Miscellaneous Missives

After burning enough calories on the elliptical, I went to Chipotle for dinner.  To be honest, I forgot about their Halloween Boorito until I pulled up and witnessed the line.  Since I had my heart set on a burrito bowl, I decided to venture inside without a costume.  With a costume burritos are only $2 on Halloween.  When I handed the cashier my credit card, he looked at my work-out clothes and said, "I like your costume, a coach!"  Even though he knew I didn't have a costume, he gave me my Boorito.  Happy Halloween. 

On Sunday we were told about high school classes that were moving into our church (Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church).  It is a program for high school students.  Many of these students are homeless and transient.  We were asked to take a name (I took two) and pray for these students.  Each night I pray for them before I go to bed.  Sometimes my prayers have brought questions to my mind, mainly about the school.  Do they get breakfast and lunch?  Are the teachers prepared to teach?  Last night while I was at a church meeting, I asked some of these questions.  My pastor wasn't sure, but I knew she was interested and wanted to help because she wrote down the questions.  At this point, I was moved to volunteer.  I asked her to pass on my name (and credentials) and said that I would teach/volunteer on the days when they were in session while my school was not in session.  Once again, I prayed for these two students last night....

Happy Halloween!  I hope everyone has a wonderful day.  I hope the seventh graders aren't completely bonkers all day.  I hope you eat too much candy (even fun size bars that aren't really fun).  I hope you don't get a rock.  I hope this counts as a full blog for the blog challenge because I have a legitimate post in my head, but 75 seems out of reach. I hope I'm not super late for school because I'm geeking on the computer instead of taking a shower.

Have I used this picture? I always appreciate watching the workings of the seventh grade mind.  Today I asked four of my five classes to give me a topic for a paragraph.  They gave me a topic, and I demonstrated writing the paragraph as a class.  While I wrote, they supplied me with supports and details.  Although I can't recall most of the supports and details, I remember the topics:  uses of peanut butter, pop is bad, uses of hats, and skydiving needs.  When I asked for topics, I reminded them that they wanted to use a class topic that students wouldn't want to write about later.  Most, if not all, fit the criteria.  The class that chose skydiving needs seemed impressed that I had actually been skydiving.  Teaching seventh grade is always interesting. 

Fun sized candy bars are not fun.  They seem small and harmless, but...  Since I decided to have fun today eating candy bars, I will need to spend an extra fifteen minutes on the elliptical tonight before my BodyPump class.  I feel that candy companies should remove the word fun from their wrappers.

I took Minnesota's Public Radio's "Select a Candidate" quiz.  It seems I should vote for Barack Obama.  Good to know!

In church, we were each given a piece of cloth .  We are to breath our prayer into (and/or write it on) the cloth and tie it to a tree or shrub in a place we find sacred.  I think I will tie mine on a tree along the greenway or on the path to the greenway.  First, I must think about my prayer.  It should be something important.  Currently, my mind ruminates on the upcoming elections, so this will probably be the focus.

Even the leaves know that winter is coming. The chill has set in and winter seems to be closing in on fall (even though I technically have 42 posts left in the Fall Blog Challenge).  It snowed on Thursday sending a wave of excitement through the school (children and adults).  Today also marked the last day of my Farmers' Market for the season.  I returned home with apples, pork chops, and cheese.  While winter is closing in, the Farmers' Market is closing.  It doesn't seem quite right.

Let's be honest.  I'm tired of the political ads and well, all the political stuff.  Lately, I've really ignored the media surrounding the campaigns.  Obviously, I know who I'm going to vote for (DEMOCRATS) and why I'm going to vote for them.  When it comes to voting on the amendments, I also know my vote (NO) and reasoning.  Tonight, however, the reality hit me.  As I occasionally glanced at the television while I was on the elliptical at the gym, I began to wonder if the television was on Faux Newx.  It was CNN, but one wouldn't know it by the words that crossed the bottom of the screen.  For some reason, I also decided to watch the news while I ate dinner.  Damn, this race is closer than I ever imagined.  WTF?! 

Paul Wellstone Memorial "Politics is about the improvement of people's lives.  It's about advancing the cause of peace and justice in our country and the world.  Politics is about doing well for the people."  ~Paul Wellstone Today marks the tenth anniversary of Paul Wellstone's passing.  It's one of those events that I remember.  I remember the sadness knowing that a great individual (perhaps "one of a kind") had been lost.  I remember hoping that his mission would not be thwarted.  I remember wondering who would be able to be as strong, hopeful and determined to do right (or left) by people.  I also remember later walking around the Wellstone Memorial teary eyed.  We need more politicians like Paul Wellstone.  This evening I met with a group of teachers (MWP, Minnesota Writing Project, Monthly Meet-UP), and we reflected on Paul Wellstone and how this quote fit teaching as well as politics. 

Each day my students write in their journals.  This week's theme is autumn.  Monday students read and wrote about a poem entitled Octobery by W. S. Merwin.  It included the line "leaves the color of shoulders at the end of summer".   Tuesday was quote day.  I think I took this line from a poem by Robert Frost, but I used it as a quote.  "I have been treading on leaves all day until I am autumn tired."  As students explained when they were autumn tired, I realized I was (AM) a bit "autumn tired".  Autumn tired to me happens because of the darkness, the stress of school, the darkness, the need to do all of those things outside that I won't do in winter, and the darkness.  Today was the journal listening day.  This day is always developing.  Typically I do not let them watch if there is a video because I really want them to listen and write.  They write what they hear, what they believe, and what they question.  As we ...

Things don't merely FALL into place; they need organized.  I have an exorbitant amount of t-shirts and shorts.  Many should be thrown away although they have sentimental value and continue to clog my drawer.  Last night I moved two piles of shorts and t-shirts to the closet shelf hoping that this weekend I will buy a plastic tub for their storage.  Basically, I made room for the t-shirts, shorts, tights, and work-out clothes that I would actually use this winter.  Unfortunately, this does not include the long-sleeved t-shirts which are housed with the winter undergarments (long johns?) and various pajamas, and ?  (I really don't know what is in that drawer).  Plus I moved the white (work-out) socks from the sock drawer to the work-out drawer.  This move allows me to find the socks I need for my boots this winter.  As with the shirts and shorts, I have too many socks, but I decided not to deal with that problem.  Although all of the dr...

Tonight's debate is not the only debate happening.  Ever since I left school I've been debating whether or not to go to my church meeting.  I really want to skip and go for a bike ride, but I feel guilty merely thinking about it without even following through.  This means I'll be going to my church meeting and skipping the bowl of ice cream that I also want to enjoy. This afternoon as I left school, there was no debate.  One of my students was sitting with her math book open.  "Are you finishing your math homework?" I asked.  "Yes, but I always do my language arts homework.  You inspire me," she answered.  Even if it's not the truth, it was delightful to hear.

As I have been posting, I spent the long weekend in Dallas with my college roommate.  I went down for the second year to help her and her husband with Sports Extravaganza (for visually impaired youth).  It happens that Sports Extravaganza and MEA happen at the same time each year.  In reality, it was a working weekend.  Friday is spent setting up the field.  It's amazing how much work it takes to make this event possible.  Saturday is the actual event with a little over a thousand athletes from birth to 22.  The event, of course, is followed by massive clean-up.  Although it was a lot of work, it was a phenomenal time.  On the way to dinner last night, sore and sweaty, we discussed the highlights of the day.  Later as we sat up talking, stories of the event continued to find their way into our conversation. I helped get athletes on the track in their correct lanes.  Some athletes literally need to be faced in the correct direct...

Today I ate lunch with some volunteers from Sports Extravangza (stories in tomorrow's blog... too tired... great day... great people... great kids... fun stories).  Anyway, during our lunch break, I ate with my BFF from college.  The others that joined us for lunch were great workers and fun people.  We were having a great lunch until somehow politics (presidential) came involved.  I am frightened when I listen to people.  One person said they were going to vote for the one candidate that was Christian.  Since I wasn't sure if being Mormon constituted being Christian, I asked which candidate was Christian.  Basically, this person truly believes that Barack Obama is a Muslim.  Yep... I continued the conversation by asking, "Do you really believe Obama is a Muslim?"  Then I asked, "Does someone's religion really make a difference?"  People are insane.  Get out and vote (for Democrats) and stop the madness. 

Big Tex is this iconic (52' tall) statue that greets people by talking as they enter the state fair.  The Texas State Fair lasts for a month.  People in Texas are as crazy about their state fair as Minnesotans.  When the news broke today, people were repeating what the statue said (Howdy Folks) as they entered the fair.  People were talking about it as we ate lunch.  Billboards around Dallas, say "Get Well Soon" while the Dallas Morning News created an online guestbook for condolences.  Texans are not like the rest of us.  I suggested that perhaps Bevo (The Texas Longhorn's Longhorn) would be the next to go up in flames.  It seems that was not an appropriate comment to make in Texas. 

It will be difficult to leave the cold and light drizzle.  I have had to pack shorts.  Life is good.  Early this afternoon I will fly to Dallas to hang out with my friend Vicki and her husband.  My weekend will be spent, as it was last MEA weekend, helping with Sports Extravaganza .  Yea!! Unlike last year, I actually reserved a spot at Park 'n Go!  I'm looking forward to a stress-free weekend.

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.  ~Katherine Hepburn After yesterday's stressful day at school, I decided to do what was best for me.  Instead of participating in the morning session, I decided to get acupuncture.  It's an official doctor's appointment, so I was able to miss most of the morning session which started my day off with less stress and some glee.  Although the day ended with some stress, I feel my morning decision to bike and get acupuncture made my afternoon less stressful than the members of my PLC (professional learning community).  The good news is we talked another PLC into reporting back about the 45 minute phone training (seriously), so we didn't need to attend.  Tomorrow begins a long weekend, and I am ready!

Sometimes I feel like the bright red in a forest of green. If only I could articulate my position better, I think I would be a more peaceful person.  The truth is I can't articulate when I'm upset especially if it's at work, and I'm dealing with people who I find incompetent (have I mentioned my assistant principal?) and misled.  Today I literally spent my entire lunch hour trying to fix an inconsistency (problem) caused by a group of people yesterday.  Without explaining the details, I explained the problem to an administrator then watched her tell half-truths (if not lies) to cover up the problem and keep it as she had originally planned.  In all fairness, it was a committee of people who caused the inconsistency by throwing it together at the last minute.  To explain it in its simplest terms when I told my fellow colleague (reading PLC teacher) what they were going to do with the reading strategy (being presented to the entire staff), she said, "That's ...

Perhaps it was Bush (GW) that coined the term Voodoo Mathematics, but I think Romney has his own Voodoo Mathematics... just saying.  I'm not sure why the term came to my head as I sat down to blog, but I'm not sure why most things pop into my feeble mind.  Today I was asking the students what page they were on since they were supposed to start their historical fiction books this past weekend.  One student said, "I finished page 39 and will be on page 40."  I announced that I appreciated his help with letting me know that 40 followed 39, but that I already possessed some math skills such as basic number sense.  In fact, I'm all over math skills and number sense.  As I mentioned yesterday, I was irritated about buying the new jeans (not because they were another size smaller, but that it cost money).  To help with my irritation, I bought a new pair of workout tights (super cute) and had a mani/pedi.  I want to help the economy to get President ...

How do we know pumpkins are Republicans?  They have big smiles and their heads are pretty empty. President Romney   This was the scariest Halloween card I could find. Today I stopped at Target to buy some Halloween candy and found these two cards.  I sent them out immediately instead of waiting for Halloween.  Vote my peeps! Today I also had a bit of a meltdown.  It seems the new jeans I bought before school started are now too big.  Since I didn't have time to go to the Gap Outlet, I went to Gap.  Damn... Jeans are expensive.  Although I bought two pairs, I also spent the afternoon eating M&Ms thinking I could grow back into the new jeans from a couple of months ago.  Actually, I'm happy about losing weight, but I HATE buying clothes (the shopping and the money spent).  The truth is that I still want to lose two pounds which honestly won't drop me another jean size, so I went out on the bike this afternoon.  Besid...

As I walked up the stairs to church today, I heard wonderful music coming from the art gallery where we have worship.  I arrived late and stood in the back of the church swaying and tapping with the others who were late.  The Imuku singers opened up the service today.  My heart opened and began to match the beat of the singers.  They were incredible.  I guess that's what happens when one is late for church.  Maybe next time I'll arrive on time. 

Thank God for Kindle.  After finishing The Night Circus tonight, I will be ready for the next Talking Volumes.  Although it's somewhat pathetic that I have nothing to more entertaining to do on Saturday night, I have been pleased with my day and evening.  My next book is The Shoemaker's Wife.  I don't know much about it, but I'm reading it for book club.  After looking at the book cover (horrible, cheesy, pathetic...), I am thankful that I'll be reading it on my phone, and no one will be able to see said cover.  It also might be historical fiction, so I could read along with the honors class as they read their historical fiction novels (may or may not happen).

I woke up this morning knowing it would be a great day.  Even before meeting a friend at the farmers' market I was able to knock a few chores off my list.  Looking forward to some gym time and a bike ride later in the day, I was excited about this awesome autumn day.  After stopping at Caribou for my hot chocolate, I cruised to the farmers' market for cheese and apples.  "Life is good," I said to myself as I made the trip down Lake Street.  I met my friend, and we chatted while walking the farmers' market.  Then, I stopped to get some gourds (super inexpensive) for fall decoration.  As I was leaning over to peruse the gourds, I forgot my hot chocolate that was being held between my chest and the crook of my arm...  Trying to remain positive I remembered thinking earlier in the morning that these new shoes were a little too white.  It looks like that dilemma has taken care of itself.  It's still going to be a great day.

...and I didn't fall off my bike. This has been a bad week for exercise.  I have many excuses, but the truth is I only rode my bike one morning and went to the gym one evening.  With the temperature in the 50s, I decided it would be pathetic if I continued my lack of exercising, so I took to the trails.  Autumn is truly a beautiful season, and I was blessed to be on my bike as the leaves fell off the trees.  Actually, it was so gorgeous that I should have stayed out longer instead of rushing back in for pizza. 

http://heygirlteacher.tumblr.com/ This morning at least three students came running around the corner and around an administrator who stood in the hall with a big ass grin on his face.  He did not speak to any of the boys sprinting down the hall.  I, and two other teachers standing in the hall, asked the boys to slow down (walk!).  The administrator (I use this term loosely) did nothing.  When most of the boys slowed down, one kept running towards me as I stood in the middle of the hallway.  At that point I yelled (loudly and with authority) the administrator's last name, "DumbAss (not his real last name)!"  I continued to point at the student and clearly stated (perhaps more yelling), "Take care of him."  True story.  Later in the day I had a conversation about his performance (or lack thereof) with two of the three other administrators.  Of course it came as no surprise to either of them, but I felt the need to share.  I also shar...

Fall Briliance Dr. Abraham Verghese was the author at tonight's Talking Volumes.  I thought Cutting for Stone was a brilliant book.  After listening to Verghese tonight, I'm almost certain it's a "one hit wonder".  Perhaps I'm wrong (and I hope I am), but I don't think he could write another fiction novel with the same brilliance.  The man himself was intelligent and well-spoken.  He had some impressive things to say especially about why we need to read fiction, editing (listening, reading ones work aloud, having others read the work aloud, listening), and healing vs. curing.  The evening was inspiring and enlightening, but I don't think he's a writer.  He's intelligent, well-read, and a great teacher, but...  Let's see if he proves me wrong.

Today I was observed by a "peer coach".  It's part of the merit pay gig.  I chose environment to be the focus this year although I quickly learned yesterday in my pre-observation that perhaps it was a bad idea.  It seems I don't really fit the criteria.  Let me show the criteria and how I fit (DON'T fit) the criteria. a) Teacher interactions display appropriate warmth and caring. Teacher maintains appropriate boundaries at all times.     Students display respect for the teacher. Student interactions display respect and politeness. Although I interact appropriately, I am NOT warm and/or caring.  I care, but I'm not overly warm.  Of course, I'm able to maintain appropriate boundaries at all times, but well, this is a dumb statement/criteria. b) Teacher conveys consistent enthusiasm for the content and standards, students appear to accept the challenge to complete high quality work, and there is an environment of high expectation for studen...

I realize that some of you are losing sleep.  Where's mm's October workout mix?  We're eight days into October.  What is she listening to as she bikes?  Well, I'll be honest.  I didn't think I'd necessary need an October mix since I wasn't sure that I would continue riding my bike, and I have the music on super low while I'm on the elliptical merely to drown out other sounds as I read on my phone.  Yesterday proved that I am indeed strong enough to bike through October and perhaps part way through November.  This motivated me to go through my Soundhound entries to find songs I have listened to and found appropriate for a brisk pace.  Actually, I'll admit that I'm excited about this mix and plan on listening to it tomorrow while I bike (probably) even if it's raining.  Since I started October basically listening to P!nk instead of a mix, I have interspersed P!nk every three songs.  I ♥ P!nk.  Most of the P!nk songs come from Funho...

I am not a wimp.  I can survive the cold.  I am not a wimp.  I can survive the cold.  I am not a wimp.  If I repeat this enough, I will be able to keep biking through October and perhaps November.  Today I skipped church because trying to get to Hennepin through the TCM (Twin Cities Marathon) is almost impossible.  Instead I decided to ride my bike over the marathon runners and down the greenway into the YWCA.  When I checked the weather (27º) on my phone, I almost stayed inside.  Instead I thought about what to wear and continued to tell myself, "I am not a wimp.  I can survive the cold."  My outwear was perfect, and it is possible to wear a head band covering the ears under a bike helmet.  I've been putting off making an October mix, but now I think I'll need one.  I am not a wimp.  I can survive the cold. FBC #11 Fall Blog Challenge #11... maybe I'll need to number my entries too.

Although my trip to Iowa was short, it was much more enjoyable than I had imagined.  I, however, was not prepared for the cold.  A sweatshirt was not enough to fight the cold and the wind.  The farmland is in its fall splendor, but I was too cold to take more than this one picture from my dad's drive.  When I called my dad to discuss some issues pertaining to his property, I told him about the brutal cold.  He wanted to know the temperature.  "It must be in the 20s," I exclaimed.  Since it was above freezing in northern Minnesota, he found it difficult to believe.  When I checked my phone it was actually in the upper 30s.  Maybe I was a bit off, but it felt like it was in the 20s.

Some questioned my going to the Bodypump class at 5:30 before driving to Okoboji.  My reasoning was that I wanted to experience the new release, and Friday was the first day.  The reason may have been more selfish.  Although I skipped my string cheese and apple at lunch and substituted them with a Diet Pepsi, I wasn't sure I'd have enough calories for my drive home.  One of my favorite treats that is difficult to find in Minneapolis is a Twin Bing candy bar.  When I arrived closer to God's Country, I was able to purchase one, but they only had the king-sized Twin Bing.  The calories were for half a bar, but there are three pieces (difficult to separate) in half a bar.  Consequently, I had to eat all three pieces and put it in as two servings.  It's a good thing I went to the gym because my calories at the end of the day were zero.  The king-sized Twin Bing was obviously the perfect ending to my day and drive.  It's dark and cold here ...

I love living in the midwest because I love the change of seasons although I need reminding on days like today.  Yesterday was in the upper 70s, and currently it's 45º.  It's cold.  Yeah, it's going to get colder, but today I'm cold.  Soooooo... it's days like today when I'm staying inside because it's cold and windy that I need to remind myself that fall offers more than beautiful, vibrant colors.  Fall brings lit candles and football.  Tonight the Rams are on television.  I added the NFL Network to my cable bill this afternoon, so I could watch the game.  My guess is I'll cancel it within a week, but it's worth the minimal charge since I don't get to watch many of their games.  Plus, they are currently in the lead. 

My shadow with bike and helmet A couple of days ago I scheduled an appointment with the doctor for today at 3 o'clock.  Although I knew I would be "cutting it close", I was sure if I could make it if I left with the students.  Yesterday the doctor's office informed my they would need to change my appointment to 2:45.  This meant I had to find someone to cover fifteen minutes of my academic seminar, so I could make it on time.  At 3:05 when I was waiting to see the doctor, I was a bit perturbed.  Really? Because I had to wait for the doctor and then for my prescription (trying an inhaler for the first time perhaps tomorrow before my morning ride), I decided to bike to my dinner outing near the Midtown Greenway.  Wow!  The path I take in the morning is beautiful with the sun shining.  Although I knew of the gardens and flowers, etc., it had a different look this evening.  I prefer the sun lighting up the trail to my bike light.  ...

Ever notice how autumn and adolescents have a lot in common.  Both need to be noticed and stand brilliantly (or not so brilliantly) to make it happen.  Both are also loud.  The seventh graders rustle down the halls like dry leaves under foot.  Both are hot and cold.  Tomorrow's temperatures are supposed to be in the upper seventies followed by Thursday's temperatures in the low fifties.  Hey! Look at me.

LH has decided that we need 75 entries for this blog challenge.  After doing the math, I think this may be a bit overzealous, but I will do my best.  As far as I can tell, the official start date was September 27th.  This would be my fifth entry leaving 70 entries to make the goal.  With 31 days in October, 30 days in November, and 20 days in December before the official start of winter on December 21st, it is possible although not probable.  Once a week my entry needs to be officially about autumn although I think an autumn picture will certainly count.  How's that for using math? Last night a message was sent to all of the teachers in my building.  It was reminiscent of the message we received a little over a year ago when a sixth grader committed suicide.  In last night's message no real information was given except that there would be a 7am staff meeting this morning and something about a community incident (don't remember exact words)....