Miscellaneous Missives

I'm not saying workshop day is a waste of time.  Personally, I will admit to planning my doctor's appointment during today's "break out" sessions.  I made it back in time for the guest speaker, Dr. Muhammed Khalif.  He was interesting enough that I stayed for the lunch session even though I didn't have lunch.  The afternoon's session is based on Personal Growth Plan.  To be honest, I really tried to get my doctor's appointment during this session.  It's a complete waste of my time.  Which is amazing because I don't feel like I've done a good job blogging lately. Sooooo.... Let me share some artwork from the teacher in front of me.   It's really good, and it's fun to watch her draw. I'd also like you to see a meme that was sent to me in preparation for this meeting. Yep, most of today is a complete waste of my time.  In fact, the colleague next to me is counting the "ums" said by the presenter.  She...

I've been thinking of posting all week, but I don't have the words. Unfortunately, I'm sitting in a class with a bunch of educators who in my opinion should not be in the classroom (including one of the facilitators who started by saying most of our (Minnesota?) students were white.  What?!), so I am now officially trying to ignore the ignorance in the classroom.  Actually, some are intelligent, but two or three... Soooo... Let's start with the President's first couple of days...  No, I'm not ready for this discussion or for giving words to it. I'm having some weight issues.  Unfortunately, I'm complaining about it and not doing anything about it.  It's caused a series of meme sharing with a colleague. #1 came while I was on the treadmill on Tuesday. I found #2 and sent it back on Wednesday after spin class. #3 came almost instantly.  Now I need to find another one.  From the conversation happening now, I might have time. ...

I am thinking about blogging my weekends in five pictures.  Typically, however, I'm certain I don't normally take five pictures each weekend. The weekend started with happy hour at Surley on Friday.  A group from school made the trip to enjoy the Thanks Obama! beer which was actually tasty.  We discussed how most of us had ignored all news and the inauguration making us more positive in general. Saturday early morning brought a trip to the beginning of the Women's March on Washington, Minnesota.  Almost 100,000 were in attendance, so I'm sure most have seen the photos.  The signs were absolutely wonderful.  Our small group adopted a young mother and her seven year old.  Piggy back rides were given, and we constantly kept an eye on the group making sure everyone was in sight.  It truly was a great experience, and I hope we continue to work/fight together. Saturday evening I checked my mail to find this mug.  I had joke...

"We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice.  Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity."  Martin Luther King Jr. The good things about this week has been the outpouring of like minded folks.  Today I received an email from a friend about an indivisible guide .  I signed up for two FB groups in my area.  One is planning visits to our senator's office to thank them for standing up against sessions.  Staying united and taking a stand.  This is good stuff my friends. Instead of fighting the good fight today to celebrate King's birthday, however, I graded fables.  It's the first major writing assignment with a focus on organization and sentence fluency.  Since it's the first writing assignment focusing on the process and traits, it's a formative.  Thirty minutes after I posted grades, I received an email. "You set my fable story as formative instead of a summative."  Yep, I did because it's formati...

Last night I went to Black Dog Cafe in St. Paul for Be Heard the Minnesota Youth Poetry Slam Series.  As I mentioned before, one of my students from last year performed.  The ages of the slam range from 13 to 19.  She's 13, and she did amazing.  She made it out of the first round, into the second round, but she didn't make the final six.  All of the poets were amazing and the place filled to capacity (glad I arrived early).  I really didn't want to go.  It's cold out.  My sinuses were causing problems.  And, well, this next week is going to suck as we move closer to the inauguration.  It was amazing.  These young poets give me faith in our future.  I'm going to encourage my former student to to another event to see if she can make it to the semi-finals.  More importantly, I'm going to continue to focus on our youth and the positive in this crazy country.

It's been a difficult week.  I've been watching and crying through Obama and Biden videos.  I've also realized that I'm probably making poor choices due to my grief over the election and upcoming POTUS.  There's been a combination of too much eating and too much drinking.  Part of it is also due to the inclement weather, but I need to do better.  This morning I went to the gym for the first time in January.  The guy who I typically rival to get a particular location in spin class looked at me and explained it'd been awesome without having to fight for the bike.  I gave it up today because I also realized I need to save some of my fight for the cruel outside world. The good news is I learned of a new weather app (WTForecast) yesterday.  Screenshots are attached.  It's hilarious.  I can't wait for really hot summer days (for the app and myself).

Yesterday I bought my Women's March sweatshirt.  Today I'm changing both the profile picture and cover photo on FB.  I feel that I should have something to commemorate this event.  Women across the country are marching on Washington.  Those women that can't make it to Washington are marching to their own state capitol.  My hope is for a lot of marching and protesting this year.  Of course, my real hope is that our elected officials do the right thing for the majority of Americans.  It's difficult to believe that eight years ago I was in DC watching the inauguration of a kind, intelligent, witty man who happened to be black.  What's happening?

Although I'm posting this on Thursday night, I'm already happy for tomorrow although I will admit the week's gone fairly smoothly.  I don't do it too often, but today I admitted all aspects, including today's journal, were going to be challenging .  Almost all students took the challenge. After school I had the homework/soccer kiddos again.  One young man was sitting next to me and working well (for him).  He started asking me questions.  Are you married? Do you have a boyfriend?  Do you live alone?  I answered them honestly.  At the end he told me he knew some guys in their thirties that he could hook me up with.  I told him that I was OK, but it was actually fairly hilarious mainly because he thinks I am in my thirties or need to find guys in their thirties.  I"ll take it. I really hope my links work.  If they do not, go to EddieBComedy on Facebook and watch this guys videos.  Teachers New Year's Resolutions... Frid...

Two days of the four day week are finished.  It's been entertaining. Surprisingly, students worked hard on Tuesday.  I was expecting it to be crazy after the had 16 days without the structure of school.  I, however, wasn't as behaved.  Between first and second hours I realized the Keurig was not in the room across the hall.  I marched back to class and explained the problem.  Students would need to continue their quick write until I returned with coffee from the office downstairs.  I was about to leave a student states, "I thought you were going to drink more water."  Touche my friend, touche. Today I found out one of my students from last year is going to participate in a TruArtSpeaks Poetry slam.  She came in last hour while my students were writing and revising, and we looked at her poem.  I gave some her some advice.  I'm super excited hoping that last year's poetry slam in class had something to do with this choice. ...

My #2016bestnine When I make goals for myself or join support groups, I find that I always sabotage myself.  Of course this isn't always true.  I made a goal over break to wear tights every day of break, and I accomplished it.  Christmas eve services were a bit difficult, yet I succeeded with tights and a sweater dress.  Anyway, I'm not making any resolutions, but I am going to try to be aware in the 2017.   Today is the last day of break, so I'm looking back and looking forward.  I'm trying to remember that although the election ended up in a way that could ultimately change the lives of so many, I did vote for a woman for the President of the United States.  Perhaps the loss (and losses to come) will be the motivation our country/people need to actually take issues seriously.   In 2017, I am going to do my best to look for credible news and make sure my friends and family do the same.  I am going to march and be active in th...