Mathematics Factorial

Around the rollercoaster again

6 years ago I went through a spring semester that pushed me and brought me closer to God and it's a time I don't think I'll ever forget. It was intensively emotional.

My life has changed a lot since that 19 year old girl went through a time of maturing and realization.

Yet I feel like I'm going into another time of that life where I'm going to be stretched and prodded.

The part that makes me think is that I am being tested through a feeling of helplessness and frustration at not being able to make the problems of close friends and family better---feeling like I'm not supporting them they way they REALLY need. I have always thought that one of my strengths is a deep caring for others--a deep empathy.

Six years ago I struggled to place my control under God in that I might place with Him the burdens that I felt for my friends who were going through some pretty rough struggles. It was a time I where I really began to understand what it meant to be supportive by listening (not by solving) and by praying and helping to share the burdens by staying up late worrying and crying and praying through the situations that kept them awake and distracted. A time where having the hope of God working the best of the situation was all we had.

Now I feel that again--me wishing that I could do something or suggest something that would take away the pain and frustration. And again I have to remember that God is working and providing and He will give me the opportunities and wisdom to support those He has placed close to me. Of asking God to help me just stop and pray every time I think and worry for a person.

How awesome it is to have the Hope of God--that even when we or someone we love is going through a rough time, that God is doing something awesome to strengthen and perfect us for His glory. How amazing is His grace as he works in our hearts and works through us.

Just some thoughts from a rather introspective person. I again highly recommend attending a BSF Bible study if at all possible. I wasn't sure just how interesting and "deep" Matthew could get for me that I didn't know and understand already..ha ha ha ha ha ha. Boy was I definitely humanly wrong. I've learned lots and have been challenged lots.

Health Saga, Chapter Some Big Number?

Well, I had some blood work done at school about a month ago as part of a cheap screening. Having some results that weren't quite normal, I took the opportunity to set up an appointment with a new doctor so that I could actually have a "primary care physician" who is familiar with my medical history.

The good news is that I found a really good doctor who is very nice and will explain anything to me and doesn't treat me as if I'm some whining worrying hypochondriac. He explained all the unusual results to me--mostly a "you probably were sick with some virus>' But then he also warned me that by some standards, I could had a slight "pre-diabetic" blood sugar level and that I really need to work on losing weight and eating low-fat and exercise more to lower my bad cholesterol. He said that if I were a normal healthy human, my slightly elevated numbers could be generally tolerated. However, as you are all aware of, I'm not a normal healthy human being. I'm in okay shape right now because I have excellent good cholesterol, but I have to bring down that bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Given what little bit I know of my family history, it's possible that this is hereditary--really, why should Josh have good cholesterol and mine be bad? We all know his diet is WAY worse than mine....(even though he IS diabetic--but it is under control as far as he can tell...)

Oh, and he recommended trying a different dosage on the Nexium for my reflux issues, prescribed some medicine for emergencies on the nausea, and happy meds for emergencies with migraines--I've been having troubles for the last two weeks with bad headaches and migraines. So we're going to see if this is just an allergy phase of migraines and he's going to try and understand more about my heart arrythmia before we try preventive medicine--especially because I usually don't get migraines often enough to really go down that road.

Good thing I'd already started on the whole diet and exercise thing. I've lost 13 pounds so far :-D and I'll invest some of the money earned into the next challenged "Hold it off during the holidays".

Some thoughts revisited

Twice in the last week or so I've had the chance to think about suicide and it's devastating effects on those left behind. Most recently, a student at the high school died from what was apparently a suicide--which makes me think of all my students current and past--and what I want them to desparately hear and know.

Last week, I was on my way to work when Kidd Kraddick shared a deeply moving and personal story of two people in his life who committed suicide. One was when he was a kid and a friend hung himself--and Kidd was the last one to see him alive. No one knew why, understood what he was thinking. The other person was his nephew this past summer--in what seemed to be a way of not going to jail for a DUI. Kidd shared the emotions of anger, hurt, and confusion at a very selfish thing. But then he said something that really got me thinking. He shared at how irrational suicide is--the person who commits/attempts suicide--it comes from emotion, deep emotion and depression which shuts off, or overrides emotion and rationality. Suicide is irrational--and it's also not something to be mocked--no matter who the person is (in reference to people making fun of Owen Wilson the week before for "not even getting this right.")

That just really had me thinking, especially as I was walking into school after he finished the story. It brought me back to a time in my life where God saved me with rational thought. When I would have the thoughts, the little voice of logic would kick in and I couldn't do it because I realized what it would do to people left behind. In an irrational moment, you can't consider anything but the present moment and your emotions--how sad it is for these people who don't realize that there are people who they will leave behind, there are people who care.

That's something I deeply want my students to know. I care--even those students who have now moved on. I see the potential in their lives--and I know each of them have friends and family who also care.

So the last two weeks have reminded me that I need to keep building a relationship as carefully as I can, and most importantly, I need to be always praying for my students--that if they have thoughts of depression and suicide, to talk to someone--how can someone not care? and I pray that God moves in the same way he protected me when I was their age.

six years

Six years--it was strange looking at the clock at about 8:45 this morning and remembering waking up--I'm pretty sure the radio was on 93.1 and a lady caller to (I think) Kidd Kraddick show was railing about terrorists. I urged my roommate to turn on the t.v. and we saw picture immediately.

Within an hour I saw the pictures of the Pentagon and feared, worried for my sister--in the Navy then. and I prayed and cried as I felt deeply the love I had for my sister.

Last night I received a phone call from my mom. Be praying for my sister and family. I cry yet again with so many different mixed and contrasting emotions as I try to understand on some small level, to connect the dots because that's what I have to try and do--even though that's really more God's thing.

I look back at the the memories of six years ago; and I hold on to God's will and God's working that out in all our lives. So it will be again.

Year 3, Day 1

It was a very good day. I woke up, unsure of what the year was going to be like--not daring to hope too much. However, after having met 3 of my classes, I feel good about this year. I might be setting myself up for disappointment, but there's a different feeling about this group. I almost cried tears of joy when one class--half of them had the assignment written down before the beginning bell rang, and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM worked on the homework in the last 20 minutes of class--with very little talking except about the work!!!!! Seriously, I was moved to tears. Pray for this year to be a good year for us. Pray for my students and for me--for a feeling of teammanship, and a feeling of success for all. I'm excited about my newly reorganized classroom--even if I still can't seem to get many posters to stay up on the walls. Oh, and I still have two more classes to meet. But I hope tomorrow has me just as excited as today. I do love clean slates.-or is the proper term clean whiteboards now? :-)

And I'm grateful for the nice ending I had to my day as I attended the U2Charist at LU put on by St Mikes, in the new performing center (which has AWESOME acoustics--I want to attend a praise chapel there just to revel in the sound...). It was strange to have only a few familiar faces among the students, but there is something powerful in the sound of a chorus of voices speaking praise and prayer to God in unison. I also was moved by the U2 Songs, "Grace" and "One" and Corey's excellent message of fellowship (Hebrews) with those around us-- remind ourselves to ask "What part of God will this person show me today?" and showing love to others by "turning your world upside down" as exemplified in the Matthew passage relating to taking the lowest place at a wedding banquet.

So, a toast and praise of Thanksgiving for another year!

Prayer request for a family below

Ryan and Johnna are the daughter/son-in-law of our head custodian at school. I grew up in school with Johnna. They had a little boy named Hayden in August who was born with spinal bifida. They were prepared for this and he had surgery pretty immediately I believe after the birth. In addition to the spinal bifida (which is turning out to be miraculously not as severe as thought) he's had some problems with reflux and breathing. He's kept the doctors busy this last month as they've been trying to figure out what's causing what and what's best for helping him. My understanding is that it's related to something called "Chiari Malformation"--a neural tube defect. He's been intubated most of the time (which he is not fond of) and has had multiple surgeries. He's quite the little fighter though.

Please just pray for this little family--for strength for Ryan and Johnna, for God's financial provision and support, for Hayden's medical team as they provide care, and for Hayden--for God's miraculous healing and Will.

He has a CarePage under "HaydenPatrick". I'm not completely sure how this works but I know you have to sign up--not sure if the email invite is mandatory or not. I'll try and keep people updated as I can.

Here's todays: "Ah, yet another update today… Hayden is just keeping us busy! :)

On the other hand, the fact that his breathing has improved from 5 hours to 36 hours maybe means that he just needs a little longer to grow and figure it all out. I’m now hoping that if he gets up to full feeds and gets the nutrition his body needs to grow and mature that maybe he will eventually be able to breathe all the time without any help. It may just take a little longer than we’d anticipated. Please join us in praying that God shows us and the doctors the solution to this breathing issue. And thank Him that he solved the reflux problem and now Hayden is able to eat again and get stronger!! We’ll update when we know more. Probably in 7 minutes or so… ;)"

All I can think is how awesome to know that Ryan and Johnna have such a strength of faith that God would place this upon their shoulders. and even how more awesome it is to have God in the trials and blessing such as this.

Thanks everyone and God Bless!

Spring Break Ends

:-(

At least it wasn't like last year...and I did feel much better at the end of break, rested and more energetic.

Anyways, so today the math department received and elmo and projector for each classroom--well, 3 of 4 classroom as we wait for the last ones to come in. Except they didn't leave the projector in my room--only the elmo, writepad, and all the stuff for the projector (cords). I'll find it tomorrow........ That was happy news though.

I was a bit swamped in trying to get lessons planned the next few weeks and such--have to make an assignment to add to what we have for tomorrow...but it's not too hard--especially with my utterly awesome TI software.

Students, well, you can guess what they're like on the first day back from a break. It really wasn't that much worse than normal though. Unbelievably, I enjoyed 2 (very short < min) moments of the silence of learning in one of my most talkative classes...It really is a sweet sound to hear pencils scratching on paper while students do their work. and really, every student in those first two classes managed to get an assignment done (they were assigned 2)

That's my mundane life. :-) April promises to be much more exciting:

March 31--Rent in Dallas
April 6--Good Friday/Easter weekend (holiday!)--maybe a trip to lubbock, but doubtful
April 14--visit parents and bunch of extended family at cabin dedication in honor of my grandpa. bro comes to visit longview for a few days
Aprill 19--TAKS TEST :-((((, Wicked in Dallas !!!!!
April 20 Teacher bash at school. :-D fun, games, laughter...

I feel like I'm missing a few things...but, that's enough to keep me looking forward to stuffs.

Day 4: The Trial

So, at an approximate rate of a $5 an hour, I sat on a jury for a DWI, first offense trial today. Yes, a jury trial for a criminal misdemeanor Driving While Intoxicated. and for $40 for the day, yes I was there ALL DAY with the trial--9 to 4:30 with an hour and a half lunch (the half hour was due to technical difficulties....)

So yesterday morning I knew the trial was going to be somewhat interesting when the lawyers, after having us seated for the panel, called for a sidebar with the judge and they decided to reshuffle the names for some unknown reason. My suspicion is that the first row wasn't....diverse...enough. I went from a happy position of about 8 or 9 to 3, for a 6 person jury....which meant the odds were that I would be selected, and I obviously was.

I didn't like the lawyers just from my general impression during Voir Dire yesterday. Very stereotypical lawyers. Again, I could tell things would be interesting in this trial.

So today, after dropping off the car for a dr visit and being dropped off at the courthouse by the helpful Moore, I went up to the 3rd floor, collected my money, nicely given to me as cash, and than went downstairs for a bit of breakfast. Good coffee---and they offered hazelnut creamer!!! (rather than boring plain powder creamer and sugar...) My biscuit sandwich was good too. I went upstairs at about 9:00 and was sent into the jury room to wait for everyone else to arrive--which wasn't long. We had a nice chat about schools--out of 6 jurors there were 2 teachers and 1 substitute teacher-- and getting to know each other while waiting for The Knock. We went in and the trial began. They had opening statements--both telling us the video and testimony would lead us to their respective desired verdicts, and than the first, and thought to be only, witness was called--the officer who pulled the defendant over.

Poor guy was here at trial after having done a 10-6 graveyard shift.... and his fatigue was apparent the rest of the day. Through his testimony, I was leaning towards guilty, but I felt that there were holes and looked forward to seeing the video. There were many interspersed objections from the defense attorney, some sustained and some overruled. He was a stereotypically brutal guy to the witness. We had a little break halfway thru the morning at which point I went back down to the snack bar and bought some water, Cracker Jacks, and gummy fruits to munch on and hopefully help me stay awake. We went back up and the testimony wrapped up to the point of being time for the long anticipated Video. and oh how I was disappointed....

The basic story is that the defendant was spotted turning onto a well-known street without his headlights on. The officer, heading the other direction turns around and speeds up. The officer testifies that he witnessed the car crossing into other lanes so he pulls him over and smells marijuana in the car, and alcohol on the driver's breath. He then administers the field sobriety tests and arrests the defendant for DWI. The defendant denied smoking pot, and initially drinking alcohol, but than he admitted to having "a few beers" He was headed out at 3 in the morning to get some food with a friend.

Little laptop. Shady projector. Portable screen. It all comes up and I wait....and wait...for them to make the video bigger from the obvious program that is used in the patrol car....and it didn't go full screen. I leaned in as close as I could to the video. Then, with delayed staticy sound--because the A.D.A. thought that they laptop speakers would be enough, we had a 10 minute break for them to find speakers. We try again, and than part of the way thru, the projector freezes. And the judge decides we should have the half hour extra for lunch.

I headed off with the other full-time teacher for some food at Playa Azul, a yummy Mexican restaurant I had never tried before. I was quite impressed. We shared a plate of beef fajita nachos--without beans since neither of us was a fan of such, and talked for awhile about life and everything but the trial--being the good jurors that we were.

The trial begins again and we watch the video all the way through. I'm not impressed with the video quality being as it's a major piece of evidence. I can tell a little bit that still makes me suspect the defendant was intoxicated. Things wrap up for the prosecutor and the defense lawyer takes his turn.... and he picks apart the poor officer's testimony about his credibilty in giving the field sobriety tests. and I begin to hate the notion of reasonable doubt--and with that the video had been better....and continue to enjoy my people watching. I saw some definite weaving--staying in the lane--when the defendant turned his lights on, but I couldn't see anything before that due to the darkness and distance between the camera and car. I couldn't really pick up on any signs of swaying or stumbling from my vantage point when the defendant went through the sobriety tests.

Just when I have hope that things wrap up, the defense produces evidence of a urine test taken 15 hours after the pull-over. The defendant denied to give blood for a blood test and asked for the breathalyzer, which wasn't given for some reason...probably because they really wanted to catch marijuana on him and the breathalyzer wouldn't pick up on that.

So the prosecutor calls a rebuttal witness to basically place doubt into our heads as to the legitimacy of the urine test. Personally, I think it was legit but the defense waited too long to get the appropriate paperwork--there wasn't a chain of custody form so we had no way of knowing of the urine test had been observed. We also get to hear the different ways that people falsify drug urine tests... such a learning experience.

Finally, things wrap up. I'm intrigued to hear what the other jurors have to say. Initially, we decided that if we were in trouble we'd want that defense attorney at our side. I really WANT to go for guilty, but I can't make a fair decision. We all picked up on different things in the video, so we asked to watch it again--same poor conditions. (Seriously, couldn't they have made a DVD from the video program????) I notice a bit more swaying and stumbling, but nothing that made me say guilty--beyond reasonable doubt. It wasn't enough to help me get pass the now discredited testimony. The only testimony I honestly was disappointed from the officer was that he didn't turn off the flashers during the HNG test (eye check) which is one of the more accurate field sobriety tests if administered by protocol--but flashing lights make are a no-no. We take a poll and 4 out of 6 jurors say not guilty. I give my opinion that the defendant was definitely buzzed and I wouldn't have wanted to be near him on the road, but by the law, I would have to go not guilty. I wasn't going to be swaying anyone anytime soon, and I really did have a tiny bit of doubt--the prosecutor didn't do the best job showing the burden of proof--I had too many unanswered questions from the evidence presented.

So the verdict was not guilty. I just hope he learned his lesson--he was completely respectful and cooperative to the officer in the pull over. Nice looking guy, nice looking parents. I'm not friendly to DWI though....and I would not be happy if he were to get pulled over again for driving while under the influence of a substance. He was just barely intoxicated from what I could see in the video. I do think the officer had probably cause for the arrest and I do think the charge was valid, but in a jury trial, as they explained to us yesterday, there's a much much higher standard for burden of proof.

My friendly juror friend took me to my get my car--hopefully happy from it's to be rare tune up...(our car is complicated...apparently, the spark plugs are rather buried...) and I picked up Josh, talked to my younger bro on the phone, and had peproni rolls with friends before going to see The Pursuit of Happyness, which I liked--definitely a drag down movie until the end. I thought it was well done though--effectively telling and portraying the emotion of the story.

Tomorrow, I hope to have a more restful day. The only plans as of right now are a sinus x-ray at 12:00 to get a picture of why I have recurrent sinus infections, which have become more brutal to my migraines and ears recently.

Careful what you pray for?

So, with this new Bible Study I'm attending and the series that we're starting at church, I've been hearing again about thinking and praying about people God could use me to share His message with. "Lord, grant me the opportunity and give me wisdom"

Well in an interesting set of "random" events and conversations and happenings at school, home, and church, I had a small discussion today with one of my fellow teacher friends. She was sharing with me husband's unique and I quote "strange" ideas (theistic evolution, Jesus can't be God...., Bible is full of metaphors...) and then shared with me her easy belief of "God is real, you should have a relationship with God and try to model the life Jesus lived. Not sure about other stuff (like Trinity), but I do believe this."

So I say to myself, hmm. This may provide for more discussion later on. I may need to start pulling out my Doctrine's notes and books.

Funny Stories from the Week

Other than all the frazzlements of the week:

#1 Teacher: You're getting new seating charts and you will abide by it while the sub is here.

Student: But I like my Seat!!

Teacher: But your seat doesn't like you.

#2 Student: My calculator is on crack!

Teacher: The calculator is on crack only if the user is on crack.

#3 This is the best, really, I almost had to leave the classroom to laugh and laugh and laugh...

Teacher: So you have to remember that with slope, the y change is on the top.

*working examples*

Student: This reminds me of reproductive systems.

"blink blink" Class and Teacher look strangely at Student.

Random Pondering from other students: I guess with putting the ys together...

click the link for the best line:

Student: yeah, just remember that y is always on the top!

after many giggles, Teacher informs class that she'll be disappointed if they ever forget that with slope, y is on the top. she has to quickly finish examples because she can't ask "now what's on top?" anymore without giggles from all...

Columbus Day

Well, while I didn't do anything to remember Columbus specifically, I did spend the weekend visiting my brother/sister-in-law-nephew, parents, and brother. We had a grand time with lots of good food--gumbo, breakfast tacos, and brisket & ribs with homemade potato salad....

We were also all entertained by my 11-month old nephew who appears to be able to walk while not having actually taken his first step :-) He will very very soon. He's a pretty good kid who is going to miss all the attention he had in a few days.

I did get a fair bit of grading done as that is what tends to happen with my occasional holiday. Now, as soon as I finish checking email I'm going to type up a test review for the week and take a shower and head to bed.

Interesting tidbits of O. Family News:

*My sister's husband got a job as a lead news anchor.
*My older nephew pushed my niece down the stairs, and when asked what was he thinking about: "Jesus"
*My niece broke her clavicle climbing around on the a recliner chair at Sam's...this didn't stop her from continuing to climb around the rest of the day...
*My mom has applied for a new job working for the county in CO...
*My dad's ankle is doing awesome and he seemed to be in much better spirits
*My younger brother is learning to play the guitar

Weldome!

Ryan Alexander Delorme, born this morning to proud parents Lily and Charlie and older brother Aidan. a wee bit early, but a hefty 7 pounds with quite a bit of hair.

Mother and son should be going home tomorrow!

Prayer Requests....

For an honors acquaintance Joy, who just lost her husband of a year in a plane crash. Both are LU grads.

and I'm having surgery Tuesday morning to have the gallbladder removed. Because it works at 10% of what is should be doing, and hence, lots of nausea and occasional pain.

I have one more week of vacation left and than the workdays and than classes begin....and I have a whole new crew of 9th grade math teachers I'll be working with.

Thoughts from the Airport

(Alright, so this is a few days late....)

People watching in airports is fun. I wonder at the younger 20 something guy who decided to drink a $5 beer at 7 in the morning.

I'm also struck that people eat strange things in the morning, like the lady eating chili-cheese fritos.

Or I think about the contrast of the two younger, again 20something guys across from me...one who looks like a sterotypical nerd (but no laptop?) reading The Bourne Legacy. The guy next to him looks like someone who likes to travel and do things...various patches on his shirt. Reminds me of some of the people who come to Lake City--hiking the Divide, or aiming to hike as many fourteeners as they can. Lake City has five mountains over 14000 feet. I've been on two of them.

Anyways. I was disappointed to find that the wi-fi network here in IAH actually costs money to use....10 bucks for 24 hour access. blah. Tyler boasts free wi-fi apparently.

Hmm. It's always fun to notice what people are wearing and what they look like when traveling to a unique location, such as tourist-trap Colorado.

Part 2: Return Trip

The flight from Montrose to Houston was so pretty! I saw the Black Canyon, and Blue Mesa, Lake San Cristobal (I'd have seen Lake City if I was on the other side of the plane!), Gunnison & Western State College, the Great Sand Dunes near Alamosa, and so many other places that I wish I knew how to identify. I couldn't believe how many trees I saw as we started the descent.

After an enjoyable meal at Chili's since I have a 2 1/2 layover--a meal of Chili, salad, and yummy Chambord Margarita, I took the shuttle bus over to the hopper terminal. Continental has rearranged or something because this waiting area is much nicer than the last ghetto area we connected to Tyler from. If i'd know there this was this much stuff with so many few people, I'd have come over here earlier. The Chili's I ate at was in one of the main food courts I think--a central area in the B terminal where secuirty comes out.

I suspect that the young schmoopy couple I saw on the bus were honeymooners; his ring looked shiny-new.

The First Week

I know my vacation is just going to fly by.....

So, an update.

WE"RE MOVING!!!! to a non-smelly apartment more central to our jobs with a happier layout and nicer carpet. Last week of June....

Let's see, I've filed the pile of papers. Gone grocery shopping and shopping at Penney's. Picked up a little bit around the apartment. Made Chicken Alfredo...didn't turn out too bad but the sauce needed more salt. and I've played lots of WoW.

Josh and I had an interested discussion about education last night in lieu of the new bill that will require 4 years of Math and Science to graduate (that's each). and the teachers get a "$2000" raise-- 500 of which is actually a 500 healthcare stipend that was taken away that's being given back...

Anyways, about the discussion. Our disagreement seems to come down to the fact that we have a different philosophy about the meaning of a high school diploma and just what high school is for. He supports the 4 year M/S req, I don't. He supports it because it's raising the standards for graduation...a good thing I know, but I'm not sure that it's necessary for a person to be able to be a functioning member of society. Really, how often do people use Algebra II as it is? Now if a student is planning on attending college, I STRONGLY recommend that they have the 4 years of Math at a minimum and at least 3 in Science. Josh thinks (and I'll be surprised if he isn't working up a post in his head while working today) that it'll make a HSD more meaningful and people will have a better understanding of the world around them. I don't know...I realize we shouldn't really make it easier for people to graduate high school, but I don't think we should make it harder either. The discussion got really fun when Josh started saying that if teachers were doing what they should, it wouldn't be up for discussion. Hehehe. I reminded him that nobody has been blaming the students and their lack of motivation or caring. But then, as they taught as at LeTU....it's up to the teachers to motivate the students. *sigh* There are so many problems with the system....

Granted, people need more critical thinking skills when they leave high school, but how is more math and science going to teach it? Especially since they seem to have taken proofs out of geometry... as much as I hate proofs... *sigh* Hmm. time for breakfast. Especially since today's project is clean the bathrooms and kitchen...

slow what?

So this was supposed to be a slower week for me, and somehow it isn't.

It has been really nice to be done with students after an hour in the morning though and than having the rest of the time to organize and clean up. I'm jotting down ideas as I go on how to be better at the whole organization thing next year. Yeah...if i don't lose that list of ideas...

Anyways. Monday afternoon I came back home to clean the kitchen and something else. Maybe apartment hunting. We enjoyed a delicious steak dinner at our place with friends and waching "Desparate Housewives." I also got to explain to the vice principal that I did not discuss the Da Vinci Code book or movie with my class but only referred to it and than stopped conversation about it so we could talk about the golden ratio which is mentioned in the book. Apparently a parent called and said I'd been talking about Da Vinci Code in class. I don't remember now. But the kitchen looked so nice for the whole two hours.... Tuesday afternoon I went duplex hunting in the paper, viewed an apartment (way smaller than Josh could bear), and picked up Josh to go see Da Vinci code with Watson's class and have dinner at Jap Tree after. The movie was good for a movie. (not oscar winning but not bad either). Jap Tree dinner was fine, and I had the perfect view of the reserved room and the powerpoint presentation therin. I had noticed in while ordering "The True story of Sodom and Gomorrah" as the title slide. While others discussed the movie I looked up and noticed that they were going through the slides. Quite interesting...a powerpoint about the development of the word homosexuality...and we found out later it was a group from some gay/lesbian church in Tyler. I didn't know the word "homosexual" meant so many things.... I scared a few people at the table because I'd look up and see something and either take in my breath or start laughing...

Wednesday, I worked through lunch so I could leave at 1 p.m. and have lunch with my tall friend Ashley and go wandering around town. We were going to look at two duplexes, but alas, they were both leased already since I had called the day before. So we had snowcones and rummaged the Book Barn, and a delicious lunch at Mama Moose Deli. We also did get to view an apartment that I rather liked for lots of reasons and took Josh too after he got off work. It's the only promising thing I've found so far in our quest to move away from the upstairs neighbors and smoky smell. This apartment did not smell like smoke, is not right on the parking lot (only bad if we are running in the rain), overlooks a golf course, the two bedrooms are separate, has a larger dining area and equivalent living room with a nice layout and nicer carpet. But, we haven't decided on moving there yet. There aren't many downsides that I can find. but it would mean $50 a month more in rent. (it's worth it to me to get away from the upstairs neighbors and smoky smell)

Today, i was going to go home and take a nap. But alas, I saw a set of apartments when leaving lunch at Catfish Village and just had to stop in. But they were out to lunch so I headed over and was inspired to get my hair trimmed and go shopping for a half hour. Back to the apartments only to discover nothing available (which sucks because they have ideal location for my job and they have 1 bedroom plus study available). oh well. and I was driving back home when I saw Midas and remembered that we needed the oil changed and front brakes checked. They checked my brakes and said they were fine, changed the oil, and as I was looking around saw "wiper replacement", replaced our wiper blades too. Then I really did make it home after one last stop at a different apartment complex to check on possible vacancies. No luck again.

I was depressed today as I verified my grades. I have a horrible passing rate this last six weeks. I hope the principal doesn't look too closely. I hate that I have to call parents on NINTH graders to try and "intervene" on their failing. They've got to learn some basic responsibility some time soon...and if we keep catering to the student they're going to learn the hard way in a few years. *sigh* I like teaching, but I don't like working.

Seniority

So, it's a bit unofficial whether or not the teacher across the hall from me is also leaving now....but people keep coming by my room to tease me in how next year I will be the senior member of the 9th grade math department...as in, I'm the only 9th grade math teacher staying on next year.....

I was fairly productive today in starting my room clean-up. It's amazing how I avoid organizing the piles of papers that need organization....but yet, i keep on avoiding them. :-) I plan on bringing home the extra papers in boxes to organize this summer. Because there won't be any air conditioning in the school after this week. Course, I may get them organized before Friay. HAH.

Where did it go?

I type up an thought I posted a nice long entry yesterday about my last full day of classes in my first year of teaching and about how I learned a lot of stuff this year....but I don't know where it went.

FUn!

In searching for something else that is mathematically fun to do in class, I mused upon my Escher prints in the classroom and decided to search for easy do-it-yourself instructions for tesselations. I found this EXCELLENT step-by-step site.

Whew...

Alright, so I know I promised the rest of the story some time ago.

We had fun at Senior banquet and than bumming at the ice cave until we decided sleep was good. It was only 10:00, but we were very tired after the really long day. I don't think I was that tired after my own wedding....

So after flipping a coin to decide who had to drive home, I lost and drove fell into bed into a deep sleep while Josh set the alarm so we could make it to graduation. I woke up and heard it raining at some point and thought--darnit. We figured graduation would be inside and thus it would be more important to arrive early...grabbed some good seats by Rachel who had been saving them for someone or another and noted that I would be able to take some good pictures of them getting diplomas. But alas, not ten minutes after sitting down we were asked to leave. It took me a bit to cajole Josh into going, and than reminding Rachel that she didn't need to leave because she was a spouse of a graduate.

After weaving our way to Belcher, and discovering that they weren't letting us in there until the graduates were gone...yet somehow people kept getting in past...I decided we should go. But there were all these people behind us. but hey, I'm smart and I had worked Solheim when cleaning with Facility Services last summer and I knew of a back exit from the dressing rooms. And away we went. Grabbed some goodies at a bakery and headed back to campus, snagging an even better parking spot at the library. Waited a bit, caught up with a few people and than decided we should at least try and see the recessional...but they weren't coming the way we thought. In fact, chaos reigned so I figured we could sneak around the back...and got to a good spot just as the liberal arts grads had already gone by. We at least got to wave at the engineering buddies Toad and Ziggy.

Than, to the library. Passed out cards, snapped pictures, blew bubbles and remembered other good pictures of certain persons blowing bubbles at my own wedding.

After snapping some good photos...or at least I hope...if someone would remember to email me the files from work....

we headed to lunch with Toad and his family at Texas Roadhouse. MMMmmmm, yummy yummy filet......

Headed back to campus and discovered the Wheelers.....this just should not have been and I marched off to order the Rachel off campus. After discovering my help really wasn't needed cleaning at Rachel's apartment and seeing the Wheelers off, I headed to the ice cave and tried to be of some help cleaning there. I was probably more in the way...and Josh broke the ceiling light cover...but oh well. Then we headed to Randy's apartment and bummed around a bit before getting dinner at Joe's. and then heading back home until it was time for drinks with the Toads and mom Toad and Danny. We went to Gerald's, the only non-smoking bar and partook of two rounds of drinks and had fun just chatting and what not. But we were hungry so we headed off to chili's and had a few appetizers before deciding more sleep would be good.

Sunday we awoke after blissful sleep and dragged ourselves over to the Toads to help them move out. They already had a lot done.....I helped with the cleaning and Josh dragged things down the stairs and we were done within two hours. So after going and getting one final lunch with them at Tele's, we said another round of goodbyes and went home to rest. Sweet sweet rest. In fact, I don't remember anything about what we did that afternoon--I think I read. After dinner and ice cream with Randy, we got some more sleep and another school week started. and our first anniversary

I went to school and got through the day waiting for the TAKS results to come my way...which did after school. I was bummed after looking at them, but it was my anniversary so I shrugged it off the best I could and picked up Josh. We had a lovely dinner at Red Lobster, ate some of wedding cake which I had thawed, watched Chronicles of Narnia, and drank our bottle of wine--Queen Anne's Revenge from the Duplin Winery. and went to bed. Oh and Josh bought me a keyboard so now my thigh muscles happily avoid the burning of the bottom of my laptop.

Tuesday and Wednesday went by like normal ole school days I think. It's all kinda blurry.... I have a week and a half left! I'm starting to keep my eye out for "now hiring" signs to find a summer job to keep myself amused. It has been quite an emotional weekend with a happy wedding and sad goodbyes...and I'll stop here. I have these wishful thoughts of posting some memories of the grads moved away soon, but we'll see. The end of the year is going to get busy really fast here as we wrap things up at school

whaaaa??

Everybody here *blink* everybody gone. Well, note everybody.

The last three-four days have been insane. Maybe even insane as the same three-four days last year. I now have an overwhelming gratitude to my family and friends and my mother and mother-in-law for everything they did last year after the last few days.....

So Thursday.... Went to school. Took off for an hour and half to attend part of a rehearsal. Grabbed lunch at Sonic and was mad because they put mayo on my sandwhich after i asked for it not to be there. But I discovered this too late. Got off of school and left everything for a substitute that was needed. Headed to LeTourneau and bummed around the Ice Cave. Then we went to the Wheeler-Gullman Rehearsal dinner at Cotton Patch. Good food and fun times. I was overcome with emotion as the happy couple was able to celebrate their wedding with grandparents....and I had none and now am left only with my paternal grandfather. I was also made weepy as I realized how far Jared and Rachel have come and how happy I am they made it this far and will make it farther.

Was recruited into helping Rachel pack up and move out. Did not realize the extent of packing needed. But alas, three hours later, the majority of stuff seemed to be gone. I left with pleas that Rachel go to bed sooner than later and hopes that somebody would make sure of it. Told Rachel I'd be there around 815 the next morning to help her get out and off the wedding. I had promised to help her stay sane as could be before the wedding and get ready. Glad I did.

Slept sort of thru the night. My knee hurt and I dreamed I had a headache only to wake up with one. Not a great way to start the day, but at least I wasn't getting married :-) Dropped Josh off at work, grabbed a cinnamon roll and cinnamon mocha at starbucks (decaf of course) and headed to LeTourneau again. Heard Rachel taking a shower and stripped her bed and put linens in bag to go to her new apartment. Realized we needed to pack foodstuffs into my car for reception. Also packed Rachel's post-wedding luggage into my car for later move to Jared's truck. Drove to Church with Sarah muttering along the way...I was cranky from the headache. But my mocha was starting to calm me thankfully. Repacked Rachel's backpack and helped her get her meds in order while Ashley did wonders with Rachel's hair and make-up. Offered little gems of advice to Paige as she did wonders with Rebecca and Julie's hair. GREAT JOB ALL OF YOU!!!! I'm not sure I was too much of a help, but I was glad to be a part of getting the bridal party ready. Rachel was just about to get into her dress when I realized Josh would need to picked up. Waited long enough to see Rachel become a really beautiful model bride in dress and headed out to the car...saw Caleb standing with Doug and Jared and headed over to see if Caleb was free. Heard some mumblings of Caleb going with Mr. Wheeler to run a last minute errand and begged them to pick up Josh because I wasn't ready myself and time was quickly ticking away. Just as they drove off Moore wandered over and wanted to know if I wanted anything from Taco Bell. A minute earlier and he could have picked up Josh. Oh well. Called Josh and had him give Moore a food order. Ran back so that myself and Paige could help Rachel through last-minute jitters. Rachel did better than me.....

Than, it was time for the last minute things...was recruited to help with some reception and gift table stuff. Sat with Rachel and promised to stay with her until she started the walk down the aisle with her Dad. Which was good because I could make sure her train flowed down the aisle all pretty like. Snuck in on the side so I could watch her come down. Read Ephesians passage at wedding; tried to pay attention to Dr. Watson's homily....hmm, I can remember bits and pieces...more than I can from his at our wedding....

Saw them prounounced man and wife and admired the studly groomsmen (really, men are sexy when dressed up in suits/tuxes) and the gorgeous bridesmaids (I want one of those dresses!) Stayed around for pictures and stuff and started to plot against Josh in the decorating of the car-but he thought I was helping them. I needed knowledge of what car to transfer Rachel's luggage to after all. hehehehehe Kept running around and taking care of little things...and was asked to coordinate the clean-up....so I went around and recruited those who were available. The more we had, the faster it would get done. Headed to reception and grabbed a few bites to eat and talked to people. Took care of a few more small things--like luggage transfer and car key transfer. Also announced when it was time to throw bouquet and garter toss, than went to get the car hoping that they would be ready to leave quickly enough...unfortunately my husband followed me and found that I had betrayed him to save the car from decoration. They got it a little bit anyway with leftover window paint. Oh well, at least they didn't have to deal with the shaving cream. Saw them off, gave people a few things to do to help clean up. Ran to school to pick up student work and ran back. Helped pack up levtover foods and organize things. We were done by 5 and I was pleased. Found that there were extra senior banquet tickets so we decided to go and was happy we did....

*to be finished later*

Before I Sleep

Happy Wedding Day to Jared & Rachel!
Happy Graduation Day and moving out to all our friends who are lucky enough to be moving on....*sniff* We're going to miss you.....*stops before more tears flow*
may I not think of my regrets and only of all the memories I have....

Why i believe in Suburbans

or big tank SUVs in general for families..... and just SUVs....

this was my parent's vehicle of the accident two months ago...

Good Ole LC

See if you can get to this article on the Christian Science Monitor, 04/06/06

My Parent's Home

I don't think I can quote the story here looking at some of their policies, but if you can't get it, let me know and I'll forward the email version of the story.

Prayer

for our dear St Mike's Mom--Margie Litterski. Her sister passed away tonight during heart surgery (repair on a torn vessel after aorta surgery). Margie has fibral myalgia which flares up in times of stress, so prayer for her emotional and physical healing. Her sister Barb had seven kids and several grandkids, plus she was the oldest of nine siblings.

Thanks!

Oh, and pray for our sanity this weekend. Math/Sci Competition in San Antonio--a weekend with 32 middle schoolers, and competition stress. We'll miss y'all.

Counting Down

2 days until Phantom of the Opera, :-D
1 week from tomorrow, until Math-Sci Competition in San Antonio
3 weeks from yesterday, 9th Math TAKS Test
3 weeks, Post-TAKS Teacher Bash
4 weeks, Houston--Device Check & post-surgery check
5 weeks, Gullman-Wheeler wedding
5 weeks, three days--1st anniversary
8 weeks, end of school

oh, by the way I feel better, Texas-sized. I had pizza last night. and I had my first dr pepper and coffee (well, nonfat caramel machiatto) in 2 weeks today. Water for the rest of the evening, but it's so nice not to feel sick.

Almost Better...

So I'm finally able to eat small, real meals again. I'm hungry a lot throughout the day and fighting off some indigestion still, but tons better with more energy. Just in time for allergies to start attacking my head.

Oh, and I have to have my gallbladder ultrasounded on THursday.

Parents are both safely home and Mom is putting in half days at work this week. My older brother Eric, and his wife Amanda, and their 4month old son Noah are visiting my parents for the next two weeks and helping around the house.

A ray of light?

Well, after a week of stomach badness, I think I might be on the mend. Definitely not feeling perfect, but a bit better. Pray that the trend continues. The muscle is still achy and sore where they cut into, but they told me that takes time.

The great news of the week is that my dad gets released tomorrow after over 2 weeks! They have to go back to Denver (six hour drive from L.C.) every week for six weeks to have the plastic surgery aspect looked at. My dad described what they did.....wasn't pleasant sounding. He's supposed to keep weight off the ankle for 8-12 weeks....hehehe.

Mom's doing pretty well still. She's been sleeping in chairs because of the broken ribs. But she sounds like she's doing well. She's going to try and go back to work next week.

Me, I'm looking forward to the day--hopefully sooner than later, when I can eat more than crackers, rice, and bland soup.

Thanks for all the prayers.

The Break Ends...

Sadly. I need another few days of vacation to continue resting and healing. I'm still not feeling tops--nauseated and headaches and fatigued. But I think it might be from allergies/sinuses or something. I'll go to the doctor on Monday and call the one in Houston too about the fact that every once in awhile I can feel my heart beating rather hard. Nothing else, just feeling it beat. At least it's regular.

Dad is still not doing too well. He has a staph infection and he's still hurting and not happy because he's tied down in bed for his leg to heal. Please keep in prayers. Mom's out but staying up in Denver to take care of Dad. Not sure on when he'll be released just yet.

Monday comes all too soon, but at least it's a half day.

Spring Break, 2nd day

Well, here it is the Tuesday of my Spring Break and nothing is as planned. But I think the later surgery for me is the best as it allowed me some resting time and time to get a few things done around the apartment.

I talked to my parents again yesterday (I plan on calling them every day just to see how they are doing :-) Dad had a bit of surgery but they still have more to do on his ankle. All they did yesterday was wash things out I guess. Mom was moved up to Dad's room on Sunday, which makes calling them a whole lot easier. She sounds better every day, albeit sore for awhile.

Tomorrow morning I'm getting a pacemaker. It is definitely an outpatient surgery and we plan on coming back Thursday if all goes well.

Whew

well, after the nightmare of yesterday, today is a lot better. I just talked to both my parents and they're doing pretty well. Mom is enjoying the little button that makes the pain disappear and I think she's doped up enough that she hasn't really thought and worried about a whole lot yet.

Dad sounded rather chipper almost. They only set the bone last night, so now his leg is in traction. Either tomorrow of Monday they'll do surgery to put in plates or something like that. Now he gets to set metal detectors off :-)

I got more story and details. The story that they have figured out now is that the pick-up truck lost control and hit my parents with the passenger side. My parents said he came out of nowhere, like a deer just suddenly jumping into the road. The driver of pick-up flew out of his passenger side window (they know this from the hair and scalp stuck to the window...) and landed in the middle of the road, only to get run over by a semi. The semi saw the accident and than the guy in the road but obviously had no way of stopping or swerving in time without making the accident far worse. He did well just stopping the semi on the icy roads. Apparently my parents had thought they has just gotten through the worst of the weather, except for the wind freezing snow on the road.

My parents had just bought their suburban a week ago after selling the other one. They hadn't even made their first payment yet---as my mother mentioned to me this morning.

Thank-you everyone. People are telling me just to go ahead with my surgery on Wednesday. I'm still inclined to mostly. Josh is the only one with doubts just based on the problems the office has had with scheduling and my files and what not.

Update again...

My parents are in Denver as are my younger brother and older sister with family. Mom is in ICU (well, maybe recovery still) but she's out of surgery. Her neck is fine but she has broken ribs on both sides. While taking out her spleen, they took the gallbladder too. (At least that won't bother her anymore)

My dad's in Pre-op getting ready for the ankle to be fixed. The bone was broken in two place right above I seem to think.

I think the next 24 hours are the most critical for my mom. So keep praying. We're staying put in Longview, as well as my older brother, unless something drastically changes or we're desperately needed for help (which will be more after they get out of the hospital, not right now)

PLEASE PRAY!!!!

My parents were headed to Texas today. They got slammed into by a sem-truck. They are okay..... but my dad is being taken to the hospital with a bone sticking out of his ankle and my mom might have a broken rib from the air bag. My younger brother is with them and just barely missed getting hit himself (he was driving his truck down) Their suburban is totalled. From what I understand the semi was trying to avoid a man in the middle of the road and hit my parents. Kirk said there's a lot of blood....I think from the man who was in the road. I guess the roads are a bit icy (they were still in Colorado). Just please pray for all of us, especially my mom and brother, and me and my brother and sister. Me and the older brother are so far away and thankfully my sister lives in Colorado. I'll update when I know more. I'm just trying to maintain some sanity. I'll probably be better off staying at school than just go home to pace and wait for my phone to ring with more info....

Haunting Past

I hear about the former Longview cop arrested on child pornorgraphy charges...just his computer...but still, my haunted past comes back to me and I wonder....

At least someone sees the light...

My students will tell you that this is true....it's their fault when they fail, and still the continue not to do the work because they don't care.

For once, blame the student

By Patrick WelshWed Mar 8, 7:08 AM ET

Failure in the classroom is often tied to lack of funding, poor teachers or other ills. Here's a thought: Maybe it's the failed work ethic of todays kids. That's what I'm seeing in my school. Until reformers see this reality, little will change.
Last month, as I averaged the second-quarter grades for my senior English classes at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., the same familiar pattern leapt out at me.
Kids who had emigrated from foreign countries - such as Shewit Giovanni from Ethiopia, Farah Ali from Guyana and Edgar Awumey from Ghana - often aced every test, while many of their U.S.-born classmates from upper-class homes with highly educated parents had a string of C's and D's.
As one would expect, the middle-class American kids usually had higher SAT verbal scores than did their immigrant classmates, many of whom had only been speaking English for a few years.
What many of the American kids I taught did not have was the motivation, self-discipline or work ethic of the foreign-born kids.
Politicians and education bureaucrats can talk all they want about reform, but until the work ethic of U.S. students changes, until they are willing to put in the time and effort to master their subjects, little will change.
A study released in December by University of Pennsylvania researchers Angela Duckworth and Martin Seligman suggests that the reason so many U.S. students are "falling short of their intellectual potential" is not "inadequate teachers, boring textbooks and large class sizes" and the rest of the usual litany cited by the so-called reformers - but "their failure to exercise self-discipline."
The sad fact is that in the USA, hard work on the part of students is no longer seen as a key factor in academic success. The groundbreaking work of Harold Stevenson and a multinational team at the University of Michigan comparing attitudes of Asian and American students sounded the alarm more than a decade ago.
Asian vs. U.S. students
When asked to identify the most important factors in their performance in math, the percentage of Japanese and Taiwanese students who answered "studying hard" was twice that of American students.
American students named native intelligence, and some said the home environment. But a clear majority of U.S. students put the responsibility on their teachers. A good teacher, they said, was the determining factor in how well they did in math.
"Kids have convinced parents that it is the teacher or the system that is the problem, not their own lack of effort," says Dave Roscher, a chemistry teacher at T.C. Williams in this Washington suburb. "In my day, parents didn't listen when kids complained about teachers. We are supposed to miraculously make kids learn even though they are not working."
As my colleague Ed Cannon puts it: "Today, the teacher is supposed to be responsible for motivating the kid. If they don't learn it is supposed to be our problem, not theirs."
And, of course, busy parents guilt-ridden over the little time they spend with their kids are big subscribers to this theory.
Maybe every generation of kids has wanted to take it easy, but until the past few decades students were not allowed to get away with it. "Nowadays, it's the kids who have the power. When they don't do the work and get lower grades, they scream and yell. Parents side with the kids who pressure teachers to lower standards," says Joel Kaplan, another chemistry teacher at T.C. Williams.
Every year, I have had parents come in to argue about the grades I have given in my AP English classes. To me, my grades are far too generous; to middle-class parents, they are often an affront to their sense of entitlement. If their kids do a modicum of work, many parents expect them to get at least a B. When I have given C's or D's to bright middle-class kids who have done poor or mediocre work, some parents have accused me of destroying their children's futures.
It is not only parents, however, who are siding with students in their attempts to get out of hard work.
Blame schools, too
"Schools play into it," says psychiatrist Lawrence Brain, who counsels affluent teenagers throughout the Washington metropolitan area. "I've been amazed to see how easy it is for kids in public schools to manipulate guidance counselors to get them out of classes they don't like. They have been sent a message that they don't have to struggle to achieve if things are not perfect."
Neither the high-stakes state exams, such as Virginia's Standards of Learning, nor the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act have succeeded in changing that message; both have turned into minimum-competency requirements aimed at the lowest in our school.
Colleges keep complaining that students are coming to them unprepared. Instead of raising admissions standards, however, they keep accepting mediocre students lest cuts have to be made in faculty and administration.
As a teacher, I don't object to the heightened standards required of educators in the No Child Left Behind law. Who among us would say we couldn't do a little better? Nonetheless, teachers have no control over student motivation and ambition, which have to come from the home - and from within each student.
Perhaps the best lesson I can pass along to my upper- and middle-class students is to merely point them in the direction of their foreign-born classmates, who can remind us all that education in America is still more a privilege than a right.
Patrick Welsh is an English teacher at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va., and a member of USA TODAY's board of contributors.

Umm.

Still busy. one more week until Spring Break, and I'm mostly doing testing so that'll make things sort of nice and quiet.

my UIL event is tomorrow. it's going to be a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG day. get up at 5 am, at school around 6. ride to Nac'. Grade and keep track of what I can through the day. Awards ceremony. Ride back. Hope to be back around 8 or 830. Guuuuuuhhhhh. I'm going to need lots of patience and what not in dealing with a few things.

Theoretically, I'm scheduled for pacemaker surgery on March 13th in Houston, bright and early.

But really, things are looking bright :-) Just so busy. and I get home and don't feel like doing anything. This is why I'm not going to work when/if we have kids.

Oh no! A holiday!

Yup. I have a four day weekend. To do taxes, clean the apartment more comprehensively, get ready for that great TAKS study, and stuff for the week and a half before spring break. (Yeah, I get mon/tues off and than a week and a half later Spring Break....). and stuff like that. I'll enjoy it though, and hopefully it allows all the sick students time to get better and rest up and stuff. There's some nasty stuff going around....

To rant again on drivers.... To top the annoyance of red-light runners, now people behind front cars keep honking when a light turns green and people aren't moving, because the front cars are waiting on the red-light runners. and today I was crossing an intersection with my green light when I notice a silver pick-up truck coming up on my right and not slowing down. pick-up truck did NOT STOP and turned right right in front of me. My bad migraine went immediately to worse. I just can't handle driving some days....I love driving, but I'm getting so much more annoyed. I want to punishes thems. But alas, the cops are never around.

Tomorrow I have another early Saturday and the one next week and the one after that for our regional qualifying Math/Sci meets & UIL. Any LeTourneau friends who are free next Saturday to be a speaking judge for $50, let me know immediately. You don't have to ride the bus with us at 6:30 to Nacogdoches, but you have to be there by 9 and you'll be done by 12:30. Saturday, March 4. and those are a.m. times (but 12:30 pm) We'll be making calls on some of you to beg and plead. I just need one person. The person I had can't do it now.

(just let it all be over)

Such a boring life.

Admistered Reading TAKS test today. and now the English teachers are gloating over us.

Classroom management is definitely improved. Organization, definitely not :-)

Things are looking a little better and before I know it May will be here!

Lots of sick stuff going around right now....lots more kids absent.

Kids enjoyed my "Volume of a Fudge Cake or Brownie" activity. We also attempted surface area (how much chocolate frosting?) Hate that we have to teach nets.

But really, it all seems so trivial anymore.....

I get teary everytime I think of Dunkin' Donuts and teddy bears. My grandpa loved D.D. and collected teddy bears. and I keep thinking of all the people I have close to me, and how I've been lucky never to have a tragic death very close. I dearly loved my grandparents, but I also knew they lived a long and good life and I'll see them again. I ached for all my friends who have had the hurts of losing close friends and siblings and loved ones. Why not me I ask myself sometimes. Maybe because I'm not strong enough. I don't know. and there I go....talking about me.

TWO posts in a week!

Well, today wasn't too bad. Shame the weekend is already half gone though.

I spend the first half of the day at the Math/Sci meet doing what I always do, staying out of the way and grading. grading. grading. Our kids won and they did a really good job too. Some of them amaze me....

Then, I headed to the Toads, spent a little time there and had a good dinner. and then Mollie and I escaped from D&D and went shopping and went to see a chick flick: "Rumor Has It," the polar opposite of "The Graduate" I was quite impressed and laughed a lot. I didn't expect a whole lot, so my expectations were exceeded and i recommend it as a good movie for laughs and that wonderful sappy feeling at the end with the hints of a tear. It also made a good message about engagement/marriage at the end.

To go with the chick flick, we stopped at Starbucks and had coffee and chocolate. and I ran into people I knew, including one of my students from last year with student teaching. One of the intelligent AND nice ones :-)

So, it has been a decent day. I just hope tomorrow doesn't fly by too fast.

oh yeah...

Well.....I've been really busy.

Busy being sick. Busy babysitting, err, teaching students, busy dealing with Math/Sci stuff......., and such.

I got a cough/sore throat last week. Monday I started to feel sick to my stomach, and hit really bad Tuesday night. Enough that I took Wednesday off. My first sick day all year. I would have posted, but I was busy sleeping most of the day away. and than grading. and grading. and grading. The good news of the week is that our washer and dryer arrived and are installed. Found out last night that the hot water and cold water hoses are switched. Have to get that fixed before I accidentally shrink something from a HOT water rinse.

Math/Sci stuff....well, talk to me about that personally. I need prayer for wisdom regarding that and prayer that I don't stress so much as to stay sick about it.

I'm feeling a bit better today. At least I can eat. and today was the last week of the six weeks which means, in a crazed rush to grade late and absent work and retests all day, I walked away with NO GRADING AT ALL!!!!!! but there's a meet tomorrow at school. First time I'm not looking forward to it.

So there's some rambling to make all the color go away for now :-)

Not really "Friday" for me

Today was one of the few days I was just ready to cry at the end of.

It started with waking up and feeling like crap. That happens when I go to bed with an ugly migraine. We go to work and we're running a bit late. But i'm not doing anything to try and get to school because I know I'll only be a minute or two behind, and it wasn't like I had a class--just cafeteria duty. I'm a block from the school and as I go through the intersection I notice a car pull out from some mcD's entrance and they stay in the far right lane, I'm on the inside lane. All of a sudden, no warning at all I see a blinker and a white car turning left right in front of me to make a left turn. I'm going 55. The car was lucky I had good brakes because I was dang close. Heart pounding I get to school. I do my duty. I get through one class. One of my attitude problems was being a real @$$ today. and I had other students just doing really peevish things. Like standing there at the pencil sharpener, sharpening and sharpening and sharpening.

9:30 approaches and I need to leave for a quick dr appt. But there is no one to watch the class to ward off destruction and the bell is being held due to some testing going on. I grab someone to watch my class and jet off running just a few minutes behind to get to the eye dr. That went smoothly. ONe of the few things today to do so. I couldn't believe that I was back at school within 35 minutes. Second period, being grateful to not have a sub (they had one for 10 minutes) was mostly okay. Normal pill gets a little too enthused with the idea of four-dimensions (I was explaining and showing with pictures why an x squared cannot be added to an x cubed). Really, I feel grayish hairs forming.

They go, and I have to help get the class next-door started on their work since they had a sub, and math subs are hard to find.... I feel for their teacher sort of. and they kept saying mean things. I finish up and go back to my classroom to prepare for our TAKS Tutorial monday. I'm supposed to try and call parents on failures and stuff, but I suddenly find my conference period gone just trying to get things ready. Actually, I had about ten minutes, but I could feel a migraine and I knew if I didn't take a little break before lunch, my last class would go worse.

Lunch was fine. Eighth period. A class I generally don't look forward to sometimes. I have some sweet kids in there, and it's my smartest group, but it's also a complex group with lots of students needing more individu