or Infectious Children
Today, the following things happened
•One child was sent home with lice
•One child was sent home because she threw up
•One child sneezed on my head. This child continued to sneeze in a body forward/half bent way all day; he never really got the hang of tissues
•One child said, "I have a cold." Someone else responded with, "Me too."
•One child said, "I don't feel good."
I think the germs are out to get me.
blah, blah, blah...I like to eat healthy.
blah, blah, blah...Trader Joes.
blah, blah, blah...they have bratwurst. I know they're not healthy...but, they're from TJs so I can lie to myself.
I cooked them in beer.
They were good.
I have had several CA moments this weekend:
*A walk in a t-shirt and shorts yesterday. It's January. This is amazing.
*Driving past a pickup truck that was filled with snow they had hauled in from the mountains. Again, I was in shorts.
*A very good meal at an organic Italian place with the MaDonks. It was great.
*A walk to Los Feliz for dinner. I got to work of the fajitas/excessive chips right after consumption. Perfect.
*Run-ins with minor celebrities at my local supermarket. Who knew that's where they all hang out?
It was one of those perfect low-key weekends.
On Friday, I played part of Dr. King's I have a dream speech to my students and another class of 5th graders. After it was over, I asked for reactions. The first student said it was inspirational. I love these big kids. Then we talked about the ways we can keep Dr. King's dream alive and they came up with very personalized ideas. I was very proud of my students.
Oh wait. That's election 2008.
When I got my license, I decided that I wanted to vote in the primaries and so registered with the Dems. I was a card-carrying Undecided up until that point--say it loud, say it proud. This week, I found out that Undecideds can vote in primaries here in CA. After a moment of regret, I realized it's no big deal. Am I going to vote Republican? Probably not.
Since the primaries are on Feb. 5th here in CA (and half the other states), I've been paying close attention to the candidates. I checked out Project Vote Smart for a little nonpartisan background information on the candidates (very informative--did you know Hillary Clinton is on Wal-mart's board? Or that Barack Obama is a Leo?
I also did a little research on the Iowa Caucus. People are literally standing in a room trying to get their friends to join them in their corner and then there is a crazy percentage thing worked out. That's how they do it in Iowa. This plus the fact that less people participate in the caucus than live in Burbank makes it all a little silly to me.
I have a month to decide who I am going to back. I'm just not sure which way I should go. But I do know, election season is upon us.
1. Teachers grind their teeth. Dr. Joe, my dentist, said I have some slight grinding and the gums of a 21 year old. I love Dr. Joe.
2. Dave and I are good at the whole throwing a party thing. Actually, at this point, I only know that he and I can prep for a party like mad men. Ready, with time to spare. That's what I'm saying. Now it's time to see if folks have fun.
3. My friend told me that the service that transcribes your voice mail is as good as I want it to be. I hate voice mail. They fix my hate by writing messages down and emailing it to you. Oh, the goodness of 2007.
4. Greek food in LA is not so good. I already knew it but I tried to give it a second chance.
5. Games are a part of my life. I can do nothing about that fact.
6. 80's music still does it for me.
7. I still like to fun. Oh good days had by all.
2007 has been so good...I am beginning 2008 happy.
And, I've got a playlist for the nights festivities.
Happy 2008 to all those I love.
Today I received a card from my sister who is in her first year of college. Several things about the card made it very clear to me that she is now college-aged. Her card was filled with thoughtful and mature thoughts. And...her card was made out of elephant dung. I feel like you only have access to that kind of good stuff when you are a college student. 
Today had a bump, a hiccup, a long stretch of minutes that I feel may only be able to happen in the world of a teacher. This is not an exaggeration.
9:45-other teacher tells me to call my supervisor about a class placement I thought was a go.
9:56-school psychologist tells me that the folks in the district office think afore mentioned placement is not the best. Unfortunately, I had told the parents about this great arrangement last week...right after the school psychologist suggested the arrangement and said she thought it would be the best possible thing to do for the student.
10:01-my student who needs recess the most missed recess because he was in a meeting. I see him walking in the opposite direction of my classroom. I think he is crying.
10:02-talk with the person he was in the meeting with and find out he was super resistant to the idea of talking with someone. She doesn't know where he went.
10:03-called to try to find him in another classroom...oh, he's in his on his way over.
10:05-nose bleed
10:06-missing boy is back. Engaged in high power negotiation about what happens when someone misses recess, why it's not my job to find him when he is with another teacher and tell her he needs to go to recess, why you can't just go play now, and how to talk to someone instead of shaking with anger.
10:10-reminded the children working that it was time to finish with their independent work and move to the next activity.
10:10 1/4-missing boy is on the floor. He's upset.
10:10 1/2-nose bleed has become a gusher, escort to office arranged.
10:12-principal passes, I ask her to come in to talk to the upset boy.
10:13-hazard waste clean-up.
10:14-reminded everyone to put their papers in their folders not just shoved into their cubby.
10:15-I'm shaky. It's time to read Patricia Polacco. I need some Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair.
So, now, at 7:44, I'm in my pajamas. And I had ice cream. It was $1 scoop Tuesday.
The events prior to my birthday blog were different than past birthday blogs. I drove home into the most beautiful sunset. I arrived to my new home, pet the cats, and read the perfect blog birthday gift from Dave.
My 30th year was wonderful, full of goodness. I finished my degree, moved to a new state, decided to live like a grownup, and found out I am a cat person. It's been so good.
Now, when I think about how I will spend my 31st year, one thing comes to mind. I hope that I can really try to interact with my new place...really make this place my own.
I feel like the world holds so much right now. I am so excited for my life. I like that part of being in my 30s.
While sitting in my staff meeting, after school and a very trick phone call, I told my colleague that I felt like I had been run over by a steamroller. She told me that that I used good descriptive language.
That is a comment only a teacher would make.
Now, I'm going to get Thai food for dinner...because I'm still feeling effected by the steamroller.
Last week, we got a fancy new TV and a new Tivo. Because of these changes, I am currently working with 3 different remotes. I just caught myself thinking, "I miss the one remote system."
Then I realized that just a few months ago, I was working off of a 19 inch screen and channel changing system that involved moving myself closer to the TV and using the nearest digit.
I don't know if I can ever go back.
As a long-time fan of the superhero supply store in Brooklyn, I'm eagerly anticipating the time travel shop in Echo Park. Maybe I'll be able to finally organize a class trip to their bookmaking workshop. It would be so good. Plus, they seem really funny.
From the last blog...I can't make the perfect pancake. But, there is perfect pancake in my life. Don't you worry.
The weekend was filled with some excellent hobby exploration. Because I'm a fan, here are the bullet points.
*Dave and I went to see Dan in Real Life which resulted in a self-imposed ban on romantic comedies. Being highly impressionable, I became a little sad that my life doesn't include a house in Rhode Island, playing football/step aerobics/crossword puzzles, the ability to make the perfect pancake, or a syndicated advice column. Don't get me wrong, I love my life and the movie was good. I just can't handle pressure like that.
*I decided to knit again. Gift season is upon us and some people I know have cold necks. Unfortunately, I think I forgot how to knit using the accepted method. Left to my own devices, I do my own thing. I do it consistently, crating something that has a uniformity of design. But, it's not quite knitting. It's mostly just wrong. Now, I have to get un-wronged.
*On a late afternoon trip to Target, I became the owner of a new mop and Dave became the owner of Guitar Hero III. After a brief snafu with sub par products, we got down to business. First I got involved with the process of seeing how much dirty water I can create while mopping, bringing me a deep and unique sense of accomplishment. Then Dave convinced me to try the new game. I stayed up past my bedtime as I tried to nail Cream's Sunshine of your Love. It was good.
*Then there was the fun. As you may know, I like to fun.
The current cat toy obsession that Cat is going through made me remember an old SNL skit. I told Dave I'd find it for him. After google-ing "snl cat toys will ferrell," I found a little 5 minute humor (in all it's meat headed glory).
Enjoy.
I spend a lot of time on the freeways. The 2, the 210, the 134. All of these are big parts of my day. Although I sometimes get so focused on the driving that I do not see some of the things that are right in front of me (like the Eagle Rock, which I manage to miss each day and insist that I don't drive by it during conversation). I'm a little more observant when it comes to the cars. I'm a little afraid of hitting something so I tend to pay close attention.
Yesterday, I saw a jeep with a snorkel. I spent a lot of the remaining drive wondering when you would need to drive a car with a snorkel. There can't be a whole lot of deep puddles in these parts. And, the LA river is mostly a dribble. I guess there is the ocean. But, that doesn't seem safe.
Last night, Dave and I used inspiration from the HipCooks class and let our our inner chefs. Well, I let out my inner cook. Dave said that he let out his inner assembler. Together, we created a tasty little meal. A little chicken-souvlaki type thing with onions. Some Greek-yogurt veggie stuff that may have missed the delicate balance from the class but was good nonetheless. Plus some tasty, tasty pita, feta and cherry tomatoes from the Hollywood Farmers Market. It was a little bit like I was in Astoria again. But, better because we made it ourselves. And, I got to have a good lunch and a tasty little snack with the leftovers. So good.
Take that-I HipCook blogged. Just one of the many HipCooks blogs that could happen from that night. Erin, I know it could have been better...but, I felt pressure.
I am currently engaged in a frightening game of fetch with Cat. He sees using his claws and teeth as an integral part of the game. And, he is growling each time I try to get the ball. In his split-personality way, he is also pushing me with his hand, I mean paw to get me to play. Oh, cat, you so crazy.
