Surprising as it may seem, I am very happy to be back to work. I'm teaching 5/6 Math/Science Enrichment for summer school this year. (no sped - hooray) I only work 7:30-12:30. It's a pretty good gig.
Tonight I am going to see Sex in the City - the Movie! I'm very stoked about it.
Happy Friday!
Just because I ranted on here about it: I got a letter from the gov that said that I was to be awarded a federal stipend and that it would be coming to me May 30. Hooooray for free money.
If you wondered at all what I have been/will be doing on my 4 days of total freedom, here are some images that describe it:
I am a 30 something acting like a 20 something. I guess the better question to ask here would be, "why not?" rather than why?
Today is the last day of school for the 2007-2008 school year. It has been a challenging year for my patience. I am happy for it to be over, but not necessarily excited about any thing in the future. Like most years, I have no idea what I will be doing next year. I don't know what I can plan or get excited about. I will have no idea what I need to prepare for. I will probably have to start next year off running.
I have an opportunity to move districts - but I cannot afford the pay cut. I probably need to go an interview for this opportunity. Part of me wants to and just ask for what I get paid here. Can't hurt anything, right. Part of me just wants to wait it out another year here at Center and then see how I feel. I like it here, but I don't think there's much room for me to move or grow. I do like the fact that I've climbed the proverbial ladder and am standing on top where no one can mess with me. I'd have to do it all over again at a new place. Comfort.
Anyway - I'm still somewhat uncertain. There are a few directions I'd like to go. I'd like to teach college courses, I'd like to work with elementary students, I'd like to work in a juvenile detention, I'd like to work in a psychiatric center...so at least I have dreams.
TGITLDOS! Thank god it's the last day of school! You can bet on it that I will be kicking out the year this afternoon in true Steen style (on a patio, with a beverage and friends).
Important TAX Refund Information
Your Tax Rebate:
The federal government is sending each and everyone of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China. If we spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs. If we purchase a computer it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. If we purchase a good car it will go to Japan. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan...and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to buy weed, beer, and tattoos, since these are the only products still produced in the USA. Thank you for your help & please support the US.
Eric (my bro) graduated from Mizzou Law School this weekend. I'm extremely proud of him and excited for his new prospects and basically, life, that he will begin. He had several friends down on Saturday, which is when I went down. A bottle of Evan William's later and the party was in full force. I did not drink this - my brother did. I stuck to my normal PBR, and then once we got to the bar - bud lights were 2.00. So cheap in my old age. Here's a pic of us at the bar, not the best looking one - but it's the only one I have.
Mom got some good pics of the family and Eric on actual graduation, and when I get them I'll try to post some up. I actually had mom bring down my hood so that we could get pics with both of us wearing our gear. I thought mom would really like that. She could show off how smart her children are. (hee hee, at least on paper..)
Other news and so I have a record of it - I have a new rash. I don't know what it is...but it isn't spreading. Allergies. I was out last week working in the yard without my protective space suit that I must need to wear when I go out there. Blah. But hopefully it'll go away soon. I've also noticed (just for recording's sake) that my emotions have been on quite a roller coaster ride recently. I'm sure there are a million reasons, the first one being alcoholism, the second being malnutrition, and the third being bad choices. :D
Here's the message I have taped to my computer so I see it all the time at work. Sometimes it really puts things in perspective as well as reminds me how I need to help and guide my students.
We are what we think.
With our thoughts, we make the world.
-Buddha
Sounds simple - but very deep when you take time to think how much our mind creates the atmosphere around us.
It all must start in 6th grade, boys thinking females are ignorant to their inside jokes and immature sexual musings. I have witnessed my 6th graders becoming more and more interested in girls and sex, all the while, thinking that I don't know what they are talking about. They make jerk-off motions when they shake their milk. They pound their knee on their desk like it's a big hard-on. They say the word balls, like they just discovered they have them (it's a big deal). And they giggle, at everything, like little girls in a slumber party. I get tired of it all, because it's so immature and stupid. Mostly I roll my eyes and give them a direction to stop the nonsense. But today, oh today, I took a whole new role. I gave females a whole new meaning. I outted them. Right in front of the entire class. Using the same language they would. Letting them know that I knew exactly what was going on. And they were amazed. Then they were embarrassed. So embarrassed that one had to turn around and hold his face in his hand. He might have been stiffling a giggle, but I'd like to think his red face was from acknowledging that I, a femal, knew what they were talking about. I realize that none of this will stop them, or even mute them in my classroom, but I hope someday it will give them a difference sense of the female and her actual knowledge of the male.
Girls rule, boys drool.
Someone sent me a pic of Friday night. You can't see much of my $70 jean, but you can see me. These are my coworkers, from left to right: Me, Mark, Aimee, Cris
Good people! I will have more pics later!
I made a purchase that at the time seemed very frivolous and stupid - but I did it anyway. I had a few reasons that I used to talk myself into it: 1. These jeans looked really good. 2. I don't have a good pair of jeans that I feel good in. 3. These jeans looked REALLY good! So I bought them. I've never bought a $70 pair of jeans. I don't have those kind of luxuries. I can barely afford myself as it is. But it was probably the best buy, ever, and I mean it. I dressed up on Friday night and looked good - will have pics soon. But I got more play than I had in a long time! I don't think it was necessarily the jeans themselves - but the confidence they gave me. Which is priceless compared to the ridiculousness of buying $70 jeans.
They are Silvers, in case you are wondering.
Pics to come!!!
I haven't posted in a week. It's been crazy busy around here because it is the end of school. I am just trying to stay afloat. Everything always turns out all right and I always get everything completed. That is my mantra and my truth.
Things I know:
I have a job for next year. It will be different from my current one. They are dissolving my cross. cat. self contained class. I got my contract and will be making more money, although I didn't think it was a big enough raise...
Spring is definitely here, and it hasn't stopped raining.
I am not my students favorite teacher, and for the most part they don't really like me at all...and as much as this doesn't bother me, it does.
Things I don't know:
I don't know what exact job I will be doing next year.
I don't know how much of a raise I got
when is my $600 arriving?
I have other stories to tell, but must be at home so I can attach photos to illustrate them.
I have a good one for you today!!!
I have a student that is not on my caseload, but I advocate for him and we have a good rapport. I got him on my case load last year, but he excelled and so I had to pass him on to another case manager. He sometimes gets sent to me for a buddy room (we use BIST for those in the know). Anyhow, I was on my way to the restroom when he got sent to me. No one was in my room, but I said - go on in, I'll be there in a minute. So I get back and start processing with him. He mumbles some crap, I continue doing my work (this is my plan time) and then ask him if he needs a book or something to do. He was, well...I need to go to the bathroom. Okay, you can go. (Thinking back, I do remember something being funny about his jacket, it was bulky or something.) So I wait outside the bathroom, for an eternity. Finally, I track down a male teacher and make him go in there. He goes in, tells the kid to come out - where in the kid resists. The teacher comes out and I ask, "what is he doing?" My reply came in gesture - the jack off gesture. Unnecessarily long story short, the kid stole my LARGE, family sized bottle of Suave Cocoa Butter lotion and was whacking off in the bathroom.
Was he bored? Did he just need something to do? Or did he need to let off a little steam? AND why steal the lotion and not just ask to borrow it and put it on in the bathroom....
I threw the bottle away (which was pretty full) and sanitized my hands thoroughly.
Gross. But funny. Enjoy the laugh.
