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.

New School Year!

I can't not believe how crazily busy I am this year. School started at the end of August, with teachers going back officially the week before (I say officially because I was writing the district French Benchmark exams for two weeks before that!). I have not really had a chance to sit down and collect my thoughts because things are happening at such a whirlwind pace!! So we just finished our third (!!!) week of school. My students are pretty likable for the most part. I had to kind of win over my French III class, because they had the same teacher for their first two years, and are understandably attached to her. I don't mind them going to her tutorials, but I want them to understand that they can come to me as well. I always forget how motivated teachers and students are at the beginning of the year. students are handing in work, teachers are smiling, everyone's in a good mood....it's great. It precisely the opposite in February (also known as the bane of my existence month). I don't really get around much in the building since my portable is a good 5 minute walk away, which means I don't get ti mingle between classes with other teachers. I have however, noticed a difference this year in the staff and student body. Everyone seems to have a positive outlook. I know that I am contradicting myself, but even at the beginning of last year, there seemed to be a lot of conflict on the staff, negativity from the students, and a overall pessimistic mood in the building. I hope that this feeling stays, because it is much easier teaching a group of kids that want to be there. So in addition to my teaching duties, French Club, French National Honor Society, Staff Development, Campus Improvement Team, and AP French are all doing there best to wear me down. The upside is I have become much, much more organized for the first time in a loooong time. It feels pretty good. It's my fourth year, and I feel as though I have already grown into my niche and style, I hope that I just don't get stale! I should go back now and read my post from the beginning of last year. Wonder what my feeling was...

School is Starting??

Yep. Last Friday was our first day back from an ever-short sumer vacation. I celebrated by spending this week nursing a very treacherous throat infection...I can't believe my little angels will be sitting in front of me 4 days from now. I want to be well!!!

Let's get this party started...

It's really funny. I've been reading blogs for a while now, and I have become used to seeing people say that they haven't blogged because "life got in the way". I always thought that was strange because I would blog about things that were happening in life. Well as you can see. It's been a good long while since I've blogged. I must now officially say it: "Life got in the way". I moved out of my apartment in June, but my wonderful cable company got the dates wrong, so I had to live about 5 weeks without TV or Internet. That isn't really an easy task, seeing as how my school internet connection doesn't allow me to check my other e-mail addresses. 2 days after moving, I left with students on an 11-day European trip to Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris. It was a great trip, and the kids had a great time. I was a bit worried because the students didn't really know each other beforehand, but it worked out great. It's amazing what you can learn about your students in 11 days! Amazingly enough, I wasn't quite finished with traveling yet. When I moved out of my apartment, I placed all of my furniture and belongings in storage. I slept 2 more days at my parent's house, then left for 2 weeks to stay with a friend in Philadelphia. I hadn't ever been to the 'City of Brotherly Love', but I was hyped to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and all the other stops that created the US. It is a great city as long as you stay in the city center. I got lost walking, and ended up in South Philly, which is something that should be avoided at all costs. This trip to the northeast contained a lot of firsts: My first time ever driving to New York City, my first time taking an Amtrak from Manhattan to Philly, and getting into random New York craziness. I've never stayed up after 5 am on consecutive nights, but I can no longer say that! Now that I am back in Texas, I have set my sights on moving into my new apartment, planning my AP classes, and getting back on a regular sleeping schedule. In theory, It seemed like a really fun idea to spend the summer traveling back to back, but needless to say, airports will wipe you out. I took 8 flights in a little over a month. I'm back, and ready to blog!

Has It Been A Month

Very interesting. I think that it has been nearly a month since my last semi-attempt at posting. Things have been humming along this year, and it's almost (surprisingly) the last day of school. I can't believe that this thing I call a job is almost over. To say that this year has been more or less smooth would be an understatement. Despite the fact that I was moved to a portable without technology--Internet and a projector--I seemed to make it through. This summer, I have having to do more planning for next year, when I will be teaching French IV AP. I am really excited! In about 35 days, I and another teacher are headlining a group to Spain and France for 11 days, after which I will be voyaging to Philadelphia. Gotta study at some point for that ratty GRE exam. Anyone wanna make $5

Back!

Ok, so I took a break...I had a lot of things going on that did not allow me to think a blogging for a while. But now, I have (somewhat) successful moved classrooms, begun a new term, and have glided more or less effortlessly into Spring Break. I have been putting a lot of thought into the next two years; whether or not to stay here in north Texas, or move and persue my Master's Degree elsewhere. It is still a difficult decision, because I do (most days) love my job. Where my portable classroom sits, I am pretty much disconnected from everything going on in the building. I must walk outside and across the parking lot to use both the restroom and talk to others--this is a best lonely. For some reason things seem to be getting more difficult instead of easier in teaching. I think because we are on trimesters, the third term is most always something you've already taught 12 weeks previous, leading to a feeling of bordeom. I will leave it at that, and add more later.

So I Figured It Out...

This past week and this upcoming week are what will finally kill me. Yep. That's it. In addition to all of the madness of last week, I found out Wednesday that I am moving classrooms...If you're thinking that this is crazy 2/3 into the school year, then you win the prize! I am not sure when I will get back into blogging, but I have to grade, post grades, and setup a classroom all before Monday--Not to mention my getting new students on Monday. I'll be back. I promise!

A (Not So Common) History Lesson

Gladys Knight & The Pips (Diana Ross &) The Supremes Marvin Gaye The Temptations Most people have heard of the Oscar-nominated film "Dreamgirls". Most people (or so I would assume) know that it is loosely based upon the 60's/70's girl group the Supremes. Now, I haven't seen the movie, but I have read enough about it to know that the story tells something of an up-and-coming group making their way through the music business. This isn't a post about the movie, but rather the basis of the movie, The Supremes. You see, in class last week, a student had mentioned that she watched a Motown special the previous weekend. Her friend, sitting next to her, asked her what Motown was. I think that I have to interject at this point that I grew up listening to Motown groups, since my parents listened to Motown groups. I must have had some strange look on my face, when she asked what Motown was. I asked if she had heard of Marvin Gaye (no), The Supremes (no), or anyone else I could think of from that era. No, No, and No. I was shocked. This weekend I procured a burned CD of various Motown artists to let my kids explore this very important chapter in America's history. This morning, as they came into the room I had Motown music playing. They were swaying a little back and forth, and generally enjoying the sound. It was the first time that I had played English-language music in my classroom in over three years. They were surprised that I would ever do such a thing! I asked again how many knew of Motown groups, and only half raised their hands (one student said his dad used to listen to that 80's stuff from time to time). I proceeded to tell the story of why Motown was founded, and the exposure it gave Black artists who previously had no commercial outlet for their music. It was well-received, making me pretty content I was able to impart a little knowledge on my younggin's. This is why I love my job!

Winter Doldrums

If you've visited my blog lately, you've probably noticed that there seems to be a lack of posts. I'm still here, I just don't know if I have anything to say. I used to have tons of posts ready to go so that if I didn't have anything interesting to say, I could click a button and post a thought that I had had one night weeks ago. Well, gone are those days. I've run out. It seems that my lack of upkeep in cyberspace (do people still use that word) has also reared its ugly head in my "real" life, too. Gone are the days where I would eagerly come home, nap, then plant myself in front of a movie and grade. Now, I just nap, then watch a movie. I couldn't figure out why my school bag was so heavy. It wasn't until today that I realized it was because I had papers from January 9th (!) that I needed to reconcile. It's not like I don't have the intention to grade. I faithfully bring the bag home, set it near me, and then for some reason, just looking at it puts me to sleep. Maybe I should start a holistic grading program that is based solely on oral answers that you give during the course of the class period...could I get away with that? Well I am sure that soon I will have some exciting news and virtues to extol, but as for now, enjoy this wonderful, deflated windsock that describes my current state: By the way, I do still love my job!

O! Canada

Off to Montreal for New Year's and after Christmas festivities! Will back in 2007 (unless I find something relelvant enough to blog about). Happy New Year et Bonne Année à tous!

Is it 2006 or 1866?

I've always heard that Vidor, a very small town in southeast Texas, was quite racist. It seems that this woman proves the theory in this report on CNN's Paula Zhan show. Doesn't seem she's very discriminatory towards some things (namely, from whence comes her next meal)...

Reading Meme...

In case anyone was interested, here is my response to the reading questionaire I lifted from the wonderful Ms. Whatsit. 1. How old were you when you learned to read and who taught you? According to my mom, she used to read me Whinnie the Pooh every night. I don't really remember having it read to me all the time, but now my mom says she hates the book becuause she had to read it so much! I think that I followed my parents' examples. They were always reading. 2. Did you own any books as a child? If so, what’s the first one that you remember owning? If not, do you recall any of the first titles that you borrowed from the library? I fondly remember "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". Every summmer I used to participate in the local library reading challenge. We used to get goodie bags filled with stuff (probably bookmarks) depending on hours read. I borrowed tons and tons of books over the years. 3. What’s the first book that you bought with your own money? I think that the first book I bought was probably in 5th or 6th grade. Previously, it was money my parents gave me for the book fair (I used to love the red, green and yellow cases filled with books--man, I was a nerd). In 5th or 6th grade, RL Stine started writing a Fear Street series. I read all of these scary books, and I think the first was "The Girlfriend" 4. Were you a re-reader as a child? If so, which book did you re-read most often? I never really read a book more than once. I was always ready to get going on the next one! 5. What’s the first adult book that captured your interest and how old were you when you read it? I find it hard to believe, but I think that I went through a sort of a lull with reading when it started to become required in school. Though it was my senior year, "Beowulf" captured me, and I tore it up on my senior essay. 6. Are there children’s books that you passed by as a child that you have learned to love as an adult? Which ones? My senior year of college, I took Children's Literature. We actually had tests on books like "Where the Wild Things Are", and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom". I remember reading "Tuck Everlasting" and "Goodbye Moon", and thinking that they would have been pretty good reads as a child.

Eighties Flashback

I was perusing Ms. Whatsit's blog recently, and I saw a meme that she posted concerning early reading and favorite books. It got me thinking of my favorite books, and the first books I read. I will post my own version later, but there was one specific series of books that came to mind right off the bat: In a Dark, Dark Room, and Bony-Legs. These books used to scare the living daylights out of me when I was 8 and 9. In a Dark, Dark Room contained many stories, but the one that sticks out to this day involved a young couple. The young girl, from birth, had a ribbon tied around her neck. Her husband begged and begged for her to tell him why she wore this ribbon and never removed it. Her answer was always, "When the time is right". The couple grew older, and on her deathbed, she finally tells her husband that the time is right. He finally removes the ribbon, and dun....dun....dun....her HEAD falls off! There was an actual image of her severed head! This was really traumatic as an 8 year-old, but it was almost like a bad accident--you had to look at it. I can remember gathering around during recess and reading this story, everytime the page was about to turn to the climax, I got shivers! Bony-Legs is Hansel and Gretel on crack. See, Bony is this old witch with steel teeth that likes to eat children. I feel like I remember something about screaming children in a pot...I'll spare the details, but in the end, a buttery gate saves the day!I must say that these books are more than likely part of the root cause of some of my craziness today (coupled with a very, very bizzare episode of Unsolved Mysteries that still has an effect on the way I sleep)!

The 5 a.m. Alarm

This picture has nothing to do with the post--I was just reminded how much I loved this cheese spread when I lived in France. It seems very rare these days that someone actually loves their job. I hear so many stories of people getting up and going to a job they hate. I have a ton of friends who feel exactly this way. Back when I began college, my first major was economics. It was actually something that I loved, thanks to a great (and by great, I mean fantastic) high school econ teacher. After my second econ class, I decided that it wasn't for me. Unfortunately, thanks to a poor (and by poor, I mean horrible) macro-economics professor. She was one of those professors who would sneer and correct you if you called her Mrs. instead of Dr. I remember my mom being really upset that I had changed my major, because she felt as though I was giving up an opportunity to be independently wealthy in the business world. This wasn't the first time we'd had this conversation, and by this time, I felt I was old enough to make my own decisions concerning my future. The same semester I had the horrible macro professor, I had a really good psychology professor. I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but I was happy, and that was ll that mattered at the time. Since then, and even to this day, I refuse to take a job based on money. I always say that I couldn't imagine getting up everyday depressed because I hate myself because of my job. I think that I am a product of my generation. The "millennials" as I believe we are called, are much less elf-serving, and much more altruistic than our predecessors. I cannot count the number of people I know in the Peace Corps, Teach for America, doing mission trips to Asia and Africa, building housing for the victims of the tsunami, etc... I could write about this for a while, so I'll have to revisit the topic. In short, I love my job, and cannot think of anything else I could happily way of at 5 am for. It's a great feeling when your students genuinely want to learn and are interactive in class (obviously, not every classroom is like this!). There are, of course, the days when you want to strangle them, but they are teenagers, so I can put it in perspective. I can much better deal with a 15 year-old being unreliable or moody,than a 40 year-old! I know that most of my students will not use French in the future, but just knowing that I have exposed them to a different culture, a different way of doing things, is enough for me. There are many students that I have that very strong in French. Those I will encourage to continue, so that they might have an opportunity to turn it into something that will be of use to them in the future. Although I am tired most of the time, I'm glad I'm tired from something that I enjoy.