Nothing to update

I am just tired. I had a workday of sorts at school today, but didn't accomplish much. I was supposed to listen to some students practice today but they didn't show up. Tonight was the second to last RCIA class... well, it's my last class since I won't be able to go next week. My house is a mess. I have loads of laundry to do and I won't be home much at all... but that isn't anything new, now is it? Well, I am off to bed early tonight. Maybe I'll share something more interesting tomorrow.

Tuesday TAKS Testing

I really don't like testing days. I am not sure how I feel about standardized tests. I know they're a pain and that most teachers these days simply teach to the test which generally means that learning suffers. But again, if there weren't a standardization of what students learn, then teachers may get away with being poor teachers and not really covering things that they do need to know. The problem is that when kids fail these tests, the teacher is blamed for it. It is the teacher's fault that students don't learn. I understand school districts wanting to raise the test scores and get those higher ratings, but what happens when you have a large number of apathetic students that don't care about anything? I am really amazed that our principal sent a a copy of an article that talks about the fact that it just might be the student's fault for failure to learn. (Which I tend to agree with.) Sure there are some teachers that aren't doing their jobs and have grown as apathetic as the students. I was there at one point. That is why I got out of teaching. It wasn't fun any more. It caused a great deal of stress. That is why I was apprehensive about coming back. So far the year hasn't been terrible. There have been some great moments and some frustrating ones. Overall, I think the kids here are good. Sure, there's a few that still need an attitude adjustment, but for the most part, they are decent.
The education system certainly needs reform, but I am at a loss as to what needs to be done. But teaching is a field that is underpaid, underappreciated and has a high rate of turnover. Students have changed. As grand as technology has been, I think it has created a lot of issues with students. Take for example my nephew. He cares about nothing other than drinking cokes, playing video games and the guitar. He rarely goes to school and doesn't care if he graduates. As long as there is entertainment at home, who needs an education?

Ahhh Caffeine

My first coke yesterday was quite heavenly. After Mass, I went to Sonic and got a Route 44. I never get a coke that big, but I thought I could drink it all. And I pretty much did. I went to my friend Carol's house for dinner and then took Josh to the Methodist church to hang out with his friends that have a band. After that, I had pretty much finished the coke. I went home and took a nap which was a mistake. I guess the caffeine hadn't really started working at that points. But with a nap AND a whole lot of caffeine that my body wasn't used to (had another small coke with dinner), by the time it was 10:00 I wasn't tired. I made myself go to bed at 11:00 but was still awake at midnight. I got up and got online for a while and then tried to go back to bed around 1:00. I really don't remember sleeping at all. I am sure I did sleep some, but the alarm came much too early this morning. So now I just went and got myself another coke to help keep me going today. I think I'm going to have stop drinking caffeine by early evening or something. I should probably cut out cokes altogether because it has been good for me. I have slept better and I lost the weight I gained and am back down to 172 (from 180). But I just enjoy them so very much. I will try to limit myself to one a day. Gee, I am starting to sound like Prison Pete.

The end of my journey

Actually it really is only the beginning. But last night I was finally brought into full communion with the Catholic Church through the sacraments of confirmation and the Eucharist. It was an absolutely wonderful experience and I couldn't be happier. I wrote some things about it on my other blog.

It was a long night, but time really seemed to go by fast. I didn't even realize that I had gotten home so late around 12:00 a.m. I got a good night's sleep, but could probably use another hour. I have to get ready to go back to church this morning though. I am singing in the Easter choir and Josh is playing his clarinet again. After church, I have been invited by my sponsor and friend, Carol to have Easter dinner at her house.

The rosaries I have been making have been well received. One of the girls that was in our class introduced me to her little brother who wanted to meet the lady that made the cool rosaries. I asked him if he wanted one and he said yes. So I will go get more beads tomorrow. My dad gave me some money as a gift and I can't think of a better way to spend it. This girls family was there and now her mom has mentioned the possibility of being in the next RCIA class. I think that is so wonderful!

My sponsor gave me a beautiful crucifix as a gift. I absolutely love it. Now I have two! I also got another rosary from my friends Patrick and Tiffany. It is really beautiful. Two other girls in my class gave me small crosses as well. The blessings just don't stop!

My Cup Runneth Over

I can't believe the show of support I have had as I take my final steps into the Catholic faith. I sent out announcements to family and friends. I didn't expect them to shower me with gifts or anything; I just wanted them to know what an important step this is for me. But many have been very generous. My aunt sent me fifty dollars and a beautiful wooden crucifix. Then there is the other aunt that sent me a rose scented rosary along with a wonderful letter and card. My friend Norma (Marty's sister-in-law) gave me a box that holds photos and two rosaries made out of rope that are quite unique. I received a card from my former mother-in-law with a note that said she wasn't sure if she would make it, but hoped to be there. My sister sent me a beautiful boquet of flowers today. I am in awe of the outpouring of support I have received.

I wasn't sure what the reactions of people would be when the learned of my decision to join the Church. I didn't make a big deal out of it, but I casually let people know. Almost everyone that learned of my decision told me how wonderful they thought it was and congratulated me. My online friend Summer just sent me an email letting me know she was thinking of me. I didn't think my dad was going to come tonight because he said he would probably be gone camping, but he called last night and asked what time it started. I think my brother may be there and I have a couple of other friends that said they would come. I only received dissent from one person, my friend Bret, but that was expected. And truth be told, he has probably helped me grow the most in the faith aside from my sponsor.

Well, it is just a few hours away and I am still quite excited. I have to say that this is the best decision I have ever made. I know that not everyone can share or understand a religious zeal, but once you really experience God's grace, you can't help but be joyous.

Writing the old fashioned way

I took the time today to write a letter. I didn't type it. I used a pen and real stationery. It seems to be a forgotten art to write real letters any more. I wrote to my aunt that sent me the rosary yesterday. I had to be brief because I didn't have a lot of time, but I did want to thank her for the gift and give her some background on my decision to become Catholic. I really should write letters more often, but it just takes so much time. I have been a very bad pen pal to Prison Pete. Maybe I'll do better this summer when I can spend more time with it.

Although it is good to put pen to paper, I love blogging. It is easier to sit down and type a journal than it is to take the time to write, but sometimes you just need to let it out with pen and paper. Not all things are meant for the blogging world to read. I have poems that have never been finished, three or four journals that get written in randomly, and pages of unsent letters that just needed to be written. I still have my green notebook that held my meanderings from junior high and high school. I wrote a post once about blogging and journaling, how it is therapeutic and I still feel the same. I hate it when my thoughts are dry and I don't have anything major to share. I have found that what I think is my best writing comes from those times I am welled up with emotion. The words tend to just flow out and on to the page. Lately, though, I haven't gotten emotional one way or the other. I don't have a tragic love life to bemoan or frustrations to air. I guess if my writing suffers because I'm simply happy, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

A few things to tell

First of all I want to say that the raspberry iced tea at Sonic is horrible. It has a funky kind of aftertaste that just isn't right. I don't know if they put diet flavoring or what, but I could not drink it today. Next, I am really, really craving a coke right now. Six weeks is really a long time.
Last night my son came up to me and said "Guess what?"
Normally, I don't have too much fear and trepidation when he says that because it's usually something minor like "We played such and such piece in band today." Last night he told me that he has a date for prom. Remember that my son is 15 and a freshman. And he's taking a junior to the PROM. I don't know if I should feel elated, excited for him, nervous, or if I am just feeling really old.
I still remember MY prom. I had a little pink dress with spaghetti straps. It was a size 3. My date was my boyfriend at the time. The evening was o.k. I can't say it was great. The best thing about it was dinner which was at a Japanese steakhouse. But I didn't really have fun and I knew that my boyfriend wouldn't be around much longer. Sure enough, the day after prom he dumped me for a red-headed flute player. I always regretted not going to prom with my friend Bret. (Yes, the one and the same that is the Baptist preacher in California) I'm not sure he would have asked me, but he went with an underclassmen that he barely knew. I think if we had gone as friends we would have had a blast! But oh well.
And now my son is going to the prom. I am happy for him, but I am also thinking how much is this going to cost? $150 for the tux, dinner, corsage....I hope she's worth it. I asked him if they were going as friends and he said yes. This girl is also one that has been getting him involved in going to some church activities at the Methodist church, so I think that is a plus.
And that reminds me of a joke I got in email the other day. I am paraphrasing and retelling this, so if I get the names or something wrong, don't sue me, o.k.?
A kindergarten class was having show and tell. They were supposed to bring something that represented their religion. So one little boy gets up and says, "I am Jewish and this is a Star of David." Another girl gets up and says "I'm Catholic and this is a rosary." Then little Timmy gets up and says, "I'm a Methodist and this is a casserole."

The Impossible

First let me say that I am glad that we are in the home stretch as far as school goes. It is almost over, thank goodness. But I am trying to figure out admist a week of testing and another 6 days that I will be gone from school (more speech tournaments) how I am supposed to get everything done that needs to be accomplished. I had the brilliant idea of going ahead and having students start working on their first speech. All would have been well had the schedule been that I would have all of my classes next week. As it turns out, I will meet with all my afternoon classes but only see my morning classes on Monday. So if my afternoon classes present speeches next week, then the morning classes will be behind. If I wait, I have to have something for the afternoon classes to do for a week. Also, if I wait, then I will have to drop the second speech I had planned for them and will have to figure out a way to fill time on some days and right now I had planned on several days of writing their speeches, but many are actually almost finished now. So I am not sure what to do the next few days. I am thinking about doing a movie next week that I can incorporate a kind of speech review covering the basics of what we've learned so far. But I am still at a loss as to my planning for the weeks after the testing. The kids will have finished writing their speeches this Thursday, but then it will be another week and a half before they present them. Oh, and there's a snow day thrown in there as well which throws things off even more. I can't have them present speeches while I'm gone, nor should I expect them to be presented right after a week of testing (where I've met with some, but not all my classes) and a three day weekend. I will have them two days before I have to leave for a district tournament. Aaarrrggghhhh. I'm getting a headache just thinking about it. I just need to figure out what to do with them tomorrow, I guess. Maybe I'll sleep on it and just figure it out in the morning.

Not quite a zombie

But I am feeling tired today. I hit the snooze on my alarm a few times this morning. I know that not drinking cokes during Lent has been a good thing for me and I may have lost a couple of pounds even, but I sure can tell that my energy is zapped when I don't have one.
I am trying to figure out what to do about teaching next week. We are involved in TAKS testing in the mornings and then will have all afternoon classes. So I will not see two of my classes all next week. They are working on speeches and if I have my other classes present them next week, then the other classes will be behind. I also have to keep in mind how much time we have left until school is out. So what do I do with the afternoon classes next week? Is it time to figure out some other fun communication games to play besides Taboo and Charades? Can I find a movie that will somehow relate to what I have been teaching them? Any suggestions?

A busy week ahead

This is going to a very busy, but very wonderful week. Tonight I had to take Josh for an instrumental practice for the Holy Week services. Then I had about 15 minutes to get food and eat it before I had to return to the church for choir practice. It lasted 2 1/2 hours. Now it's already bed time and I still haven't done laundry. I had to wear a dress today because I had nothing else to wear. Tomorrow I guess it will be the same. It will be a long day at school and then another instumental rehearsal at 7 p.m. Wednesday will be RCIA and Choir rehearsal. Then Thursday begins the Holy Week services. Luckily I have the day off on Friday. They are showing The Passion of the Christ at the church on Friday morning. I am not sure if I am going to go or not. It is such a powerful movie that I am not sure I can handle watching it in the presence of others. Afterwards there will be the stations of the cross. Friday is also a day of both abstinence and fasting. But the best part of my week will be Saturday. That is when I will finally be confirmed!!!! I am getting so excited!!!! Can you tell??? With all the exclamation points??!!!

Other than all the music and church stuff, my life is uneventful. You can imagine that my house is a mess again. And again, I have no time to clean. My car is acting a little weird and I am wondering how much longer it is going to last. I don't know how I'll be able to get another one, but I'm going to have to do something for next fall when Josh starts driving. And now I better head to bed or I will be a walking zombie tomorrow.