KINDERGARTEN DAZE....

Started teaching kindergarten last week! It's been great, the kids are awesome and VERY.... honest! Enjoy:

Day 1: I read a story about raccoons going to school. Me, "Isn't it weird that raccoons go to school at night time?" One of my students, "They're nocturnal." .... Uuummmm, what 5 year old knows nocturnal?

Day 2: A kid said, "I drunk all my milk." I said, "No, you drank all your milk." Another kid said, "Drunk is when you have too much alcohol."

Day 3: I asked the kids what makes us healthy. They said things like, "eating veggies, fruit, exercising and taking vitamins." I asked if anyone takes vitamins and one girl raised her hand and said, "My mommy and daddy take Zanex."

My Grandma passed away this week. She lived for 89 years. She was so special and wonderful. Although it is very sad, I know she is in a MUCH better place now. She suffered the last few years with dementia and Alzheimer's. And now she is with her husband in Heaven. I can only imagine what that reunion was like... My Grandpa passed away in a car accident over 30 years ago. My Grandma told the best stories about him and the love they shared. She loved speaking about him. She just lit up! I will miss her laugh and smile, her card games and jokes, her stories and love. 

My Grandma loved flowers. She would take pictures of all the beautiful flowers she would see and send them to me. She especially loved daffodils and planted them every year. My Uncle decided to plant 89 daffodils this spring in her memory. I don't know if I have a place to plant 89 daffodils, but I will post this picture here and think of my beautiful Grandma every time I look at it!

Substitute or Student?

I was subbing today and it was a weird situation b/c there were 2 teachers in the class (it was a kindergarten class of 28) and there were 2 subs... ODD. I was only there a 1/2 day, but still- that's a lot of teachers! 

Anyway, the weird part. The teacher was talking about coins and I was sitting next to some of the kids on the carpet and the other sub was sitting ON the table. The teacher held up a dime and asked, "what is this? do you remember?" The kids yelled out penny and nickel, but no one said dime. The teacher asked again, "It's not a penny or a nickel, does anyone have a different guess?" And the sub who was ON the table YELLS out, "Dime."

She does understand that she's not a student right? And that the kids need to answer, not the substitutes?

I saw history in the making

Just 46 years, 4 months and 23 days. That's pretty amazing. Someone had a dream that was so foreign and unthinkable to most, and in 46 short years later that dream came true- in a BIG way! This is inspiring to those of us that want instant relief, instant results, instant glory or instant fame. Patience is key in every dream. 

I BELIEVE...

My friend sent me this email... I like it a lot!

I Believe...

That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue doesn't mean they do love each other. 

 

I Believe...

We don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I Believe... 

That no matter how good a friend is, they are going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. 

I Believe...

That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe... 

That you can do something in an instant that will give you a heartache for life. 

I Believe...

That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...

That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe... 

That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...

That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...

That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...

That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. 

I Believe...

That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe... 

That my best friend and I can do anything, or do nothing and have the best time.

I Believe... 

That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...

That sometimes when I'm angry, I have the right to be angry. But that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe... 

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you're had and what you've learned from them, and less to do with haw many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe... 

That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself. 

I Believe... 

That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. 

I Believe...

That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change you life forever.

I Believe... 

Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...

That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...

That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you- you will find the strength to help.

I Believe... 

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...

That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

So how long until you give up and try something new? I am at a big crossroad at the moment and I am wondering how long I can stay in park until I have to move right or left. I mean when do you decide that the one thing you want to do is not going to work and you have to find something new? And am I giving up or am I being smart and changing my life?  It's these moments in "adult" life that I wish I were still a kid and my mom or dad would just tell me what to do. But I know... I'm an adult-ish and I need to figure these things out on my own. 

But seriously... HOW LONG DO I WAIT??

RSVP

It's been a while now- not much going on worthy of mocking or sharing I suppose.  Today though I have hit my limit! Why is it that some folks grow up learning right from wrong, good from bad, and somehow NEVER learn what etiquette means? 

When you get an invitation for something in the mail or by phone or email and you KNOW that second that you can not attend or go or participate- RSVP!!!!!

Maybe it's because so few of the people I know speak French- you know b/c RSVP is an abbreviation for the French phrase "Respondez S'il Vous Plait." In English folks, in just means REPLY TO ME PLEASE! 

I am not 12, my mother should not have to remind me to respond, and if I am throwing a party should I really have to send out emails, text messages and voice mails to hear from my guests? It's just getting a little tiresome... 

Maybe these people that never respond have never been a host or hostess, they don't know what goes into throwing  a party. Well, let me tell you, food needs to be bought and made, drinks need to be purchases, chairs, couches and seats for all need to be found, and in some cases door prizes/gift bags need to be made. All of this takes time and most people plan on knowing the exact numbers by the RSVP deadline. When people don't RSVP in time it really just puts stress on the hostess- and let me just say- you never want your hostess to be stressed! 

PLEASE PEOPLE- let's have a fabulous 2009- RSVP in TIME!!! 

Doug to be cont.

So I went to my high school reunion this past weekend and I had a DOUG from DELTA moment. We went to check in and the girl asked for our last names. When I said my last name she said, "Which one?" I replied, "Who else has my last name?"  She said, "There's an Emily and an Erik." SERIOUSLY!!! Do I have to go thru this AGAIN??? And granted the 3 girls I came with all had dresses on and I was wearing jeans (sorry Devyn), but SERIOUSLY?? I definitely look like a girl! Come on!

Last week I worked for 3 days with CARS! RANDOM and CRAZY!!! I have never been a car person, but I am kind of intrigued by them now. I was fortunate to meet a bunch of Pro drivers and even sit shot-gun w them at 128 mph! 

So all you Mercedes Benz owners BE JEALOUS!!! I got to drive and ride in the new Black class and as I learned that the best one is C-63.... I think that's the one! I did a bunch of BSing on the first day to "fit in"  and then actually learned something! 

But these days I am still rockin' my '97 Jetta.

OH yeah! I totally saw a CRASH and it was quite scary. A guest- not Pro driver, flipped and totaled an E-63. It is about a $90,000 car. That is NUTS!

Question...

I'm sure I could just google this question but I am writing it here instead! Has it ever happened where the President Elect was not voted in by the Electoral College in December? You know b/c we, the people vote in November- one candidate "wins," but he is just the President Elect until the December vote. Politics sort of confuse me...

INSPIRING QUOTES

You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety. (Abraham Maslow)

It is miraculous to see people change when they see they have choices. They open up like roses if they see they can make a difference~ that they do have value. (Barbara Glanz)

It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power. (Alan Cohen)

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. (Marcel Proust)

My 2 favorite lines from his acceptance speech:

1. This is our CHANCE for change! (Wasn't his whole campaign about Change- and yet now he says it's just a chance... sorry, but I think that is FUNNY)!!

2. We might not fix everything in 1 year or even in one term.... (so you aren't actually going to do anything for our country, OR you're just not making promises? I'm confused)!

I know it's a big night for America, but I couldn't resist poking a joke or two! 

Is Rain ALWAYS Good Luck?

So I know people say it is good luck when it rains on your wedding day... is it good luck when it rains on your moving day too? 

Welcome to Sacramento Emily- it's raining and 58*- AWESOME!!!

Why don't people tip?

I don't understand why people don't tip. I just don't get it. I make someone a drink, tell them the price, they give me money and wait for their 24 cents, and then WALK AWAY! Let's be honest I would be annoyed to get the 24 cents too, but seriously? Nothing? I just don't get it. Can someone please explain this to me? 

Sleepy Toe

I woke up this morning and my big toe was ASLEEP! Not my entire foot or all the toes- JUST my big toe. Weird right? And it took almost a minute to wake up. I don't know why it was so weird to me, but it was. Just wanted to share~

Staying at my friend's place every once in a while b/c she's in CHINA on business. So tonight I went to a friend's for dinner- came back to Amanda's (she's in China), got settled, poured some wine and got a glass of water from the Brita. It is nowhere near to empty, but I decided to fill it up anyway. BIG MISTAKE. That was about 10 or more minutes ago and the water won't turn OFF!! I had to go downstairs to find a maintenance guy (luckily she lives in a nice building where there are people here all the time) to help me out. He just went downstairs to get some equipment! Yikes! Sorry Gidge!  

Project Runway

YEA!!!!!! KINLEY WAS OUT!!! Finally her nasty attitude caught up w her! Leann was my favorite from the beginning so I am so happy for her! Yippy for Leann! 

ANOTHER SUB STORY

This one is from last year- but one of my favorites! 

6th graders, the teacher left me mostly busy work (typical), and the directions were to allow them to work in groups/partners. 

I noticed this one group was chatting WAY more than working and continued to 'check up on them.' I was 'cool and nice' at first, but then it just got ridiculous. This one kid was literally just copying a paper. What was funny is that he wrote really small and she (the paper he was copying from) wrote really big. She skipped lines and he did not. I told him at least 2 times to NOT copy and just work as a group. I told them it was fine to pass out certain problems to each other and share the answers, but to JUST copy papers is NOT ok. 

I came back a few minutes later and the group was finished. I was mostly just interested in the boy and girl's papers. I asked to see them and that's when I had to laugh about the print. I told him, "If you are going to cheat- especially after I gave you warnings NOT to you should at least make sure you copy everything." The girl wrote so big that she continued on the back of the paper. He got tired of writing and stopped copying at the end of the first page. Ummm, by the way... it was in THE MIDDLE OF A SENTENCE!!! 

I might have over reacted a little... but this is what I said/did:

I took his paper, TORE it up in front of him and said, "You can work in groups, BUT you CANNOT copy someone's paper." 

He replied, "My mom works in the district and I'm gonna tell her."

I replied, "What are you going to tell her? You cheated or you got caught cheating?"

MORE SUB STORIES

1. A kid asked me today if he could smell my hair.

Another kid asked me how old I was. I told him I was OLD. Then he said I looked 18. Ahh.. sweet uh?!

2. A few weeks ago I subbed for a guy that was just going to be in meetings all day. I was told I didn't need a key b/c he should be in the room. I walked over- no teacher- waited a couple minutes and then went back to the office to get a key. (I like to look over the entire day of lesson plans b/f the class arrives.) It was no problem, the office manager gave me a key and I went back in search of the plans. I looked on every stack of papers, on every desk and NOTHING. I walked back to the office and asked if there were any plans for me. She said she just saw the teacher and just to go back and wait. I went back and a minute or so later he walked in w stacks of paper and said, "here are the plans for the day, you can look at them and ask me any questions- but they are self explanatory so you shouldn't have questions." I look the stack of papers and he walked away and under his breath he said, "Oh, I hate subs."

3. The teacher was in the class when I got to her room. She was picking up some things b/f she had to go. She said she wanted to tell me a little bit about some of the kids. Here's what she said, 

   "It a 5th grade class of 36, these 3 (pointing to desks) don't speak any English, this kid (again pointing to a desk) is ADD and ADHD so I never give him homework- whatever he does in class is what he does, this one is oppositional and there's a good chance he'll either cry or yell if he doesn't want to do something, about 8 go to speech thru-out the day and the one guy in the back sometimes thinks he's a snake- so just go w it."

My luggage (not baggage- LUGGAGE)!

Ok so I think this is my last note about my trip. As we know my luggage did not arrive yesterday when I finally arrived at my final destination. I was a little annoyed- but thought, "ok- I have a toothbrush, tooth paste, deodorant, and I'm driving home so I have clothes etc." So I just said, "k- call me when it gets here."

I received a call around 1230pm (I didn't answer b/c it looked like my work # and didn't want to go in... hee hee), I listened to the message, she said the bag JUST arrived from Salt Lake, so I called the lady RIGHT back. I left a message- gave my address and phone number again and said "YES- PLEASE DELIVER!" 

Then a little after 4pm I answered the call and the lady (a different lady) said my bag JUST arrived and they can send it out in the next delivery. (hhhmmmmm????) I kinda thought my bag was in route..... I asked what time it would arrive and she said, between 6-9. I had to pick up my roommate from the same airport at 630pm, so I said I would just pick it up.

THEN.... at 615pm I received a call AGAIN - this time a guy- and he said, my bag had JUST arrived and would I like it delivered. SERIOUSLY??!!! This time I couldn't hold it in and I said, "I have received 3 calls now saying my bag just arrived. Do you guys talk to your co-workers?" He said he just got there- I told him I was on my way there- so no need for a delivery.

When I picked it up he tried to give me a  $20 voucher. I declined and said with a smile, "Why do I need a voucher? I'm never gonna fly Delta again."