This week's story in our anthology got the kids talking about places that they'd like to see. OK. So maybe it wasn't the story but me. I made a connection by saying that I understood the story because of a friend. The kids then asked, "Is there somewhere in the world from which you have not met a person?" I then started getting quizzed on various U.S. states and countries. My answer was either, "Been there," or "Have relatives who live there," or "Know someone from there." They were shocked. This is how we got to places in the world that we would like to see. Well, not until after we finished reading the story. Their list was fascinating -- Syria, Australia, Spain, Brazil, and Japan just to name a few.
Some of their list overlapped with my personal one. I did not add the places that I would like to see that they had not named. So now I'm thinking of a whole new research project. "How did people from the country you named come to the United States?" Because I'm teaching U.S. history and all. Always got to link stuff to the standards. The more, the better.
Right now I'm trying to plan a trip to Monterey in January. I also know that I have to go to D.C. next summer. I figure that while I'm there, I may as well visit relatives in Virginia and Georgia.
Now I also have a week off in February. I think I should head somewhere then but where? New Orleans? I mean it will be Mardi Gras. Rio? Also, if I teach summer school I will have plenty of money to go on an additional trip next summer. And I've completely forgotten spring break in April. Any suggestions?
Friday, December 8, 2006
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Putting the guard back up
So if you're reading this and have been reading for sometime, you were not scared off by the last post. I hate taking photos and rarely do so. But Queenie twisted my arm. So we each took a photo with our cellphones. (The only digital camera I own is a video camera. Fantastic stills but a little bulky. And I haven't heard any of you complain about the photos I have posted from my phone. And if you did, we'd just throw you into the dungeon.) And then we sent the photos to each other so that we would have comparison/choice. I went with my photo because of the looks on our faces even though in my photo I have serious waddle action going on. But other than that it looks like me. Because I only wear make-up when I go out. I stopped wearing make-up daily when I left college. I've been told that this action has helped in the anti-aging as well. I am sure that taking care of myself (physically) after a night out also helps. I am more likely to cook after a night out than any other time. Because one must ensure that one receives the proper balance of salt, grease, and carbs.
By the way, I tend to write posts in advance. It gives me time to contemplate whether I actually want to post. Kind of like the last post. I probably would have posted a photo sooner but I tend to run from cameras. But once I told Queenie the URL, I suddenly felt a little less anonymous. Even more so than when I told Grasshopper the URL. (By the way, Grasshopper has told me that she will watch the "kids" while I head off to Mexico to see my mom.) So I took the chance and posted a photo with which I was not completely happy. Because I have never really photographed well. In younger days, when I talked to agents, they mentioned runway. I was 15 to 20 pounds lighter than what you saw. And I like to think that I look much better in person.
I think that what made me change my mind about posting a photo that included myself was my decision to "jump bad." OK. So I had had several drinks when I made this decision. As is always the case. Basically Saturday night at the conference a coworker decided to video me and another coworker on her cellphone. She then threatened to send it to the assistant superintendant. I basically dared her to. OK. I may have done more than dare her. I figured that if she actually did, I would be able to talk my way out of it all. It's not like I said anything disparaging about him or the district. Lesson learned? Watch that woman. (Remind me to talk to Queenie about further sign language. You'd probably be surpised about the number of curse word phrases we can sign to each other while leaving everyone else around us perfectly clueless.) And my mentor also hinted that I should watch that woman. But another veteran teacher assured us that I did not say anything but in her defense. Basically we just got a little too ethnic. Possibly made some folks a little uncomfortable as a result. Stuff about Michael Richards, Jesse Jackson, and Mel Gibson. Ummm. What's the common denominator here?
Monday I spoke to my new mentor -- and a few other teachers. She chastised me for drinking over the weekend and then asked if I had not shared anything too personal. It seems that now that I have finally learned how to drop my guard, I need to put it back up. Thankfully the veteran teacher came through for me. She explained how she opened up the can of worms. I then explained that it was only natural that I have her back on everything. Apparently we were the only ones laughing at our statements. Her take is that we made everyone else a little uncomfortable. And that's why we were able to laugh while no one else could.
I was going to say something else but then I censored myself. I have always figured that someone who knew me well could find me. There would be some question if it was really me but without a photo it could not be confirmed. And so now the photo has been removed. Sorry. If you missed the photo, then email me and I will send the one I removed. Just had to do it for my piece of mind. As long as I am anonymous, I can truly speak my truth.
It all goes back to that tenure thing. In two years I will have tenure in this district. I have already starting to plan the tattoo that I will get to mark this event. And screw how much my mother screams about it. I mean some of the cooler folks on my dad's side of the family have approved of the whole idea. And these are the folks who usually have a stick stuck deep up somewhere.
Then again, on my dad's side of the family I have been branded the wild child. Kind of the "Paris" of the family. I can get away with a lot as a result.
And I have another reason to get excited about Christmas. It seems that my mom's friend, who owns a winery in Sonoma (You can buy their stuff at BevMo. Email me if you're interested.), will also be in Mexico along with her family at the same time that I am there. Her daughters are younger than I but we get along really well. (Notice my pronoun choice. This is the correct choice and is one of my pet peeves. When using "than," always use the nominative case for the personal pronoun.) I expect to have a great time for the holidays at this point.
Oh, and that workshop yesterday? Totally rocked. I am so going in today and trying out some of the things I learned yesterday.
By the way, I tend to write posts in advance. It gives me time to contemplate whether I actually want to post. Kind of like the last post. I probably would have posted a photo sooner but I tend to run from cameras. But once I told Queenie the URL, I suddenly felt a little less anonymous. Even more so than when I told Grasshopper the URL. (By the way, Grasshopper has told me that she will watch the "kids" while I head off to Mexico to see my mom.) So I took the chance and posted a photo with which I was not completely happy. Because I have never really photographed well. In younger days, when I talked to agents, they mentioned runway. I was 15 to 20 pounds lighter than what you saw. And I like to think that I look much better in person.
I think that what made me change my mind about posting a photo that included myself was my decision to "jump bad." OK. So I had had several drinks when I made this decision. As is always the case. Basically Saturday night at the conference a coworker decided to video me and another coworker on her cellphone. She then threatened to send it to the assistant superintendant. I basically dared her to. OK. I may have done more than dare her. I figured that if she actually did, I would be able to talk my way out of it all. It's not like I said anything disparaging about him or the district. Lesson learned? Watch that woman. (Remind me to talk to Queenie about further sign language. You'd probably be surpised about the number of curse word phrases we can sign to each other while leaving everyone else around us perfectly clueless.) And my mentor also hinted that I should watch that woman. But another veteran teacher assured us that I did not say anything but in her defense. Basically we just got a little too ethnic. Possibly made some folks a little uncomfortable as a result. Stuff about Michael Richards, Jesse Jackson, and Mel Gibson. Ummm. What's the common denominator here?
Monday I spoke to my new mentor -- and a few other teachers. She chastised me for drinking over the weekend and then asked if I had not shared anything too personal. It seems that now that I have finally learned how to drop my guard, I need to put it back up. Thankfully the veteran teacher came through for me. She explained how she opened up the can of worms. I then explained that it was only natural that I have her back on everything. Apparently we were the only ones laughing at our statements. Her take is that we made everyone else a little uncomfortable. And that's why we were able to laugh while no one else could.
I was going to say something else but then I censored myself. I have always figured that someone who knew me well could find me. There would be some question if it was really me but without a photo it could not be confirmed. And so now the photo has been removed. Sorry. If you missed the photo, then email me and I will send the one I removed. Just had to do it for my piece of mind. As long as I am anonymous, I can truly speak my truth.
It all goes back to that tenure thing. In two years I will have tenure in this district. I have already starting to plan the tattoo that I will get to mark this event. And screw how much my mother screams about it. I mean some of the cooler folks on my dad's side of the family have approved of the whole idea. And these are the folks who usually have a stick stuck deep up somewhere.
Then again, on my dad's side of the family I have been branded the wild child. Kind of the "Paris" of the family. I can get away with a lot as a result.
And I have another reason to get excited about Christmas. It seems that my mom's friend, who owns a winery in Sonoma (You can buy their stuff at BevMo. Email me if you're interested.), will also be in Mexico along with her family at the same time that I am there. Her daughters are younger than I but we get along really well. (Notice my pronoun choice. This is the correct choice and is one of my pet peeves. When using "than," always use the nominative case for the personal pronoun.) I expect to have a great time for the holidays at this point.
Oh, and that workshop yesterday? Totally rocked. I am so going in today and trying out some of the things I learned yesterday.
Monday, December 4, 2006
Geek central
I spent the weekend at a conference on teaching math. Guess what? There were actually some hot guys there. It didn't hurt that the conference was held at Asilomar either. At lunch on Saturday, Queenie and I hit the beach for a stroll.
Oh, and the food? Friday night had a great dinner at Jose's Bar and Grill in Monterey near Cannery Row. Jose was not present as he is currently in Mexico. Instead we were served by his brother.
Saturday night we hit Fandango. There was wine and conversation. I also had a pretty good cassoulet. Two of the other teachers had the same. One said that she found it to be a bit salty.
On Sunday, Queenie and I had every intention of going to the speakers for the closing of the conference. We kept getting sidetracked in leaving though, and instead decided to hit Cannery Row so that she could find this silver shop that she loves.
Then on the way home, we decided that we also just had to hit the outlet shops in Gilroy. Around this time we realized that we were very hungry. This meant a stop at In 'n' Out.
I always get the #1 (double double) animal style.
Upon returning to the Bay Area, we then headed on over to the TJ's in El Cerrito. Why? Because there are a lot of cute guys shopping and working there. And then we had to hit the Albertson's because Queenie was in need of a restroom. In both stores we were able to see local firefighters shopping. I am still trying to stop drooling.
Well, now it's back to reality. Like making a sub plan for tomorrow. Because I'm going to be at a workshop for the day. This time on building vocabulary skills. And I know that you will be eagerly waiting to hear about it on Wednesday.
Oh, and the food? Friday night had a great dinner at Jose's Bar and Grill in Monterey near Cannery Row. Jose was not present as he is currently in Mexico. Instead we were served by his brother.
Saturday night we hit Fandango. There was wine and conversation. I also had a pretty good cassoulet. Two of the other teachers had the same. One said that she found it to be a bit salty.
On Sunday, Queenie and I had every intention of going to the speakers for the closing of the conference. We kept getting sidetracked in leaving though, and instead decided to hit Cannery Row so that she could find this silver shop that she loves.
Then on the way home, we decided that we also just had to hit the outlet shops in Gilroy. Around this time we realized that we were very hungry. This meant a stop at In 'n' Out.
I always get the #1 (double double) animal style.
Upon returning to the Bay Area, we then headed on over to the TJ's in El Cerrito. Why? Because there are a lot of cute guys shopping and working there. And then we had to hit the Albertson's because Queenie was in need of a restroom. In both stores we were able to see local firefighters shopping. I am still trying to stop drooling.
Well, now it's back to reality. Like making a sub plan for tomorrow. Because I'm going to be at a workshop for the day. This time on building vocabulary skills. And I know that you will be eagerly waiting to hear about it on Wednesday.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Friday, December 1, 2006
Hitting the road
There will be no quiz on Saturday. That's because I'll be in lovely Pacific Grove at a conference this weekend. Leaving out after school today.
Yesterday was a pretty good day at school. The opera performance? Fantastic! Now the kids want to do a play. We'll see.
For your entertainment pleasure, I swiped this meme from Heidi.
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? "My eyes look like I haven't gotten enough sleep."
2. How much cash do you have on you? $10? $15? I usually don't carry much cash.
3. What's a word that rhymes with "DOOR?" soar
4. Favorite planet? Not really sure.
5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? Probably my dad.
6. What is your favorite ring tone? Kashmir
7. What shirt are you wearing? Blue.
8. Do you "label" yourself? Nope.
9. Name the brand of the shoes you're currently wearing? None. I have time before I walk out the door before I actually need to put those on.
10. Bright or dark room? It depends.
11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? You've gotta like that Heidi.
12. What does your watch look like? I can't remember. It's been sitting in the jewelry box for years.
13. What were you doing at midnight last night? Sleeping.
14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say? A message from Cingular telling me that the rate for calls to mobile phones in Mexico will be going up from $0.09 a minute to $0.26 a minute!
15. Where is your nearest 7-11? I haven't seen one of those in a long time. I think there's one on University though.
16. What's a word that you say a lot? Anyway...
17. Who told you he/she loved you last? My aunt
18. Last furry thing you touched? Natasha
19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? None.
20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? One.
21. Favorite age you have been so far? 25 or 30. Both were great years.
22. Your worst enemy? Me.
23. What is your current desktop picture? Pinky and the Brain.
24. What was the last thing you said to someone? "Change that to 10 orders of shui mai."
25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? The money. Duh.
26. Do you like someone? Nope.
27. The last song you listened to?
28. What time of day were you born? 5:01 am
29. What's your favorite number? 3
30. Where did you live in 1987? San Diego
31. Are you jealous of anyone? Not currently.
32. Is anyone jealous of you? Of course they are. I mean I am the Empress.
33. Where were you when 9/11 happened? About to get into a rental car to head to National Airport in DC for my flight home.
34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Hit it and curse.
35. Do you consider yourself kind? Some days.
36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be? Wrist or ankle.
37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be? Portuguese.
38. Would you move for the person you loved? Perhaps.
39. Are you touchy feely? Some days.
40. What's your life motto? Not really sure. It used to be, "You're not really living unless you're living on the edge."
41. Name three things that you have on you at all times? Cell phone,
42. What's your favorite town/city? London or San Francisco.
43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash? Lunch on Thursday. Japanese. Mmmm.
44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it? Too long ago to remember.
45. Can you change the oil on a car? I haven't actually tried it but my uncle insisted that I watch and learn.
46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her? That was eons ago. I ran into him a couple of years after we broke up. He just gotten back from six months at sea. I was deliberately cold because he had this way of sucking me back in and I wanted off the roller coaster.
47. How far back do you know about your ancestry? Great great grandparents??
48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy? I think it may have been my birthday this year. I believe I wore the silk chiffon dress, but I could be mistaken. I know I was carrying the Kate Spade bag.
49. Does anything hurt on your body right now? Nope.
50. Have you been burned by love? Am I breathing?
I'll post the quiz when I return on Sunday.
Yesterday was a pretty good day at school. The opera performance? Fantastic! Now the kids want to do a play. We'll see.
For your entertainment pleasure, I swiped this meme from Heidi.
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? "My eyes look like I haven't gotten enough sleep."
2. How much cash do you have on you? $10? $15? I usually don't carry much cash.
3. What's a word that rhymes with "DOOR?" soar
4. Favorite planet? Not really sure.
5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? Probably my dad.
6. What is your favorite ring tone? Kashmir
7. What shirt are you wearing? Blue.
8. Do you "label" yourself? Nope.
9. Name the brand of the shoes you're currently wearing? None. I have time before I walk out the door before I actually need to put those on.
10. Bright or dark room? It depends.
11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? You've gotta like that Heidi.
12. What does your watch look like? I can't remember. It's been sitting in the jewelry box for years.
13. What were you doing at midnight last night? Sleeping.
14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say? A message from Cingular telling me that the rate for calls to mobile phones in Mexico will be going up from $0.09 a minute to $0.26 a minute!
15. Where is your nearest 7-11? I haven't seen one of those in a long time. I think there's one on University though.
16. What's a word that you say a lot? Anyway...
17. Who told you he/she loved you last? My aunt
18. Last furry thing you touched? Natasha
19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? None.
20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? One.
21. Favorite age you have been so far? 25 or 30. Both were great years.
22. Your worst enemy? Me.
23. What is your current desktop picture? Pinky and the Brain.
24. What was the last thing you said to someone? "Change that to 10 orders of shui mai."
25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? The money. Duh.
26. Do you like someone? Nope.
27. The last song you listened to?
28. What time of day were you born? 5:01 am
29. What's your favorite number? 3
30. Where did you live in 1987? San Diego
31. Are you jealous of anyone? Not currently.
32. Is anyone jealous of you? Of course they are. I mean I am the Empress.
33. Where were you when 9/11 happened? About to get into a rental car to head to National Airport in DC for my flight home.
34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Hit it and curse.
35. Do you consider yourself kind? Some days.
36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be? Wrist or ankle.
37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be? Portuguese.
38. Would you move for the person you loved? Perhaps.
39. Are you touchy feely? Some days.
40. What's your life motto? Not really sure. It used to be, "You're not really living unless you're living on the edge."
41. Name three things that you have on you at all times? Cell phone,
42. What's your favorite town/city? London or San Francisco.
43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash? Lunch on Thursday. Japanese. Mmmm.
44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it? Too long ago to remember.
45. Can you change the oil on a car? I haven't actually tried it but my uncle insisted that I watch and learn.
46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her? That was eons ago. I ran into him a couple of years after we broke up. He just gotten back from six months at sea. I was deliberately cold because he had this way of sucking me back in and I wanted off the roller coaster.
47. How far back do you know about your ancestry? Great great grandparents??
48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy? I think it may have been my birthday this year. I believe I wore the silk chiffon dress, but I could be mistaken. I know I was carrying the Kate Spade bag.
49. Does anything hurt on your body right now? Nope.
50. Have you been burned by love? Am I breathing?
I'll post the quiz when I return on Sunday.
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