tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172487092024-03-13T15:43:21.441-05:00Molding Young MindsMs. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-19875249293450072522007-09-23T00:39:00.001-05:002008-01-26T17:03:45.008-06:00Nobody's Home...because we've moved to Wordpress.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://moldingyoungminds.wordpress.com">HERE </a>to drop by the new digs!!Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-33474402528288636282007-09-09T15:37:00.000-05:002007-09-09T20:22:55.893-05:00Starting UpI don't know why I'm always surprised that the first few weeks of a new school year always wipe me out. I spent this week being SuperTeacher...able to leap tall stacks of literature books in a single bound...but, since my cape only works inside Uberschool, I came home each night ready to crrrrrrrrrrrrrash.<br />Which I did.<br />Which explains why I haven't posted in a week.<br /><br />Let me re-cap the week:<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">**</span>Unbeknownst to me, Maintenance installed a revolving door on my classroom, because I've had a constant stream of students entering and leaving my class roll.<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">**</span>Apparently the counselors have been rendered incapable of doing simple math, because even though my class roll says "No Seats Left"....they keep adding students.<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">**</span>Tragically, I've developed a serious case of UberschoolAgoraphobia. After it took me 45 minutes to get A CUP OF ICE....because people came out of the woodwork to ask me "a quick question" about their computer....I will now go to any length to NOT go into the teachers' lounge, or the hallways, or even the parking lot. <span style="font-style: italic;">(Yeah. NewSpecialEdTeacher started firing questions at me in the parking lot at SEVEN A.M. in the MORNING! Dammmmn! Can I get IN the building first, please??!)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">**</span>I don't feel guilty about dodging these people, because all of their questions were PRE-answered in detailed, stepbystep emails....which they didn't read. Because apparently my fellow teachers, even though they have COLLEGE DEGREES, do not know how to read.<br /><br /><br />On the upside:<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">**</span>I am no longer the junior class sponsor. WOOP!<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">**</span>I chatted with the DistrictTechnologyGuy about the fact that I didn't get a new computer when the rest of Uberschool teachers did. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He was stunned, and promised to look into it.</span>)<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">**</span>Uberprincipal asked me to babysit the dual-enrollment class on the days that the college teacher is not there. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I give up my conference period, but I get paid...so it's spiffy!</span>)<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">**</span>I survived the hell that was Senior Picture Day. The schedule was SO poorly designed that the kids were out of class for hours at a time, and only about half of them got their picture taken. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Yeah, you guessed it. They're going to schedule another picture day. Yip--effin--e.</span>)<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">**</span>I decided that I need to officially get back on the Workout Wagon. Last night I went and joined the gym that Hellion and Corn are members of.<br /><br />And the best news of all......<br />We had a MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH with Buggy this week. He only had to sit through 2 math classes before he decided he is hella-bored because it is so easy. He actually said, "Mannnnn, I shoulda retaken that test."<br /><br />To my credit, I managed to NOT say, "HA!!!! I TOLD YOU SO!"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(but I sure did think it!)</span><br /><br />Important Update:<br />Hey...tomorrow's my birthday. How cool is that??Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-41384455843200253132007-09-02T08:01:00.000-05:002007-09-02T08:08:39.992-05:00Selling OutSomething amazing happened last night.<br /><br />I got to sleep the entire night....8.5 hours....all the way through.<br /><br />Usually I get woken up by an extremely sharp bark at about 2 a.m. that says <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">"HEY LADY, I GOTTA GO OUT!"</span></span><br /><br />Usually, he doesn't really "need" to go out. It's just cuz he's lonely and tired of playing Canine Incarceration.<br /><br />Last night, I was so tired that I decided to sell a little piece of my soul, and I plopped his <span style="font-style: italic;">furrylittlebutt</span> in the bed with me.<br /><br />Guess what.<br /><br />He slept alllllllllllllllllll night long.<br /><br />The best part....so did I.<br /><br />The extra-best part....we came outside so he could do his bizzznesss....and he did!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WOOOOOOOP!!!!</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-14800486536238603612007-08-30T22:17:00.000-05:002007-09-02T08:01:04.146-05:00First WeekHoly crap Batman.<br /><br />Is it seriously the end of the first week?<br /><br />Yeah, it's been reallydamncrazy....but overall it's been a pretty good week.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>My seniors are pretty low-maintenance. For the most part.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>I've had several of my kids from last year stop by to see me.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>Many are upset they're not in my class.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>It's hard to imagine there could <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">possibly </span>be kids who aren't in my class....considering it's standing room only in my soupcan.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>I've spent conference periods this week answering, "Just one quick question..." about computers.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>It took me 45 minutes to go get a cup of ice on Tuesday. Why? (Read previous statement.)<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>Hellion and I have collaborated on lesson plans so we can share the workload. We are rockstars.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>I have picked up some extra tutoring duties that come with a $25/hour payment.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>Buggy has kept me posted on College Life. He's enjoying it. (And yes, I know that eventually he'll quit enjoying it. But I figure, as long as he keeps his support system in place...even when it becomes "Zero Fun, Sir" he'll still make it okay. ) **Extra Credit: What movie is that quote from?***<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>Freddy is having a hard time adjusting to my back-to-school schedule. As usual, when he's stressed, he housepoops.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>I've decided to give him til next Tuesday to get over it....after that, if he continues to housepoop...I'm going to Petsmart to buy the piggy halloween costume for him!!!<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:webdings;" >*</span>I've been unstoppable this week at school with my kids....extremely high-energy. It's when I get home, and sit down, (Like Now) that I realize just how damned tired I am.<br /><br />I'm going to saw some logs.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-6421755724593944782007-08-27T23:51:00.000-05:002007-08-28T00:01:34.332-05:00Day of Firsts - Recap<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I'm teaching Senior English. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> I've got a good group of kids....it doesn't hurt that I have a few in each class that I've had before. They help indoctrinate the others to my way of doing things!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I'm going to drop my <span style="font-style: italic;">glass-half-empty</span> perspective of switching grade levels. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">There's something to be said for not having to deal with 9th graders and their idiocy.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I'm climbing back on the wagon of eating smarter and working out.<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> I took my lunch today and managed to stay away from the vending machine. yay me! </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I've developed a small habit lately of drinking regular Dr. Pepper. That ends today. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">It was hard...but I resisted. I am SUCH a sugar addict!! It's SO not funny!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I'm turning my cell phone off during the day<span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">It was bad enough that my damn classroom phone kept ringing. I'm glad I didn't have to deal with TWO of 'em!!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>It's Buggy's first day of college. (<span style="font-style: italic;">His first class is English. Update to follow...</span>) <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">He came by a while ago. He was pretty jazzed about the whole thing...which was a HUGE relief! His Poli Sci prof sounds like a RIOT....he only excuses absences that are due to 'debilitating illness' or 'kidnapping'!!!! HOW HYSTERICAL IS THAT?!!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>That means this is the first day he won't be popping in & out of my room. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">That part was a little sad....I've gotten used to Buggy-Fly-bys over the past 2 years. Especially cuz it was always fun to watch the girls' reactions when Mr. SuperCutie rolled in....!!!</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I've also vowed that I'd start getting to school earlier....which means I need to get to gettin'!!!<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Ummmmmmm yeah. That didn't happen this morning. But in the words of one Miss Scarlett O'Hara, "Fiddle-dee-dee!"<br /><br />~nite y'all!!<br /></span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-88557312660681365752007-08-27T05:58:00.001-05:002007-08-27T06:12:00.878-05:00The Day of FirstsOne reason I like living in the academic world is you get a fresh start each August.<br /><br />In the spirit of the New School Year, I thought I'd take a look at "The Firsts"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I'm teaching Senior English. <br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I'm going to drop my <span style="font-style: italic;">glass-half-empty</span> perspective of switching grade levels.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I'm climbing back on the wagon of eating smarter and working out.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I've developed a small habit lately of drinking regular Dr. Pepper. That ends today.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I'm turning my cell phone off during the day<span style="font-weight: bold;">.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>It's Buggy's first day of college. (<span style="font-style: italic;">His first class is English. Update to follow...</span>)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>That means this is the first day he won't be popping in & out of my room. <br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">*</span>I've also vowed that I'd start getting to school earlier....which means I need to get to gettin'!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"></span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-34065177133194318892007-08-25T00:10:00.000-05:002007-08-25T22:32:39.427-05:00Meltdown, WarmFuzzies & BabyGrapeThank God this week is over.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Meltdown:</span><br /> *was inspired/triggered by Computerdude's lack of work ethic.<br /> *served as the catalyst to get his supervisor to errr, supervise him.<br /> *was strangely cathartic.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">WarmFuzzies:</span><br /> *came from grateful teachers that I worked magic for.<br /> *came from APs who saw that I was busting my ass.<br /> *came from a colleague who I've been at odds with since Day1.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">BabyGrape:</span><br /> *brought his mama, daddy, and his Nana to see me.<br /> *was extra-sleepy when he got here, so he went straight to bed.<br /> *is <span style="font-style: italic;">finnnalllly </span>back home in Texas where he belongs.<br /> *will eventually break my heart again by leaving me. Again.<br /> *will make every moment until departure a RIOT!!Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-73557978277951044122007-08-23T21:49:00.001-05:002007-08-25T22:30:39.060-05:00IronyYou know how we all absolutely hate to go to inservice days? Because we know (<span style="font-style: italic;">with every fiber of our being</span>) that we're going to be bored off our verrrrry (<span style="font-style: italic;">numb</span>) ass?<br /><br />Wouldn't you know that today I actually found myself in an inservice that was entertaining, informative, and ENJOYABLE!<br /><br />WTF??!?!?!<br /><br />The irony?<br /><br />I only got to hear half of it.<br /><br />You'll never guess what I was doing.<br /><br />Yup. Getting people's computers to work.<br /><br />I'm extra-effing-tired of doing Computerdude's job. But I have learned a valuable lesson from him. I call it:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">How To Outsource Your Job Without Sacrificing the Paycheck</span><br />1. <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Be incompetent. </span>Bungle each and every work order so thoroughly that it takes 4 times longer that the standard snail's pace that people expect when dealing with technical support.<br /><br />2. <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Appear to be incompetent.</span> If someone asks you a question, leave huge gaps in between the end of their question and the beginning of your "<span style="font-style: italic;">non-answer</span>". That will give them time to run the "<span style="font-style: italic;">Damn, it would have taken me less time to research this problem on the web, get my IT-certification, fix the problem myself, and convince 9th grade boys that learning how to square-dance is a vital lifeskill.</span>" script in their head.<br /><br />3. <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Punch their buttons.</span> Figure out what <span style="font-style: italic;">realllllllly </span>makes people see red. Let's say there's an English teacher who you know is very anal about the instructions she sends out. Her instructions are always in logical/sequential order, and are free of grammar and spelling errors. In order to get her good and stirred up, you should send out emails that are not only ridiculously obscure and confusing....but also have zero chance of making it through spell/grammar check in under 20 minutes.<br /><br />4. <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Give a merry chase. </span> Start the week off by insisting people put in help requests on the computer. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Those would be the computers they can't log onto because you haven't put the network interface on them yet!</span>) When you finally receive those emails with the help requests, don't read them. Don't even open them. (<span style="font-style: italic;">You know the "history" button will log the exact minute that you read that email. Don't give them the satisfaction.</span>) <br />On Tuesday, tell folks that they should "<span style="font-style: italic;">let you know</span>" if they're having problems.<br />Wednesday, send an email that says, "<span style="font-style: italic;">You have to catch me in my office so I can change it right then.</span>"<br />Thursday, be in your office sometimes....but spend the time you're in there interrogating the people that come by for help as to whether or not they tried the given process on multiple computers. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Knowing that this is nigh to impossible, considering only every 5th computer has any chance of working.</span>)<br /><br />5. <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Exploit the fact that people feel intimidated around computers.</span> Make sure to use enough technical jargon and condescension to make people feel like the village idiot. That, with the gaps, will make them want to run far far away.<br /><br />To truly maximize the probability that others will do your job for you...while you get to sit in your office and do NOTHING....take equal helpings of all 5 strategies and rotate through them at will.<br /><br />This will ensure that the anal-retentive English teacher:<br />*writes all of the training documents (<span style="font-style: italic;">using screenshots</span>) for the faculty<br />*learns to do tasks that would earn her Big Bucks in the corporate IT world (<span style="font-style: italic;">that are SO not in her job description</span>)<br />*takes care of your job for you....while you still get paid for it.<br /><br />Granted, you may have to listen to her bitch every now and then, and she may even get your supervisor breathing down your neck. But hey. You're still way better off than she is....and what's even better? You've made spot-on sure that <span style="font-style: italic;">your </span>computer works....so you'll be able to use <span style="font-style: italic;">alllllllll </span>your free time to surf the web.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />Apparently I went to my own Seminar today.<br /><br />I wonder if I can get any CEUs.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-91641941501150069392007-08-20T23:25:00.001-05:002007-08-20T23:38:38.174-05:00Today's Staff Meeting by the Numbers8 - the month<br />20 - the date<br />265 - the approximate number of teachers and administrators in Uberschool<br />20 - the approximate number of new teachers<br />8 - the time the meeting was supposed to start<br />8:10 - the time it actually started<br />15 - the approx. number of people who came in at least 5 minutes late (<span style="font-style: italic;">after the meeting started</span>)<br />4 - the number of cell phones that went off (<span style="font-style: italic;">not counting administrators' school phones</span>)<br />1 - the number of people who had actual conversations when their phone rang<br />1 - the number of teachers who brought their children to the meeting<br />2 - the number of computers that made "hey! I'm turning on!" sounds<br />9:20 - the time we got our first (<span style="font-style: italic;">and only</span>) break<br />10 - the number of minutes our break was supposed to be<br />18 - the number of minutes it actually lasted<br />*infinity* - the number of stupidly cranky questions asked<br />5 - the number of people who ABSOLUTELY NEED to retire, if for no other reason than to keep their jaded outlook from tarnishing the newbies.<br />11:00 - the time the meeting was supposed to end<br />11:20 - the time it actually ended<br />4 - the number of ibuprofen it took to kill the headache<br />32 - the number of ounces of Dr Pepper it took to wash down the ibuprofen<br /><br />and last but not least....<br />6.5 - how many hours I've got til my alarm goes off.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta!</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-26789633802949430742007-08-19T22:04:00.000-05:002007-08-19T23:01:58.167-05:00Good Stuff<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Good Stuff #1:</span><br />I got <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">mad props</span> from our dropout prevention director for having so many of my tutoring kids pass the TAKS test last month. WOOP!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Good Stuff #2:</span><br />Buggy retook the writing part of the accuplacer test....and passed it!! This means he'll get to take Freshman Comp, rather than getting stuck in the remedial writing class. (<span style="font-style: italic;">And yeah, he might need some help with Freshman Comp. Hmmmm, I wonder if he knows anybody who could help him with essays. Hmmm.</span>)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Good Stuff #3:</span><br />Buggy put some shelves together for me while I culled 5 years of crap from the storeroom in my classroom. I went back today for 4 hours to reorganize all the remaining "treasures" and get my room ready. Granted, we don't get kids for another week, but I <span style="font-weight: bold;">know </span>I'm not going to get anything done on my prep days. Too many people have "<span style="font-style: italic;">just a quick question</span>" about their computers. All I have left to do in my room is to swap my junior books for senior ones, put up my bulletin board, and do some filing. <span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">WOOOOOOOOP!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Good Stuff #4:</span><br />I got a reply from Uberprincipal about my stepping down as junior class sponsor. She said she understood and was fully aware of the time and effort I devote to the students and teachers of Uberschool. And that someone else could take over as junior class sponsor. <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold;">HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Good Stuff #5:</span><br />I've been working with APMcBuzz on some training for the new teachers this week. We've spent some time hammering out some considerable glitches in regards to computer access, and he's been super-supportive on lighting a fire under our computerdude's posterior. Yesterday, he sent me an email telling me I'm "awesome". <span style="font-style: italic;">*grin* (In case you're wondering about his blogname, Hellion noted that he is everywhere....like a flying flea....bzzzzzzzz)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Good Stuff #6:</span><br />I saved the best for last. This evening, as I was sitting outside waiting for Freddy to 'make water', I got a text from Preggo. <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">She and BabyGrape and her mom may be coming to see me this weekend!!! </span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">They're really coming to see Grape'sDaddy, who's doing training in BFEWestTexas, but why bother with reality?</span>) Granted, the emphasis is on "may"...but I'm extra hopeful it happens. I can't wait for Freddy to meet BabyGrape! Keep your fingers crossed!!Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-78279628029622769432007-08-18T06:33:00.001-05:002007-08-18T06:37:32.581-05:00Awesome ArticlesI just finished posting (see <a href="http://moldingyoungminds.blogspot.com/2007/08/one-of-folks-ive-come-to-know-and.html">below</a>) ...and then went to yahoo to check email. These two articles popped up. At the risk of looking like a blog-addict, I had to do another post so I could pass them along. I thought they were <span style="font-weight: bold;">too </span>good....<br /><br /><a href="http://health.yahoo.com/news/178507">Time to Set Kids' Back-to-School Sleep Clocks</a><br /><br /><a href="http://health.yahoo.com/news/176361">Sleeping on Weekends Hurts Kids' Grades</a>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-19954909371286364172007-08-18T05:41:00.000-05:002007-08-18T06:23:34.231-05:00Courtesy of Leesepea<strong style="font-weight: normal;font-family:verdana;">One of the folks I've come to know (<span style="font-style: italic;">and respect. and admire.</span>) over my past couple of years in blogland is Leesepea at <a href="http://leesepea.blogspot.com/">But Wait! There's more...</a> She is a firecracker of a middle school teacher in California. I want to be her when I grow up. <span style="font-style: italic;">(If I grow up...IF!)</span><br /><br />She threw down the gauntlet of the meme tag in her post yesterday. Never let it be said that I don't play along....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. I am a good teacher because...</span>I care about my kiddos, and let my heart have a say in my decision-making. </strong><br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. If I weren’t a teacher, I would be...</span>lost. <span style="font-style: italic;">(I know this because I didn't teach for 6 years...and I felt like I was missing an appendage.)</span></strong><br /><br /><strong style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">3. My teaching style is...</strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">quirky, energetic</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">, </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">volatile, erratic, challenging, entertaining, neurotic (<span style="font-style: italic;">at times!</span>), evolving...and fascinating <span style="font-style: italic;">(in that rubbernecking-at-a-car-accident-kind of way.)</span></span><br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. My classroom is...</span>my domain. <span style="font-style: italic;">The kids know when they walk through the door that it's a different world from the rest of the school. My expectations are different, my process is different, my heart is different...and they need to be different if they want to make it. </span></strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><br /><strong style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">5. My lesson plans are...</strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">usually a work-in-progress. And rarely written down ahead of time. <span style="font-style: italic;">I'm determined to change that this year. Seriously. Quit laughing....</span></span><br /><br /><strong style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">6. One of my teaching goals is...</strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>to do what I gotta do to make it happen. <span style="font-style: italic;">If I need to modify the way I teach something so a kid can get it...then I need to do that. Preserving the sanctity of "<span style="font-weight: bold;">How We've Always Done It</span>" is useless if the kid walks away without the concept.</span></span><br /><br /><strong style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">7. The toughest part of teaching is...</strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>admitting I can't do it all. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I just sent an email to Uberprincipal stepping down from Junior Class sponsor for the coming year. It kills me to admit I'm human.</span>)</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">8. The thing I love most about teaching is...</strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">it's never EVER boring. <span style="font-style: italic;">Wait. I just remembered I'm about to spend a week in Inservice Trainings and Faculty Meetings. Let me rephrase that.</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Teaching...as in "life once the kids arrive"...is never boring. </span></span><br /><br /><strong style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">9. A common misconception about teaching is...</strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>that we gets evenings, weekends, and summers off. <span style="font-style: italic;">Even though we may not be on the clock...we're probably doing something school-related, be it school clubs, tutoring, grading, planning, etc. And on the off-chance we're NOT doing something school-related, we're probably sitting there thinking about the fact that we need to grading, planning, etc. !!!!!</span></span><br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. The most important thing I’ve learned since I started teaching is...</span>I will never truly know the impact I had on someone. <span style="font-style: italic;">I need to make every effort to ensure that it's a positive impact.</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Okay....if you're a teacher....TAG! YOU'RE IT! Once you've posted this on your blog, leave me a comment with the link. And don't think you're off the hook if you're a non-blogger. (HELLION!!) You can write your "post" in MSWord, and then copy/paste the text into a comment. </span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-42676637471216600962007-08-11T05:36:00.000-05:002007-08-11T06:09:50.559-05:00The Return of BuggySo. After almost 2 months of zero Buggy-Sightings, a lot of cranky <span style="font-style: italic;">frustrationfits </span>on my part, some <span style="font-style: italic;">supersmooth </span>finesse-ing of The Buggy Ego by Novia, and one excruciatingly painful for him (<span style="font-style: italic;">BUT eversoenjoyable for me</span>) <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"I apologize"</span> phone call from The Bugg....Buggy is officially<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Back on the Radar.</span></span><br /><br />I totally don't get teenage males.<br /><br />They came over Thursday evening so Buggy could bring me the college-related mail that had accumulated during his <span style="font-weight: bold;">PeriodOfInsanity</span>. I was NOT surprised to see a letter from the Admissions office saying <span style="font-style: italic;">"We need a copy of your official transcript. Now." </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I looked at him and said, <span style="font-style: italic;">"HA!!! I was RIGHT!"</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "About what?"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "Remember I told you at Orientation that we needed to take that transcript to them?"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "Yeah."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span> "Remember how you said we didn't need to...because they already had it?"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "Yeah."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;">*pointed look at letter*</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "Apparently. They did not."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "I guess...."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Novia:</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">*leaves room to camouflage her snickering*</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "So. Can we get one?"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "We have one."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "No we don't."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "Ummm yeah. We do. It's in that folder that Novia gave you."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "But those aren't the final transcripts. They want final transcripts."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "There are 2 sets of transcripts in that folder. One set is from when we applied for scholarships. The other set is your final transcript."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "Oh. Okay. Should we mail it, or do you have time to take it by there?"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "Why can't you?"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "I'm at work in CrazyFarAwayFromHereCity when they're open."</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Me:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "Okay. Bring it by tomorrow morning and I'll take it up there."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Buggy:</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> "Thanks, Miss."</span><br /><br />We then went on to have CollegeMajor Counseling Session. Buggy is re-thinking his choice of major....and has gotten himself all stressed out in the process. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(*SHOCKER!!!*)</span> He's flipping out because he doesn't know exactly what he wants to major in....and thinks he has to lock it in prior to classes starting. <span style="font-style: italic;">(anyone wanna bet that's why he was incommunicado for so long???)</span><br /><br />He seemed to breathe a little easier when I reminded him that I started out as a business major. It took me until Spring Break of my freshman year to figure out that business was Not For Me.<br /><br />Once he calmed down, I put him on an "Interest Inventory" website. The options that popped up seemed to fit him pretty well, so he's got some options to mull over.<br /><br />There was one option that gave me a littlebitty heart attack:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:180%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); font-weight: bold;">Military Service.</span></span><br /><br />When he read that one out loud, he looked at me with raised eyebrows.<br /><br />I looked him dead in the eye and said, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"You can just pretend that one's not even there. Move along, little Buggy."</span><br /><br />He gave me a big ole Buggygrin, shook his head, and kept reading....<br /><br />Ya know, I think he might make it.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-42294587532428058792007-08-09T07:35:00.000-05:002007-08-09T07:48:30.911-05:00Re-entryFor Me:<br />The first day back from vacation was perfect. No schedule, no demands on my time....just an entire day to float from one gig to another. <span style="font-style: italic;">*sigh*</span><br /><br />Freddy, on the other hand, is experiencing a little bit of culture shock. You see, the "grandparents" spoiled him just a <span style="font-style: italic;">weeeeee </span>bit while he was there. And while it did him good in turns of improving his socialization with humans, and putting a little bit of much-needed weight on him, he's having to adjust to a couple of things.<br /><br />Like the fact that Grandpop is the bacon-cooker, not me. Therefore, I don't have bacon grease at my disposal to "sneak" onto his food. Sadly, the terribly dry dog food is not quite as attractive to the Freddynose. <br /><br />A point which he is driving home by sitting next to me on the couch when he should be in at his food bowl. Usually, it only takes him about 3 minutes of frantic crunching to clear the bowl.<br /><br />Right now? It's been sitting in the bowl...in the other room....for a good 15 minutes. <br /><br />Apparently he's on a hunger strike.<br /><br />I bet he wishes he had opposable thumbs so he could make a picket sign. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ohhhhhh, pobrecito!!<br /><br /><br />~hasta<br /></span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-71298334324312489112007-08-07T22:59:00.000-05:002007-08-07T23:09:46.887-05:00FinallyI'm home.<br /><br />It took forever.<br /><br />Prolly because, in addition to the extra "necessary" stops, I:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">*</span>got the scoop from Novia about the events leading up to The Bugg's Call.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">*</span>hung out with ShortOne for an hour and half...solving the world's problems.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">*</span>played catch-up with Hellion....I had to get the scoop on HER vacation, after all!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">*</span>chatted with MissErin while we were both burning highway miles.<br /><br />But....it was worth it!!<br /><br />Freddy slept most of the way...waking up when we stopped, and quickly returning to his comfy comforter when it was time to go again.<br /><br />Right now, he's wedged under my leg...snoozing like crazy. I think Charlie Brown said it best:<br />"Happiness is a warm puppy."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-71895795759221994342007-08-07T00:00:00.001-05:002007-08-08T20:38:48.262-05:00Bugs & DogsApparently Hell has frozen over, because I actually heard from Buggy tonight.<br /><br />Novia called me, said "Are you busy? Do you have time to talk?" When I said I had time, she said "hold on" and handed the phone to Buggy.<br /><br />...who then proceeded to apologize for his behavior.<br /><br />I know!<br /><br />I'm having a hard time believing it as well.<br /><br />I'm not so naive to believe that everything is peachy-keen hunky-dory with him.....I think we still need to really work through some of the cobwebs. But it's a good start.<br /><br />Hopefully, you'll forgive me the rather short post this evening....especially since I'm going to share some video of the resident wiener dogs. :)<br /><br />Click the link to see the debut performance of Freddy and Maggie....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sn9ksYi9qc">A Tale of Two Wieners</a><br /><br />Enjoy!!!Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-25423420927952292712007-08-05T21:42:00.001-05:002007-08-05T22:30:03.124-05:00What I Did During My Vacation1. Spent a longdamntime driving from Texas to Missouri.<br />2. Visited my dad's chiropractor....who not only adjusted the pain completely out of my hip (<span style="font-style: italic;">"...and there was much rejoicing in the land!!!"</span>), but also gave me some nifty copies of my x-rays as a parting gift.<br />3. Read <span style="font-style: italic;">Lover's Lane</span> by Jill Marie Landis.<br />4. Went Garage-Saleing with my mom, her neighbor, and my AuntZany. And yes, it did deserve Capital Letters. If we approached education reform like my aunt approaches garage sales, there would be absolutely NO children left behind. Period.<br />5. Figured out making a deposit at a "network credit union" works after my car-loan was zapped out of the wrong bank account. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Don't even get me started about people who forget that their job is to provide SERVICE to customers.</span>)<br />6. Spent an inordinate amount of time examining my phone/wireless/dish/internet bill with a fine-tooth comb...and then moved on to comparing electric companies in view of firing my current one. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I've NOT been happy with TXU lately.</span>)<br />7. Took part in Staples' Teacher Appreciation Day....got a nifto-groovy filepocket o' supplies and did some shopping while drinking sweet tea from McAllister's. MMMM!<br />8. Did some trouble-shooting for my jacked-up computer while officiating the Freddy/Maggie Wars.<br />9. Went to church with the parents. I was amazed by the sheer volume of noise the family behind me made. And I do mean Family. The whiney toddler, the incapable of whispering middle-schooler, the chattering mom, AND the World-Champion GumWrapper Rattler GRANDMA!!! <br />10. Had a mini-family-reunion with my dad's side of the family at lunch. I got to visit with a distant cousin who's on vacation from teaching in Guadalajara. Way cool!<br />11. Ran errands with Mom....then came home to sleep off the headache acquired while dealing with members of The Human Race.<br />12. Updated my blogroll so I could corral some of my favorite links. <br />13. Updated my blog so I could corral my activities of the past week.Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-84812011441532243512007-08-02T01:29:00.000-05:002007-08-02T16:48:20.136-05:00A Universe Far Far AwayI've known for A WHILE that I'm going to need to marry rich. I have expensive taste...but I am not cut out for the cut-throat corporate world, high-paying though it may be. Which means I'm not going to get rich on my own. <br /><br />Today, I realized that yes, I still need to marry rich....but more importantly I need to marry someone who <span style="font-weight: bold;">has his own jet</span>. This driving 500+ miles with a dog is FOR THE BIRDS.<br /><br />We left home at about 11:30 a.m.....we got here at midnight. We made a TON of stops because I didn't want him to become the "CarPooper". Each stop took a long time because each time, we followed the same routine:<br />*Walk Freddy<br />*Watch Freddy become one with the landscape<br />*Watch Freddy pee (maybe)<br />*Put Freddy back in car<br />*Give Freddy a itty-bitty drink of water so his little body didn't explode from the heat<br />*Grab my purse<br />*Turn on the car long enough to crack windows for a cross breeze.<br />*Convince Freddy to stay in the car by himself.<br />*Go inside....<br />*Stand IN LINE for the women's restroom. (<span style="font-style: italic;">More about that later</span>).<br />*"Do my business"<br />*Exit convenience store after purchasing more liquids for the driver.<br />*Return to car.<br />*Kick Freddy out of my seat.<br />*Commence the trip.<br /><br /> We made an extra-long pit-stop at the convenience store close by TheShortOne's house. So that hour doesn't count as "travel time".<br /><br />But STILL. It should not take 11 and a half hours to drive 580 miles.<br /><br />I just did the math.<br /><br />We averaged 50.4 miles an hour.<br /><br />Damn. No wonder I'm exhausted.<br /><br />Thank goodness the Ipod was working.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-91448848369973943262007-08-01T00:37:00.000-05:002007-08-01T06:08:52.948-05:00FlexibleYou know it's going to be a challenging day when your horoscope tells you to <span style="font-style: italic;">"...so get ready to be flexible". </span><br /><br />Translated: <span style="font-style: italic;">"Go back to bed. Now. I mean it."</span><br /><br /><br />Let's run a tally:<br />My lower back was KILLING ME from random stress, yard work, and lack of regular exercise. (<span style="font-style: italic;">By the time I left work, I couldn't take it anymore. I broke down and went to the chiropractor.</span>)<br /><br />I was on my way out the door (<span style="font-style: italic;">to go to the magic chiropractor</span>) when Buggy's counselor asked if I could look at her computer, because it was doing something weird . (<span style="font-style: italic;">After all she'd done for Buggy, I couldn't say no...so I did a fly-by on her office.</span>)<br /><br />I forgot to switch my direct deposit to send my paycheck to my new account....so I had to do the bank shuffle: go to old bank, get a cashier's check.....then haul a$$ to my new bank to deposit it.<br /><br />I went to pick up my MaryKFriend to spend the afternoon with her....bet you'll never guess what she's in town for.... (<span style="font-style: italic;">*wink*</span>)<br /><br />Endured Freddy barking his fool-head off at MaryKFriend's arrival and visit. <span style="font-style: italic;">(He's freaking psycho.)</span><br /><br />Talked to Novia about the recent stubbornness/idiocy of The Bugg. He's been pissed off at me ever since orientation...and I don't know why. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Why</span> don't I know why? Because he won't <span style="font-weight: bold;">effing </span>talk to me!!!! He's adopted the "build-a-brick-wall-of-emotional-distance" strategy.<br /><br />His strategy sucks.<br /><br />Novia is going to try to talk some sense into him while I'm gone on vacation.<br /><br />Yeah...that's right. I'm leaving tomorrow for a week's vacation. Freddy and I are taking a road trip to see the folks. It'll be his first car trip of any length...and his first time to meet Maggie, my parents' dachshund. Maggie's convinced she's human....she's just shorter than everyone else in the house. She's also In-Charge of her house and all those taller "people" in it....(<span style="font-style: italic;">the people know this, and have accepted it</span>)....so it'll be interesting to watch her "school" Freddy. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Who likes to think he's in charge.</span>)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Get 'em!!</span><br /><br />My IPOD spazzed out tonight. It kept skipping through the songs....never actually playing any of them. After a sync/restore/reload (<span style="font-style: italic;">which took about an hour of my life</span>) it <span style="font-weight: bold;">seems </span>to be working. I certainly hope so....because it could conceivably be a looooooooong damn trip without control of the tune-age.<br /><br />keep your fingers crossed...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-65001742014446781122007-07-28T08:12:00.000-05:002007-07-28T18:48:02.842-05:00Saturday Morning...Wayyyyyyyyy back in the day, Saturday mornings were designated solely for Sleeping In. I was<span style="font-weight: bold;"> EXTRAgood</span> at it. In college, I could sleep til noon...sometimes later, if left alone. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Translation: As long as MiMadre didn't get a wild hair to call me to conduct the "What are you doing?" survey.</span>)<br /><br />Sadly, my job at Uberschool with its <span style="font-weight: bold;">WAY-TOO-FREAKING-EARLY</span> start time has jacked up my sleep schedule and my internal clock, so I'm now a<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Morning Person.</span></span><br /><br />It's a tragedy. It really is.<br /><br />It's not helped by the fact that The Housepooper has a really sharp bark. <br />And is not afraid to use it.<br />Which he did at 6:00 this morning. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Apparently, he thought we were going to be late for work.</span>)<br /><br />So I've been up for well over 2 hours.<br /><br />What's more is I've actually been Productive.<br /><br />(<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Note to My Family:</span> Allright. You're not funny. Quit holding your breath...pretending to be surprised. Seriously, quit it. Or I'm going to tell them all of YOUR secrets....</span>)<br /><br />There, that's better. Let's move on.<br /><br />Where was I? Oh yes....What have I accomplished this morning?<br /><br />*Sat outside with The Housepooper, waiting for him to Produce. Instead, he ate grass.<br />*Came in and cleaned the kitchen.<br />*Fired up the iced tea machine to make some raspberry tea. <span style="font-style: italic;">mmmmmm</span>.<br />*Washed a load of laundry.<br />*Emptied the dryer of last Wednesday's <span style="font-style: italic;">towels&skivvies</span>.<br />*Put clean laundry in the dryer.<br />*Ran the dishwasher.<br />*Initiated & Executed ClothesHangerReconnMission.<br />*Took The Housepooper back outside. He, for a very short amount of time, wasThe YardPooper.<br />*Extracted clean/dry clothes from dryer.<br />*Hung them up.<br />*Spent some time catching up on Blogland.<br />*Snarfed Dr.Pepper out of MY NOSE while reading Chris G's post: <a href="http://deathbykids.blogspot.com/2007/07/pantsed-in-dells.html">Pantsed in the Dells</a>.<br />*Cleaned DrPepper off of table & computer.<br /><br />Now I've got to wrap this up so I can make a flying trip through the shower. I've got to wash the rest of the DP off me and get somewhat presentable, because I've got a meeting in 30 minutes.<br /><br />Yeah. A meeting. On a Saturday.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Oh, how the mighty have fallen.</span><br /><br />Apparently it's time for my little neighborhood to have a pow-wow about forming a neighborhood watch. There's been a rash of "activity" of late....and the natives are NOT HAPPY. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Neither am I, because the NeighboorhoodDelinquent has been seen exiting my backyard by jumping over my fence.</span>)<br /><br />I guess I'm going to have to go be social.<br /><br />Wish me luck.<br /><br />You know how hard it is for me.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-47358387320105129772007-07-27T19:09:00.000-05:002007-07-27T19:24:32.176-05:00Vindication!Apparently, the planets all lined up <span style="font-style: italic;">just so</span> on Wednesday...and helped convince PAPartner that I wasn't so evil. She came in to talk to me several times yesterday (Thursday)...and was as friendly as could be! I really thought I'd stepped into a different dimension.<br /><br />She met me at my door as I was arriving at school Thursday....chattering amicably about wanting my help revising some forms they use in the lab. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Apparently she forgot I was the enemy!</span>) I was so discombobulated that I forgot to be mad about being tagged as the "Takeover Girl" and tell her to go jump in the lake, and actually started renovating the forms. <br /><br />Later, she came in and said, "<span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">I totally see what you mean about Huff&Puff. Her mood was out of control yesterday. I thought you were exaggerating about her attitude, but I have to apologize to you. She was horrible yesterday!!</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Thank goodness I have health insurance through the job...because otherwise the ambulance bill from my falling-out-of-my-chair onto my head could have bankrupted me!)</span><br /><br />After the break, I looked up to see Huff&Puff standing at my desk, with PAPartner right behind her. H&P had finished her credit, and was about to go sign out with the AP.<br /><br />Imagine my surprise when I heard this come out of H&P's mouth:<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-style: italic;">"Miss, I wanted to say thank you for all your help....and to tell you I'm sorry for getting mad at you the other day. I know you were just trying to help me."</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">*blink*</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">*blink*</span><br /><br />I'm a little nervous that these events might be our first indication that <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Hell </span>is <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">Freezing </span>Over.<br /><br />If Hell actually is freezing over, I'm going to be unable to blog for a while....my <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold;">When Hell Freezes Over To-Do List</span> is pretty long, and is going to take quite a while to complete. But I'll hurry back as soon as possible, I promise.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-15712451692683479742007-07-25T22:11:00.000-05:002007-07-25T22:40:59.002-05:00WednesdayI had a day off from dealing with PAPartner today. I went to a technology workshop on using VisualBasic in Powerpoint. It was pretty darn spiffy.<br /><br />After I worked out with Trainerdude, I wandered through Blockbuster. I figured I'd be doing good if I could find one that looked good. Of course, I found 3.<br /><br />I came home and puttered around the house. I 'm proud to report that I hung some wood blinds in the bathroom....and not only did I get them relatively straight the first time, they're still attached to the wall (and it's been almost 3 hours!)!!<br /><br />Now, the HousePooper and I are hanging out on the couch, watching <a href="http://www.thepeacefulwarriormovie.com/">Peaceful Warrior.</a> It's a Rocky-esque story...where this gymnast figures out how to be about the present. I'm about an hour in, and it's pretty good. Some of the gymnastics scenes are a little hokey, but overall, the message is good.<br />A couple of way cool quotes:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The ones who are hardest to love are usually the ones who need it the most."</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"A warrior is not about perfection or victory or invulnerability. He's about absolute vulnerability. "</span><br /><br />I'll let you know my final verdict.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-24882693378178191702007-07-25T00:57:00.000-05:002007-07-25T00:58:01.795-05:00City DogI gave Freddy a mini-rawhide bone last night. He LOVED it! He carried it around the house, stopping periodically to chew on it, but mostly making sure it wasn't going to get bone-napped.<br /><br />He spent a great deal of time trying to find a place to bury it. He tried:<br />the corner of the living room by the back door<br />the corner of the patio<br />in front of the tv<br />several places in the guest room and computer room<br />the floor of my closet - where the laundry lives<br />Each time he "dug out" a spot, placed the bone inside, and then used his snout to "cover" it with dirt. <span style="font-style: italic;"> (Even though NONE of them were even remotely close to an actual dirt-pile.)</span><br /><br />My favorite was when he jumped up by me on the couch, and started to wedge the bone in between the cushions. He then spent a good 2 minutes nosing the "dirt" up over it. He paused only long enough to give me a nasty look when my laughing interrupted his rhythm.<br /><br />My response? <span style="font-style: italic;">"It's a damn good thing you're cute. Because you most assuredly are not that bright. City dog."</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-50152646843804806522007-07-24T22:13:00.000-05:002007-07-24T23:13:12.870-05:00Pet Peeve-o-meterThe past 3 weeks have taught me a few things about myself. Before this session began, I used to think that my biggest pet peeve was when someone would chew with their mouth open.<br /><br />I was so wrong. So very very wrong.<br /><br />It's become clear that I have 2 pet peeves vying for the #1 Spot. I will now discuss them (<span style="font-style: italic;">in no particular order, of course</span>).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:180%;" >*Lying*</span><br />I can understand the occasional need to smudge the truth from time to time to preserve someone's feelings. Is it still lying? Mmmmmprobably. But is it forgivable? Usually. <br />What I can't understand is when an individual knowingly creates their own reality...which portrays someone else in a negative light....and then presents <span style="font-weight: bold;">their </span>"reality" to others as The True Reality. <br />Be not confused. This is not smudging.<br />This is Lying. And it is NOT forgivable.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:180%;" >*Laziness*</span><br />One reason I love Uberschool is the challenge of helping a kid realize their true intelligence and potential. Many of my discipline problems are nothing more than kids who think they're too dumb to do the work. Once I make it clear that they're actually very intelligent...it's just that they need to put all that energy into learning, rather than trying to run my class....they usually turn it around and get to work.<br />The kids I have a problem with are the ones that are Lazy.<br /><br />I don't mean lazy in terms of they'll do the work, but will conserve energy whenever possible. <span style="font-style: italic;">(Because then I'd be fronting myself out, now wouldn't I?) </span><br /><br />I mean Capital L - a - zeeeee. I've had two of these in my class this session. Let me introduce you to one of them.<br /><br />Huff&Puff thought she would play the "this is too hard for me" game and I would give her the answers. <br />Clearly.<br />She has not met me.<br />The topper was when she came to ask me for help on the questions for the stories in her packet for sophomore English.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H&P: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">"I answered all the ones I could. These others are too hard."</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me: </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Yeah, they probably are. Because they're not "Knowledge" level questions. They require you to take what you know about the story and process it."</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H&P: </span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"Can't you help me with them?"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me: </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Did you read the stories?"</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H&P: </span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"No."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me: </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Then I can't help you....not til you read the stories. You read the stories, and then we'll go from there."</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H&P: </span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"So you're not going to help me?"</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">"Ummm, not til you read the stories."</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(She returns to her desk....exhibiting behaviors that earned her her nombre de blog.)<br /><br /></span>A little while later, she huffs & puffs over to PAPartner's room with book in hand.<br />I go over there....she's in the middle of telling PA that <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"she's not helping me"</span>. I ask PA if I can speak to her in the hall....I update her on the situation....thinking surely she'll back me up and shut H&P down. Again. I was wrong.<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-style: italic;">"I'll make sure she reads it."</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">ooooooooooooooooooookay</span><br />H&P returns to my room a short while later to work on the computer module. There's no sign of her packet.....I can only assume she finished it. There was no way in hell she'd had enough time to read all the stories and answer all those questions....but I decided she was PAPartner's problem from now on.<br /><br />This morning, she came in and handed me her rough draft for her essay. I asked her why she had gone to PAPartner yesterday....she said <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"because you wouldn't help me"</span>. I said, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"Well then, maybe you should have her look over your rough draft."</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><exit,></span><br /><br />Later, she asked me for help on her mastery test on the computer. I was floored that she would ask me for help, given that I "wouldn't help her" earlier. But I went over, and explained what the question was asking....and gave her the parameters for what a run-on sentence was. I asked her if she was clear on what a run-on sentence was. She said yeah. So I sat down. I didn't answer the question for her, or even guide her through eliminating answers. Apparently that's what she wanted me to do, because she sat there pouting and sniffling....making a big show out of getting up to get tissues...you name it.<br /><br />The ultimate was when she brought her rough draft back to me. It was all crumpled up. I asked why.<br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">H&P: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">"Because I got mad when PA told me it was wrong."</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Me: </span>"Well, if she told you it was wrong, why are you bringing it to me?"</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><exit></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Note to the People:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I am not the teacher you want to have if you want someone to do your work for you. Because yes, it might take less time and energy for me to give you the answer.....but damnnnnnnnnn! I'm not the one enrolled in the class. I don't NEED the credit for the class....I already passed it. You, on the other hand, need to learn how to use your brain. And do your own damn work.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Okay....let's take a vote. How do these rate on your Pet Peeve-o-meter? Comments, please!<br /><br />~hasta<br /></span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17248709.post-50954647676556546492007-07-22T21:00:00.000-05:002007-07-22T21:39:03.609-05:00Crrrrrispy!!This weekend was fan-tabula-riffic!!! We left Friday morning to go to the lake...and spent 2 days just chillin. There was no schedule. No timeline. No stress.<br /><br />It was perfect.<br /><br />One small glitch.<br /><br />I slightly underestimated how much sunblock I should apply, given the fact that we'd be snagging rays while we were on a boat. In the incredibly reflective water.<br /><br />doh.<br /><br />So I am moderately crispy...but I'm not complaining too much.<br /><br />After all...I am no longer the whitest white girl around!!<br /><br />It doesn't get much better than that!!<br /><br />WOOP!!!<br /><br />I also gained a little perspective about my coworker "situation". I've decided I'm going to take the tally sheets for the report <span style="font-weight: bold;">we've</span> been gathering data for.....(<span style="font-style: italic;">that's <span style="font-weight: bold;">we</span>....even though she told HigherUp that I'm trying to take over</span>)....and hand it to the partner so she can finish it off, and present it to her supervisor. <br /><br />Or not. <br /><br />It really doesn't matter to me.<br /><br />I have decided that I am going to do something uncharacteristic for me. <br /><br />The bare minimum. <br /><br />I'm going to spend the next 5 days doing only what's expected of me for this session. I <span style="font-weight: bold;">was</span> going to go through the English notebook and make sure that it was in order....but have decided I don't want to "take over".<br /><br />That would be rude.<br /><br />So instead, I will spend the next 5 days preparing my curriculum for my impending switch to 12th grade English. As well as morphing my Junior Theme materials to Senior Theme materials.<br /><br />The very very opposite end of the spectrum from "taking over".<br /><br />That's me.<br /><br />The Non-TakeOver Girl.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">~hasta</span>Ms. Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17991976142384837218noreply@blogger.com0