Hello! I bet you thought I went and died and was never going to return.
Well... that's sort of what happened, but instead of dying I've been teaching.
Which is sort of like dying, but more like having to stand in front of a room of confused, resistant, curious, and poo flinging teenagers.
It is very exhausting, and in seven teaching days, it will all be over. And thank god I will be able to go back to this crazy circus next year and start all over again. I really love it, despite my sarcastic tone.
Anyway, I'm really here to talk about JG. Who, by the way, is hilarious and you've all been missing out. I will try to catch you up, over time, if I have time.
This last week I decided to give JG the option of peeing in the potty (a small training potty). I figure she's two (TWO!), she's starting to get irritated at her diapers, and I would love to stop buying them.
All I have said to her is that she can pee or poop on the potty if she wants to, she just has to let me know.
She is so entertained to see her pee it the potty and says, "I pee-peed in the potty!"
Today she pulled at her diaper, we put her on the potty...
she farted...
"I pooped!"
And indeed, a solid poop had nestled itself inside her little potty. So. Gross. But awesome.
She grinned, we congratulated her, and we all watched to poop spin its way down the toilet.
Truly amazing.
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teaching. Show all posts
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Holy Mother
Having two weeks off from teaching is...
help me think of metaphors and simile's here...
a well deserved bath after having spent months neck-deep in skin irritating dirt and grime.
like finally getting to scratch that "hard to reach" spot
being able to breath deeply after escaping one of Maggie's nausea inducing farts
awesome.
help me think of metaphors and simile's here...
a well deserved bath after having spent months neck-deep in skin irritating dirt and grime.
like finally getting to scratch that "hard to reach" spot
being able to breath deeply after escaping one of Maggie's nausea inducing farts
awesome.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
P*nis!
The first three months of my teaching career have been very informative. For instance, do not start out the year as a "relaxed" teacher, apparently it gives the impression to the students that you will let them get away with practically anything.
Just when I thought I had a handle on the whole classroom behavior management thing.
Two weeks ago Monday started out just fine. I felt like my students were learning, which is a big deal for me. Then, as my second class was wrapping up 8th grade Girl Student yelled, "F--- what?" No, she wasn't swearing at me, but when your... stupid enough to swear loud enough for the entire class to hear? I gave her detention, but in reflecting on this I should have sent her to the office.
In my last class of Monday one of the sweetest (?) boy students I have yelled across the room to another boy, "Your mother raped you as a child!"
Detention. Yes, what he said was awful, but that class was terrible, and there were some comments made by his classmates that I should have sent them to the office for... and because I was a terrible teacher I didn't. The 8th grader who did the yelling had been bullied all day, and he didn't quite know how to burn off that steam. Ugh.
The next day 9th grad Boy Student said the F* word in class. Not as loud, but I heard it, so I gave him detention too. I have creepy hearing. I have been informed by my principal that there are some things I need to "pretend" I don't hear.
I'm working on it.
But, that week not being over yet (we're only on Tuesday), there was plenty of time for my students to further demonstrate to me how they interpreted my management of their behavior.
Thursday, 9th grade class, we're transitioning from free write to the lesson. It is quiet. Students are being respectful and cleaning off their desks. And then.
"PENIS!"
He had perfect timing. Everything was silent. I was livid. LIVID. "Outside!" I said sternly.
"I said it," he said.
"You really think I'm going to let that go?" I said, using my meanest voice.
He stood up in a bit of a daze and went outside, I wrote a letter the the principle that read "said 'penis' out loud in class."
The worst part was I had to yell at the rest of the class to get them back on track. My creepy hearing kept hearing them say "penis...penis...penis" talking about what had just happened. I had to sternly inform them that such language was not funny and would not be tolerated.
The best part is that I have a helper teacher that period. I was so embarrassed. (I must add, the principal made 9th grade boy call his mother and repeat what he said, which made 9th grader extremely embarrassed. I am milking that for what it's worth in my professional relationship with 9th grade boy. Ha! Say penis in my class!)
So. That was, quite frankly, a shitty week. Since then I have become a much more strict and unrelenting teacher, which is no fun for me, but I have to focus on making my classroom feel safe for everybody. Things are improving, but I am continually having to reinforce procedures, which is what I should have been doing all along.
Blasted.
I should add that I really love teaching. This is the right place for me to be.
Just when I thought I had a handle on the whole classroom behavior management thing.
Two weeks ago Monday started out just fine. I felt like my students were learning, which is a big deal for me. Then, as my second class was wrapping up 8th grade Girl Student yelled, "F--- what?" No, she wasn't swearing at me, but when your... stupid enough to swear loud enough for the entire class to hear? I gave her detention, but in reflecting on this I should have sent her to the office.
In my last class of Monday one of the sweetest (?) boy students I have yelled across the room to another boy, "Your mother raped you as a child!"
Detention. Yes, what he said was awful, but that class was terrible, and there were some comments made by his classmates that I should have sent them to the office for... and because I was a terrible teacher I didn't. The 8th grader who did the yelling had been bullied all day, and he didn't quite know how to burn off that steam. Ugh.
The next day 9th grad Boy Student said the F* word in class. Not as loud, but I heard it, so I gave him detention too. I have creepy hearing. I have been informed by my principal that there are some things I need to "pretend" I don't hear.
I'm working on it.
But, that week not being over yet (we're only on Tuesday), there was plenty of time for my students to further demonstrate to me how they interpreted my management of their behavior.
Thursday, 9th grade class, we're transitioning from free write to the lesson. It is quiet. Students are being respectful and cleaning off their desks. And then.
"PENIS!"
He had perfect timing. Everything was silent. I was livid. LIVID. "Outside!" I said sternly.
"I said it," he said.
"You really think I'm going to let that go?" I said, using my meanest voice.
He stood up in a bit of a daze and went outside, I wrote a letter the the principle that read "said 'penis' out loud in class."
The worst part was I had to yell at the rest of the class to get them back on track. My creepy hearing kept hearing them say "penis...penis...penis" talking about what had just happened. I had to sternly inform them that such language was not funny and would not be tolerated.
The best part is that I have a helper teacher that period. I was so embarrassed. (I must add, the principal made 9th grade boy call his mother and repeat what he said, which made 9th grader extremely embarrassed. I am milking that for what it's worth in my professional relationship with 9th grade boy. Ha! Say penis in my class!)
So. That was, quite frankly, a shitty week. Since then I have become a much more strict and unrelenting teacher, which is no fun for me, but I have to focus on making my classroom feel safe for everybody. Things are improving, but I am continually having to reinforce procedures, which is what I should have been doing all along.
Blasted.
I should add that I really love teaching. This is the right place for me to be.
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Schooled
The first quarter of my teaching career wrapped up at the end of October and all I can really say about that is THANK GOD!!!!
Man.
With the start of a new quarter I feel like I'm catching my stride and starting to know who I am as a teacher. I was worried for a while that my approach wasn't going to work, but I am starting to see some changes in my students. I believe I've convinced a few resistant students to start paying attention and give themselves a chance -- I am the most excited about that. I can't stand the kid who gives up before s/he's even started.
JG is doing really well too, she is loving daycare. There have been a few times when Alex goes to pick her up she throws a fit, as in, "How dare you try to tear me from this fantastic place!" fit.
The benefit of daycare for us is how much she's learning. Holy mother, so much learning, far more than what I'm capable of teaching her at home. The other day she pointed at a face on the cover of a book and said, "Happy."
She was right, the face was smiling, the character was happy.
Oh, and JG is really popular with the other kids, including the older kids. The other morning we walked in and are instantly surrounded by three and four year olds saying "JG! JG! Are you JG's mom?" and then they make a face at her -- this scrunchy face she makes
which apparently caught on with the kids and the teenagers who help out too.
I have no idea where my child inherited the gene for popularity, but she oozes it. Everybody loves her. Strangers at the market (sometimes uncomfortably so), my students (I had to take her to school for a bit one day), her teachers and classmates.
When I leave her at daycare I usually tell her to be good, and her teachers say, "Oh, JG is always good." They say that with a big smile.
It's also crazy how articulate she is for a 17-month-old. New words to add to her list:
Shoes
jacket
tickle
baby
out
owl
ear
eyes
mouth
juice
hug
read
book (she likes to say "Read book")
grampa
Can you believe that?
And she dances and sings nursery rhymes she's learned at daycare, which seems to be her favorite thing in the world:
Okay, I'll stop pontificating now, and shall work harder next time to resume the use of my sarcastic voice.
Which, by the way, typically hurts the feelings of 8th and 9th graders.
Who would've thunk?
Man.
With the start of a new quarter I feel like I'm catching my stride and starting to know who I am as a teacher. I was worried for a while that my approach wasn't going to work, but I am starting to see some changes in my students. I believe I've convinced a few resistant students to start paying attention and give themselves a chance -- I am the most excited about that. I can't stand the kid who gives up before s/he's even started.
JG is doing really well too, she is loving daycare. There have been a few times when Alex goes to pick her up she throws a fit, as in, "How dare you try to tear me from this fantastic place!" fit.
The benefit of daycare for us is how much she's learning. Holy mother, so much learning, far more than what I'm capable of teaching her at home. The other day she pointed at a face on the cover of a book and said, "Happy."
She was right, the face was smiling, the character was happy.
Oh, and JG is really popular with the other kids, including the older kids. The other morning we walked in and are instantly surrounded by three and four year olds saying "JG! JG! Are you JG's mom?" and then they make a face at her -- this scrunchy face she makes
(Pinch your lips together and scrunch your nose as if something is stinky, that's the face she makes)
which apparently caught on with the kids and the teenagers who help out too.
I have no idea where my child inherited the gene for popularity, but she oozes it. Everybody loves her. Strangers at the market (sometimes uncomfortably so), my students (I had to take her to school for a bit one day), her teachers and classmates.
When I leave her at daycare I usually tell her to be good, and her teachers say, "Oh, JG is always good." They say that with a big smile.
It's also crazy how articulate she is for a 17-month-old. New words to add to her list:
Shoes
jacket
tickle
baby
out
owl
ear
eyes
mouth
juice
hug
read
book (she likes to say "Read book")
grampa
Can you believe that?
And she dances and sings nursery rhymes she's learned at daycare, which seems to be her favorite thing in the world:
Okay, I'll stop pontificating now, and shall work harder next time to resume the use of my sarcastic voice.
Which, by the way, typically hurts the feelings of 8th and 9th graders.
Who would've thunk?
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Horror
JG is 17 months old now and she is gradually growing out of her milk and soy intolerances. Thank Jesus, because let me tell you, having to avoid those two things drains all the fun out of feeding her. She still can't eat raw milk (so, having a glass of milk is out), but having milk baked into something is okay... even though it totally gives her the farts.
Which brings us to me.
Before this whole milk fiasco began I loved milk. Ice cream. Cereal with cold milk poured over it. Cream cheese icing. Soups with cream mixed in. Oh man... really, anything made delicious by milk, I loved.
And now.
Now.
I'm afraid there may be some sort of genetic reason JG has an intolerance, because I'm almost 95% positive that I am lactose intolerant.
How do I know, you ask?
Let's just say that whenever I eat something made with milk it makes itself known. At school this last week I made myself some coffee with hot cocoa mixed in (wonderfully scrumptious) and about thirty minutes later I was surrounded by a cloud of stench so thick I worried about students coming up to me and passing out.
It is horrendously embarrassing what milk does to my guts.
The good thing is that my students probably suspect their peers before they think of me. As far as they know I am devoid of body functions and I'd like to keep it that way.
Unfortunately, milk isn't always silent as it travels the twists and turns of my bowels. Sigh.
So, it turns out that I've been limiting the amount of goodies I eat... or, I should say, the times. I totally just ate two doughnuts. In quick succession. And a cookie.
I have problems.
Which brings us to me.
Before this whole milk fiasco began I loved milk. Ice cream. Cereal with cold milk poured over it. Cream cheese icing. Soups with cream mixed in. Oh man... really, anything made delicious by milk, I loved.
And now.
Now.
I'm afraid there may be some sort of genetic reason JG has an intolerance, because I'm almost 95% positive that I am lactose intolerant.
How do I know, you ask?
Let's just say that whenever I eat something made with milk it makes itself known. At school this last week I made myself some coffee with hot cocoa mixed in (wonderfully scrumptious) and about thirty minutes later I was surrounded by a cloud of stench so thick I worried about students coming up to me and passing out.
It is horrendously embarrassing what milk does to my guts.
The good thing is that my students probably suspect their peers before they think of me. As far as they know I am devoid of body functions and I'd like to keep it that way.
Unfortunately, milk isn't always silent as it travels the twists and turns of my bowels. Sigh.
So, it turns out that I've been limiting the amount of goodies I eat... or, I should say, the times. I totally just ate two doughnuts. In quick succession. And a cookie.
I have problems.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Midterms
Guh.
Sta.
Stbliethlsj.
Is it bad that I may have gotten a little lazy in my grading and gave full points if they handed in the assignment?
Especially since I spent the majority of my weekend noticing how 50-60% of my students don't hand in anything at all.
They fail because they don't try.
And I don't understand, because I was never like that, I always handed in my work. Sometimes it wasn't complete, but mainly because I never felt like finishing.
They never start.
So, no, I'm not a frustrated teacher. Not at all.
Sta.
Stbliethlsj.
Is it bad that I may have gotten a little lazy in my grading and gave full points if they handed in the assignment?
Especially since I spent the majority of my weekend noticing how 50-60% of my students don't hand in anything at all.
They fail because they don't try.
And I don't understand, because I was never like that, I always handed in my work. Sometimes it wasn't complete, but mainly because I never felt like finishing.
They never start.
So, no, I'm not a frustrated teacher. Not at all.
Monday, September 20, 2010
I am still alive...
I am still alive, but very exhausted. So. Exhausted.
So much, in fact, that it's difficult to hold a conversation with most anybody (sorry Min) outside of school. You could ask Alex, I'm not much good conversing with him either.
School? I'm learning so much... mostly through failing, with some success sprinkled in here and there. My classes have such a wide range of students, from low to high and more, that figuring out how to teach them all is a frustrating process. And then there are the students who like to try and control the class, or argue, or just be a general pain in the ass.
I am so looking forward to having this Friday off.
And, for those of you who wanted to know how JG is doing:
So much, in fact, that it's difficult to hold a conversation with most anybody (sorry Min) outside of school. You could ask Alex, I'm not much good conversing with him either.
School? I'm learning so much... mostly through failing, with some success sprinkled in here and there. My classes have such a wide range of students, from low to high and more, that figuring out how to teach them all is a frustrating process. And then there are the students who like to try and control the class, or argue, or just be a general pain in the ass.
I am so looking forward to having this Friday off.
And, for those of you who wanted to know how JG is doing:
She loves daycare. She is learning so much and I am continually impressed with her teachers. Four little teeth are pushing their way through her gums, so she hasn't been feeling too well.
And now I am tired and going to bed.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Bla bla bla
This being the first week of school I am... my brain is... suffering.
I am not fully prepared. I do not have rolls for my classes that start tomorrow and I have no idea what we will do for 90 minutes.
I am hoping for that spark that tends to happen while I am in the shower that says, "Hot damn, this is a brilliant idea at the very LAST MINUTE!"
Sometimes the ideas aren't so great.
Oh well.
Ah, I also can't log into my computer and I have no access to the database I need to set up grades or anything else. Do I want to use the smart board in my room? Yes. Can I? Maybe?
I should really lay out some clothes tonight so I don't have to think about it tomorrow morning, but I'm not sure if I'm capable of matching colors (ever).
I guess I'll just go to bed.
I am not fully prepared. I do not have rolls for my classes that start tomorrow and I have no idea what we will do for 90 minutes.
I am hoping for that spark that tends to happen while I am in the shower that says, "Hot damn, this is a brilliant idea at the very LAST MINUTE!"
Sometimes the ideas aren't so great.
Oh well.
Ah, I also can't log into my computer and I have no access to the database I need to set up grades or anything else. Do I want to use the smart board in my room? Yes. Can I? Maybe?
I should really lay out some clothes tonight so I don't have to think about it tomorrow morning, but I'm not sure if I'm capable of matching colors (ever).
I guess I'll just go to bed.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
So Tired
School starts next week, which means I have been busy with new teacher orientation and getting my room ready this week.
With a broken elbow (see previous post) - which is the sort of broken where you are supposed to ignore the fact that it is broken, but hurts like hell when I push or pull anything. Such a joy to have a broken wing when I need to fly. (haha haha haha)
JG has also started daycare. I get to rip out my heart each morning when I leave her behind, bawling and asking me not to leave. The daycare staff said that sometimes it takes a child up to two months to adjust.
Two months.
I'm hoping that JG is in the swing of things by next week, and I have high hopes for her since everyone I have talked to says that their kid loves it. And the parents like it too.
In the future I am sure I will like it as well.
Just not so much right now.
And teaching...
Today I went to a... I can't remember the technical term for it, but I went to a Language Arts class for teachers. Being in a room full of older women who have taught anywhere from 5-20 years makes me uncomfortable.
Why? Because they all assume I'm a baby, like an 18-year-old they need to coddle and condescend to. Like "oh, look at how young she is, she obviously has no idea what she's doing."
I understand that I look much younger than I am (I'm 30, by the way), but when I meet women (and it is alway women) who automatically assume I am naive and uneducated, my skin crawls and I shut down a little.
Outside of the workplace I have no problem letting them know they're wrong, but when it's people I will see and work with again I have learned it's better to roll with the punches rather than to bite. Eventually they will learn what I know and who I am, and I'll just let them make a fool of themselves for the time being.
The funny thing is that I told my new coworker, "Gail", that the ladies behave that way around me and she didn't believe me, until she witnessed it happen from a friend of hers. Even more hilarious, she put her friend on the spot so we could clear up the misunderstanding.
I am so happy to get to work with this woman.
And now I need to go write my disclosure statement. So there.
With a broken elbow (see previous post) - which is the sort of broken where you are supposed to ignore the fact that it is broken, but hurts like hell when I push or pull anything. Such a joy to have a broken wing when I need to fly. (haha haha haha)
JG has also started daycare. I get to rip out my heart each morning when I leave her behind, bawling and asking me not to leave. The daycare staff said that sometimes it takes a child up to two months to adjust.
Two months.
I'm hoping that JG is in the swing of things by next week, and I have high hopes for her since everyone I have talked to says that their kid loves it. And the parents like it too.
In the future I am sure I will like it as well.
Just not so much right now.
And teaching...
Today I went to a... I can't remember the technical term for it, but I went to a Language Arts class for teachers. Being in a room full of older women who have taught anywhere from 5-20 years makes me uncomfortable.
Why? Because they all assume I'm a baby, like an 18-year-old they need to coddle and condescend to. Like "oh, look at how young she is, she obviously has no idea what she's doing."
I understand that I look much younger than I am (I'm 30, by the way), but when I meet women (and it is alway women) who automatically assume I am naive and uneducated, my skin crawls and I shut down a little.
Outside of the workplace I have no problem letting them know they're wrong, but when it's people I will see and work with again I have learned it's better to roll with the punches rather than to bite. Eventually they will learn what I know and who I am, and I'll just let them make a fool of themselves for the time being.
The funny thing is that I told my new coworker, "Gail", that the ladies behave that way around me and she didn't believe me, until she witnessed it happen from a friend of hers. Even more hilarious, she put her friend on the spot so we could clear up the misunderstanding.
I am so happy to get to work with this woman.
And now I need to go write my disclosure statement. So there.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tantrum Thrower
Now it may come as a shock to some that I am looking forward to the fall, when I'll start teaching and JG will start going to daycare. I know many mothers believe it is sacrilege to want to hand your precious one over to other people... but, honestly? I think it will do me and JG some good to have some time to each other.
I know, be offended now, and get over it.
My daughter is a very opinionated and strong minded being, both traits I am happy to see she has inherited from her family (and reminds me constantly of my grandma). However, it also means that when she doesn't get what she wants she has the tendency to blow up. Something I can definitely identify with, since as a child I once told my PE teacher to F-off because running in 100 degree weather was something I simply would not do.
For a long time this just meant she would scream at the top of her lungs while I made dinner and had to leave her on the floor to protect her from the hot surfaces on the stove. She doesn't care, she hates being ignored, and when she wants to be held she will throw a fit until she gets what she wants.
We've been working on this, with me telling her that I will not pick her up until she stops crying, and for a bit that strategy was working.
However.
However.
This last week there has been a new development. I'm not sure when she worked out that when she's hurt and crying I scoop her up without asking her to stop. So.
So.
Last week I watched her throw herself to the floor and scream when I was on the phone with my sister. One second she was supporting herself without a problem, and then she used all of her kinetic energy to drop like a sack of very small potato's to the kitchen floor. Her body even made a small thud when it hit the floor.
On Sunday we were watching Ponyo (eh) and JG was trying to play with the house phone and making noises for us to watch her. Alex and I had our attention focused on the movie, and apparently this really upset her, because Alex watched her bite her arm and then scream like she had just been stabbed with hot pokers.
Tiny hot poker teeth.
How hard can a 14-month-old bite herself? Well, initially there were teeth marks, by the end of the day they were welts, and two days later she has bruises on her arm.
Can you believe that?! My child bit herself so hard she bruised.
I bought a book to help me figure out how to help her through this, I read about 50 pages and then lost it. In my house. And no, I don't know how I did that or where it is. With me, if I go looking for it it's almost a 100% guarantee I won't find it. So.
So.
It is very hard for me to get anything done while she is awake, because if I am not fully engaged with her she can get very mad. She's not like that all the time, but enough that I have been conditioned to just give her what she wants (when she can actually have it, we do have rules even if she hates them).
So, I am looking forward to getting some time to myself this fall, even if I will have to work my ass off to learn how to be a good teacher. Oh, man, I am going to be so exhausted.
I know, be offended now, and get over it.
My daughter is a very opinionated and strong minded being, both traits I am happy to see she has inherited from her family (and reminds me constantly of my grandma). However, it also means that when she doesn't get what she wants she has the tendency to blow up. Something I can definitely identify with, since as a child I once told my PE teacher to F-off because running in 100 degree weather was something I simply would not do.
For a long time this just meant she would scream at the top of her lungs while I made dinner and had to leave her on the floor to protect her from the hot surfaces on the stove. She doesn't care, she hates being ignored, and when she wants to be held she will throw a fit until she gets what she wants.
We've been working on this, with me telling her that I will not pick her up until she stops crying, and for a bit that strategy was working.
However.
However.
This last week there has been a new development. I'm not sure when she worked out that when she's hurt and crying I scoop her up without asking her to stop. So.
So.
Last week I watched her throw herself to the floor and scream when I was on the phone with my sister. One second she was supporting herself without a problem, and then she used all of her kinetic energy to drop like a sack of very small potato's to the kitchen floor. Her body even made a small thud when it hit the floor.
On Sunday we were watching Ponyo (eh) and JG was trying to play with the house phone and making noises for us to watch her. Alex and I had our attention focused on the movie, and apparently this really upset her, because Alex watched her bite her arm and then scream like she had just been stabbed with hot pokers.
Tiny hot poker teeth.
How hard can a 14-month-old bite herself? Well, initially there were teeth marks, by the end of the day they were welts, and two days later she has bruises on her arm.
Can you believe that?! My child bit herself so hard she bruised.
I bought a book to help me figure out how to help her through this, I read about 50 pages and then lost it. In my house. And no, I don't know how I did that or where it is. With me, if I go looking for it it's almost a 100% guarantee I won't find it. So.
So.
It is very hard for me to get anything done while she is awake, because if I am not fully engaged with her she can get very mad. She's not like that all the time, but enough that I have been conditioned to just give her what she wants (when she can actually have it, we do have rules even if she hates them).
So, I am looking forward to getting some time to myself this fall, even if I will have to work my ass off to learn how to be a good teacher. Oh, man, I am going to be so exhausted.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Potential
I left school today feeling a combination of horrible and horrified.
I have a variety of students in class, from the exceptionally talented and smart, to the... how should I put it? Lazy and dumb? But, they're not really dumb, just too lazy to do anything about it.
In that mix is a girl, let's call her "Girl Student," who is exceptionally bright, full of "potential." And, by "potential," I mean that if she just put her back into it she would be a straight A student with colleges panting at her door offering up scholarships. In my minds eye I see her as a math professor, because I think she could go as far as she wanted to.
However.
Before I say anything, let me emphasize that I like this girl. Yes, she has mouthed off, and yes she is full of angry energy, and yes she thinks she is a bad-ass, but I like her. Angry 14-year-olds can grow up to be well rounded and adjusted people, just ask yours truly.
Horrified.
Girl Student came into to class early today, looking all relaxed and happy, which made me happy for her. Until she stood close to me to complain about being hungry and I inhaled. What did I smell? What does the rest of the class smell and keep mentioning/complaining about the rest of the period?
Skunk.
Now, Girl Student claims to not smell this, even though I know it is emanating from her.
Huh? those of you with soapy clean pasts may be asking, while those of us who have slid through the mud and gotten it caught in our teeth sigh "oh."
Let me catch you up. Girl Student reeked of skunky pot (I don't know if that means it was really good weed, or cheap-ass weed). I felt a combination of things like, "Yeah, relaxing is great," and "Holy mother my 9th grader is high" and "What do I do? Who do I tell, if anybody?"
Horrible.
Around this time the original biology teacher comes in, let's call her Mrs. Biology. She hears the complaints about the skunk and she smells it. So, feeling a tad cornered with my knowledge I spill the beans to her in the hallway.
I tattletaled like a kindergartner who doesn't know the playground rules yet. When we went back into the classroom I could see Girl Student looking at me like she knew what I had done... but, what else was there I could do?
I feel a little sick. Mrs. Biology said she would tell/talk to the counselor, and now it's out of my hands. I just keep thinking how Girl Student is on such the wrong track, and with each mistake she makes she is losing more and more of her foothold on the future. Sometimes failures and mistakes are easy to move on from, sometimes they're a boon to learn from, but allowing yourself to treat yourself like shit is well... It's just stupid.
I just want to take Girl Student home and feed her ice cream. So many angry/hurting/destructive students are lacking healthy home lives. I feel horrible because Girl Student and I were building a good relationship, where maybe she was beginning to trust me, and I ratted her out for smoking pot.
Hopefully, it's for her own good.
I have a variety of students in class, from the exceptionally talented and smart, to the... how should I put it? Lazy and dumb? But, they're not really dumb, just too lazy to do anything about it.
In that mix is a girl, let's call her "Girl Student," who is exceptionally bright, full of "potential." And, by "potential," I mean that if she just put her back into it she would be a straight A student with colleges panting at her door offering up scholarships. In my minds eye I see her as a math professor, because I think she could go as far as she wanted to.
However.
Before I say anything, let me emphasize that I like this girl. Yes, she has mouthed off, and yes she is full of angry energy, and yes she thinks she is a bad-ass, but I like her. Angry 14-year-olds can grow up to be well rounded and adjusted people, just ask yours truly.
Horrified.
Girl Student came into to class early today, looking all relaxed and happy, which made me happy for her. Until she stood close to me to complain about being hungry and I inhaled. What did I smell? What does the rest of the class smell and keep mentioning/complaining about the rest of the period?
Skunk.
Now, Girl Student claims to not smell this, even though I know it is emanating from her.
Huh? those of you with soapy clean pasts may be asking, while those of us who have slid through the mud and gotten it caught in our teeth sigh "oh."
Let me catch you up. Girl Student reeked of skunky pot (I don't know if that means it was really good weed, or cheap-ass weed). I felt a combination of things like, "Yeah, relaxing is great," and "Holy mother my 9th grader is high" and "What do I do? Who do I tell, if anybody?"
Horrible.
Around this time the original biology teacher comes in, let's call her Mrs. Biology. She hears the complaints about the skunk and she smells it. So, feeling a tad cornered with my knowledge I spill the beans to her in the hallway.
I tattletaled like a kindergartner who doesn't know the playground rules yet. When we went back into the classroom I could see Girl Student looking at me like she knew what I had done... but, what else was there I could do?
I feel a little sick. Mrs. Biology said she would tell/talk to the counselor, and now it's out of my hands. I just keep thinking how Girl Student is on such the wrong track, and with each mistake she makes she is losing more and more of her foothold on the future. Sometimes failures and mistakes are easy to move on from, sometimes they're a boon to learn from, but allowing yourself to treat yourself like shit is well... It's just stupid.
I just want to take Girl Student home and feed her ice cream. So many angry/hurting/destructive students are lacking healthy home lives. I feel horrible because Girl Student and I were building a good relationship, where maybe she was beginning to trust me, and I ratted her out for smoking pot.
Hopefully, it's for her own good.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Hey
Marriage Ref is hilarious.
and
I'm really digging Ugly Betty. I'm going through the first season (checking it out from the library) and I find it adorable and interesting. Some of the writing is a bit weak (repetitive), but the characters totally make up for it. And anytime a television show is in its first season you've got to forgive some minor snafoo's.
I have only watched the first eight episodes, mainly because I was using it as an excuse to do nothing... which I really don't need any help with. I have been doing nothing for two weeks now.
JG, on the other hand, is on the verge of walking. It started with pulling herself up to a kneeling position. Over the past three days the kneel has turned into standing, and she is using EVERYTHING to stand. Along with the standing she is starting to take a couple of steps.
Oh. Crap.
Oh, she has been refusing to sleep on her own. I'm putting it down to teething, but man am I tired. I'm also going to use that as my excuse for doing nothing.
(Now, when I say "nothing" I mean in terms of crafting or anything productive for me. I have been lesson planning and whatnot for my one class. But, I get home, I do nothing. I watch Ugly Betty.)
This next week I have spring break. Spring mother-loving-break! Nine consecutive days of no schedule, no driving an hour all over the valley to get to where I need to be, and hopefully getting things done.
and
I'm really digging Ugly Betty. I'm going through the first season (checking it out from the library) and I find it adorable and interesting. Some of the writing is a bit weak (repetitive), but the characters totally make up for it. And anytime a television show is in its first season you've got to forgive some minor snafoo's.
I have only watched the first eight episodes, mainly because I was using it as an excuse to do nothing... which I really don't need any help with. I have been doing nothing for two weeks now.
JG, on the other hand, is on the verge of walking. It started with pulling herself up to a kneeling position. Over the past three days the kneel has turned into standing, and she is using EVERYTHING to stand. Along with the standing she is starting to take a couple of steps.
Oh. Crap.
Oh, she has been refusing to sleep on her own. I'm putting it down to teething, but man am I tired. I'm also going to use that as my excuse for doing nothing.
(Now, when I say "nothing" I mean in terms of crafting or anything productive for me. I have been lesson planning and whatnot for my one class. But, I get home, I do nothing. I watch Ugly Betty.)
This next week I have spring break. Spring mother-loving-break! Nine consecutive days of no schedule, no driving an hour all over the valley to get to where I need to be, and hopefully getting things done.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Eh.
It can be very grating to spend my mornings with a group of lazy, apathetic teenagers. For the most part they are your average 14/15-year-olds, eyes glazed over, talking non-stop, and drinking overly caffeinated beverages. However, the majority of them are also brilliant, which may only add to my aggravation.
Suffice it to say they may be rubbing off on me. I have always been a procrastinator, but it may be getting worse. For example, I haven't updated this blog for a week.
I just didn't feel like it.
It's not like nothing happened, I did turn 30 last week. THIRTY.
JG is cutting two teeth, which is really adding to her...um, pleasant demeanor? Last night she would not sleep without me, so I just threw the towel in and went to bed early with her. It's uncomfortable, my arms fall asleep, but by golly she didn't cry all night. (We here at the PoetsHead household don't have the patience for the "cry it out" method. I've adopted my sisters logic: there is such a short window of time where you can fulfill ALL of your child's needs, why deny them something that can be so easy to give?)
Mael is out of his cone. For now. Already I can see his foot getting bad again, but I figure that he should have some time out of the confinement of his cone.
Alex brought home a Doctor Who pinball machine. He now has FOUR pinball machines.
I am such a good wife.
I got my hair cut. It's really short and I really like it, but the back of my head and neck are cold all the time. What is up with that?
And, finally, JG is 10-months-old. Holy crap, she'll be a year-old in no time.
(Here she is last month, taming a wild balloon Alex gave her)
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Through Their Eyes
Over the past nine months I have been a stay-at-home-mom, which means I spend most of my time inside with nobody but myself, JG, and Alex to see me. Which means I spent little to no time thinking about my appearance or doing much to "keep myself up." So, when I got a job where I would be standing in front of 14-year-olds I knew I would have to make some wardrobe changes.
Especially in the bra area.
Why? Well, because I know how much you love to hear about my boobs, let me tell you. The four nursing bras I bought last year are all in the DDD/F area. As time goes by your breasts learn how much milk to carry, and gradually they shrink down a bit. Meaning, my nursing bras (or "feeding harnesses") were doing little in the way of supporting the ladies. They were almost greeting my belly button on a daily basis.
I became painfully aware of this when I realized that standing in front of a group of 14-year-old boys with my hoots danglin' in the wind and standing at attention (pointy-wise) would not be a good idea.
You may naively ask, Why?
Um, have you met teenage boys? Do you know what they think about? Or what new hormones they have coursing through their veins?
To be honest, I was sort of terrified. If you're a woman you may have experienced the "blank stare" from the opposite sex while walking, or sitting, or standing, or anywhere. Those glazed over eyes that translate to "What were you saying? I was distracted by your boobies, I swear they want me to touch them."
Is that going too far? I just want to communicate to you how I have felt about my boobs over the years. Sometimes it can work to your advantage, but in no way does it work that way in the classroom. I had one professor who REALLY needed a better bra. Her party hats were so distracting that I would get lost thinking about how she needed to cover them up, and then I wouldn't know what she had just said.
All this to say that having good coverage and support is a priceless tool in a teachers arsenal.
So I went to the Lactation Station yet again where I was set up. I love going there. LOVE IT. When I told the owner that I was going to teach teenagers she knew I would want padded bras. I didn't have to say it. She knew.
I found three great bras and I'm very pleased.
However.
My boobs are still huge, double D's. While I try to do my best in making them an understated part in the classroom, there are times when I move or point, or something, and catch someone looking at them.
Oddly enough, it has been the girls I catch. I can't blame them though, mainly because I just admitted to looking at my professors boobs.
I promise not to write about boobs again for a while.
Especially in the bra area.
Why? Well, because I know how much you love to hear about my boobs, let me tell you. The four nursing bras I bought last year are all in the DDD/F area. As time goes by your breasts learn how much milk to carry, and gradually they shrink down a bit. Meaning, my nursing bras (or "feeding harnesses") were doing little in the way of supporting the ladies. They were almost greeting my belly button on a daily basis.
I became painfully aware of this when I realized that standing in front of a group of 14-year-old boys with my hoots danglin' in the wind and standing at attention (pointy-wise) would not be a good idea.
You may naively ask, Why?
Um, have you met teenage boys? Do you know what they think about? Or what new hormones they have coursing through their veins?
To be honest, I was sort of terrified. If you're a woman you may have experienced the "blank stare" from the opposite sex while walking, or sitting, or standing, or anywhere. Those glazed over eyes that translate to "What were you saying? I was distracted by your boobies, I swear they want me to touch them."
Is that going too far? I just want to communicate to you how I have felt about my boobs over the years. Sometimes it can work to your advantage, but in no way does it work that way in the classroom. I had one professor who REALLY needed a better bra. Her party hats were so distracting that I would get lost thinking about how she needed to cover them up, and then I wouldn't know what she had just said.
All this to say that having good coverage and support is a priceless tool in a teachers arsenal.
So I went to the Lactation Station yet again where I was set up. I love going there. LOVE IT. When I told the owner that I was going to teach teenagers she knew I would want padded bras. I didn't have to say it. She knew.
I found three great bras and I'm very pleased.
However.
My boobs are still huge, double D's. While I try to do my best in making them an understated part in the classroom, there are times when I move or point, or something, and catch someone looking at them.
Oddly enough, it has been the girls I catch. I can't blame them though, mainly because I just admitted to looking at my professors boobs.
I promise not to write about boobs again for a while.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Busy Week
This week started out innocently enough. JG and I laid back and had a relaxing Monday, where JG got bathed, she napped and I sewed monsters. It was nice, and I wasn't expecting much of the rest of the week.
Until I received a phone call on Tuesday.
From a principal.
Asking if maybe I would be available to teach one biology class at his charter school for the rest of the year. And could I meet with him to talk about it?
I think my heart stopped.
I've been obsessing lately over money and how in the world can I get out of the house to maintain my sanity? and this sounded a bit like an answer to my prayers. If I could get through the meeting/interview without making an ass out of myself... which may be a rare thing for me, especially in my "mommy brained" state.
(Mommy brained: the inability to form sentences or remember big words from degrees you have earned, and a general loss of any social graces you may have had before having a child.)
Amazingly enough, I made it through the meeting without sticking my foot in my mouth, and left the interview very hopeful. When I got the call from the principal an hour later offering me the job (one class of 18 ninth graders) I was thrilled. Thrilled. Still am, as a matter of fact, however it hasn't completely hit me yet. I've had to pause every now and then to think, "Hey, I'm a Biology teacher now!"
Also, I have a lot of cramming to do. I passed the test to teach the subject, but I like to be knowledgeable when I'm teaching. I also have a lot of lesson plans to write. Oh, man, so much time will be spent planning. It is so awesome. Seriously.
And the hours are perfect for me. Five days a week I go in from 8:30-9:30 AM and teach, and I'm getting paid an additional two hours for prep time, which is very sweet of them to do. So I'll get paid for seven hours every week. While that may sound minimal to you, it will get me out of the house, give JG an opportunity to spend time with much loved relatives, and I'll get to be a teacher. A Biology teacher.
A very big thanks to Joan for dropping my name to this principal, and letting him know I'm endorsed to teach English and Biology. Apparently that's valued at my new school.
As a congratulations to myself I ordered my light-up LA Gear gold shoes. They'll be here Tuesday!
I am such a freaking nerd!
A Biology teaching nerd!
Woot.
Until I received a phone call on Tuesday.
From a principal.
Asking if maybe I would be available to teach one biology class at his charter school for the rest of the year. And could I meet with him to talk about it?
I think my heart stopped.
I've been obsessing lately over money and how in the world can I get out of the house to maintain my sanity? and this sounded a bit like an answer to my prayers. If I could get through the meeting/interview without making an ass out of myself... which may be a rare thing for me, especially in my "mommy brained" state.
(Mommy brained: the inability to form sentences or remember big words from degrees you have earned, and a general loss of any social graces you may have had before having a child.)
Amazingly enough, I made it through the meeting without sticking my foot in my mouth, and left the interview very hopeful. When I got the call from the principal an hour later offering me the job (one class of 18 ninth graders) I was thrilled. Thrilled. Still am, as a matter of fact, however it hasn't completely hit me yet. I've had to pause every now and then to think, "Hey, I'm a Biology teacher now!"
Also, I have a lot of cramming to do. I passed the test to teach the subject, but I like to be knowledgeable when I'm teaching. I also have a lot of lesson plans to write. Oh, man, so much time will be spent planning. It is so awesome. Seriously.
And the hours are perfect for me. Five days a week I go in from 8:30-9:30 AM and teach, and I'm getting paid an additional two hours for prep time, which is very sweet of them to do. So I'll get paid for seven hours every week. While that may sound minimal to you, it will get me out of the house, give JG an opportunity to spend time with much loved relatives, and I'll get to be a teacher. A Biology teacher.
A very big thanks to Joan for dropping my name to this principal, and letting him know I'm endorsed to teach English and Biology. Apparently that's valued at my new school.
As a congratulations to myself I ordered my light-up LA Gear gold shoes. They'll be here Tuesday!
I am such a freaking nerd!
A Biology teaching nerd!
Woot.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
2010
So far the year started off with a bang.
Alex and I went to bed at 9:30 Thursday night (seriously) but the dog was gracious enough to wake me at midnight so I could hear my neighbors celebrating with fireworks. Even better, JG slept through the night in her very own crib and did not wake up until 8 AM the next morning, or if she did wake up earlier I don't know, because when I found her she was quietly playing in her crib.
Thanks be to Jesus.
However, she had to sleep with me last night, as she completely refused to be transferred to her crib. You see, I nurse her to sleep in my bed and then move her to the crib before we go to bed. This worked like a charm for months, however in the last month she has been more and more unwilling to sleep in her crib.
I should also mention that I am not good about letting her "cry it out." It doesn't help that I don't believe in it, but I know that if I enforced the crib a bit better she would probably spend more time in it. However, like Thursday night, she will sleep the whole night in the crib, so I think that she's been sleeping with us because she hasn't been feeling well.
Who knows. Does anybody have any suggestions?
Anyway, 2010. Goals.
--I need to figure out a way of getting out of the house without spending money. Every time I leave the balance on my credit card increases, which is not good for a girl with no job and no income. Hopefully the weather will start to improve and JG and I can think of something creative to do outdoors.
--I'm thinking of putting together a class on doll making. I have no idea how that would work. I've been pondering it for months. Like, where would I start? With the pattern? Or have pieces sewn up and ready to stuff? Or, let people design their own doll pattern with my help?
Also, I've been doing this for about six years, so does that make me knowledgeable enough to teach it?
--Find a teaching job for Fall 2010.
I think that's it... other than my obsession with how much cheese I will eat this next summer. And ice cream, cake, doughnuts... anything I have not been able to eat for the last six months. In five months JG will either be weaned or her protein-induced weirdness will have resolved itself.
Oh, sweet Jesus, thinking about cheese makes my mouth water.
And, happy new year to all you people. Have a good one.
Alex and I went to bed at 9:30 Thursday night (seriously) but the dog was gracious enough to wake me at midnight so I could hear my neighbors celebrating with fireworks. Even better, JG slept through the night in her very own crib and did not wake up until 8 AM the next morning, or if she did wake up earlier I don't know, because when I found her she was quietly playing in her crib.
Thanks be to Jesus.
However, she had to sleep with me last night, as she completely refused to be transferred to her crib. You see, I nurse her to sleep in my bed and then move her to the crib before we go to bed. This worked like a charm for months, however in the last month she has been more and more unwilling to sleep in her crib.
I should also mention that I am not good about letting her "cry it out." It doesn't help that I don't believe in it, but I know that if I enforced the crib a bit better she would probably spend more time in it. However, like Thursday night, she will sleep the whole night in the crib, so I think that she's been sleeping with us because she hasn't been feeling well.
Who knows. Does anybody have any suggestions?
Anyway, 2010. Goals.
--I need to figure out a way of getting out of the house without spending money. Every time I leave the balance on my credit card increases, which is not good for a girl with no job and no income. Hopefully the weather will start to improve and JG and I can think of something creative to do outdoors.
--I'm thinking of putting together a class on doll making. I have no idea how that would work. I've been pondering it for months. Like, where would I start? With the pattern? Or have pieces sewn up and ready to stuff? Or, let people design their own doll pattern with my help?
Also, I've been doing this for about six years, so does that make me knowledgeable enough to teach it?
--Find a teaching job for Fall 2010.
I think that's it... other than my obsession with how much cheese I will eat this next summer. And ice cream, cake, doughnuts... anything I have not been able to eat for the last six months. In five months JG will either be weaned or her protein-induced weirdness will have resolved itself.
Oh, sweet Jesus, thinking about cheese makes my mouth water.
And, happy new year to all you people. Have a good one.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
New Plan
Giving that I spent a year of my life getting a masters degree, and spending enough to purchase a black-market organ in China on said degree, I thought I would be teaching this fall.
However, since the economy sucks and many school districts haven't been able to hire what they need, it looks like I will not be teaching. Bugger. So, for all those loving people who keep asking me about when I'll be getting a job... stop asking, it sort of depresses me. This is mainly because I was really excited to teach, to have a place to go everyday and to feel like I was succeeding at what I wanted to do.
Yet, at the same time I kept trying to think about what I would do with JGR, having to find daycare, how I would pump at work and when, and then how in hell I would deal with going from school stress to home stress (read grading homework and then taking care of baby and house).
So, in reality I'm sort of relieved. I'm still stressed about my mountain of debt, but my loving husband says that we should be good for the next year. Therefore, I will continue being a full-time mom... which, honestly, scares the shit out of me. I don't know what I'm doing, but I figure I'm getting better every day. JGR is getting to be a better baby too, now that I've started to figure out what she's allergic to and cutting it out of my diet.
Oh, man, I miss cookies, but I guess I can miss teaching for a year. At least I get to stay home for a good reason.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
29 Today
Happy birthday to me! I get to spend my day at a teacher's job fair and finishing writing up my lesson plans for the unit I taught at my junior high! Oh, and that should be followed up with shrimp scampi and cake.
It's all about the cake.
It's nice not having to worry about teaching right now, but I must say that my brain -- which was fully occupied with teaching before -- has once again become soft. It allows me to reflect on the easier and nicer things in life, such as movies. For the first time since... December(?) Alex and I went and saw a movie, The Watchmen. I didn't have very high expectations of it, but I really enjoyed it. A bit of a warning though, the blue guy is naked through a good deal of the movie. It bothered Alex, but I barely noticed it. I guess I figure a penis is a penis, naked and bright blue or not.
This week has started off on a bit of a poopy note. I went for my prenatal visit yesterday and my doctor (who, you should know, I think is awesome) told me I'm not measuring "big enough" and I haven't been gaining "enough weight." I am 31 weeks pregnant and should be measuring around 31 centimeters from pubis to fundus (the top of the uterus), but I'm only measuring 28 centimeters. I started my pregnancy at 110 lbs and am currently 128 lbs -- which is the same as it was four weeks ago. So, she wants me to go in for an ultrasound to make sure Brian (the fetus) is growing the way he's supposed to.
Is it strange that I kind of hate going in for ultrasounds? They have this negative connotation for me (I had four at the very beginning of this pregnancy, and one very bad one last year).
However, Brian's heartbeat is strong and he moves around like a freakish squid. Seriously. Oh, and he's had hiccups all morning, that's been a joy.
As far as pictures of the belly goes -- you see, I look "cute" (read dressed) for about ten minutes after getting home, and then my cute clothes come off to be replaced with comfortable clothes that don't restrict my movements (waddly though they may be). So, I have good intentions, I just haven't stayed "dressed" long enough to do it. Soon, though, soon.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Back from the BRAIN DEAD
I am five weeks into student teaching -- only FIVE more to go! Oh my god I can barely contain myself. You may be wondering why it's been so long since you've heard from me... well, you see, when you spend all day with 14 year olds (who my adviser says are "all assholes at this age") when you get home, you're brain is literally DEAD.
I get home around four or so and just sit for two hours. I can't think about anything, I can't talk about anything. I have friends and family that I haven't called because, quite frankly, I don't have the attention span for a conversation. I do think about it (Jen, Min), but then I decide to turn the TV on and see if I have anything on the DVR. Something that won't bother to teach me anything, or make me think.
I think I've got another three weeks to go until I'm done teaching, then I need to start phasing my mentor teacher back into the class room. Some students asked me when this will happen and then groaned when I told them -- they like me better... Alex tells me they're just "kissing ass" and probably don't care that much. Who knows.
Okay, so, doll hair. This is what I did on one of the experimental heads:
I used felt. She has bangs now too, but to post that here would require me to take more photo's, and (quite frankly) that's just not going to happen right now.
You know all those doll parts I've been showing you for MONTHS? Well, I finally put her together, but she's naked and I'm working on some clothes for her now. Maybe you'll see the results in a few weeks. Who knows. I'm pretty pleased with it though.
You see, I have accomplished something. It just has nothing to do with my masters degree or student teaching... Hmm.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Stress Relief
You know, in my non-pregnant days, when I was stressed I would sit back and drink a beer... or two. But now, because I am forced to take into consideration my 24-week-old fetus I can't partake of the sweet brewed nectar. Instead I eat a candy bar or imbibe a BigGulp.
Unfortunately, although these are delicious things, they do not relieve me of my overwhelming stress and anxiety. I'm teaching tomorrow and I'm trying to write up next weeks lesson plans and I am going to EXPLODE. I can feel that I'm on the edge of a full blown anxiety attack, and I don't really know what to do about it.
I know, you're saying, "Get back to work, yo. Finish your lesson plans and get it over with."
Well, yeah. Duh. However, my mentor teacher threw me some curve balls this last week, like how she thinks it's important that I include grammar lessons. Yes, I am going to be an English teacher, but I HATE grammar. My mother-in-law tried explaining some grammar foundations to me yesterday and I just stared at her in blank horror. I had to tell her twice that I had no idea what she had just said. Something with the phrase "nominative predicate," whatever that is.
Ugh. So, I would really love to have a beer right now, but for Brian I won't. He does love the candy bar's and BigGulp's, he kicks/punches/moves like squid after I pig out. Poor kid, I'm probably setting him up to be an obese child. I've been watching too many programs on TLC titled "Half-Ton Teen." Believe me, any program dealing with really fat people, Alex and I record it and watch it... invariably when we're eating dinner in front of the TV.
Puh. Okay, back to trying to be optimistic with my week. Have a good day, if you can.
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