Will I always define time by semesters?

Have you heard of CHINGO BLING?

2009-04-16T21:46:00.003-05:00

Well, I hadn't until today.

Gerardo started singing something to the effect of, "I'm running, I'm running, from Immigration.... tryin' to get us deportated..." (Yes, not deported, deportATed). So first I laugh (probably inappropriately), then I ask what is this funny stuff of which you sing.

So here's a link, that you should listen to.

Top 12

2009-04-01T20:40:00.014-05:00

A few of my favorite pics from the trip (well, of the ones from my camera):

On the airport train. Mind you, Laura is well-rested, and Wes is starting to wane.
From the Ferry dock in Fajardo. Beginning of beauty.

Laura would be happy to introduce you to one of our many friends -- sick roosters.

I found a favorite place. I'm simply a sucker for big sitting rocks with waves.My favorite building on Culebra. Loved it. I think it is just a barn, but it is yellow and green and red! No, Weston, this isn't necessarily my entry into the competition. It's just one of the sweet pics of the tank on Flamenco Beach.
Morning on the ferry back to the main island. Perfect.
What a dry, good-lookin' crew. We were wet the rest of this day. Oh, the rainforest.
My favorite camera angle of the El Yunque Rainforest.Highly recommended tour of the Bacardi factory. With two free drinks per participant (or 3, if you don't give the guy your ticket, Weston!)

Wes thought he was being so funny with this picture, but I almost like it.

At the fort, El Morro, after our tour guide talked about "Cross Fire." I realize this picture doesn't make sense or show the beautiful scenary, but I absolutely love it.

Cool Huh?

2009-02-22T20:52:00.004-06:00

I made these for that Gift and Tell for the previously mentioned Friend weekend. I love how they turned out after I framed them.

February Friend Fest 2009

2009-02-22T20:39:00.003-06:00

Last weekend I spent my 25th birthday with some of my favorite friends. Every year (at least for the past three) my college girl friends and I have a weekend getaway together. Years one and two were spent at lake houses of other generous friends. This year, however, we spent the weekend at Sarah's new home in Little Rock.

This year we tried some organized activities, so we could say that we did more than "just sit around and talk all weekend long." Besides the five A-mazing meals, we had a great Gift and Tell Friday night. I came home with four fun gifts, including play-doh, dominoes, clock and timer!

Saturday, after much sitting, eating, and talking we went out for our pseudo-photo shot. Very outside the personality of our group, but fun nonetheless. Here's my fav:

Soccer and Vocabulary

2009-02-05T21:16:00.002-06:00

Consecutive happens to be an especially difficult word to pronounce for native Spanish speakers. I had lots of "con-sitive" and "convection" and .... But then again, I can't roll my r's for anything.

Two Pictures

2009-01-29T00:19:00.007-06:00

Whoops! It's been awhile, eh?!

I'm still pretty stinkin' excited about the camera I got for Christmas. Rather than posting on my blog, I've been spending my extra computer time learning the camera and the editing software.

Here are two of my favorite pictures from the last month.

Granted, I didn't take the picture I'm in, but I did finish it with a little editing.

The second is the mandatory picture of the Great Ice Storm of 2009 as so many are calling it. I haven't felt like it's as big a deal as everyone is saying, but I have had power for all but 2 hours of the 72 hour ordeal. That being said we are out of school for day 3 and holding....

Christmas Research

2008-11-29T18:08:00.002-06:00

On the way to Black Friday crowds, my dad and I were trying to find ways to justify the wheelchair in the back of the car. We had planned this day for weeks, maybe months and we were not about to give up the plan of a fabulous shopping day just because my knee happened to heal faster than expected.

{Originally, I expected to need the wheelchair due to knee surgery, however, I had been walking - with a limp - for several days.}

My dad and I have started shopping the Black Friday sales in the last couple years, mostly for the laughs. People are crazy and we like to witness the craziness. So this year, due to my situation, we borrowed a wheelchair from my parents church, and decided to answer the research question: Are people generally nicer to the wheelchair bound?

I did put the huge leg immobilizer on to make it look a little more legitimate. I did have trouble not laughing multiple times, though, because Dad decided it would be wise to run with me in tow through the parking lot. Also, I felt like a fraud, but...

Anyway, the results: People definitely stare, then quickly avert their eyes, then decide to smile at the wheelchair bound. But the crowds parted like the Red Sea! It was incredible how many "excuse me's" we got. We also got lots of offers for help at Best Buy and even a concerned Best Buy worker asked me what happened. When we went to Lowe's without the wheelchair, no such luck. Busy workers who walked right by us trying to ask for help.

Thus, I highly recommend wheelchair use during holiday shopping.

feet

2008-11-20T11:34:00.002-06:00

You know when Cara is at her lowest: when she lets someone touch her feet!

If you are somehow unaware of my foot phobia, well let me tell you --- they gross me out more than almost anything else in the world. I've never had a pedicure, because I can't stand the thought of someone else touching my feel. And people in sandals better just keep their distance or I start flailing.

Today, however, in an attempt to complete my post-op therapy exercises I let my mom help me by supporting my foot! Fortunately/unfortunately the pain was enough to excuse my rule of no feet touching. Who knows maybe I'll be able to stomach a pedicure now....

Oh where, oh where...

2008-10-14T21:13:00.003-05:00

has our little remote gone? Oh where, oh where can he be?

So this one time... I had some friends of the male gender who were searching for their tv remote in a hotel room. Unfortunately they decided it would be a good idea to call their sleeping friend, in another state to ask for help (Pretty sure there were a few beers involved).

In a parallel story, my roommate and I have lost our remote. I realize that this isn't a highly tragic event, but when one has searched under all couch cushions, in all drawers, in laundry baskets, under furniture, and even in the freezer (twice) it becomes rather frustrating. 2 days down, who knows how many more we will go....

Roommate quote: "It would make a much better story, if we had both been drunk when the remote was lost."

Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally

2008-10-13T20:44:00.003-05:00

I taught Order of Operations on Wednesday of last week. Actually, I should say my great aunt Sally taught order of operations. I realize it has been awhile since most of you worked sixth grade math problems, so here's your refresher course: parentheses, exponents, multiply/divide, add/subtract. Thus, Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.

Ms. Dean happened to have a "emergency math meeting" that morning, because we ALL know how often those happen.

Here's a picture of my Aunt Sally as well as the Aunt Sally for both the Explorer's and the Pro's teams. What a coincidence!
Now, I must emphasis that I had several students who genuinely didn't realize that it was me behind the pillow butt and grey/blue hair. When I walked into school on the following Thursday one of my students says, and I quote,

Andrew -- "Ms. Dean! Your grandma was here yesterday!"
Me -- "Nope, it was my Aunt."
Andrew -- "Oh yeah, Aunt Sally!"

And he was NOT joking. Oh kids...

Ms., Miss, and Mrs.

2008-09-29T16:39:00.003-05:00

If you're ever feeling confident about your single lifestyle, just mention it to a group of sixth graders. I dare you! You will never quite look at the situation the same way.

I was teaching letter writing in my reading class a couple weeks ago, and in an attempt to teach correct Openers, I made the distinction among Ms., Miss and Mrs. Oops. Since then, I've received several interesting and humorous suggestions:

I'm not going to call you Miss Dean anymore, I'm gonna call you Single Dean!
Miss Dean, I need a picture of you, so I can set up your E-Harmony Page!
Yeah, if you don't find a match in the first 6 months, the 2nd 6 months are FREE!
You should get married this year, so you can have the wedding here [in my classroom] and we can all come!

They crack me up, and I just needed to share.
Signing out,
- Single Dean

Love My Job!

2008-09-23T19:39:00.004-05:00

Last year on Tuesday September 25, I blogged about the fabulous-ness of parent/teacher conferences. And OMG, I just got home from the first night of conferences (yes, it was a 12 hour day) and I'm giddy. I absolutely love meeting the parents and families of my kiddos.

And oh, the glimpses into culture... There really are different concerns of parents depending on their cultural backgrounds. My white parents demand good grades, my Hispanic parents want respectful behavior, and my Marshallese parents just want everyone to be happy. Beyond that, the language barriers actually excite me, as they force me into small usages of my Spanish.

This is what we've been doing recently in math. Graphs, graphs, graphs.....

Survivor starts this week too, like it did last year. What a fabulous week!

I am just THAT cool.

2008-09-22T21:23:00.002-05:00

Well, apparently I've got some hidden pop singer genes in me. I really think I would be a hit with the Hispanic middle school girl population. Why the absurdity, you ask? Well Dulce told me this week that my new do makes me look like Rhianna!

So rather than bother with an accurate picture of my new hair style, I thought this would work.

And yes, Brian, Dulce means "sweets" en espanol. I think.

See the resemblance?

2008-08-20T21:22:00.005-05:00

No lie. Today, I met Blanca, and she said: "MizDee, you remind me of Mariah Carey." After the shock and laughter, I realized she was serious, and she likes Mariah Carey, so I said, "Thanks, I think."

Back-to-School

2008-08-17T21:28:00.003-05:00

At church this morning, our pastor spoke that the good deeds of Christians should pave the way for the gospel. Sometimes I forget that my desire to see justice cover the world is really God's desire to spread his grace over people. (Okay, it is more than just forgetting. I still have serious issues with understanding/accepting that my God, who is love and goodness..., can allow some of the evil and hardship in this world. I get it, when you're talking about Christians suffering, but when you're talking about children who don't know Christ -- what's the point?! ) All that to say, I'm not faking great understanding here, but rather commenting on the great responsibility that has been placed on my shoulders.

Tomorrow's the first day back to school (with students). Although I don't know the specific needs and hurts of my kids yet, I already feel a great burden to make sure these kids see love this year. I found myself praying this morning that God would make it obvious which kids I need to focus on this year. That by week 2, I'd be finding ways to meet their needs. I will continue to pray that anything these kids see in me this year they would attribute to the provision of God. Although I want my kids to succeed in math and reading, I really desire to see them find relationship with Christ. Don't really know what that looks like in public school, but I know my God is capable of much more impossible situations.

Goodbye Summer

2008-08-10T17:10:00.003-05:00

Well, summer's over. Ok, not the season based on astronomy, but the season of no work/no school. I go back to work tomorrow. Actually I'm looking forward to the change of pace. I am designed to work with smelly, skwirmmy, snotty sixth graders, so it fits that I would look forward to being with them again. I am, however, sad to say goodbye to many of my summer favorites. So long:

- weekday afternoons at the pool
- snowcones in the hobby lobby parking lot
- waking up at 8:30, then taking a nap from 10 to noon
- reading
- late night drives to the lake
- spontaneous travel (i.e., Eureka Springs for the 4th - see picture)
- forgetting the current date
- craft projects
- Gilmore Girls
- and just good clean fun!

Minor Resolutions

2008-08-05T23:21:00.004-05:00

So I went to Mexico. I've been back for a week, and yet I still feel incapable of writing it justice. That is, it was a short trip, but packed full with experiences. Beyond the clinics, children's programs and haircuts, God worked in some sweet ways.

A couple of years ago, I spent a solid chunk of my summer in a big Asian country with a campus ministry. While there, we worked primarily with college students and studied the language (as stated on our visas). Regardless of how much I desired to see this nation come to know Christ, I was constantly frustrated and exhausted by the culture. On so many levels, the culture there wore on my every single nerve. So I left with a burden for spreading the fame of my Savior, and yet I also left feeling discouraged about the possibilities of returning.

This trip to Mexico, although much shorter and sheltered, gave me hope for a possible stint overseas. I have no idea what that will look like, but I left Mexico feeling like I could and would adjust to life in a Hispanic culture more quickly than in an Asian one. Maybe I am just familiar with the culture, but I loved this week.

In Other Completely-Unrelated News: Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer came out Friday at midnight. Although I did not go to any of the wait parties, I have already purchased the book and am making my way through the last volume of my favorite werewolves and vampires.

On my mind

2008-07-17T23:37:00.004-05:00

Several things are on my mind these days: ever-changing community, the value of short-term missions and the coming school year. It makes me slightly nervous to write about things that I'm unsure of (I'm not supposed to end a sentence w/ a preposition, but I just did.). I much prefer writing (and talking) about things of which I am confident that I can contribute valuable information/insight. Thus, many of my posts deal with events, rather than opinions or theories. So here goes....

Ever-Changing Community:
People move and people get married and people just plain change. I am confident that God designed us to live with people, but I am continually frustrated by the way those people rarely stick. I am also aware that God draws me to himself each time one of my close friends moves, gets married or leaves community, but it remains difficult nonetheless.

Short-Term Missions:
I'm getting ready to leave for a trip with my church. World Missions is a big deal, and I want to be a part of it, however, I haven't figured out what that really means for me. I highly doubt that means a short-term trip ever few years or so. I think it means something more, but what? I guess I'm hoping for a bit of clarity.

The Coming School Year:
I can't wait! I realize that it isn't cool to want to go to work/school, but I can't help myself. I'm so ready to meet the new 112 kiddos. In a month I may be singing a different tune, but right now, I'm just ready to get back to the classroom!

Did you know?

2008-06-16T20:13:00.002-05:00

Random and fabulous fact of the day:

Salsa now outsells Ketchup in the United States by 40%! Woohoo, I love me some Mexican food. Apparently, so does the rest of America.

Recently:

2008-06-09T18:30:00.004-05:00

May is always a crazy-busy month. I think, because I'm in the educational system, it will always be busy. Just a little recap:

Returned from a fun weekend in Tulsa.
Spent a weekend in Kansas City - who knew that was such a cool place?
Saw the Broadway musical, WICKED, for the 2nd time - still fabulous.
Gave my first end-of-year final.
Visited the nostalgic small-town of Booneville.
Chaperoned an ungodly number of parties, dances and days-at-the-park.
Said goodbye to my first (and favorite) group of 112 sixth graders - a few of which are pictured above on crazy hair/hat day.
Packed up my apartment in F'ville.
Unpacked in S'dale.
Went to the pool for the first of the season.
Saw Carrie Underwood and became a REAL fan of Keith Urban.
Watched 2 seasons of Gilmore Girls - 5 more to go....
Enjoyed an evening of baseball and fireworks - and kids who get waaaay too excited about fireworks.

I'm sure I'm missing several other great moments of the last month, but these are the highlights.

My Dad is Loon!

2008-05-11T16:05:00.003-05:00

My dad was in a play this weekend, called Arsenic and Old Lace. As you can see from the movie poster, he played Dr. Einstein. I feel inadequate to give the play a review. But I laughed a whole lot. Dad definitely had the best role of his community theater career thus far. Dr. Einstein is a German Drunk. The show is an old-fashioned Brooklynn murder comedy. Below, is my dad in all his costumed glory.

Really?

2008-04-28T16:08:00.004-05:00

Have you ever watched sixth graders interact w/ college students? If not, let me give you a little picture of just that situation.

37 twelve year olds wander around the University of Arkansas. Mind you they travel in well defined clumps. Typically 3-4 girls linking arms, and boys tapping said girls on the shoulders or pulling their hair. When girls see any one of the thousands of college students they proceed to say, "Hey, look at the hobos!" This deduction is made from the incriminating backpacks and the foot travel -- must be the homeless!

Once teachers enlighten the ignorant students about the facts of life (there are no parking spaces on campus), girls resort to greeting EVERY passing college student, professor or dog. In high pitched, monotonous voices, "hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, oooh he's cute, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi, hi." Think: the birds in Finding Nemo - "mine, mine, mine, mine." It really is JUST like that.

So if you happened upon a swarm of middle schoolers sometime, please don't get irritated w/ the teachers who have no control over their students (much like I do w/ tantrum throwing children and their parents). It really is just the way kids when they start going through puberty.

Kids and Roommates

2008-04-10T20:31:00.002-05:00

Funny moment of the day:

Since today is Thursday, that means it's "Benchmark Practice" day at HTMS. Basically, I taught an extra test prep class today. I don't normally see JL (see previous post from the fall, sometime), because he is pulled out for extra help. Great kid, love him.

He walks in my room today and says, "Miz Dean, can I eat my frekfist?" I say, "huh?" He repeats himself, "I didn't get to eat my frekfist this morning, cus the bus was late." At this point I'm clueing in that he's not joking around, but actually thought breakfast was pronounced frekfist. It took at least 10 tries for him to get his mouth to make the right sounds for my own favorite meal of the day. Funny kids.

Funny roommate of the week:

So Tara, the roommate, is a sometimes sub (when not in school herself). Recently, she was unknowingly assigned to work at the alternative school in F'ville. She successful kept a log of student sayings. My fav: "Awww man, I'm not gonna be able to wear my skinny jeans until I get this ankle sh-- off!" Oh so many reasons this makes me laugh.

Also, the other night, in an argument w/ none other than Trent, she genuinely calls him a "fun hater." A fun hater? Tara, I knew your hair was blond, but I really thought you were above the blond girl comments.

Happy April Fool's Day!!!!

2008-04-01T17:06:00.003-05:00

So, I got April Fooled today. I even told Tara last night before bed, to be prepared. I was on alert all morning long - you have to be when you work with 11 and 12 year olds. During my 2nd class, I was called down to the office. "Strange," I thought, but off I went. The kids were doing individual work, so I figured, no big deal, I'd be right back.

When I got to the office, no one knew why I was called down, so I headed back to my room. As I round the corner, I can see that the row of desks in front of the door are empty. "Awesome, I've been fooled," I thought slightly irritated. I quickly checked the room and ALL 28 of my students were GONE. Not hiding, GONE. I checked the bathrooms and outside, before I realized they had done a really good job. At this point, I'm no longer irritated, but highly amused. After checking with/accusing 2 teachers and the PE coaches, I walked back to the room ready to give up. They had come back while I was in the gym. We laughed, they were proud of themselves, it was good. Turns out a teacher on another team took them to hide behind the stage.

Then I had several students stay after school to Bluetooth songs to me. It was fun. Might have to do that again. But if you want the Apple Bottom Jeans song, I can hook you up!!!

NYC

2008-03-24T17:12:00.007-05:00

NYC was fabulous. Quick overview for those interested (I know you've been dying to hear about our trip):

Monday - The wonderful Wes takes Laura and I to the airport at 4 o'clock in the morning - WHAT A GUY! Then we fly into Newark, NJ and travel by train to NYC. Quickly we made our first trip to Times Square, Madison Sq. Garden and the likes. We ended our St. Patricks Day celebration in a pub with some new friends. Bagpipes and beer. Great fun!

Tuesday: While walking through the financial district we found a great deal: 2 huge slices of NY pizza and coke for $5. Finished in 8 minutes flat - be impressed. South Street Seaport and Brooklynn Bridge on our way to queue (that's Laura's British version of "standing in line") for Ellis Island. It was here that we met another new friend, Eric. Laura and I have similar museum styles, we like to read -- which lead to being thrown out at closing. That evening we went to Spamalot----can't really describe just how amazing it was---highly recommend it.

Wednesday: Museum of Natural History, Spring Awakening, Excellent Bagel w/ Cream Cheese, Thai Food, Black and White Cookies, NY Library, Bryant Park

Thursday: SoHo, Little Italy, NoHo, Chinatown, Central Park, Shopping on 5th Ave., Lunch with some other Arkansans, Friday: Columbia University -- beautiful! Metropolitan Museum -- WOW! Laura's cousin Phil works at the Met, really sweet job, so we had lunch with him, played on our own in the museum for a good 5 hours. While taking a little break at the Met we ran into the one-and-only Leah Samour, weird. Then back to Brooklynn, where Phil lives, for dinner and a little Razorback basketball -- Wooo Pigs!

Saturday: Farmer's Market at Union Square, The Village, Chelsea, Mass at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Cheesecake

Sunday: Happy Easter! We flew home. But mind you the trip started with a rather scary subway ride at 4 am. It ended with a wonderful welcome home from Weston!!

I think my favorite day was Tuesday or Thursday or Friday. Oh, I don't know they were all great. I highly recommend the same trip for anyone who has not yet been.

nicknames

2008-02-27T18:58:00.002-06:00

Direct quote from student reading journal:

"My nickname wasn't given by my friends, actually my dad gave it to me, but I'm going to tell you what it is anyway. My dad calls me Bowlin Ball Head because my head is so hard it broke one of my grandparents teeth."

I about died laughing, as this is one of the only original nicknames. Most of the kids just wanted to be called "Blabber-mouth" or "Shorty" or "Spiky." For obvious, sixth-grade reasons.

Love these kids.

Where is your heart?

2008-02-18T21:15:00.003-06:00

Did you know that sixth graders act like 4 year olds, on fairly regular intervals? I used the Valentine's candy, conversation hearts, for an activity in math the other day. Each kid got 20 hearts and needed to find the percentages, fractions and decimals of each color. At the end of the day I felt fairly confident in the success of the lesson until I learned that one boy decided to stick a heart up his nose! No lie. I later asked him about it, and his only response was that the other kids told him to.

I laugh at (and with) these kids on a daily basis, but typically I forget why by the time I get home. I'd really like to document the crazy adventures of sixth grades, but oh well....

Happy Days

2008-01-31T18:13:00.000-06:00

So it is obvious that one of the perks of teaching is the time off, but the SNOW DAYS is a wonderful unexpected perk! My weekend was short, due to a Saturday professional development thing, so I was feeling stretched this week anyway. And now a snow day! Could anything be better? I even watched a movie this afternoon, without grading papers!

That's all. Just a happy day.

Europe Anyone?

2008-01-15T16:29:00.000-06:00

With the line of work I'm in, I have the wonderful benefit of extensive time off. The two weeks of winter break were absolutely wonderful. In college, I typically became bored with the month+ breaks at Christmas time, but this was just right.

After 3 days in Tulsa with the fam, we drove to Colorado for some of the best skiing of my life. A great wedding/New Year's party and a quick trip to Dallas completed my traveling of the break. I finally came back home on Thursday, giving myself a full 3-day weekend to rest and catch up.

This brings me to my current quest: Summer Break. I really want to travel. Specifically to Europe, but I don't want to go alone. Partially for safety, partially to keep myself sane. If anyone is traveling in June/July ....

My Morning

2007-12-19T21:15:00.000-06:00

I've always felt that casual greetings with people are awkward and not geniune. Specifically, I hate "Good morning, how are you? Fine, and you? Fine, thanks." Ok, yes, this is a polite social norm, but it is too predictable and feels fake everytime I'm involved in this conversation. I've even been know to avoid eye contact with people to avoid this lacking conversation.

This morning, though, I was greeted in a different way. I was coming into school (work) very close to late and feeling a little sickly - definitely NOT excited about the day ahead of me. Quickly walking towards my classroom, I see a man from church. His daughter is on the team down the hall, so I see their family about once a week. I smile and say, "Good morning!" But he broke with tradition. He said, "The Lord's blessing be upon you today." It caught me off guard, but it also calmed me in a way that no other greeting ever has. Isn't it interesting how important it is to be reminded of our identity in Christ on a daily basis?

My Hand Was IN A COW!

2007-12-11T18:05:00.000-06:00

Yeah. In a cow. See attached picture for proof.

I think I went on the best field trip of all time, today. Ok, that might be an exaggeration, but it was stinkin' cool. The U of A Animal Science Department has a cow with a permanent hole in its side. You can stick your hand in and feel the inside of its stomach and play with its lunch.

In other news, I spent a great weekend in Chicago. If you haven't seen it, you should make plans to see the musical Wicked. It was incredible! No lie. And... if you haven't visited him yet, you should make plans to visit Callan in Chicago. He's didn't get me lost, or anything!

The ice storms in Tulsa definitely ruined the end of the weekend, but I will choose to remember the beginning rather than the end. :)

Need a diversion from work?

2007-11-26T17:17:00.001-06:00

Oh, I've recently been introduced to a new website. It is wonderful! I challenge you to try it.

The basic rundown: You practice vocabulary, while donating rice to help curb world hunger. That's right, it really is that simple.

After finding the site and becoming slightly addicted to it, I introduced it to my reading class. I took them to the computer lab one afternoon and our class donated over 30,000 grains of rice! And they're only sixth graders! So visit freerice.com and enjoy!

Weekend Update

2007-10-30T21:38:00.000-05:00

Do you ever have weekends, or days even, when you feel like the world is right? That, as cliche as it sounds, God has completely loved you? This weekend was that, for me.

Community is vital to my survival on this earth, emotionally, spiritually and even physically. This weekend I saw that lived out through a variety of venues. First, the Halloween party, attended by not only old friends, but new, also. Second, a trip to the woods for good conversation with people that love my God. And finally, friends to give me 2 new couches, and friends to help me move the old one out!

I am slightly stunned by the love I received this weekend.

Looking back...

2007-10-09T17:17:00.000-05:00

I just looked back at all my previous posts, and it would seem to the casual reader that I'm an OVERLY optimistic person. Don't be deceived! I must only write after really good days... Another reason I'll never been classified "emo."

Futbol!

2007-10-09T17:11:00.000-05:00

So after 3 afternoons of soccer practice, I AM a convert. I love it! Ok, maybe that is an exaggeration, as I have not yet actually played the game. However, here are a few reasons it is wonderful:

1. The kids LOVE it, and I do mean LOVE. This is amazing, because as a teacher I'm forcing kids into submission, but this activity requires no forcing.

2. I get to be outside. We take about an 8 minute walk to some soccer fields, which is a great transition from being in the classroom all day to my evenings.

3. I get to blow a whistle.

4. 95% of the kids playing soccer after school are Hispanic. This means LOTS of Spanish, and some great conversations about culture --- which I love!

All in all, this is one of the most fun jobs I've EVER had.

5 Week Reports

2007-09-25T19:53:00.000-05:00

Teachers always complain about parent teacher conferences, because they are looong weeks and even loooonger days. Don't ask how that works, but it does. I, on the other hand, love this week. And here's why:

You know when you visit a dear friend's home, and you go "Ahh ha! That's why he/she is THAT way." I love knowing and understanding my friends. And 5 weeks into the school year, I really feel like most of my students are friends. And parent teacher conferences give me a glimpse into their home. These fifteen minute visits with parents and often siblings helps me understand and love my newest friends better.

On a side note: I'm pretty pumped about TV this week. SURVIVOR (week 2 of China), Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice (shows great promise for greatness).

Ok, that's all.

You're Not Supposed to Have Favorites.

2007-09-13T16:22:00.001-05:00

JL (abreviated to protect my job) is a student on my team at school. He is from the Marshall Islands, and although I can't describe that accent that accompanies these students, I do know that he has THE accent. JL is short - probably only 4 ft tall. That's short for 6th grade. Despite his learning disabilities, JL is one of the happiest kids I know.

The other day, JL had another students marker. Just before he threw it to her, I stopped him. "Walk it," I instructed. He stands up and dances across the room singing, "Walk it out..." I probably shouldn't have laughed, but I definitely did!

Recently he was given a new schedule, and he know longer comes to my math class. At least, he isn't supposed to. Today alone, JL snuck into my room 3 times. It's pretty funny, and I don't really mind. Each time I say, "JL go to class," he responds, "Ahhh, man!" He then smiles, hugs me and leaves. I LOVE IT!

I NEED HELP!

2007-09-05T17:52:00.001-05:00

So, somehow, I just was assigned/got volunteered to teach/coach soccer after school two days a week. What's the bad news, you ask? Um, well... I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SOCCER. I'VE NEVER PLAYED A DAY IN MY LIFE! Ooops.

Thus, I pose the question: Anyone wanna help? Anyone want to teach me the rules? I'll take any and all advice, lessons, help, etc.

It's Love

2007-08-29T17:41:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to love them. Really. The rough nature of last week made it difficult to love my students, however, I'm coming around. This probably says something about how I stink at loving people when I'm stressed or in less-than-perfect situations, but... the point is: I really love them, now.

My favorite part of the day is right after lunch. I get my homebase kids back for 30 minutes of "Enrichment" time. I'm still not exactly sure what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing with them during this time, but I've found something I love doing with them at this time. I read. We all lay/lie around the room, while I read aloud a book called "Things Not Seen." Hilarious, the book, that is.

I love that I can lay/lie on the floor in the middle of the day at work and it is seen as "being relevant" to my students. I also love how sixth graders still LOVE read-alouds. And finally, I love listening to their own connections to the stories.

Side note: I realize I don't know the difference between lay and lie, and I don't think I care. I teach math and reading, not grammar. Thus, the slashes.

Just thankful.

2007-08-25T17:24:00.000-05:00

I love my friends. After a week of not-so-fun middle school adventures, I was almost surprised at how much I love my friends.

I love:

- that they don't make me feel guilty for skipping out every once and awhile.

- that we just sit around and talk most of the time.

- that the group is regularly evolving.

- that there are finally several other girls "in the group."

- the ghetto music they listen to.

That's all. Just thankful.

Right, left, left, right

2007-08-21T21:00:00.001-05:00

Today was the first time in 2 1/2 weeks of work that I have missed summertime. I guess that is normal. But I do. I miss the beach, and I miss feeling rested. I got home from work tonight at 6:30 and my body just hurt. Like I laid on the couch unable to move, because I hurt.

I'm sure I'll get better at all this, but man!

Don't think it has been a bad start, just hard and intense all day long. Be thankful that someone taught you to open a locker combination, by the way! Because whoever that someone was -- they MUST have had more patience than I do. If I have to say, "Right, left, left, right," one more time....

Open House

2007-08-18T14:47:00.000-05:00

After two weeks of meetings, I'm more than ready to start. On Thursday evening we had open house at the school. The combination of meeting students, new school shirts and the realization that I am a REAL teacher (FINALLY!) had me giddy with excitement. Here are my two favorite moments of the evening:

1. At the beginning of the evening started with a meeting in the auditorium where administration welcomed new parents and students to the school. Then as the principal finished her initial introductions the translator began. Although this may not sound like an overly exciting event, I got teary-eyed as I almost heard, "Here ya go, Cara. The nations are at your door. Its time to start loving them." PS - Last I heard, my school is about 57% English Language Learners (ELL).

2. As I finished my shpeel for my advanced Pre-Algebra class, I met the father of a student. He was beeming from ear to ear and told me about his son, in broken English. "He in this class, because he good at math!" I said, "Yes, yes!" I'm so stinkin' excited about getting to know my students and their families.

Truth and Liquor

2007-08-07T16:48:00.000-05:00

So I'm 2 days in. Two looong days of personality testing and personal mission writing. I'm actually quite exhausted from the smiling and being friendly all day long. However, I'm excited about the high quality of people I'll be working with throughout the coming school year. I know we are in the Bible belt, but it still encourages me when I walk into a public organization where people still confidently profess their faith and decisions to follow Christ.

Today I wrote my mission statement. I'm not sure how concrete it is, but I liked it more than I expected. Here it goes: "My mission in life is to choose, embrace and reflect truth for myself and others." Not bad, eh?!

On a different note, Tara just turned 21 last week. Since we couldn't celebrate her birthday on her birthday, we've been having a week of birthday celebration. Margarita's, Pina Colada's and Screwdrivers started the week. I hope to introduce her to wine and beer before the week is over. Mmmm....

The Obligatory First Post

2007-08-05T12:24:00.001-05:00

So I've definitely tried to blog before, but I've been unsuccessful at the upkeep. However, again I try my hand at a personal diary, of sorts. As I embark on this first year of teaching, I am well aware of my own disdain for handwritting journal entries and such. So I will try one more time to do this, the dedicated way.

Tomorrow is my first day. Not my first day teaching, but my first day on the job. The faculty (that includes me!) is meeting at the Jones Center in S'dale for some professional development. I expect to enjoy these two days of meetings, simply because they are training us to give personality tests to our students, I think. And me + personality tests = a happy, happy Cara.

Getting to this point has been a semi-long journey. 4 years of undergraduate classes, 1 really rough M.A.T. year and a summer of worrying over whether I got the only job for which I interviewed (yes, I'm that person) and wondering where they'd stick me. Final placement: 6th grade, Math!

All in all, I'm excited. A bit nervous, but mostly just ready for routine and purpose. So, bring on those sixth graders!