having a real week

Nope, not yet. This week we had an assembly Monday, we have mass tomorrow and we have a pep rally on Thursday. Friday, believe it or not, is the Halloween Carnival. The kids come and have fun for half of the day, then go home to sleep off their candy comas.

For those of us who take teaching seriously, as in we think it is important, these sorts of weeks are beyond belief. We walk around saying to each other, "Really?" and then we amend our lesson plans to accomodate the stupidity.

So in between the madness, I try to teach my kids how to write an essay, how to read a book and actually get something out of it, and how to pick an adjective that fits the noun and isn't "great".

where, oh where

has my creativity gone?

I feel stuck in a rut already, just one quarter into this year.

Yegads. I think it is perhaps because I spend 99% of my time trying to "catch up". I was so full of ideas earlier and now they have all leaked out my ear.

hard stuff

Those of you who know me in person are most likely well aware of a particular oddity about me. I will often accept social invitations and then back out at the last minute. I'm not sure why I do this and perhaps there are several reasons, but it's something that is embarrassing but I often feel I have little control over.

Having a very social husband is making that, oh let's call it a habit, more and more difficult to maintain. It is getting me into trouble and causing strife.

The PIG told me that it isn't something I can do. I have to fulfill my social obligations whether I want to or not. This was conveyed in a loving and helpful manner, but it was nevertheless difficult to hear. I thought about it all day yesterday. I decided he was right.

So even on those days when I am feeling that no one loves me and you've invited my husband and I am merely his accessory (man purse!), I will be there. I might be teary and cranky beforehand, but I will do my best to be pleasant.

That's about all I can promise.

when parents attack!

I was warned. The parents of my students can be lovely people, but the mothers are, as one of my fave moms said, b*tches. One emailed me today to tell me, "You gave out too much homework last night."

First of all, step off, non-teacher. It's my class and I make the decisions.

Second, what? I gave the kids a length in-class assignment which most of them finished or were close to finishing when class ended. Their only homework was to finish off their in-class work and to do reading notes for 4 (very very short) chapters.

I can't wait until next week's conferences.

back on the interwebs

Long silence due to a plethora of meetings and this being the week grades were due. The due date was yesterday at 3pm; I just submitted mine about an hour ago. I had to promise the PIG not to do any grading this weekend as I spent the ENTIRE week grading furiously each evening until bed.

Stupid hurricane.

Stupid poor planning on my part.