Hot for Teacher
I got my school photos back today, and mine are dirty. I managed to shoot the only pornographic pic in the school. I was wearing a button down top, and the way the camera is situated, it looks right into my shirt. It's like a little peep hole or something. Retakes are in November. I will wear a burka.
Got my first check today, and I feel all professional. I also feel a shopping spree coming on. This morning I stood in my closet and screamed and threatened to go to work nekkid.

I'm not sure if I have already sung the praises of the McGriddle, but I feel the need now. It is quite possible the best tasting treat I've had in my life. The sweet and salty goodness come together in a symphony of deliciousness. It is a veritable taste explosion that reminds me of all that is good in life. If you think I exaggerate, you obviously have not had a McGriddle yet and should remedy the situation as soon as possible.

I taught a Thurber story today and disolved into fits of laughter in front of the class. Read "The Night the Bed Fell." I snorted in front of my class and didn't care, that's how good it is. They think I'm crazy, but they're hormonal freakzillas, what do they know anyway?

Hot for Teacher
I got my school photos back today, and mine are dirty. I managed to shoot the only pornographic pic in the school. I was wearing a button down top, and the way the camera is situated, it looks right into my shirt. It's like a little peep hole or something. Retakes are in November. I will wear a burka.
Got my first check today, and I feel all professional. I also feel a shopping spree coming on. This morning I stood in my closet and screamed and threatened to go to work nekkid.

I'm not sure if I have already sung the praises of the McGriddle, but I feel the need now. It is quite possible the best tasting treat I've had in my life. The sweet and salty goodness come together in a symphony of deliciousness. It is a veritable taste explosion that reminds me of all that is good in life. If you think I exaggerate, you obviously have not had a McGriddle yet and should remedy the situation as soon as possible.

I taught a Thurber story today and disolved into fits of laughter in front of the class. Read "The Night the Bed Fell." I snorted in front of my class and didn't care, that's how good it is. They think I'm crazy, but they're hormonal freakzillas, what do they know anyway?

Big, Honkin' Bad Day
Today has been crazy and icky. I have to rewrite weeks worth of lesson plans due to some unforseen circumstances. I also still look like a dragon. To make matters worse my sister is leaving town tomorrow for good. She came over for dinner tonight, and I cried and cried when she left. I am very sad that she will no longer be a few minutes away.
Anyway, the only think I can do for a day like today is go to sleep and try to forget about the whole thing. Until 5:45 tomorrow.. . .

Pain is the Status Quo
I'm still hivey, still kinda cranky, and very sore from weight lifting tonight. I look like a dragon or something, and I"m getting very sensitve about the whole thing. This morning the the bathroom I was growling and roaring because I thought that's what dragons were supposed to do. If I look like one, I think I should get to spit fire too. The lack of flames coming out of my mouth is almost tragic.
My tragic disfigurement aside, things are going very well at work. Despite the million annoyances in any given day, I love teaching. I love the kids I"m dealing with (for the most part), and I get along swimmingly with the rest of the faculty. The problem is we get along too well. I start out asking a question, and 45 minutes later someone finally pulls away. It's very hard to get anything done when I like to converse so much.
I've decided that I need to be good to myself now more than ever, so I am stepping up my workout schedule. I need the burn of the weights and the sting of pulling myself up a hill on my bike.
I also need a good dermatologist. Enter the dragon.

Alone
Eric left me for a weekend retreat, and I have the house to myself. I promised myself I would get a lot done, but so far I've been hanging out in my pjs, watching the Olympics and taking long baths. Oh well, I got the important stuff accomplished. For those of you keeping tabs, my hives are still here, but I am beginning to think that perhaps they are not hives but something else even more unpleasant. I guess if it continues another few days I will go see a doctor. The bad part is we are having school photos next week and I am going to look like a freak!
I have papers to grade, but I think I will curl up and watch a movie instead. I have made a decision that I will work my butt off during the week, but that I am going to keep the weekends mine. It's only fair.
Clementine is in heat and driving me nuts. She yowls at all times and constantly has her butt in the air. I keep telling her it's not ladylike behavior, but she does not seem to care.

Hivey Goodness
As either a side effect of stress or of crazy allergies to pecan and cotten, I have broken out into painful, itchy hives on my face. It's an attractive look. I scratched so often last night, that Eric threatened to squirt me with the cat bottle if I did not stop. Love that swolleny goodness!

Actually, the week has gone well for a first week. I only committed a major faux pas once. I assigned this Hemmingway story called "A Day's Wait" where this kid thinks he's dying. I asked them to write about how they would feel if they were in the kid's place. Anyway, unbeknowst to me, one of my student's mother's had just gotten diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I got pulled into the office because apparently she was upset with the assignment. I felt bad, but I was also upset that the parent did not call me but went directly to the principal. Anyway, the prinicpal was totally cool about it and just asked me to be sensitive now that I know about the condition. Other than that, I love the job. My kids are so smart and good--almost frightenly so. I'd been working crazy late hours, but I've sworn that this weekend is all about me.

Tonight we see Mr. Sinus do Dirty Dancing which should be excellent. Last time I saw them, I laughed so hard I almost peed in my pants. It's a good thing as Martha Stewart would say.

Buried
Under paper work. . .ack. . . I may never get out from under my desk.
If I die here my stuff is up for grabs.

Buried
Under paper work. . .ack. . . I may never get out from under my desk.
If I die here my stuff is up for grabs.

First Day
After all of my first day melodrama and fears, the day was really very nice. My students were respectful, intelligent, eager to please and nice. I found my lesson plans worked and my handouts made sense. It actually went so well that I found myself waiting for the shoe to drop or something. Of course I"m sure they were on their best behavior and I might have problems later. Still, my students rock. One of them asked me how old I was, and I explained that I was ancient. She then asked me how the dinosaurs were. Smartass.
I have so much planning to do, I figure it will only be this hard once. The planning is killing me, and I find it very difficult to commit to a plan when there are so many unknowns. Still, I've decided that I will stay late to school, but I am going to try to keep the work I bring home to a minimum. At least that's the pattern I want to work myself into.
I am so tired. I was there from 7am to 5:30pm which makes for a very long day. I'm sure others work more, but that was along time to be there for me.
After surviving the first day, my hopes of lasting the first week have gone up.

T-Minus
In less than 24 hours, I will be teaching. I am beginning to freak out about the whole thing. This past week has been amazingly stressful, working 10 and 11 hour days trying to get ready for school. I should go into school today to get some things finalized, but I kinda figure that what's done is done and that I should just leave it alone. I am supposed to go to Krause Springs with my sister this afternoon for some relaxation. It's about 30 miles outside of Austin and alledegly the most beautiful swimming hole in Central Texas. Went on a kick butt bike ride yesterday through the trails in Pflugerville. It was lovely but amazingly hot--at one point I saw some people were running sprinklers, so I hopped off my bike and ran through them for a few minutes.
I have the dubious distinction of getting rahter tipsy at a church function. We had the farewell celebration for Father Greg last night, and the wine was flowing. I've never been one to turn down free wine, so I ended up very giggly. Wrong, no?
My stomach is a mass of knots. Send me your good thoughts.

How Not To Start A New Job
A brief lesson by Amanda Bresie. . .
So I was on my way to work this morning, bright eyed and bushy-tailed, kinda, when disaster struck. I had timed myself so I would be 15 minutes early, I had a yummy Diet Coke with Lime in my hands, and I was raring to go. I had my cute khakis and blouse, looking fine, if I do say so myself. About 15 minutes into my 30 minute commute, I dumped the entire Diet Coke can into my lap, and then I had to sit in the juices for another 15 minutes. When I arrived, it looked like I had peed in my pants. I was so horrified, so I turned to the only clothier open at 7:45 am, Walmart. I dashed over, picked up a new outfit, and ran back. I was 10 minutes late to our first meeting. My underwear was wet all day too. Not pretty.
Aside from the horror that was my morning, the first day of work went pretty well. The classroom is coming together, and lesson plans are lesson plans. If I can avoid the appearance of peeing on myself tomorrow, I might have a future as a teacher yet. . .

My Heart as the Sun
Eric took the day off on Friday, so we had one last long weekend before I begin work. It was wonderful to get to spend that time together. We discovered a new swimming hole up in Georgetown right off a dam in the San Gabriel river. I became fishlike this weekend.
We also went down to San Antonio for the Anual Get Together. We hadn't wanted to go, but we ended up having a wonderful time. Sometimes you just need some good conversation. Frankly, sometimes I need to talk to people I don't normally talk to. It just adds a little spark back or something.
I'm leaving for work in a few minutes, and I am getting nervous. This is really going to happen. I must say I don't relish sitting in meetings all day, but I guess it has to be done. I always said I would never take a job that required day long meetings, but . . .
My stomach is in knots, I can't be entertaining.

Gunther and the Sunshine Girls - Ding Dong Song Watch it free at Video-C You must check this out. Also check out gunthernet
It might not be work friendly, and it gets stuck in my head for days.

Don't touch my tra la la.

Puddin'
My bike ride was poopy. After working out last night my legs were jelly. We barely did 5 miles--I should have been able to do more, but just couldn't.
I just made pudding to make myself feel better. Chocolate yumminess!

Green Bean Perfection
I have such a wrong obsession with making green bean casserole. It's a sickness. But today's was so good! I added red pepper flakes, my new favorite spice. I like the way it makes my tongue shrink a little.
Today is my last day of freedom before the working drudgery takes me. I am being wonderfully lazy. I finished a great book by Jodi Piccoult who is really, really good. It's not the sort of thing I usually read, I really like her stuff. This one was not as good as Second Glance, though. Anyway I also had to sit outside in the ridiculous heat because Clem dashed out of the house. I don't feel right leaving her there. I tried to grab her, but she snuck in the back of the heather where the bees hang out. I sat out there until sweat flowed off of me like rivers, then I made a huge noise and lunged for the cat. It's amazing what we will do for those we love. Luckily the bees took pity on me.
Pete and I are going biking tonight. I need to get on the bike and fly down some hill--but then there's that what goes down thing. . . Anyway, I am looking forward to it. I love the feeling of building up all that speed.
Tomororw there is a school retreat up in Belton. I am looking forward to it, but I am also strangely nervous. What if the other teachers do not like me? I have had a million what ifs so far. Anyway, whatever comes, I guess I need a change. It is time.

Grammar Crusades
I have been working on making grammar exciting all day. I want to turn my students into crusaders for a more grammatically correct world, the sticklers that Lynn Truss speaks of. Please read the wonderful Eats, Shoots, and Leaves. So good! Anyway, I am not having all that much luck, but I hope that by the end of the week, I will get it.
I went to Teacher Heaven to get some supplies, and I do not think I will go back. My body still has some sort of reaction to that place. I felt sick and nervous when I had no cause to feel that way. Being there, especially now that T is no longer working there, brought back all of the drama and insecurity. I will have to find another place to shop. Still, I did get a lesson plan book, and now I feel all teacherish.
The weekend in Round Top was wonderful. Saturday afternoon we saw Merry Wives of Windsor which isn't the greatest play, but they did a nice job with it. Falstaff was played quite well, but I felt so sorry for that poor kid in the enormous fat suit. The next day he had heat stroke. (For those who don't know, the brainiacs have the festival outdoors in August!) That night we saw a nice version of The Tempest. They cast this rahter scrawny guy as Prospero, and it made the scene where he gives up the books much more interesting than usual. I liked thier take on the play. Finally, on Sunday, we saw MacBeth. It's such a brillant play, and they handled it well. I was a little disappointed in Lady MacBeth, but in all it was very moving. For whatever reason, although I have read it several times, this was my first time to see the play. I wondered why it hasn't been filmed, but then my parents told me Polanski did an almost unwatchably violent, bleak version shortly after the Manson family killed his wife. If I am brave, I will have to check it out.
It was also just nice to spend time with the family. The bed and breakfast we stayed at was so cozy and sweet. In celebration of what would have been Grandpaw's 89th birthday, we taught Eric his favorite card game. Until the day before he died, my grandpaw was playing cards. He always kept up a steady stream of cantankerous banter, so we tried to as well. We used all of his best lines, "Who dealt this mess of sin?" "Well, I'll be go to hell", "Those are the blackest hearts I ever saw", and we repeated "What's trump?" every play. I think it was the perfect tribute. I actually feel better than I have since his death.