We made it to the gym yesterday, finally! We went in the morning and while we were a bit nervous, we jumped right in. I did the bike and the elliptical machince (it looks fun but kicked my butt) and then we found that they have a women's only weight room that rocked! So needless to say, my arms are quite sore today.
Also, I bought a pedometer yesterday. I got a cheapie for $6 at Target and have been challenged to keep track of my steps every day by my friend Angel. So here I go! Today I walked just over 5000 steps. My goal is 10,000 every day but today I had to sit in a class all day so I didn't get to move much however tomorrow I plan to move, move, move. We did take a walk tonight though and I walked to the mailbox twice just to get more steps in.
On another note, I am sick again. A lovely cough that is full of crap. I am so not impressed. And I don't know if it warrants a doctor's visit or not. I guess I'll wait a few days and see. I am taking Mucinex so hopefully that will help.
Oh yes, one more thing:
Chandra Wilson won a SAG (Screen Actor's Guild) award last night for best female actor in a dramatic series and I am so excited. As Miranda Bailey on Grey's Anatomy, she is just amazing to watch. But it was her acceptance speech that made my night. (And no, it wasn't just that she referred to Isaiah Washington as "that other one in rehab"!) I was flipping channels and came upon it unexpectedly. But in her speech she said she was glad that Hollywood has taken her as she is including her skin, her nose, and her arms, at which point she pointed out her jiggly underarms. It was great! It made me smile to think that someone in Hollywood, someone who is on screen doing great work, has jiggly underarms. Because I do too:-)
Monday, January 29, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
We are the champions (of the hallway)!
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout! My kids, the North American superstars, won the Spell Off! banner back from Europe today. However, I must say that Angela's kids proved to be formidable opponents. They stuck it out 'till the bitter end spelling words like pnemonia and duffel bag (the tricky space) and boycott (the double consonant) and gnarly and reign and rein and so many others. So congrats to all our spellers who worked hard memorizing the 126 words we had this quarter.
So today started the new quarter - our third, boy time flies. I got 4 new kids spread out in 2 classes and I got to start the day with a rather unpleasant HR meeting where I was repeatedly addressed with the phrase, "So you've done nothing" in reference to the professional development and college classes I'm supposed to be taking. See Ang almost died in September and as such, they dropped mefrom my class because the first day of 12 was that day and I was (understandably, I thought) at the hospital waiting for her to go into surgery. And then for my second chance at some credits I was sick in bed hoping to die from my throat's firey pain. So yeah. I got chewed out essentially and was informed when the state comes to audit us (because we're on an improvement plan because we are a "failing" school - I'm sure this is also because I've done nothing) they'll have to be told and I quote "You've done nothing." What a great start to a Monday.
So yeah, at least the day got better. And I ended it with a rockin' peppercorn pork lion I made and hand writing letters. I love that. Oh yeah, and some Gilmore Girls. I love them too:-)
Oh, and a little P.S. - I've been nominated for New Teacher of the Year. The ballots are collected tomorrow. I don't really expect to win but I figure more than one person must have voted for me if I at least got nominated:-)
So today started the new quarter - our third, boy time flies. I got 4 new kids spread out in 2 classes and I got to start the day with a rather unpleasant HR meeting where I was repeatedly addressed with the phrase, "So you've done nothing" in reference to the professional development and college classes I'm supposed to be taking. See Ang almost died in September and as such, they dropped mefrom my class because the first day of 12 was that day and I was (understandably, I thought) at the hospital waiting for her to go into surgery. And then for my second chance at some credits I was sick in bed hoping to die from my throat's firey pain. So yeah. I got chewed out essentially and was informed when the state comes to audit us (because we're on an improvement plan because we are a "failing" school - I'm sure this is also because I've done nothing) they'll have to be told and I quote "You've done nothing." What a great start to a Monday.
So yeah, at least the day got better. And I ended it with a rockin' peppercorn pork lion I made and hand writing letters. I love that. Oh yeah, and some Gilmore Girls. I love them too:-)
Oh, and a little P.S. - I've been nominated for New Teacher of the Year. The ballots are collected tomorrow. I don't really expect to win but I figure more than one person must have voted for me if I at least got nominated:-)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Happy 60th Birthday Dad!
My dad turned sixty on Wednesday, January 17th. I wasn't there to celebrate with him, but I am so grateful he has a wonderful church family who threw him a party to celebrate. My grandparents were able to be there too and while I really wish I could have hugged and kissed him on Wednesday I know that he knows I love him.So here's to you Dad - may we have many, many more birthdays to celebrate whether we're together or apart.
I love you Dad.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
From the artic
So I know you east-coasters are belly-aching about your ice and snow and sub-zero temps but here in Arizona it gets chilly too. And 59 in my classroom this morning was downright frigid. It led me to find Angela's hooded sweater which I promptly put on and then I covered it with my jean jacket and all I day I got comments from Angela about my new undercover gig as a narc. She said I looked like one of those cops on TV who tries to look like they're homeless or from the streets. I told her if I had some gloves with the fingers missing I'd wear them too.
Other than the temps it was a pretty good day. My checkbook balanced. I finally have a good tidy sum (well in my world) in my savings account. I made cookies for the less than half of my students who managed to turn in homework four days last week (the criteria for said homemade chocolate chip cookies). We watched an episode of that interesting in a sorta train-wreck, can't look away way, new show Dirt with Courtney Cox. I think we'll stick with it a few more eps. Oh yeah - and a kid I have who I thought had learning disabilities was actually just lazy. Go figure!
Also - yesterday I saw the movie The Good Shepherd with Matt Damon. It was a great film. As I told my kids today in my review for them, it's a grown-up movie with lots and lots of talking. They did not seem impressed and only wanted to talk about Stomp the Yard and Freedom Writers. Oh well. But really, TGS was well done. I thought Matt Damon was great, though I always think that. I thought the writing was really good (Eric Roth - scribe of Forrest Gump among other things) and I thought Alec Baldwin aged well in the movie (much to Ang's dismay, she hates the guy). I am intrigued by all things CIA and D.C. so it was a perfect movie for me and it made me want to come home and read some more history books, especially about what happened after the second World War, where all my history classes left all. ALL OF THEM. No joke. I never learned about Vietnam in a class, or anything else for that matter. And this movie focused heavily on the Bay of Pigs. Good thing I had a social studies history sitting next to me, thank you Ms. Hall!
Let's see what else you should know - oh yeah, Friday we went out with friends to this fancy Japanese restuarant and I tried sushi for the first time. Mine was eel and it wasn't bad. I declared that if I was hungry and there was nothing else I could probably eat some more. Thank goodness I had chicken stir-fry cooked right in front of me to look forward to. Though I did enjoy the enamame (soybeans in the pod) that were our appitizers. Very good!
On another note, my iPod has a new skin, it's hot pink, an iSkin and so far we are very happy with it. I ordered it though apple and it has a belt clip and I think the person who's used it the most so far is Ang;-) Although I have been jammin' to a little of JT's Sexyback on it. Rock on friends!
P.S. - I know some have inquired and sadly, no, I did not make my first spin class Sunday. Instead I got to walk around Walmart and run into too many co-workers. Long story short, Ang found out she has to have a released signed because of her appendix before she can work out. So we left the gym. The sad part is we've belonged for several weeks now and still haven't seen a workout room or a piece of equipment. Best five bucks I ever spent. But hey, I made lowfat brownies tonight:-)
Other than the temps it was a pretty good day. My checkbook balanced. I finally have a good tidy sum (well in my world) in my savings account. I made cookies for the less than half of my students who managed to turn in homework four days last week (the criteria for said homemade chocolate chip cookies). We watched an episode of that interesting in a sorta train-wreck, can't look away way, new show Dirt with Courtney Cox. I think we'll stick with it a few more eps. Oh yeah - and a kid I have who I thought had learning disabilities was actually just lazy. Go figure!
Also - yesterday I saw the movie The Good Shepherd with Matt Damon. It was a great film. As I told my kids today in my review for them, it's a grown-up movie with lots and lots of talking. They did not seem impressed and only wanted to talk about Stomp the Yard and Freedom Writers. Oh well. But really, TGS was well done. I thought Matt Damon was great, though I always think that. I thought the writing was really good (Eric Roth - scribe of Forrest Gump among other things) and I thought Alec Baldwin aged well in the movie (much to Ang's dismay, she hates the guy). I am intrigued by all things CIA and D.C. so it was a perfect movie for me and it made me want to come home and read some more history books, especially about what happened after the second World War, where all my history classes left all. ALL OF THEM. No joke. I never learned about Vietnam in a class, or anything else for that matter. And this movie focused heavily on the Bay of Pigs. Good thing I had a social studies history sitting next to me, thank you Ms. Hall!
Let's see what else you should know - oh yeah, Friday we went out with friends to this fancy Japanese restuarant and I tried sushi for the first time. Mine was eel and it wasn't bad. I declared that if I was hungry and there was nothing else I could probably eat some more. Thank goodness I had chicken stir-fry cooked right in front of me to look forward to. Though I did enjoy the enamame (soybeans in the pod) that were our appitizers. Very good!
On another note, my iPod has a new skin, it's hot pink, an iSkin and so far we are very happy with it. I ordered it though apple and it has a belt clip and I think the person who's used it the most so far is Ang;-) Although I have been jammin' to a little of JT's Sexyback on it. Rock on friends!
P.S. - I know some have inquired and sadly, no, I did not make my first spin class Sunday. Instead I got to walk around Walmart and run into too many co-workers. Long story short, Ang found out she has to have a released signed because of her appendix before she can work out. So we left the gym. The sad part is we've belonged for several weeks now and still haven't seen a workout room or a piece of equipment. Best five bucks I ever spent. But hey, I made lowfat brownies tonight:-)
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Baby, it's cold outside!
Yes, I know, back in July we would have killed for this weather down here in Yuma, AZ but not today. The low last night was 26 degrees. This may not seem to bad, even to me, a native Michigander who's endured her share of frozen toes and lake effect snows but down here, it's a bit ridiculous. I don't have a winter jacket or mittens or even a good, heavy sweater. I left them all up north when I was promised warm weather and bright skies 364 days a year. So last night when we went grocery shopping (which we now have to do at the off-off-peak hours on Saturday night because of the snowbirds descent on us) I was cold. Luckily I have a few sweatshirts and some heavy socks but still. Paging global warming!
It's 43 right now at 12:30 pm and there's a promise of 10 more degrees but I wouldn't bet on it. I guess this is the price we pay for a balmy 80 degree Thanksgiving. Lovely.
On another note, I am going to my first spinning class today. I am excited. We joined the gym and haven't made it this week (I barely was able to nourish myself before falling asleep - it's like the first week of school all over again). But I am ready now. And we have tomorrow off so if I can't move after, it'll be okay.
It was a good week back at school. We had fun in my class. Including Friday when I gave the spelling test to my 6th hour and couldn't figure out why they would not stop giggling and outright laughing. Then 8 words in (there are 18 total) I realized I hadn't pulled the screen down so the words were still on the board. That's one for the books, according to Ang who couldn't stop laughing when I told her about it. I laughed too but made them throw that test away and we did it again later in the day.
We've also started a foreign exchange student program at school. This week there have been many Europeans (Ang's kids) who get to come visit me in North America and vice versa. Oddly enough, when thrown into a new climate these children are usually hard-working angels. I wonder what would happen if we sent them down the canal to Africa (8th grade)!
And one last funny anecdote - I have 1st hour prep which means I don't see kids in class until 2nd hour. And I often pop into Ang's room during 1st hour to deliver copies, ask questions, chat or help out some of her kids. And when I walked into the room one morning this week, one of her kids said quietly (but not quietly enough), "Uh-oh, here comes trouble." I thought this was hilarious. I told him we could go in the hall and discuss some real trouble and then I smiled. Out of the mouth of babes...
It's 43 right now at 12:30 pm and there's a promise of 10 more degrees but I wouldn't bet on it. I guess this is the price we pay for a balmy 80 degree Thanksgiving. Lovely.
On another note, I am going to my first spinning class today. I am excited. We joined the gym and haven't made it this week (I barely was able to nourish myself before falling asleep - it's like the first week of school all over again). But I am ready now. And we have tomorrow off so if I can't move after, it'll be okay.
It was a good week back at school. We had fun in my class. Including Friday when I gave the spelling test to my 6th hour and couldn't figure out why they would not stop giggling and outright laughing. Then 8 words in (there are 18 total) I realized I hadn't pulled the screen down so the words were still on the board. That's one for the books, according to Ang who couldn't stop laughing when I told her about it. I laughed too but made them throw that test away and we did it again later in the day.
We've also started a foreign exchange student program at school. This week there have been many Europeans (Ang's kids) who get to come visit me in North America and vice versa. Oddly enough, when thrown into a new climate these children are usually hard-working angels. I wonder what would happen if we sent them down the canal to Africa (8th grade)!
And one last funny anecdote - I have 1st hour prep which means I don't see kids in class until 2nd hour. And I often pop into Ang's room during 1st hour to deliver copies, ask questions, chat or help out some of her kids. And when I walked into the room one morning this week, one of her kids said quietly (but not quietly enough), "Uh-oh, here comes trouble." I thought this was hilarious. I told him we could go in the hall and discuss some real trouble and then I smiled. Out of the mouth of babes...
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Misc. news (if you can call it that)
I am back in Arizona. Yep - back to the sun (and wind!) and 65 degree temps. We arrived Friday after 2 long plane rides. Apparently Ohio State is in a bowl game here in our sunny state and every obnoxious fan over the age of 40 was on our flight. Including the 4 very loud, semi-drunk men in the seats in front of us. So all in all, a bad buckeye experience.
But alas, we made it home. And it's good to be back into a semi-normal routine. I have joined a gym (on a trial basis, for 5 bucks) and bought tons of healthy food to keep cooking and being healthy healthy.
In fact, last night at Walmart I decided to try to be more natural and bought some organic food and a lot of fresh food. It was really funny - I was deciding between the organic milks and I was explaining to Angela that they don't feed the cows antibiotics so it's better for us. And she got very concerned looking and said, "Well what if they get sick?" It was funny.
So yeah, that's the news here from the western front. Not much else is happening. I need to go do laundry and finish unpacking and be productive. Hope you have a wonderful week everyone!
But alas, we made it home. And it's good to be back into a semi-normal routine. I have joined a gym (on a trial basis, for 5 bucks) and bought tons of healthy food to keep cooking and being healthy healthy.
In fact, last night at Walmart I decided to try to be more natural and bought some organic food and a lot of fresh food. It was really funny - I was deciding between the organic milks and I was explaining to Angela that they don't feed the cows antibiotics so it's better for us. And she got very concerned looking and said, "Well what if they get sick?" It was funny.
So yeah, that's the news here from the western front. Not much else is happening. I need to go do laundry and finish unpacking and be productive. Hope you have a wonderful week everyone!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Heading back to the sun
Tomorrow we will fly back to Arizona, Angela and I. It has been a busy week - we were in Chicago yesterday and today. Angela got bad again and spent yesterday hooked up to IVs at the Diamond Headache Clinic. Today she learned how to give herself shots if needed and I got to watch in case I have to jump in. Medical school here I come:-)
So yes, vacation is almost over. I am ready to be home, to get back in a routine, to write, to go back to the kids at school (did I say that?!?!?!), to see the sun for more than 3 hours at a stretch.
I will answer emails and calls this weekend. I promise. Life will resume normalcy. But I will miss home. I will miss my parents, Brownie, my grandparents, friends here, a familiar town, traditions, puzzles, etc. Mostly I will miss just being here, the community of here.
More after the jet ride:-)
So yes, vacation is almost over. I am ready to be home, to get back in a routine, to write, to go back to the kids at school (did I say that?!?!?!), to see the sun for more than 3 hours at a stretch.
I will answer emails and calls this weekend. I promise. Life will resume normalcy. But I will miss home. I will miss my parents, Brownie, my grandparents, friends here, a familiar town, traditions, puzzles, etc. Mostly I will miss just being here, the community of here.
More after the jet ride:-)
Monday, January 01, 2007
A new year!
I have been a bad blogger this month. Well, the past 3 weeks while I've been on vacation at least. I am still at my parents' - I am here until Friday when I fly back to my sunny home in Arizona. I have had a great time here and a lovely holiday - 3 Christmases, a very quiet New Years, and some restful days which were important as the plague resurfaced and I am just now feeling better. Good thing - the Kleenex my mom bought at Costco is almost gone!
Angela is not feeling better. This is a cause of much frustration and disappointment and anger and sadness. But we are confident this week something will happen. She's going to be in consultation with her doctors and see what the next course of action is.
I have been reading - I finished Julia Child's My Life in France which was very good! I highly recommend it. She was an amazing, funny, smart woman who didn't learn to cook until her 40s and look where it took her! A great, and quick, read.
I am now reading Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone by Rajiv Chandrasekaran which is about the US in Iraq in the last few years. It's both interesting and horrifying (especially if you think Bush stinks like me).
We have been doing tons of jigsaw puzzles and I have been playing with my newest toy - an iPod. I love it:-)
So yeah, that's what's going on right now. Tomorrow I will go to Grandma Mac's and help her with a project for the little schoolhouse - the one room schoolhouse she's been helping to restore and advertise for a few years now. We're making databases and thank you notes I think:-) Gotta love Grandma projects!
So I am going to enjoy my last quiet days of vacation and pretend that I don't have to walk back into a room of 7th graders next Monday!
Angela is not feeling better. This is a cause of much frustration and disappointment and anger and sadness. But we are confident this week something will happen. She's going to be in consultation with her doctors and see what the next course of action is.
I have been reading - I finished Julia Child's My Life in France which was very good! I highly recommend it. She was an amazing, funny, smart woman who didn't learn to cook until her 40s and look where it took her! A great, and quick, read.
I am now reading Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone by Rajiv Chandrasekaran which is about the US in Iraq in the last few years. It's both interesting and horrifying (especially if you think Bush stinks like me).
We have been doing tons of jigsaw puzzles and I have been playing with my newest toy - an iPod. I love it:-)
So yeah, that's what's going on right now. Tomorrow I will go to Grandma Mac's and help her with a project for the little schoolhouse - the one room schoolhouse she's been helping to restore and advertise for a few years now. We're making databases and thank you notes I think:-) Gotta love Grandma projects!
So I am going to enjoy my last quiet days of vacation and pretend that I don't have to walk back into a room of 7th graders next Monday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)