Friday, May 25, 2007

All I have to say is. . .

. . .you need to go see "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." It's not Oscar worthy, but it is a lot of fun. The loose ends do get tied up, and despite what most critics are saying one CAN follow the plot lines. Make sure you stay through all of the credits for the extra scene. It's somewhat predictable but must be watched.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

If only. . .

I found a little townhouse I LOVe. Perfect little first home with everything I want - even the color scheme I'd pick if I were choosing. Why can't I win the lottery or something? I know someday I'll have my own house, but someday seems so far away. . .

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

It could stay like this forever.

The weather this week has been absolutely perfect. It could stay like this for quite a while and I would be happy. What makes a gorgeous spring day even better? The fact that I'm watching the Sox/Yankees game on ESPN right now. I need to get to a ball game soon or I might go insane.

The fact that there are less than 4 weeks left in the school year blew my students' minds today. I was just surprised that I was keeping count better than they were. All of my kids are doing a project for me over the next week. Aside from helping them go in the right direction with this assignment, I pretty much get to coast on autopilot from here on out. I am always amazed at how different the school year feels once the HSA is done. I found myself telling my kids in almost every class today, "now we have a chance to have fun!" The fact that a statement like that is said at the end of May disheartens me. School needs to be more fun all of the time!!!

Boston is down 3-0 in the Bronx. It's time to get off this blog and yell at the TV.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Cheaper than therapy

The HSA is DONE! From here on out, the kiddies and I get to have fun. I love this time of year.

I let all my kids watch a movie this afternoon as a thank-you for busting their butts all morning on their test. Fourth period never got to movie time because they wanted to hear stories. For some reason, it always seems my fourth period class is the one that makes me feel better about life. We talked, we laughed, and I felt a lot better than I have in a couple of days. Whoever said kids are no good never met these ones.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Because a picture this good must be shared.

Notice my sweet mullett, Meg's sweet boycut, and how dirty the two of us got playing outside all day on a family vacation. Classic.

I'm home for the weekend and found this picture in Meg's room. She graduates college tomorrow, and I couldn't be more proud of her. Congrats, Meg!

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Season Finale Night

So much to watch tonight, so little time. I'm watching "The Office" right now after a long, painful day. Thank goodness for mindless comedy entertainment.

In about forty-five minutes, it will be "Grey's Anatomy" time to be followed by "Scrubs" on tape. Then the television void begins. . .

. . .so why, you might ask, was my day so painful? I had to teach an after school session today where sixty-plus kids filed in to my room for help. I can handle chatty kids, I can handle kids who mildly flirt with each other while I explain a Punnett Square, but I cannot STAND kids who try to finish answer for me every time I go to answer a question. Two kids sat in the front row and talked NONSTOP about how much they knew on genetics. The girl even tried to beat me to answers when students needed help. Seriously - I'm getting paid for this so let me do my job. It's MORE than okay to be smart, just keep it in your head until it's useful, kids.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Let me be semi-philosophical for a moment. . .

I would love to write my doctoral thesis on the effects of reality television on current young adult work ethic. (Someday, no time soon mind you - I am still working on the masters degree!) I have a theory that kids today are so impulsive and unable to appreciate a hard day's work in part due to reality tv shows. After all, these shows have been part of pop culture since most of them were in kindergarten. You may think I'm crazy, but consider the following:

-To be a multi-platinum singer, kids have seen that you just have to win "American Idol."
-To be a millionaire, kids have seen that you just have to survive an island or finish a partner's race first.

There is no "school of hard knocks" for these kids. I'd love to explore this further some day. Leave some thoughts.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Behold, the rumor mill.

A student came in to my classroom today and asked me two questions. First, she asked me if I was pregnant, and then she asked me if it was true that I was moving to Puerto Rico. I laughed at both questions. These kids must really be bored when they stop talking about each other and start making stuff up about their teachers.

Whoever made up the rumor gets creativity points for the Puerto Rico part. I'm going to have to find this kid and ask him or her my motivation for the move. Good times as a high school teacher.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Surprise!!!

Guess what: Tim is home for Mother's Day. It looks like Saturday will be a lot more fun now. . .catch you all Monday.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

We have irises in our front garden. . .

. . .and they seem to be taking over. I cut a few and put them in a vase today. I love fresh flowers.

My 8th period class made me laugh so hard today that I had to move to the back of the room and let the kids do the assignment on the white board. Uncontrollable laughter doesn't happen at work very often, but when it does, I thank God for it. Days like this remind me why I got in to teaching in the first place.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Random pictures




Just because they're fun - enjoy.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Regulars

Ah, to live the "Cheers" dream: walking in to a local establishment where everyone knows your name and you are considered one of the regulars. We have officially become one of the regulars at Irish Channel for trivia night.

We have the same waitress each week (she's fantastic, by the way). Tonight she not only told us she missed us and the "other regulars" last week when we weren't there, but she also didn't charge any of us for our drinks. Trivia girl, obviously amused by our weekly antics, upped the harassment tonight. I think it is to the point where she is secretly rooting for us to win again. (Our team is in the midst of a dry spell - pray for rain!) When the manager went to change the Yankees game to the Detroit game, he saw Maggie's Yankees jacket and volunteers to change it back for her.

Being a regular feels pretty darn good. I think this will be what gets me through the next few Mondays.

On the opposite side of regular, the countdown to Greece is on! I bought a travel guide yesterday and can't wait to start paging through it. Cool, fun places across the Greek Isles, here I come!!!

Saturday, May 5, 2007

A Spidey Night. . .

Maggie, Ken, Ryan and I saw "Spiderman 3" last night. We all liked it to varying degrees, but the one thing we agreed completed stunk was the fact that the AC was not on through the entire film. After 2+ hours, we were toasty and ready to be out of that theater. As we left, management gave every person in the theater a free return ticket. A good movie and a free return trip isn't too bad.

I'm not going to give out movie details because I don't want to ruin it for anyone. Suffice to say that you should go see "Spiderman 3" - there are some twists you don't want to miss.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

A little present.

One of my kids brought me in a whole bag of Hershey Kisses today. Between giving a good chunk away as rewards and stealing some for breakfast, the bag is already half gone.

Two days until "Spider-Man 3." I would have thought the ridiculous amount of advertising would have turned me off to the movie, but I'm still intrigued. The fantasy movie league season officially begins this weekend so bring on the blockbusters. . .

. . .have I mentioned that in a little over a month I will be in Greece soaking up the sun and touring wineries? Happy thoughts of summer continue to keep me sane!!!

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Gorgeous Day

I love leaving for work when the sun is actually out. While I'm counting down the days until these little angels are out for summer, I have to admit the day starts a heck of a lot better when drenched in sunlight.

Have I mentioned how excited I am for "Spider-Man 3" to come out this weekend? Every time I see a commercial I get psyched for the weekend.

In other obsessions, I have a new cable addiction. I started watching "Shear Genius" on Bravo this weekend. I can't get enough of the drama that is bad styles, gay hairdressers, and proper product usage. My favorite stylists right now are Anthony and Evangelin. Check it out.