Miscellaneous Missives

As I was helping students in class with their writing and the writing process, a troublesome young man was being disruptive. I sent him to the "think table." He asked me how long he needed to sit at the table. Later I had this conversation with another student who was sitting close to me. Student: That's a hyperbole. Me: What? Student: A hyperbole. Me: What did I say? Student: You told him he may sit at the table for six hours. Me: Yes, that's is a hyperbole. At least one student learned about figurative language.

It's official once again. My brother is the smart one in the family. Today he received a call from the PhD program of his choice with the offer of a free ride and additional funds. I am sooooo excited for him and a little sad for myself. Part of me really wanted him to hear from the UofM program first. My own selfishness wanted him and the little hamburger lady to move to Minneapolis even though they will be happier in Cali. He may be the intelligent one, but I'm still good for comic relief. Congrats 'lil bro!!!

Today I sat through a meeting and made crabby comments, put my head in my hands, sighed loudly, and gave evil looks. Basically I was disrespectful. Typically I don't have a problem with people who can't do their job until their incompetence makes my job difficult. Of the five people present at this meeting, no one knew about an assessment we were supposed to be giving. Instead of realizing no one knew, so there was a breakdown in communication somewhere, the leader of the meeting continued talking as though we should have known. Obviously we should have known, but we aren't slackers. Since no one knew, perhaps the leader should have taken some initiative to make changes in the current policies. Instead of admitting some of the blame, she continued to get on my last nerve.

Last week I received a forwarded e-mail that I actually opened. Typically I don't open let alone look at forwarded e-mails, but this is one I was glad I opened. It made me laugh and cry. OK that's BS. I will admit it is quite realistic and funny. When I received the e-mail, I forwarded it to several friends. As I was cleaning out my e-mail today, I couldn't quite put it in the trash even though putting e-mails in the trash is one of my favorite things to do! Instead of merely deleting it I also copied and pasted it below. I would also like to report that I probably won't be able to use it with my current administration. We tend to hear stories about how the view looks different depeding on where you're at and quotes such as "we're all in this together." I thankfully couldn't find a place for those in the following little game. BTW if you're not in education, this may not be funny! Please help spread the word . . . Subject: How to St...

As usual on Saturday morning, I checked the outside temperature when I awoke. Knowing it was going to get colder as the day progressed, I dressed for the twenty degree weather and headed for the lake. I didn't prepare for the windchill. By the time I got around the lake to Caribou, my face was frozen and my legs were even a bit cold. Today there was no need to remove the flap on my gloves to expose my fingers. It's a great thing the Caribou boy had my hot cocoa ready for me! As I grabbed for my hot cocoa I noticed some tulips with the look of spring in Lunds. How could I not purchase these spring beauties when the wind was so wicked? The sun and tulips glow in my apartment as the wind whips across the windows. Was it truly forty degrees yesterday?

When it comes to anything dealing with money or figures, I am clueless. Why did I decide to do my taxes by myself this year? Last year at this time my mother wanted little to do with me. Typically she does my taxes. Last year she tried to get Dad to do it, but since she always took care of my taxes in the past, I, for some reason, wanted her to do the taxes. She finally did do my taxes. This summer when I was trying to get financing for a condo, I realized that she didn't bother giving me a copy of last year's taxes. This year I asked Dad to do my taxes, and he agreed. While I was in Office Max today, I picked up a copy of Turbo Tax Deluxe to give Dad. As I was driving home, I decided I needed to do this myself. Since I don't yet own the condo, I knew they would be easy. All year I have been collecting my receipts, etc. During Dr. Phil and Oprah I sat down with my box and totaled the receipts. Next I downloaded Turbo Tax and started to answer the questions. Act...

In the bag of Butterfinger hearts I bought each heart has a Trivial Pursuit Q & A inside the wrapper. I found irony in the following: Q. What filmaker sighed "My parents stayed together for 40 years but that was out of spite."? A. Woody Allen Does anyone else get the irony? Remember my parents are going through a divorce (not as amicable as some might believe) after being married for 40+ years.

This last weekend I received an e-mail from a high school classmate. First, let me explain my graduating class. I graduated from a very small high school. Most of the people I graduated with seem to believe high school was the greatest. I, on the other hand, didn't really enjoy high school nor did I enjoy the people with whom I graduated. In fact, my senior year I hung out with kids from the neighboring/rival school. In the e-mail, Bubba (see what I mean?) asked for senior class pictures. He wants to scan them and add them to his MySpace page. Actually, it's a MySpace page dedicated to our class. This seems so pathetic. Well, until another classmate actually scanned his senior class pictures and e-mailed them. He probably had pictures of 80% of the class. Please explain this to me. Who could possibly still have pictures from classmates of 20 years ago? More importantly, who would take the time to scan and download them? Like watching a car crash, I actually took a...

Rock, Paper, Scissors is one of the greatest games. I have used it with family, friends, and in the classroo to settle large and small disagreements. Everyone knows the game. Today I received a flier in the mail advertising Rock Paper Scissors The Card Game . Who can't use hands to play this easy game? Who would even want to use cards instead of their hands? I don't get it! What happened to "best out of five?"

Over the past eight months I have had many excuses pertaining to my inabillity to get to the gym and work out. My most recent excuses have been illness, dizziness, the relationship of the gym to school, staying up too late, etc. Today I returned to the gym. It's been one month since my last visit. As I went to check in, I forgot my number. When I took out my sheet that records dates, reps, times, etc., I realized I finally have the best excuse. When I work out regularly, I need to periodically change my routine, or so the experts say. Since I took this month off, my body (muscle) is not used to the routine, so today when I went in it was the same as changing my routine. Some people change their routines; I take a month off!

Student journals have been my weekend reading. One entry was "What do you wish your teachers knew about you?" I have learned quite a bit, but one entry sticks with me. This is paraphrased. I wish my teachers knew that when they spend all of the time with the disruptive kids, it makes me feel like I am invisible. Our team has too many disruptive kids, and it is horrible when the "good kids" feel invisible.

I wanted to see the movie Bobby, but I really don't go to movies. Today I finally was able to read my Oprah magazine. She interviewed Bobby Kennedy's son. Now, I realize he is just another liberal who cares too much about the environment. My hope is soon we will have a bunch of liberals running this country who care too much about the environment, health care... You know my stance. Here is a quote from Bobby Kennedy Jr. : "For two weeks after 9/11 there were spontaneous candlelight vigils in Tehran, initiated by Muslims who loved our country. It took more than 200 years of disciplined, visionary leadership by Republican and Democratic presidents to build these huge reservoirs of public love. We were the most beloved nation on the face of the earth. And today - in six short years, through monumental incompetence and arrogance, the White House has absolutely drained that reservoir dry. America has become the most hated nation on earth. There are five billion people...

I am bothered! I am bothered after a conversation with my dad on the phone. My mother is going to take him for everything he has while he and his lawyer seem to blindly think everything will work out. I respect and love my dad for being generous and kind, but I'm afraid this is going to hurt him with this divorce. He has been so generous with his proposals. Although mother and her lawyer haven't submitted a proposal, they have set a court date... for July. During the next six months she will be able to continue to make extravagent purchases on the credit card while Dad eats generic Cheerios and takes out another loan at the bank (He talked to the banker today). I am bothered by news I found out about students after school. This student was working in a colleague's classroom after school. When I stopped to check to see who was in the room, my colleague mentioned the students were making her sad. Standing in the door the students shared with me what they had recentl...

I'm sure this is too much information, so be warned before you continue reading. It's been an interesting week. Last weekend I spend 36 hours at my dad's house. Monday I enjoyed my day off. Tuesday I woke up twice very dizzy and went to the doctor to find out I had a ear infection, sinus infection, and low blood pressure. I've been a little off all week. TMI coming... This morning I woke up and went to the bathroom. "What?" I panicked. "It's not that time until next week." I rushed to the medicine cabinet to check my BC. The pretty little pack wasn't with my vitamins. I checked my overnight bag to find I hadn't taken any since Sunday. Oh, this might have added to the dizziness! In my confusion, I decided to take two today and two tomorrow to even the week out. I now realize I should have probably thrown them out and "let nature take its course" (thanks J), but I really didn't want my little visitor until next w...

I'm not quite sure when it started, but my guess is this has been going on for 1 1/2 years (summer excluded). It's an expensive habit, hot chocolate and pomegranate juice for breakfast. Typically I drink the pom juice while I read my e-mails. Later, on my way to work, I stop and get hot cocoa. It costs $3.00 a day, but it makes me happy. The price is lower at Betsy's Back Porch, but I feel the need to tip them which is the same as the $3.00 at Caribou. Over the weekend I bought Lake Champlain Chocolates Organic Hot Chocolate at Whole Foods. It came on the recommendation of a friend's husband. Since it's mixed with milk, I feel it is nutritional. I also am a fan of the fact that it is "fair trade certified." Although it requires a sauce pan and the stove, it saves me money and probably time. The taste is equally as yummy although I miss the added calories supplied by the whipped cream. I need to see if the co-ops carry it! Since I spilled down...

What's the difference between "sectarian violence" and civil war? I'm quite confused.

This morning I awoke early to make it to the gym since I haven't gone in a month. As I stood up I was quite dizzy. Even though I've had these dizzy spells for over a week, I haven't really thought much about them. An hour later I attempted to get up for work and was met by the same dizzy spell. Being a wise person, I decided to call in sick and hang out in bed which considering it's the coldest day of the year is a fairly great idea. After talking to a friend/co-worker, I decided to face the cold and go to the doctor. Two hours later I had spent approximately $70 in copays (doctor and prescriptions) which my dad reminded me wasn't so bad because of the cafeteria plan. It seems: 1) I should have come in earlier. 2) Driving while feeling dizzy especially with snow covered roads is not preferable. 3) Thinking about working out this morning when I've had off and on dizzy spells for a week is also not preferable. I say: 1) If I tell you I'm not dehydrated,...

This morning I found out something new about winter driving in my car even though it's not the first winter driving in my car. Taking the side roads on the way to accupuncture, I drove a little of the snowless groove in the road onto the more snow packed side. My car beeps when it's off balance (quick corners, etc.), and I've known this. Today I realized when I slide, it not only beeps, it also shows a two curvy lines (showing car swerving) on the dashboard. I understand the importance of the dummy oil light, but who needs the dashboard to tell them the car is swerving? After I found this out accidentally, I will admit I tried to replicate the skid multiple times to see if I could get the light to come back on and was successful.

A friend and I saw some bookmarks made out of beads and wire. I marveled at the idea because they not only look cool, but since they aren't thick like some bookmarks, they won't ruin the pages. S, my friend, thought we could make some. Today we sat down with beads and wire. Let's just say it is a wonderful activity that takes patience and finger dexterity. I am proud of my three bookmarks and thankful for the constant help supplied by S throughout this process. It would be honest to say that throughout this crafty activity my potty mouth came out a couple of times.

Last week we were able to say goodbye to T.O. I was really hoping today we would be able to say goodbye to Peyton. He is too arrogant for me, and he isn't even attractive. This week to my dismay I actually had to use a biography about him in my class because the first example of some blonde teen television star didn't work alone. My students needed two examples to write there own biography. Using one led to less than average products. Although it was truly repulsive, I had to bring out the Peyton article with a disclaimer that I am not a fan and believe he's a baffoon. Maybe he wouldn't be so annoying if he didn't have the commercials. Yes, he still would be annoying. Enough! The Colts must lose next week. Go Chargers!!!

Keith Olberman is a genius! This is one of the best I've seen/read. "This is diplomacy by skimming; it is internationalism by drawing pictures of Superman in the margins of the text books; it is a presidency of Cliff Notes. And to Iran and Syria - and, yes, also to the insurgents in Iraq - we must look like a country run by the equivalent of the drunken pest who gets battered to the floor of the saloon by one punch, then staggers to his feet, and shouts at the other guy's friends, 'Ok, which one of you is next?'" After reading this, you must watch the entire clip. www.truthout.org/docs_2006/011206A.shtml

Last night I had a enormous headache. When I got home, I took three aspirin. Before I went to bed, I took two Advil. After a two or three hours, I took a combo of two more Advil and two more aspirin. At this point the headache subsided, and I went into dream land. The problem is that I dreamed about hanging out with Britney and K Fed. What kind of nightmare was playing out in my head? It was complete with paprazzi, drinking, and everything. They were my new friends. Why couldn't it have been Brad and Angelina?!

Last night I had three skaters in my classroom after school. All three were in my sk8 club last year. None of the three are in my class this year although two were in my class last year. They wanted to talk to me about getting sk8 club started this year. I told them about lack of funds, exorbitant cost of busses, and declining participation. After our sk8 club conversation we started talking about behavior problems and grades. These three are not stellar students. One of these boys and I talked about the detentions he owes and how he could make them up. This morning I found him again and reminded him about showing up in detention this afternoon with homework ("two birds with one stone"). Later in the afternoon he showed up in my room. "May I use your phone," he asked. "Why aren't you in detention?" I countered. "I got kicked out!" he stated looking me in the eye. "How did you get kicked out of detention?" I asked incredul...

It is quite a year when this is the conversation in the hallway after school. "I didn't write any referrals today," exclaims one teacher. "I only wrote one," I responded. The good news is that I had two students who never do any work finish their assignment today!

Both the NY Times and LA Times have reported California's Governor Schwarzenegger is promoting health care reform. He is looking to insure the uninsured and all children (including "those in the state illegally). This seems fairly uncharacteristic for the Republican governor. Maybe he's starting to listen to some of his wife Maria's (Shriver (Kennedy)) ideas. It almost sounds "too good to be true." Health care reform is something that benefits everyone!

Although I live in a secured building, last night invaders crept into my apartment. They went straight for the bedroom and crawled into my nose. I don't know if this is how they got in because I was sleeping, but it is my best guess. Maybe I was sleeping with my mouth open, and they climbed up my chin and slid onto my tongue. Without using a detective I know that they have taken over my head and stomach. They haven't been as aggressive getting to the stomach and seem to be at home in my head (sinuses, ears, nose, and throat). I can't see them, but I visualize something like the green guy in the Mucinex commercial. Some kind of sleeping gas has also been used because they are making me drowsy. It's time I sit down and ask them to leave because they are not welcome.

T.O is out of the playoffs. Do you think Parcells will tell him that he's done in Dallas too? I would! BTW I realize probably only two people who read this blog even know what I'm talking about. I wish Peyton Manning was done too!!

This afternoon I was talking to a friend on the phone. We were discussing the blog of someone we both know. My friend asked, "Why does she have a blog?" The question was innocent and of true interest. She mentioned someone who travels and has a blog. This made sense to her because it chronicles the travels. I mentioned I have a blog and felt the need to explain. My explanation included the following: a chance to write daily (plus knowing where the journal is to write in), tell stories I might not typically have in conversation, and some friends read it daily. In reality it's a good question. After I thought about it I realized it's also a place to vent and post silly pictures. The reality is I'm not sure why I have a blog. I really enjoy reading other blogs, and I hope mine is entertaining to others. Actually, if it's not, it still entertains me and makes me reflect on my day.

from Treehugger.com

Walking up the escalator this evening, I approached a little boy and his mother. "You don't have to walk. You can stand still. It moves." I stopped and stood. "Thanks, this is much easier," I exclaimed as the mother kindly smiled at me and her son. I wish I could remember when life was so simple.

Tonight I listened to a group of ladies speak of meditation, peace, age and wisdom, and reflection. Each lady spoke in a different context. One lost a sister over the holidays and woke up in the middle of the night with the feeling of drowning. One lost a son forty years ago, yet she still was brought to tears. One started meditation years ago but is not sure why she started. One asks for patience when she wants to lash our at the president and call him "monkey face." We had watched a section of Bill Moyers' Faith and Reason interview with Buddhist nun Pema Chodron. Pema Chodron talks about emptying our mind, so we have more room. She talks about developing and practicing patience. My favorite quote was that "life is pulling you away from being fully present." In order for this to happen in my life, I need to have time to think without other distractions. Maybe it goes back to my New Year's resolution. I need to listen and perhaps let the quiet f...

As the nation mourns the loss of a president, I mourn the loss of my vacation since I must go back to work tomorrow. I mourn... morning walks, candy canes, eating all day long, sleeping in, football games, lounging in sweat pants, candy and cookies, a stress free lifestyle, and everything else that makes vacation relaxing and entertaining.

BTW -- Yesterday I threw $19.34 into the garbage can at the game. No, I had nothing to drink. As we were leaving, I was cleaning out the candy cane wrappers and paper out of my pocket. Forgetting about the cash I had in my pocket, I put all of the contents into the garbage can. Earlier I didn't buy the water I wanted because one bottle of water cost $3.00, and I thought it was a waste of money. I wish I would have bought the water and maybe a pretzel then I wouldn't have thrown so much away. My New Year's resolution, to pause, will help in situations such as this!

My first post of the new year is as simple as is my resolution. I would like to Pause and Listen (PAL) with an emphasis on the LISTSEN!