Pros:
1) um......
2) Good excuse to not iron for John in the morning
3) um.....
4) Good excuse for why the house isn't spic and span clean
5) um......
6) Money to pay back bills and student loans
As you can see, working is almost completely useless. Anyone else in agreement? I feel like I never should have answered Laura's "Do you love your job" poll, quite so confidently. I had not yet started my teaching job for this year. Can we repost the poll and I'll vote again?
Cons:
1) Temper tantrums (from kids, not me, although the next time one of the kids gets going, I think I am going to have one of my own)
2) I have no partner teacher in my classroom this year, preventing me from laughing hysterically when the kids are funny or when I am funny
3) I got yelled at by a 5 year old yesterday.
4) I make children cry at least 4 times a day by delivering such horrible news as 'It's time to stop coloring.' or 'please stop playing twister on the carpet' or 'could you put your scissors away and stop cutting your friend's hair'.
5) Taxes
6) Wisconsin teacher's salary
7) Not enough personal time to update my blog! Sadness.
8) Waking up in the morning
9) Some sort of nightime or after work meeting on an almost daily basis
10) The incredible pressure of improving test scores even when 98% of kids are meeting the academic goals of the school and district. Hmmmm....
I feel like since work has been so stressful and sad, I have been robbed of the ability to blog. Hopefully things will look up soon and I will be back to the world of happy blogging.
Hope you all are doing well.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Why I might look like a Battered Woman tomorrow
I am kind of thinking that by the time tomorrow morning rolls around, I am going to have a shiner and maybe some brusing on my nose! The culprit? My puppy. Now I still say puppy because he is only 8 months old and I think that qualifies, but really, he weighs almost 70 lbs. For the most part he is unaware that he is now huge and insists on being a lap dog. He usually walks up to the sofa and instead of just jumping up, like a dog his size would do, he puts his front paws up and slowly scoots his body forward. Then he pulls one leg up and tries to pull himself onto the couch. It is quite funny to watch.
Normally I am excited for him to just get the idea of jumping up. Tonight, he did. Well, he actually flew up. John was chasing him around with a small rubber duckie key chain flashlight that I couldn't pass up at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It quacks when you push the light button. So, John is turning the light on and off, the duck quacking all the while. Meanwhile, Max is flying around the living room and somehow lands on my face with his foot. Of course I was on the phone and ended up screaming at Bronwyn. Sorry 'bout that!
Then just moments ago, I was sitting here and Max came in with that pathetic 'I need a little attention' look. He is very good at this one. So, I have him jump up with his front paws and I gave him a lovely little scratch on his ears. How does he repay me for that kindness? He pulls his head back and bites my nose!!!
So, I am hoping that I am not bruised in the morning, and that if I am, my co-workers believe it was the work of an over-active pup and do not call the cops on John.
Normally I am excited for him to just get the idea of jumping up. Tonight, he did. Well, he actually flew up. John was chasing him around with a small rubber duckie key chain flashlight that I couldn't pass up at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It quacks when you push the light button. So, John is turning the light on and off, the duck quacking all the while. Meanwhile, Max is flying around the living room and somehow lands on my face with his foot. Of course I was on the phone and ended up screaming at Bronwyn. Sorry 'bout that!
Then just moments ago, I was sitting here and Max came in with that pathetic 'I need a little attention' look. He is very good at this one. So, I have him jump up with his front paws and I gave him a lovely little scratch on his ears. How does he repay me for that kindness? He pulls his head back and bites my nose!!!
So, I am hoping that I am not bruised in the morning, and that if I am, my co-workers believe it was the work of an over-active pup and do not call the cops on John.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Do I always teach the cutest kids?
Okay, so after a week and a half of teaching my new group of kindergarteners, I can say that I really do have the cutest kids. Again? Yep, I know. I'm a lucky gal. So, I have this one little girl who has the longest eye lashes in the universe. You know how I love long eyelashes on kids. So, we were reading one of my new favorite books Mrs. Spitzer's Garden . I asked 'What is a garden?' My little eyelash girl raises her hand and says, oh so seriously 'A garden is where they have lots of flowers that need water and sun and love to grow.' Um, okay, how cute is she? And might I add, not too much water. I have too often turned my love for my plants, into a flooding nightmare. Regardless of what others would tell me, I never believed that plants didn't need to be watered everyday. Now, I have learned to neglect my plants and they thrive. Happiness is.
Speaking of happiness...it is now autumn here in Wisconsin. How much do I love this time of year? It is just about the best thing ever. So, to celebrate the new season I did a little shopping today and found the cutest little jacket. Wearing cute jackets and sweaters is probably on the Top 10 list of Why Autumn is the best season.
10) Early frost= frozen mosquitos. Here's to not having to wear bug spray everyday.
9) Thanksgiving and fall decorations are cuter than Christmas decorations.
8) Egg Nog is on it's way
7) Really cute socks
6) Candycorn
5) Lighting fires at night
4) Flannel sheets
3) Trips to the L.A. County Fair!!!!!!!
2) Hoodies/Cute jackets and sweaters
1) It isn't winter yet!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
ClearPlay
I remember the day I was chatting with Rachel about the temptation that was Little Miss Sunshine. Rated R, but with such a killer cast. Steve Carrell is all I should have to say. Toni Collette too! Yeah, so I think we were both back and forthing by saying 'Well, if there was going to be a movie for which I would be willing to break the history of not watching R rated movies, this would be it, hoping that the other person would just buy the movie tickets already.
I don't know if any of you are familiar with a new beautiful invention called ClearPlay . It is a magical DVD player that edits a movie as you watch it! You download the filter from the internet and it edits as it plays the DVD. You would think it would be horrible, like most tv edited movies when they replace swear words with 'farglesnout' or something equally ridiculous that kind of messes with the enjoyability of the movie. It also edits out violence, etc. So, we purchased this lovely machine for about $50 and have happily been watching MANY of those 'I'd really love to see those, if only...' movies.
So, last night the missionaries came over and after they left, I was content with the idea of heading upstairs and recuperating from one REALLY long day. But, I decided to go downstairs and watch a movie. I picked The Pianist because I hadn't seen it (obviously) although I couldn't remember what it was about. I vaguely remembered that I had wanted to see it. So, I popped it in and settled in for a story about the Holocaust.
Rachel, remember a few years back when somehow I ended up reading three books in a row on that topic? I put a serious moratorium on anything similar and have stuck to it pretty well these last few years. Until, last night!
If you thought Million Dollar Baby was bad, don't watch this. I honestly don't know if I have ever cried so much in my life. Hard to imagine, I know! John can attest. It was bad! It really is like any other Holocaust movie that just makes me so sad that those feelings of fear and hatred could truly exist in the human soul!!!! So, after the movie was over, I openly sobbed for about an hour. I didn't go to bed until about 1:30 due to the despair. The moratorium is back on. So, I am going to proceed with a little more caution as I watch movies that are now available to me. I have got to get some sleep!
I don't know if any of you are familiar with a new beautiful invention called ClearPlay . It is a magical DVD player that edits a movie as you watch it! You download the filter from the internet and it edits as it plays the DVD. You would think it would be horrible, like most tv edited movies when they replace swear words with 'farglesnout' or something equally ridiculous that kind of messes with the enjoyability of the movie. It also edits out violence, etc. So, we purchased this lovely machine for about $50 and have happily been watching MANY of those 'I'd really love to see those, if only...' movies.
So, last night the missionaries came over and after they left, I was content with the idea of heading upstairs and recuperating from one REALLY long day. But, I decided to go downstairs and watch a movie. I picked The Pianist because I hadn't seen it (obviously) although I couldn't remember what it was about. I vaguely remembered that I had wanted to see it. So, I popped it in and settled in for a story about the Holocaust.
Rachel, remember a few years back when somehow I ended up reading three books in a row on that topic? I put a serious moratorium on anything similar and have stuck to it pretty well these last few years. Until, last night!
If you thought Million Dollar Baby was bad, don't watch this. I honestly don't know if I have ever cried so much in my life. Hard to imagine, I know! John can attest. It was bad! It really is like any other Holocaust movie that just makes me so sad that those feelings of fear and hatred could truly exist in the human soul!!!! So, after the movie was over, I openly sobbed for about an hour. I didn't go to bed until about 1:30 due to the despair. The moratorium is back on. So, I am going to proceed with a little more caution as I watch movies that are now available to me. I have got to get some sleep!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Have you seen this?
I have quite recently been out of touch with what is happening in the real world. I have spent so much time consumed with getting ready for school to start, that I have fallen behind on some news highlights. So, tonight I decided it was time to catch up.
I was grateful that I didn't wait any longer. I might have missed this.
All I can really say is WOW! I just watched Gridiron Gang not too long ago about The Rock creating a football team in juvie to create peace and unity. Who knew dancing would do the same.
I was grateful that I didn't wait any longer. I might have missed this.
All I can really say is WOW! I just watched Gridiron Gang not too long ago about The Rock creating a football team in juvie to create peace and unity. Who knew dancing would do the same.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Why I teach kindergarten and other stuff...
Well, it has been a bit since I last posted. My brain is mush by the time I get home. Between 5pm and 10pm, I have to make some polite conversation with my husband and try to sound awake and interesting. I don't know how I'm making out with that, I'll check with him and let you know.
I don't know how ABC recitation is so exhausting, but let me assure you that it is. Maybe it is the VERY involved reenactments of The Three Little Pigs and all my singing and dancing that is killing me. The kids all seem to be enjoying themselves and they are keeping me laughing and on my toes.
I have a fun little group this year. Yesterday, after I had told the story of The 3 Little Pigs, I wanted to check for comprehension and a little sequencing. This is sometimes hard for 5 year olds as they jump to the most interesting part instead of listening to the question. Case in point, yesterday. So I asked 'What happened at the beginning of the story? What was the first thing that happened?" A little kid answered 'The wolf blew the house down." I prompted them again, "That did happen, but not at the beginning. What was the first thing that happened?" In all seriousness, one of my kids got a really excited look on his face and said "I know, I know." So, I called on him. His response: "FIRST, the sun came up and THEN the wolf blew the house down." He was very satisfied with himself. Since then, I have realized that if he is telling anything that happened, it is very logical for him to begin by announcing that the sun came up. It seems similar in frequency to "It came to pass..." in the scriptures. "The sun came up and... I went to school." "The sun came up and we went to the park." "The sun came up and ...You fill in the blank."
Thursdays are our early release day for staff development and team planning. I had two meetings to attend today, but didn't make either of them. I'm not too broken up about that, but I certainly stayed busy. One of my kids who gets picked up every day, kept telling me that he was supposed to go on the bus. I've learned to never trust 5yr olds for this sort of information because more often than not 'My mom wants me to go home on the bus,' almost always means 'Man, I see my friends riding the bus, so I think I wanna try.' Well, unfortunately this kid actually meant that he was supposed to be on the bus and by the time I reached his mom, the bus had left.
Then another one of my students was lost and the police got involved and it only ended with me sobbing in the office imagining my little new student wandering a neighborhood scared and alone. Even after she was located, I had staff members checking in on me the rest of the afternoon to make sure that I was emotionally stable. I hadn't been introduced to many of them yet, but I think that was an appropriate way to get to know me. Comfort me while I'm crying!
I wish that I could upload pictures of my cuties or little video clips of them. They are hilarious. I had a kid who was practically playing Twister on the carpet today. The only problem is that the carpet was full of other children who were not as willing to put their right hand on the green spot, etc. I got on the carpet and imitated the Twister display and the kids couldn't stop laughing. I think they missed the point. I can imagine what they are telling their parents tonight. :) Gotta love kindergarten.
Another highlight: I made 3 children cry because I didn't give them stickers. It was kind of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth crying. Hmm...I don't think I like stickers anymore.
Well, folks that is a little update on my life.
Oh, and I was in Wal-Mart the other day and heard over the speakers "Step By Step" by New Kids on the Block. Beautiful moment. I thought immediately of all the people I should call, but then I realized that almost every building in this town is a cell phone death zone. So, I just walked around Wal-Mart with a goofy grin on my face.
Hope you guys are doing well. I am now up 40 minutes past my new bed time, so, I'm off.
I don't know how ABC recitation is so exhausting, but let me assure you that it is. Maybe it is the VERY involved reenactments of The Three Little Pigs and all my singing and dancing that is killing me. The kids all seem to be enjoying themselves and they are keeping me laughing and on my toes.
I have a fun little group this year. Yesterday, after I had told the story of The 3 Little Pigs, I wanted to check for comprehension and a little sequencing. This is sometimes hard for 5 year olds as they jump to the most interesting part instead of listening to the question. Case in point, yesterday. So I asked 'What happened at the beginning of the story? What was the first thing that happened?" A little kid answered 'The wolf blew the house down." I prompted them again, "That did happen, but not at the beginning. What was the first thing that happened?" In all seriousness, one of my kids got a really excited look on his face and said "I know, I know." So, I called on him. His response: "FIRST, the sun came up and THEN the wolf blew the house down." He was very satisfied with himself. Since then, I have realized that if he is telling anything that happened, it is very logical for him to begin by announcing that the sun came up. It seems similar in frequency to "It came to pass..." in the scriptures. "The sun came up and... I went to school." "The sun came up and we went to the park." "The sun came up and ...You fill in the blank."
Thursdays are our early release day for staff development and team planning. I had two meetings to attend today, but didn't make either of them. I'm not too broken up about that, but I certainly stayed busy. One of my kids who gets picked up every day, kept telling me that he was supposed to go on the bus. I've learned to never trust 5yr olds for this sort of information because more often than not 'My mom wants me to go home on the bus,' almost always means 'Man, I see my friends riding the bus, so I think I wanna try.' Well, unfortunately this kid actually meant that he was supposed to be on the bus and by the time I reached his mom, the bus had left.
Then another one of my students was lost and the police got involved and it only ended with me sobbing in the office imagining my little new student wandering a neighborhood scared and alone. Even after she was located, I had staff members checking in on me the rest of the afternoon to make sure that I was emotionally stable. I hadn't been introduced to many of them yet, but I think that was an appropriate way to get to know me. Comfort me while I'm crying!
I wish that I could upload pictures of my cuties or little video clips of them. They are hilarious. I had a kid who was practically playing Twister on the carpet today. The only problem is that the carpet was full of other children who were not as willing to put their right hand on the green spot, etc. I got on the carpet and imitated the Twister display and the kids couldn't stop laughing. I think they missed the point. I can imagine what they are telling their parents tonight. :) Gotta love kindergarten.
Another highlight: I made 3 children cry because I didn't give them stickers. It was kind of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth crying. Hmm...I don't think I like stickers anymore.
Well, folks that is a little update on my life.
Oh, and I was in Wal-Mart the other day and heard over the speakers "Step By Step" by New Kids on the Block. Beautiful moment. I thought immediately of all the people I should call, but then I realized that almost every building in this town is a cell phone death zone. So, I just walked around Wal-Mart with a goofy grin on my face.
Hope you guys are doing well. I am now up 40 minutes past my new bed time, so, I'm off.
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