tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146579802024-03-07T03:02:43.373-05:00Loving Nerds, StillUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger172125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-73978073616493066832009-07-17T12:47:00.002-05:002009-07-17T12:49:30.012-05:00I was back, but now I'm gone againHey! I've moved to wordpress, come find me!<br /><a href="http://heartsdorks.wordpress.com"><br />heartsdorks.wordpress.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-39694416165813785052009-07-16T12:21:00.003-05:002009-07-16T19:01:47.532-05:00Happy-Go-LuckyMaybe it was three weeks in paradise, or the sleep deprivation, or the overpriced bottle of inflight red wine I'd guzzled, or perhaps it was the sleeping man in the seat next to me, <a href="http://sarahritchie.smugmug.com/gallery/8814306_7Mba3#582668196_SLCjZ-L-LB">wearing my ring</a>...whatever the cause, miles above the Pacific, I was in the perfect place to absolutely love <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy-Go-Lucky">Happy-Go-Lucky</a>. And I did.<br /><br />I'll be upfront...to many people, this will be one of those movies where “nothing happens” - and sometimes that can be really annoying, at least for me. I hate it when a film is trying to make some statement about how shitty life is and that flowers wilt and you turn 40 and realize you hate yourself...and so forth. So, in Happy-Go-Lucky there is no strict adherence to screenplay formulas and yet there is a lovely little plot with a beginning and an end and the promise that the lives of these characters goes on in the same subtle magical way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/05/29/happy_go_lucky_wideweb__470x313,0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 470px; height: 313px;" src="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/05/29/happy_go_lucky_wideweb__470x313,0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Poppy, the impossibly optimistic and delightful central character, lives on the fringes of being too nice, too outgoing, too happy. And I began to see her a philosophical character – hey, if I was still in film school I'd call her a Christ figure and just maybe that oft-sought approving nod from Prof. Begley. No matter how irritating you may find such a bubbly happy person in real life, in this film world you cannot help but being moved by her adherence to the simple belief that putting goodness out in the world will make it better.<br /><br />Sometime I can be like Poppy, joyous and eager to spread my goodwill to all. I love those times. I feel like the public education system is often conspiring against this, seeking to beat me into bitter submission and then I, likewise, beat my hundred-some pupils into similar meekness. Let's me honest, we teachers; we can complain.<br /><br />Complaining can be so delightfully cathartic...and it is sometimes unquestionably necessary for one's sanity. But, looking on the brighter side of life, believing that one can change the world simply through kindness is, gosh, so empowering. Who among us doesn't harbor secret (or not so secret) aspirations to do just that...move the world towards a better place?<br /><br />Oh, and by the way...I love you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-26258201756765835842008-11-02T01:26:00.002-05:002008-11-02T01:28:19.162-05:00New Kind of TiredIt is 2:26 (even though the clock says 1:26). I am at the Campaign for Change office. I feel like I am asleep, but I'm working sometimes with my eyes closed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-34317256638674613892008-10-10T05:06:00.001-05:002008-10-10T05:08:32.489-05:00Letter to the EditorIt's 5:23 am and I am preparing for another long day. I get to school by 6:00 to gear up to teach 7th grade social studies, stay for after school tutoring, then rush to my second job as canvass manager for the Campaign for Change.<br /><br />I see these two positions as absolutely linked, especially in light of the tone and character of vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin's latest rally, where supporters were worked up into a racially charged frenzy climaxing with a reveler's call to kill Senator Obama; a suggestion that was not condemned by Gov. Palin. The fact that the McCain campaign is stooping this low, playing on the ugliest of human tendencies, shows their desperation and intentions for this country. At a time when the entire country is suffering in so many ways, they attempt distract and divide us with racist innuendo. So that fear of the other rather than hope for the future will inform our decision on November 4th.<br /><br />I am choosing to believe that we have come farther than that. That the unchecked sentiment chanted at that rally represents a minority of the country. I have to. I teach 100 middle school students who had a very difficult time wrapping their head around racial segregation, perplexed by the idea that there would ever be a time that their co-existence in the classroom would not be possible. This innocence is the future. And it is for them that I am working these long, taxing days – to lose this election is to embrace the ugliness, the hatred and fear that has separated us. It would take us a thousand steps back from the distance this nation has come in dissolving the racial divisions that have plagued our history. We cannot afford that.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />MauraUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-19624831942056562052008-09-28T18:12:00.005-05:002008-09-28T19:24:44.440-05:00Weekend Wrap UpFriday: Doctor's appt, gym, grocery store. Home for ravioli and the Office with Matt. Off to my aunt's house to watch the debate and drink wine.<br /><br />Saturday: Up early - hung around house for a few hours then took my car to the shop to repair damage from hit and run. Headed downtown to stand in line for three hours:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2893443649_f710a0c37b.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2893443649_f710a0c37b.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Then in the rain for three more:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2894284768_e9075afd90.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2894284768_e9075afd90.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>To see Barack Obama and Joe Biden:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://fredericksburg.com/News/Web/2008/092008/ObamaPics/DuringRally006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://fredericksburg.com/News/Web/2008/092008/ObamaPics/DuringRally006.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>The last time I was on that field, I heard Newt Gingrich speak (it was my grad school graduation). We left the field soaked to the bone and completely exhausted and came home to eat cheap pizza and watch Flight of the Conchords in our bathrobes.<br /><br />Sunday: Up at 7 to write lesson plans and do laundry. Volunteered at Obama headquarters for several hours (I've been drafted as a volunteer recruiter/organizer), then jetted to the gym. Came home to make <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1108277">potato leek soup</a> and hang out with Matt. More planning, then drove around to find copies of today's <a href="http://fredericksburg.com/flshome/">local paper</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-79520374852648912162008-09-17T05:13:00.004-05:002008-09-17T05:17:12.480-05:00PootI apparently have the gassy kids this year.<br /><br />Yesterday, one was covering his nose in the cafeteria. When I asked him what was wrong and he told me someone had farted; I offered him the kind of wisdom only a public school teacher can impart: whoever smelt it, dealt it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-31027915440421175442008-09-15T19:39:00.005-05:002008-09-15T20:34:46.357-05:00GOP Fan Club PresidentToday we started our elections unit. I told each class how I volunteered this weekend for one of the candidates, but I refused to reveal who. In my last class of the day the consensus was that I had volunteered and was planning to vote for McCain. <br /><br />Their suspicious, they claimed, were confirmed when I allegedly "blushed" every time John McCain's name was mentioned.<br /><br />I offered that I was either utterly embarrassed that they would assume I was a Republican or totally in love with John McCain. YOU BE THE JUDGE.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-36674148832930373142008-09-14T19:48:00.003-05:002008-09-14T19:56:22.704-05:00Weekend Wrap UpFriday: Gym, home for stir-fry and candlelight then <a href="http://www.imdb.com/find?q=in+the+name+of+the+father&sourceid=mozilla-search">In the Name of the Father</a> and early-ish bedtime.<br /><br />Saturday: Up early to shower and prepare for canvassing for Obama. 9:30 - 1:30 walked around Fredericksburg knocking on doors and being overly nice to shirtless McCain supporters. Iced coffee on Matt - home in lie down and be airconditioned before driving up to Arlington. Dinner with my fam, including FOB from China brother.<br /><br />Went out with Matt and Jim to meet <a href="http://demandas.wordpress.com/">Amanda</a> downtown. LOVELY time. Stayed out later than I have in ages.<br /><br />Sunday: Hung with my mom all morning for some heart to hearting. Back to Fredericksburg by lunch time. Wrote lesson plans all day with a sprinkling of Office episodes here and there.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-13784322436393015202008-08-12T10:21:00.003-05:002008-08-12T10:33:38.674-05:00An-ReeMy mom and I visited my sister in MA this weekend and this video pretty much captured my activities for the last three days. There's nothing like hearing your 19 month old nephew say your name - seriously he knows like 30 some words so that makes me pretty important. Also, judging by the way he says his own name, he might be French.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwCbuzKQptIVVoMECnKZ62L3vovsVzObEW1NIEQfsU7nSJc8zfZs5CYyVjSysb5zzAauyX6wNzxkdU' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-66068344363798542142008-08-05T12:51:00.003-05:002008-08-05T12:54:15.144-05:00Guess What...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptvujRH6TVPmJx_1_WfpMazEPUuA_Hnm2r9JL3krHfMFGVr1tp_kOlqUa9ns_UHz7FdtMGFuX6PVgx9FVn5jQHiwOEXJ8eeAv3wIA7nYDhp96ULxGx5IpRzskiR5xbJK7BaRCFQ/s1600-h/awesome+pic.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptvujRH6TVPmJx_1_WfpMazEPUuA_Hnm2r9JL3krHfMFGVr1tp_kOlqUa9ns_UHz7FdtMGFuX6PVgx9FVn5jQHiwOEXJ8eeAv3wIA7nYDhp96ULxGx5IpRzskiR5xbJK7BaRCFQ/s320/awesome+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231093239066079122" border="0" /></a>We're engaged.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-90848264023827992272008-07-14T11:13:00.002-05:002008-07-14T11:16:25.580-05:00No!NPR is cutting the <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92510147">Bryant Park Project</a>. I was ticked when the show first started airing as it knocked out the previous day's Diane Rehm from the 7-9 am time slot. But then I grew to love the show that always seemed nearly in step with pop-culture and pretty decent about delivering on news and kooky stories.<br /><br />I will really miss it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-35738997483953047692008-07-11T08:32:00.002-05:002008-07-11T11:37:57.566-05:00To Kill a MockingbirdMiso did it this morning. She's the most freaked out skiddish cat inside the house, but outside she is a crazy bird slaying huntress.<br /><br />I love the novel with which this post shares its name. However, I must respectfully disagree with Atticus Finch. Don't get me wrong it was a horrible sight to see Miso traipse around our side yard with a still twitching bird tucked in her jaws, I don't condone the hunt and it makes me sad even though I tried to remind myself that its just nature out there. These mockingbirds around our house aren't the selfless, innocent creatures the papa of all papas so sweetly spoke of. Ours are the ones that cry through the night and dive bomb all moving things.<br /><br />I thought, and I know this sounds cruel, but I thought that the mockingbirds might give our area a wider breadth and maybe stop waking me up at 6 am. Instead they saw the attack as an act of war and have spent the entire day squawking and swooping. I'm a little afraid to go outside.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-12012408737419295452008-07-10T09:00:00.001-05:002008-07-10T09:47:10.568-05:00Travel ReadingYay, hooray, we'll be in Ireland this time next week - we're traveling light, as in, everything we bring has to fit on our backs. I have already packed most everything and am up to about 12 pounds. I want to bring a good book, but just one.<br /><br />I want to tote something engaging but not intense, taxing, or practical. I have a habit of lugging around theoretical books on education or meaty political biographies with lofty reading goals and then end up pining for a copy of US Weekly at the airport newsstand. <br /><br />After reading <a href="http://thisgirlsview.blogspot.com/2008/06/seeking-bff-aka-someone-who-also.html">Sarah Says...</a> I am considering Twilight. It was quite a hit last year with my 12 year olds - that's about the reading level I'm up for for this journey. Any other suggestions (Rachel?)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-81768880480201334842008-06-20T21:47:00.005-05:002008-06-20T22:36:57.129-05:00A Healthy HomeToday completes the last full work week of my Summer of Well and it was lovely. I did lots of yoga, tried several new classes at the gym and cleaned the hell out of my house. Guys, it is so clean, I don't think you appreciate what a big deal this is - anyone who's ever lived with me can attest to the fact that "tidy" is a modifier they'd never use on me.<br /><br />But I worked my butt of and this house is gloriously clean. I mean no dust clean - food drops on the floor and you can still eat it clean, people wouldn't know we have two shedding cats (and two shedding humans) clean. And, not surprisingly, this clean clutter-free adobe makes me feel cleaner and lighter and happier.<br /><br />Yesterday, Matt's generous parents drove up here and the three of us spent the day tearing apart the mess of a yard we've got. Here is what we've been living like for the past couple years (eee!):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmksCMl7z182uPV0oUksosu-D-u-0pFQ6MdhP7yIdY1SCj5v3XzWcwTsC_ZRk-cvwtebqwNEXsk1_VA1n3B27Rl3KVIu-tp7OIBf6RxWJH_irjVquRI5kvERc5Au8rws5GmsjvKA/s1600-h/P1020493.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmksCMl7z182uPV0oUksosu-D-u-0pFQ6MdhP7yIdY1SCj5v3XzWcwTsC_ZRk-cvwtebqwNEXsk1_VA1n3B27Rl3KVIu-tp7OIBf6RxWJH_irjVquRI5kvERc5Au8rws5GmsjvKA/s320/P1020493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214164600014471954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I can explain, I can explain. I'm a bit of a city girl - before I moved here, I'd never had an actual mailbox (I thought the mailman put the flag up to announce, "Friend! You have mail!"), we had a sidewalk, not a yard. So while I've always had high hopes for our plot, I've done little to improve or even maintain our landscape. And Matt grew up doing tons of yard work (ask him about the time he ran way from home mid leaf raking), and does not care for it. Also, he has an unreasonable, yet endearing compassion for green things. And often refuses to weed because of the pain it will inflict on his botanical friends.<br /><br />But his parents were heroes and radically deconstructed, repaired, and seriously improved our lot in life. Take a look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gm67MIlkhFQvQdvQ0aNTQuabOrCQJhHshn_RGhKseJBudov-1gxZ_zEKGdc6ycgzwMEeY_ksfKOwpfrAhiPPFse6aE6LCpoyln24FZQU_1U38bJ234KdSciC80ugI0unSU12pg/s1600-h/P1020544.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gm67MIlkhFQvQdvQ0aNTQuabOrCQJhHshn_RGhKseJBudov-1gxZ_zEKGdc6ycgzwMEeY_ksfKOwpfrAhiPPFse6aE6LCpoyln24FZQU_1U38bJ234KdSciC80ugI0unSU12pg/s320/P1020544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214170112767053842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So lovely! I can walk on the sidewalk again! And, inspired, I spent the today digging up a huge network of viney plants in the backyard in preparation for the patio my dad and I are going to install. Everyone's invited to the (vegetarian) BBQ!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-7069936743241456682008-06-15T20:47:00.003-05:002008-06-15T21:08:09.978-05:00The Summer of WellFriday was my last day of my first year of teaching. I walked out of that building clutching my lucky bamboo plant, a New Teacher of the Year plaque, a nasty red delicious apple (a parting gift from my departing principal), and a staggering (newfound) ability to let things roll off my back.<br /><br />I-AM-DONE! (And...shhh...thrilled to be returning in the fall!) <br /><br />I've debated how to spend the next two months, seriously considering a return to my mind-numbing, occasionally inappropriately awkward office job that would generously pad my savings account and finance our trip to Ireland. But I think I owe it to myself and all my wonderful friends and family members who don't have two months of freedom ahead of them, to seize the heck out of this vacation.<br /><br />So I am proudly kicking off the Summer of Well - which will consist of all manner of good for my mind and body activities, which you my dear readers who accidentally stumbled upon this rarely updated blog will be privy to.<br /><br />Tomorrow is major cleaning day and several hours at the gym - HOORAY!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-11357717458655141252008-04-24T05:50:00.003-05:002008-04-24T05:59:13.926-05:00Every MorningI've been eating a bowl of homemade granola with yogurt and fresh strawberries each morning. It. is. awesome. I feel like I can kick ass all day. The only drawback is I really have to poop about 5 minutes before the kids get to school.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-37931118305361115812008-04-21T16:22:00.000-05:002008-04-21T16:23:12.611-05:00A boy gave me roses todayBecause I have loved him for five years.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-80332301879997997322008-04-16T05:52:00.003-05:002008-04-16T08:45:03.159-05:00Whatever the Mess You Are, You're Mine, OkayWe're heading down to Richmond tonight to see the New Pornographers. It was a shock to see that they were playing there, the former no-mans land of out of town music. Things are changing!<br /><br />We were hoping to take our <a href="http://madeinrichmond.net/">newly-public</a> <a href="http://raisingrichmond.com/">parents to-be</a> friends out to dinner, but apparently they have better things to do than eat free food. We will be able to catch up with Matt's recently engaged sister and her fiance though, so Matt will inevitably endure a "big the damn cow" conversation on our sleepy midnight ride home.<br /><br />I realize I never finished the daily recap of my trip to Chicago. The last too days were way more fun and did not leave anytime for blogging. There was much eating of delicious foods like SKILLET COOKIES and Belgium beer - only not at the same time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-84732061992270138412008-03-28T09:24:00.003-05:002008-03-28T10:26:15.494-05:00Trip to Chicago: Day TwoYep, its windy here.<br /><br />So Chris, it turns out, did get really sick. We spent the morning on her couch both pounding green tea and watching a slue of episodes of Season 5 of Friends. Since my language of love is acts of service, I wanted to spring into action and make homemade soup and fluff pillows and steep tea until her grossness vacated. But Chris is one of the most accommodating people ever and would not allow me to do anything for her.<br /><br />Around three or four I got myself together and went downtown solo to see the Hopper Exhibit at the Art Institute. The museum is free on Thursdays after five. I got down there a little early and walked around in the pouring snow and managed to get myself turned around and headed MANY BLOCKS in the wrong direction.<br /><br />I am totally a Pollyanna when I travel. I smile incessantly - even if it is just on the inside. Friends, it was pouring snow and rain yesterday but that didn't get me down...I was freezing but I kept moving, reminding myself, "Man! isn't great to be independent and see a new place and screw it if you get lost you can -" a taxi drove by a splashed a giant puddle of muddy ice cold water all over my shins...the seemingly only dry part of my lower half. Without thinking I entered the Starbucks, spent $4 on coffee and mustered up the positivity to face the street full of vengeful taxi drivers.<br /><br />I got to AI, poked around saw lots of impressive "Caravaggesque" epic paintings (but not one Caravaggio) and didn't see the Hoppers because they'd cost me $20. Sorry art, I guess I don't love you that much.<br /><br />My oldest and dearest friend (22 years of love) picked me up around 7:30 and we drank wine and ate hummus while we packed up her old kitchen and then spent the night in her new apartment talking in the dark for hours before we finally nodded off. I really pick the best times to visit my friends - one is laid up sick and the other is in the middle of a move.<br /><br />Today it's the planetarium with my cousin and her kids then yoga and Ethiopian with Mari and hopefully no snow.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-69627174117793313512008-03-27T09:40:00.003-05:002008-03-27T10:41:56.178-05:00Trip to Chicago: Day OneAs you may or may not be aware, I am on SPRING BREAK (exclamation point!) and have carted myself off to brisk Chicago to visit two of my very favorite women in the world. But, so far it turns out Chicago has MORE to offer than two hot ladies down for pillow fights in their nighties.<br /><br />After a really long train ride from the airport, <a href="http://post-gradnothing.blogspot.com/">Chris</a> and I had tea while I scarfed any and all snack foods I could get my hands on. We caught up - chatting about bfs, marriage, self-doubt, taxes, and her life in the city. Then we met up with <a href="http://toomuchawesome.blogspot.com/">Tyler</a>, who until yesterday was just "my internet friend," whose blog I read a lot when I worked my office job last year. Meeting people you've only ever interacted with through blog comments is sort of strange. You know so much more about them than you should at a first meeting. I found myself interrupting as he started stories to say, "oh yeah, I remember that..." which is totally strange. But I thought it was pretty cool, unless I read his blog later today and he mentions getting drinks with some asshole last night.<br /><br />Then we ate FREE! burritos with a bunch of Chris's friends and prepared to go see <a href="http://www.nofactzone.net/?p=2854">those guys from the Sonic commercials</a> do improv, but it was canceled so we went to a coffee shop and watched a handful of painful open-mic night performances before playing a rousing game of Scategories (which I won) at Gutherie's. <br /><br />We headed for the L at midnight and waited forever for the train while an ex-theatre kid made everyone nervous by dancing along the beveled blue edge of the platform singing "The blue thing is your friend!!" - I woke up singing his taunting tune myself.<br /><br />Chris is still asleep. I am afraid to wake her up because she was feeling ill last night and the last time we hung out she felt a little sick before she went to bed and woke up with the plague.<br /><br />Today the plan is Hopper Exhibit, massages, yummy food, more chats, tea and then...???....it is SPRING BREAK after all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-77265132961160733502008-03-25T08:29:00.003-05:002008-03-25T09:03:23.766-05:00Belated Weekend Wrap Up<span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday</span>: First day of SPRING BREAK. Lounged watching Project Runway and folding laundry and chatting online. Went to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_pump">BodyPump</a> class and had a fantastic time. Popped by Matt's work with a coffee treat and a great attitude having just been blasted through with endorphins. Home for house cleaning and pizza making. Dinner with Matt - then ice cream at Friendly's! Home to be disappointed by Lost, again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday</span>: Up and achy from the gym. Lounged around the house while Matt studied for his midterm. Watched the Season Two finale of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0306414/">The Wire</a> - considered sending a copy to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Abrams">J.J. Abrams</a>. Drove up to my parents house for dinner with them and my finally home from China brother and his girlfriend. Dyed eggs with brother, his girlfriend, and Matt. Laughed an caught up with them. Finally, ate ice cream in bed with Matt while we watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452623/">Gone Baby Gone</a> - impressed by Ben Affleck.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday</span>: Easter! Up for special breakfast and chocolate then to Mass with amazing music from the choir (which included my mom!). Home to prepare for dinner and guests. Played <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangrams">tangrams</a><br />and had a typical loud, laughter-rich Wilson family get-together with my cousins and aunt. Said goodbye to Matt before being apart for a week. Hung out with my brother, then went to bed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-85157418834478926282008-03-21T08:35:00.003-05:002008-03-21T10:10:23.391-05:00Doing Something RightThursday was the last day of school before a 10-day spring break (but, ha! we've given our little stinkers three projects to busy themselves with over the vacation). The last class at the end of the week is always a real challenge - one I liken to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SmgLtg1Izw">herding cats</a> (it is surprising how much I relate to those fictional catboys). The last class before a long break is infinitely more maddening and just before it we had a pizza party (remember how thrilling those were?) to celebreate the fact that my math remediation class had raised over $1000 for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. There they were served caffeinated beverages and a hardy dose of unconditional praise. <br /><br />With dilated blood vessels and inflated egos, those kids clamored into my classroom for 84 sweet minutes, in which I did my best to totally pump them up about graphing supply and demand and determining the equilibrium price, which, excuse me, please, is totally thrilling. They were more with me than I would expect given then circumstances when my principal came in to observe for a few minutes. When she scooted towards the door and whispered on the way out, "You've been selected as our New Teacher of the Year."<br /><br />It's been one of those reflective weeks where I've looked at some of the on the spot decisions that I've made and have been disappointed by them. But I feel like teaching is about learning way more than it is about disseminating content. I am a better teacher than I was when I started in August and perhaps the fact that I do not feel like there is still so much to learn is a sign that I am doing something right. <br /><br />Thanks for the nod, it feels pretty great.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-43279807247410923672008-03-09T11:25:00.004-05:002008-03-09T18:24:01.783-05:00Weekend Wrap UpFriday: Happy hour farewell for a colleague, to Matt's office to play with baby kitties, downtown to see cousin's art opening, quick bite, then off to Guitar Hero party to show off Matt who completely pwnd everyone there. Hope for lat night Friday Lost viewing ritual.<br /><br />Saturday: Up for waffles and snuggling, gym with Matt and grocery run in a deluge. Watched the Wire then went into a cleaning frenzy. Fancy dinner of risotto and salmon and more Wire. Late night hot tub/water slide rendezvous at the gym then home for a pomegranate martini and making out.<br /><br />Sunday: Up for whole wheat and oat french toast, floppy laying around - cursed losing an hour, gym for Pitaiyo, home for spinach/tomato/zucchini black bean burritos and plantains. Sunset tea/chai on the front porch. Then maybe a movie?<br /><br />xomUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-3567292256107003762008-03-09T10:33:00.003-05:002008-03-09T11:12:22.168-05:00My New LifeI rolled over this Sunday morning to read 8:30 on my alarm clock - this is a full three hours of decadent sleeping in as I usually rise at 5:30 to mopishly scramble to my outstretch yoga mat before I shower, eat, and drive to school.<br /><br />When I worked any one of my office jobs, I'd hardly dream of coming in early and certainly if I did it was with the intention of leaving early as well. Now getting in on time makes me a bit nervous and leaving at the end of my contract hours has happened a total of one times. <br /><br />There is a lot to complain about when you are a teacher and the fact that I put in these 10 to 12 hour days could certainly be at the top of the list. But it is remarkable to have a job that makes you want to work that hard. I know that I'll be eating those words in a month or so - when the whole state is test-crazy and I am recramming information into 100 fatigued little brains. When spring has blanketed the 7th grade with a fresh dusting of hormones and attitude and when all I want to do at 3 pm is clad myself in tank tops and sunglasses and be outside for hours. But, right now, with this new life - I am busy and over-extended - but happy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14657980.post-390534201177185242008-03-03T21:40:00.002-05:002008-03-03T21:46:42.577-05:00The BlahI had a drink with a friend this evening at a pub downtown and for some ridiculous reason we ordered bruscetta...at an Irish pub...brilliant. It came out on a sub roll and tasted like nothing. <br /><br />I should have ordered the corn beef.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0