It started out as a normal Tuesday morning, little frost on the windshield, little fog around, got to school around 7:00 and got my day started. It wasn't too long though until I smelled something burning. I had no fear that it was the school, no, it smelled more like somebody burning leaves or something. However, the longer I waited the worse it got, being asthmatic it started bothering me a bit. Then our assistant principal came on and announced that there was a fire a few miles away but the air quality was such that we would be unable to have recess outside. No biggie. A few minutes later he came back on and announce that all mobile units would have to bring their students into the building for the day. Here is where the problem starts.
We have a school building that is built for a capacity of 750 - 800, We have over 1200 students which means 25 mobile units. So there were classes being conducted in hall ways, the cafeteria, some classes doubled up, not to mention now the indoor bathrooms were packed at all times. I was somewhat luckier, mine was one of two classes that got to use the media center but still here we are inside with none of normal supplies or even a whiteboard. Not to mention the classes in and out using the library aka the media center. All in all it makes for a looooooooong day and we may be back in there tomorrow. And do you know what all day inside does to a group of 4th graders who cant even have recess? wheeew. Then I had tutoring with five of those who had been cooped all day, I finally gave up and let them go 10 minutes early. They are good kids and I really cant complain about their behavior for most of the day.
After tutoring, I had to go get groceries, not one of my favorite activities but one I try to do as quickly as possible. So tonight I too pooped to pop...lol. I'll make this short for tonight. Good night!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Maybe Im just a dandelion
A while back a friend sent me the story below. It's a beautiful story and it's meaning is clear. We need to treat everyone as the special person that they are and sometimes we have to look beyond differences that might frighten us or that we deem unworthy of our time or attention. But as I thought more about this story another meaning came to me. At the end Hal says, oh maybe Im just a daffodil or a dandelion. What's wrong with being a daffodil or a dandelion, again sometimes we look at things and think of them as just a weed in our life but have you ever really looked at a yard covered in the bright yellow dandelions. It is beautiful. It all has to do with perspective.
I think Im one of the dandelions. People look at me and they see something they want to get rid of, Im not one of the desirable or beautiful "roses" in life. But I have my own beauty out in the field and along with so many others that will never be roses I stand out with a beauty that is beyond the physical. So next time a child hands you a bouquet of dandelions, see them for the bright beauty they have.
Blue Roses
Why do I always have to be the one that starts to do laundry and there's no detergent? I guess it was time for me to do my "Dollar Store" run, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and Clorox. So off I go. I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about 16 years old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud[ voice, "Mommy, I'm over here." It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled, as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?" "My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly. "Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Hal." "Hal like Halloween?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?" "How old am I now Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. "You're 15 years old, Denny. Now be a good boy and let the man pass by." I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section. Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something to her and I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. "There are plenty of red, yellow and pink roses in God's garden," I said. "However, 'blue roses' are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a 'blue rose' and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God." She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?" Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a daffodil or maybe even a dandelion, but I sure love living in God's garden."
By Pastor Hal Steenson
I think Im one of the dandelions. People look at me and they see something they want to get rid of, Im not one of the desirable or beautiful "roses" in life. But I have my own beauty out in the field and along with so many others that will never be roses I stand out with a beauty that is beyond the physical. So next time a child hands you a bouquet of dandelions, see them for the bright beauty they have.
Blue Roses
Why do I always have to be the one that starts to do laundry and there's no detergent? I guess it was time for me to do my "Dollar Store" run, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and Clorox. So off I go. I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about 16 years old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud[ voice, "Mommy, I'm over here." It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled, as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's your name?" "My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly. "Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Hal." "Hal like Halloween?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?" "How old am I now Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. "You're 15 years old, Denny. Now be a good boy and let the man pass by." I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section. Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him. I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something to her and I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. "There are plenty of red, yellow and pink roses in God's garden," I said. "However, 'blue roses' are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a 'blue rose' and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God." She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?" Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a daffodil or maybe even a dandelion, but I sure love living in God's garden."
By Pastor Hal Steenson
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Why am I doing this on Thursday
Thursday nights are my busiest night most of the time. Thats the night I have to finish up the week's paper grading and try to get everything ready to go into the Friday take home folders so parents can write me notes or call me on Monday and ask why their little angel didnt make an A on the test that they obviously didnt study for and they played the whole time I was trying to teach the lesson. Ok yes Im frustrated...oh well gotta keep on smiling even when you wanna kick their little butts to get them straightened out.
That helped just getting that out.
Discipline problems are starting to escalate and I know that it's the time of year but it's wearing me down putting out all the little fires. I have 2 boys in my room that can look me in the eye and lie, if I didnt know them so well I'd believe them. I can watch them do something and they will look me in the eye and say they didnt do it...Arrrrrrgh.
Well anyway, Im off to finish grading papers, until later...keep on keeping on.
That helped just getting that out.
Discipline problems are starting to escalate and I know that it's the time of year but it's wearing me down putting out all the little fires. I have 2 boys in my room that can look me in the eye and lie, if I didnt know them so well I'd believe them. I can watch them do something and they will look me in the eye and say they didnt do it...Arrrrrrgh.
Well anyway, Im off to finish grading papers, until later...keep on keeping on.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Rambling, Because Im good at it
Mondays! Blah! Why is it that for every day you work it seems like two and for every day you have off it seems like half. I swear it seems like I put in 10 days Monday - Friday and then just have one day off... a combination SaturSunday. Then here comes the months of February and March when the days are even longer and there is no end in sight. Students are tired of their teachers and teachers are tired of their students. And did you know that it has been proven in studies that grades go down in the 3rd quarter of school aka the Feb - Mar Endless Stretch. So are the lower grades due to one of the factors above? I mean do students just stop trying because they are sick of school or do teachers start giving lower marks because they are sick of school? ok ok enough of that.
The picture here on my blog page isnt me of course. She is a role play character named Clariandra....a strong independent woman who speaks her mind. Wish I were more like that but I am getting more so that way. Now if I could just look like her too!!! Not going to happen, that's for sure.
I got an email from an old friend today, it was really nice to hear from him. I hadnt talked to him in ages. He seems busy. But then I guess we all are. Well I guess that is enough rambling for tonight...more to come...ready or not.
The picture here on my blog page isnt me of course. She is a role play character named Clariandra....a strong independent woman who speaks her mind. Wish I were more like that but I am getting more so that way. Now if I could just look like her too!!! Not going to happen, that's for sure.
I got an email from an old friend today, it was really nice to hear from him. I hadnt talked to him in ages. He seems busy. But then I guess we all are. Well I guess that is enough rambling for tonight...more to come...ready or not.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Blogging On
A blog is an online diary where you can write your feelings, your thoughts, your hopes, your dreams and the whole wide world can read them. Isn't it great! Of course you can also use your blog to start blog wars, to share humor, to share almost anything you want. I, myself, may choose to do all the above or maybe none at all...the great freedom of a blogger.
I dont know how many times I have started blogs, maybe Ill be more diligent to keep this one up. But anyway...I have no idea what to say here but Im sure that it will come to me soon and Ill be back to put my terribly important thoughts out here on the world wide web for all of you to read, if anyone is reading it at all.
I dont know how many times I have started blogs, maybe Ill be more diligent to keep this one up. But anyway...I have no idea what to say here but Im sure that it will come to me soon and Ill be back to put my terribly important thoughts out here on the world wide web for all of you to read, if anyone is reading it at all.
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