First Master's Class: Done

I am currently enrolled in Spring Arbor's MAE program.  Did you know that, Mom?  One of my three goals this year was to start my master's.  Check. (What are my other two goals?  I guess you'll have to come back and see...that's called a hook.)  Anyway, why did I choose Spring Arbor to get my master's?  Well, the reasons are two-fold:

1. I feel Spring Arbor has grown into a well-reputed school for degrees in education.  I did research on MAE programs at various state schools, and decided SAU could hold a candle to other schools.  (Eastern also has a great graduate program, as does Michigan State.)

2. I get a significant discount on master's classes at SAU since my husband has been an employee here for so long.

The later had significantly more pull than the former. 

So, my first class was actually a workshop that met every other weekend for the last two months.  The class covered a program based on Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory.

And.it.was.AWESOME.
 
Now, I admit I'm a bit of a school geek.  I likes me some education.  So, I was pretty pumped to start classes again.  There were thirteen people in my class which made it so much more accessible and comfortable.  And the group I was placed in was made up of three other secondary teachers.  A huge bonus. (Don't get me wrong, elementary teachers, but we know there is something to be said for homogeneous teacher groups...secondary teachers are a different breed from elementary teachers.  We find words like 'duty' funny.) So, yeah the group I was in...was...AWESOME.

We all clicked phenomenally well.  I was able to glean a lot of useful tips and suggestions from these three amazing women and laugh my buttocks off every class meeting. These women have such generous spirits and a genuine love for their jobs.  Additionally, we all shared very similar beliefs about our classrooms and our role as teachers. 

My instructor was equally awesome (third awesome in this post, must buy a thesaurus).  She was very knowledgeable about the content, engaging, open to different ideas, and fun.  Also, she indulged us when we would giggle at the word 'duty'.

It was a great class, and it has set the bar pretty high as far as my expectations are concerned for future classes.  So, come on Spring Arbor, wow the socks off of me.  Challenge extended.

Jeanette: 411

Lately I've been...

Excited About: Going to bed.  I only got 5 hours of sleep last night which equals no sleep to those of you who only need 5 hours of sleep, weirdos you interesting people.

Not Looking Forward To: Doing the dishes before I go to bed.

Procrastinating: Doing the laundry...which is slowly building itself into a living-entity

Thinking: I might not do the dishes tonight.

Reading: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Nov. 19, suckas).  In related news, I just finished Pillars of the Earth -- when I finished, I wanted to start over and read again

Cooking Eating: Cottage Inn Personal Pizza...sweet bliss

Watching: TiVoed Modern Family

TiVoing: How I Met Your Mother - I'm currently obsessed.  Oh, Doogie.

Listening To: Jonsi

Missing: my sister (Carol T. Rick)

Laughing With: Modern Family - "I found a place online that would buy my organ.  Can you drive me to the black market?"

Wishing:  I could go to Hawaii with my in-laws in two weeks...so jealous.

Dreading: Sitting through seven hours of class tomorrow (thank goodness for fun people in class)

Will Start: Running again...starting Monday.

Intervention Needed

The signs of a serious problem:

When one just isn't giving you the fix you need.

"What?  I do not have a problem."

Verbal Confusion

I'm trying to do that thing wherein I post daily on my blog...at least for the month of November.  I gotta tell you...the pressure is exhilarating.  So here's my post for today.  You're welcome, Internet.

Stuff I'm Bad At (this list definitely exceeds 2 items, but for the sake of time and Internet space, I will highlight 2 of them...actually, just one):

1. Not ending phrases with dangling prepositions

2. (And definitely, the broader subject of this post) Small Talk

I am irreparably awkward.  I have been all my life.  I have little to zero kinesthetic ability.  One of my worst fears is that I will be with a group of people and an impromptu volleyball game will break out.  My awkwardness is not limited to my lack of athleticism.  From ages 5 - pregnant, I bore a striking resemblance to Olive Oil.  I was this awkward skinny girl who looked like she suffered from Marfan syndrome (look it up...Abe Lincoln was most likely suffering from it, too).  It wasn't cute skinny...it was dear-God-her-knee-caps-stick-out-farther-than-her-well...they just are really pronounced. 

But the area in which my awkwardness is ironically evident is my verbal skills.  The irony being, I am an English teacher.  To quote Jocie-grossy, words are my life. But, when I first meet people or have to engage in small talk, I am reduced to a babbling weirdo with a speech impediment.  For example, the other day a guy in Ben's dorm asked how Eli was doing.  I was caught of guard, and quickly spit out a hodge podge of words that only the most gifted interpreters could have deciphered.  It sounded something like, "Fine...he's good...I mean well...he's f...flabaalkd;fha dvlkamn." (and yes, the semi-colon belongs).  The guy looked at me like, "Are you having a seizure?" and then quickly walked away. I don't know why.

Most times, my awkward small talk results in a confused blend of phonemes.  However, there are times when I try to throw funny in with my awkwardness and it results in something completely inappropriate being said.  This usually happens around pastors or employers.  It's what the mean girls refer to as "word vomit."  Usually something about farts, menstrual stuff or boobs comes out (ask me about my first time visiting Ben's parents--yikes).   These completely inappropriate words are coming out of my mouth while my brain is screaming at me to STOP TALKING, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY!!! 

Sometimes I realize my social faux pas immediately -- other times I realize it as I'm leaving the person or while falling asleep at night.  I don't think I'm a dumb person.  I mean there was that time I cut my hair to resemble a man.  Oh, and I dabbled in missionary dating in high school.  But, other than those isolated incidences, I am a fully functioning member of society.  Why can I not have an intelligent small talk interaction with someone? 

So, if you are ever the victim of my word vomit or phonemic firework show, please know I am aware of my awkwardness and am working to correct it...at least the verbal part.  Volleyball is forever beyond my reach.

This is Halloween

This was our first Halloween trick or treating.  Now before you report us to the American Dental Council and Diabetes Association...we don't give him all the candy.  Just a couple of little things...with no dye...which are organic...made by angels.  We took him to Concord (where my parents live) and went to a few houses on main street.  It was really a lesson in saying thank you and good bye.  He passed with flying colors.

Anyway, Eli dressed up as a hamburger (sorry, PETA) and I dressed up as Wendy from Wendy's...get it Wendy and her hamburger.  Ben dressed up as a guy who doesn't want to dress up or an avid Detroit fan...take your pick.  All in all, we had a great night.  And I'm topping it off by eating m & m's and watching Harry Potter (19 days, friends...19 days).

Memory

I found this poem today in an anthology of poems I didn't know I had (and with which I am currently obsessed).  It nicely sums up my adoration for fall.  So, for your reading pleasure (mom), here it is:

Memory

Out of my dooryard maple

A gilded leaflet fell,

Twinkling down on a sunbeam,

Like music from a bell.

Nor hand nor foot disturbed it,

And frolicsome gusts of air,

Whirling the wayside atoms,

Danced on, and left it there.

Slowly away it wasted

Till only a film remained --

A skeleton leaf, a shadow,

Lost wholly when it rained.

Yet lo, on the stained foot-way,

Etched where the gold had lain,

A delicate shape -- a spirit --

Tarried in wind and rain.

                              -Charles H. Luders

You're welcome.

Herzlichen Gluckwunsch der bruder

The title of my post today is in honor of my German ancestry, and it's a shout out to one of my favorite people (and fellow German): my brother!  It actually says Happy Birthday the brother.  I tried looking up how to say Happy Birthday in Klingon, but I couldn't find it.  Aaaanway...Happy Birthday to the smartest person I know.  I hope you have a great day!  Love you!