A Sidenote

For the first time in a while, I am generally happy in all facets of my life: personally, professionally, financially. It's a great feeling that's been a long time coming. I think I've been too busy recently living my life to blog, but you know, I think that's ok.

Overheard

C: Hey, Mr. French are you in a good mood today? Mr. French: Yeah, sure, why not? C: Well, if you aren't you should think of trees. My therapist told me yesterday if I'm sad to close my eyes and think about trees, because they make you happy. I think trees are ugly, though.

Sunday Funnies

Guess Mommy's Never Seen a Real Woman Woman to friend: Look at that woman. She so fat, we should call Greenpeace to roll her back in the ocean. Little girl passing by fat woman: My mommy says Greenpeace should roll you back into the ocean! --Zandvoort, Netherlands Overheard by: Linda via Overheard at the Beach, Feb 22, 2007 I Especially Like the 'Wave' Effect Woman looking at water: Wow! Did you rake the water? It looks nice! Lifeguard: Yeah, it took me a long time. --Caroga Lake, New York Overheard by: Willie COol via Overheard at the Beach, Jan 26, 2007 The Answer Is Sedimentary, My Dear Watson Bimbette looking up at cliff face: Hey, do rocks eat other rocks? Guy: ... Huh? Bimbette: Do rocks eat other rocks? You know, so that they can grow into bigger rocks... Guy: Are you serious? No, rocks do not eat other rocks. Bimbette: Then, like... How do they get bigger? Guy: [Silence.] Bimbette: Like, what do they eat? --Merewether Beach, Newcastle, Australia via Overheard at the Beach, Feb 6, 2007 Wait! You Need to Pay the Directions Tax Tourist: Excuse me, how do I get to Times Square? Ghetto dude: This is Times Square. Tourist, slower and louder: No. Times Square. Ghetto dude, slower and louder: This is Times Square. Tourist: No, I'm looking for the actual square. Where's the square? Ghetto dude: Oh, you want the square... Go down six blocks, turn left, and go down three. You can't miss it. Tourist: Hey, thanks a lot, man. Ghetto dude: Dumb fuck. --42nd & Broadway via Overheard in New York, Jul 23, 2007

A Wonderful World

School-Wide Reading

We've started a new school-wide reading program at school, due to some teachers becoming inspired by a book study they took part in last year. I must admit that when I was told the we would do a school-wide Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) for 15 minutes everyday, I was a bit wary. I could only imagine the teeth gnashing from the students every time the bell rang to begin reading. I could see them not being able to read because they don't have books, or that they couldn't keep their eyes open long enough to read. I have always loved to read, and so I was really excited about the opportunity to get paid to read for 15 minutes. I told my students to think of it as a 15 minute break. No teachers talking, you aren't writing, and plus all of your classes were shortened to get this time. I must say that all of my fears and reservations were assuaged after the first week. many teachers went to th local used bookstore where they offer teachers FREE books every Saturday. We picked up probably 6 or 7 hundred! I have a small little library where students are able to grab a book if they "forget" theirs. The 15 minutes is awesome. I never am able to find the time to read like I want, and now I have a designated time to do it. Everyone is reading, and I love to see when the students find a book that they like, and are completely into it. It is a really interesting change, because many of our students have never really read a novel, especially if it was a novel that was not a part of required reading for an English class. Kids and teachers always have books with them, I see people reading at their duty stations, at the bus, and in the cafeteria. I think that the program is a success. I have almost finished One Hundred Days of Solitude, and I have another 4-5 books in the pipeline!