Boooooo

It sure has been a while and yet I am still just as stressed as last week. Mom coming last weekend really did help though. She got me moving.

I just have to make it till Thanksgiving without having a mental or phyiscal breakdown...and then I will be okay. Three weeks...that's what I keep telling myself it least.

Instead of paying attention in math class, because it's just plain awful, Sabrina, Brenna, Lauren, and I play with our shape blocks. We are suppose to be learning how to use these to teach fractions (for FOUR weeks), but I think we all pretty much know how to do that. So, we play. This took Brenna and I a good fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes that I didn't have to listen to that woman talk. Well worth it...and it's pretty.

Bowen this week was busy. Busy busy busy. Or maybe I was just a bit more tired than usual? Not sure which one. Anyways, nothing out of the ordinary happened. I am starting some intervention work though with two of my students. They are on 1st and 2nd grade level reading. Very behind, poor things. They both have very committed families too. One of them really does need to be tested for special ed, the other just doesn't like to try. Although, the longer I am there the more she likes me. At the end of the day she asks if she can read with me. ....Anyways, I have to document what we do every week. If there isn't any documentation that they need to be tested it won't happen. I'm sure this will be an eye opening experience.

Tomorrow Lauren (the other methods 4th grade teacher) and I are going back to campus (on our lovely Friday morning) to work on our service project. I can't complain though...we are just helping the students make posters on bullying and then displaying them throughout the school. Fairly simple.

Normally I am not just suppppper excited about Halloween, but this year I have to say I am. I will be a bumblebee...it was the least trashy outfit I could find. It's actually pretty cute. It came with a stinger, don't ask me why, but it's one I dont plan on wearing.

The best part about this week .................... time change on Sunday. ONE extra hour of SLEEP!!!

I Was a Teacher!

I was a teacher today!!!!!

As a class, we discussed how reading a sentence can differ if it ends in a period, question mark, or exclammation mark. I paired off all the students, good readers with some that need help, funny with shy, and so on. Each group was given a short two page poem they practiced and then presented to the class. I didn't expect them to enjoy it, but they loved it! Mrs. Cade and I did it before to show them...mabye thats why. We made it look like fun. They did so well though and used expression. We had feet stomping and arms flying in the air. It amazes me how adorable they are. I call them my babies.

I was so nervous though. Mainly because Mrs. Cade was there. She asked me after school what I thought about the lesson. I told her I was actually kind of nervous. She said at one point she could tell I was a little nervous and remembered what that was like. She made sure to tell me that she would never be sitting there just critiquing me or judging me. After the lesson she gave me a little note telling me I did great, how great of connection I have with the students, and how much she appreciates me. I love her. If I dont get to be with her in the spring I will be devastated!!

Mrs. Cade gave me two pictures. One of the girls and one of the boys in the class. I tried to scan them, but it wouldnt work. Next week I will be sure to take my camera. I can't believe I havent taken any yet. Although, some schools wont let you take any without parental permission. Thats why I havent tried. Now I will....I need pictures of my babies!

And the procrastination goes on...and on...and on......

BOOK SALE !!!

While I was writing early this morning I completely forgot to provide a weekend recap. Finally Amber was actually in town!!! We hung out with our usually group of overly silly Aggie boys, along with a few graduates from West Point who are now in the Army living in Oklahoma. All the boys act like ten year olds, which is why they are so much fun! There is never a dull moment, never a smile that recedes ones face, or a laugh that isn't chuckling.





Friday night we all met to watch Josh dunk his ring. He did excellent....29 seconds, surprising us all. In addition to great chugging abilities, he tie dyed his own outfit. A head band and biker shorts....by far, the funniest thing I have seen in weeks!




Saturday all of us got up early. Well, as early as we could that is. ATM vs Tech was actually a bigger fight than expected. Not that I payed any attention....I learned a new game instead. It's called backyard golf. Two golf balls are attatched at the ends of a piece of rope. You throw the rope (by holding one of the golf balls) and try to ring it around one of three pieces of horizontally layed PBC pipe. Who has time to think of these things...Im not sure, but it was definitely fun...and I most defintely sucked at it.




Today at Bowen was fairly pretty quiet. The best part? Scholastic Book Sale OF COURSE! I got so excited when I walked in this morning to see the doors open, books waiting for me on crisp white shelves. I bought eleven....eleven well deserved and spectacular books that is!

After school I met Amber and Emily to head out on a mini roadtrip. Amber has been dying to get a puppy. She finally found a lady selling three Sheltie pups in Caldwell. We packed in Amber's small white mustang and headed down the highway. Three babes, big sunglasses, and the radio blasting. We make our turn onto private road 1007 and journey down a long narrow gravel road. We are what seems to be near this "puppy farm" house (as Mom calls it) when we see large bumps of unsettled sand and gravel. The road dips and rises. Clearly they didn't see if necessary to level the gravel they had recently placed on the road. Amber slowly drags her low car along the gravel before stopping halfway. We all had realized the cliff of gravel that lied ahead us would be impossible. Thank God for cell phones...she called the lady.

This lady, who must spend all day outside and have smoked for half her life, agrees to meet us where we are stopped. After Amber gets off the phone, she proceeds to try and turn her car around. In the process we manage to get stuck horizontally in this narrow road. We can go no more than a foot in front of or behind us, and our wheels are burried deep in sand. Luckily, the lady arrives quickly as well as the neighbors whose house we are sitting in front of. It took about 15 minutes, but the neighbor and his young son were eventually able to pull us out, but not without sand and dirt flying ten feet in the air....all toward us. .... The pups were adorable and Amber is desperate for one. Don't we all the moment we hold them! If she does end up buying the puppy I think she will be sure not to take her car back to get it!!!

Tomorrow I will be teaching my first actual lesson. Up until now I just helped out or did the daily warm ups for langauge and math. The lesson has to do with fluency and expression when reading. Two students will be paired, each with a set of lines. They will practice together and then present their poem/story to the class using as much expression as possible and reading fluently while doing so. I'm not exactly having to teach anything, it's mostly the students working. Although, I'd much rather be walked into the lesson process than thrown.

I should be Sleeping ~

Do you ever turn off your lights,

Pull up the covers,

Try to fall asleep

But all these thoughts and ideas keep popping up in your mind?

BAM!

Like a kernel to popcorn.

Pop Pop Pop!

You're doing your best to

override the little leeches,

But

They are screaming at you.

Listen to Me!

Whirling around

Like some tornado thats impossible to hide from.

Racing...

Wheels turning

Hundreds

of miles per hour.

Tonight,

My mind did just that.

Future ...Eeek...

What a scary thought.

Schools and Teaching... Goodness...

How Overwhelming.

Money...UGH...

I might just die!

If you had asked me

A day ago,

One week,

Or a month past

I would have told you

"Anywhere, but here."

Take me as far away from this land

of Maroon and White.

I'm in need of some

Blues, and Golds,

and Greens.

Yet,

All of the sudden it doesn't

Look so

Bad.

Currently,

Bowen Elementary has

Only

Three fourth grade teachers

and room for

four.

Whats missing?

Social Studies of course...

I finally realized

That if I was given the

Opportunity

To interview and maybe take

On that position

I would do it

In a Snap!

Snap! Snap! Snap!

Molly is staring at me

Like I'm some

Crazy

Person.

One a.m. and I'm typing

some silly blog.

Shes begging me to turn the lights

Off.

Maybe my mind is at peace now.

It can rest since my thoughts

Have been put down.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz

A Love Story

The best part of my day was listening to my fourth grade mentor teachers discuss their love stories. My teacher, Elizabeth, met her husband at the blossoming age of fourteen. They have been inseparable since. They now have two children, one a senior in high school, the other in middle school. She says hes the best man she has ever known.

But here's the real kicker. The story that made my heart jump and flutter. The story that makes you think fairy tales really can come true....depending on your interpretation of a fairy tale that is....

Lauren's mentor, Nona, had her fair share of failed relationships. She dated the bad, the ugly, and the worse. Sometimes all in one as she will say. After quite some time she took advice from her mother. Her mother began to tell her an interesting story of her own that has stuck with her to this day. When her mother was younger she wrote down everything she wanted in a man...kind, giving, respectful...you get the drift. She placed the list in her Bible and exactly a year later from that date she met Nona's father. Nona thought What the Heck! What do I have to lose? She thus set out to create her very own list of qualities she thought she deserved from a man, actually knew she deserved

On July 16 she placed the list in her Bible and forgot about it. ....Time went by and she continued to work at the vet's office as a receptionist. One day a man walked in, one she described as a "big guy" carrying a kitten. His kitten was treated, he was friendly with her, and went on his way. That night she received a call from the handsome kitten man... at home, somehow he had tracked her home number. He played it off well, stating he had with a question about the cat's medicine. He asked her out on a date and since then, well, the rest is history. They have twin daughters in first grade and a younger daughter as well. .............And do you know the exact date he walked into that clinic...Yes, it was July 16th. A year from the date in which she scribbled down everything she wanted in a man. She said later on she went to the checklist and saw the date. She then went down every item...he got a check for all!

<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

Needless to say, I have made my list and its tucked tight in my Bible.

Snakes and Lizerds

I made up my mystery absence on Friday. Mrs. Cade told me all the students were wondering where I was. Even students came up to me asking where I was Wednesday and if I felt better....guilt trip or what!!! Now I can never miss again.

Friday was pretty easy. The students had an award assembly in the morning so the day went by fairly quickly. At lunch the tattoo parlor closed...for good. Another parlor started up and the fights began. Bad for business the original parlor said. A fight ensued, thus foreclosure took place. None of them were very happy.

The best part of Friday was as school was letting out. The girls always come up and give me hugs, not the boys though. One boy in particular, the round black boy I wanted to draw a few weeks ago during testing, is very shy and doesnt like to be touched much (Itleast thats what Mrs. Cade says). So in the past I've made sure just to pat him on the back or give encouragement through words. But Friday afternoon as the bell was ringing, he came and hugged me. I got the biggest smile on my face. Thats when you know youre doing something worthwhile!

This weekend was very relaxed. Saturday I didnt get out of pajamas till 5...it was great. Actually I can say the same for today...its 4 p.m. and I am in pajamas. LAZY!!!

These are pictures some of the girls have drawn for me. I especially like the t-shirt drawing. Lizerds....how cute is that!! Those drawings make my day :)

A Shady Tree To Learn Under

My morning did not begin well. The alarm clock did not bang, it did not ring, it didn't even whisper a soothing melody. My eyes opened as school began this morning at 7:30 a.m. I was then forced to call in and give an excuse (a.k.a a lie) for not being able to go. Mine was a sore throat and congestion. That'll do right? I have NEVER missed an observation day in my life. Of course it happens with the teacher I love the most! I plan to make up Friday....my day to sleep in. Whoever invited alarms is stupid in my opinion. All it has done is create havoc. What happened to the days when we were simply woken up by God's sunlight and began our day then???

I can't say much took place today. Ran a couple errands, went to the gym, worked on a little project I have due in a couple weeks, walked with Holly, and then read countless pages out of my pointless math book. I'm pretty much screwed tomorrow. I read most of the stuff, not all though. I dont have time to read 6 chapters. I read a good 3, the chapters that we were quizzed on. Although I'm not sure my brain retained much of it. It's all just kind of jambled and scattered in there....floating in wide open space. But a space that causes it to disorient itself and makes that sound when you come to a radio station that doesn't exist...SHHHHHHHHHHH

Tomorrow will undoubtedly be one of the longest days ever. Yes I am being dramatic. Thursdays just really suck. I wish we could learn outside under a shady tree or take a walk, but instead we are stuck in a classroom with few, if any, windows and flourescent lighting. I know how the kiddies feel. And instead of learning of helpful websites, how to read TAKS scores, or creating unique units....we are playing with base ten blocks. Sticks and little cubes. As you can tell, I'm rather bitter about this semester. I'm still waiting for the fun to come.

The Tattoo Parlor

I love my teacher. I dont think I can say it enough. I love my mentor teacher.

She asked me today if I was SURE I wanted to student teach with her. "Of course! 100%" I said! She is so sweet....shes going through a whole process of filling out papers just so I can be in her room. Hopefully that all works out!

I enjoyed school today. It seemed less hectic for some reason. I spent most of the day grading papers and making a giant card for a student who had his appendix out. Art in the classroom...what better what to spend my day?!!

Speaking of art....I've always wanted to paint African American children. Im not quite sure why, I guess I just think their coloring is beautiful. I found this painting on the internet and loved it. The colors, the mood, the girls little afro. It actually reminds me of a young African American student in the fourth grade. Shes not in my class, but I see her everyday. Shes a prissy thing with a very large attitude. Shes the girl that rules the grade level, makes the rules, calls the shots kinda gal. Oh, and shes a twin...so imagine two of those coming at you full force. I had to give her the evil eye last week. She was talking, whispering, and pointing to students in my class just after we had our Fourth Grade Class Meeting on bullying. So, as I said I gave her the eye at lunch. The eye that says "I see what your doing, I don't like it, and Im going to continue to watch you." Since then she stares at me. Anyways...today at recess they set up a tattoo parlor. Yes, a tattoo parlor. The twins apparently came upon some very glittery gel pens and decided to give other girls tattoos, but you had to be on a the list, or put your name on the list and wait in line. So at recess I wandered to their little parlor and requested a silver heart on my wrist (My teacher had just gotten a pink one on hers). My name was put down and with time one of the twins gave me my tattoo. Very quickly though, but I think its because she doesnt like me...still. Being the artist I am and always having to play with media, I grabbed on of the pens and gave another little girl a butterfly tattoo on the top of her hand. I wished you could have seen the face I got. It said "I knoooow you didnt jus take my pen gurl....what you think you doing with that....you best be putting that back in here soon." The whistle was blown shortly after and she gathered her materials very quickly.

After school Holly and I went for a quick walk/run. It felt great. The weather today was perfect- warm, sunny, and a cool breeze. We go back into the neighborhood off Munsen. There is not as much traffic and the neighborhood is quite charming.

Of course I got nothing school related done this afternoon/evening. Which, in turn, means it will all have to be done tomorrow....yuck! I have senoritis right now. I've been in school for 16 years. SIXTEEN YEARS. I think letting myself slack off just a bit for one semester is deserved right? Mom is shaking her head...I know. I've gotten this far-Why give up now? I need motivation...How do i get that though? I dont really have anything to excite me. No work that challenges me. Maybe I should paint....will that motivate me? Probably not in regards to school.

Kooks Cancelled...

The Kooks cancelled friday night. Drew came all the way here to go to the concert in Houston, it was his birthday gift from me. Literally...Drew and I have the car packed, are turning off all the lights, checking the air and stove...then Amber calls. Five mintues before we are about to walk out the door....The Kooks just cancelled. A band member is sick. DANGIT! The only good thing that came out of that was the fact that we had not left yet.

Thus, I was required to try and find something somewhat entertaining for my brother to do. Friday night we ate at Wings N More and as always.... I went beyond needed consumption. He spent the evening with friends and I did as well. Yesterday we vegged ALL day. Although, we did go to Gander Mountain....which isnt near as bad as I thought it would be. We had dinner at C&J's BBQ....it was delicious! After, Drew, Holly, Corbin and I came back and hung out for a bit before heading to a friends house. We stayed there for the rest of the evening and then went and had Canes chicken strips and fries at 1 am. Nothing sounds better at 1 am then a basket of yummy french fries!

Drew just left actually....the weekend went by realllllly fast. Im sure he would have enjoyed himself more if he got to go to the concert. We were both looking forward to it. Oh well... It was just nice to get to spend some time together.

Tomorrow another busy week begins. I have more assignments then last week. Projects and tests for the most part....tests that I am WAY behind in reading for! I need some motivation at this point...Im lagging...lagging reallll bad.

Oh and the chicken hat...Holly came by with it. She got it at target for Ava, her cat. Can't you tell how much Molly loved this! Just by watching her facial expressions I know she was thinking some pretty hateful things at that moment. Shes no chicken!!!

Dont Stop Dont Change Stay Beautiful

Today was LONG. I'd much rather be in my 4th grade classroom standing for hours. I signed up to attend the education career fair on October 20th...something I'm very nervous about. Most of them won't even be looking for a graduate of May, instead students who graduate in December, but our professors think it's a good idea to get your "face" out there.

Molly is very very very tired. Although, she did leave the bed today to sunbathe. She said she really enjoyed that. It was just the right mix of light and heat. It made her silky furr glow. Right now she is laying on her shoes.

Tomorrow Drew arrives and we will head to the big city of Houston. We are going to see The Kooks, a british pop band. The concert is at the Meridian, which Amber assumes will be somewhat small since its a hotel we believe. I'm okay with that. I doubt REAL small, but nothing HUGE. We are staying the night at her boyfriend, Greg's place. I can't wait. It should be an enjoyable event!

I heard a song today in the car "stay beautiful." The lyrics kinda just stayed with me. "Dont stop, dont change, stay beautiful." Maybe that's my new motto. ....

4th Grader Mini-Dramas

Boy Fourth Graders sure are interesting specimens. Today at Bowen Elementary was quite something. Lets see where to start ???

All of the fourth grade had a meeting today. That made 3 teachers, 2 method students, and 60-70 fourth graders. There was a LONG list we all had to go over. Not really we, the teachers. But Lauren and I have noticed the behavior and have our eyes and ears open. It was simple things like not listening, dont touch your friends food, no food fights, treat each other with respect, and no name calling. The big one, the one that surprised me: No fighting. Apparently two boys had scheduled , yes scheduled, a fight today at recess. One boy stole the other boys girlfriend. Drama already and they are only 10! One student over heard and told the teacher. Needless to say, there was no fight. I dont think it will be the last scheduled fight though. All of these kids are so into their mini-dramas. All they talk about is this persons boyfriend or how they pulled a girls number. I dont remember being like that. All I can really remember was liking boys in fourth grade (or every grade for that matter "wink wink" ) and wishing Amanda would let me play soccer - she always told me they didnt have room for me. See ... that rotten thing started out mean.

My second interesting story has to do with a boy in Lauren's class. Since we started this observation he has been nothing but trouble. Bringing air horns to school, which is against the law. Stealing things off the teacher's desk, threatening and pushing other students, including the teachers kindergarten twin daughters. He told them he was going to hurt them. How stupid can this kid be? Espeically to do it to a teacher's child...... Yesterday he was required to sit in ISS - In School Suspension. His mother is no help either. Last week when he got into trouble for the air horn- she brought him Schlotzskis for lunch. What a punishment!!! ..........Apparently, he didnt learn his lesson though. Today he was all over the place. Humping the bookshelves (yes, humping), asking Lauren if she is Mexican (shes not, nor does she look like it), and discussing sex topics with friends under the table. He really went over and beyond when he, and a friend (who just laughed and was purely there to watch) asked Lauren if she (and Im not sure if these are the exact words, but are in the vacinity) if she..."gave it up for her husband." 1. Shes not married and doesnt even wear a ring on that finger. 2. Did he really just ask her if she gave it up? Hes in fourth grade!!

Lauren was going to try an avoid the question. She was just taken aback he asked that. She didn't want him to get into anymore trouble, because the teacher has had to call his mother everyday for the week. When he left Lauren though, he began to laugh about it and tell all his friends. So she told the teacher and he is now in even more trouble. He then claimed he didnt even know what it meant when he asked if she gave it up. Liar. That poor teacher. And Lauren. Can you imagine...in fourth grade already bullying, stealing, and talking about sex. Just imagine high school! It's really sad! And Im sure his mother will do nothing. She already thinks the ISS for the air horn and threats was too harsh. (And if you're wondering...she's a single parent, he's never met his father, and has an older brother which im sure is real "cool" - but still those aren't good enough reasons for his behavior)

So that what all very interesting. Fourth graders these days are much more ahead in the relationship/sex world that I EVER expected. Geezzz....Needless to say I am exhausted. I never really realized how long a teacher's job is. You're not done at 3:30 .... Nope. You work hours after that and into the weekend. Every one of the fourth grade teachers, so far this semester, has been at the elementary school every Saturday almost all day since school started. YUCK. I was not real pleased to hear this.

Anyways....on campus tomorrow and then a girl's night with Amber and maybe Laura. That is the only part of tomorrow I am excited for! And knowing that I dont have school Friday of course! :)