With a very quick post for you....but a promise of more to come. I had to play catch up last week--at work that is. And even though I told myself I was going to continue posting regularly, well, I just couldn't maintain. But I have three other post ideas already saved so that I can post regularly again. For today (because it is late and I have to still go shopping for the little girl I "adopted" this holiday season) you are getting a quick post..... a story....or rather, a conversation:
Me: N is going to pass out the wipes today because she won the Desk Gecko award. (Don't ask. All you need to know is her desk was cleanest. We are cleaning out our desks, as we do every Friday, and wiping the top of them.)
N: (Approaching me with an empty container.) Mrs. S, where should I put this container? It's empty.
Me: N, where do you think you should put the empty container.
N: (Thinks for a full 30 seconds.) Do you want it on your desk?
Me: Nope. Where do you think you should put a container that is empty?
N: (Again, a 30 second pause while she contemplates this question.) In the garbage?
Me: Exactly! (I turn away to help a little boy who always needs help during this process. A minute later N approaches me with a new container of wipes and the empty container in her hands.)
N: Wait, where am I supposed to put this again?
Me: N, where do you think an empty container of wipes goes?
N: (Again, the 30 second pause.) Should I put it with the other containers of wipes?
Me: No, those ones are full. Where should the empty one go?
N: Oh, yeah, in the garbage!
Me: Yes!
It's Friday at 3:00. Anyone who claims I am NOT patient just needed to be there for that conversation.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Friday, November 30, 2007
NaBloPoMo!
I kinda can't believe this is it....I mean, I knew it was coming up, the end of NaBloPoMo, but this is it. The end of NaBloPoMo. A couple of people have told me they don't want me to stop posting regularly....I have to say, I am glad that I participated in NaBloPoMo. I needed something to get me going with my blog again, and posting more regularly. So, I'm glad I did this. And I am going to try to keep posting more regularly. Maybe not every day, but more regularly.
So, now I turn to the topic of my last post in November. Food. And throwing it up. I won't be insulted if you choose to stop reading now...
I used to hate throwing up. Now....well, now I still hate it, but I'm far more accustomed to it. I have raised it to an art form in fact. I have thrown up pretty much anywhere you can imagine...the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, the basement sink...the driveway, a few parking lots, even in a plastic Stop and Shop bag while sitting in traffic on the Parkway. (That was fun.) And, of course, in various toilets around the state....including a few different ones at school. The funny thing about this is that when all of this first started, I was actually excited. I remember, the first few times I was throwing up, actually exclaiming to Russ "I'm throwing up, that means I'm pregnant! Isn't that AWESOME!?!?" Crazy, I know. That wore off rather quickly. Now....well, ultimately, I just want a healthy baby. If I have to throw up throughout my entire pregnancy, than I'll do that. But, I must admit, I really am getting a little tired of it.
The other funny thing is food. I don't really like food anymore. I don't like talking about food, looking at food, watching food commercials (there are a ton of them you know) or even watching Food Network (such a bummer). Eating is a bit of a chore, only because it's hard to figure out what to eat. And then, sometimes, I think I know what to eat, take a few bites, and discover that it just doesn't work. (That's what happened tonight with dinner....three bites into dinner and I had to run for the bathroom.) I want to eat. And, some days, I can. Most days I can in fact. But there is always that underlying nausea that follows me around all day. And that questioning if it will stay down or if I'll be running for the bathroom.
I don't mean for this post to sound like I'm complaining....I'm really not trying to. Like I said, if I get a healthy baby out if it than I'll do all of this and more....but I'm also kind of ready for the cravings and the non stop eating to start. Right about now.
So, now I turn to the topic of my last post in November. Food. And throwing it up. I won't be insulted if you choose to stop reading now...
I used to hate throwing up. Now....well, now I still hate it, but I'm far more accustomed to it. I have raised it to an art form in fact. I have thrown up pretty much anywhere you can imagine...the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, the basement sink...the driveway, a few parking lots, even in a plastic Stop and Shop bag while sitting in traffic on the Parkway. (That was fun.) And, of course, in various toilets around the state....including a few different ones at school. The funny thing about this is that when all of this first started, I was actually excited. I remember, the first few times I was throwing up, actually exclaiming to Russ "I'm throwing up, that means I'm pregnant! Isn't that AWESOME!?!?" Crazy, I know. That wore off rather quickly. Now....well, ultimately, I just want a healthy baby. If I have to throw up throughout my entire pregnancy, than I'll do that. But, I must admit, I really am getting a little tired of it.
The other funny thing is food. I don't really like food anymore. I don't like talking about food, looking at food, watching food commercials (there are a ton of them you know) or even watching Food Network (such a bummer). Eating is a bit of a chore, only because it's hard to figure out what to eat. And then, sometimes, I think I know what to eat, take a few bites, and discover that it just doesn't work. (That's what happened tonight with dinner....three bites into dinner and I had to run for the bathroom.) I want to eat. And, some days, I can. Most days I can in fact. But there is always that underlying nausea that follows me around all day. And that questioning if it will stay down or if I'll be running for the bathroom.
I don't mean for this post to sound like I'm complaining....I'm really not trying to. Like I said, if I get a healthy baby out if it than I'll do all of this and more....but I'm also kind of ready for the cravings and the non stop eating to start. Right about now.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Memoirs
Last year, for the memoir unit I teach my students, I decided to model one with them. So, I started to write one to use as a teaching tool. We recently began our memoir unit again, and the other day I pulled out the piece I had written last year without thinking. In the midst of writing workshop, as I was reading my memoir to my students I had to pause and catch my breath. So vivid were the pictures in my mind, it felt like a punch in the gut....I decided it is worth sharing in this space. Not because I think it's my best piece of writing, my intended audience was, after all, third graders, but because it carries a special emotional weight now, one year later. A slight disclaimer: I did many things on purpose- both good and bad- in this piece of writing. It was meant as a teaching tool, and I have used it as such. Also, we learn about certain craft strategies in this unit-- repeated phrases for example--and you will see me using them in my writing. (Kelli, the story is written in what we like to call vignettes in third grade!)
So, without further ado, here it is:
When I was little I went to Nonnie and Bebop’s house for every holiday and some other special occasions. Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving, Easter…these were all celebrated at Nonnie and Bebop’s house. We gathered together around her big wooden dining room table.
When I was little, we all sat with elbows bumping, around the table. It sat, in the middle of the room, dark wood gleaming, looking so solid that you knew you’d never be able to move it, no matter how hard you tried. The chairs around it looked nice enough for a king and queen, and were covered in cranberry red velvet that was soft to the touch. The table was always set with a lacy white tablecloth, straight from Italy, and, because there were so many of us, mismatched plates and cups and forks.
When I was little the table was filled with food. There was so much food that you could barely see the tablecloth underneath it. You’d eat so much antipasto that you would be full before you even started the main course. We’d sit down and you’d have to wait, foot tapping, stomach grumbling, while the food got passed around. Hand to hand, pausing while someone took one more bite, until finally it got to you and you could carefully choose your favorites.
When I was little, I’d curl up in my dad’s lap, stomach full and eyes heavy, and doze. The voices of my family would blend together into one low comforting buzz, and I’d fall asleep to that noise of love and family.
When I was little, we gathered around Nonnie and Bebop’s big wooden dining room table and laughed and laughed and laughed together…
So, without further ado, here it is:
When I was little I went to Nonnie and Bebop’s house for every holiday and some other special occasions. Christmas Eve, Thanksgiving, Easter…these were all celebrated at Nonnie and Bebop’s house. We gathered together around her big wooden dining room table.
When I was little, we all sat with elbows bumping, around the table. It sat, in the middle of the room, dark wood gleaming, looking so solid that you knew you’d never be able to move it, no matter how hard you tried. The chairs around it looked nice enough for a king and queen, and were covered in cranberry red velvet that was soft to the touch. The table was always set with a lacy white tablecloth, straight from Italy, and, because there were so many of us, mismatched plates and cups and forks.
When I was little the table was filled with food. There was so much food that you could barely see the tablecloth underneath it. You’d eat so much antipasto that you would be full before you even started the main course. We’d sit down and you’d have to wait, foot tapping, stomach grumbling, while the food got passed around. Hand to hand, pausing while someone took one more bite, until finally it got to you and you could carefully choose your favorites.
When I was little, I’d curl up in my dad’s lap, stomach full and eyes heavy, and doze. The voices of my family would blend together into one low comforting buzz, and I’d fall asleep to that noise of love and family.
When I was little, we gathered around Nonnie and Bebop’s big wooden dining room table and laughed and laughed and laughed together…
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
This is it
I wasn't really sure what to write about today.....I could write about my student who earned a perfect report card today when he said, "Mrs. S, how can you be pregnant, you are so skinny!" (I do believe I would have hugged him to within an inch of his life if the poor little guy didn't blush so horribly when I told him that was the sweetest thing he could have said!)
Or I could write about the fact that our professor sent us an exemplar of our final exam so we could grade ourselves and I realized that my final exam seriously sucked.
Then again, I could also write about my curriculum writing work today and how we, once again, didn't get nearly enough done even though our next unit should be distributed on, hi, December 1st, and it's STILL not finished.
But, instead, I am going to write about something totally different. I was reading this blog and I was struck by something she wrote in her most recent post. She said that many people are searching...for love or happiness or the next best thing....I realized as I read this that I'm not searching. And then I decided that one of the most amazing feelings in life is to realize that your search is over. I remember, shortly after we moved into our house thinking, "This is it. I have a wonderful husband, a cozy house, a job I love, my family and friends around me....this is it." It stopped me in my tracks at the time. At the time I remember thinking, "When did I become such a grown up!?!"
Now we are on our next journey....a baby on the way....we are building a family now and creating a miracle. This really is it. My search is over, my life is filled to the brim. I have more blessings than I can even begin to express. I have my peace. And my happiness. Right here.
Or I could write about the fact that our professor sent us an exemplar of our final exam so we could grade ourselves and I realized that my final exam seriously sucked.
Then again, I could also write about my curriculum writing work today and how we, once again, didn't get nearly enough done even though our next unit should be distributed on, hi, December 1st, and it's STILL not finished.
But, instead, I am going to write about something totally different. I was reading this blog and I was struck by something she wrote in her most recent post. She said that many people are searching...for love or happiness or the next best thing....I realized as I read this that I'm not searching. And then I decided that one of the most amazing feelings in life is to realize that your search is over. I remember, shortly after we moved into our house thinking, "This is it. I have a wonderful husband, a cozy house, a job I love, my family and friends around me....this is it." It stopped me in my tracks at the time. At the time I remember thinking, "When did I become such a grown up!?!"
Now we are on our next journey....a baby on the way....we are building a family now and creating a miracle. This really is it. My search is over, my life is filled to the brim. I have more blessings than I can even begin to express. I have my peace. And my happiness. Right here.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Snippets.....a.k.a. vignettes
My friend Kelli did this recently on her blog, and I liked the idea so much that I'm going to go right ahead and steal it! But, at least I gave her credit!
After my rough Sunday, Monday and Tuesday haven't been so bad....just the usual morning throwing up and all day nausea. Totally manageable. It helped that Russ and I took the day off on Monday and we got to SEE our baby on an ultrasound again, and HEAR the heartbeat. I swear, it's still amazing to me that I'm actually pregnant. Bonus: everything that is supposed to be negative is, and everything that is supposed to be positive is. Yay baby!
Whenever Russ and I go to the grocery store he is typically the one loading the last bag and closing up the trunk while I put away the carriage. The man waits for me to return. By the side of the car. It doesn't matter if it's the dead of winter and freezing cold, or mid summer and broiling hot, he still waits for me. It makes me love him just a little bit more, every time he does it.
I decided after one of our doctors visits yesterday that our baby is a boy. I have no gut feeling, no visions or dreams or anything like that....I just decided that it's a boy. I figure a girl is made of sugar and spice and all things nice, and therefore would not be making her momma throw up regularly. Nor would a girl make the nice ultrasound lady have to poke and jiggle my belly for a full fifteen minutes. Or make me have to cough, or turn over, or have my legs up and my head down while being poked and prodded to get a good ultrasound picture. Definitely a boy. We find out for sure in six weeks. (I'll post the picture from yesterday's visit once I scan it in!)
Today is my LAST, FIRST administrative class. I'm pretty jazzed about that. First of all because it means I survived my first administrative course, and secondly because it means I get to go home at a reasonable hour on a Tuesday and go to bed! Woo hoo! I'm even thinking I'll get a good grade, which I'm really jazzed about, seeing as how it's the first course I've taken in eight years and I didn't know if I'd be able to be a student all over again.
I also decided that much like ballet dancers make the worst audience members at the theatre, teachers make the worst students....my friend and I spent the majority of this semester critiquing the way the professor taught the course. Or maybe it's not that teachers make bad students, but teachers are way too opinionated for their own good. Hmmm.....
I'm out of my classroom a lot this week and I totally hate that. I was out Monday for my doctors appointments (I had two, and it was too crazy to try to come to school), today a half day to score a math pre assessment, tomorrow for a half day to write reading curriculum, and Friday for a full day workshop. Not only because it's a pain in the ankle to write sub plans, but mostly because I really miss my kids.
Three more days of NaBloPoMo! I think I might actually be sad when it is over....even though I think the quality of my posts has seriously declined this month.....
After my rough Sunday, Monday and Tuesday haven't been so bad....just the usual morning throwing up and all day nausea. Totally manageable. It helped that Russ and I took the day off on Monday and we got to SEE our baby on an ultrasound again, and HEAR the heartbeat. I swear, it's still amazing to me that I'm actually pregnant. Bonus: everything that is supposed to be negative is, and everything that is supposed to be positive is. Yay baby!
Whenever Russ and I go to the grocery store he is typically the one loading the last bag and closing up the trunk while I put away the carriage. The man waits for me to return. By the side of the car. It doesn't matter if it's the dead of winter and freezing cold, or mid summer and broiling hot, he still waits for me. It makes me love him just a little bit more, every time he does it.
I decided after one of our doctors visits yesterday that our baby is a boy. I have no gut feeling, no visions or dreams or anything like that....I just decided that it's a boy. I figure a girl is made of sugar and spice and all things nice, and therefore would not be making her momma throw up regularly. Nor would a girl make the nice ultrasound lady have to poke and jiggle my belly for a full fifteen minutes. Or make me have to cough, or turn over, or have my legs up and my head down while being poked and prodded to get a good ultrasound picture. Definitely a boy. We find out for sure in six weeks. (I'll post the picture from yesterday's visit once I scan it in!)
Today is my LAST, FIRST administrative class. I'm pretty jazzed about that. First of all because it means I survived my first administrative course, and secondly because it means I get to go home at a reasonable hour on a Tuesday and go to bed! Woo hoo! I'm even thinking I'll get a good grade, which I'm really jazzed about, seeing as how it's the first course I've taken in eight years and I didn't know if I'd be able to be a student all over again.
I also decided that much like ballet dancers make the worst audience members at the theatre, teachers make the worst students....my friend and I spent the majority of this semester critiquing the way the professor taught the course. Or maybe it's not that teachers make bad students, but teachers are way too opinionated for their own good. Hmmm.....
I'm out of my classroom a lot this week and I totally hate that. I was out Monday for my doctors appointments (I had two, and it was too crazy to try to come to school), today a half day to score a math pre assessment, tomorrow for a half day to write reading curriculum, and Friday for a full day workshop. Not only because it's a pain in the ankle to write sub plans, but mostly because I really miss my kids.
Three more days of NaBloPoMo! I think I might actually be sad when it is over....even though I think the quality of my posts has seriously declined this month.....
Monday, November 26, 2007
An explanation
Wow. I am so sorry about my last post. It was, as I said, a rough day....
Before I got pregnant I had headaches in stages--Stage 1 warranted a combination of drugs and then pushing through to go on about my day. Stage 2 warranted the same combination of drugs along with a steaming hot shower and a cold Coke (or some other caffeinated beverage) and a pause in my day until my headache became more manageable. Stage 3 was the worst--everything came to a screeching halt. I had to take migraine medicine and lay in a dark, completely silent room with a cold cloth covering my eyes. Smells, sounds, movement....all made me nauseous. Yesterday, I had a stage 3 headache most of the day. And, of course, I couldn't take anything for it.
To top it all off, I couldn't keep anything down. I started the morning with two sips of chamomile tea and two bites of toast, and promptly ran for the bathroom. After waiting awhile, I started thinking....just thinking....about eating something else for breakfast. And promptly ran for the bathroom. Next, I waited a few hours then attempted some oatmeal (I don't know why, it seemed appetizing at the time and it's worked for me in the past). No sooner had I stirred the oatmeal--just stirred mind you, not even taken a bite.....then it happened again. Yup, another visit to the bathroom. I'm sure you are wondering how in the world I could have anything left to throw up since I hadn't eaten anything, but somehow, I did.
I then waited for a few hours until my Mom arrived with homemade soup. (Thank God for my Mom!) which I slowly, but with great excitement, ate. I was convinced it would stay down. Her soups always stay down. Thirty minutes later---yup. Another visit to the bathroom. A potato at dinner....didn't work. Soup again at 8:30 when I was ravenous....didn't work either.
At one point, I think it was my sixth time throwing up, I was so frustrated I started yelling at Russ. The poor man wasn't actually doing anything wrong, and I didn't necessarily need him to do anything for me, but I was so frustrated, and so hungry that I just yelled. He became very attentive after that though, which was lovely.
So, that was my day yesterday.....And that is why you didn't get a post yesterday dear bloggers. Today seems to be a tad better. Just my usual morning throwing up so far. Of course, despite the fact that I'm utterly starving, all I've eaten are two pieces of completely plain toast (blech) and three sips of almost flat ginger ale. Diet of champions I tell you.
Before I got pregnant I had headaches in stages--Stage 1 warranted a combination of drugs and then pushing through to go on about my day. Stage 2 warranted the same combination of drugs along with a steaming hot shower and a cold Coke (or some other caffeinated beverage) and a pause in my day until my headache became more manageable. Stage 3 was the worst--everything came to a screeching halt. I had to take migraine medicine and lay in a dark, completely silent room with a cold cloth covering my eyes. Smells, sounds, movement....all made me nauseous. Yesterday, I had a stage 3 headache most of the day. And, of course, I couldn't take anything for it.
To top it all off, I couldn't keep anything down. I started the morning with two sips of chamomile tea and two bites of toast, and promptly ran for the bathroom. After waiting awhile, I started thinking....just thinking....about eating something else for breakfast. And promptly ran for the bathroom. Next, I waited a few hours then attempted some oatmeal (I don't know why, it seemed appetizing at the time and it's worked for me in the past). No sooner had I stirred the oatmeal--just stirred mind you, not even taken a bite.....then it happened again. Yup, another visit to the bathroom. I'm sure you are wondering how in the world I could have anything left to throw up since I hadn't eaten anything, but somehow, I did.
I then waited for a few hours until my Mom arrived with homemade soup. (Thank God for my Mom!) which I slowly, but with great excitement, ate. I was convinced it would stay down. Her soups always stay down. Thirty minutes later---yup. Another visit to the bathroom. A potato at dinner....didn't work. Soup again at 8:30 when I was ravenous....didn't work either.
At one point, I think it was my sixth time throwing up, I was so frustrated I started yelling at Russ. The poor man wasn't actually doing anything wrong, and I didn't necessarily need him to do anything for me, but I was so frustrated, and so hungry that I just yelled. He became very attentive after that though, which was lovely.
So, that was my day yesterday.....And that is why you didn't get a post yesterday dear bloggers. Today seems to be a tad better. Just my usual morning throwing up so far. Of course, despite the fact that I'm utterly starving, all I've eaten are two pieces of completely plain toast (blech) and three sips of almost flat ginger ale. Diet of champions I tell you.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Because I have to
It's been a rough day....and a rough night. More tomorrow. I am going to bed--hoping tomorrow is a better day.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Fanksgiving Part 2 or How we Told the Family our Big News
Now I can tell the rest of the Fanksgiving story.....the part I couldn't tell until the news was out.
Russ and I used Fanksgiving to share our news with everyone. We planned it for weeks--pretty much from the moment we found out ourselves actually. It was quite a long time to wait, and quite a secret to keep. I was convinced that everyone would figure it out before Fanksgiving, but we managed to fool almost everyone.
Anyway, at Fanksgiving we do a Yankee Swap--everyone brings an unwrapped gift, then we all choose numbers. Number one unwraps a gift. Number 2 can either take the gift from number one or unwrap a new gift. And so on and so forth. Well, Russ and I decided that our Fanksgiving Yankee Swap gift would be our announcement. We brought a rather large, colorful bag, filled with gifts for our immediate family. The two sets of parents got framed pictures of the first ultrasound, my sister got an Aunt frame, my sister and brother in law got a Red Sox bib, my two nieces each got a book about a new baby and my brother got a tiny Red Sox t-shirt. The real Yankee Swap gift was the movie Knocked Up (in keeping with the theme)!
So picture this....we've planned this for weeks. Russ and I arrive at Fanksgiving at 12ish. Dinner is at 6, Yankee Swap sometime after that around 8ish. It was a loooooonnnnnggggg time to wait. And a long time to keep my mouth shut and pretend to not be pregnant. The icing on the cake of course was the grape juice. Because we knew everyone would be scrutinizing us, Russ and I smugged grape juice in a flask. He kept pouring my "wine" for me....very surreptiously I might add! Apparently that trick worked well, because I later found out that the whole family noticed I was drinking "wine" and were convinced I wasn't pregnant.
So, Yankee Swap starts....and NO ONE is picking our bright, colorful, rather large bag! My anticipation was through the roof at this point....finally, it's my sister's turn to pick and my favorite Cosette chose our bag. Thank YOU Cosette! Tina discovers all of the presents in the bag and distributes them, with some help from me. Momentary confusion on everyone's faces with comments of "Wait, this isn't how Yankee Swap is supposed to work!", dawning realization on others and then finally, with the first ripping of paper:
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Tears and screams and hugs and general joy. Lots of questions, more hugs, more conversations, more screams.
It was everything I wanted it to be and probably the most perfect way to share our joyous news.
Russ and I used Fanksgiving to share our news with everyone. We planned it for weeks--pretty much from the moment we found out ourselves actually. It was quite a long time to wait, and quite a secret to keep. I was convinced that everyone would figure it out before Fanksgiving, but we managed to fool almost everyone.
Anyway, at Fanksgiving we do a Yankee Swap--everyone brings an unwrapped gift, then we all choose numbers. Number one unwraps a gift. Number 2 can either take the gift from number one or unwrap a new gift. And so on and so forth. Well, Russ and I decided that our Fanksgiving Yankee Swap gift would be our announcement. We brought a rather large, colorful bag, filled with gifts for our immediate family. The two sets of parents got framed pictures of the first ultrasound, my sister got an Aunt frame, my sister and brother in law got a Red Sox bib, my two nieces each got a book about a new baby and my brother got a tiny Red Sox t-shirt. The real Yankee Swap gift was the movie Knocked Up (in keeping with the theme)!
So picture this....we've planned this for weeks. Russ and I arrive at Fanksgiving at 12ish. Dinner is at 6, Yankee Swap sometime after that around 8ish. It was a loooooonnnnnggggg time to wait. And a long time to keep my mouth shut and pretend to not be pregnant. The icing on the cake of course was the grape juice. Because we knew everyone would be scrutinizing us, Russ and I smugged grape juice in a flask. He kept pouring my "wine" for me....very surreptiously I might add! Apparently that trick worked well, because I later found out that the whole family noticed I was drinking "wine" and were convinced I wasn't pregnant.
So, Yankee Swap starts....and NO ONE is picking our bright, colorful, rather large bag! My anticipation was through the roof at this point....finally, it's my sister's turn to pick and my favorite Cosette chose our bag. Thank YOU Cosette! Tina discovers all of the presents in the bag and distributes them, with some help from me. Momentary confusion on everyone's faces with comments of "Wait, this isn't how Yankee Swap is supposed to work!", dawning realization on others and then finally, with the first ripping of paper:
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
Tears and screams and hugs and general joy. Lots of questions, more hugs, more conversations, more screams.
It was everything I wanted it to be and probably the most perfect way to share our joyous news.
Friday, November 23, 2007
A Thanksgiving story
'Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the house, not a creature was stirring.....because we were all still stuffed from eating too much turkey and stuffing. Seriously. This Thanksgiving my sister and brother in law outdid themselves not only with the sheer amount of food, but also with how good it all tasted.
The best part about Thanksgiving though was looking around the table and seeing my family around me. The older we get, the harder it seems at times to all be together. So when those moments happen, they are so special. This Thanksigiving felt a bit different too---knowing that next Thanksgiving there will be one more at the table with us- a five month old!
I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was filled not only with turkey and all the trimmings, but all the blessings of family and laughter and love.
The best part about Thanksgiving though was looking around the table and seeing my family around me. The older we get, the harder it seems at times to all be together. So when those moments happen, they are so special. This Thanksigiving felt a bit different too---knowing that next Thanksgiving there will be one more at the table with us- a five month old!
I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was filled not only with turkey and all the trimmings, but all the blessings of family and laughter and love.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Thursday Thirteen-- more reasons to be Thankful
1) My family...OK, that can take up reasons 1-100 probably, so I'm cheating and smooshing them into just #1. I have the most amazing, supportive, wonderful, loving, kind, intelligent, super family members. Every single one of them enriches my life every day, and brings me joy every day and I am so ridiculously blessed that sometimes it takes my breath away.
2) My friends....again, probably reasons 100-200....but I also am pretty darn lucky to have amazing, supportive, ambitious, wonderful, kind, intelligent, caring, sensitive friends. All of whom give fantastic advice and even better hugs and all of whom have been there for me through many of life's highs and lows. Again, ridiculously blessed.
3) My job. I consider myself one of the lucky people in this world that loves, absolutely loves what she does. Every day is interesting and every day I learn something new. And everyday I laugh, either at myself or at my students. Not many people can say that. So, even with crazy parents, nutty kids and a curriculum that seems to get harder rather than easier...I still love my job!
4) The miracle that is growing inside of me right now. Thirteen months of emotional roller coaster trying, two blood work visits and one HSG test and I have a miracle that I will be thanking God for every single day from now until forever. (Even when I'm throwing up! :)
6) My husband. Because not only did the man love me enough to marry me, but he's loved me every day since we said I do, and will love me every day until my teeth are falling out and my hair is thinning.
7) The smell of Christmas trees and holiday wreaths. I love this smell. Oh yeah, and wood burning stoves. And spring flowers opening. And the way the earth smells after a summer rain. And freshly mowed grass, and my Mom's sauce bubbling away on the stove and baby's heads.
8) When Linus, our cat, snuggles up next to me on the couch. (Even though he's not supposed to sit on the couch.)
9) When Russ is listening to his radio show, or watching his Ipod, and he starts to laugh at something he's heard. It's that deep belly laugh that makes me smile.
10) Curling up on a snow day with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa, while still in your pj's.
11) Getting a pedicure. Even better--getting a manicure and a pedicure. Best of all--getting a manicure or a pedicure with your Mom and your sister. Better even than that--getting a massage with your Mom and your sister. (Mom and Tina, that sounds good, let's do that soon!)
12) Hanging out at the beach house...and spending a lazy day in the sun where the biggest decision you have to make is whether you should be red or green when we play bocci.
13) Our house. Our cozy, comfy, character-filled house. Sometimes I look around and I can't believe that this belongs to US. I love our house. It is uniquely us, and so special because of it's age and it's history and the vibe you get once you walk through the door-like you can take a breath and just relax.
I can keep going....oh my, how I could keep going....but those are some of my reasons I am thankful this Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
A return to high school
You're never going to believe this one....but I swear, I'm not making it up.
Yesterday, I was transported back to my high school days. No, no, no, I'm not talking big hair and bad fashions (did I really wear those MC Hammer pants!?!? And what was UP with pinning and cuffing our jeans?!?) I mean passing notes. Or rather, discovering notes that had been passed that were written about you.
That's right.
I was at a union meeting last night where a state attorney was doing a presentation. People were getting fired up because this attorney, frankly, sucked at public speaking and misspoke a few times. Get the vibe? Tense, angry, complaining. As soon as I walk in, I'm cornered by the tensest, angriest man of the bunch and asked if I managed to contact a person about a website for our union. I said we had been playing phone tag, but knew immediately that the answer I gave wasn't going to fly. So I step into the hallway, call the woman one more time, miraculously get a hold of her, communicate everything I need to, agree on next steps and walk back into the meeting to report back to Mr. Angry about my progress. Feeling rather good about myself. He rants for a few minutes about the lawyer that is presenting, rants for a few more minutes about some other minor issue he's going to make a major issue, I smother him with kindness (which is always my tack when faced with people like this. You should try it sometime, it totally throws them off!) And then I finally escape to the meeting. Phew. Off the hook, feeling good.
At the end of the meeting a friend finds a note on the floor that reads "Lisa hasn't contacted the website woman yet. It's been two weeks."
OK, first of all, who writes a note and then leaves it behind to be discovered?!? Secondly, (and perhaps this should have been first) but who passes notes in meetings!?! Everyone knows that all teachers just lean over and talk to one another during meetings. Sheesh. Finally, SERIOUSLY?!?!? Are we 12?
Yeah. So, I had all sorts of clever retaliation schemes in mind....the least harmful was to shoot him an email that said "if you are going to write a note about a person who is volunteering her time to chair a committee, then perhaps you shouldn't leave that note behind to be discovered by that same teacher." My husband suggested I add a box, much like middle schoolers do that reads: "Am I a jerk? Check one box: Yes No" Of course, I took the high road and did nothing. But I couldn't help but feel like I was back in high school all over again.
Yesterday, I was transported back to my high school days. No, no, no, I'm not talking big hair and bad fashions (did I really wear those MC Hammer pants!?!? And what was UP with pinning and cuffing our jeans?!?) I mean passing notes. Or rather, discovering notes that had been passed that were written about you.
That's right.
I was at a union meeting last night where a state attorney was doing a presentation. People were getting fired up because this attorney, frankly, sucked at public speaking and misspoke a few times. Get the vibe? Tense, angry, complaining. As soon as I walk in, I'm cornered by the tensest, angriest man of the bunch and asked if I managed to contact a person about a website for our union. I said we had been playing phone tag, but knew immediately that the answer I gave wasn't going to fly. So I step into the hallway, call the woman one more time, miraculously get a hold of her, communicate everything I need to, agree on next steps and walk back into the meeting to report back to Mr. Angry about my progress. Feeling rather good about myself. He rants for a few minutes about the lawyer that is presenting, rants for a few more minutes about some other minor issue he's going to make a major issue, I smother him with kindness (which is always my tack when faced with people like this. You should try it sometime, it totally throws them off!) And then I finally escape to the meeting. Phew. Off the hook, feeling good.
At the end of the meeting a friend finds a note on the floor that reads "Lisa hasn't contacted the website woman yet. It's been two weeks."
OK, first of all, who writes a note and then leaves it behind to be discovered?!? Secondly, (and perhaps this should have been first) but who passes notes in meetings!?! Everyone knows that all teachers just lean over and talk to one another during meetings. Sheesh. Finally, SERIOUSLY?!?!? Are we 12?
Yeah. So, I had all sorts of clever retaliation schemes in mind....the least harmful was to shoot him an email that said "if you are going to write a note about a person who is volunteering her time to chair a committee, then perhaps you shouldn't leave that note behind to be discovered by that same teacher." My husband suggested I add a box, much like middle schoolers do that reads: "Am I a jerk? Check one box: Yes No" Of course, I took the high road and did nothing. But I couldn't help but feel like I was back in high school all over again.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Books, books, books
Lately, I haven't had much time to read many books. Well, OK, that's not exactly true, I've read many books....Shredderman Secret Identity, Fireflies, My Rotten Red Headed Older Brother, My Name is Maria Isabel....third grade books. Good ones, but not exactly intellectually stimulating. And then there's my book for grad school--whose title I won't tell you because you'll fall asleep in the midst of reading this post.
But I haven't been reading for pleasure. At least not lately. My routine used to be to crawl in bed a bit earlier and read for awhile before falling asleep....lately my routine is to crawl in bed and, well, fall asleep. Or watch T.V. until I fall asleep. But I want to read again. I MISS reading. But I feel like I need a really good book to get me back into it. If I dive into reading again with a not so great book, well, I'll revert to my bad habits. So, that's where you come in, dear readers. I know not many people read my blog, but I know that those of you that do read my blog are avid readers. So, what book have you read lately that you loved? What book did you put down and think, "Wow, that book was so fantastic, I wish I wasn't done reading it?"
Let me know and get me reading again!
But I haven't been reading for pleasure. At least not lately. My routine used to be to crawl in bed a bit earlier and read for awhile before falling asleep....lately my routine is to crawl in bed and, well, fall asleep. Or watch T.V. until I fall asleep. But I want to read again. I MISS reading. But I feel like I need a really good book to get me back into it. If I dive into reading again with a not so great book, well, I'll revert to my bad habits. So, that's where you come in, dear readers. I know not many people read my blog, but I know that those of you that do read my blog are avid readers. So, what book have you read lately that you loved? What book did you put down and think, "Wow, that book was so fantastic, I wish I wasn't done reading it?"
Let me know and get me reading again!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Sundays
I love Sundays. Sundays growing up meant church with my family in the morning then the occasional Sunday brunch. Usually though, Sundays meant returning home and eating a yummy meal my Mom would cook. Sunday dinner was an event in our household. Then we got to laze around a bit, do homework if we needed to, maybe watch a movie....
Sundays as an adult hasn't changed much for me. I still go to church with my Mom and my Dad. And many Sundays, we go out to breakfast, or return home for a delicious meal that my Mom cooks. The older I get, the more I cherish this time with my parents. Not only do I get to go to church, and get time to reflect on my blessings, pray a little and get my dose of peace, but I also get my parents all to myself. We talk about everything and nothing, I share my news and stories and they tell me what's going on with the family....I love this time with them. As much as I love going to church, I love the time with my parents even more. It feels like a little bit of calm in a crazy busy life.
Sundays as an adult hasn't changed much for me. I still go to church with my Mom and my Dad. And many Sundays, we go out to breakfast, or return home for a delicious meal that my Mom cooks. The older I get, the more I cherish this time with my parents. Not only do I get to go to church, and get time to reflect on my blessings, pray a little and get my dose of peace, but I also get my parents all to myself. We talk about everything and nothing, I share my news and stories and they tell me what's going on with the family....I love this time with them. As much as I love going to church, I love the time with my parents even more. It feels like a little bit of calm in a crazy busy life.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
The one where I brag....just a little
I can't believe I haven't mentioned this sooner, but this past Tuesday I had a major presentation in class. I should say, we, had a major presentation in class, because, of course, given the opportunity to work with a partner, I jumped.
My friend and I spent several hours over a couple of weekends working on this project. We ended up dramatically cutting our original project proposal, moving from using four programs to two. We worried about this, so we ended up going deeper into the two programs than we meant to. What we did was use ctreports.com, a tool that reports out all CMT data, and Microsoft Excel to organize and graphically represent that data. We focused on mathematics, all of the different strands, over a series of years. We also compared the state, to our district, to one particular school. Snazzy, right?
Apparently, our professor thought so too....we were the first to present, so we had nothing to compare ourselves against, but at the end of our presentation our professor described our work as "phenomenal". Needless to say, we were jazzed. Then we got our score a few days later and apparently phenomenal translates to a 100. !!!! It made the five page take home exam a little easier to swallow, knowing we were going into it with a 100.
My friend and I spent several hours over a couple of weekends working on this project. We ended up dramatically cutting our original project proposal, moving from using four programs to two. We worried about this, so we ended up going deeper into the two programs than we meant to. What we did was use ctreports.com, a tool that reports out all CMT data, and Microsoft Excel to organize and graphically represent that data. We focused on mathematics, all of the different strands, over a series of years. We also compared the state, to our district, to one particular school. Snazzy, right?
Apparently, our professor thought so too....we were the first to present, so we had nothing to compare ourselves against, but at the end of our presentation our professor described our work as "phenomenal". Needless to say, we were jazzed. Then we got our score a few days later and apparently phenomenal translates to a 100. !!!! It made the five page take home exam a little easier to swallow, knowing we were going into it with a 100.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Life returns to normal
Russ is home....he's been gone since Tuesday at Nature's Classroom....but he is back.
It's amazing how I wasn't necessarily feeling bad about the fact that he was gone, but the second I saw him again, I felt better.
Things are not the same when he's not around....the house is emptier and bigger....the cats seem to whine more....the bed is far too cold....and I have no one to share the stories of my day. I am never the same when he is around....the biggest difference is that I just don't sleep as well. People kept saying to me, "How great, you get the whole house to yourself!" and sure, it was kinda nice to hog the T.V. (not that I watch all that many shows) but really, that was about the only nice thing....
Sometimes it's funny to think that four and a half years ago, I didn't even know this man and now, when he's gone, my world just feels a little off kilter.
It's amazing how I wasn't necessarily feeling bad about the fact that he was gone, but the second I saw him again, I felt better.
Things are not the same when he's not around....the house is emptier and bigger....the cats seem to whine more....the bed is far too cold....and I have no one to share the stories of my day. I am never the same when he is around....the biggest difference is that I just don't sleep as well. People kept saying to me, "How great, you get the whole house to yourself!" and sure, it was kinda nice to hog the T.V. (not that I watch all that many shows) but really, that was about the only nice thing....
Sometimes it's funny to think that four and a half years ago, I didn't even know this man and now, when he's gone, my world just feels a little off kilter.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Thirteen firsts
Thirteen firsts....
1) My first year teaching, I cried in front of my students. (Not my proudest or best teaching moment, but, it was a first.)
2) My first dance recital costume was a teeny tiny greenish bikini and a yellow stuffed animal duck. (I still have that costume too. I think I can fit one finger in the leg hole.)
3) My first car I ever bought was a VW Jetta. (Ah, the beauty of financing!)
4) The first boy to ever send me flowers, give me Tiffany's or make me feel like the most amazing person just for being me was my husband. (Good thing I married him, huh?)
5) My first car was a Nissan Sentra hatchback. (I loved that little car too, even when the locks started freezing and you had to crawl in through the hatchback!)
6) I got my first kiss after I graduated high school but before I went to college (Thank God). (That's why when I hear stories about my sister in law's boyfriends growing up, I laugh, because I SO did not have that experience!)
7) The first concert I ever went to was New Kids on the Block. (Although my brother would claim it was Natalie Cole.)
8) The first job I ever had was an assistant camp counselor. (Back then I didn't understand the whole different work ethic thing and I didn't get how I, as the assistant, got paid less but somehow did more work.)
9) The first nickname I remember having is skinny banana--which is what my Dad called me.
10) The first (and one of the only) times I ever drank a bit too much was after college AND graduate school. In fact, it wasn't until my first year teaching.
11) Our first house was built by the great grandfather of the man we bought it from. (I personally think that is pretty neat.)
12) My first semester GPA in college was a 3.78. (That didn't last!)
13) The first time I ever ate sushi was with my now husband, at a little sushi restaurant in the Manchester area. Skeptical at first (probably because I hate cooked fish) I now love the stuff.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Blink....blink.....blink.....
That's my title, because that's what the cursor was doing. For the record, it is currently 11:16. I am NOT changing the date/time, it IS still Wednesday. And, no, I'm not usually awake at this point, I fell asleep on the couch, and my husband is away so he wasn't there to wake me up and make me go to bed....so now it is 11:17 and I woke up to go to bed, realized I hadn't posted, and grabbed my laptop.
And, no, that's not my post for the day....that's just an explanation of the time!
I had a really interesting conversation with my teammates today. I think I've written before about how I'm a part of a team that is writing curriculum for reading workshop for my entire grade level to use for the entire year. Folks, this is a HUGE undertaking, and a LOT of work. And, for the record, I have said, on more than one occasion, that I'm uncomfortable being on a team of only four, writing curriculum for 40 something teachers. It's a lot of pressure....the funny thing about being on that team is that people seem almost nervous to critique your work. I know it's not perfect, in fact, I'll be the first to say it's a DRAFT and needs revisions, especially after it's been taught. So, I have a tendency to compensate by critiquing the work myself. I'll dive right in and talk about the problems that I have with the work that is done.
Today, my team and I happened to all be in the copy room by ourselves. One of my colleagues was feeling badly because she had missed the opportunity to fill out a reflection on our last unit. Of course we told her not to worry about it and we mentioned some things we had written on our reflection. I asked her if there was anything specific she would have added and she seemed comfortable with what we had said. Next thing you know, my other teammate launched into a confession of sorts....telling me what she's been doing in reading workshop, or rather, what she hasn't been doing. The funniest thing about that is I think she thought I might critique HER for this. As if, because I'm on this committee I'm some phenomenal teacher that's always doing everything she's supposed to and understands how it's always supposed to work and makes that happen every day. So not the case.
It made me think about perceptions....I'm not much of a person who toots her own horn. I don't go around telling everyone all about all the work we're doing on this curriculum committee. But people know I'm on this committee.....I've presented enough professional developments at this point that it's out there. How am I perceived because of that? Does that make me unapproachable? Does that make people think they can't critique the work that is done? It was funny tonight to notice that my team, the people who should know me best, seemed almost nervous to critique work that I would be the first to say isn't perfect. Critique away folks, goodness knows, I know it isn't perfect!
And, no, that's not my post for the day....that's just an explanation of the time!
I had a really interesting conversation with my teammates today. I think I've written before about how I'm a part of a team that is writing curriculum for reading workshop for my entire grade level to use for the entire year. Folks, this is a HUGE undertaking, and a LOT of work. And, for the record, I have said, on more than one occasion, that I'm uncomfortable being on a team of only four, writing curriculum for 40 something teachers. It's a lot of pressure....the funny thing about being on that team is that people seem almost nervous to critique your work. I know it's not perfect, in fact, I'll be the first to say it's a DRAFT and needs revisions, especially after it's been taught. So, I have a tendency to compensate by critiquing the work myself. I'll dive right in and talk about the problems that I have with the work that is done.
Today, my team and I happened to all be in the copy room by ourselves. One of my colleagues was feeling badly because she had missed the opportunity to fill out a reflection on our last unit. Of course we told her not to worry about it and we mentioned some things we had written on our reflection. I asked her if there was anything specific she would have added and she seemed comfortable with what we had said. Next thing you know, my other teammate launched into a confession of sorts....telling me what she's been doing in reading workshop, or rather, what she hasn't been doing. The funniest thing about that is I think she thought I might critique HER for this. As if, because I'm on this committee I'm some phenomenal teacher that's always doing everything she's supposed to and understands how it's always supposed to work and makes that happen every day. So not the case.
It made me think about perceptions....I'm not much of a person who toots her own horn. I don't go around telling everyone all about all the work we're doing on this curriculum committee. But people know I'm on this committee.....I've presented enough professional developments at this point that it's out there. How am I perceived because of that? Does that make me unapproachable? Does that make people think they can't critique the work that is done? It was funny tonight to notice that my team, the people who should know me best, seemed almost nervous to critique work that I would be the first to say isn't perfect. Critique away folks, goodness knows, I know it isn't perfect!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
It's sheer determination keeping me going at this point
Really. The only reason I am 1) awake and 2) posting is because it IS NaBloPoMo and even though some of my posts may have been cheesy, I have managed to post every single day. In case you don't know this about me, I'm a girl who makes a commitment and follows through. I don't really know how to NOT follow through.
But man, oh man, it has been a DAY. Let me break it down for you:
4:45 a.m. The alarm goes off so that my hubby can get ready to leave for Nature's Classroom, where he'll be for the next few days. The alarm clock is on my side of the bed, so I wake up enough to reset it and roll back over. For some bizarre reason the man decides to turn on the overhead light. Why this is a good idea is beyond me. So, I, of course, tell him to turn the light off and he tells me he's getting dressed. Even in my half asleep state I still managed to make the suggestion that he either 1) turn on the hallway light so it won't shine directly on me or 2) get dressed in the closet room (which is what he does every single morning, don't ask me why this morning needs to be different). He turns on the hallway light.
5:30 a.m. I roll out of bed, later than usual. For some reason since I don't have to make lunch or breakfast for Russ, I feel I have extra time and dawdle around the house until it is OH MY GOD 7:00 PANIC GET OUT OF THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW!
8:00 Arrive at school (Soooo late for me, but just in time for:)
8:05 go to a Library Media Technology meeting. Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like.
8:45 The students arrive and they are hyper and chatty and all wound up because it is a field trip. The morning passes uneventfully (except the whole hyper chatty thing) until 11ish when we board the bus for our field trip (Thank goodness the weather cleared up.)
11:00ish to 1:15 Field trip to Mill River. All in all it's a nice trip, the students impress me with how much they remember from a curriculum that we haven't spent that much time on and we return to school on time, only to discover that---
1:15 The cafeteria manager has either 1) not received or 2) disregarded my various emails asking if we can eat lunch later. I now have ten kids without a lunch. A compromise is reached and she serves them pizza. No big deal because most third graders would take pizza over a calzone any day, especially if you take a look at the calzones they serve.
1:30 We eat lunch in our room, including me, which is, for some reason, completely fascinating to some students and they spend at least ten minutes staring at every single bite I eat and telling me it looks good. I shoo them away and then decide to take them outside to get rid of some energy. (Because believe it or not, they still have some!)
Our afternoon progresses without much to report, a short writing time, a quick math game and then some read aloud.
One would hope my day is over.....but no....
4:00 Time for a faculty meeting where we get to review the budget. Looks like I'll have a job (and a new teammate) next year--phew!
4:45 Faculty meeting ends, my friend is on the way over to my school to review our presentation for class one last time. I frantically pass out morning work, put up the schedule for tomorrow and write directions on the board then get to work clearing off my desk.
4:55 Said friend arrives and we begin to plow through our presentation. A few modifications later, we make some changes to our handout. I make new copies, we practice one last time then we realize that we are supposed to resubmit a new project proposal. We throw something together using our old one and dash out the door to eat dinner.
6:00-6:25 Dinner. Breathe.
7:00-10:00 Class. We present our project first and it ends up taking us (oops) close to an hour. However, our professor says we did a great job and called our presentation "phenomenal". I'm jazzed, until she hands out our final (take home) exam which looks like more work than I want to do.
10:00-10:30 Drive home in record time. No, I didn't speed she actually let us out a bit early....
10:30 Begin a horribly boring post about my horribly long day.
Next time someone asks me why I'm tired, I'm going to send them this link.
Is it Friday yet?
But man, oh man, it has been a DAY. Let me break it down for you:
4:45 a.m. The alarm goes off so that my hubby can get ready to leave for Nature's Classroom, where he'll be for the next few days. The alarm clock is on my side of the bed, so I wake up enough to reset it and roll back over. For some bizarre reason the man decides to turn on the overhead light. Why this is a good idea is beyond me. So, I, of course, tell him to turn the light off and he tells me he's getting dressed. Even in my half asleep state I still managed to make the suggestion that he either 1) turn on the hallway light so it won't shine directly on me or 2) get dressed in the closet room (which is what he does every single morning, don't ask me why this morning needs to be different). He turns on the hallway light.
5:30 a.m. I roll out of bed, later than usual. For some reason since I don't have to make lunch or breakfast for Russ, I feel I have extra time and dawdle around the house until it is OH MY GOD 7:00 PANIC GET OUT OF THE HOUSE RIGHT NOW!
8:00 Arrive at school (Soooo late for me, but just in time for:)
8:05 go to a Library Media Technology meeting. Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like.
8:45 The students arrive and they are hyper and chatty and all wound up because it is a field trip. The morning passes uneventfully (except the whole hyper chatty thing) until 11ish when we board the bus for our field trip (Thank goodness the weather cleared up.)
11:00ish to 1:15 Field trip to Mill River. All in all it's a nice trip, the students impress me with how much they remember from a curriculum that we haven't spent that much time on and we return to school on time, only to discover that---
1:15 The cafeteria manager has either 1) not received or 2) disregarded my various emails asking if we can eat lunch later. I now have ten kids without a lunch. A compromise is reached and she serves them pizza. No big deal because most third graders would take pizza over a calzone any day, especially if you take a look at the calzones they serve.
1:30 We eat lunch in our room, including me, which is, for some reason, completely fascinating to some students and they spend at least ten minutes staring at every single bite I eat and telling me it looks good. I shoo them away and then decide to take them outside to get rid of some energy. (Because believe it or not, they still have some!)
Our afternoon progresses without much to report, a short writing time, a quick math game and then some read aloud.
One would hope my day is over.....but no....
4:00 Time for a faculty meeting where we get to review the budget. Looks like I'll have a job (and a new teammate) next year--phew!
4:45 Faculty meeting ends, my friend is on the way over to my school to review our presentation for class one last time. I frantically pass out morning work, put up the schedule for tomorrow and write directions on the board then get to work clearing off my desk.
4:55 Said friend arrives and we begin to plow through our presentation. A few modifications later, we make some changes to our handout. I make new copies, we practice one last time then we realize that we are supposed to resubmit a new project proposal. We throw something together using our old one and dash out the door to eat dinner.
6:00-6:25 Dinner. Breathe.
7:00-10:00 Class. We present our project first and it ends up taking us (oops) close to an hour. However, our professor says we did a great job and called our presentation "phenomenal". I'm jazzed, until she hands out our final (take home) exam which looks like more work than I want to do.
10:00-10:30 Drive home in record time. No, I didn't speed she actually let us out a bit early....
10:30 Begin a horribly boring post about my horribly long day.
Next time someone asks me why I'm tired, I'm going to send them this link.
Is it Friday yet?
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