This is our little home. Isn't it the CUTEST?!?!?
Monday, May 29, 2006
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Two wheels - no rules
It's Sunday - must be time to update the blog. It's finally summertime, and that means it's time to start on my thesis. I'm gonna attempt to knock the whole thing out - start-to-finish - over the course of the next 3 months. Let's see if I can do it. :) I'm so glad to have my first semester of teaching out of the way. I know I'll get really nervous in the face of the new school year (and that anxiety will probably set in around, oh - July...) but at least I can tell myself that I did complete one semester successfully. The circumstances under which I did my first semester were anything but ideal - so I'm thinking I can handle whatever comes my way.
On Friday, I moved all of my things into my new room. I don't know whether I posted this on here - but I was reassigned within my school. My school has 2 programs - one for the students who live in the community (which is aptly named the "community" program) and a magnet program (which is referred to as the "accelerated" program) for which students must apply and be accepted. I went to a magnet school when I was in middle school. Mostly - they offer higher-level or "pre-AP" type classes, and the kids often take foreign languages. Anyhow - I was teaching 8th grade community reading this past semester, but they administration thinks I am better suited to teach 8th grade accelerated reading, SO they switched me with the teacher who was handling the accelerated reading class. I got a MUCH bigger and nicer classroom out of the deal. :) There is definately a HUGE divide between the community and accelerated programs. The teachers feel it - and the kids REALLY feel it. When my kids found out, they felt a little betrayed. (especially those who will be repeating their 8th grade year) They said things like, "but you're not a snob!" and "you're going to turn into one of them! You're too cool to be ". I admit - feelings of guilt did begin to set in a little. When the administration asked me to switch programs - it was March, and I had yet to fall in love with my students. I said "yes" immediately, thinking only that this would be a MUCH better move for my career. I admit I didn't actually think about my kids. For that - I feel TERRIBLE. But, I made the decision, and I still think it's the best thing for my career. I simply assured my kids that I would still be there for them... just in a different room.
Three of my kids have a band. They got to perform at Mayfest this year and I went to see them. I became an instant groupie - they are SO good. (Mayfest - for those of you who aren't Tulsans is a street festival in downtown Tulsa where artists and musicians can come out and show/sell their stuff). No one would have believed that they are all only 14! But they are. Those 3 were some of my favorite students... And I am so touched that I was their favorite teacher.
I got a yearbook and let the kids sign. I have to say - I cried after a couple of the entries. These kids are so sweet. I'm really going to miss them. On the other hand - there are some of them I am SO glad to be rid of. :)
Alex and I are settled into our new place. We still really love it. It's funny - when you aren't cramped into 800 square feet, how easy it is to keep a place looking clean. That having been said - my big plan for this holiday weekend is to really give the place a good once over. What I love best is Sunday mornings... We sit at our dining room table and look out of our picture window while reading the paper and (in my case) drinking coffee. This house is so great! I'm sure once we have kids - it will start to feel smaller... But for right now, it is the perfect size!!!
Vacations for the summer? We have one that I can't really talk about on here. But it'll be fun. And then the other is just me... I'm leaving this Thursday to go to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to see my cousin Nick graduate from NCSA. He is going to move to the other side of the country in the fall to attend USC. I couldn't be prouder of the man he has become. I know that he is a person who will accomplish great things. It's strange to say this - because I'm 10 years his senior - but I really look up to Nick.
Well - this post has gotten exceedingly long. Watch for pics coming soon.
On Friday, I moved all of my things into my new room. I don't know whether I posted this on here - but I was reassigned within my school. My school has 2 programs - one for the students who live in the community (which is aptly named the "community" program) and a magnet program (which is referred to as the "accelerated" program) for which students must apply and be accepted. I went to a magnet school when I was in middle school. Mostly - they offer higher-level or "pre-AP" type classes, and the kids often take foreign languages. Anyhow - I was teaching 8th grade community reading this past semester, but they administration thinks I am better suited to teach 8th grade accelerated reading, SO they switched me with the teacher who was handling the accelerated reading class. I got a MUCH bigger and nicer classroom out of the deal. :) There is definately a HUGE divide between the community and accelerated programs. The teachers feel it - and the kids REALLY feel it. When my kids found out, they felt a little betrayed. (especially those who will be repeating their 8th grade year) They said things like, "but you're not a snob!" and "you're going to turn into one of them! You're too cool to be ". I admit - feelings of guilt did begin to set in a little. When the administration asked me to switch programs - it was March, and I had yet to fall in love with my students. I said "yes" immediately, thinking only that this would be a MUCH better move for my career. I admit I didn't actually think about my kids. For that - I feel TERRIBLE. But, I made the decision, and I still think it's the best thing for my career. I simply assured my kids that I would still be there for them... just in a different room.
Three of my kids have a band. They got to perform at Mayfest this year and I went to see them. I became an instant groupie - they are SO good. (Mayfest - for those of you who aren't Tulsans is a street festival in downtown Tulsa where artists and musicians can come out and show/sell their stuff). No one would have believed that they are all only 14! But they are. Those 3 were some of my favorite students... And I am so touched that I was their favorite teacher.
I got a yearbook and let the kids sign. I have to say - I cried after a couple of the entries. These kids are so sweet. I'm really going to miss them. On the other hand - there are some of them I am SO glad to be rid of. :)
Alex and I are settled into our new place. We still really love it. It's funny - when you aren't cramped into 800 square feet, how easy it is to keep a place looking clean. That having been said - my big plan for this holiday weekend is to really give the place a good once over. What I love best is Sunday mornings... We sit at our dining room table and look out of our picture window while reading the paper and (in my case) drinking coffee. This house is so great! I'm sure once we have kids - it will start to feel smaller... But for right now, it is the perfect size!!!
Vacations for the summer? We have one that I can't really talk about on here. But it'll be fun. And then the other is just me... I'm leaving this Thursday to go to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to see my cousin Nick graduate from NCSA. He is going to move to the other side of the country in the fall to attend USC. I couldn't be prouder of the man he has become. I know that he is a person who will accomplish great things. It's strange to say this - because I'm 10 years his senior - but I really look up to Nick.
Well - this post has gotten exceedingly long. Watch for pics coming soon.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Scope the comments
Will post MUCH more at the end of this last CRAZY week. Just 4 more days with the kids, then 1 day without... THEN S-U-M-M-E-R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scope the comments section from the last post...
Scope the comments section from the last post...
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Nine more days - but who's counting?
Okay - I admit it... I AM! I think I'm more excited than the kids are! Despite the fact that I'll be in school myself all summer. I am truely looking forward to NOT being the one who has to come up with the assignments, and then grade them. Not to mention not being the one to keep the classroom in order. I am SO glad to have a 3-month vacation from having to say "zip it", or "who gets the first referral", or "guys, quizzes are still out, STOP TALKING". I won't have to confisgate notes - or keep a sharp eye out for kids texting their friends. I can just relax and sit back when I see someone listening to an Ipod. :)
Yesterday, the kids had their 8th grade assembly - which they treat like a graduation. They were all dressed up and their parents came to snap photos and cheer them on. It was cute, really. But I couldn't help thinking that it's a shame that these kids are in such a hurry to feel grown up. If you have a prom and a graduation at the end of 8th grade, then it's not as new or exciting when they do it a 2nd time their senior year.
For the next 2 weeks - I'll be grading grading grading. I have to have everything graded and turned in by Friday the 26th. So - I decided that their final will be the 17th. That should give me plenty of time to get it graded, and out the door.
Tomorrow is Mother's Day. Don't forget to call your Mommy. :) I am going to re-post the Random questions... I saw that my man Davey from the block responded to the original post - and I wanted to address his... and anyone else who wants their chance....
1) Reply with your name and I'll respond with something random about you.
2) I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3) I'll tell you what your superpower is.
4) I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
5) I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6) I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7) I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
Yesterday, the kids had their 8th grade assembly - which they treat like a graduation. They were all dressed up and their parents came to snap photos and cheer them on. It was cute, really. But I couldn't help thinking that it's a shame that these kids are in such a hurry to feel grown up. If you have a prom and a graduation at the end of 8th grade, then it's not as new or exciting when they do it a 2nd time their senior year.
For the next 2 weeks - I'll be grading grading grading. I have to have everything graded and turned in by Friday the 26th. So - I decided that their final will be the 17th. That should give me plenty of time to get it graded, and out the door.
Tomorrow is Mother's Day. Don't forget to call your Mommy. :) I am going to re-post the Random questions... I saw that my man Davey from the block responded to the original post - and I wanted to address his... and anyone else who wants their chance....
1) Reply with your name and I'll respond with something random about you.
2) I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3) I'll tell you what your superpower is.
4) I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
5) I'll tell you my first memory of you.
6) I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7) I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
The "ayes" have it.
Okay - not that I was flooded with calls and letters (or even emails) begging me to continue the blog. But a couple of you have responded stating that you wouldn't know what I was up to without this thing, and so I shall continue.
This weekend has been a whirlwind of excitement. My cousin Brian graduated from TU law school on Saturday. (HOORAY!) So - his mom, sister, brother, sister-in-law, and our grandmother came in from Chicago to celebrate. My cousins were our first guests in our new home. It was really fun to have company! In fact, my cousin Michael and Alex were like peas and carrots. I didn't realize before how much they have in common. They stayed up late each night watching TV, playing video games, and just cracking eachother up!! I suddenly began to feel badly that Alex is surrounded by women 99% of the time. He never has another male to pal around with. (Esp. since his brother moved away) So - it was nice for him to have some testosterone around, and it was so much fun for me to have my family here. It was busy - we didn't get enough sleep - and I'm definitely coming down with a cold/flu type of thing... But it was all well worth it. My aunt will be staying until this Tuesday, and my Grammy will be staying with us through Mother's Day! (So next weekend is going to be crazy too!) The sad news is that Brian will be moving away back to Chicago, and that this time - it will be for good. (normally - he moves back for the summer, and then returns in the fall) Eventhough I rarely see him, I will miss having the opportunity. :(
Work has been great. CRAZY busy! And the kids are SUPER SQUIRRELY!!! They have 8th grade senioritis. We're just trying to make it through the next couple of weeks. Only 3 more Mondays (including tomorrow)!!!! THEN - I am going to North Carolina to see my cousin Nick graduate from North Carolina School of the Arts! And, to wish him luck as this fall he will be a freshman at the University of Southern California!! I couldn't be prouder of Nick! He is so talented, and disciplined. I have to admit that although I am 10 years his senior... I totally look up to him. I aspire to be HALF as dedicated and talented as he one day. (you know, not necessarily as an actor - but, dare I say, a teacher perhaps?)
Summer school starts June 5th. I'll be working on my thesis, and I'm enrolled in 6 hours. My hope is to get my thesis completely finished (or as close as possible) over this summer - so that I can EASILY just wrap up the few classes I have left to take - and move right on through to the PhD. (and then I'll have to change my blog name to "Dr. Amber Said") ;)
The NyQuil is starting to take effect, and so I will end this post for now.
Let me know how you are doing. I have not heard from many of you in quite a while!
This weekend has been a whirlwind of excitement. My cousin Brian graduated from TU law school on Saturday. (HOORAY!) So - his mom, sister, brother, sister-in-law, and our grandmother came in from Chicago to celebrate. My cousins were our first guests in our new home. It was really fun to have company! In fact, my cousin Michael and Alex were like peas and carrots. I didn't realize before how much they have in common. They stayed up late each night watching TV, playing video games, and just cracking eachother up!! I suddenly began to feel badly that Alex is surrounded by women 99% of the time. He never has another male to pal around with. (Esp. since his brother moved away) So - it was nice for him to have some testosterone around, and it was so much fun for me to have my family here. It was busy - we didn't get enough sleep - and I'm definitely coming down with a cold/flu type of thing... But it was all well worth it. My aunt will be staying until this Tuesday, and my Grammy will be staying with us through Mother's Day! (So next weekend is going to be crazy too!) The sad news is that Brian will be moving away back to Chicago, and that this time - it will be for good. (normally - he moves back for the summer, and then returns in the fall) Eventhough I rarely see him, I will miss having the opportunity. :(
Work has been great. CRAZY busy! And the kids are SUPER SQUIRRELY!!! They have 8th grade senioritis. We're just trying to make it through the next couple of weeks. Only 3 more Mondays (including tomorrow)!!!! THEN - I am going to North Carolina to see my cousin Nick graduate from North Carolina School of the Arts! And, to wish him luck as this fall he will be a freshman at the University of Southern California!! I couldn't be prouder of Nick! He is so talented, and disciplined. I have to admit that although I am 10 years his senior... I totally look up to him. I aspire to be HALF as dedicated and talented as he one day. (you know, not necessarily as an actor - but, dare I say, a teacher perhaps?)
Summer school starts June 5th. I'll be working on my thesis, and I'm enrolled in 6 hours. My hope is to get my thesis completely finished (or as close as possible) over this summer - so that I can EASILY just wrap up the few classes I have left to take - and move right on through to the PhD. (and then I'll have to change my blog name to "Dr. Amber Said") ;)
The NyQuil is starting to take effect, and so I will end this post for now.
Let me know how you are doing. I have not heard from many of you in quite a while!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Sad state of affairs
I post on this damn blog under the dillusion that people actually read it. Seems I was incorrect. :( To continue the blog - or not to continue the blog... That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler to fade away, or to bow out whilst still under the impression that you are interesting...
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