Now there's a word I haven't used in a while, but it is indeed appropriate as I will share with you my lovely night. I'd like to say I can't remember the last time I vomited before last night. Unfortunately I can and it involved very large quantities of alcohol and some bad decisions. But last night had nothing to do with alcohol. I think I got a bug of stomach flu. (I looked up the symptoms online... where would we be without the internet and self-diagnosis?) But I had every one of them. And how are you supposed to drink fluids to prevent dehydration when they just come back up? I threw up three times last night and when I wasn't throwing up I was sitting on the pot or trying to get warm or being too warm or tossing and turning... you get the picture, I'm sure. I was debating about whether or not I should go to school today. I thought about trying to just suck it up, but I finally rolled out of bed at 5:30 and enter information for a substitute. I was pretty certain I had made the right decision when I couldn't even manage to type up my sub instructions because I was feeling so bad. I decided to wait to call my principal and carpool buddy until 6:30. In the meantime, I took a chance on trying tylenol again. Luckily it stayed down and seemed to help greatly. I made my calls at 6:30 and then went back to bed until 10:00. And I am feeling better in general, but still moving slowly. Right now I am trying to replenish my liquids as I don't think there was a single drop left in me.
Although I have the day at home, I don't think I am going to get much accomplished. I've learned that guilt is just part of the territory. I know I shouldn't have it and I should just rest, but there's so much to do. But I think I don't have much choice. But I did blog... so that's something right?
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Monday, December 19, 2005
Winter is Here
Well, yesterday I didn't get any shopping done, nor did Marty's sister come over. No, winter decided to visit... but not the pretty kind with snowflakes and such. It just kind of drizzled and froze. When I left to go to church yesterday, I realized that my windows were completely iced over. So I had to spend about 10 minutes scraping and was late to class. Actually as I attempted to turn on the street next to the church, my car started sliding, but I managed to stop before hitting anything.
Since I was home all day yesterday, do you think I accomplished anything? Well, I did a little... but not much. I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher. I finished reading my Sue Grafton book. I did NOT grade papers. I did not do laundry. I did take a nap, however. Unfortunately because I did that, I had a hard time sleeping last night. It was one of those nights where you toss and turn and look at the clock every hour or so and not really getting any kind of sleep. I don't really remember sleeping. And to top things off, I had to get up by 5:45 because of the weather. We had to leave early because the roads were still very icy.
On the way to work today we passed two car wrecks, a car off the road, a semi-truck off the road and another one that had overturned and was completely on it's side. I drove about 35 mph. We did make it in time. Unfortunately my windshield wipers were not working very well at all. I had a small hole that I could sort of see through. So this morning during my conference I went to Auto Zone and got new blades. That was an ordeal in itself, but luckily there are nice, smart guys that work there and they took care of replacing them for me.
Now I have just finished lunch and am waiting for my next class to arrive. I need to finish grading papers, but I thought a break would be nice. I did get my 1st period classes grades finished and everyone passed except for one student. This student made a 45 on the easiest semester test in the world. It was a multiple choice test with only TWO choices. It had a small section (5) of matching and a few short answer questions. Half of the short answer questions were simple like.. what is the name of this class and what is one of my favorite past times? (Keep in mind I have rollercoaster pictures posted in my room and the class name is written on both the test and the answer sheet).
Luckily school is out at 2:00 today and tomorrow and Wednesday are shorter days.
Well, I better get started on grading more papers. I am kind of cheating in the fact that I'm not even reading their journal entries. If they wrote anything, I counted it. I'm doing the same thing on their worksheets. I also decided to drop one of their lowest daily grades as well. See... I'm not the meanest teacher in the world.
Since I was home all day yesterday, do you think I accomplished anything? Well, I did a little... but not much. I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher. I finished reading my Sue Grafton book. I did NOT grade papers. I did not do laundry. I did take a nap, however. Unfortunately because I did that, I had a hard time sleeping last night. It was one of those nights where you toss and turn and look at the clock every hour or so and not really getting any kind of sleep. I don't really remember sleeping. And to top things off, I had to get up by 5:45 because of the weather. We had to leave early because the roads were still very icy.
On the way to work today we passed two car wrecks, a car off the road, a semi-truck off the road and another one that had overturned and was completely on it's side. I drove about 35 mph. We did make it in time. Unfortunately my windshield wipers were not working very well at all. I had a small hole that I could sort of see through. So this morning during my conference I went to Auto Zone and got new blades. That was an ordeal in itself, but luckily there are nice, smart guys that work there and they took care of replacing them for me.
Now I have just finished lunch and am waiting for my next class to arrive. I need to finish grading papers, but I thought a break would be nice. I did get my 1st period classes grades finished and everyone passed except for one student. This student made a 45 on the easiest semester test in the world. It was a multiple choice test with only TWO choices. It had a small section (5) of matching and a few short answer questions. Half of the short answer questions were simple like.. what is the name of this class and what is one of my favorite past times? (Keep in mind I have rollercoaster pictures posted in my room and the class name is written on both the test and the answer sheet).
Luckily school is out at 2:00 today and tomorrow and Wednesday are shorter days.
Well, I better get started on grading more papers. I am kind of cheating in the fact that I'm not even reading their journal entries. If they wrote anything, I counted it. I'm doing the same thing on their worksheets. I also decided to drop one of their lowest daily grades as well. See... I'm not the meanest teacher in the world.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Almost the end
Well, I can see the end in sight at least. Yes, unlike other schools in the area, I still have three days of work next week. But I made through the two choir rehearsals, RCIA class, Christmas party, instrument rehearsal, and a partridge in a pear tree. So tonight I am thinking about cleaning my house, but am instead blogging, chatting online and having a rum and coke. Oh, come on... I do deserve a break today.
Tomorrow I have church and then perhaps some shopping. I really need to get my Christmas shopping done. Marty's sister-in-law is coming over tomorrow.
Speaking of Marty, I had a dream about him last night. I can't remember much in the way of specifics, but it involved a lot of holding hands and something about him driving a jeep. I do remember some feelings about being with him... like it was such a nice thing to be with him, but at the same time I was worried that it didn't really mean anything and it was just a temporary thing. I haven't dreamed about him in a long time, but I think it's because I talked to him earlier this week and have found myself in conversation with others about him. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss him, but I still know how things are.
I finally got my semester test finished and am ready to give it to my students that are not exempt from it.. which is the majority of my students in my classes. I still have a million papers to grade. No exagerration. Note to self: Do not give three assignments due the week before school is out.
I still have a lot of things I want to do and need to do. I need to get my house clean... again. And get laundry done... again. I want to finish my new Sue Grafton book. I want to sit in front of the t.v. and not have anything pressing to do. I want to sleep in in the mornings and not have any place to go. Maybe soon.
Tomorrow I have church and then perhaps some shopping. I really need to get my Christmas shopping done. Marty's sister-in-law is coming over tomorrow.
Speaking of Marty, I had a dream about him last night. I can't remember much in the way of specifics, but it involved a lot of holding hands and something about him driving a jeep. I do remember some feelings about being with him... like it was such a nice thing to be with him, but at the same time I was worried that it didn't really mean anything and it was just a temporary thing. I haven't dreamed about him in a long time, but I think it's because I talked to him earlier this week and have found myself in conversation with others about him. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss him, but I still know how things are.
I finally got my semester test finished and am ready to give it to my students that are not exempt from it.. which is the majority of my students in my classes. I still have a million papers to grade. No exagerration. Note to self: Do not give three assignments due the week before school is out.
I still have a lot of things I want to do and need to do. I need to get my house clean... again. And get laundry done... again. I want to finish my new Sue Grafton book. I want to sit in front of the t.v. and not have anything pressing to do. I want to sleep in in the mornings and not have any place to go. Maybe soon.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Too tired
to really blog. I am seriously thinking about going to bed very soon and not doing any school work. I could barely keep my eyes open at RCIA tonight. I am going to pray that if I go ahead and go to bed, I will get up early and go to school early and finish my semester test. (perhaps it is a long shot, but there's always hope)
Will catch up on blogging later.
Will catch up on blogging later.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
There are not enough hours
in the day to get everything done that I need to do. Perhaps one of these days I should really learn the word "no". But it's not like it's anything I don't want to do... well, except grading papers... I don't really want to do that, but have to. So we had a speech tournament this weekend. Last night I stayed up at the school until 8:30 p.m. That is 13 hours at school since I arrived that morning at 7:30 p.m. And even then I didn't get everything done that I needed to do. Today I spent my entire conference and lunch grading papers and printing grade reports. And I'm still not caught up. I still have a semester test to make and a review sheet for my students. Haven't even started other than gathering my old tests to make the semester test. I didn't get home until 5:30 tonight because my ride home stayed late today. So I picked up dinner as there are no clean dishes in my house... unless you count the turkey platter and soup ladel. After eating dinner, I had a whopping 15 minutes before heading to choir rehearsal. So I caught up on reading some blogs when I should have probably graded a few papers. So sue me. Then I headed to choir rehearsal and I am really excited about it because I think I'm really improving. I can even sing harmony parts now and that is just way cool. Our practice went from 7:00 until 9:00 and then I met with the choir director afterwards to go over plans for the instrumental music. Of course I have volunteered to take care of transposing the music for various instruments and have it all ready by Saturday. But actually I have passed the buck on to Josh. He has some software that will allow him to do just that. So tonight I didn't get home until after 1o and then realized I had to have stuff to make stromboli for RCIA tomorrow and for the party I'm going to on Thursday. (Are you drooling Bret?)
So after I get home, I head out again at 10:15 and go to Walmart to get the things I need and don't return until almost 11:00. After feeding the animals and changing into my p.j.'s, I have now sat down to write of my adventures. But wait! It doesn't stop there!
Tomorrow is RCIA so I will get home hopefully by 5:00 and will make stromboli, then go to class from 6:30 until 8:00. Then perhaps I can do something school related. I am really hoping I'll get my semester test done by tomorrow afternoon if I work through my conference and lunch again. Well, anyways... on Thursday I have a speech teacher Christmas party to go to. Once again, I am taking stromboli. It's just one of those things that I know I can make well and people really enjoy it. Then on Friday, I will have most of the morning to work in my classroom as the other classes will be attending the musical. Hopefully by then I can get all my school things ready. I especially need to have stuff printed for the first of next semester since I'll be getting all new classes.
Oh the fun continues this weekend. Saturday morning is choir rehearsal from 10-12. Then we'll have an instrumental rehearsal from 2-4. Perhaps sometime in there I can go Christmas shopping or clean my house. Sunday is Church again. And then although other schools in the area will be out of school this Friday, I have to go for three days next week. We don't get out until the 21st.
So that is my life at the moment. I'm not sure how I am managing, but I am. I realize I can only do so much in a day so whatever gets done, gets done. Yes, I am quite busy, but it is good to be this way. Who has time to worry about things when there's so much going on. But I really do need a break. And soon.
So after I get home, I head out again at 10:15 and go to Walmart to get the things I need and don't return until almost 11:00. After feeding the animals and changing into my p.j.'s, I have now sat down to write of my adventures. But wait! It doesn't stop there!
Tomorrow is RCIA so I will get home hopefully by 5:00 and will make stromboli, then go to class from 6:30 until 8:00. Then perhaps I can do something school related. I am really hoping I'll get my semester test done by tomorrow afternoon if I work through my conference and lunch again. Well, anyways... on Thursday I have a speech teacher Christmas party to go to. Once again, I am taking stromboli. It's just one of those things that I know I can make well and people really enjoy it. Then on Friday, I will have most of the morning to work in my classroom as the other classes will be attending the musical. Hopefully by then I can get all my school things ready. I especially need to have stuff printed for the first of next semester since I'll be getting all new classes.
Oh the fun continues this weekend. Saturday morning is choir rehearsal from 10-12. Then we'll have an instrumental rehearsal from 2-4. Perhaps sometime in there I can go Christmas shopping or clean my house. Sunday is Church again. And then although other schools in the area will be out of school this Friday, I have to go for three days next week. We don't get out until the 21st.
So that is my life at the moment. I'm not sure how I am managing, but I am. I realize I can only do so much in a day so whatever gets done, gets done. Yes, I am quite busy, but it is good to be this way. Who has time to worry about things when there's so much going on. But I really do need a break. And soon.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Another busy weekend
Well it's already Sunday night and I haven't accomplished much this weekend. Today we had our Rite of Acceptance at the Church and that was a wonderful experience. Luckily it was at the 11:15 mass because I didn't get home until about 1:45 a.m. this morning.
I took some students to a speech tournament in Lubbock this weekend. It was an overnight trip. We had a good time and the kids did very well for so few students going. I took three down on Friday and then a parent brought three others on Saturday. I think we had a good bonding experience. I know they appreciated me coming out and talking to them at the tournament and I also took them to get food when we had a break. I was also told by another speech coach there that although the other teacher (that I am soon to be replacing) is a great lady, she tends to be a bit harsh and bitchy and that I am much more pleasant to be around. That was nice to hear... well... the fact that I'm pleasant to be around.
There was also an awkward moment where two other teachers were trying to set me up with someone. There's a guy that wrote a computer software program that basically runs a speech tournament and he goes to several tournaments to help run it. The other coaches were giving him a hard time because this other coach (who wasn't at the tournament) had a crush on him for a long time is now getting married to someone else. He never reciprocated the feelings as I guess she wasn't his type... which I can see why... not to be harsh, but they just seem to be opposites. Well... anyway, they were going on about him and how they needed to set him up with someone. I knew it was coming... all of a sudden they asked if I was married. I said. "No, I am not." And that's when they started going on about setting us up. I really didn't know how to react to that... it was kind of uncomfortable. I basically said that I've done the long distance thing before and wasn't interested in that. (The guy lives near Dallas) I didn't know what else to say. Luckily, he wasn't around when they were going on about all of this. He seems like a nice guy, but I really don't know him. And I still am not interested in the long-distance thing. Though Dallas is a much easier thing to deal with than Connecticut, it's still hard to imagine dating someone that didn't live around here. But I think despite my objection... they're going to be some busy little bees.
Today after church Josh and I went Christmas shopping. And now I'm exhausted. I want to go to bed right now and I'll probably be in bed by 9:00 tonight. I'm fairly certain that I'm not going to get any school work done and I think I'm just going to plan to stay up at school tomorrow and catch up on everything.
So that's my weekend. Have I mentioned before how ready I am for Christmas break?
I took some students to a speech tournament in Lubbock this weekend. It was an overnight trip. We had a good time and the kids did very well for so few students going. I took three down on Friday and then a parent brought three others on Saturday. I think we had a good bonding experience. I know they appreciated me coming out and talking to them at the tournament and I also took them to get food when we had a break. I was also told by another speech coach there that although the other teacher (that I am soon to be replacing) is a great lady, she tends to be a bit harsh and bitchy and that I am much more pleasant to be around. That was nice to hear... well... the fact that I'm pleasant to be around.
There was also an awkward moment where two other teachers were trying to set me up with someone. There's a guy that wrote a computer software program that basically runs a speech tournament and he goes to several tournaments to help run it. The other coaches were giving him a hard time because this other coach (who wasn't at the tournament) had a crush on him for a long time is now getting married to someone else. He never reciprocated the feelings as I guess she wasn't his type... which I can see why... not to be harsh, but they just seem to be opposites. Well... anyway, they were going on about him and how they needed to set him up with someone. I knew it was coming... all of a sudden they asked if I was married. I said. "No, I am not." And that's when they started going on about setting us up. I really didn't know how to react to that... it was kind of uncomfortable. I basically said that I've done the long distance thing before and wasn't interested in that. (The guy lives near Dallas) I didn't know what else to say. Luckily, he wasn't around when they were going on about all of this. He seems like a nice guy, but I really don't know him. And I still am not interested in the long-distance thing. Though Dallas is a much easier thing to deal with than Connecticut, it's still hard to imagine dating someone that didn't live around here. But I think despite my objection... they're going to be some busy little bees.
Today after church Josh and I went Christmas shopping. And now I'm exhausted. I want to go to bed right now and I'll probably be in bed by 9:00 tonight. I'm fairly certain that I'm not going to get any school work done and I think I'm just going to plan to stay up at school tomorrow and catch up on everything.
So that's my weekend. Have I mentioned before how ready I am for Christmas break?
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Yippppeeeeee!
Josh's SSI came through. I think I posted in one of my blogs recently that somehow things always just seem to work out especially around Christmas time. And it's true! And it was a complete surprise... you know how things work out that way... when you're least expecting it. I went to the bank today to cash the check I had in order to give my students meal money on their trip tomorrow and when the teller handed me the slip that showed my bank balance I was shocked to see that there was an extra bit of money in there. She checked and said it was the SSI and that it had actually been deposited on Monday. I've been so busy that I haven't had the time to call about it or check my bank statements.
So I'm thinking that when I stop thinking about dating and men and love and relationships that is when prince charming will fall into my lap, right?
So I'm thinking that when I stop thinking about dating and men and love and relationships that is when prince charming will fall into my lap, right?
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Too Much
to do and so little time. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now, but just doing the best I can. Didn't get anything accomplished this weekend as I had a speech tournament on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday I was so tired I couldn't go to 8:30 mass so I slept in and went to adult formation class at 10:00 and then mass at 11:15. Then after that, I had to go to the grocery store and make the turkey I bought on sale last week. I got my kitchen cleaned and the living room picked up in expectation of having guests for dinner, but nobody was available. So Josh and I had our turkey meal ourself. Now I have plenty of leftovers.
I very seriously considered playing hooky from school on Monday. I just wanted a day to get caught up on things. But I made myself go, which was probably a good thing.
Tonight I stayed after school since I didn't have my carpool buddy today and got some papers graded. I was there until 6:00. Now I've just finished supper and am wondering how I'm going to get my tree put up and lesson plans done by tomorrow and laundry that Josh just asked me to do. So why am I sitting here blogging? I guess because I'd rather be doing this than the other things. I have no other time to put my tree up other than tonight. Tomorrow is RCIA. Thursday is Josh's band concert and possibly choir practice. I'll be gone all day Friday through Saturday night late. I'm taking students to a speech tournament in Lubbock this weekend. Then Sunday is church again.
I still need to check on Josh's SSI, but I keep forgetting to take my contact information with me to school and since they close by 4:00, I can only call while I am at school.
Well, I better get off my duff and get started on all of this.
I very seriously considered playing hooky from school on Monday. I just wanted a day to get caught up on things. But I made myself go, which was probably a good thing.
Tonight I stayed after school since I didn't have my carpool buddy today and got some papers graded. I was there until 6:00. Now I've just finished supper and am wondering how I'm going to get my tree put up and lesson plans done by tomorrow and laundry that Josh just asked me to do. So why am I sitting here blogging? I guess because I'd rather be doing this than the other things. I have no other time to put my tree up other than tonight. Tomorrow is RCIA. Thursday is Josh's band concert and possibly choir practice. I'll be gone all day Friday through Saturday night late. I'm taking students to a speech tournament in Lubbock this weekend. Then Sunday is church again.
I still need to check on Josh's SSI, but I keep forgetting to take my contact information with me to school and since they close by 4:00, I can only call while I am at school.
Well, I better get off my duff and get started on all of this.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Impressed
I know that some people might say that I'm not easily impressed. To some extent that may be true, but many times it's that I keep that information to myself. But I have to brag on my speech team tonight. I am inheriting a really terrific group of kids. For those of you that aren't familar with the background, here's a quick recap.
I went back to teaching this year after working in the yearbook industry for six years. I was reluctant to consider going back, but as always, things work out the way they're supposed to and I was offered a job teaching speech and coaching the speech team. Technically I am in a transition period as I am teaming with the current coach who will resign from coaching next year (but will teach another year of just theatre and speech classes before retiring) . So we're trying to make this a smooth transition for the students.
We had a speech tournament this weekend and the kids did very well. Of 21 students that competed in multiple events, 26 entries made it to semi-finals and fourteen made it to finals. Overall, the team took 2nd place sweepstakes and several students are now qualified for TFA state competition.
But that's not why I am impressed. Sure, I am very proud of them and think they are very talented. I am most impressed with the way they behave and their presentation at tournaments. Compared to many teams in the area, our team is quite exceptional. First, they dress extremely well. Our guys look sharp in suits and ties. The girls are professional, yet feminine in their outfits. I can't tell you how many students I've seen at tournaments that dress very poorly. And not having money is really not an excuse in my book. We have some really poor kids and they still look fantastic. Next, they know how to take care of business when it comes to tournaments. They are on time, they get to their rounds and perform when they're supposed to, they stay to watch other competitors, they look out for each other, and are simply well-mannered. They stay dressed up throughout the tournament and don't change into sloppy clothes with funky houseshoes. Sure, it may be comfortable, but the other coach put it well today stating that it tells others that they are losers. It creates an image that they don't care about the fact that they may have not made it to semis or finals and all that matters is comfort. When the awards ceremony occurs, they still look professional when receiving awards and support their teammates. At the ceremony, they don't not make a big show of being obnoxious by screaming and hollering so loud it makes others go deaf. They stand for all first place winners in addition to their own teammates when they win. I was very dissappointed tonight when other schools knew that their teammates had won first and they were screaming so much that the second place person didn't get the recognition they deserved. One guy from another school went on stage to receive his trophy with a bucket on his head. Can you imagine? I know kids want to be silly, but there is a time and place for that... which is not at a speech tournament.
After the tournament, we took the kids to eat at a restaurant and I was sitting back watching this group of 21 students and they were all sitting quietly eating. They didn't get loud. They didn't act childish and throw things, unscrew salt shakers or any of that kind of immature behavior.
As I think about this job that I took, I have to say that I am quite relieved that I made this decision. Sure, I could have probably gotten a job elsewhere, but I honestly couldn't ask for a better group of kids.
Some people might think the school I'm at isn't a great place because it is a fairly low socio-economic community that is probably 80% Hispanic. But honestly, I think that the kids are much better in this school than many others I have worked with in the past ten years. Sure, there's a few problem kids in every school and some stinkers in every class. But even the kids that have some behavior issues are not really that bad. They know when to quit. They don't make excuses, nor do they rely on their parents to "bail them out".
I made the right decision about the school. Now, teaching... and everything that comes with that is fodder for another blog, but I really can't complain too much about the students I deal with.
I went back to teaching this year after working in the yearbook industry for six years. I was reluctant to consider going back, but as always, things work out the way they're supposed to and I was offered a job teaching speech and coaching the speech team. Technically I am in a transition period as I am teaming with the current coach who will resign from coaching next year (but will teach another year of just theatre and speech classes before retiring) . So we're trying to make this a smooth transition for the students.
We had a speech tournament this weekend and the kids did very well. Of 21 students that competed in multiple events, 26 entries made it to semi-finals and fourteen made it to finals. Overall, the team took 2nd place sweepstakes and several students are now qualified for TFA state competition.
But that's not why I am impressed. Sure, I am very proud of them and think they are very talented. I am most impressed with the way they behave and their presentation at tournaments. Compared to many teams in the area, our team is quite exceptional. First, they dress extremely well. Our guys look sharp in suits and ties. The girls are professional, yet feminine in their outfits. I can't tell you how many students I've seen at tournaments that dress very poorly. And not having money is really not an excuse in my book. We have some really poor kids and they still look fantastic. Next, they know how to take care of business when it comes to tournaments. They are on time, they get to their rounds and perform when they're supposed to, they stay to watch other competitors, they look out for each other, and are simply well-mannered. They stay dressed up throughout the tournament and don't change into sloppy clothes with funky houseshoes. Sure, it may be comfortable, but the other coach put it well today stating that it tells others that they are losers. It creates an image that they don't care about the fact that they may have not made it to semis or finals and all that matters is comfort. When the awards ceremony occurs, they still look professional when receiving awards and support their teammates. At the ceremony, they don't not make a big show of being obnoxious by screaming and hollering so loud it makes others go deaf. They stand for all first place winners in addition to their own teammates when they win. I was very dissappointed tonight when other schools knew that their teammates had won first and they were screaming so much that the second place person didn't get the recognition they deserved. One guy from another school went on stage to receive his trophy with a bucket on his head. Can you imagine? I know kids want to be silly, but there is a time and place for that... which is not at a speech tournament.
After the tournament, we took the kids to eat at a restaurant and I was sitting back watching this group of 21 students and they were all sitting quietly eating. They didn't get loud. They didn't act childish and throw things, unscrew salt shakers or any of that kind of immature behavior.
As I think about this job that I took, I have to say that I am quite relieved that I made this decision. Sure, I could have probably gotten a job elsewhere, but I honestly couldn't ask for a better group of kids.
Some people might think the school I'm at isn't a great place because it is a fairly low socio-economic community that is probably 80% Hispanic. But honestly, I think that the kids are much better in this school than many others I have worked with in the past ten years. Sure, there's a few problem kids in every school and some stinkers in every class. But even the kids that have some behavior issues are not really that bad. They know when to quit. They don't make excuses, nor do they rely on their parents to "bail them out".
I made the right decision about the school. Now, teaching... and everything that comes with that is fodder for another blog, but I really can't complain too much about the students I deal with.
Friday, December 02, 2005
How the internet makes my life better
I love the internet. It's amazing how that love has grown in the 10 years I've been online. When I first got online, I used AOL when they charged an arm and a leg per minute and I had to be careful about how much time I spent online. Luckily I met Richard at that time and he showed me the light of other companies that only charged a flat fee for unlimited service. Of course that was all back in the days of dial-up and 14.4 modems. I know a handful of people that still use dial-up (non-DSL) and I have to wonder why.
I loved chat rooms once upon a time, but have since lost interest. I remember being very frustrated using IRC and having a 5 minute lag time and I didn't understand why I could see other people's messages, but nobody was responding to mine.
I still enjoy instant messaging for the most part, but it has lost it's thrill as well. Like the guy that talked to me last night that lost interest when I acted like a teacher... which I am... in telling him that he was too young for me.
But I still love blogging, although I struggle for things to write about these days. I think talking about my lousy love life has had it's day. (Though I don't promise I won't talk about it any more.) And honestly, there just isn't that much excitement going on here... so you'll have to muddle through the boring stuff. Or maybe it's all boring.. I don't know.
The internet does have some other wonderful features. For example, I don't really have to leave home any more to do anything. Today I renewed both my driver's license and vehicle registration online. No waiting in lines or taking a day off of work. It was quite grand. And let's not forget online bill payment. That has got to be one of the greatest things! I haven't mailed a bill in for about two years now. I just sit down at my computer once a month and figure out how much I'm going to pay each company and do it all online. My bank either does an electronic payment or sends a check. And it comes out of my account immediately. No waiting for checks to clear and I almost always know how much money is my bank account. No stamps. No going to the post office. It's great. We can't forget the shopping either. Last year I bought several of my large Christmas gifts online because A. It's easier B. It was a lot cheaper. C. No tax. D. It's delivered to your door. I could probably do all my shopping online, but I do need to get a little exercise here and there.
You'd think with all this advancement with the internet we'd have so much more time. Well, that might be true if I didn't read my blogs, write them, surf the web, talk to friends, and shop. Oh well. It's still a good thing even though my house still isn't clean.
I loved chat rooms once upon a time, but have since lost interest. I remember being very frustrated using IRC and having a 5 minute lag time and I didn't understand why I could see other people's messages, but nobody was responding to mine.
I still enjoy instant messaging for the most part, but it has lost it's thrill as well. Like the guy that talked to me last night that lost interest when I acted like a teacher... which I am... in telling him that he was too young for me.
But I still love blogging, although I struggle for things to write about these days. I think talking about my lousy love life has had it's day. (Though I don't promise I won't talk about it any more.) And honestly, there just isn't that much excitement going on here... so you'll have to muddle through the boring stuff. Or maybe it's all boring.. I don't know.
The internet does have some other wonderful features. For example, I don't really have to leave home any more to do anything. Today I renewed both my driver's license and vehicle registration online. No waiting in lines or taking a day off of work. It was quite grand. And let's not forget online bill payment. That has got to be one of the greatest things! I haven't mailed a bill in for about two years now. I just sit down at my computer once a month and figure out how much I'm going to pay each company and do it all online. My bank either does an electronic payment or sends a check. And it comes out of my account immediately. No waiting for checks to clear and I almost always know how much money is my bank account. No stamps. No going to the post office. It's great. We can't forget the shopping either. Last year I bought several of my large Christmas gifts online because A. It's easier B. It was a lot cheaper. C. No tax. D. It's delivered to your door. I could probably do all my shopping online, but I do need to get a little exercise here and there.
You'd think with all this advancement with the internet we'd have so much more time. Well, that might be true if I didn't read my blogs, write them, surf the web, talk to friends, and shop. Oh well. It's still a good thing even though my house still isn't clean.
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