This was the week of the third cold.
I'm on the mend from yet another sinus thing. It was a good thing that the sixth graders were gone Thursday and Friday. I don't know if I could have handled them on top of a cold. It was actually a pretty laid back week at school. All three of my classes were finishing literature and grammar units, so we took a lot of tests, but then we watched film versions of all of our books, so we were watching movies most of the week. I managed to get almost all my grading done for once! I only have the Treasure Island journals and a Kidnapped end-of-the-book test left to grade. Of course, then I have all the new stuff from next week, but oh well. I felt like I got a lot accomplished this week, or at least, I got caught up on stuff I should have accomplished already.
Only two weeks until I go back to Iowa! I'm getting excited to see the Dordt crew. I talked to Chris Wilson yesterday on MSN, and that took me way back. Ah, the memories. Sometimes I really miss college. There are still so many classes I want to take, things I want to learn, people I want to drink coffee with. At least I have some Dordt people down here with me. And I get called by the poor kids who work in the advancement calling center about twice a month. So I guess my life isn't totally bereft of Dordt-ness.
I watched Rent last night. A great adaptation of a musical to the screen, and also a pretty interesting modernization of La Boheme. But, in the end, I felt like it was mainly about the conquering of New York by homosexuals. La vie boheme is pretty much living without "inihibitions" (aka morals), and anyone who doesn't have a sense of morality is just giving in to the system. Anyone else seen it?
2.20.2006
It's felt like summer the past few days. You know, that feeling you get in late April or May when the weather is warming up, and you just want to be outside. A laziness sort of wells up inside and you just want to lounge around and read a book on a blanket in the grass, you want to feel the sun heat your hair and your arms. It's that feeling of relaxation that hits you right after you take your last final, but you haven't yet packed up to go home for the summer, and you've got a little time to just be.
I want summer. Now.
Sorry to be so demanding. T.S. Eliot says that "April is the cruelest month/breeding lilacs out of the dead earth/mixing memory and desire," but I think that in Florida, the timetable gets moved up a bit. So, I think that February is the cruelest month, breeding hibiscus and strawberries out of the dusty earth, mixing memory and desire. Anyway. I get to see my aunt and uncle from Seattle today! I'm very excited. I haven't seen John in something like six or seven years, and the last time I saw Kate was when we were in Seattle on choir tour my first senior year. Even then, we had enough time to just go shopping and drink margaritas. And my granddad and grandma are coming down too. They haven't seen my apartment yet, even though I've been down here now for almost nine months, and they only live an hour and a half away. I love family.
I want summer. Now.
Sorry to be so demanding. T.S. Eliot says that "April is the cruelest month/breeding lilacs out of the dead earth/mixing memory and desire," but I think that in Florida, the timetable gets moved up a bit. So, I think that February is the cruelest month, breeding hibiscus and strawberries out of the dusty earth, mixing memory and desire. Anyway. I get to see my aunt and uncle from Seattle today! I'm very excited. I haven't seen John in something like six or seven years, and the last time I saw Kate was when we were in Seattle on choir tour my first senior year. Even then, we had enough time to just go shopping and drink margaritas. And my granddad and grandma are coming down too. They haven't seen my apartment yet, even though I've been down here now for almost nine months, and they only live an hour and a half away. I love family.
2.12.2006
I may have mentioned this before, but our school is going through reaccreditation this year, and I'm currently serving as committee chairperson of the middle school committee. It's a fun job, but a lot of work, not to mention intimidating. I sort of snatched the opportunity to get involved with accredition because the whole process (and administration) is something I'm pretty interested in. But there's a lot that I don't know, a lot that my coworkers are much more informed about. It was also fairly uncomfortable for a little while, having to tell these teachers with MUCH more experience, MUCH more wisdom, what to do, and how I wanted it done. I want their advice and help, definitely. But it's been a growing experience in understanding leadership and servanthood, not to mention respect and the maintaining of dignity.
Accreditation is coming up next month, and tonight I finally finished the initial documentation phase of our committee work. I'm responsible for typing up and gathering information for a large document that demonstrates the middle school's adherence to Christian Schools of Florida's accreditation standards. It's been a lot of fun, learning about this whole new side of education. I'm actually going on an accreditation visit (where I'm on the visiting team who analyzes a school's adherence to the standards) in April, and I'm really looking forward to it.
Well, it's late, and Monday's about thirty minutes away. Crap. How does that happen? I still have grading to do and a handout to make about the elements of Gothic novels. Grr. At least Valentine's Day is something to look forward to this week. I'm actually going on my first V-Day date ever. I think this will be the first time in many years that I haven't secretly thought of Valentine's Day as Black Monday (or Tuesday, or whatever day it happens to fall on that year). I am in the dark, though, about Tom's (aka man of mystery) plans. I did get a new shirt though in honor of the big date. Okay, I really need to stop procrastinating and just get to bed.
2.09.2006
Imagine this:
A girl slouches near her computer, eyes glazing over after a long day at work, a long work out (well, maybe not so long), after playing with her "adopted" nephews and catching up on all the advice she never knew she needed. "The Girl From Impanema" is playing, and her lips are sort of moving in sync with the words. One foot begins to twitch in time with the samba beat. Before she knows it, her shoulder is dipping. Her back straightens; she's pretending to samba. She's still sitting down. She needs to stand--she needs to move. She starts "The Girl From Impanema" over from the beginning. The volume is up. The chair is empty. She is alone. And she is dancing.
To answer your question, Jewels, here are some characteristics:
By the way, I'm learning "The Girl from Impanema" as well as other oldies-but-goodies for the missions banquet our church is having tomorrow night. Our praise and worship band is doing a jazz set as "pre-dinner entertainment." We haven't practiced once yet, although our fearless leader seems to think we don't need to practice. We'll see, I suppose.
Grading is calling. I have seven or eight inches of papers to grade by. . . well, sometime soon. Oh, the joy.
A girl slouches near her computer, eyes glazing over after a long day at work, a long work out (well, maybe not so long), after playing with her "adopted" nephews and catching up on all the advice she never knew she needed. "The Girl From Impanema" is playing, and her lips are sort of moving in sync with the words. One foot begins to twitch in time with the samba beat. Before she knows it, her shoulder is dipping. Her back straightens; she's pretending to samba. She's still sitting down. She needs to stand--she needs to move. She starts "The Girl From Impanema" over from the beginning. The volume is up. The chair is empty. She is alone. And she is dancing.
To answer your question, Jewels, here are some characteristics:
- Tall
- Dark Blonde hair
- So in love with Christ
- Hot
- Literature buff
- Theology and Philosophy student
- 27
- Active in our church
- Goofball
- Makes corny puns
- Good at being romantic without being too mushy
By the way, I'm learning "The Girl from Impanema" as well as other oldies-but-goodies for the missions banquet our church is having tomorrow night. Our praise and worship band is doing a jazz set as "pre-dinner entertainment." We haven't practiced once yet, although our fearless leader seems to think we don't need to practice. We'll see, I suppose.
Grading is calling. I have seven or eight inches of papers to grade by. . . well, sometime soon. Oh, the joy.
2.03.2006
new music I'm enJOYing:
Wilco
Nick Drake
Ben Kweller
Eddie from Ohio
Arcade Fire
Sun Kil Moon
R.E.M
I'm really enjoying Jane Eyre. Like most romantic era novels, it takes me awhile to get into, but once I'm hooked, whoa. I can't wait to see how it all works out (even though I actually know--thanks to my mom, who showed me good old classic movies, like Ingrid Bergman in the 40's version of J.E., and also thanks to Dr. Dengler, who consistantly referred to the "madwoman in the attic" syndrome in our English Novel class sophomore year)
Currently digging:
the lightening (hot pink in February)
the sound of the rain (loud through the lanai)
Billy Bragg and Natalie Merchant (singing in my computer)
Lee and Ryan (furnishing us with the tunes)
beer (always!)
Bible study (getting into postmodernism)
I'm particularly saddened by the fact that if I were to have a currently reading list, it would only include books I'm reading for school. *sigh* There are so many words out there that I need to absorb into myself.
By the way, I'm dating someone. It's been a month. ohmigoodness.
"I'll never be in an olympic star. I'm not that strong, I can't run that far. I'll never die on the silver screen. I'm not that brave, not much hero in me." --"Good at That", by Eddie from Ohio
Wilco
Nick Drake
Ben Kweller
Eddie from Ohio
Arcade Fire
Sun Kil Moon
R.E.M
I'm really enjoying Jane Eyre. Like most romantic era novels, it takes me awhile to get into, but once I'm hooked, whoa. I can't wait to see how it all works out (even though I actually know--thanks to my mom, who showed me good old classic movies, like Ingrid Bergman in the 40's version of J.E., and also thanks to Dr. Dengler, who consistantly referred to the "madwoman in the attic" syndrome in our English Novel class sophomore year)
Currently digging:
the lightening (hot pink in February)
the sound of the rain (loud through the lanai)
Billy Bragg and Natalie Merchant (singing in my computer)
Lee and Ryan (furnishing us with the tunes)
beer (always!)
Bible study (getting into postmodernism)
I'm particularly saddened by the fact that if I were to have a currently reading list, it would only include books I'm reading for school. *sigh* There are so many words out there that I need to absorb into myself.
By the way, I'm dating someone. It's been a month. ohmigoodness.
"I'll never be in an olympic star. I'm not that strong, I can't run that far. I'll never die on the silver screen. I'm not that brave, not much hero in me." --"Good at That", by Eddie from Ohio
1.24.2006
Shelter
I guess you don't need it
I guess you don't want me to repeat it
But everything I have to give I'll give to you
It's not like we planned it
You tried to stay, but you could not stand it
To see me shut down slow
As though it was an easy thing to do
Listen when
All of this around us'll fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
You will shelter me, my love
And I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I left you heartbroken, but not until those very words were spoken
Has anybody ever made such a fool out of you
It's hard to believe it Even as my eyes do see it
The very things that make you live are killing you
Listen when all of this around us'll fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
You will shelter me, my love
I will shelter you
Listen when
All of this around us'll fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
You will shelter me, my love
I will shelter you
If you shelter me too
I will shelter you
I guess you don't want me to repeat it
But everything I have to give I'll give to you
It's not like we planned it
You tried to stay, but you could not stand it
To see me shut down slow
As though it was an easy thing to do
Listen when
All of this around us'll fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
You will shelter me, my love
And I will shelter you
I will shelter you
I left you heartbroken, but not until those very words were spoken
Has anybody ever made such a fool out of you
It's hard to believe it Even as my eyes do see it
The very things that make you live are killing you
Listen when all of this around us'll fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
You will shelter me, my love
I will shelter you
Listen when
All of this around us'll fall over
I tell you what we're gonna do
You will shelter me, my love
I will shelter you
If you shelter me too
I will shelter you
LaMontagne has a chilled, laid back sound--the CD Trouble is very well produced. His voice has a gravelly quality, and yet a quiet lyricism. Thank you Lindsey (and vicariously, Lee) for the introduction.
Currently reading:
Jane Eyre (yes, still plugging away):
I am really getting into the story, and I would love to have a day to just read and read until I finished. I'm especially looking forward to that climactic moment when everything resolves itself--the denoument is always my favorite moment, and one can only truly experience that exalting feeling of knowing the first time through the story. There's a different satisfaction the second, third, and fourth times, but that first time... nothing quite like it. I know how Jane Eyre ends, but the language, the way Bronte will work it out is keeping me eagerly anticipating.
Taste and See
John Piper's book of short mediations is serving as a quiet time resource for me these days. I'm still about half-way through Desiring God, and I started it probably two years ago. These short essays are slightly more digestable bites that still stick with me throughout the day, not unlike the chili I had earlier this week. Sorry--bad visual.
Currently thinking about:
- Guys (or should I say guy? We'll go with guy for Tom's sake.)
- The sovereignty of God
- Whether or not I should accept the offer to cantor at a local Catholic church on occasional Saturdays
- How long I can wait before I need to abandon the computer for the bathroom
- How cool my roommate is
- I really like this Ray LaMontagne guy
1.16.2006
I don't know how many of you out there in blogland are fans of the new Emergent Church, but if you aren't, you should check out this page! Even if you are emerging, you should learn to laugh at yourself a little, or at least at the inherent contradictions of some of your leaders. I guess I think people should be more than a little wary of voting for Brian McLaren as New Official Spokesman for evangelicals, and the aforementioned page has some great things to say about postmodern evangelicalism. I particularly enjoy the comments. Some people get pretty heated! (Warning: That Is Not My Blog is rated S for extreme use of sarcasm)
I'm sort of on this tangent lately because of my current Sunday School class about Biblical Ethics. We started off this new quarter by examining postmodernism and modernism, comparing them and evaluating them. It's been very interesting, and I am looking forward to the heated debates that are sure to come! (Can you tell I like it when things get heated? Hmmm... that sounds bad...)
In other news, school is going well. After the Dramatic Encounter of two weeks ago, things have vastly improved. But I will say that it's hard to teach a book that one has never read before, let alone teach three books that one has never read before. It's hard to stay ahead of one's students and to know how to plan for one's classes when one doesn't even know what to expect in the developing plot of the book. Right now, I'm teaching Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Jane Eyre--all to middle schoolers. Hard to believe, I know, that this well-read, literate English teacher hasn't read Jane Eyre, but it's unfortunately true. Any suggestions on making it through the novel from anyone who's actually read it? What about getting 8th graders to care enough to work through this tough piece of fiction? I mean, Charlotte Bronte is no cake walk.
I played ultimate frisbee for the first time yesterday, and I got really involved, to the point of actually being competitive. I always avoided the game at college because it looked like too much running, and I'm pretty lazy. But there was no way to avoid playing yesterday without looking like an idiot, so I attempted to save face and ended up enjoying myself. What a thought.
I am feeling a little random tonight. Sorry if my ideas are all over the place.
I'm sort of on this tangent lately because of my current Sunday School class about Biblical Ethics. We started off this new quarter by examining postmodernism and modernism, comparing them and evaluating them. It's been very interesting, and I am looking forward to the heated debates that are sure to come! (Can you tell I like it when things get heated? Hmmm... that sounds bad...)
In other news, school is going well. After the Dramatic Encounter of two weeks ago, things have vastly improved. But I will say that it's hard to teach a book that one has never read before, let alone teach three books that one has never read before. It's hard to stay ahead of one's students and to know how to plan for one's classes when one doesn't even know what to expect in the developing plot of the book. Right now, I'm teaching Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Jane Eyre--all to middle schoolers. Hard to believe, I know, that this well-read, literate English teacher hasn't read Jane Eyre, but it's unfortunately true. Any suggestions on making it through the novel from anyone who's actually read it? What about getting 8th graders to care enough to work through this tough piece of fiction? I mean, Charlotte Bronte is no cake walk.
I played ultimate frisbee for the first time yesterday, and I got really involved, to the point of actually being competitive. I always avoided the game at college because it looked like too much running, and I'm pretty lazy. But there was no way to avoid playing yesterday without looking like an idiot, so I attempted to save face and ended up enjoying myself. What a thought.
I am feeling a little random tonight. Sorry if my ideas are all over the place.
1.03.2006
I had my first seriously dramatic encounter with a parent tonight. I have to admit that I'm still a little shaken up over it. I don't think anyone has spoken to me in that way since I was a child. I felt like a child. I felt responsible. Well, I was responsible. I tried to apologize, and eventually the parent calmed down and apologized too. But I've never been put in such a difficult position. In the end, we were all crying--the student, the parent, the teacher--and it felt horrible. But it was resolved, and I felt like God enabled me to handle it with grace. I tried hiding the fact that I was choking up, and I think I was pretty successful, but I bawled afterwards for awhile. It was a huge learning experience, and I hope that I'm a little more stable in similar conversations that will inevitably take place in the future.
I knew that this would happen eventually, and I'm glad that I went through it. But I did not enjoy it at all.
Welcome back to school.
I knew that this would happen eventually, and I'm glad that I went through it. But I did not enjoy it at all.
Welcome back to school.
1.01.2006
"The godly are designed for unknown and inconceivable happiness."
--Jonathan Edwards
--Jonathan Edwards
I started reading Taste and See by John Piper this week. He is an Edwards fanatic. The quote above was stated in a sermon by Edwards when he was only twenty years old. Can you imagine understanding such deep levels of theology at twenty? I'm twenty-three and I barely grasp Piper's concept of Christian hedonism.
I decided that right-justified was fun for today.
I've been having this hankering/yen to play catch for the last few days, but so far, I have yet to satiate my desire. At least it's warm enough that there will be future opportunities.
School starts on Tuesday. I'm not extraordinarily thrilled about going back to work, but I think that once I get there, it will be good. There's a work day tomorrow, but I'm trying to avoid thinking about it.
Poems to be written
just get stuck
and refuse to come out.
Desires to be aesthetic
intouch
artsy
are left vanquished
by peanut-butter syndrome
(when it
clings to the roof
of the mouth
making speech
difficult)
no one
understands you
garbled
sticky
stupid.
12.19.2005
12.16.2005
This is what my weeks have looked like lately. Pretty crazy. But now I'm sitting at home, just relaxing, not worrying about anything. The first semester is over. I've made it. We put on The Best Christmas Pageant Ever yesterday night and this morning. I was slightly concerned (can I underexaggerate any more?) that things would fail to come together, but praise the Lord, it did! I haven't quite felt such a burst of pride for my students as I did when the curtain (actually a big purple tarp hung up with shower hangers) closed, and the students rushed out to the applause of the audience for their bows. They did a fantastic job, especially for middle schoolers. I feel very satisfied with my first attempts at directing.
Today was our big homeroom Christmas party, and I have to say, I was shocked at my desk, inundated with gifts. I made a list of the presents I received and from whom, and I think I got something from over thirty of my students (out of fifty-some). I have so much candy and cookies--I'm going to have to figure out how to get rid of it other than eating it myself. Probably one of the coolest gifts I got was from a student who loves musicals (she had the lead in the play). She gave me the soundtrack from Wicked. I'm listening to it right now, and it's a lot of fun. Very easy to sing along with. Some amazing singers.
I'm off to see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in a few minutes. I'm so excited! I've been looking forward to this movie for awhile now. I think my all time favorite out of the Chronicles of Narnia, however, is The Last Battle. The vision of heaven always gives me chills.
11.28.2005
La Tour Eiffel
Waterfall in Burnham Wood I've been working in Photoshop lately, brushing up old prints, having a little fun, and then posting them on my Deviant Art page. I'm also eating peppermint ice cream, which only appears at this magical time of year.
11.24.2005
I'm thankful for roommates, sisters, parents, students, single friends, married friends, family friends, accountability partners, grandparents, jobs, apartments, canned goods on sale at Publix, cameras, black and white photos, flowers, cooler temperatures, the Trinity, salvation, continued providence and protection, love, education, books, learning, and post-it notes.
What are you thankful for?
What are you thankful for?
11.16.2005
Behold the puffy lips. I ate a mango, and apparently, I'm allergic to them. My lips blew up like I got collagen implants. A couple people actually asked me if I got Botoxed. It was actually pretty painful, because it turned all blistery. I was able to do a really great duck-billed platypus impression for awhile though, which my students thought was pretty funny.
11.14.2005
Funny Story. . .
I love it when I can laugh at my students' expense. One of my 7th graders--a tall, overly-developed boy who thinks he's the coolest kid around (most of the 6th graders probably agree with him)--suddenly asked, "What date is it today?" I told him it was the fourteenth, and he smacked his hand into his forehead and said, "Oh man! My eggnog went extinct today!"
I love it when I can laugh at my students' expense. One of my 7th graders--a tall, overly-developed boy who thinks he's the coolest kid around (most of the 6th graders probably agree with him)--suddenly asked, "What date is it today?" I told him it was the fourteenth, and he smacked his hand into his forehead and said, "Oh man! My eggnog went extinct today!"
Hope Exists
That was probably the main focus of the U2 concert I attended in Miami last night. Up until yesterday, the only things I knew about Miama were from the 2 CSI:Miami episodes I've ever seen, and Will Smith's "Welcome To Miami (Bienvenido a Miami)." Hmm. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that I even remember that song (should it even be considered a song?). Anyway.
GREAT CONCERT.
I should also admit that I didn't know for sure that The Edge was actually called The Edge until last night either. I'm not exactly a U2 connesieur. The lighting was pretty amazing, though-- five panels of "beaded" curtains (think like the kind people hung in dorm rooms to feel hippyish, except HUGE), and the "beads" were each individual lights. Each panel was like a big, sophisticated marquis (sp?) with a variety of pictures and patterns. At one point, it looked like women dancing; at another point, it was like a plane flying from panel to panel. I really enjoyed the music, and gained a significant appreciation for Bono's voice. To sing the way he does for the number of years that he has, and to still have such range and flexibility is incredible. I think one of my favorite numbers was "Miss Sarejevo"--he sang the Italian part originally performed by Pavoratti, and he did a fantastic job.
There were a lot of Christian overtones to the show--lots of references to grace, belief in the power of the cross, and of course, Bono passionately plugged his One Campaign to end poverty in the world. Very ambitious, but definitely a worthy cause. At the end of the show, people were given a number that they could text their names to in order to sign up, and then later they showed people's names on the jumbotron. The guy next to me saw his name and spent the remainder of the show calling all his friends to tell them his name was on the jumbotron. I also enjoyed being in the presence of so many people. I can't imagine what it would be like to hear a sold-out arena singing your songs back to you. I thought of what it will be like in eternity, when the multitudes sing praises before the throne of God. Even better than what I heard last night, and what I heard was pretty cool.
I got back at 3 am this morning and had to be up by 6:30 in order to go to school, so I'm sort of pushing myself to not go to bed just yet. Plus I'm recovering from the attack of the allergenic mango. My lips puffed up, and I got tiny blisters all over my face. I wasn't exactly looking my best for work today. My students thought the idea of getting an allergy attack from a mango was pretty crazy (they seemed to think I was inventing an excuse for my Angelina Jolie lips), so I researched it a little, and I found that mangoes are actually in the same family as poison ivy and poison oak. The skin of a mango contains the same toxins, so it's easy for people to have reactions to them. I thought it was crazy, though, because I've eaten mangoes before and never had this reaction, but apparently a person's immune system doesn't build up the antibodies that cause an allergic reaction until she's been repeatedly exposed to the toxin. So beware, all you mango-lovers out there! The fruit you love may one day turn on you! In all reality, if you avoid the skin of a mango, you'll probably be okay. So there's a little random info on mangoes that you probably never thought you'd know.
That was probably the main focus of the U2 concert I attended in Miami last night. Up until yesterday, the only things I knew about Miama were from the 2 CSI:Miami episodes I've ever seen, and Will Smith's "Welcome To Miami (Bienvenido a Miami)." Hmm. I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that I even remember that song (should it even be considered a song?). Anyway.
GREAT CONCERT.
I should also admit that I didn't know for sure that The Edge was actually called The Edge until last night either. I'm not exactly a U2 connesieur. The lighting was pretty amazing, though-- five panels of "beaded" curtains (think like the kind people hung in dorm rooms to feel hippyish, except HUGE), and the "beads" were each individual lights. Each panel was like a big, sophisticated marquis (sp?) with a variety of pictures and patterns. At one point, it looked like women dancing; at another point, it was like a plane flying from panel to panel. I really enjoyed the music, and gained a significant appreciation for Bono's voice. To sing the way he does for the number of years that he has, and to still have such range and flexibility is incredible. I think one of my favorite numbers was "Miss Sarejevo"--he sang the Italian part originally performed by Pavoratti, and he did a fantastic job.
There were a lot of Christian overtones to the show--lots of references to grace, belief in the power of the cross, and of course, Bono passionately plugged his One Campaign to end poverty in the world. Very ambitious, but definitely a worthy cause. At the end of the show, people were given a number that they could text their names to in order to sign up, and then later they showed people's names on the jumbotron. The guy next to me saw his name and spent the remainder of the show calling all his friends to tell them his name was on the jumbotron. I also enjoyed being in the presence of so many people. I can't imagine what it would be like to hear a sold-out arena singing your songs back to you. I thought of what it will be like in eternity, when the multitudes sing praises before the throne of God. Even better than what I heard last night, and what I heard was pretty cool.
I got back at 3 am this morning and had to be up by 6:30 in order to go to school, so I'm sort of pushing myself to not go to bed just yet. Plus I'm recovering from the attack of the allergenic mango. My lips puffed up, and I got tiny blisters all over my face. I wasn't exactly looking my best for work today. My students thought the idea of getting an allergy attack from a mango was pretty crazy (they seemed to think I was inventing an excuse for my Angelina Jolie lips), so I researched it a little, and I found that mangoes are actually in the same family as poison ivy and poison oak. The skin of a mango contains the same toxins, so it's easy for people to have reactions to them. I thought it was crazy, though, because I've eaten mangoes before and never had this reaction, but apparently a person's immune system doesn't build up the antibodies that cause an allergic reaction until she's been repeatedly exposed to the toxin. So beware, all you mango-lovers out there! The fruit you love may one day turn on you! In all reality, if you avoid the skin of a mango, you'll probably be okay. So there's a little random info on mangoes that you probably never thought you'd know.
10.31.2005
I feel a little guilty for venting all my frustrations last week. I went to work today, and it was great. I actually thought of Harry K. Wong (I have to add the K or I feel perverted) and his statement regarding work: "You shouldn't leave work feeling exhausted if you have rules and procedures in place." I wasn't exhausted today, even after a 2 hour volleyball practice, in which I was the only coach, the main ball shagger, and 1/3 of a scrimaging team. So, I should apologize to all those out there who had to put up with the hormonal rantings of a woman with too much time on her hands. My job is frustrating at times. There are days when I feel like no one tells me anything, like everything is a surprise. There are a lot of days when I feel like I'm all alone. But I did realize today that although teaching kids may only be 25% of my job, it's enough to get me through the day without going berserk. I have also realized that I'm one of those people who, once a thought gets into their head, they examine it and pick at it and roll it around until it becomes this HUGE thing, like a mosquito bite you can't leave alone. I was homesick, I was frustrated at work, and I had just gone through a hurricane. I picked at it until it was "I hate Florida, I hate my job, Lincoln is the best place in the world."
In other news, what's the opinion out there on Bush's latest Supreme Court nominee? Is appeasing the GOP a good idea or not? (Just call me a pot-stirrer)
In other news, what's the opinion out there on Bush's latest Supreme Court nominee? Is appeasing the GOP a good idea or not? (Just call me a pot-stirrer)
10.28.2005
I'm alive, just in case anyone happened to be concerned. The hurricane wasn't that bad, but it came ashore stronger than anticipated--a strong cat. 3 instead of a 1 or 2--and a lot of places lost power. Providence didn't get power back until yesterday, so I've been enjoying having the whole week off from school. I'm ready to get back. I think if I don't get back to work, I'll convince myself to move home. When I'm home alone, thinking about how hard it is to live here, how far away my family is, etc., I get sort of down and discouraged. I need to work so I don't think so much. Plus, I'm listening to a lot of Patty Griffin lately, and she's definitely making me mellow. The weather is gorgeous though, so that's been positive. Temps have been in the high 70's for the past week, so Lindsey and I have had the doors to the lanai open morning, noon, and night. That means turning off the air-conditioning, fans, and other electrical appliances whose sole purpose is to keep us cool. This in turn means a lower electric bill next month, which is always a plus!
I came to the realization this week (all this crazy thinking) that I don't like working. I just mean work in general. I don't exactly know what the solution to this is, but I've decided that basically, I am very lazy, and I would rather stay at home reading and making pies (thanks, Patty) or doing something other than holding down a steady job. I could work part-time--I think I could be okay with that. But full-time? Ugh. The biggest thing I don't like about teaching is that it doesn't end at the end of the day. It's a job that is essentially your life. I don't know if I want teaching to be my life.
Sorry for the rather somber tone today. Like I said, too much time thinking and not enough time being productive. On a lighter note, my mother has found a husband for me. Or at least she's given a picture of me to a woman who knows a woman who has a son who's 24 and looking for a good wife. Once he sees that picture of me--oh boy!
Late Obsessions:
I came to the realization this week (all this crazy thinking) that I don't like working. I just mean work in general. I don't exactly know what the solution to this is, but I've decided that basically, I am very lazy, and I would rather stay at home reading and making pies (thanks, Patty) or doing something other than holding down a steady job. I could work part-time--I think I could be okay with that. But full-time? Ugh. The biggest thing I don't like about teaching is that it doesn't end at the end of the day. It's a job that is essentially your life. I don't know if I want teaching to be my life.
Sorry for the rather somber tone today. Like I said, too much time thinking and not enough time being productive. On a lighter note, my mother has found a husband for me. Or at least she's given a picture of me to a woman who knows a woman who has a son who's 24 and looking for a good wife. Once he sees that picture of me--oh boy!
Late Obsessions:
- Gilmore Girls, seasons 1-4 on DVD
- McDonald's ice cream cones
- Patty Griffin's 1000 Kisses and Living with Ghosts
- Coldplay's X and Y
- home/midwest/family/missing it all
10.23.2005
She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain When She Comes
Wilma's just around the corner. I'm bringing in things from my porch, getting stuff away from the windows. Lindsay's stuck in Portland till who knows when, so I'm taking myself over to a hurricane party at Paula Moore's house (a co-worker from school, and the owner of a beautiful, strong, hurricane-proof house). Apparently there will be about 20 people there, so it should be fun to weather out the storm together. I'll have to let all you anxious mid-westerners know what it's like. The weather-people are pretty confident that it will make landfall somewhere around here, so things should be getting exciting later tonight. Honestly, I'm just ready for it to come and go. We've been waiting for her arrival for over a week now. It's kind of a weird sensation; all the windows are boarded up, people are gone (church was pretty barren today)... It wil be an interesting thing to go through. I can't say that living through a hurricane was at the top of my List of Things to Do in My Lifetime, but it will definitely go down as a memorable experience.
Wilma's just around the corner. I'm bringing in things from my porch, getting stuff away from the windows. Lindsay's stuck in Portland till who knows when, so I'm taking myself over to a hurricane party at Paula Moore's house (a co-worker from school, and the owner of a beautiful, strong, hurricane-proof house). Apparently there will be about 20 people there, so it should be fun to weather out the storm together. I'll have to let all you anxious mid-westerners know what it's like. The weather-people are pretty confident that it will make landfall somewhere around here, so things should be getting exciting later tonight. Honestly, I'm just ready for it to come and go. We've been waiting for her arrival for over a week now. It's kind of a weird sensation; all the windows are boarded up, people are gone (church was pretty barren today)... It wil be an interesting thing to go through. I can't say that living through a hurricane was at the top of my List of Things to Do in My Lifetime, but it will definitely go down as a memorable experience.
10.21.2005
No school today, and probably not Monday or Tuesday either. Thank you Hurricane Wilma. Actually I'm not exactly happy about missing all this school. Just goes to show how much of a teacher I've become. We will get so behind if we miss more than two days. Not good, since my principal all ready spoke to me about being behind. My prayer partner Pam (nice alliteration, huh) told me that Sue (the principal) is always talking about things like that, especially to the English teacher, because Sue used to be the English teacher, and the job is sort of her baby. But still. I was starting to get caught up, and now we're going to be even more behind! ARGH! The joys of teaching. Anyway, I'm sitting at home, and I got to sleep in for the first time in probably two months. I actually slept until 11. I thought I couldn't physically do that anymore. It was great.
School's been pretty good. The seventh grade finally finished their oral reports yesterday, which means I get to grade them this weekend. I think that I am beginning to hate these oral reports. It's pretty much an institutional assignment; my friend Faith (who is coaching volleyball with me, and is my age) had to give a fairy tale oral report when she was in junior high at PCS. But I don't exactly know what I'm doing (although I know more now than when I first gave the assignment!), and you can trust that there will be at least one big paragraph in my school reflections journal about things I want to change next year. I'm getting so much better at grammar, because I'm teaching it every single day! I don't really like grammar, and I like even less the textbook I have to use (stupid A Beka grammar!) because all the example sentences are quotes from the King James Bible. No kidding. How can a student really learn about subjects and verbs, verbals and the dreaded diagramming from sentences like "How far dost the eye of the Lord see!" More and more, I'm learning that I may never be able to teach the way I dream of teaching at this school. But I also wonder, does the school exist where I will be able to actually do reading and writing workshop? Maybe only the school in Maine where Nancy Atwell teaches, and they're not going to hire me--they have Nancy Atwell!
I am thinking a lot about what I want to do next year. I feel as though I should stay, just because I need to stick it out here two years (if only for the sake of my resume). I also love the people here--they are so welcoming, and my students love me back. I love my church. But I'm also so homesick for my family. Whenever my sisters write or call and tell me about all the cool things they're doing (Christine's going to All-State Orchestra, Christine and Deborah are in the fall play, Erin's in the orchestra), I want so badly to be able to see it. I've missed so much of their lives all ready--five years, closing in on six that I haven't lived at home. I'm praying a lot about it. Florida just seems so far away.
I do like it here. I'm not down or depressed, only occasionally frustrated. I don't want to sound things are horrible, because they're not. I'm just considering my options. Any suggestions?
School's been pretty good. The seventh grade finally finished their oral reports yesterday, which means I get to grade them this weekend. I think that I am beginning to hate these oral reports. It's pretty much an institutional assignment; my friend Faith (who is coaching volleyball with me, and is my age) had to give a fairy tale oral report when she was in junior high at PCS. But I don't exactly know what I'm doing (although I know more now than when I first gave the assignment!), and you can trust that there will be at least one big paragraph in my school reflections journal about things I want to change next year. I'm getting so much better at grammar, because I'm teaching it every single day! I don't really like grammar, and I like even less the textbook I have to use (stupid A Beka grammar!) because all the example sentences are quotes from the King James Bible. No kidding. How can a student really learn about subjects and verbs, verbals and the dreaded diagramming from sentences like "How far dost the eye of the Lord see!" More and more, I'm learning that I may never be able to teach the way I dream of teaching at this school. But I also wonder, does the school exist where I will be able to actually do reading and writing workshop? Maybe only the school in Maine where Nancy Atwell teaches, and they're not going to hire me--they have Nancy Atwell!
I am thinking a lot about what I want to do next year. I feel as though I should stay, just because I need to stick it out here two years (if only for the sake of my resume). I also love the people here--they are so welcoming, and my students love me back. I love my church. But I'm also so homesick for my family. Whenever my sisters write or call and tell me about all the cool things they're doing (Christine's going to All-State Orchestra, Christine and Deborah are in the fall play, Erin's in the orchestra), I want so badly to be able to see it. I've missed so much of their lives all ready--five years, closing in on six that I haven't lived at home. I'm praying a lot about it. Florida just seems so far away.
I do like it here. I'm not down or depressed, only occasionally frustrated. I don't want to sound things are horrible, because they're not. I'm just considering my options. Any suggestions?
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