So I'm a terrible creative writer. Technical writing? High marks. I can analyze the heck out of a Shakespearean sonnet and there is no one better at New Historical Criticism, but creative writing? Yikes. I have never in my life written anything that even approaches being a good story. The best I can muster is parodies or satires, and then only under great duress. Poetry, however, is right up my alley. It's short, to the point, focuses on vocabulary and form, and relies on past experiences to make a point, rather than on inventing a new story line.
I've been thinking for some time that I'd like to write a book of poems based on the women in the scriptures, but told from a modern perspective- from the standpoint of my family and friends. I started on it a few years back and then got side tracked, but I've been feeling really creative lately and I think I may get back to work on it. Here's what I have so far, and remember that these are only rough drafts. I will most likely tinker around with these for a while to come.
RUTH
Green signs and guns- the frontera marks
the end of me and start of you-
¡Bienvenidos a Júarez!
The aguila flies overhead.
Wither thou goest I shall go.
It's all so foriegn- bodies crammed-
the smell of soap, of gas, of meat.
¡Tacos, Menudo, Tortas!
It's clashing sirens and corridos.
Thy people shall be my people.
A lonesome child begs for help
And you give him a piece of cake...
?Un peso que me regalen pa’ comer?
Some change... Your coat... We turn to leave.
Thy god shall be my god.
Notes: The aguila is the bird on the Mexican flag. It's their national symbol.
The "Frontera" is the border between Mexico and the U.S.
Tacos, Menudo and Tortas are all VERY Mexican foods. They are often sold from carts along the roadside especially in Juarez near the border. Corridos are a genre of Mexican music that glorify the life of gangsters and Drug Traffickers.
The sentence here is literally "Will you please give me a peso for food?" Pesos are worth about 10 cents American.
SARAH part I
How could I love this boy,
This firstborn son that should be mine?
This souvenir of regrets-
Who calls me “mom”- who gives me flowers,
each year on Mother’s Day,
who lets me sing him bedtime songs,
and shares with me his dreams,
Despite the fact he knows I’m not
His “real” mamá.
How could I not love him
desperately?
(in case you didn't catch it, this is Sarah's poem for Ishmael)
Coming next will most likely be Esther or Delilah, just because I think it would be fun to delve into those two characters a little more deeply.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Musings
I had a student that was very dear to me pass away in a car accident this summer. Her death took me by surprise and affected me deeply. She was my favorite student I have ever had, quite possibly, although that's a tough call because I am VERY attached to all of my beautiful, wonderful, amazing students. There was something different about her, though, that I've only seen a few times. I can't describe it, but she was golden.
This year her younger brother is in my class.
I wasn't able to attend the funeral because I was on a plane the night she got in the accident flying to London. I didn't get back until 2 weeks after the accident, 1 week after the funeral, the day of the memorial tree-planting ceremony. I never got to meet her family, although I'd met mom once when I nominated my little angel for a price at school.
I didn't know for sure that the kid in my class was her younger brother, so today I asked him, because I was worried about whether or not he was related to the girl due to the fact that so much of 8th grade approved reading has to deal with the death of a loved one, including one book that eerily has a story line that parallels the circumstances surrounding this real-life accident. I did not want to assign him to read that book, if, indeed, it would be a painful subject to him.
I couldn't get through the first sentence. As soon as I said her name he started tearing up, and by the time I got to the "I knew her" part, he was running out of the classroom bawling.
The odd thing, though, is that apparently he never once shed a tear during the funeral services, the ensuing home visits, the memorial service, or at school, despite the fact that many people have approached him and the subject has been breached several times.
Grief comes in many forms, and always at its own pace.
I realized that, today, as I was relating the events of this morning to one of my colleagues who was closely involved in helping out the family during the accident. I realized that my feelings for my little student had never really been expressed, and that I have a tendency to bottle things up when I am truly upset. Telling Claudia about what happened today made me open up to her about the brothers I lost 22 years ago. I rarely, if ever, talk about them, but I think about them nearly every day.
I cried for my student today, and for my brothers, whom I don't think I've ever thought to grieve for.
It made me think of another little girl who is new in my class and in this country who was crying today. She was crying for her country- El Salvador- for the people she's lost in the drug wars, the ones she had to leave behind in moving to the U.S., and for the new people here in this strange country who don't know her because they can't talk to her.
It made me realize how precious and fragile our time here is, and how we are all we really have. It made me realize how much I love teaching and getting to share a little moment of these precious children's lives. They amaze me with their strength, their courage, and their goodness. It made me realize how lucky I feel to be alive.
Leslie gave me a rose after 5th period today. She said she picked it from her house today before leaving and she wanted me to have it. I feel blessed.
This year her younger brother is in my class.
I wasn't able to attend the funeral because I was on a plane the night she got in the accident flying to London. I didn't get back until 2 weeks after the accident, 1 week after the funeral, the day of the memorial tree-planting ceremony. I never got to meet her family, although I'd met mom once when I nominated my little angel for a price at school.
I didn't know for sure that the kid in my class was her younger brother, so today I asked him, because I was worried about whether or not he was related to the girl due to the fact that so much of 8th grade approved reading has to deal with the death of a loved one, including one book that eerily has a story line that parallels the circumstances surrounding this real-life accident. I did not want to assign him to read that book, if, indeed, it would be a painful subject to him.
I couldn't get through the first sentence. As soon as I said her name he started tearing up, and by the time I got to the "I knew her" part, he was running out of the classroom bawling.
The odd thing, though, is that apparently he never once shed a tear during the funeral services, the ensuing home visits, the memorial service, or at school, despite the fact that many people have approached him and the subject has been breached several times.
Grief comes in many forms, and always at its own pace.
I realized that, today, as I was relating the events of this morning to one of my colleagues who was closely involved in helping out the family during the accident. I realized that my feelings for my little student had never really been expressed, and that I have a tendency to bottle things up when I am truly upset. Telling Claudia about what happened today made me open up to her about the brothers I lost 22 years ago. I rarely, if ever, talk about them, but I think about them nearly every day.
I cried for my student today, and for my brothers, whom I don't think I've ever thought to grieve for.
It made me think of another little girl who is new in my class and in this country who was crying today. She was crying for her country- El Salvador- for the people she's lost in the drug wars, the ones she had to leave behind in moving to the U.S., and for the new people here in this strange country who don't know her because they can't talk to her.
It made me realize how precious and fragile our time here is, and how we are all we really have. It made me realize how much I love teaching and getting to share a little moment of these precious children's lives. They amaze me with their strength, their courage, and their goodness. It made me realize how lucky I feel to be alive.
Leslie gave me a rose after 5th period today. She said she picked it from her house today before leaving and she wanted me to have it. I feel blessed.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thus it begins...
So you know how I blogged several times this spring/summer about how much I DON'T want the ESOL coordinator position at my school because I was afraid it was going to take over my life? Well, it has. Apox on those who gave me this job.
I spent from 3-5 today in a district ESOL team meeting. It wasn't terrible, especially since I've recently learned what LEP, IEDP, PHLOTE, and many other scary acronymns actually mean, so I actually understood what they were talking about nearly 90% of the time... plus they bought us Brick Oven Pizza and Cookies to eat. Yum! But it WAS annoying that I only now just got answers to all the things I've had questions about since June. It was also annoying that I just today got test scores for about 1/4 of our 7th grade students. This meant that I spent from about 8-12 tonight working on student placement. The job isn't done, but I've made a good start.
The point of this, though, is that the job has started to become my life and I don't like that. I think that this weekend I shall rebel and do absolutely nothing job related. I may even go camping so as to cut myself off from work completely. That would be a novel idea, wouldn't it?
Anyway, so as to not come across as quite so whiny, here's my list of things I'm thankful for today:
1. Good friends. In this case, specifically my friend Nathalie who patiently held my hand through the endless series of questions I had for her after the meeting. She even went so far as to personally walk me through the computer stuff. I would be totally lost without her.
2. Supportive Bosses. Julene Kendall who is the district ESOL coordinator has been very helpful, patient, and supportive throughout all of this. She has even volunteered to broach a rather nasty subject with my principal so I don't have to take the heat. I am SO grateful that she's there for me.
3. As much as I miss him, I am really grateful I don't have to worry about Andrei living with us at home this school year. I would be totally burnt out if he was here because I have a rule that while I am home and he is awake I'm not allowed to work- meaning that I do a lot of school stuff after he is in bed. This results in my extra-late bedtimes whenever he stays at our house.
4. Again I am grateful that I don't have my Primary calling anymore. I went to drop off my manuals to the new "me" today at scouts, and just thinking about having to worry about that started to stress me out. I had to remind myself that it's not my responsibility anymore and that it's somebody else's turn to take care of those kids. After all, many of them are going to be my problem at school in a year anyway, so I could use the break.
5. I am grateful for modern painkillers. I have a pounding headache right now, but I know that as soon as I take some extra-strength Tylenol that it will go away and I'll be able to go to sleep.
Ah, sleep. How I miss you. I can't wait to see you again in a few weeks, my old friend.
I spent from 3-5 today in a district ESOL team meeting. It wasn't terrible, especially since I've recently learned what LEP, IEDP, PHLOTE, and many other scary acronymns actually mean, so I actually understood what they were talking about nearly 90% of the time... plus they bought us Brick Oven Pizza and Cookies to eat. Yum! But it WAS annoying that I only now just got answers to all the things I've had questions about since June. It was also annoying that I just today got test scores for about 1/4 of our 7th grade students. This meant that I spent from about 8-12 tonight working on student placement. The job isn't done, but I've made a good start.
The point of this, though, is that the job has started to become my life and I don't like that. I think that this weekend I shall rebel and do absolutely nothing job related. I may even go camping so as to cut myself off from work completely. That would be a novel idea, wouldn't it?
Anyway, so as to not come across as quite so whiny, here's my list of things I'm thankful for today:
1. Good friends. In this case, specifically my friend Nathalie who patiently held my hand through the endless series of questions I had for her after the meeting. She even went so far as to personally walk me through the computer stuff. I would be totally lost without her.
2. Supportive Bosses. Julene Kendall who is the district ESOL coordinator has been very helpful, patient, and supportive throughout all of this. She has even volunteered to broach a rather nasty subject with my principal so I don't have to take the heat. I am SO grateful that she's there for me.
3. As much as I miss him, I am really grateful I don't have to worry about Andrei living with us at home this school year. I would be totally burnt out if he was here because I have a rule that while I am home and he is awake I'm not allowed to work- meaning that I do a lot of school stuff after he is in bed. This results in my extra-late bedtimes whenever he stays at our house.
4. Again I am grateful that I don't have my Primary calling anymore. I went to drop off my manuals to the new "me" today at scouts, and just thinking about having to worry about that started to stress me out. I had to remind myself that it's not my responsibility anymore and that it's somebody else's turn to take care of those kids. After all, many of them are going to be my problem at school in a year anyway, so I could use the break.
5. I am grateful for modern painkillers. I have a pounding headache right now, but I know that as soon as I take some extra-strength Tylenol that it will go away and I'll be able to go to sleep.
Ah, sleep. How I miss you. I can't wait to see you again in a few weeks, my old friend.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wow.
At our faculty meeting today our principal announced that a. if we go along with the professional development plan set for us this year that the district has agreed to pay for us to get college credits that count towards our lane changes (and therefore pay scale) and b. we passed AYP. For those of you not embroiled in the acronym hell that is public education, AYP stands for "Annual Yearly Progress." That means that we met "No Child Left Behind" (aka. NCLB) standards and we are therefor not in trouble as a school.
This is kind of a miracle seeing as we are about 50% Hispanic and over 50% Economically Disadvantaged (the two populations most likely to score lowest on standardized exams in our area) AND we have a sizeable LEP (Limited English Proficiency a.k.a. ESL) and Special Ed population. We didn't meet AYP last year in Math, which failed our school. Stupid math.... grumble, grumble, grumble...
We almost didn't pass this year. Apparently English Language Arts didn't meet the required pass rate for Hispanics and Economically Disadvantaged (go fig), BUT we did pass based on improvement (if you don't pass based on percentage, you can still pass if you show a 10% improvement in scores). Our LEP kids went from a 38% pass rate to a 65% pass rate. Ahem. Did you catch that? 65% of our LEP kids passed. Guess who taught English to those kids...
Yours Truly.
Obviously I'm not responsible for it all- I work with a highly qualified professional team, all of whom make a tremendous difference in these kids lives... but I am the one who actually taught them language arts, so I'm tooting my own horn on this. It's nice, every once in a while to hear that you are doing your job right, and that your boss is taking notice of that. It's even nicer when your boss's bosses are there to hear that you are doing your job right, as well as the higher ups from your "rival" school.
:D
This is kind of a miracle seeing as we are about 50% Hispanic and over 50% Economically Disadvantaged (the two populations most likely to score lowest on standardized exams in our area) AND we have a sizeable LEP (Limited English Proficiency a.k.a. ESL) and Special Ed population. We didn't meet AYP last year in Math, which failed our school. Stupid math.... grumble, grumble, grumble...
We almost didn't pass this year. Apparently English Language Arts didn't meet the required pass rate for Hispanics and Economically Disadvantaged (go fig), BUT we did pass based on improvement (if you don't pass based on percentage, you can still pass if you show a 10% improvement in scores). Our LEP kids went from a 38% pass rate to a 65% pass rate. Ahem. Did you catch that? 65% of our LEP kids passed. Guess who taught English to those kids...
Yours Truly.
Obviously I'm not responsible for it all- I work with a highly qualified professional team, all of whom make a tremendous difference in these kids lives... but I am the one who actually taught them language arts, so I'm tooting my own horn on this. It's nice, every once in a while to hear that you are doing your job right, and that your boss is taking notice of that. It's even nicer when your boss's bosses are there to hear that you are doing your job right, as well as the higher ups from your "rival" school.
:D
Friday, August 21, 2009
It's the MOST Wonderful Day of the Year!
Andrei is FINALLY back from New York. I am unbelievably happy. We played dress-up (or rather HE played dress-up while I sewed Luis's costume for the church play), we went to a church play, had a picnic in his room and watched Lilo and Stitch. He behaved perfectly. I gave him lots of hugs and chips.
I knew I missed him, but I don't think I realized that the reason I've been feeling so crazy this summer is because I missed him that much. I have never been away from him longer than 2 weeks since he was 9 months old.
It's like peanut butter meeting jelly. Yup. Me and my Andy Boy make a great team.
I knew I missed him, but I don't think I realized that the reason I've been feeling so crazy this summer is because I missed him that much. I have never been away from him longer than 2 weeks since he was 9 months old.
It's like peanut butter meeting jelly. Yup. Me and my Andy Boy make a great team.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thank Heavens!
Well, it's the end of the 2nd day of school and I'm already exhausted. Part of this may be because last night was our anniversary so Luis took me out late and I didn't get to sleep until past midnight. Part of this may be due to the fact that I had to teach a bunch of kids my classroom policies and procedures today, which meant that I had to spend all day speaking to the kids instead of my usual introduction and supervised practice approach (my throat feels like an angry troll is trying to dig it's way out). Part of it is because of all of the fires I have to put out as head of the ELL department. Aye aye aye.
Anyway, it was a very good, fulfilling day, but I am so tired. I am very thankful for a lot of things today. Here is a partial list:
1. I am grateful that I am working with some great professionals in the ELL department and that we can function as a team. I really feel like we've really congealed this year and I know we've got a lot on our plate but I'm excited to see what we can do.
2. I am grateful for the supportive administration in our school. It's been so refreshing this year, so far, to feel like the tension between administrators is gone, and that it's no longer a contest between the principal and vice principal (to get things straight, I ADORE our previous VP as a person, I highly respect him as a first-rate professional, but I HATED having him as the VP at our school because I felt like he and the principal distrusted each other and like there was a constant clash of egos).
3. I am grateful that I have a great group of kids to work with- the worst ones are better than my best ones my first year teaching... so far, at least. Here's to hoping!
4. I am SO grateful that I got released from my Primary calling last week. Wow. As much pressure as I feel with my school work, it is infinitely more manageable without my church duties weighing me down as well.
5. I am grateful that when I came home from school today, dishes were done, the bed was made, and dinner was on the table.
Can't complain about much, can I?
Anyway, it was a very good, fulfilling day, but I am so tired. I am very thankful for a lot of things today. Here is a partial list:
1. I am grateful that I am working with some great professionals in the ELL department and that we can function as a team. I really feel like we've really congealed this year and I know we've got a lot on our plate but I'm excited to see what we can do.
2. I am grateful for the supportive administration in our school. It's been so refreshing this year, so far, to feel like the tension between administrators is gone, and that it's no longer a contest between the principal and vice principal (to get things straight, I ADORE our previous VP as a person, I highly respect him as a first-rate professional, but I HATED having him as the VP at our school because I felt like he and the principal distrusted each other and like there was a constant clash of egos).
3. I am grateful that I have a great group of kids to work with- the worst ones are better than my best ones my first year teaching... so far, at least. Here's to hoping!
4. I am SO grateful that I got released from my Primary calling last week. Wow. As much pressure as I feel with my school work, it is infinitely more manageable without my church duties weighing me down as well.
5. I am grateful that when I came home from school today, dishes were done, the bed was made, and dinner was on the table.
Can't complain about much, can I?
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
First Day
It's my first day! (That's for you, Emily)
Things here are going great. It's true what they say about teaching- the longer you do it, the easier it gets. Starting my 4th year has been so much easier than starting my 3rd, which was exponentially easier that starting the 2nd, which was infinitely easier than my first year.
We just have 7th graders today (to give them a head start on things before the scary 8th graders show up), but one of my favorite 8th graders is here today helping out. We'll call her L. L was in my class last year. She was one of our at-risk migrant students. I kind of took her under my wing and did a lot of mentoring with her, and by the end of the year she was doing really well. I guess she's on student leadership today, because she's here with her polo shirt tucked into her nice jeans with a new haircut and a badge showing 7th graders around. I love her. She reminds me a lot of one of my dearest students ever, N, who passed away in a car accident this year. L is much more flamboyant than N ever was, but they share the same sense of desperate sweetness that makes me love them both so much. I'm happy that L is doing so well and that she's here today. I'm also happy she's in my class again this year.
Anyway, there are only 3 more periods to go until the end of the day, and 1 of them is 8th grade Advanced ESL, so it will be student-less. We also have an assembly, which is always funny and fun.
Hopefully tomorrow will be equally as laid back, if not as quiet. The 8th graders always come in with a false sense of bravado which makes them do and say noisy things, but I love teaching ESL because my average class size is around 18 students- 20 less than most public school teachers. No complaints there!
Things here are going great. It's true what they say about teaching- the longer you do it, the easier it gets. Starting my 4th year has been so much easier than starting my 3rd, which was exponentially easier that starting the 2nd, which was infinitely easier than my first year.
We just have 7th graders today (to give them a head start on things before the scary 8th graders show up), but one of my favorite 8th graders is here today helping out. We'll call her L. L was in my class last year. She was one of our at-risk migrant students. I kind of took her under my wing and did a lot of mentoring with her, and by the end of the year she was doing really well. I guess she's on student leadership today, because she's here with her polo shirt tucked into her nice jeans with a new haircut and a badge showing 7th graders around. I love her. She reminds me a lot of one of my dearest students ever, N, who passed away in a car accident this year. L is much more flamboyant than N ever was, but they share the same sense of desperate sweetness that makes me love them both so much. I'm happy that L is doing so well and that she's here today. I'm also happy she's in my class again this year.
Anyway, there are only 3 more periods to go until the end of the day, and 1 of them is 8th grade Advanced ESL, so it will be student-less. We also have an assembly, which is always funny and fun.
Hopefully tomorrow will be equally as laid back, if not as quiet. The 8th graders always come in with a false sense of bravado which makes them do and say noisy things, but I love teaching ESL because my average class size is around 18 students- 20 less than most public school teachers. No complaints there!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
First Week Back
It's been a great first week back. So far, MUCH less painful than anticipated. I'm still a little nervous about the ELL Dept. paperwork, but I'm working with such a great team that it looks like the rest is going to take care of itself.
Our new vice principal is AWESOME! He's exactly what our school needs after this past year, and all the new faculty are really cool and hilarious.
The staff retreat was fun, too, which was a big surprise. Usually they are lame and painful, but today's was mostly just productive and funny.
Anyway, the first day with kids is tomorrow and we'll see how it goes. I'm starting to get into the swing of things, I think.
Wish me luck!
Our new vice principal is AWESOME! He's exactly what our school needs after this past year, and all the new faculty are really cool and hilarious.
The staff retreat was fun, too, which was a big surprise. Usually they are lame and painful, but today's was mostly just productive and funny.
Anyway, the first day with kids is tomorrow and we'll see how it goes. I'm starting to get into the swing of things, I think.
Wish me luck!
Friday, August 14, 2009
List Thingy
This is one of those bucket list things- you know, stuff you should experience before you die or something like that. I saw this on Alisha's blog and thought it would be the PERFECT time waster. Since, you know, I don't have anything better to do. Oh wait...
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars Philmont, baby!
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped- ain't gonna happen.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea- Actually it wasn't very lightning-y and I wasn't on a boat, but I was in a plane and there were definitely storm clouds, and I was flying over the ocean. Does that count?
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch- a couple
15. Adopted a child- probably won't until my 30's
16. Had food poisoning- two words for you Mexican takeout
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked- not officially, but I have caught a lot of rides from people who saw me walking alone on the street. Does that count?
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- I prefer to think of them as "mental health" days.
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb- didn't hold it but I fed one and have petted a few and I once milked a goat
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon- the closest I've ever come is a fun run for a school fundraiser. Lame!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice- nope. Just the gondolas at the Venetian in Las Vegas on my honeymoon.
29. Seen a total eclipse- when I was like 5 or 6.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community- no, but I did see a lot of Amish people in Mexico. They have a thriving Menonite community in Chihuahua. They make great cheese.
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person- next year, maybe?
39. Gone rock climbing- just those lame wall climbing deals. I sucked and couldn't even make it half way up.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Faked a foreign accent
44. Visited Africa- This may not ever happen after seeing a recent Discovery Chanel special on parasites. Yick!
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Bought a stranger a meal or gave money to a homeless person
47. Had your portrait painted- I painted myself. I think that counts.
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Gone without food or water for 24 hours or longer- not for a while, but I have done it in the past.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris- nope, but I took a lot of pictures of the bottom of it, and got some awesome pictures of it from the Sacre Couer.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain- This was the culminating moment of a very dorky 17 year-old romance.
53. Played in the mud- Um. Yeah. A few times. Cough... cough.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater- Hells yeah! Why aren't there more of those these days? They are my fave.
55. Been in a movie- not as cool as it sounds. I was filmed for an educational training video
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class- I took kickboxing, though, for a few months when I was 25
59. Stayed up for 24 hours with NO sleep at all- yes. It was funny.
60. Served at a soup kitchen- actually I showed up to help, but they didn't want my help and sent me away b/c there were already too many volunteers. I count that, though.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching- only at Sea World, baby!
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma- I'm such a wimp. I don't even know what blood type I am. I did, however, sell my blood once.
65. Gone sky diving- NEVER going to happen.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp- possibly next summer?
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter or hot air balloon
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt- many times
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job- define fired... ahem. cough. cough.
76. Changed a lightbulb- duh.
77. Broken a bone- just my baby toe.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book- someday. someday. I finally have a really juicy plot for one, but more research needs to be done on turn of the century border towns and Catholicism. No. This has NOTHING to do with Dan Brown.
81. Visited the Vatican- also next summer, possibly.
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Mowed the lawn- like every week.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper- when I was like 6 for the Miss Piggy costume that won me 3rd place in the school Halloween costume contest.
85. Read the entire Bible not cover to cover, though.
86. Visited the White House- just the outside, though. I got a great tour of the Capitol Building the same day. I got to see the inside of a Senator's office.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating- just fish.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life- Trust me. I'm handy to have around.
90. Sat on a jury- No. YAY!
91. Met someone famous- I saw Gary Coleman at the Chevron station by my house. He was in town for dialysis. I later realized my fly was down the whole time. One of the most embarrassing experiences of my life.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Eaten Sushi
95. Seen the Alamo in person- apparently it does NOT have a basement. :)
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake- no. It stinks. Why would anyone WANT to swim in something that smells like a rendering plant? I have been there many times, though.
97. Been involved in a law suit- yes, but only as a witness. I don't think that really counts, does it?
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee only on my baby toe. Wait a minute. I think my baby toe must be cursed!
100. Been in a Parade
Here's some more that I think SHOULD be on the list:
101: passed through the US/Mexico border in El Paso
102: graduated from college
103: married the love of your life
104: traveled through a country where you don't speak the language without a guide
105: ridden a riverboat on the great Mississippi river
106: crossed the Golden Gate Bridge
107: learned how to make Hollandaise Sauce
108: had to chose between paying rent and eating
109: ridden in a subway car
110: owned a horse
111: performed in Carnegie Hall
112: made a friend who changed your entire life
113: been in a twin engine prop plane
114: been to the top of the Empire State Building
115: milked a cow
Wow. I feel better about the first 27 years. I wonder what the next 27 have in store? Back to work now!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars Philmont, baby!
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped- ain't gonna happen.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea- Actually it wasn't very lightning-y and I wasn't on a boat, but I was in a plane and there were definitely storm clouds, and I was flying over the ocean. Does that count?
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch- a couple
15. Adopted a child- probably won't until my 30's
16. Had food poisoning- two words for you Mexican takeout
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked- not officially, but I have caught a lot of rides from people who saw me walking alone on the street. Does that count?
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- I prefer to think of them as "mental health" days.
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb- didn't hold it but I fed one and have petted a few and I once milked a goat
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon- the closest I've ever come is a fun run for a school fundraiser. Lame!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice- nope. Just the gondolas at the Venetian in Las Vegas on my honeymoon.
29. Seen a total eclipse- when I was like 5 or 6.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community- no, but I did see a lot of Amish people in Mexico. They have a thriving Menonite community in Chihuahua. They make great cheese.
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person- next year, maybe?
39. Gone rock climbing- just those lame wall climbing deals. I sucked and couldn't even make it half way up.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Faked a foreign accent
44. Visited Africa- This may not ever happen after seeing a recent Discovery Chanel special on parasites. Yick!
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Bought a stranger a meal or gave money to a homeless person
47. Had your portrait painted- I painted myself. I think that counts.
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Gone without food or water for 24 hours or longer- not for a while, but I have done it in the past.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris- nope, but I took a lot of pictures of the bottom of it, and got some awesome pictures of it from the Sacre Couer.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain- This was the culminating moment of a very dorky 17 year-old romance.
53. Played in the mud- Um. Yeah. A few times. Cough... cough.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater- Hells yeah! Why aren't there more of those these days? They are my fave.
55. Been in a movie- not as cool as it sounds. I was filmed for an educational training video
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class- I took kickboxing, though, for a few months when I was 25
59. Stayed up for 24 hours with NO sleep at all- yes. It was funny.
60. Served at a soup kitchen- actually I showed up to help, but they didn't want my help and sent me away b/c there were already too many volunteers. I count that, though.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching- only at Sea World, baby!
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma- I'm such a wimp. I don't even know what blood type I am. I did, however, sell my blood once.
65. Gone sky diving- NEVER going to happen.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp- possibly next summer?
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter or hot air balloon
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt- many times
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job- define fired... ahem. cough. cough.
76. Changed a lightbulb- duh.
77. Broken a bone- just my baby toe.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book- someday. someday. I finally have a really juicy plot for one, but more research needs to be done on turn of the century border towns and Catholicism. No. This has NOTHING to do with Dan Brown.
81. Visited the Vatican- also next summer, possibly.
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Mowed the lawn- like every week.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper- when I was like 6 for the Miss Piggy costume that won me 3rd place in the school Halloween costume contest.
85. Read the entire Bible not cover to cover, though.
86. Visited the White House- just the outside, though. I got a great tour of the Capitol Building the same day. I got to see the inside of a Senator's office.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating- just fish.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life- Trust me. I'm handy to have around.
90. Sat on a jury- No. YAY!
91. Met someone famous- I saw Gary Coleman at the Chevron station by my house. He was in town for dialysis. I later realized my fly was down the whole time. One of the most embarrassing experiences of my life.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Eaten Sushi
95. Seen the Alamo in person- apparently it does NOT have a basement. :)
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake- no. It stinks. Why would anyone WANT to swim in something that smells like a rendering plant? I have been there many times, though.
97. Been involved in a law suit- yes, but only as a witness. I don't think that really counts, does it?
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee only on my baby toe. Wait a minute. I think my baby toe must be cursed!
100. Been in a Parade
Here's some more that I think SHOULD be on the list:
101: passed through the US/Mexico border in El Paso
102: graduated from college
103: married the love of your life
104: traveled through a country where you don't speak the language without a guide
105: ridden a riverboat on the great Mississippi river
106: crossed the Golden Gate Bridge
107: learned how to make Hollandaise Sauce
108: had to chose between paying rent and eating
109: ridden in a subway car
110: owned a horse
111: performed in Carnegie Hall
112: made a friend who changed your entire life
113: been in a twin engine prop plane
114: been to the top of the Empire State Building
115: milked a cow
Wow. I feel better about the first 27 years. I wonder what the next 27 have in store? Back to work now!
Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's off to work I go!
Yesterday was our first day back to work. It was weird, but nice to see my colleagues again. I really do enjoy being part of a profession with so much collaboration and camaraderie between the employees. We were in a SIOP training session (that's ESL instruction to ELL students for those of you not familiar with the large body of educational acronyms in use these days). It lasted from 8:30 until about 2:15 and then we were excused like a half hour early. It was the bomb, diggity. Not the training. The training was ok. Mostly just review of stuff I've spent the last 2 years of my post-graduate career stressing about. The awesome part was that we started a half hour late and ended a half hour early. Welcome back, right?
Today I'm in my room most of the day. We have staff meeting from 1-3, which will be painful and I'll probably be called out to do an impromptu presentation. Good thing my BS'ing skills are sharply honed through years of ridiculous professional and academic assignments. I will bring my laptop and work on my curriculum maps, I've decided. Luis has to work tonight, so I'll probably take as short break from 3-5 or so, and then pull an all-nighter getting stuff together. I want to hit it hard and then coast for the next 3-5 weeks. It's a strategy that's paid off for me in the past.
Anyway, I'm sure this is all really boring to you guys, but this is what I'm up to these days and I have nothing more interesting to talk about. If you live within driving distance and feel like performing a few hours of service, I could really use some help getting my files organized and getting everything ready to go for the school year.
Today I'm in my room most of the day. We have staff meeting from 1-3, which will be painful and I'll probably be called out to do an impromptu presentation. Good thing my BS'ing skills are sharply honed through years of ridiculous professional and academic assignments. I will bring my laptop and work on my curriculum maps, I've decided. Luis has to work tonight, so I'll probably take as short break from 3-5 or so, and then pull an all-nighter getting stuff together. I want to hit it hard and then coast for the next 3-5 weeks. It's a strategy that's paid off for me in the past.
Anyway, I'm sure this is all really boring to you guys, but this is what I'm up to these days and I have nothing more interesting to talk about. If you live within driving distance and feel like performing a few hours of service, I could really use some help getting my files organized and getting everything ready to go for the school year.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Grrrr...
So Jerlieny called Luis last night and said that she's changed her mind about Andrei going to school here next year. She says that she doesn't want him to think she doesn't love him. She's already enrolled him in a Salt Lake school. I say she doesn't want to lose the child support money- same as always.
I'm pretty bummed out about it, but we'll just keep on like we always have. Keep him in your prayers. He'll be in school or child care from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. every day while he's... you know... basking in his mother's love for him.
I'm pretty bummed out about it, but we'll just keep on like we always have. Keep him in your prayers. He'll be in school or child care from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. every day while he's... you know... basking in his mother's love for him.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Dear Summer,
Dear Summer,
I only have 7 more days of you. This makes me sad. You have been very good to me during our time together, and I will miss you deeply.
Remember that time when we went to Stonehenge and were too cheap to pay the entrance fee so we took pictures from outside the fence? Or the time that we went on that crazy elimination diet and ate nothing but rice, chicken, and veggies for 5 weeks? I know that you remember the gardening- all the hours we spent together outside, me weeding Morning Glories from the garden, you burning me to a crisp because I forgot to put on sunblock. Or the time that I walked 14 miles in a single day just to see if I could.
I think we learned some things together, too. Like the importance of sun protection, for one. Like the simple pleasure of walking the dogs with my husband after dark.
In the end it's been an endless stream of satisfying and fulfilling experiences these past 9 weeks; fireworks, the salty tang of grilled beef, flowers, coconut popsicles, the smell of wood varnish, and clean floors, cut grass, and chlorine, and honeysuckles, and the noisy streets of Paris on a June morning; so many sweet memories that I will cherish always.
I will remember you when the days grow short and the nights grow cold. I will remember you when the last flowers wilt and their petals scatter in the autumn breeze. I will remember feeling warm. I will remember sleeping the deep, dreamless sleep of an unburdened mind as I lay wrapped in that warmth. I will remember being happy.
Never change, Summer. Never. I love you just the way you are.
I bid you farewell with sadness and hungry anticipation for your return next year,
Camille
I only have 7 more days of you. This makes me sad. You have been very good to me during our time together, and I will miss you deeply.
Remember that time when we went to Stonehenge and were too cheap to pay the entrance fee so we took pictures from outside the fence? Or the time that we went on that crazy elimination diet and ate nothing but rice, chicken, and veggies for 5 weeks? I know that you remember the gardening- all the hours we spent together outside, me weeding Morning Glories from the garden, you burning me to a crisp because I forgot to put on sunblock. Or the time that I walked 14 miles in a single day just to see if I could.
I think we learned some things together, too. Like the importance of sun protection, for one. Like the simple pleasure of walking the dogs with my husband after dark.
In the end it's been an endless stream of satisfying and fulfilling experiences these past 9 weeks; fireworks, the salty tang of grilled beef, flowers, coconut popsicles, the smell of wood varnish, and clean floors, cut grass, and chlorine, and honeysuckles, and the noisy streets of Paris on a June morning; so many sweet memories that I will cherish always.
I will remember you when the days grow short and the nights grow cold. I will remember you when the last flowers wilt and their petals scatter in the autumn breeze. I will remember feeling warm. I will remember sleeping the deep, dreamless sleep of an unburdened mind as I lay wrapped in that warmth. I will remember being happy.
Never change, Summer. Never. I love you just the way you are.
I bid you farewell with sadness and hungry anticipation for your return next year,
Camille
Monday, August 3, 2009
The times they are a changin'
Today was Ana's Temporary Custody Hearing. This whole thing has been a huge mess- nothing more than a mudslinging contest. Long story short, she got full physical and legal custody of the baby, she's getting the maximum child support, but she has to split some costs (like healthcare and childcare). The big surprise was that the judge ordered her to get a full-time job in the next 30 days (or something like that). Obviously she's not thrilled about this since she'd prefer to stay home with her daughter and continue to try and make her cake rental business work, but I can see where the judge is coming from. Not too many families out there would be willing to support her as long as her family has, and in the long run it's really better for her and the baby if she can learn to stand on her own two feet.
So I guess this is the end of an era. She's told me that as soon as she starts making some money she wants to look for a place of her own.
Yup.
So I guess this is the end of an era. She's told me that as soon as she starts making some money she wants to look for a place of her own.
Yup.
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