tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50737337236937444372024-02-20T06:33:04.205-08:00What does not kill me...The story of one teacher trying to change lives and not lose her sanity or sense of humor in the process. The name says it all what does not kill me ...what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-67329342692830576892010-04-26T21:26:00.001-07:002010-04-26T21:32:35.827-07:00The dreaded STAR has begun.So STAR testing has begun. We try to make it fun and exciting but to be quite honest it is an incredibly boring time of year and the kids all know how awful it is. I am sorry there is just not a way to make 56 math problems fun, I don't care what you try and tell kids.<br />This morning, as my kids were sitting in my HISTORY class, one of my students ask me. What test are we going to take in here. Uh, the history test since this is HISTORY class. I really hope his brain woke up soon after that and began working before the test actually began.<br />Later that day another student asked me do we take a STAR test today in this class too. Uh No this is yearbook. I just hope to god my students used all their brain energy on the test and had none left later in the day because if not we are never even going to get close to that magical number, yeah you know the one.<br /><br />Day one of stupidity done only 9.5 left.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-17739384271823130812010-04-25T23:41:00.001-07:002010-04-25T23:43:30.090-07:00And now for a quote break"Well, I guess you can cut the arts as much as you want, Gene. Sooner or later, these kids aren't going to have anything to read or write about."<br /> -Richard Dreyfuss as Glenn Holland in <span style="font-style: italic;">Mr. Holland's Opus</span>what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-17718839693014548532010-04-25T23:14:00.000-07:002010-04-25T23:38:06.495-07:00Dear STAR testFor those of you that do not know what the STAR/CST test just know this it rules the life of every school, teacher, administrator, district, and level of education in our state. It is also referred to as the dreaded test. You know the one where you have to regurgitate in two hours every damn thing you have learned all year. The one where you as a teacher have been cramming as much multiple choice knowledge into their heads as possible and then falling to sleep praying to the STAR test gods it stay their until the beginning of May. The one where you as an administrator pray, hope, willing sell your soul for a score of over 800. Yup, that's the one. Well the STAR test is upon us so I decided to write the STAR test a little letter telling it what I really believe.<br /><br />Dear STAR test,<br />I am impressed with how much power you wield around theses days. It seems that everywhere I go I hear something about how this all important event needs even more time and attention paid to it. There are catchy slogans made, hell kids even make up songs to sing to help themselves when they face you and all your multiple choice bubble in glory. I do not know how you so slyly and cunningly snuck in and made us all bow down before you. I am impressed that you have convinced entire schools, districts, hell possibly even the state that teaching to the test is not only acceptable but applauded. But STAR test you tell us nothing valuble. I am sure we could bet the odds of my students STAR test score in November and I'd be pretty spot on. The What you do tell me STAR test is the following<br />1. We will have future generations unable to think outside the box<br />2. We will have employees that cannot solve problems unless the answer is listed for them in multiple choice format.<br />3. We will have schools shut down because of their unsatisfactory performance but full of teachers that are amazing, vibrant, and exceptional.<br />4. We will have an ever increasing divide between the "good" and the "bad" schools.<br />5. We will continue to degrade the idea that learning is cool and information is fun because that cool fun information won't be asked on the test<br />6. We will continue to strip our schools of electives and replace them with additional remedial type English and Math classes.<br />7. We will one day wake up and realize non of this works.<br />8. We will realized that the No Child Left Behind left pretty much left ALL children behind.<br />9.We will have geneartions of students that are excellent in filling in multiple choice tests, a skill they rarely if ever use in the real world.<br />10. We will continue to push blame around and foist it onto some other group etc. when really education is EVERYONE'S problem to solve.<br />So STAR test you are a waste of my time and I would really like to get back to the regularly scheduled education and stop having to deal with your interruptions.<br />Because if you don't you just might kill me.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-37048077703385505772010-04-25T22:49:00.000-07:002010-04-25T23:09:10.037-07:00Why the legal field SUCKSThe whole legal profession is terrible. I don't mean the people at all. In fact I can saw that I have the privilege of knowing some very amazing, caring, intelligent, hard working, and driven lawyers, para-legals, judges, and other people who work in the legal profession.<br /><br />The terrible problem with their profession is that it is inherently flawed-yes flawed. They say that they can fix legal problems but really they cannot fix anything. They can mitigate damages or ensure that punishment is adequately distributed. They can help to right wrongs and even give us rights previously withheld from us but fixing, no they are not in the business of fixing problems.<br /><br />See doctors fix problem. When I was 6 I broke my arm. The doctor casted it and it healed. You-hell even I now a days- don't even really know it ever happened because my arm got fixed. There is no lasting effects either mental or physical from my arm.<br />See the legal system can't fix problems because to fix a problem you have to be able to effectively erase that the problem was ever their, and I don't just mean from your physical body I mean from your conscious. I never ever think of my arm that broke not even when I see a slide, what I fell off to break it in the first place. I don't think about because I am fixed there is no lasting scar either physical or mental.<br /><br />When I worked in the DA's office though I could never fix the victims. See the law even though it served justice never took away that scared feeling every time a robbery victim had walking down that street, or going to the ATM, or pulling into a dimly lit parking lot thinking is this going to be like the time I got robbed. <br />Like when I worked for a civil defense firm I could never give those people their houses back. Even though they could get lots of money to compensate for all the stuff they lost due to mold I could not give them their favorite stuffed animal back, or their couch. Every time they sat on the new couch they remembered this is not the couch we really wanted that one was destroyed.<br />When contracts break and you get money or even what was promised to you back it will always be somewhat bitter sweet because along with it comes the memories of how you got it.<br />No matter what the legal profession says they cannot put humpty dumpty back together again, all they can do is sue for negligence or wrongful placement of the wall.<br /><br />I think people need to remember that when they are both wronging someone and when they are getting wronged. By no stretch of the imagination am I saying don't use the judicial system. If we did not then our society would run wild but also do not expect to be fixed. Lawyers cannot take away the problem they can just get your compensated. You can win all the money in the world but I think 9 times out of 10 people would just like to be treated better in the first place.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-24251291257793503242010-04-25T22:42:00.000-07:002010-04-25T22:49:16.935-07:00Like a phoenix rising from the AshSo 7 months to the day and I return. I wish there was some better reason for my once a decade update but nope just the same old reason teaching. How sad that I created a blog to write down all the ideas that come into my life about teaching but teaching sucks up all that time and ideas and viola none left for writing about it. This yer has been like some sort of whirling dirvish. I can't even remember what happened but I know I did about 8 million things. Most of them had to do with Student Council which hasn't been so bad except for the trips all over the planet looking for one million different random items, NONE of which can be sold at a store with any other item. I think I will become wiser next year and just order everything on line. Yes you have to pay for shipping but I think it is well worth it and there are none of the 5 mile Costco lines to stand in.<br />Well that's about it. Just wanted to let people know I am here and hopefully will blog more. My friend started on and writes daily, don't know how she does it but I feel that is she can than I really have no excuses so I will try... that means little on this blog.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-81348076980152439492009-08-25T21:37:00.000-07:002009-08-25T21:49:34.442-07:00makes me think crookedI am quite possibly the world's worst blogger. Why would you ask. just look at my posts the last one was APRIL. good thing I am not making money off this or I'd be broke. I really do like to blog and funny things happen all the damn time when you spend your life cooped up with the adolescent type but you are so busy trying to teach said adolescents to<br />1. Not be disgusting<br />2. learn NO one wants to hear about their bathroom humor<br />3. BE ORGANIZED<br />4. Not start rumors and then watch as people pummel each other because of your LIES<br />5. generally KNOCK it off<br />it really leaves little time for blogging<br />I know that you love it Nicole and maybe I should just conduct all communication to you vie the blog since you are the LONE person to read it but.... I digress.<br />There was an actual point to this entry besides excuses and whining but now I forget because I semi taught (student Council retreat) one day and am so exhausted I can't even think straight. By the way can you really think crooked, see it has been one HELL of a long day.<br />So person or who knows maybe I am selling myself short and there are 2 of you. I promise to blog here about things that are so funny, amazing, or infuriating that i CANNOT keep them to myself, that is if I can remember them long enough to write them down, and them find the note in order ot blog about it.<br />Oh yeah that and I knwo I am gonna go to hell for this because she was murdered and all adn truly i feel bad for her but doesn't this chick look like A mdam Tuseau wax model of Alien Barbie<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0fJRrVLVZRRMwZIzS6FKML7Z9ArLxkpZ0iahmc7-oheA0dlRg7wEkm2FOajrAYpBJvSwsPnDL3dirow7UPNQbfRkHfasX1xo0XjSZMsnohKX7bsXWUYWp0HUO2G1O0xn9xZS0wFH430/s1600-h/jasmine-fiore-playboy-model-rip-photos-and-videos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0fJRrVLVZRRMwZIzS6FKML7Z9ArLxkpZ0iahmc7-oheA0dlRg7wEkm2FOajrAYpBJvSwsPnDL3dirow7UPNQbfRkHfasX1xo0XjSZMsnohKX7bsXWUYWp0HUO2G1O0xn9xZS0wFH430/s320/jasmine-fiore-playboy-model-rip-photos-and-videos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374129888162176146" border="0" /></a>what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-81281695375280290652009-04-14T08:43:00.000-07:002009-04-14T08:56:56.922-07:00What the HellNow that it is Spring Break I can get back to my alter life of being a very famous and intensely read blogger. Since I can fill my days that were consumed with teaching with more educational endeavors this week such as reading Life and Style I really have been learning alot. I, being the good Samaritan I am decided that I would share the best tidbit of the magazine with you my loyal reader.<br />No, I am not going to talk about octo-mom and how she is "just a misunderstood mother- a woman who wants to create opportunities of love."<br />Nor am I going to talk about Sex and the City 2 and how according to an insider the plot line is Big cheats on Carrie. Also the subheading of the movie will be called "And the horse is beaten to death yet again."<br />No! I will be sharing with you the most amazing fashion design of 2009, possibly of the 21st century. It boggles the mind that this was not created before. I now present to you the greates invention I have never seen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjKnxAQwmSfy7HhaPyOwKazDj6-ZfcM9efcqvNLA8ft0z56ds_RYPSk8DLSlLwSEn14oEFEDE6yM2dRpGYixfNJFlyli9Nse-DrjHpRf-3lIK0qcMx5Dxl4G17pHeXoJB8Use-881Soo/s1600-h/wedgie_jeans1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjKnxAQwmSfy7HhaPyOwKazDj6-ZfcM9efcqvNLA8ft0z56ds_RYPSk8DLSlLwSEn14oEFEDE6yM2dRpGYixfNJFlyli9Nse-DrjHpRf-3lIK0qcMx5Dxl4G17pHeXoJB8Use-881Soo/s200/wedgie_jeans1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324575832646716162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vQQi3pbNkc8GFdQKStPLGk8V_cjQCCX2U0F4iKp2VCQ-AjcY38ooj8-D0HXFVY7Az0GzjjyIvdCU8lcSIMjAV8XiTSTWnM_IbL4BZV7Qpk8yLZKQtVs0n3LvZMq1Rm1Te9vjO_k6k4A/s1600-h/wedgie_jeans2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vQQi3pbNkc8GFdQKStPLGk8V_cjQCCX2U0F4iKp2VCQ-AjcY38ooj8-D0HXFVY7Az0GzjjyIvdCU8lcSIMjAV8XiTSTWnM_IbL4BZV7Qpk8yLZKQtVs0n3LvZMq1Rm1Te9vjO_k6k4A/s200/wedgie_jeans2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324575982340595170" border="0" /></a>I have yet to find out where to purchase them, they are made in Japan so I fear they have not made their U.S. debut yet but I will continue to research and keep you updated. I hope that you have enjoyed this amazing fashion find as much as I have. I guess that Life and Style really does have educational value.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-68992087394058928342008-12-06T12:36:00.001-08:002008-12-06T12:50:00.549-08:00One of Those DaysYesterday was one of those days; one of those really poignant days. A day where you hope those hearing are listening and will take that message and begin doing. A day where if the ideas turn into actions it could be one of those days you talk about for the rest of your life. Am I being cryptic enough, let em explain.<br />Yesterday a good friend my mine who is involved in politics can and spoke to my class. He talked about his life, how to run for office, how he lost and even how he is totally okay with that. (he was a 3rd party candidate I believe him) Whole that was good and all the focus of his talk was to have my students see concerns in their school, town, community etc. and to do something about them. They had a very easy time pointing out all the things they hated. "Uniforms are lame!" "Binders are stupid." and my personal favorite "The cafeteria food like like my dog barfed on a plate and then peed on it." Jr. High students can be very descriptive when the mood strikes. But, when asked by my guest speaker how to take their concerns and turn them into arguments they were lost. He did though teach them alot about how to do just that. How whining and strikes don't always work but goor arguments with thoughtful composition and intelligent rationale will get you somewhere. <br />When student asked him about sit in and all the protests Martin Luther King Jr. did he had a very astute observation. He said," Yes, he did do that and all those things brought awareness to the problem but was that the solution. No! Martin Luther King is best remembered for his <span style="font-style: italic;">I have a Deam</span> speach, an opportunity to clearly tell his arguement and what he wanted to see done differently." Now this sparked some interest in kids and I think they saw the light bulb go off. Activism without words does nothing.<br /> So why then an I rambling about some speaker. How does this connect with one of those days. See that is my goal in teahign history. That in just one of my students they see they to are a Thomas Jefferson or Susan B. Anthony or Martin Luther King Jr. and they stopp bitching and whining and decide to do something. Maybe this guest speaker will help to light that spark under my stuents and they will decide to start do someting. I know a hard feat, especially when apathy is the top emotion in the life of a teenager but it has been done before and I hope with this new found understanding my students will do it again.<br />Here's to hoping that yesterday was not just another day but one of those days...what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-77828496410098939432008-10-11T13:25:00.001-07:002008-10-11T13:48:33.159-07:00SO it was one LONG damn hiatusThis idea of weekly blog writing is really great and I blame not updating mine more on my friend Charlie. See we made a pact of writing once a week and he hasn't held up his end of the bargain so neither have I. Wow, my students' logic is rubbing off on me more than I thought. Yes, another school year has started and once again I have stretched myself in way too many places and at times have felt a bit thin to be quite honest. (if only that thinness was reflect in my pants size instead of just my spirit) I have so truly great kids this year. Of course I also have some lazy bums but I have decided to put my focus and energy on those who work hard, are nice, support each other and remind me why I choose to leave a promising legal career to be here. I have decided that every time I write and if Charley steps it up it will be every week I am going to focus on the positive and tell you something good/funny that is happening and leave the assholes where they should be; in the corners not taking my precious time.<br /> There is this one young man that I am so impressed with. School is hard for him. He can hardly read anything let alone an 8th grade textbook or understand the politics section of the newspaper I require them to read each and every Tuesday. He cant' spell most words, barley knows his math facts. Really people I could go on and on here but guess what unless most of his peers he wants to learn and somehow someway and fir has been lit inside him. He knows he has a hard time so he comes to me twice a week to get help. As soon as the bell rings for school to end there he is at my door ready to learn. He stays until he gets it and is always patient and never gives up. He has such a desire to be successful and will do anything I ask in order to pass my class and learn those MUCH needed basic skills. I asked him what he does after school the other three days and he says he works with his mom at her cleaning business so they can make some extra money. What a truly remarkable young man.<br /> To top it all off last year he got shot in the face. It was a freak drive-by wrong place wrong time knind of situation. He needs more surgeries to finish up the work and get him new teeth (the bullet blew through a bunch of them) but can't until they make enough money to pay for it. I am just constantly amazed by this young man. Where others in my class are giving up with much less adversity here he is working that much harder. When I asked him why he has choosen to work hard be said it's to make him mom proud. She never went to school because she had to work in the fields in Mexico as a child and he doesn't want to disappoint her and make her hard work not mean something. Now that is one awesomem kid. I just hope he learns to read, write, and do math because if he can get those skills he will be so successful. It makes me mad because all those cocky smart kids where things come so easy to them will get the scholarships to college, the good jobs, the big houses and here is this kid who has all those amazing skills you can never teach someone. Skills like hard work, patience, kindness, never giving up, respecting others.<br />So to all five of you who read this if you get a chance give the person who may not have the perfect resume, credentials, etc a chance because in the end they may be so much better because they want it that much more and will work that much harder to keep it.<br />And as to my student (even though he won't/can't read this) you will get those skills as long as you never give up and I will support you every step of the way to get you to your final goal.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-41823522107934887462008-08-25T21:57:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:18:06.525-07:00And We're BackNow that the Olympics have been put to bed for another four years I can resume my life and once again return to the things I have to go do; i.e. teach, work, clean the house, shop, the regular stuff. Before I close the Olympiad book for good I would like to say a few things good and bad about the 8 greatest days Beijing has ever seen, aside from Mao you know.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE GOOD </span><br /> Michael Phelps was beyond good, beyond great, it was like God made him for one purpose and one purpose only; to kick every one's ASS!!!!! like it had never been kicked before. Gymnastics was pretty damn awesome as well. Sure the Chinese have small preschool aged children competing but I think that only makes it more amazing. I could barley so a somersault at the age of 5 and these girls WOW! that's talent. Diving. I still don't know how they can jump from 3o feet in the air twist like that and not just eat shit when they enter the water Those athletes are remarkable and the sport VERY scary.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE BAD</span><br /> The US 4x100 relay team. Sure watching from your couch really makes you the backseat sprinter but come on people. Passing the baton, wasn't that a skill covered in 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> grade gym class. If they fuck up something I can do they are NOT Olympic caliber athletes; I might even call their entire athleticism into question. Additionally, I know that watching Michael Phelps win gold medal number 3,000,000 live is much better that tape delay but when that live coverage is at 2:15 am I start to seriously question how much better it can be. I really do think the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IOC</span> owes me about 27 hours of lost sleep during the month of August.<br /> So over all great. I just love the Olympics. The wins by 1/1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">gazillionth</span> of a second. Those touching special interest pieces where you cry for that kid who had to sell his kidney just to keep training with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Karolyi</span> gymnastic elite. Even the insane amount of food Michael Phelps eats a day was rather interesting, sick and gross but interesting none the less. My hat is off to you Beijing and 29<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> Olympiad. With 1.5 billion though you know China was gonna outshine every other Olympics ever, was there even an option. It was there one opportunity to show that having more people in one country than you think humanly possible can actually be an asset; that and if they ever decide to try for world domination.<br /><br />School starts in a mere 10 hours so off to be I am and will re cap day 1 of a new year tomorrow.<br />Same bat time same bat channelwhat does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-84258589329588762282008-08-13T22:18:00.000-07:002008-08-13T22:30:47.134-07:00HIATUSDue to the once every four year amazement of the Olympics I am taking a hiatus until they are over. I am sorry but I cannot spend every single free moment watching said Olympics and trying to blog. The blog will be here after August 26<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> the Olympics my friends sadly will not.<br />In case you want to know what I am watching every free second of my days go to <a href="http://www.nbcolympics.com/">www.nbcolympics.com</a><br />Don't worry sports fans I will return soon but in the mean time I ask you this: Is this girl 16 like her "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">passport</span>" says or 11 like her face says?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQy88j6zeKz_72a_VQaecTOYta6cLmOgJtVI0gMVgVvoubHBEeAC160hNJVjBdbggFpR9Gfvl4H4lJhUX0mzL-M2LFUxWJlNgmyc7UtAFosS2DFyMYCeqadYhyphenhyphenpimZZVwzMxr2ZH9K2o/s1600-h/Img214205309.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQy88j6zeKz_72a_VQaecTOYta6cLmOgJtVI0gMVgVvoubHBEeAC160hNJVjBdbggFpR9Gfvl4H4lJhUX0mzL-M2LFUxWJlNgmyc7UtAFosS2DFyMYCeqadYhyphenhyphenpimZZVwzMxr2ZH9K2o/s200/Img214205309.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234241249379663058" border="0" /></a><br />I let you be the judge.Hopefully <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">whe</span>n I return I will have answers but Communist China is rather <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sneaky</span>.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-25478555423244482732008-08-07T15:57:00.000-07:002008-08-07T16:25:44.312-07:00I have a dirty little secret to shareI consider myself an intelligent person. I have a college degree, am well read and like to engage in intelligent activities. I even teach history which definitely means I know ALOT about that subject. But there is a secret. Remember that episode of Sex and the City (all hail SJP) in which Carrie discusses secret single behaviors. These are things that women do that they would never do in front of their boyfriend/husband. Things that are guilty pleasures in whihc the woman loves but knows that if this gets out she will be ridiculed by siad man. If you reclall her's was wating sandwiches of white saltines and and grape jelly standing up in her kitchen reading fashion magazines, particuarly Vogue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/resources/2007/05/Carrie-Bradshaw.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/resources/2007/05/Carrie-Bradshaw.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Much in the fashion of other single women I too have those SSB's and I fear that I, like Carrie Bradshaw, need to come clean with my SSB. I am obsessed with <a href="http://www.oxygen.com/tvshows/ToriandDean/">Tori and Dean: Homem Sweet Hollywood. </a>I cannot get enough of that show. I DVR it so I can watch it when my husband is gone. I read the blog, go on the website and generally obsess over it. Last night with the episode of the birth of thier daughter Stella I was crying, especially over the lame song they sang at the end. Really people this is sad stuff but I love it. I cannot get enough of this show and get VERY upset if I cannot engage in this Secret Single Behavior. I have not yet become one of this crazy people that sends baby gifts go celebrity strangers but it could happen one day. I am even secretly checked out the boot Tori Spelling wrote STori Telling and can't wait to secretly read it!.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hgvsF4CeL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hgvsF4CeL.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />So there you have it folks there is my SSB my all comsuming love for the Spelling/McDermot clan. Feel free to share with me your SSB's unless it is Tuesday at 10 then Tori and Dean will be on and I will be engaging in my own SSB and hate to be bothered.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgWA9KrYAMDu_wX2A4uSUq9yLfqk_vnBeOI4OEqRxDaEku2VbBeEPCaMa57LOWaZ-JXcx1E0AiFFuW9oOsZnuaPZUyA4WjLIKEL0QPDwwYgTEPOTLg85GAhOR5iaknLrloQMLT_BtKnQ/s1600-h/tori-spelling-has-a-girl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgWA9KrYAMDu_wX2A4uSUq9yLfqk_vnBeOI4OEqRxDaEku2VbBeEPCaMa57LOWaZ-JXcx1E0AiFFuW9oOsZnuaPZUyA4WjLIKEL0QPDwwYgTEPOTLg85GAhOR5iaknLrloQMLT_BtKnQ/s320/tori-spelling-has-a-girl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231920462750044162" border="0" /></a>what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-86363904164582971112008-08-04T20:44:00.000-07:002008-08-04T21:03:58.969-07:00I heard the pool calling to me all day.Well folks one of the worst days of the years has happened. That day I have dreaded for weeks now. One that I did not want to think about or even admit was quickly approaching. Yes it is that day, the day I had to go back to work. Luckily though it was not teaching per say but rather this pretty cool U.S. History institute I was chosen to be a part of. While I feel that these next two weeks will actually be useful and I will (gasp) get to take material back to my classroom that I can (double gasp) ACTUALLY USE!!!! in general the end of summer SUCKS rocks. The people cool, the grant director cool, the lecturers even cool but couldn't we be doing this work by the pool or even on the grass. Anywhere please besides inside some dull classroom with the AC on full blast, artificial light and windows that DO NOT open. It took all my strength to not leave at lunch and spend my afternoon by the pool.<br /><br />In a very <a href="http://hatersareus.blogspot.com">haters are us</a> type of sentiment I have to hate one some people for a moment or twenty. I HATE, HATE, HATE, when people raise their hand to ask lecturers a question when really all they want to do is espouse their stupid rhetoric and show off to everyone else how learned they are. I especially hate it when their <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">perceived</span> GENIUS comment has really nothing at all to do with the lecture and they are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">invariably</span> wrong. In case you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">couldn't</span> tell by my ranting this happened to me today. In my institute I am attending every morning o<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">f the</span> the University professors lectures to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">group</span> about a topic in US history. They are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">usually</span> experts in their topic, very engaging and you learn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">a lot</span>. There is always a Q and A session and most people ask good questions where they want clarification, to get more info or whatever. This morning though 2 people asked a "question" and then rambled on for, I kid you not, 10 minutes about nothing. Ans what was especially horrible was that their nothing was a wrong nothing and the professor kept having to correct their inaccurate information.<br />Personally there is NOTHING more I hate than stupid people trying to pretend that they are smart and in doing so expose their severe ineptitude and pompousness at at once. First off if you want to espouse your bullshit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">craptastic</span> rhetoric then become a god damned college professor. Second, and more importantly I might add, if you are going to ramble on for 15 minutes and waste all our time then at least be right about the information you are boring us to death with.<br />All in all an okay day but laying at the pool would have been better, especially since there would be no stupid people cramming their inaccurate bullshit down my ever annoyed throat!what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-85356294339666057022008-08-01T15:48:00.000-07:002008-08-01T16:04:31.929-07:00Facebook the 10 year Reunion of the 21st CenturyAs I laid by the pool this afternoon catching up on my tanning and thinking about a whole lot of nothing I realized that I am getting old and that a true sign of that is my 10 year high school reunion will be next year. Ten years! F*ck where has the time gone, have I really become an adult where not so long a go my biggest concern was what friend was coming over to hang out.<br />Over the years my friends and I have debated going to our ten year reunion. There are a group of about 5 of us that have stayed super close since high school and everyone else has seemed to fade.<br />People that, at the time I enjoyed talking to, drinking with, and trying to go on a date with but does that mean I really want to see them now. And furthermore do I want to actually have to talk with them and listen to their endless dribble about a life I know nothing of and frankly don't care about.<br />I want to go for the reasons why everyone else wants to go. I want to snoop. I want the gossip. I want all the goods without all the chit-chat See who has improved since high school and who hasn't, who has become a loser and who, against all odds made it big.<br /> As I was thinking about these things I realized I have already attended my high school reunion and even better I didn't have talk to any of them to find out the gossip I wanted. All I had to do was look them up on facebook, ask to be their friend, wait for them to say yes (everyone says yes) and viola instant reuion. Facbook gives you all the information that you want at a reuion. Pictures of them as the ten years have either given them money to get plastic surgery or shown that yes metabolism slows and they have have gained weight. It gives you that one vital stastic, single or in a relationship. It tells you some other things you may care about job, interests, and most importantl the wall where you can read all their posts from their real frinds to get the dirt on their lives without ever having to talk to them ONCE!!! Also you can see their friends which is a gold mind for other ex high school buddies you also want to snoop on. Now if you really want to maxamize it get together with the friends from high school you actually see and care about and swap usernames and passwords so you can see exponentialy more old acquaintences without bweing one of those freaky people with like 1,000 friends.<br />Thak you Facebook. With you I can go to my high school reunion in my jamies and unwashed hair, learn the gossip on everyone withoth ever having to open my mouth and the best part call my real high school friends and gossip in person to them about the LOSERS our high school acquaintences became.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-82386498972488909452008-07-31T16:26:00.000-07:002008-07-31T16:41:49.911-07:00I miss you my dear San FranciscoThere are many reasons why my husband and I decided to leave San Francisco.<br />First and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">definitely</span> most important reason why we left: the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">absolutely</span> horrible weather. To all of you out there that love the damp dreary summer of non stop fog, drizzle and general misery I don't even try to understand your insane type of outlook on life. To me summer is nothing less that a deep golden bronze, preferably gotten laying on the smooth southern California sand but the pool at our condo will do.<br />Second reason to move the fact that any <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">decent</span> property in that town costs you not only your life savings but that of your whole family and 3-7 neighbors. For our cute and I must say pretty darned spacious condo which is very safe, sunny, and full of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">vegetation</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">suburbia</span> we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">could</span> have bout a studio on the corner of crack addict and rape in the worst part of the city. Instead of the smell of fresh cut grass and flowers we would have had the unmistakable smell of bum filth and urine wafting through our barred windows.<br />Third reason to move: You have to have same insane connection to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">SFUSD</span> to get a job there. I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">am</span> not sure why a job there is harder to get than a CIA <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">operative</span> but it is and since i do not have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">stealth</span> ninja like skills to get a job I had to leave.<br /><br />Why then is my post titled I miss you San Francisco. Obviously so much of San Francisco I do not miss. Even the shopping here is pretty <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">comparable</span> and parking is always available and FREE!!! Weather much better, air cleaner, better schools, parking, etc. I could go on. But as I was laying out at the pool getting my dark golden <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">bronzy</span> tan I was reading San Francisco magazine. No big deal, usually I hate the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">yuppiness</span> of this magazine but this was the restaurant edition. OH MY GOD!!! How I miss the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">incredible</span> food of San <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Francisco</span>. A place where chain restaurants do <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">not</span> exist. A place where you can get literally anything to eat and it is all so good, so authentic and depending of the place so cheap. I can't even put the difference in words because there are non to compare <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">absolutely</span> mind blowing awesome with okay, boring, run of the mill, cookie cutter type dining. I think that this is the only reason why I even think about moving back to that terrible.<br />Well that, and all my awesome friends there.<br /><br />So long restaurant bliss instead of family and close friends we are now only those distant relatives you see once in a while. But when you do the reunion is that much sweeter.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-67967929088002907892008-07-28T15:28:00.000-07:002008-07-28T15:46:57.447-07:00Fellow Snippy condesending writersSo I, in a feeble attempt to regain my writing skills that I have pushed to the VERY back of my consciousness since June 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> I have decided to up the posting. That and I have to redeem my crude, crass, snippy attitude where I make fun of things and generally make <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">witty</span>, if rather <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">desperigating</span> remarks about everything. Top on the list of recent though are my walrus like arms I see in every wedding photo. You are thinking Emily, you look lovely and walruses don't have arms. I says you are just being nice and I know walrus's do not have arms. My arms look like a walrus.<br /><br />Okay enough self-depreciating behavior. What will I write later in life when I get a neck waddle, my boobs are literally touching my kneecaps, and my arms have grown a walrus family.<br /><br />I just want to tell you about this great little website called<br /><a href="http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/">http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/</a><br />I read it and think it is genius. I am sure there are those of you out there that think. Hey this guy is painting us white people in a bad light. But come on it is so damn true. I had those unpaid internships because my middle class parents were willing to shell out money for my rent. Not that I don't totally LOVE my parents. They are amazing and I am So lucky to have them but it's true. If I was a poor kid who's parents were on welfare living on 3rd and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Palou</span> (SF you know this corner) could I have worked for free. HELL no. My parents would have said. Get a job we can't afford to support you as you work for free.<br />Every single post I read I agree with. Being a white person myself does this mean I am one of those terrible people writes about. Or one of those terrible people he writes about but can see that and enjoys being somewhat put down and called out for my "whiteness"<br /><br />#76 Bottled Water<br />That is so true. I the lone white person at times in my classroom can hardly take a step without my cute <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sigg</span> water bottle filled with bottled water I poured into there from other bottles. My Non-white students. Get up and drink from the drinking fountain. I gasp while they gulp happily.<br />I have become sad and oh so privileged without even knowing it.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-41526942673681349742008-07-28T14:49:00.000-07:002008-07-28T18:13:28.648-07:00True Companion***********<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SAPPY NEWLYWED POST ALERT</span></span>********<br /> So as you all know I got married this summer. (If you are reading this blog and do not know me that is sort of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">creepy</span> but whatever.) Also as you all know some really amazing friends of mine also got married this summer. Their wedding was like a fairy tale, complete with a nap in a pretty princess bed, more on that later. But at their wedding a good friend of their played and sang a song called True Companion by Marc Cohen. The song is amazing and on constant repeat both on the stereo and in my head. I think that my husband is starting to think I have a serious case of O.C.D. but it has a hold on me.<br /> As I listened to it for the 1 millionth time I was thinking why do these words speak to me so strongly right now. Is it because I am a sappy newlywed who married her best friend and true companion? And then I thought yes, I guess he is. Believe me he is not the man I envisioned married to as as a 8 year old playing wedding with my neighbor. We were convinced we were going to marry tall dark muscly men with Sean Connery accents, who spent all day writing us love letters, sending us flowers and general "sweeping us off our feet" behaviors.<br /> Is my husband my 8 year old vision? 100 NEGATIVE. He is smaller than me AKA the Ethiopian girl with blue eyes, little hair and always gives me a hard time. He has told me flowers die, thinks accents are for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">frenchy</span> poo fag <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nasties</span> and is more likely to laugh at my feet than sweep me off of them. He reads highly intellectual books like Dante's <span style="font-style: italic;">Inferno</span>, for FUN while I am reading true trash like<span style="font-style: italic;"> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Stori</span> Telling</span>. He is the kind of guy that when worried about something turns in and thinks by himself in his man cave for hours about it. So unlike me who, when has a problem, wants to talk and talk and talk for hours about it and get every single person's opinion I know about the issue. He has dreams like hike the ENTIRE pacific crest trail, make 80 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bajillion</span> dollars, and live for a summer in truly the middle of no where. My dreams are have a 10 foot force field where not a bug, rodent, or other gross animal could touch me, live for a summer in the heart of Manhattan and sleep in freshly cleaned sheets every night of my life. When he lost his cell phone he was like no big deal when I lost mine we had to drive 2 hours to retrieve it.<br /> How then could this man; so utterly unlike me, so 110% opposite be my true companion. I think that is the answer. My true companion is the person who makes me stretch myself in ways and places I wouldn't. My companion is real and honest and always treats me like his equal. Simply put in the end loves me regardless of time, place, or the hours he has to drive to retrieve my cell phone. In the end I made a choice. Sure I could have spent my life looking for my 8 year old fantasy or I could start my life with this amazing and complete opposite right in front of me. As you know I made the right choice. How do I know it is the right choice? Be he filled a space in my heart I didn't even know was missing.<br /><br />And as the title says He didn't kill me so we all know he made me stronger.<br />Okay enough sap. I am sure the surely, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">unruley</span> 14 year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">olds</span> will cure me of the saps soon enough but had to get it out of my system.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-23113871526935258642008-07-28T14:44:00.000-07:002008-07-28T14:49:22.792-07:00What does not kill me revived - maybe this time I won't dieSo I know I have been the world's worst blogger. I don't even think I can call a paltry 4 posts a blog. Real bloggers have that many posts in a day. But whatever, I am not a real blogger I just dabble at times, hopefully more so this year.<br />Therefore I am making a pact with my friend Charlie and the four of you that read my posts that this year will be the year. This year I will blog religiously once a week during the school year every Friday. It will be a wrap up of the craziness that happened. But i decided to post now to get out my rusty writing skills and just start writing again so that way by the time school starts I will have at least written something in the last three months besides grocery lists, and reasons why summer vacation is the world's gift from the Gods. Sorry to all of you of which it is not bestowed upon, you really should try it out sometime.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-55587549793603242142007-09-13T22:08:00.000-07:002008-12-09T08:00:15.210-08:00Our Most American PrincessFirst off T.G.I.F. I cannot wait for Friday. I swear there is sugar in the water my students have been drinking that or they all have totally lost their minds; but enough bitching on to the fun stuff.<br />So every day when the students come in there is a question they have to answer. Typically it is about what they are studying but these first few weeks have been questions about them and the world around them. One of the questions they had to answer this week was<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Who is the most important American in history? Be sure to give at least two reasons why</span><br />One of my students wrote.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The most important American in history is prences (sic) Dianna. She is important cause she is so pretty. She was nice and wear teeara (sic) (that should be Tiara )"</span><br />Apparently this student took the phrase "The People's Princess" to heart and felt that Princess Diana actually was an American, that or this student is totally F*cked.<br />So in appreication of our most important American here is a picture of our princess.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNHwFE2l-8CIRFF5juts0DMdC9q-xAw6FUpUekvHdCHZ3I0lXfsf24BZErax5amsny1k-bgx586ixt30sNdtBpCU7T3RGB6YL5cIaV76cu-UaawxmOroDSmbj-e1Vgjt7-p9ju74upUg/s1600-h/070827_diana_vmed_11a.widec.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHNHwFE2l-8CIRFF5juts0DMdC9q-xAw6FUpUekvHdCHZ3I0lXfsf24BZErax5amsny1k-bgx586ixt30sNdtBpCU7T3RGB6YL5cIaV76cu-UaawxmOroDSmbj-e1Vgjt7-p9ju74upUg/s320/070827_diana_vmed_11a.widec.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109924193543881826" border="0" /></a>what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-75019577437347328902007-09-08T10:27:00.001-07:002007-09-08T10:44:18.890-07:00How can she, she is still a baby.One of my students came up to me yesterday to tell me that she couldn't do all her work from that week because she was busy. I know that busy is a cover for something else so I decided to probe a bit to see what this "busy" really was. When probed she got all quiet and looked white uncomfortable but finally said I have to take care of my baby. At first I thought she meant baby sibling so I said how old is your sibling. She replied with My DAUGHTER is five months old. I looked her and said "your daughter" and she nodded sadly.<br />JESUS Christ she is a baby.<br />How could she possible raise a baby, someone still needs to raise her?<br />How can she care for someone else when she needs so much caring for herself?<br />How can she dry the tears of her child when she is just a child crying herself?<br />How did she and those around her let this happen?<br />How can I teach her history when she needs to learn so many more important lessons?<br />How can I try to convey to her the importance of staying in school when she can hardly stay awake due to middle of the night feedings?<br />How do I help this girl who has a little girl herself?<br />So I told her I will do what I can to help her be successful and that we should check in often. I told her that her daughter needs a mom who can give her what she needs and a mom who does not graduate high school let alone 8th grade cannot do that.<br /><br />What is so crazy about it and what made me take a SHARP breath in was the realization that when her daughter is her age she will be my age. I could be a mom to a 13 year old.<br /> Thank GOD for allowing me to learn how to tak care of myself and my needs before I have to take care of someone else.<br />I am not sure if it is luck or smarts but more likely a combination of both that my life is no my timeline not someone else's like my potential 13 year old child.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-70115818813927943642007-09-06T21:34:00.001-07:002007-09-06T21:41:47.346-07:00When I say Immigration you Say RUN!!!!!!Today we started to work on vocab. Why you ask because if it a word you don't see in a text from your friend they probably don't know it. So one of the words we learned today was immigration.<br />I gave them the word and the definition from the book. They had to re-write the definition in their own words and use it in a sentence. I was walking around the room checking their work when I saw a sentence that caught my eye. One of my students wrote "When immigration came to my house my uncle had to run out the back door." I realized that I was dealing with a very different population with a very different view of immigration. So I stopped to class and said I was talkign about immigration as in movement to a new country. One of my students they asked what is it called if you have papers. I wanted to say a good idea but a refrained and said immigration is immigration papers just make it legal.<br />Well at least they know something already and I learned today that if <span style="font-style: italic;">La Migra</span>, as my students call it, show up run out the back.<br />More fun stories tomorrow. We are playing the history matching game. Cant' wait to see the matches they make.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-5651923824934106862007-09-06T21:27:00.000-07:002007-09-06T21:33:26.879-07:00The 51st state ChicagoThis week has been assessment week at school. I am supposed to find out what they already know about US History (NOTHING) so I know what to cover this year (EVERYTHING). One of the assessment I gave them was a map test. I gave the students a blank US political map and a list of the 50 states in alphabetical order. Now I knew that they would not be able to label very many correctly but their answers really threw me. During the quiz one of my students called me over to his desk<br />"Ms. Naretto" he says (this is a statement not a question), "Chicago is not on the list"<br />"Yes" I say, "You're right Chicago is not on the list<br />"But it should be there right under California."<br />"Why" I ask<br />"Because Ms. Naretto it's a state"<br />I just about lose it now because the realization of how ognorant they are is becoming more and more apparent<br />"No" I say "Chicago is a city not a state"<br />"No Ms. Naretto you're wrong. Chicago is a state, I've been there."<br />Apparently if you have been some where it is a state and I am going .... I am not sure but where ever it is it will be a new state.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-56784061420580916482007-08-30T17:33:00.000-07:002007-08-30T17:40:37.402-07:00I'm melting... meltingI cannot write much because I am literally melting into my chair. School started this week just in time for the heat wave to kick into high gear. And did I mention our air conditioning system that was supposed to be done AUGUST 1st is still not finished and now they say November 1. Perfect just in time to need a sweater we can have air conditioning. Today was walk all over creation day. We had to practice walking our to the fire drill spot as well as the cafeteria, in 2 silent lines. 8th graders that are silent; that is just about impossible. But after time 750 in the 100 degree heat they finally were able to walk in silence and we could all go back to class, drink water and whine about how hot we were (8th graders are professional whiners). That and look at the air conditioning unit sitting in the corner of my room with longing for a walk in freezer or colder days.what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-89170051360603403562007-08-21T17:14:00.001-07:002007-08-21T17:18:25.230-07:00Meetings Meetings MeetingsI just got home from meetings and have but one question. Why can 99.9% of meetings be forgotten and turned into a half page memo instead. I have sat through two LONG days of new teacher meetings and the only thing I got was anxious, something i did not have before the meetings. Plus the weather was awesome and I would have much preferred sitting by the pool. What they said was part of the reasons for these meetings were to build a community. What I say is what builds community better than sunshine, burgers and a ice cold bear. I think we all would have bonded much more over that fresh brewed taste rather than how to correctly read and negotiate the differences between a 504 and IEP plan.<br />Only three more days to go.<br />Can't i just start teaching!what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5073733723693744437.post-55989251187369802602007-08-19T22:07:00.000-07:002007-08-19T22:11:44.042-07:00The craziness begins... againHello all,<br />Yes the time is upon us me to start a new school year and that means a new year blogging. This year I am teaching at a new school in a new town and it is History not Health but I am sure some of the same antics will ensue. I can't wait to write all about my experiences as a teacher and hopefully make others laugh in the process. As I tell my students when they ask me why I am laughing It's better that screaming! Stop by often as I hope to post as lest a few times a week or as often as I need to vent and keep my sanity.<br />Can't wait to start a new year and as always<br />What does not kill me...what does not kill me ...http://www.blogger.com/profile/00065123299876009900noreply@blogger.com0