Thursday, August 28, 2008

Guess what.

Tomorrow is Friday, the kids have a half day, AND it's the beginning of a long weekend! The week has been good, and I'm hoping the weekend is even better. . .

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Trying a new dessert

We are invited to a cookout on Sunday, and I bought all the ingredients tonight to make a raspberry cheesecake trifle. It involves making a ganache, something I have never done before, but the recipe makes it seem easy enough. We shall see come Saturday. . .

. . .I am finally starting to feel caught up at work. I have about a half hour's worth of sorting left to do with my beginning of the year paperwork, and if I ever get the motivation to grade tonight, I can start the day tomorrow with a very short to-do list. The kids are doing a new lab tomorrow, and I am excited to see how they do. So far, they seem like a very promising bunch with a pretty high amount of intellect and motivation. . .a combination I love!

And if all goes well, I will get another chunck of "Water for Elephants" finished tonight, if not the entire novel. It has been so nice to have time to read over the last week.

Monday, August 25, 2008

I love it when things fit.

New shoes, new classes, food in the freezer - I just love it when things fit how they ought to.

I wore very new shoes today that Becky picked out for me and they felt good all day AND made the perfect statement with my skirt. My students and I are seeming to get a great rapport going, and I enjoyed every second of teaching them today. My new schedule intimidated me at first, but I like that I start with a class, take a break, then teach two, take another break, and end the day with two. (Those who hate teacher schedules can keep their mouths shut.)

We fit all the food in the freezer last night (if you knew our house, you'd know this is a serious feat). I fit in time for a workout today, and I squeezed just enough time out of the day to get a little new music in tonight as well. (The new music is Vitamin String Quartet - amazing classical covers of all sorts of rock songs by strings - only WCS Strings alum could love it as much as I do!)

It's been a good day, and that is something to always be thankful for.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

I love well-written descriptors.

From boston.com:

And though Biden has plenty of admirers, he doesn't come with an energized, committed bloc of supporters, as Hillary Clinton would have or the way John Edwards did in 2004 -- and arguably might have again, before his affair revealed him as a narcissistic twit willing to endanger his party by running for president with an explosive secret in his immediate past.

More people should be properly labeled in the media.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Truly Thankful It's the Weekend.

I was reminded this week many times why I love my job, but I am exhausted. I dragged my butt to the gym after work, and tonight I plan on keeping things very low-key and getting some darn good sleep in. This may be an excellent night to keep working through "Water for Elephants," which thus far has been a very quick and very good read.

I can't tell you how glad I am that Tim finally takes his boards tomorrow - it's been killing me not to tell him about the new school year. I'm sure with an entire week of being holed up studying, he is just as glad the weekend has arrived, if not more than me.

Tomorrow night it is time for the Ram's Head. Nothing beats a beautiful summer evening sitting out on their back patio with great friends and good drinks.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The new class of Bol is in.

I met all of my kids today, and I think it could be a very fun year. I still have them wondering whether I'm a little bit crazy or just plain quirky. . .a very delicate balance I like to play until at least October.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

I already love my freshmen.

I'm not going to lie: I wasn't looking forward to a new school year at all until I met some of my students today. Freshmen always steal my heart with their quirkiness, and I'm so glad they got me excited for what is to come. Bring on the school year!

In other news, I FINALLY finished "The Lost Art Of Keeping Secrets" by Eva Rice. The book was ok, but I never really felt like it had much of a plot. Aunt Barb, Anna, and several other people recommended "Water for Elephants," so I'll give that one a try next.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Day One Over and Done.

I still can't believe I am back to work. Our first preservice day went well - the usual meetings were more for catching up with friends than really listening to what was going on. We got our new staff shirts (not too bad this year!) and school IDs. I felt like I accomplished a lot in my classroom today as well - at this rate, the room SHOULD be set by Monday. . .but we'll see what gets in my way.

I'm still living in that state of denial that the school year has begun, and I suppose it won't all feel real until the new kids are in my room. Only a few short days until I meet them all. . .

. . .in other news, Tim is finally home tomorrow!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

One more day of summer.

I can't believe school starts on Thursday for the teachers. It has been a fantastic summer, winding down with a great trip home after three and a half weeks of summer school. Tomorrow will be a day of errands, shopping, and food out before the daily grind begins anew. . .