite at the movies, means that I fell off the diet wagon for a while, but I am getting right back on.) It was just the right amount of getting out to make me happy to be able to stay home for another several days in a row.

(That)
Today I will work on my masters class. I have been very intently procrastinating these essays, but it is time and I will put them off no longer. I have 2 that were supposed to be done Saturday and 5 more that are supposed to be done next Saturday. Do you think I can do it? I doubt it. But I will make some progress. Here I go...

(The Other Thing)
PS - I just saw a trailer for the most adorable movie. John Cusack is the lead in Martian Child, a based-on-a-true-story film about a science fiction writer who adopts a little boy who thinks he is a visitor from Mars. The trailer made it look funny and sensitive and sweet. A powerful story about the power of love. Definitely on my Must See list. I am curious though...do you think John only signs on to movies that agree to let Joan have a roll??

(That again)
Okay. I'm going now for real. I swear...

Linking

If you like to mix humor and politics with just a dash of mathematical analysis for seasoning, you will enjoy reading Indexed. Each thought consists of a title and an index card, no explanation. Be prepared for punning. :)

Oops

I guess I had somehow made it difficult for non-bloggers to post comments here. I think it is fixed now. Maybe now I will get more comments? Ha. :)

20 in 20 Challenge

I am quite intrigued by the idea of the 20 pounds in 20 weeks challenge. As you can see, I have added it to my sidebar. If you are interested in joining, just let me know. You can email me or just post a comment here.

I will add each participant and their finish date to the sidebar, along with two sets of numbers. The ratio will be how many out of 20 pounds you have to go. For example, I have lost 3 of my 20 so I would see 17/20. The second number (in parenthesis, like this) will show the change from the previous week. For example, if you had lost 15 of your 20, but you gained 2 pounds in the last week you would show up like this:

8.18.07 - Mr. Example 7/20 (+2)

This shows that you have 7 pounds left to reach your goal and you are up 2 from last week.

You will be responsible for weighting yourself each week and emailing or posting your results so I can update the sidebar. Let's say today is the start date, so we should update each Saturday. You can either just send your current weight (and let me do the math) or you can calculate your numbers and send me that. That way there is no comparison of weights between us. It's the progress that matters, not the actual numbers.

Speaking of what matters, please remember that we are working toward health here. Use weight loss strategies that will actually benefit you in the long run. Some things I try to keep in mind:

1. Watch your triggers. There are many things that make us 'think' we are hungry when we're not.

• Are you thirsty?
• Are you tired/bored/upset?
• Is your internal clock set going off at the wrong time?

2. Watch your intake. Many foods provide numerous calories without really being beneficial.

• Beverages - Most are heavy on the calories, while light on nutrients. Try to drink a glass of water instead. If this is a trouble area for you, make a goal of sticking to water for at least one meal.
• Snacks - It is a good idea to eat small snacks through-out the day to avoid feelings of denial or overwhelming hunger. The problem is that many handy snacks are high calorie. Try to keep fresh fruits or veggies available for snack times. And don't forget that dips will pack on the pounds quickly.
• Cut the Fat - I rely on dairy products for most of my proteins. This means I collect calories pretty quickly if I am not careful. I avoid this by purchasing as much as possible in a reduced fat or no fat alternative. You end up sacrificing some flavor, but most of the time it's not so bad. You can always save the good stuff for special occasions.
• Keep Track - This is the thing that helps me the most. Write down everything that you eat. And I mean EVERYTHING! It is amazing how many calories you ingest without even realizing it. Putting it down in a journal makes you more aware.
  

3. Watch your activity level. We eat to provide fuel for our bodies. The more active we are, the more fuel we burn. You want to lose weight faster? Get active. You want to eat more without gaining weight? Get active! I know that it's hard to find the time. Here's what I do:

• TV Time - do sit-ups or lift weights while you watch
• Get Help - Just like this challenge might help you stick to your diet, having a buddy helps you stick to your exercise plan. Make it a social event and call up your friends.
• Double Up - Mikey and I walk laps around our property when I get home. This covers three of our needs at one time - interact with the dogs, get exercise, and share the events of the day.

I am officially starting today, so get your numbers in as soon as possible. Also, feel free to make suggestions for improvement. I'm thinking maybe we should have a prize for those who make their goal? What do you think?

New Look

I did it. I changed the layout of the blog. In the interest of making things easy, I changed a bit more than expected, but I think I am going to be happy with it. I like how soothing and green it is. So. That's that.

Vacation Events

I am on vacation, so I can't talk about my class. And I can't use my class as an excuse not to do anything else. So...what have I been up to? Let's take a peek into the life of the free-range teacher.

1. Masters coursework - I haven't actually written a single word, but I have read 2 long, boring chapters. I believe myself to be fully prepared to start writing the essays that go along with them. I'll be getting right on that. Any day now...

2. Pet Parenting - It's great fun sitting in the sun, lounging with the dogs while I read my tedious text. Almost makes it worthwhile. The dogs are loving it, and so am I.

3. Kingdom of Loathing - This is an online game that is just addictive enough to suck up several hours a day. I excuse myself by claiming that it helps me relate better to the folks on Mikey's business forum. They are all avid players, and it is really my responsibility to help make them feel welcome, right? I need to be able to participate in their conversations, right? You're totally buying this, right? Riiiiiight.

4. Dieting - Having reached a point 10 pounds over my "I can live with this" weight and 20 pounds over my "I am happy like this" weight, I have put myself on a restricted calorie diet. Not too restricted. I am not starving myself, but I am keeping track of everything that goes into my mouth in an attempt to shame myself from the habit of eating when I am bored or tired or happy or breathing. For the most part, it means that I am drinking way more water and eating way more fruits and veggies. This has to be a good thing. I am also trying to be more active (lest you think I don't understand the importance of a balanced lifestyle). We'll see what happens.

5. Hobbies - I am 1/2 way done with a purty red scarf. I started making it to put in the classroom auction I have every year, but I'm kind of liking the way it is turning out. Perhaps I will keep it. Or perhaps one of YOU will receive it unexpectedly one day. I am also about 1/2 done with a crocheted blanket. I didn't realize what an arduous project this would be when I started it, but now that I am past the 1/2 way mark, I am feeling pretty good about finishing it. It was begun about...2 years ago. At this rate, it should be done sometime in...oh...April 2009.

6. Cooking - Carrot Ginger soup is yummy. I had some the other day at a restaurant and decided to make a batch for at home. Not being very focused at the time, and forgetting that ground ginger and ginger root were not 1:1 equivalent, I ended up with more of a Ginger Carrot soup. We threw in some extra cream (shhhh...don't tell my diet) and some rice, and it mellowed out enough to be enjoyable. I will do better next time.


That's about it. I have also been watching too many hours of Veronica Mars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Law and Order, and numerous movies of varying quality. What have YOU been up to?