Hello, friends.
I didn't get the job.
After you heard from me last, I had a long but productive taiko practice for the performance this evening. I came home exhausted, but not stressed about 11:15. At 5:30 the phone rang to offer me a job. For some reason, though, the job itself was locked in the system. I kept checking it all morning (note: did not go back to sleep) and took a quick shower and got out work clothes. When I took the kids to school, it was still locked. When I came back, though, it was open, and I got it...but it was 7:25, and I was supposed to be there at 7:15. I left a message at the school saying I was on the way, grabbed a lunch and rushed out of the house with wet hair.
Then, I stood up all day. I was subbing for the elementary school music teacher, so I spent the day watching The Nutcracker, a film about Bach, and this: http://animusic.com/ If you are a teacher and have to be gone, this is PERFECT to show k-3 graders. I had a great time watching it, myself! Anyway, lots of walking around to check on kids, and answer questions. The two main questions were, "Can I go to the bathroom?" and, "Is this real?" The kids were really pretty good, and I got to sit by Abbie at lunch! It was a really great day, but as soon as I had both kids (Grant caught a shuttle to from Discovery with Ethan K.) and was sitting down in the car, I started to feel how exhausted I was.
Josh was late last night, so we had hotdogs and watched Pirates of the Caribbean after our homework and music practice were done, and after Cierra came over for a surprise visit with her dog, Logan. They all played in the front yard for about 20-ish minutes.
Then, the sweet oblivion of sleep.
In a minute I'm going to check my costume pieces and take a shower and do my hair. Then, groceries MUST be bought. The cupboards have been bare, but I worked yesterday instead of buying food. After that, I get ready for picking the kids up, taking them to Josh's work, getting Michelle and going to our taiko performance! Gonna be fun. I'd invite you, but this is not one of the public shows. We will be at Celebrate The World in Maryland Heights this February, though!
Did I tell you I finished Northanger Abbey? I was right. MUCH funnier after reading The Mysteries of Udolpho. And another thing, it's much more lovable after having seen the film version with Felicity Jones. I really didn't like Catherine much before I saw her fresh, innocently ignorant candour in the movie. That is my official recommendation: 1. See the film. 2. Read Udolpho. 3. Read Northanger Abbey. It works that way.
I asked Josh for a Powerball ticket, but he didn't get me one. Did you hear that one of the two winners was sold in Missouri? I did.
Here are some of my latest song choices. What do you think?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QfJQ6pTTBU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Huhm7EKSU&playnext=1&list=PLB2BDB2ABD1FE217F&feature=results_video The name got me on this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8CKPrWXGlo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpCePAhLzx0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzRhDGizKYg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8DkDHvrHFU That little skinny guy cracks me up!!!
Wishing all of you a happy Friday Eve! May good health and spirits be yours this weekend!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Brr.
I just applied for another job at Josh's company. He told me the other day that my job at the company party they are having a week from Friday is to network.
Some truths:
1. I want to work for a company who I don't have to sit up sleepless at night to wonder if they are the good guys or the bad guys. I am for the GOOD GUYS! For instance: I would never, NEVER work for a Cash Before Payday kind of company, regardless of the salary. From this perspective, Josh's company is good. They help get people who need rides to their doctor appointments. I approve.
2. You might think that, being from a small town, I would know all about networking. I don't. I don't know a single thing. I don't feel that it's right to mix business and pleasure, and never got the hang of it. No, that sounds like I need my technique perfected. I know NOTHING about networking. If I ever rise due to a networking connection, it is totally in the hands of the other person, and I should receive no credit.
3. My chances are not good for getting this job. The last time I applied at this company, I got my rejection before 24 hours had gone by.
4. If I do get this job....it still won't answer the questions I have about this summer, the main one being: My Children, question mark.
Yes. I just spelled out punctuation. I do it a lot when speaking. I was particularly amused to hear someone else do it at a recent taiko meeting. Hee hee! I'm contagious.
It's the last week in November. The cold weather has officially hit. Today, it will not be above 40 degrees, they say. My hands are so cold!! I am nearly ready to go and make some tea. Not quite, though.
Yesterday I made a white cake with no icing. It was "National Cake Day." How could I not? I cut some to put in the kids' lunches this morning.
Tonight is taiko. *strained pause* Among other things, I am going to play yatai style in the performance on Thursday. For those of you who are unfamiliar, that is when you lie down with the drum between your knees and calves, and hold your upper body at a 45 degree angle with the abs I don't have in order to play. At least it's a song I am familiar with.
This weekend is Christmas in Hermann, MO. on Saturday (can't wait) and the Rams football game on Sunday! Woot!
Wanna hear about last week?
Wednesday, the kids were off school, and I spent the whole day on my feet doing laundry, cooking, bathing the kids, and cleaning the bathrooms. I didn't do floors, because our neighbors were going to let the dogs in at night while we were away. Thursday, we got up earlier than we did on school days, and I drove to Versailles. No traffic to speak of. Gran let me set the table. It was a full house, and several of the dishes were extra, extra good. The kids did get to play outside, because the weather was windy, but it didn't get cold and rainy until late. They mostly played croquet in the field with my Aunt Kathy. YAY! It felt a little weird without Mom, but when she got back she said that my aunt and uncle in Louisiana asked about me often and absolutely gushed with invitations for me and my family to visit at any time. Oh-I wish I had enough money to travel!! I really would visit them. And I'd go see Tylar and Darci in Baltimore, and I'd visit Trish in Oregon....I might even take Grant to see Yuma, since he was born there (but only as a stop on the way to the San Diego Zoo :P).
Anyway, in the evening, we went to Josh's mom's condo. In the morning, we realized there was no breakfast, so Josh ran out and got doughnuts. Later, we went out to the outlet mall in the hopes of meeting friends there and maybe having lunch at that pizza place, but just as we were finding the map, Josh's parents called to say they were at the condo. Then I got a text from Mariah asking for a doughnut. Hee hee. We got there and had a fun lunch where we traded leftovers. Then, we made those little Oreo cookie turkeys. Pretty fun! Abbie did fall and scrape her knee (totally put a hole in her NEW jeans), but otherwise - a great visit. Then....we drove home. Did I mention that I made a Christmas CD for the occasion? It's awesome.
Saturday was Deck The Halls Day. The kids actually put up the tree!!! Well, all the parts they could reach. Then we did the white icicles, and then all the ornaments. Since a few things have changed in the "dining area," I couldn't do the same as last year. I can't wait until I have a house with a dining room. In the evening, we watched Muppet Christmas Carol and drank hot chocolate. Yay for Deck the Halls Day.
The letters to Santa have been written, too. The following is an excerpt from an email I sent to a friend this morning: "Grant wants Slimer from the Ghostbusters movie, and Abbie wants a doll of Violet from The Incredibles. Santa's going to have to look hard for that one. I'm not sure how many were ever made, but they certainly aren't being sold anymore. I hear he was successful on Amazon last night, but a little dismayed about the price tag. I will have to apologize to Santa and leave him the good cookies. It's my fault for insisting that the kids only watch movies that I have seen, and consider them "ready" for."
We wrote the letters yesterday. The kids were off school, but they still had music lessons in the evening. Well! I guess I had better hurry and mail those.
Is it cold at your house? My fingers are so cold....
Hoping for lots of good things for you on this last week of November! If you are free on Saturday, you should join us in Hermann. It's going to be a good time.
Some truths:
1. I want to work for a company who I don't have to sit up sleepless at night to wonder if they are the good guys or the bad guys. I am for the GOOD GUYS! For instance: I would never, NEVER work for a Cash Before Payday kind of company, regardless of the salary. From this perspective, Josh's company is good. They help get people who need rides to their doctor appointments. I approve.
2. You might think that, being from a small town, I would know all about networking. I don't. I don't know a single thing. I don't feel that it's right to mix business and pleasure, and never got the hang of it. No, that sounds like I need my technique perfected. I know NOTHING about networking. If I ever rise due to a networking connection, it is totally in the hands of the other person, and I should receive no credit.
3. My chances are not good for getting this job. The last time I applied at this company, I got my rejection before 24 hours had gone by.
4. If I do get this job....it still won't answer the questions I have about this summer, the main one being: My Children, question mark.
Yes. I just spelled out punctuation. I do it a lot when speaking. I was particularly amused to hear someone else do it at a recent taiko meeting. Hee hee! I'm contagious.
It's the last week in November. The cold weather has officially hit. Today, it will not be above 40 degrees, they say. My hands are so cold!! I am nearly ready to go and make some tea. Not quite, though.
Yesterday I made a white cake with no icing. It was "National Cake Day." How could I not? I cut some to put in the kids' lunches this morning.
Tonight is taiko. *strained pause* Among other things, I am going to play yatai style in the performance on Thursday. For those of you who are unfamiliar, that is when you lie down with the drum between your knees and calves, and hold your upper body at a 45 degree angle with the abs I don't have in order to play. At least it's a song I am familiar with.
This weekend is Christmas in Hermann, MO. on Saturday (can't wait) and the Rams football game on Sunday! Woot!
Wanna hear about last week?
Wednesday, the kids were off school, and I spent the whole day on my feet doing laundry, cooking, bathing the kids, and cleaning the bathrooms. I didn't do floors, because our neighbors were going to let the dogs in at night while we were away. Thursday, we got up earlier than we did on school days, and I drove to Versailles. No traffic to speak of. Gran let me set the table. It was a full house, and several of the dishes were extra, extra good. The kids did get to play outside, because the weather was windy, but it didn't get cold and rainy until late. They mostly played croquet in the field with my Aunt Kathy. YAY! It felt a little weird without Mom, but when she got back she said that my aunt and uncle in Louisiana asked about me often and absolutely gushed with invitations for me and my family to visit at any time. Oh-I wish I had enough money to travel!! I really would visit them. And I'd go see Tylar and Darci in Baltimore, and I'd visit Trish in Oregon....I might even take Grant to see Yuma, since he was born there (but only as a stop on the way to the San Diego Zoo :P).
Anyway, in the evening, we went to Josh's mom's condo. In the morning, we realized there was no breakfast, so Josh ran out and got doughnuts. Later, we went out to the outlet mall in the hopes of meeting friends there and maybe having lunch at that pizza place, but just as we were finding the map, Josh's parents called to say they were at the condo. Then I got a text from Mariah asking for a doughnut. Hee hee. We got there and had a fun lunch where we traded leftovers. Then, we made those little Oreo cookie turkeys. Pretty fun! Abbie did fall and scrape her knee (totally put a hole in her NEW jeans), but otherwise - a great visit. Then....we drove home. Did I mention that I made a Christmas CD for the occasion? It's awesome.
Saturday was Deck The Halls Day. The kids actually put up the tree!!! Well, all the parts they could reach. Then we did the white icicles, and then all the ornaments. Since a few things have changed in the "dining area," I couldn't do the same as last year. I can't wait until I have a house with a dining room. In the evening, we watched Muppet Christmas Carol and drank hot chocolate. Yay for Deck the Halls Day.
The letters to Santa have been written, too. The following is an excerpt from an email I sent to a friend this morning: "Grant wants Slimer from the Ghostbusters movie, and Abbie wants a doll of Violet from The Incredibles. Santa's going to have to look hard for that one. I'm not sure how many were ever made, but they certainly aren't being sold anymore. I hear he was successful on Amazon last night, but a little dismayed about the price tag. I will have to apologize to Santa and leave him the good cookies. It's my fault for insisting that the kids only watch movies that I have seen, and consider them "ready" for."
We wrote the letters yesterday. The kids were off school, but they still had music lessons in the evening. Well! I guess I had better hurry and mail those.
Is it cold at your house? My fingers are so cold....
Hoping for lots of good things for you on this last week of November! If you are free on Saturday, you should join us in Hermann. It's going to be a good time.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Melodramas
So, last night, after having a wonderful but too short dinner with friends, I put the kids to bed and proceeded to finish up Udolpho. Josh came in, and the next thing you know - we're fighting. I have to admit, a very large percentage of our fights start with me being angry. This one didn't start with anyone being angry, but we both got there. Many tears were shed, on my part. The fight started with plans and money, then went through my joblessness and even took a detour into taiko.
From there we briefly discusses some current events that go kinds like this: After writing the newsletter, I passed it on to Julie, as usual. Then, I remembered that she wanted me to check with someone else for details, so I forwarded the email to him. Yesterday, he announced inaccuracy in the newsletter, not to me, not to PR, but to the whole group. I know he has a thing for shaming people, so I was immediately offended that he would try this on me, after having plenty of opportunity to fix the problem before it was posted. I wrote an email to him (and Julie and Andrew) asking why he had waited to responded so late (not that I don't already know he deleted the email I sent without reading it) and why he sent it to everyone. He accused me of never having sent him the rough draft.
If you thought my guilt was impressive, just wait until you see my riteous indignation.
I had been vascilating between immedeately sending this man proof that it had been sent to him already, and maintaining a dignified silence - because why legitimize his claim and let the world think he has a right to suspect or accuse me in this way. After all, I don't work for him. He is not even over me in the PR group. He doesn't even BELONG to the PR group, and my sending him a copy to check was actually a courtesy, not an obligation.
That came up in the fight with Josh. Don't ask me how. It was not a linear argument. At the time, I had actually decided that I would go all out and prove myself, even though it shouldn't be neccessary. I was even mentally planning emails, dripping with disdainful ritieousness - I am sure Josh could tell. He told me to, "Let it go." He insists that I completely stop talking about it. Josh blames me for prolonging the unpleasantness (not that he knows words that long) and absolutely refuses to let me send anything to this man.
One thing. I'm not really the girl who does stuff anytime her husband tells her to, or won't do something just because her husband tells her not to. On the other hand, Josh really doesn't ask a lot of me. Sometimes he gets mad when I haven't done something I've never agreed to do, but that's different, and his own fault. But when I agree to do or not do something - I'm as good as my word.
Which, partially, is the reason I'm so mad in the first place.
From a strategic standpoint, I can see Josh's point. From his perspective, he just made his wife angry, which he doesn't like. The last thing he wants, is to not be able to make the angry stop by sucking up and doing laundry, because the problem is a fight with some other person. Or maybe he just really didn't want to hear about it anymore. Sometimes I give Josh credit he hasn't earned....
Anyway, my only question now is, Do I tell a few people interested parties that I am deliberately avoiding the subject? I can't help but notice that Josh has sentenced me to the appearance of total guilt. I guess I can always produce the evidence if it is requested directly....right? Well, I would have to tell Josh that I was going to. Right? Since I agreed not to say anything? Yeesh. Maybe he's right. So done talking about it. It's just making it last longer.
And speaking of ridiculous melodrama - I finished The Mysteries of Udolpho. Whew. Now I might read Northanger Abbey, since Jane Austen spends most of the book poking fun at Udolpho. After that, though, I'm going to want to switch to something more contemporary. Any suggestions?
Oh, and I never mentioned last Friday! I subbed across the hall from Grant. Second graders are great. It eased my mind. I am not yet a complete misanthrope. We had a great day. It was an especially good joke that I was teaching E. King, since his mommy was across the hall teaching Grant. I am very fond of my Class For A Day. Grant promised to tell them hi from me. We finished our spelling test early, so they all made get well notes for their teacher, and some of them drew pictures for me!
Abbie's tooth is going to come out any day! It's her first one. Let's all hope it comes out today, so she can bring it home in a "tooth box".
By the way - last night was so nice! Met at the mall in Chesterfield and had Cheesecake Factory. I had salmon. YUM! Baby Ethan was actually kind and patient and didn't start fussing until toward the end of the meal, even though he was having a cranky day. Thank you, Ethan! Liona is such a sweet little angel! I think that they all should to my neighborhood. Can you imagine!? So awesome. And the Millers! Such wonderful people. I am so happy to have Ted back in my life, and I am ridiculously fond of his wife, as well. Like I said - too short! Next time, we need to have a picnic.
I am about to do something....I just don't know what, yet. Tomorrow is the bathing of children and the cooking of Thanksgiving offerings. What does that make today? Laundry, I think.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, guys. Sorry about the spelling. My spell check just died.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
I need a new job.
The most disheartening things about middle and high school students:
* They have to say something. Even if it wasn't a question. Even if no response is required, desired or appropriate. Do they need someone to be interested in what they are about to say? No. They just need to say it. Do they wait until they have something intelligent or amusing? No. They just cannot SHUT UP. Self restraint? What's that?
* They are insincere. You know they are only gathering information to mock you with, but your manners are better than theirs, and they are taking full advantage. They do it to each other, they do it to adults in the hallway, they also do it to substitutes. Not to burst your bubble if you thought they genuinely liked you, but they don't. To me, it seems the only kids who truly, legitimately seemed to like me and not just act like they did, loudly and falsely in the company of their peers, were kids who were trouble, and I didn't let them get away with it. It is a strange world.
* They are selfish and unrealistic. They truly think that their rights are being violated when they are separated from their friends for talking incessantly, but it never occurs to them that by disrupting class, they are interfering with the rights of others. They really don't think that. They are only interested in fairness when it works in their favor.
I hate it when parents A> Think their kid is nice, and not one of those kids. It's those friends of his who start it. (Sure.) B> Hate their kid's behavior, complain about it, and then act like it's just some force of nature that must be endured, rather than corrected. WHO IS THE ADULT? I have to actively parent my kids. Sometimes, that means taking away something that makes them happy. Sometimes that means missing a nice meal because you are sitting in the car with a rotten kid.
And then I have to spend all day with someone else's kids, most of whom think they are in charge of the whole school - and me.
Round two was the high school band director. The first thing I found out was that he spends the second half of the day at the middle school.
Stop laughing. It's not funny.
The first hour was the greatest. The assistant band director conducted, and I went out with the Color Guard, to make sure they didn't hit anyone. Second hour was music theory. Not my finest. Several people hadn't brought book or assignment to be finished. Two of them were sent to the office by ME, for arguing with me about whether they should work quietly on other homework. A third was moved for disruptive behavior. He then proceeded to throw his pencil across the room. He was outraged when I wouldn't let him retrieve it, but he did sit quietly, not doing his work, for the rest of the hour.
I thought that was bad, but little did I know that the next class was a group of study hall kids.....and the in-school suspension kids. There were 10 of them, which is ridiculous. Also insane to be handing them over to a sub. If that weren't enough, and it was plenty, I was scheduled to take them to the common area. Yes, that's right. I had to take these two groups and travel with them to a new area. Fortunately, the study hall kids were good kids. They sorta had to watch themselves. The miscreants immediately seated themselves together, knowing that they are not permitted to be, and refused to move. I had to ask another teacher for the kids' names to write them up, and while I was doing that for one boy, he (the teacher) ended up sending another one to the office. The kicker: he asked me to watch his class while he escorted him. Now I had three groups. Fantastic.
Then I got to go to the middle school.
The assistant band director assured me of what an easy day I would have, since she was conducting class, and I was just "policing" her "trouble spots" for her. I recognized many of the trouble kids. The girls were the worst. The boys were unruly and couldn't shut up, but the girls brought snotty to a new level. I have never seen anything that filled me with so much disgust, and I'm not kidding. I came home trying as hard as I could to figure out how to NOT send my kids to middle school. It was a long, long, long afternoon. When I was leaving for the day, the assistant band director said, "I know it doesn't seem like you were helpful today, but it really was a help to me." Well, it sure FELT like work....
Enough of that.
We had a very LONG meeting at taiko, and I have new motivation to spread the word about taiko and all it's glory, so be expecting that soon. I will also be writing the next newsletter.
Before I get into that this afternoon, though, I need to go and get a haircut.
In other news, I'm making a new recipe of potatoes and pork chops tonight. I've been listening to new music. Wanna hear?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQhS7D5n2Us&feature=related Yes, seriously.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghbxPJ_Yr6E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Six7Tj6MJU4&feature=relmfu This song is almost certainly dirty. :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LxMW_t3l5k&feature=g-all-c
Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!
* They have to say something. Even if it wasn't a question. Even if no response is required, desired or appropriate. Do they need someone to be interested in what they are about to say? No. They just need to say it. Do they wait until they have something intelligent or amusing? No. They just cannot SHUT UP. Self restraint? What's that?
* They are insincere. You know they are only gathering information to mock you with, but your manners are better than theirs, and they are taking full advantage. They do it to each other, they do it to adults in the hallway, they also do it to substitutes. Not to burst your bubble if you thought they genuinely liked you, but they don't. To me, it seems the only kids who truly, legitimately seemed to like me and not just act like they did, loudly and falsely in the company of their peers, were kids who were trouble, and I didn't let them get away with it. It is a strange world.
* They are selfish and unrealistic. They truly think that their rights are being violated when they are separated from their friends for talking incessantly, but it never occurs to them that by disrupting class, they are interfering with the rights of others. They really don't think that. They are only interested in fairness when it works in their favor.
I hate it when parents A> Think their kid is nice, and not one of those kids. It's those friends of his who start it. (Sure.) B> Hate their kid's behavior, complain about it, and then act like it's just some force of nature that must be endured, rather than corrected. WHO IS THE ADULT? I have to actively parent my kids. Sometimes, that means taking away something that makes them happy. Sometimes that means missing a nice meal because you are sitting in the car with a rotten kid.
And then I have to spend all day with someone else's kids, most of whom think they are in charge of the whole school - and me.
Round two was the high school band director. The first thing I found out was that he spends the second half of the day at the middle school.
Stop laughing. It's not funny.
The first hour was the greatest. The assistant band director conducted, and I went out with the Color Guard, to make sure they didn't hit anyone. Second hour was music theory. Not my finest. Several people hadn't brought book or assignment to be finished. Two of them were sent to the office by ME, for arguing with me about whether they should work quietly on other homework. A third was moved for disruptive behavior. He then proceeded to throw his pencil across the room. He was outraged when I wouldn't let him retrieve it, but he did sit quietly, not doing his work, for the rest of the hour.
I thought that was bad, but little did I know that the next class was a group of study hall kids.....and the in-school suspension kids. There were 10 of them, which is ridiculous. Also insane to be handing them over to a sub. If that weren't enough, and it was plenty, I was scheduled to take them to the common area. Yes, that's right. I had to take these two groups and travel with them to a new area. Fortunately, the study hall kids were good kids. They sorta had to watch themselves. The miscreants immediately seated themselves together, knowing that they are not permitted to be, and refused to move. I had to ask another teacher for the kids' names to write them up, and while I was doing that for one boy, he (the teacher) ended up sending another one to the office. The kicker: he asked me to watch his class while he escorted him. Now I had three groups. Fantastic.
Then I got to go to the middle school.
The assistant band director assured me of what an easy day I would have, since she was conducting class, and I was just "policing" her "trouble spots" for her. I recognized many of the trouble kids. The girls were the worst. The boys were unruly and couldn't shut up, but the girls brought snotty to a new level. I have never seen anything that filled me with so much disgust, and I'm not kidding. I came home trying as hard as I could to figure out how to NOT send my kids to middle school. It was a long, long, long afternoon. When I was leaving for the day, the assistant band director said, "I know it doesn't seem like you were helpful today, but it really was a help to me." Well, it sure FELT like work....
Enough of that.
We had a very LONG meeting at taiko, and I have new motivation to spread the word about taiko and all it's glory, so be expecting that soon. I will also be writing the next newsletter.
Before I get into that this afternoon, though, I need to go and get a haircut.
In other news, I'm making a new recipe of potatoes and pork chops tonight. I've been listening to new music. Wanna hear?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQhS7D5n2Us&feature=related Yes, seriously.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghbxPJ_Yr6E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Six7Tj6MJU4&feature=relmfu This song is almost certainly dirty. :P
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LxMW_t3l5k&feature=g-all-c
Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!
Monday, November 12, 2012
REALLY?! or How My First Subbing Went
Middle school students really are as bad as they say.
First of all, we had our taiko performance at Fontbonne on Wednesday. It was a decent show, although I don't know what happened on the other side during Ashura. Something weird. And there was this camera guy who was getting so much TOO CLOSE that he actually prevented some of the performers from doing all the moves they had planned to. Not cool. If you are a photographer, and you are about to photograph performers during their show, please ask when and where to be on the stage. Really.
Thursday morning I got up, took the kids to school, and went to the middle school. Those kids were just a tad informal. I really had to fight to keep control, and some of the things they asked for were ridiculous. Someone in EVERY HOUR had a medical emergency and needed to go to the nurse. Two people needed to use the phone to call their parents. Most people in 3rd and 4th hour didn't have pencils. Three girls in 8th hour were tardy, and then proceeded to copy each others' homework for the rest of the hour. Lucky me, the second day I was to give them their chapter 4 test.
The second day, it was not so hard to get them quiet. They already knew I was mean. In fact, I would have to say that the second day was not bad at all. One boy made the mistake of opening his book with his foot during the test. He knows I saw him. He came up to say hi to me 5 times between classes that day. Guilty conscience? One class got through with the test, and they were allowed to play Hangman.
During my planning hour, I was asked to watch some 8th graders. That was a problem. I didn't ever get them under control. I feel terrible about it. I wish I could re-do that hour. Then, back to the other class, and more tests. 8th hour, I was prepared for academic dishonesty.
The same girls were talking and signaling each other during the test. I took their names down, and said I was considering moving them away from each other. I got up to do that, and realized that I would still have to keep an eye on them, only now they wouldn't all be in one place. I decided instead to go and stand in front of them....for a whole hour. They stopped writing. Really. I had assumed that one of them must have read the chapter. Otherwise, what is the point of copying each other's work? It seemed I was wrong. NONE of them were able to complete the test! They eventually started to ask if they could put it in the pile of "not finished" and then come and finish it Monday. I told them that it was highly unlikely that the teacher would let them take the test after having had the extra weekend to study. They turned theirs in early anyway. I wrote the time down (since it was NOT the end of the hour) and put them in a separate stack. I seriously hope he doesn't let them get away with that nonsense. Rotten, sneaky, dishonest, cheating brats.
Ah! The youth of America. Don't ya' love 'em? Actually, I miss some of them....
Saturday, I didn't feel like leaving, so I didn't get my hair cut. The weather was beautiful, so the kids were outside a lot. In the evening, we watched Raiders of the Lost Arc for the first time. (Well, first time for the kids.) They loved it.
Sunday, Josh gave me a ride to taiko while he visited family in the city. We had Steak N Shake on the way home, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. I don't think my bread was fresh... Then I went out in the rain to do the shopping. Going to make two new recipes this week!
Taiko on Tuesday will be a meeting instead of a practice. Looking forward to it, I think. There is a lot that needs to be asked about.
I'm slowly reading The Mysteries of Udolpho. Hee hee. I'm also looking for new book recommendations after I'm done.
The weather finally turned today. It is nearly 9am, and still below 30 degrees. My little dogwood that I was hoping would survive fell over in the wind yesterday. There is no saving it; it was detached at the root. I am sad. It was so lovely. I'm done trying to put trees in that spot. I will try a shrub, and if that fails, too, I am giving up entirely.
Already planning Thanksgiving, and even Christmas. Someday, I will have Christmas on my own terms. I insist on it reverting into a sweet holiday that is about family and being nice. Not this year, however.
I hope things are going well for you! Have a wonderful week!
First of all, we had our taiko performance at Fontbonne on Wednesday. It was a decent show, although I don't know what happened on the other side during Ashura. Something weird. And there was this camera guy who was getting so much TOO CLOSE that he actually prevented some of the performers from doing all the moves they had planned to. Not cool. If you are a photographer, and you are about to photograph performers during their show, please ask when and where to be on the stage. Really.
Thursday morning I got up, took the kids to school, and went to the middle school. Those kids were just a tad informal. I really had to fight to keep control, and some of the things they asked for were ridiculous. Someone in EVERY HOUR had a medical emergency and needed to go to the nurse. Two people needed to use the phone to call their parents. Most people in 3rd and 4th hour didn't have pencils. Three girls in 8th hour were tardy, and then proceeded to copy each others' homework for the rest of the hour. Lucky me, the second day I was to give them their chapter 4 test.
The second day, it was not so hard to get them quiet. They already knew I was mean. In fact, I would have to say that the second day was not bad at all. One boy made the mistake of opening his book with his foot during the test. He knows I saw him. He came up to say hi to me 5 times between classes that day. Guilty conscience? One class got through with the test, and they were allowed to play Hangman.
During my planning hour, I was asked to watch some 8th graders. That was a problem. I didn't ever get them under control. I feel terrible about it. I wish I could re-do that hour. Then, back to the other class, and more tests. 8th hour, I was prepared for academic dishonesty.
The same girls were talking and signaling each other during the test. I took their names down, and said I was considering moving them away from each other. I got up to do that, and realized that I would still have to keep an eye on them, only now they wouldn't all be in one place. I decided instead to go and stand in front of them....for a whole hour. They stopped writing. Really. I had assumed that one of them must have read the chapter. Otherwise, what is the point of copying each other's work? It seemed I was wrong. NONE of them were able to complete the test! They eventually started to ask if they could put it in the pile of "not finished" and then come and finish it Monday. I told them that it was highly unlikely that the teacher would let them take the test after having had the extra weekend to study. They turned theirs in early anyway. I wrote the time down (since it was NOT the end of the hour) and put them in a separate stack. I seriously hope he doesn't let them get away with that nonsense. Rotten, sneaky, dishonest, cheating brats.
Ah! The youth of America. Don't ya' love 'em? Actually, I miss some of them....
Saturday, I didn't feel like leaving, so I didn't get my hair cut. The weather was beautiful, so the kids were outside a lot. In the evening, we watched Raiders of the Lost Arc for the first time. (Well, first time for the kids.) They loved it.
Sunday, Josh gave me a ride to taiko while he visited family in the city. We had Steak N Shake on the way home, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd hoped. I don't think my bread was fresh... Then I went out in the rain to do the shopping. Going to make two new recipes this week!
Taiko on Tuesday will be a meeting instead of a practice. Looking forward to it, I think. There is a lot that needs to be asked about.
I'm slowly reading The Mysteries of Udolpho. Hee hee. I'm also looking for new book recommendations after I'm done.
The weather finally turned today. It is nearly 9am, and still below 30 degrees. My little dogwood that I was hoping would survive fell over in the wind yesterday. There is no saving it; it was detached at the root. I am sad. It was so lovely. I'm done trying to put trees in that spot. I will try a shrub, and if that fails, too, I am giving up entirely.
Already planning Thanksgiving, and even Christmas. Someday, I will have Christmas on my own terms. I insist on it reverting into a sweet holiday that is about family and being nice. Not this year, however.
I hope things are going well for you! Have a wonderful week!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Wednesday's cold fingers.
Isn't that sort of a poetic title? My hands are cold.
Just got back from taking the kids to school. Today, I have a taiko performance and the trick is going to be how fast I can get back home after. I was going to make it in time for school, but that was before I knew that Michelle would need a ride. I'm a little worried about my left shoulder. I will take Motrin before I leave.
I'm happy with my Zoku solo, and happy with Ashura. I wish Hanabi was a little better, and I'm passable at Kokoro, but not impressive - which you should be if you are featured like that. Kiriko sounds terrible, but that is out of my hands, and Isami Goma is my Oodaiko piece and the cause of my shoulder worry, but I don't sound bad on it.
I will be subbing at the middle school tomorrow and Friday. I'm not too worried - it's nice that it's in a building that I know where the office is located!
I have to run off and shower now, but I thought I would wish you all a happy post-election season. It will be so nice to have all the signs down.
Funny voting story: When I presented my ID, the lady said (not very originally), "Oh, my! I feel sorry for your children when they have to learn how to spell that!" Then, when she looked in the book, she was all excited. "Look at that! There's TWO of them!"
"That's my husband."
She was so disappointed. :P
Actually, I was happy it was so quick. There wasn't a line, but they were having lots of trouble getting to reader to work, and some people were leaving rather than wait. Fortunately for me, it was fixed almost immediately. Yay!
Have a great Wednesday!
Just got back from taking the kids to school. Today, I have a taiko performance and the trick is going to be how fast I can get back home after. I was going to make it in time for school, but that was before I knew that Michelle would need a ride. I'm a little worried about my left shoulder. I will take Motrin before I leave.
I'm happy with my Zoku solo, and happy with Ashura. I wish Hanabi was a little better, and I'm passable at Kokoro, but not impressive - which you should be if you are featured like that. Kiriko sounds terrible, but that is out of my hands, and Isami Goma is my Oodaiko piece and the cause of my shoulder worry, but I don't sound bad on it.
I will be subbing at the middle school tomorrow and Friday. I'm not too worried - it's nice that it's in a building that I know where the office is located!
I have to run off and shower now, but I thought I would wish you all a happy post-election season. It will be so nice to have all the signs down.
Funny voting story: When I presented my ID, the lady said (not very originally), "Oh, my! I feel sorry for your children when they have to learn how to spell that!" Then, when she looked in the book, she was all excited. "Look at that! There's TWO of them!"
"That's my husband."
She was so disappointed. :P
Actually, I was happy it was so quick. There wasn't a line, but they were having lots of trouble getting to reader to work, and some people were leaving rather than wait. Fortunately for me, it was fixed almost immediately. Yay!
Have a great Wednesday!
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Ready to be impressed?
Ever feel like your house is disgusting, and you would be better off just moving and starting fresh? Or, as the next best thing, wouldn't it be a great help if you could just take out everything you own and then just put back the stuff you want to keep?
We did that one.
Mostly, anyway. It was really hard work. First, I did the kids' bathroom, where some things living under the sink were actually lotions, etc. that I got at GRANT'S BABY SHOWER. I think we're finally old enough to take the plastic puppy that keeps baby children from conking their little heads on the faucet, too. The entire bathroom was emptied, down to the wall art and shower curtain, and then I put it back and organized it. Josh took everything out of our bathroom, and I put back the medicines, and my stuff. He put back his own stuff. LOTS to throw away, there, in the way of expired sunscreen, etc. We also did the kitchen. The kitchen took most of the day. We re-did the pots and pans, the pantry, the spice cabinet - EVERYTHING. We moved some stuff that I don't use much (my wok, for instance) downstairs, and then there was enough room for the crock pot. Stuff like that. It was a liberating, exhausting experience, and we are still dealing with the aftermath. (That would be a bunch of random stuff sitting out because it needs to be thrown away and stuff.)
Grr! I am so tough!
Another thing we accomplished was taking the kids' little table downstairs, putting the leaf in our crappy kitchen table, and moving it around. Our "dining room" looks all grown up now.
Today, I am going to wash the sheets, change the comforter to the winter one, and do the actual cleaning part. (The only room that got "cleaned" yesterday was the bathroom, even though I did clean lots of drawers and cabinets.) Maybe by tonight, my house won't gross me out so much.
I also have some news! I found a song that I used to hear on the radio in the middle of the night (taking Josh to work when we only had one car) in Yuma, but didn't know A> The title, B> The performer, C> The gender of the singer, D> Enough Spanish to guess at significant lyrics. I did have a pretty good guess that the song was something extra angsty from the 80's. Wanna know what it is? It's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLStpR1pr7Y. I feel pretty awesome for having located it at last. Isn't it kinda melodramatically awesome? ^_^ Well, they used to only play it at 4 a.m. in Yuma.
Can't taiko today, because Josh is leaving in a minute, so I'm going to watch Kokoro no Koe over and over. That's practice, right?
Love you guys!
We did that one.
Mostly, anyway. It was really hard work. First, I did the kids' bathroom, where some things living under the sink were actually lotions, etc. that I got at GRANT'S BABY SHOWER. I think we're finally old enough to take the plastic puppy that keeps baby children from conking their little heads on the faucet, too. The entire bathroom was emptied, down to the wall art and shower curtain, and then I put it back and organized it. Josh took everything out of our bathroom, and I put back the medicines, and my stuff. He put back his own stuff. LOTS to throw away, there, in the way of expired sunscreen, etc. We also did the kitchen. The kitchen took most of the day. We re-did the pots and pans, the pantry, the spice cabinet - EVERYTHING. We moved some stuff that I don't use much (my wok, for instance) downstairs, and then there was enough room for the crock pot. Stuff like that. It was a liberating, exhausting experience, and we are still dealing with the aftermath. (That would be a bunch of random stuff sitting out because it needs to be thrown away and stuff.)
Grr! I am so tough!
Another thing we accomplished was taking the kids' little table downstairs, putting the leaf in our crappy kitchen table, and moving it around. Our "dining room" looks all grown up now.
Today, I am going to wash the sheets, change the comforter to the winter one, and do the actual cleaning part. (The only room that got "cleaned" yesterday was the bathroom, even though I did clean lots of drawers and cabinets.) Maybe by tonight, my house won't gross me out so much.
I also have some news! I found a song that I used to hear on the radio in the middle of the night (taking Josh to work when we only had one car) in Yuma, but didn't know A> The title, B> The performer, C> The gender of the singer, D> Enough Spanish to guess at significant lyrics. I did have a pretty good guess that the song was something extra angsty from the 80's. Wanna know what it is? It's http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLStpR1pr7Y. I feel pretty awesome for having located it at last. Isn't it kinda melodramatically awesome? ^_^ Well, they used to only play it at 4 a.m. in Yuma.
Can't taiko today, because Josh is leaving in a minute, so I'm going to watch Kokoro no Koe over and over. That's practice, right?
Love you guys!
Friday, November 2, 2012
November's First Friday!
Today is Master Awesome's birthday. I would just like to say that.
For the little Chinese girl in us all: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZHZTkYWopA&feature=related Sweet, sweet video.
And how are you, my friends?
It looks like all my east coast buddies made it through the storm. The weather was so pleasant this fall, after a wickedly hot and dry summer. I've enjoyed it. I hope we get a little more Fall, even if it's the chilly kind, before we plough straight into legitimate winter.
We're all recovering from that head cold. Grant's ear was bothering him this morning. I actually got a call from the nurse. Want to know what escaped her lips while she was on the phone? I asked if she'd looked in the ear, and she told me I didn't want her to. She told me that she's "self taught." I think I'm going to have to look into the sate requirements for the position of School Nurse. Anyway, in case you are curious, I gave her permission to give him a dose of Ibuprofen.
Abbie was at the same "nurse" on Wednesday. She had a nosebleed. I actually wrote in the file that she was prone to them, and the "nurse" was still blabbing on about how maybe she bumped it while at recess. I should have figured her out then.
Halloween was great. I have nothing unpleasant to report. Even the pre-teenage kids all seemed really nice and pleasant this year. It was very comforting. Since I am still getting over the cold, I took Grant and Abbie around the first few houses, and then Josh took them for the real thing. I had water boiling as they came in, for hot chocolate.
I read In The Woods, by Tanya French. Well written, but I was slightly disappointed. Are you going to read it? I won't spoil it, since it's a suspense book. Here's the non-spoiler review:
A little Irish boy and his two best friends go into the woods behind their houses, just like they have done pretty much every day, and don't return. Eventually, a search is conducted, and the boy is found grasping a tree and with no memory of what happened. He grows up in an English boarding school, where his accent changes, and decides to be a murder detective. As a young (and, therefore, conspicuous) murder detective, he is relieved when a woman transfers to the department, so the guys will have something else to speculate about. The two become not only partners, but extremely close, though platonic, friends. One day, the female counterpart accepts a job before hearing the particulars. It is from the man's hometown, and it is a child murder. She is the only one who knows his past, and they take on the investigation, not knowing if it is relevant to his friends' disappearance, or whether it will trigger the release of locked memories.
Sounds great, right? It was very well written, and well paced. Some things I was particularly wondering about, though, are addressed but not resolved. The end is somewhat of an unraveling, not a putting together. Well, anyway, why don't you read it, and then tell me what you think?
I also had an eye appointment. New glasses next week! I had my eyes dilated, too. They weren't very good about preparing me for that. I was told that they needed to put a few drops in, to better determine (blah, blah, blah).... He started to walk off, and I said, "Wait, is this going to affect my driving?"
"Oh, no, it's just going to make you a little light sensitive, and will wear off in about an hour."
Are you laughing? You probably are if you've had this done before. I couldn't read anything, I was VERY light sensitive, and driving home, even though I waited, was interesting, to say the least.
Taiko last night was quite a workout, but I made it through. I'm playing Oodaiko on Isami Goma, and that is super fun. I'm the first drum on Hanabi, and I'm playing the A side on Ashura, even though I've been practicing the B part lately. I'll be playing on Zoku, too, but we didn't practice that yet. I'm playing chuu for Suwako, and I'm also playing the uchiwa on Kokoro no Koe, the uchiwa and fue duet!! It's the only part I'm having to learn for this show. Crazy, Man!
Here's most of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbKSGDZTkBU&playnext=1&list=PLD1D728DBC3E131DD&feature=results_video
We drove a different way to practice last night. They are doing bridge work on 70, so we crossed the river on 94 instead. I was a little surprised to see Michelle's mom's car at her house. We made it on time to practice. I think we're going to stick with that route. After practice, though, Michelle called her mom from my car and told her to meet at MacDonald's. That MacDonald's is on 70. So, we got off at the Lake St. Louis Blvd exit to drive through town and get to 70. We had one wrong turn. My fault - I wouldn't have believed her if I'd known the area better. I think I got home at 11.
I'm having trouble with a glitch on the Subfinder page. It's embarrassing. It makes me look like I don't know what I'm doing. I'm hoping for work next week. I'm also still looking for another job. Know of any?
Meat loaf tonight!
Have a happy weekend, everyone! We plan to do housework.
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