Things I Never Thought I'd Hear my Boss Say...

"Do you want to take home my carcass with the drippings?"

...

Okay, so here's the story, yesterday at school K - 2 grade had a Thanksgiving lunch. The turkey was roasted in the teacher's work room. My director was asking if I wanted to take home the turkey carcass and the drippings to make turkey soup. When she asked me this question, I told her, "Well, there's something you never expect to hear from your boss."

Good times.

Have you hugged a teacher today?

Somedays teaching is very hard, to put it lightly. There are days when I drive home crying, exhausted, sad, angry, confused, weary, lonely. Students' moods are up and down, and I know I shouldn't take it personal, but it's hard to become that detached. There are days when I feel like I don't deserve to teach; I wonder how I was awarded a teaching certificate. These days are hard.

Then there are the days when you get the silly nicknames, like "Mrs. Most Awesomest Teacher in the World" (true story) and your heart melts. There are days when a student tells you he/she appreciates you, and you thank God you are allowed to be in this profession. There are days when a simple smile is all it takes to make your day. There are days when they just get it...you teach it to them and they get it! There are days when enthusiasm truly is infectious. There are days when a student tells you she voted for you as the best teacher on a MySpace survey. I love these days.

Today I had a hard day, and I left school feeling defeated, but I know tomorrow is a chance to start fresh...to have a good day. This is why I love teaching. I love that every day I go to a job I love and can learn something new and interact with amazing people. I get to watch as these young adults discover themselves and have epiphanies and laugh at themselves and cry together and make amazing discoveries about who they are capable of being. Somedays I want to press the easy button. But I don't think I could love another job as much as I do teaching...except singing on Broadway and voicing a Disney character.

The Hills are alive

Yes, it's true, I watch The Hills. In my defense, though, it is the only show I watch on MTV (except when they show reruns of America's Next Top Model...what can I say...beautiful people are fun to watch). I just want to jot down some thoughts that have come to me as I've watched this season.

1. Is it just me or do Heidi and Spencer look like real life versions of Ken and Barbie....just shorter and less busty?

2. Was Spencer trying to grow facial hair for a while? Or did he get some sand on his face and forget to wash it off?

3. Audrina's boyfriend, or whatever he is, makes me want to change the channel to CSPAN. Argh.

4. Do you think Audrina knows what a book is?

5. I want to work for Teen Vogue.

6. I hate Audrina's boyfriend.

7. Okay, Lauren...I'm sorry that awful rumor was spread about you...but really...you can't give Heidi another chance? I know Spencer is a moron who lacks the ability to grow convincing facial hair, but why? I know you "forgave" her but "I want to forget you"?!! Harsh.

8. "Justin Bobby"...HILARIOUS! I laugh every time.

9. Do these people have indestructable livers? And fake i.d.s?

and finally...

10. Justin Bobby is the most loathsome creature...ever.

Tales of the boring

One of the reasons I created a blog was to record the random events in which I seem to become entangled by no choice of my own. There was the time, when I worked for Marcoux Allen, that I was delivering legal documents to the courthouse and they flew out of my hand and blew down Jackson St. I ended up being able to pick them all up after weaving in and out of traffic and was able to deliver them safely to the courthouse...tire marks and all. There was also the time when I was walking home from school (high school) and my friend yelled across the street to me, "Hey, my mom can take you home." Assuming that my friend would also be in the car with me I gladly accepted, pleased to not have to walk a mile and half home (uphill). We all know what happens when one assumes. My friend did stay in the car...for a block...where he was dropped off at his friend's house. Then, the mom proceeded to drive around Concord, stopped and met with one of her friends, and bought some alcohol at the gas station before taking me home. It was terrific (ly horrifying).

Now, my life has taken a turn for the boring. I would write about my students, but a.) don't want to get fired and b.) they're not very funny. I figured I might have some interesting driving stories. One never knows what one might see in the land of hills and dales...but nothing. I haven't even put my foot in my mouth lately, which, frankly, is shocking. This used to be a daily occurence.

I guess the funniest thing that happened to me occured last Friday night. Ben and I went to a very lively President's Dinner. I bought some black nylons to go with my dress and about 2 minutes into the night, noticed that I had a run that extended from my knee to mid-shin bone. See?!! Not exciting at all. I almost fell asleep telling that story. Snoozefest. A run in a pair of nylons?!! Please. What happened to saying inappropriate things not knowing that my boss was standing right behind me? What happened to farting in front of people and blaming it on my shoe?

All this to say...I apologize for the lack of posts...I just don't really have anything interesting to write.

Reader's Coner, Part Deux

I recently read a wonderful novel, a novel that speaks to anyone who has ever harbored secret feelings for Mr. Darcy. I have been a long-time fan of Jane Austen and her endearing characters. On the advice of several of my students, who share my love for Austen characters and plot lines, I purchased a book by Shannon Hale. The book is entitled AUSTENLAND and it is wonderfully addicting. I bought it on a Thursday and finished it 4 days later (I probably would have finished it sooner if sleep wasn't so necessary).

The story's heroine, Jane Hayes, has had some rough luck when it comes to romance. Every man she ever meets seems to fall miles short of the charming Mr. Darcy. Jane seems doomed to love a fictional charcter for the rest of her life until her aunt leaves her a peculiar trip in her will. Jane is offered the chance to go to England and stay as house guest at Pembrook Park, Kent, a resort in which women have the chance to step into the literary world of Jane Austen. Jane, wishing to leave Mr. Darcy behind her, agrees to submerge herself into this world of Regency hoping to get over her lofty romantic ideals. Leaving the modern world behind, Jane dons empire waisted gowns, masters Regency etiquette, and flirts with gardeners and gentlemen. The book is funny and charming. A reader can't help but root for Jane to find her very own real life Mr. Darcy.

For anyone who has ever imagined herself dancing at an Austen ball or arguing with the irresistable Mr. Darcy, this book is for you. If you want to borrow my copy, I require a $20 deposit and the deed to your property. You'll get it back.

Oh sleep, how I miss you.

My friends with babies may read this post and scoff in my general direction, but I have to say it...I've never been this tired in my whole life. I feel like a walking zombie. And, yes, I do look like one. I don't know if this is my training for motherhood, but holy bejeezus. The other day, I was driving to work and stopped at a green light. Stopped. Where is the sleep? The next day I stopped at a blinking red light and there was no oncoming traffic. Just hanging out at the blinking red light.
Fridays I am in bed by 9:30 if I can help it. I live in a building with hundreds of students that know what 2:00 a.m. looks like because they choose to stay up that late. I would cry if I was still up at 2:00 a.m. I'm getting a little misty just thinking about it.

I've decided that the first day of Christmas break I'm going to really stick it to my circadian rhythm and sleep all day! It's glorious. Until then....aaldafj adlfda

sorry, fell asleep.

Dedicated to my good friend Sara Consuela Luke

Since my camera is in Puerto Rico, I turned to my trusty Photo Booth.

Here's the front:


Here's the back:


You may send flowers in lieu of letters of condolence.