I am more than just a street sewer

The interesting things people say while half-asleep. So this last weekend Chris and I went to WI to see my family and attend Shanty Days in the bustling town of Algoma. Okay, so there's nothing doing any sort of hustle or bustle in that little lake town that has actually decreased in population since my mother lived there. But for this one weekend of the year, the city really shows its shine...or spit and polish.

We had an early morning drive to my parents' campsite outside the town, and then rode bikes on a trail to join together in the festivities with some relatives at my aunt's house. There was a 1.5 hour long parade with all the fixin's, a bazaar of craft booths, a flea market, and a special sectioned off pay-to-get-in portion filled with many unhealthy foods and noise pollution bands. During the day we watched the parade, ate a potluck lunch, bought some crafty junk, walked the pier, and took a tour of my family's historical landmarks.

That evening we crashed in our tent for a slanted nap...our tent was on a hill so we had the "fortunate" opportunity to sleep on a 15 degree incline. After literally rolling out of bed, we went with my parents to the critically acclaimed Pizza Bowl for some very slow but very tasty pizza. Then it was time to break off from the fam and go for a romantic stroll along the boardwalk until we found a good spot on the beach to make out. It was so cliche, I had a hard time taking myself seriously. But it was fun, despite the smell of Lake Michigan.

So all in all, a fabulous, if busy weekend. I miss camping. I used to do it a few times a year when I was younger and in Girl Scouts. I think the campfire is my favorite part--what can I say: I'm a pyro in responsible clothing. Anyone want to light my fire and go camping sometime this fall?

Addicted to Maple Sugar...I mean, Story

Jenni introduced me to this online RPG on her blog a while back, and it took me a while to finally download and try it out. I did a couple days ago and...have played it for hours. I know it's fairly childish and silly for an RPG, but it has basically no loading time, you play with people all around the world, and the animationn is amusing. It's like an easier, very cartoon version of WOW, and the best part is: IT'S FREE!

The plan was to play with Jenni sometime, organizing a party and playing together. Problem is, I can't seem to get a hold of her to organize. So, I've been playing on my own, talking to new people now and then. But I wouldn't mind some company. Any body interested? I'm off to GB this weekend for some fun and camping in DC, but I'm here today and back next week. Just drop an email or send an IM and I'll tell you my character's name so we can hook up and have some fun ;)

Photographic Memories of the Southeast Corner



On my adventure to the "Southeast Corner," seeing Mandy in Madison was first. There was food, there was drink, and before I left there was...a free makeover. This is before.

After our makeup makeover. All of this just to go to Milwaukee?

Then it was on to Milwaukee to visit an OLD friend, Justin, who ended up being a very enthusiastic tour guide for the city. He was so good, I might actually now think that there is something in Milwaukee other than lots of cars, conventions, crime, and beer.

This art museum in Milwaukee is stellar. I still can't figure out if it reminds me more of a ship, a whale, or a stingray. Every angle gives it a different presentation.

The Milwaukee skyline in all its glory.

I couldn't tell you if this is an old water tower, an old lighthouse, or just some old meaningless structure. Feel free to use your imagination and come up with your own suggestions of its former use.

I took this picture for Sean and his Cold Press Rad Racers fetish. You can't get much more girly than this, aside from the couple bikes outside this picture that have pretty baskets on the front.

Liz and I walked for hours around Chicago, passed by dozens of interesting landmarks, and even visited my cousin. How many pictures do I have of Chicago? One. But the smile on Liz's face just says it all, doesn't it? What a great trip...I think I'll go back there, and soon.

baaaahm, baaahm, BAAAHM, BAH BAHM!

(Dahn, dahn, dahn, dahn, dahn, dahn, dahn, dahn, dahn, dahn, daaahn)

Only a rendition of "Also Sprach Zarathustra" can really show my excitement.

I have a job. Not just any job. THE job. A full time job with great benefits. A full time job with benefits within the same city. A full time job with benefits in my city teaching my favorite age group, 7th and 8th graders. A full time job with benefits in my city teaching 7th and 8th graders from my classroom that overlooks a beautiful, peaceful lake. A full time job with benefits in my city teaching 7th and 8th graders in a lakeside classroom at a school with a super friendly staff that is going to make me feel really welcome. A full time job with benefits in my city teaching 7th and 8th graders in a lakeside classroom at a school with friendly staff that is going to help pay towards my masters degree after I put in a year of teaching there.

In short: I have my dream job. Excited? Ecstatic.

The Show is Over, Folks

Okay, so I didn't win the showdown for the job on Friday. Still, I can take solace in the fact that I was the running competition for someone who had 7 years experience and a masters degree. Apparently I must have gained some interviewing skills somewhere along the line that sometimes decide to show themselves in a beautiful performance. They said they were "very impressed" by me and they are certain that another school will "snatch me up" as soon as they can. No hard feelings with the school that didn't hire me, and I think I'll look in that same district in the future--the neighborhood is beautiful.

Despite the downer of that particular rejection (and another one earlier that day by a school I really didn't give a rat's ass about), I am feeling good about the upcoming school year. Some jobs are still popping up in the search engines, and there are four schools that still need to get back to me about the positions for which I applied and interviewed during the past month. Some schools are excrutiatingly slow at making a decision. My fat dog could probably make a better and faster decision. I've seen him growl at people he doesn't trust, and throw himself upon people he does like so they are helplessly pinned below him and eventually resolve to just pet him. He would be especially productive if he were given food as a reward like some of the interviewers seem to be. Seriously, I've seen spreads of danishes, cheeses, coffee and juices laid out like a miniature buffet to the side of the table where the interviewers enjoy yet another delicacy: grilled candidate.

The Final Showdown

I am "this" close to having a full time job for the fall. Tomorrow morning at 8am, I have a final interview with one of the schools. Why another interview? They called me today saying they were very impressed with me yesterday, and they're having a very difficult time deciding between me and one other candidate. Tomorrow is their deadline for choosing someone for the position, so at 8am sharp I will be meeting with a few more people and they will finish scrutinizing my charm and abilities. It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.

Earlier today, I had an interview at Jenny's alma mater that went frightfully shitty. On top of that, the school was in such disarray, that I didn't find anyone to help direct me to the committee until I had already stood around for 5 minutes. Combine that with a bad hair day and crappy traffic, and I was not in the most organized mood for an interview, especially one in such a tragic looking room. It had an oversized table, big black chairs, and dim flourescent lighting. The three women interviewers were all at least 30, and had severe looks on their well maintained faces. They barely cracked a smile all through the process, only admitting a slight giggle when I mentioned something about dealing with difficult students or tried throwing in a humorous anecdote about my writing. Everything I said just made me feel less qualified and more like a foolish school girl still trying to find a job. I felt like I was being slowly grilled and fried by their penetrating laser eyes...

"I've got laser eyes! And I know what you're thinking! It comes as no surprise! Christmas lights are blinking! And I'm so curious and I'm so curious and I'm so curious! Cuz I've got laser eyes!" Sifl n Olly...I loved that show.

Crappy interview followed by near job aquisition. I suppose it balances out. Only minor annoyance is that I'll have to pack up for the weekend, dress up for the interview, have the interview, and THEN drive to the "Southeast Corner" to visit peeps in Madtown, Chitown, and Mil-le-wa-kee

Wayne Campbell: So, do you come to Milwaukee often?
Alice Cooper: Well, I'm a regular visitor here, but Milwaukee has certainly had its share of visitors. The French missionaries and explorers began visiting here in the late 16th century. Pete: Hey, isn't "Milwaukee" an Indian name?
Alice Cooper: Yes, Pete, it is. In fact , it's pronounced "mill-e-wah-que" which is Algonquin for "the good land."
Wayne Campbell: I was not aware of that.

It's going to be a busy-ass weekend. But fun.

Because I have to embarrass Lee

A completely untrue but possible conversation from July 14th:

Us: Why are you all dressed up, Lee?
Lee: I'm French! Why do you think I have this outraaaageous acCENT?!"
Us: What are you doing with the food?



Lee: Mind your own business! I'm celebrating Bastille Day with wine, baguettes, brie, croissants, crepes and many many people of various cultural backgrounds. Go and boil your bottoms, you sons of a silly person!
Us: Is there someone else we can talk to?
Lee: No, now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.

Congrats to Erin and Lance! Good food, fun dancing and lots of familiar faces to enjoy at the wedding and reception, as shown by our smiling faces. We may all be cute and coupled, but Tricia's tan with a plan, looking oh so fine as "Best Person."

Who would have guessed?

I should have known it would be so, when my interviewer said "Let's begin this interview with a prayer." As it turns out, I discovered at my interview at a Christian school today that I'm just not Christian enough. I know that must be a shocker to all of you out there, especially to my "spiritual reference." But sadly, it's true. I think I actually felt sorry for the administrator who interviewed me. Otherwise, I might have made comments about being happy for my homosexual friend who just got married, or mentioned how my live-in boyfriend and I had a great-fucking-margarita party the other night. That would have been fun.

But no, he was way too nice. He repeatedly told me that my credentials were fantastic for a beginning teacher, and it was only in the one area of my faith that there would be a challenge. He wouldn't even come right out and say, "Sorry, I don't think this job is for you." He just said it would be a "challenge" and then gave me pointers on other places to apply. I just couldn't resist telling the mostly true version of my position on spirituality. Probably a good thing too. He later went into describing how they teach evolution...as an "untrue theory" so that the students are prepared to argue why and how they believe in creationism. Sounds like a good place for me, eh? Right...

I haven't mentioned it in my blog, mostly because I've been mentioning (i.e. bitching about) it everywhere else, but as most of you know, I've been applying and interviewing for jobs all over the place. I have a lot more interviews this year than last year, but so far nothing at all has popped up. I keep searching as schools begin to get serious about planning their staff for the next year, but despite the many jobs out there, few are for English teachers, and there's a lot of us out there. However, I'm not going to give up on finding a full time job until the school bell rings on the first day. After that point, it will be subbing and grad school time for me...and maybe writing...something.

At last! He has turned to the dark side...mwa ha ha ha!

Knownst to me, but unbeknownst to some, Chris has finally taken my advice (and the goading of Lee) to heart and has created his own blog. I helped him get started, and now the rest is in his random, poetic, post rock inundated fingers. Whatever he ends up doing with his blog ought to be as intriguing as he is. So hats off to the new blogger and may others that visit blogs but have not one of their own follow his example and make one!

I really wish that our blazing hot apartment was as cool and refreshing as it was in this picture. I wonder if it's worth a trip up there just to jump in that waterfall...only problem would be the jagged rocks at the bottom...

Well, we survived

Tricia and I finished the race in relatively one piece, which is good. Her parents were there, and mine actually made the drive up there too. I was rather impressed and touched by my parents wanting to join us, especially since it meant that they had to wake up at 4:30am so that they could be in Egg Harbor just after 7:00am. What can I say? I'm their favorite child ;)

So we had a cheering section waiting for us at the finish line, and you'd be amazed what that will do for someone's initiative. I knew I would do okay, but I wasn't sure how fast I could keep it up. But I think I did myself proud. I ran less than 10 minute miles the whole way, which meant I finished the 3.1 mile race in 30 minutes 10 seconds. Sure, I was #324, but that's better than being #700. I'm not sure that many people did the RUN, but there were definitely at least that many people there total for the run/walk. It's amazing how much difference a couple minutes make, because Tricia's uncle beat both of us by coming in at 27 minutes which meant he was a whole hundred people ahead of me.

Still, our main goal was to try and get it done in less than 35 minutes, and we both succeeded! So yay for us! Now we're thinking about adding a race or two to our list. I mean, what motivation is it for the rest of the year if I know I can get back into running shape in just a couple months and the next Hairpin Race is a whole year away? I guess there's a nice wooded one up in Door Co. sometime in October, and there are TONS in the Twin Cities greater area, with a race every weekend SOMEWHERE in Minnesota. Oh, no worries. I won't be going hardcore health nut...I love food, movies, and video games too much. But I WILL try to keep up my running abilities so that if I had to, I could still run a 5K at the drop of a hat. I think that's a worthy enough goal. Although, Tricia and I DID think about trying to reach the next step of a 5 mile run. Hm...this could take a while.

Running, running, as fast as we can. Do you think we'll make it?

Now, "no doubt" we'll make it, but I doubt we'll be feeling like singing a song when we hit the finish line...at least not "We Are the Champions"....more like "I Will Survive"...maybe.

Notice how Tricia and I look like we're about to spring into action and hike a mountain? Well, we didn't quite do that last year at Penninsula State Park, but we did do some hiking up and down some hills and Eagle's Tower.

But that was soooo last year. What are we up to this year? Oh I'd say about a 5K. Monday, July 4th I will be running in my very first "race!" It's a walk/run up in Door County called The Hairpin Run because the first half is all up hill, and then you make a sharp U turn and go back. Tricia ran it last year, and she convinced me to try it this year. I've been doing some training, but I'm certain it will only be enough to JUST make it the approximate 3.1 miles while doing a moderate jog. Perhaps I'll get some burst of speed at the end, but that'll be like 15 minutes after the forerunners hit the finish line, have a bottle of Gatorade, order pizza, and take a cat nap.

So then they started calling

This last week I had two interviews. Next week I have three interviews. FINALLY! Last year I struggled to get any call backs at all. This time I actually have had calls the same day my resume arrived on their doorsteps. I can't help but be a little hopeful. However, I still have a lot of work to do when it comes to applying to the public schools. Their applications tend to be a lot longer and more of a pain in the ass than the private or charter schools. Maybe it's because they have better retirement packages, benefits, and pay. ::sigh:: Baby steps. Baby steps.

Tricia and Karin will attest: twas a good bridal shower and a jammin bachelorette party.

Erin after.

Erin before.

So I give them a call

No word from my "former" employers--no letter or call--so I decide to give them a call. This is after I talk to one of my collegues that has given me the lowdown on who is there and who was not "renewed." I talked to my boss who said, "Oh, no one called you?" To which I replied, "No, no call or letter." She said, "Oh, well, the secretary was supposed to call." For a moment, I almost thought there had been some terrible mistake, but no. She was supposed to call about a meeting for summer school, which I am teaching. She DID say that well, they're still deciding about what to do for English teachers next year. There are about 2.5 jobs open, and she hired someone new. She wants someone there with more experience who can teach AP. Who says I can't teach AP? All you have to do is take a short workshop course and I'd be set. Whatever.

I told her I started applying for other jobs, and she said, "Oh, yeah. Don't feel obligated to wait." Yeah, right, obligated. Whatever. Supposedly I'll find out more as things get rolling. I applied to 3 jobs today, and plan on doubling that tomorrow. No way I'm waiting for the administration to get their act in gear. By then I'll be retired.

Depressed

I don't have a job next fall.

Um, so yeah. There were some pleasant roads up on the North Shore.

Highest waterfall in MN.

See, I told you. 3 hours.

The peak of Lookout Mountain--halfway through our 3 hour hike.

Our view, 5:20am.

An absolutely breathtaking weekend vacation. The weather was perfect, the forests were serene, the waterfalls were intense, and the view from the room (and the room itself) was ideally romantic. ::sigh:: Why do I have to go back to the "real world?"

Not since "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"

It's been many years since I learned the lyrics and tune to the tragic folk hit "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," yet it has surfaced in my brain and hasn't left me all day. A person might ask, why? Why now, after years of silence, has this song sprung forth into my conscious thought? I have a theory that I will share with you...I'M FINALLY VISITING LAKE SUPERIOR!

Yes, now that I have been a resident of MN for almost a full year, I am finally embarking northward of the Twin Cities. Thus far, St. Cloud was my North, but now I will visit what is commonly known as "The North Shore." Granted, I believe that I may have been further north into the UP than I will be going here in MN, but it's still exciting. Hell, I haven't been to the UP for years now, so even THAT would have been a bit of a thrill, even though there isn't a whole heck of a lot there. Except really good pasties. Yes, the pasties and the Niagra Escarpment are wonderful there. And the trees. They have good trees. Lots of color.

Laughed, cried, and enjoyed the hell out of Episode 3. Star Wars and good friends. I can't think of a better combination...unless it involved sex and chocolate somehow.

Gathered the supplies necessary for a successful movie experience.

In the line at 5:40pm.

Kitten by Prophesy

Okay, this is kind of freaky. Last night, I had a dream. Chris and I were in our apartment, with whiter carpet, and along with us were two cats. Our cats. Apparently we had picked them up the day before. One was a full grown, the other was a kitten, and both were gleaming white and very friendly. Suddenly, I realized I hadn't fed them yet since we picked them up. We had no cat food or kitty litter. I wondered to myself, how did they manage to hold it this whole time?

So Chris and I went to Petco (in my dream, Petsmart didn't have food there), and found the cat food isle. It was completely empty, except for one huge bag of Purina cat food. That would have been fine, except according to the clerk nearby, it also contained mouse heads, which weren't healthy for the cats. So, if we bought it, we'd have to sort out the food from the mouse heads. We decided to buy it anyway, and went on to buy the kitty litter and container. Then I woke up.

This morning, I told Chris about the dream, and he said it's pretty messed up. I agree with him. Anyway, so I got to work, opened the door of the school, and there at my feet is a half-drowned kitten. The student standing by it said he found it outside while walking to school, and he took it here. With no regard to my white, blue, and tan striped brand new shirt, I picked up the dirty wet kitten, and held it close. It purred immediately, and I fell in love with it. I took the box the student had made for it, and brought it into my classroom, knowing it couldn't be left in the hallway or it would be swarmed by well-intentioned/not-well-intentioned high schoolers. I wrapped it in the free T-shirt I got yesterday, and put it on my lap. Eventually, it got dryer and cuter, and I saw that it was a little girl, grey with white feet, and very soft fur. The eyes are clear and healthy, and the teeth are sharp.

Naturally, I called Jim to double check (even though I knew the answer) if we could have pets. Of course, he said he'd prefer not, which translates to NO. I know I'm not really ready for a pet, but it's hard to deny a helpless little creature like that. I got here early to do school work and prepare for the day, but all I did was pet the kitten and make it feel warm and loved. My shirt is nasty, and has a couple pulls in it now, but it was worth it to make that little bundle of joy feel better. The student brought in a peanut butter cracker for the kitten to nibble on, and some water in a small cup to drink from. I'm sure that's better than half of what it ate on the street.

Right before classes began, Jenna took the kitten down to the office, and now it's being watched over down there. I wanted to keep it in here, and I'm certain I could have, but my students would have gotten absolutely nothing done. It would have been irresponsible of me to do that, even if it would have been more fun. I'm totally out of it now. My kids are reading in groups, and I have no assignment to give them. It will simply have to do. Maybe I'll come up with some ideas later, during prep time. It's just pretty hard to prepare for the day when there's a kitten gnawing on your finger. So damn cute. Do you think moving to a new apartment is worth it?

To all the "mothers" out there: Happy Mothers Day!

As my dad says, it's all in how you emphasize the word. He says he'd like to call his father-in-law and wish him a happy "mother's" day. He amuses me sometimes. Such a smart ass. Of course there's little that's similar about us two. Nope, nothing not at all..."Left right here!" Yeah, I'm a lot like my parents, aside from the crazy tailgating and overanalyzation of finances. I may start arguing like one of them, but at least there's just one of me. I love them dearly, and they are super generous and loving and were wonderful about helping me move in with Chris. But if I become them, please slap me.

Check out the label--Jesus has a day job. (FYI, I posted this on www.collegehumor.com but it won't show up until the May 3rd posting I think...check it out)

I will miss you.

Good-bye my wonderful "rose/salmon" room

April Movers, bring May Apartmenters

Something like that, anyway. Today my parents are coming up from GB to help Chris and I move into the "new" apartment. I say "new" because I was just living in that apartment two months ago. My how the time flies when you're making major career moves.

I'm sure Chris would agree. He now has a full time job with benefits, starting next week...BUT just this Friday, he had a successful interview with ANOTHER company offering a few thousand more a year, that also relates more strongly to his career goals, and they want him to come in for a second interview (slight problem in that the hour of the interview would overlap his new job's hours). And this is all after quitting the part time job he just aquired two months ago that was also a step up from the bank customer service job (that he also just quit). Just a few months ago, he was wondering if he'd ever get a full time job, or any job that related to his field. Now he's swarmed with them. Lucky bastard. Love him, of course.

Alright, enough of the "mushy stuff." Today we're moving, and it isn't going to be pretty. I love my parents dearly, but involve them in any project more complicated than changing a toilet paper roll, and there will be a slew of curse words, raised voices, and plenty of impatience. I'm so happy to say that I have not inherited most of that impatience, although it does surface now and then when I can't find something, I hurt myself, or I'm not feeling well. But it's much more subdued in me...I think.

When we'll be finished today, I haven't a clue. They're supposed to be here around 11am, which means that they'll be here at least a half hour before that, cuz that's how they are. I'm hoping a couple of Chris's friends show up for the move, so that my parents aren't invovled in any of the heavy moving. The queen size bed is going to be a bitch to get up the spiraling stairs to the third floor. I'm just thankful my shite is almost all here on the second floor, or already up there, cutting the workload almost in half.

Hm, better get going. Gotta take a shower (I smell like shite thanks to having a shitty cold the past couple days), stop at the pharmacy, and pick up Chris and some minor items for moving. Fair thee well, until the morrow! Or a week from now, whenever I get off my lazy blogging ass.

Yesterday, PS2 was such an easy game to play

::sigh:: It's been so long since I've had a nice easy night of game playing. Not that there aren't a gazillion other things I could be doing with my time, and not that I haven't been having plenty of fun. I simply haven't had a lot of down time lately. I could count tonight from this time on as down time, but a few hours before bed just doesn't cut it. I think I need to ask a day off of work this week, just to get the time and ambition to do some major packing for the move this weekend.

Yep, this Saturday's the real deal--moving on back upstairs, this time with a ::gasp:: MALE roommate. This weekend Chris and I did some MAJOR shopping, so we now have some DVD/CD storage shelves, a nearly complete bathroom set, and numerous other little items that are necessary for keeping an apartment in shape.

Sad to say, there is one thing we're missing...Sometime in the last week or so, our landlord took away the massive loveseat that we thought would be forever enshrined in our living room. It was there when Tricia and Rachel moved in, still there when Tricia and I were there, and it was still there for over a month later. It just didn't seem that it would ever leave the apartment. Its inertia was just too great. Honestly, this thing was sturdy enough for two people to sit or lay down on the back of it, and not have the couch tip even slightly. I can't say it was ultra comfortable or anything, but it was just a given, a part of the move in deal. ::sigh::

Oh well, I guess it means we'll have room for more chairs and tables and things in there. Chris and I definitely don't lack for couches. I have my full-length futon, Chris has a full-sized couch, and there are two couches waiting for someone to claim them in my parents' basement. Not to mention, I have two nice sized recliners back in GB as well, plus an older swivel chair that's in great shape. No, Chris and I could fill a house with all of our purchased and hand-me-down furniture. Part of that is because Scott and Jennifer turned their noses up at it, and Chris and Beth don't have room for anything more.

And so, this is my last week in the "rose room" (soon it will most likely be the "sage" room when Jenny gets through with it). I will miss it (especially since it's the best room in the whole housing complex due to its two windows and skyline view), but I'm ready to move on to a place slightly more permanent. Bleah, my luck and I'll be moving again within a year. I hate to say it, but I can't wait to settle in ONE PLACE! This moving every few months thing is a bit more than I can take...now I've done it for two years :P "Always in motion, is the future." Apparently that applies to my furniture too.

Count down to detention

Okay, so that doesn't really make sense, but I was thinking of the Megadeath "Countdown to Extinction" thing mixed with me starting my full time teaching job on Monday. I've gotta say, I'm a bit nervous about it. I know I have plenty of time to prepare on Monday, but I don't have things quite worked out yet for the Speech and Drama class I'll be teaching. The 9th grade English I've got set, no problem, thanks to teaching Greek/Roman Mythology to the 8th graders last fall and keeping a nice unit full of copies of lesson plans and materials to use in the future. God, I'm thankful I took the time to do that.

The Speech and Drama class is another story--I've never taught it before, nor have I had A LOT of experience with it. I took the required Speech class for my liberal arts college, and I did read plenty of dramas in my literature classes. But many of those dramas aren't appropriate for the age and language proficiency level...plus they're in the anthologies I don't have with me here. I didn't think about it when I was home last time. I did print off a bunch of short plays, but what I think I'm going to have to do is find a play in the text book that they haven't covered yet. I want to do a lot of hands on work with them, including some storytelling, skits, mono/dialogues, speeches and presentations, but I'll need some materials to read and analyze with them too. AND we'll have to take some notes and quizzes on dramatic techniques, persuasive strategies, and such. ::sigh:: I have my work cut out for me. It's been a while since I've come up with an entire thematic unit.

So yeah, that's what's up this weekend, along with Party #2 for Chris. He's having a BBQ tomorrow so that more friends can stop by and just hang out for a while. Birthdays on weekdays just don't work out so well. Tricia and I have been doing some running, trying to reshape ourselves. Mostly, I just want to get back the endurance and trimness of last summer, and maybe get even better, since I'll have started already in Spring. This weather is friggen awesome, although my classroom is pretty toasty. I guess that's better than the frigid room I had during my student teaching way back when, where the AC was so high in the room I was wearing sweaters inside and tanktops outside. Nothing worse than nipping out in front of teenagers :P

And you can bet he got some nice presents that night too ;)

And yesterday was a Happy Birthday for Chris :)

And the party was thumping.

Here's the plan, man

The classroom is just about set up. There's a few posters left to put up, plus a calendar and such to get the classroom looking completely ready. I'll take a pic of the finished product and stick it up here for the masses to view. The masses being the 5 people who read this blog, plus the few random folks that stop by now and then when searching for "Interpretation on the line Bivouac of life on the poem Psalm of Life by Longfellow" or "kid giving middle finger, soccer" or the classic "Katie Fridge"....sounds like a Strong Bad email.

This week I don't work...or rather, I WON'T work. I could do some regular subbing this week, and I might later this week if I feel I am prepared enough for next week. But I really need to finish my take home test and get some lessons planned for next week's classes. That may or may not take a lot of time. We shall see. I could use the extra cashola, but then, I could also use the time. Bleah...responsibilities. Will I never escape them?

I shouldn't complain though. I COULD be complaining my ass off about having to search for jobs and fill out bullshit applications for the next 4 months. But no, I actually have a job, and not a bad one either. Poor Lee is just starting down that road...I wish him better luck than I had the first time around. Of course, Math teachers tend to be more in demand, so he'll do fine I'm sure.

OOOOH, on a totally different note, Chris and I actually went on a "date" last night, and it was totally sweet. We went to Little Tiajuana's for some Mexican food, and then headed to the Acadia Cafe to see Jeremy Messersmith and Seventy-two Others, two electric/acoustic sets that really put on a great live show. It's good to see some more "local" talent (72 Others is from Chicago...god I need to get there again sometime). I was a little disappointed that the EP for Seventy-two Others doesn't have the intensity they put into their live peformance, but I've seen that before. Even DNA's Vena Cava tends to drag quite a bit compared to their newest awesome release, Anodyne. But a live show seems to bring out the best in a band, so I'm sure if either or both of them are around, I'll see them again sometime. Anyway, $13 for seeing 2 bands, getting two EP's, a bumper sticker, and an Irish Cream capuccino isn't a bad deal. And for a random pick from the City Pages, I think the night was a success. Perhaps next weekend I'll try another spontaneous place...eenee, meenee, minee, mo...

Welcome to my new world

We have established contract

At least, I have, for the next school year that is :) Today I signed the contract that officially seals my fate as a full time, permanent basis teacher here in MN. I mentioned the job in one of my last posts, but I'll give a brief description update anyway.

1. Working hours 8:30am-5pm (how often do you find THAT at a high school)
2. Teaching 9th graders of various abilities
3. Starts already this April
4. School is scheduled to grow in the next few years, adding 11, 12, middle, and elementary
5. Staff development workshops and classes will be paid for
6. Possible summer school teacher position
7. Location is about 20 min away (with no gridlock or highway driving!)
8. Full dental and health insurance for about $30-40/mo.
9. First year teacher pay--comporable to metro area public schools (not shabby at all)
10. DEPENDABLE EMPLOYMENT FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE!

All that adds up to one happy Katie :) Let's hope the happiness spreads.

Sad news today

In Red Lake, MN, several kids and adults were killed in a school shooting. Apparently one student had some issues, and went around randomly shooting around the school, and then he shot himself. It's tragic, horrifying, and ultimately pointless.

Considering all that, it makes me wonder why I just accepted the offer for a full time teaching job that I received over the phone today.

When it rains it pours...or snows

Supposedly sometime in the next 24 hours we're supposed to get about 5-10 in. of snow in the area. Judging by the beautiful blue skies and 35+ degree weather, I highly doubt the snow will be that thick; at least, let's hope not.

Speaking of precipitation, there is that old adage "When it rains it pours" so apparently I'm experiencing one of those post-El Nino effects cuz it's become very rainy the last few days of my week. It appears that not only have I been offered the long term sub job that I applied for a couple weeks ago, but that I also will be going back for a second interview tomorrow for a full time, permanent job elsewhere.

It was such a fluke. I was looking at charter schools online, saw a school that had an opening posted a while back, so I emailed and inquired as to weather the position was still open. They emailed back and said, "Yes, it's open. We're in the interview process right now, can you interview today?" Naturally, I emailed back and said "Hell yes!" in so many words. So, without ever applying for the job, I showed up for an interview that afternoon with my resume and letters of recommendation in hand.

I guess the interview went pretty well because I'm going back tomorrow for a 2nd interview. I've never gotten to that point thus far in my search for a job, so I'm pretty nervous and pretty excited. My interview involves not just presenting myself to the administration, but teaching a class for about 30 min while the administrators observe. No pressure, eh? But then, I have been subbing for the last year, so I do know what it's like to enter a strange classroom, present myself with an air of being "with-it" and confident in my abilities, so I'm really not THAT nervous.

It's more the idea of trying to get a job I really want that scares me. Imagine, if you will, a teaching job at a small school that is expanding and thriving, that would start almost immediately, with hours between 9-4:30. How rare is that? Do you know how completely awesome those hours would be for me? I would get so much more sleep than I currently do, and I wouldn't even mind coming in early. Plus, I usually stay late anyway, so getting out later really doesn't bother me at all. AND, it's only a 20 min drive through the city to get there, without really entering any bad traffic zones.

::sigh:: Now all I have to do is make sure my lesson plan is stellar. I have it pretty much planned out, but I have to type up a lesson plan for the administrators to use as a guide to my presentation. And I'm sure I should include the learning goals and all that. Needless to say, I'll be a basketcase tomorrow while teaching during the day, so I hope my students are prepared for a flighty teacher tomorrow. My mind will be completely on what happens AFTER school, at the interview. Ah well, they'll deal. Besides, I'll just have to design the day to be student led or something.

Whatever, preparing for an interview is just a bit more important at this point in the game. I just wish I wasn't here alone tonight so I couldn't get stressed out, but Tricia's dogsitting and Chris has to work super early tomorrow. I'll just have to make up by celebrating tomorrow no matter what happens :)

The TRI-force of power!

Ah yes, I now have something in common with Link. Come to think of it, I remember having a dream with him in it...How is it that a young girl comes to fantasize about the anime-esque cartooned figure of a video game character? ::sigh:: If only he had really come to rescue me from my Ganon-induced sleep, awakening me with the power of the Triforce (and a kiss, naturally).

Anyway, today was the beginning of the third trimester, and I can say it actually went fairly smoothly. Granted, tomorrow I'm not 100% certain about what I am going to do for my classes, but at least I now know that my students aren't complete bastards for the last 1.5 weeks of my long term sub job. Besides, those 10 episodes of Inuyasha I watched tonight were a very important part of my professional development. Mmhmm, yep. ::sigh:: Perhaps Inuyasha will rescue me tonight ;)

When reality rears its ugly head

Today, congratulations is owed to a good friend who just earned her FIRST JOB! Way to go Jenny :) I know you've been searching and waiting and beefing up that resume for quite a while now, so congrats on finally getting the job you deserve.

Naturally, I'm insanely jealous, having not yet procured a full time job yet myself. Chris, too, found a new job a couple weeks ago, and although it is part time, it IS finally something relating to his field, so that's a major bonus. Things are looking up around here...I just hope I'm up there too by the end of this summer.

Yesterday afternoon I had an interview in a nicely inconveniently located southern suburb for a long term sub job that would last from April until the end of the school year. The concept of steady employment is tempting, but that 35-40 min commute certainly isn't. Still, I interviewed (the first on the list this week I guess), and I'll be finding out the status of that application sometime next week. I'm all ashivers with anticipation....Not really.

Actually, my mind is so distant from my current job, it's sort of sad. I keep thinking about all the things I should be doing while I'm mindlessly correcting papers the kids don't give a rip about anyway. Oh, I make sure my questions encourage critical thinking and that our discussions and activities get them motivated or at least interested in the subjects I'm teaching; I just have "more important" things on my mind.

It's almost mid-March, and soon the full time applications will be roaring through the mail system from me to a gazillion school districts in the area. First I must prepare by purchasing a new stack of manilla envelopes, a book or two of stamps, and a whole lot of patience because those fucking applications take a friggen boatload of time with their stupid "essay" questions that they ask you again anyway during the interviewing process. (Example: My interview yesterday involved 20 fucking questions that all went like, "What would you do if....," "Describe how you design lessons that...." and "If you had a really bitchy parent call...", etc.)

The next thing on the agenda is to finish my state taxes so I get more money (my federal refund is already in--yay for me!) And then there's the class I'm taking...My group has been slacking off most weeks, so in the next 4 weeks we need to compile our near-nonexistant research into a 40 minute presentation for the last day of class. Oh, and I suppose I should read the book I'm supposed to use for the take home test due that day too. ::sigh::

Like all good procrastinators would say, "Why do now what I can put off for tomorrow...or maybe the day after that." God I hope my students learn better.

And I just can't stop this moving anymore

I've forgotten what I started moving for...
That's pretty much the case for me right now. Like Tricia said, the K&T B&B is now in business. Problem is, it won't be the K&T for more than a couple months. Then it'll have to have a new name, something like...the J&T B&B or the T&J Extended Stay. They'll figure something out.

It's not that I'm not enjoying 2nd floor--far from it. It feels so much bigger than the upstairs since the rooms are more separeted and the ceilings aren't slanted. Certainly the bathroom is much larger, and the dining room is a nice addition. And having rooms that are the colors of our choice--that was a sweet bonus. I just hope Jenny will grow accustommed to the "Rose room" in time.

However, my stay in the Rose room will be shorter than expected due to a push from our landlord to fill the 3rd floor apartment. It has always been a possibility that I would move back up there, but that idea seemed a long way off. But today I talked to the landlord and reserved it for May 1. So, not two months from now, I will be moving yet again. The good news is, it wasn't that hard to move down, and I only have to move my own belongings upstairs. The pain in the ass is going to be separating out my stuff and getting resettled. The extra twist? I get to share the upstairs with a NEW "roomie" :)

Every time I tell someone (particularly people older than me) that I'm getting an apartment with my boyfriend, they give me that look like "Do you know what you're getting into?" It's funny, because I never really have thought of it as being a big deal. When other people tell me things like that, I bet I gave them the same look. But now that the prospect looms before me, I can't see what the big deal is. Not even my parents gave me that look when I mentioned the possibility. They were just like, oh, well that will be nice. I suppose if I were the first born, they'd make more of a fuss. You'd think since I was the baby girl, they still would. I'm guessing that my brothers have put them through enough trouble that they're really not concerned with me.

Besides, they've met Chris, interacted with him, and think he's a great guy. They ask about the whole marriage bit, and I tell them for now, we need to save up for a while, and then we'll think about it another year or two from now. Heck, I lived with Chris for two months last summer when I needed a place to stay after moving up here for the summer teaching job. They didn't make a fuss then either. Even my brothers were alright with it, and they're usually (Scott especially) pretty protective and big-brotherly about stuff like that.

Naturally I have worries and concerns that there will be unknown stresses and factors involved, but then, it'd be fairly strange if it was all peachy and wonderful ALL the time. I know Chris is going to miss the friends he currently lives with, especially his longtime roomie from freshman year of college. But there's no way I'm going to bogart all his time. For certain I'll be kicking his ass outdoors now and then so that I can chill with Jenny, Tricia, Amber, and any other friends who may be in the vicinity. They're only a 10 min drive away anyway. At least I won't have to haul a backpack of clothes and toiletries over to his place 2-3 times a week anymore. Not that I didn't enjoy that, but the convenience alone of having him over without having to share a twin sized bed will be quite worth it.

Geez I babbled a lot this time. I suppose that's what happens when I don't blog often enough. Plus there's just been a lot of big events going on to actually talk about. For instance, my long term sub job at the high school will be over in a few weeks; I have an interview for another long term sub job next week; my class is getting towards the end, which means I have to get my ass in gear for some of the projects; and I've had a bad head cold all week. Not exactly a thrill a minute, but combine all that with moving last weekend and the prospect of moving again at the end of April, and there's a boatload of shite to do.

Oh yeah, and now that it's March, it means beginning the LONG and totally SHITTY process of applying for full time teaching positions for next fall. Long term subbing is great for the resume, but in reality I do the same work as a full time teacher for less pay and no benefits. God I hope I get a job. If I don't, screw teaching, hello grad school.

Get a move on

Starting tonight, Tricia and I have begun the highly taxing process of moving all our belongings to our new apartment. It's oh so difficult too, I mean, having to bring alllll of that stuff allllll the way down one flight of stairs, gee, I have no idea how we're going to manage it. Thank goodness we have the stereo down there and cranked up while we're moving, or we might never get through this difficult endeavor. ;)

So far, the kitchen is pretty much transferred, as is the bathroom. The big furniture we're moving on Saturday (with some help from some manly men :) The hardest part will be our rooms. It's not that we have that much stuff, it's more that we have that shit spread all over in an unorganized mess all over our rooms. It'll be so nice having the extra storage space in the pantry, linen closet, and our own REAL closets. Finally my room won't look like a college dorm room. At least, that's the theory. I even plan on getting frames for a couple of my Japanese prints so I can actually hang up real pictures on the wall. One day, not while I'm at this apartment, but ONE DAY, I will hang up my Walden Pond picture as well. Then I'll know I'm truly home.

Until then, I'm just a transient. Perhaps when Chris and I get a place this summer it will feel a bit more like home. Hard to think I haven't really had a HOME since I left for college 5.5 years ago. Jesus. It's been that long? God I'm old.

By the way, the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts is pretty sweet. Check it out sometime--it's free.

Yes, I did have a happy Valentine's Day. I hope you did too, whether it was spent with a significant other, good friends, family, stuck at work, or struggling to stay awake in class for 4 hours.

I know this doesn't make up for my complete lack of blogging for over a week, but well, it's all you're going to get for now. Okay, well, this and a few other recent pics ;)

Movin' on up

Or down. But classy. Yep, Tricia and I are moving to the 2nd floor. The landlord called and told us the 2nd floor apartment has had some offers, and it was our last chance to grab the opportunity. So, we did.

Starting sometime in March, our new residence will be about 10 feet south. The decision was sudden, though as you know it's been an issue for over a month now. But finally, there is resolution. ::sigh:: Now all we have to do is move :P

Welcome to the latest addition of Katie's Random Advice Post...

KRAP: On Turning Twenty-four

First of all, a prospective 24-er needs to be aware of these important party facts.

#1. A party is not only suggested, but necessary. It is one thing to throw a bash when you're 22 or 23, but it is another thing entirely to have a 24th year bday party. Aside from being the obvious one year away from the quarter-century landmark, there is absolutely nothing special about turning 24. One could venture to say that I am now in my mid-twenties and therefore am at a "special age," but then, who are they kidding...no one takes you seriously at 24 anymore than they did at 23. That is why it is completely imperative to celebrate the non-occassion with as many well-intentioned friends as possible. This way, the unimportance of 24 is masked behind a veil of fiesta-induced haze of consequence.

#2. Party guests must be much younger and older than the 24-er. With guests ranging in a decade span from 20-30, the birthday boy or girl will be much more apt to accept their new-found status of "older than dirt." Knowing that there are age-challenged younger folk that must still go through the god-forsaken trials of college and the dissollusionment of entering the "real world" does wonders for a person's adjustment to the year 24. As an added bonus, having older guests, especially those who have already hit the 30-something marker, puts the year into perspective as simply...not that old...yet.

#3. There must be as many non-healthy snacks as possible. No where in the smorgasbord of hors d'oeuvres can there be a smidgeon of vitamin/mineral-containing or fat-free/cholesterol-free or not-going-to-rot-your-teeth food. For instance, buy the taco dipping sauce, but forget about the olives, lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Include a tray of cheese, summer sausage, and crackers, but leave out the veggie and fruit trays so popular at potluck dinners. And by all means, do NOT forget to forgo the angelfood cake and fruit toppings, and DO make some double fudge brownies, top them with thick fudge frosting, and have your awesome roommate decorate them with those pure sugar/corn syrup cake decorator letters.

#4. Never greet your guests at the door. Counter to what the Martha Stewart's of the world might say, it is in your best interest and of the highest regard to Not answer the door when your guests arrive. Instead, do your best to be unavailable at the time--perhaps try using the restroom. If avoiding the situation isn't possible, then be sure to remain at the party scene (after all it is your party), by shouting out the window, "The door's open, come on up!" They'll figure out where your apartment is soon enough, won't they?

And last but not least...

#5. Always end the night with 2 shots of tequila and a rousing game of Truth or Dare. I'm sorry, but a night with out shots or the time-honored game of Truth or Dare can hardly be called a "party." It's one thing to have your favorite wine, some beer, and a pleasant mixed drink, but it's another thing entirely to have the official Birthday Tequila Shot. It may not taste like honey, but then, who would do a shot of honey....aside from Chris ;) Besides, how else are we going to get through that 2-year-old bottle of Jose Cuervo? As for the Truth or Dare, I can thank Jenny for reminding me just how important that ridiculous game really is. Honestly, who hasn't pantomimed a shower or laid a gold egg on their birthday?

Just around the corner...

...looms class and a long term sub job. Eeeek. Monday night I get the distinct privilege of starting my night class of Human Relations. What a load of shit. Thankfully, it's only 12 weeks instead of a whole semester, but it's plenty to keep me busy. I just hope there aren't too many bullshit papers to write; I think I had my fill of them getting my BA. As for the sub job, it could happen anytime in the next two weeks, but it's likely to happen sometime later next week. I could hope the baby pops out of her sooner, but then I'd probably rather have her prepared to leave vs. having her lift off in the middle of something.

She seems like a really cool person, and if I wasn't her sub, I'd likely enjoy working with her while I was at the high school. The rest of the staff seems okay so far, but hopefully they'll still be nice and helpful when I NEED help starting out there. The students seem okay too, though the seniors I'll be teaching have quite the, ah...personalities.

On another note, Chris has his driver's license now, which is pretty kick-ass considering how much time I put into teaching him (with a bit of help from Tricia now and then). But he was a good student, and learned quickly enough. It's too bad his fam wasn't there for him back in high school for him to have gotten it then, but at least now he has an option for when he gets a full time job anywhere around the Twin Cities.

Anyway, that's about all for now. I'll let you know when things get interesting...someday.

But then, who couldn't love a face like that? Hell, even Tricia likes Nookie, and she's allergic!

It's almost disgusting how much my brother loves Nookie.

A Slacker as Usual

With a long term sub position and a 4 hour Monday night class looming on the horizon, I have been taking the most advantage of my freedom as possible. i.e. I've been sitting on my ass, finishing a fluffy fantasy novel every 2 days, playing the PS2 with Tricia, and otherwise avoiding anything that even resembles work.

Even WORK is not work. Take today for example. I subbed at a nearby high school for a Chem and Calculus teacher. Sound challenging? Shyeah, right. I read 200 pages of my book while the students studiously went about their studies, only raising my head to answer the occassional request to get a pass out of the room or to clear my eyes after my contacts got a bit on the dry side from reading too damn much. I suppose yesterday's job teaching special ed to 1st-5th graders makes up for the lack of action I had today. But Monday I again went through 120 pages...middle schoolers require a bit more attention than 11-12th graders.

Anyway, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care. Okay, not true, but I couldn't resist using that line. It's more that I'm enjoying the time that I'm accostumed to being "winter break," especially realizing I'm going to be super-fucking busy just another week and a half from now. Besides, reading is good for me--it keeps my mind working while subbing turns me into a direction-giving zombie. As for the lack of other activities, part of that is due to the reading and game-playing addictions. I can stop anytime really...just not within the last 100 pages of a good book. It's been a long time since I've had so much free time to read. And I doubt it will continue once the class and the long term sub job start up.

It's too bad my laziness has included blogging. I've really meant to keep up with it, but I guess I haven't had a lot to say. Tricia already wrote an entry about our ongoing debate as to whether or not we're going to move to the 2nd floor apartment in a month. We still haven't truly declared our intentions yet, but I'll let you know when we do. I know I've said it before and let you down, but I swear, sometime soon, I'll make it up to you with a kick-ass load of KRAP. Just be patient, por favor :)

(To the tune of "Oh Christmas Tree")

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

How very filled your branches!

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

How very fake your branches!

You are the tree my parents bought,

when I was small and you were not.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

How very old your branches!

With angel top, and lights aglow,

and a tree stand that turns you slow.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

How nicely twirl your branches!

With only parents' deckings kept,

you still are filled 'til leaning left.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

I never could replace you.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree!

but come next year I'll try to.

Tidings of Comfort and JOY!!!

Just ONE MORE PRESENT to buy and then I am officially finished with Christmas shopping. WHEW! If I had to search one more store for crystal-looking salt and pepper shakers, I was going to vomit. As it is, I didn't end up getting those for my mom, and chose instead a few smaller items that she did and did not ask for. The rest of the presents have been purchased over the last several days, and most of them came directly from Christmas Wish Lists.

Originally, I thought lists were the lamest thing ever. Who wants to go shopping for someone when the person already knows what they're going to get? They may as well just go buy it themselves. Isn't "hint dropping" enough these days? However, after trapsing about the greater Twin Cities region collecting list items a bit at a time, I have to say I'm a bit thankful that I didn't have to put tons of thought into every single friggen gift.

Every year it gets worse. Why does my family have to keep growing? Isn't one nephew enough? But nooooo, someone gets all sparkly-eyed and another kid's on the way, and surely the other brother will follow suit soon. ::sigh:: Just wait til I have in-laws to buy for too. :P

Eh, despite my whining, I do still love the Christmas season. It's sad, I know. But trees, cookies, and Bing just bring out my sappy side. Tis the season, I guess. Tomorrow Chris and I are off to GB for X-mas festivities, and then we're zooming right back to MN on Christmas Day to celebrate with his fam.

So it begins...

Good to see the genius is still going strong. And check out that hair--it's like he morphed with a Troll.

Home is where the free food is

Tonight I drove home to GB where I was greeted by two parents and two dogs. As soon as I made myself presentable (aka putting on clothes that don't look like shit), we headed to Coaches Corner for their wonderful Thursday night special: buy one pizza, get one for a penny AND double bubble tap beer all night. So, we ordered a supreme, a pepperoni and sausage, and a couple pitchers of beer. It's always interesting splitting two pitchers of beer with your parents...I opted to be the designated driver, so I had 2 glasses instead of the 3 or 4 my parents must have had.

I'm only here until Saturday because Jasmine (Lance's older sister) is having a b-day party at a fairly new club in MN--Vallentino's. So, Jenny and I are tagging along with Tricia, and Chris might be bringing some of his buddies with him too. It should be a good time, since it'll be the first time going out with Jenny now that she's back in the US. And I could REALLY use a night of dressing-to-kill and then dancing the night away. Now to figure out what the hell I'm going to wear...

Expecting a New Arrival...

More than one, in fact. It turns out September was a very productive time (must be something about being teachers). No, I'm not pregnant. Hell no. Thank GOD hell no. But I know two people who are:

#1. My sister-in-law Beth and my brother Chris are expecting a second bundle of joy, so lucky Matthew gets to be a big brother sometime in June. Whew, as if they weren't busy enough already!

#2. My friend Amy from high school and her hubby Geoff are also expecting their second tyke, so lucky Kate gets to be a big sister. Whoopee!

But there's one more that's expected. Actually, it's an arrival I've anticipated for a while, and (honestly) for which I am much more excited.

#3. JENNY FLIES HOME SATURDAY!!!! :) (Please excuse the excessive use of punctuation. I think Jenny's homecoming warrants the use of two, three, perhaps even FOUR exclamation points.)

Jenny and I on the Eiffel. We took the picture ourselves--classy, eh?

Lucky ME gets to pick her up from the airport that night (and Tricia might come too). We may not be family, but I truly can't wait to be reunited with a person who has proven to be a dear and lasting friend (despite our original obvious differences when we first met 5 years ago). Dude, when you get back, it's party time. I'm talking clubs, I'm talking stovetop popcorn, I'm talking spectacularly intellectual film festivals of BJD, Monty Python, and maybe even Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and, oh yes...I'm talking homemade Parisian Street Style crepes with Nutella.

Welcome home.

All too easy

The moment I saw this game advertised in a flyer, I knew what my brother wanted for Christmas without needing to see a list. I am SO borrowing X-Box from my brother some day.

The Twins Are Back

You thought they were left behind when grade school closed its doors? Oh no, they're still here. Just a little more..."matured" since the days of white shirts, plaid jumpers, spiral perms and pink-rimmed glasses.

You know us former Catholic school girls...always trouble with a capital T-empting. (I never knew I could look so evil.

Thank goodness he's forgiving, hm?

The Slacker Returns

Sorry about that. I sort of disappeared for the last week and a half. Things have been a bit busy...sort of.

Most of this week I've been subbing back at CMS again, and last week I was there for 3 days as well. The staff has commented, "It's like you never left." And it's oh so true. Except that I don't have to spend my nights correcting papers or planning for the next day. I get paid $20 less, but for a HELL of a lot less work. For instance, this week I managed to finish Destiny's Way from the Star Wars: New Jedi Order series just from the prep times I had during the school day. Yes, I'm a fast reader, but 2.5 hours a day of free time certainly helps.

Otherwise, I've been hanging out with friends, playing video games, attending the DNA concert last Friday, and helping to throw a Bday party for Chris's friend and roomie, Lee. Tricia and I also created a wonderful Bday care package for Jenni that I just mailed today, so Jenni, you can expect it sometime tomorrow or perhaps Friday. I think you'll enjoy it.

I'm trying to get myself organized now that I have more time. It started with my room and has extended to various tasks I've been avoiding for months: signing up for the Praxis II to get my full MN teaching license, paying bills, getting letters of recommendation, etc.

That reminds me, Friday I have an interview for a junior high school in a Northeastern suburb. It would mean a 30 min drive (approximately) but it could mean a full time job from Christmas to the next school year, possibly beyond. Needless to say, I hope to put on a good show for the interview. I know my experience at CMS has helped me IMMENSELY, so I think this interview will go better than others. However, there is a part time staff member currently at that school who is also applying that may hold precidence over me, an outsider. In that case, only a part time job would be open, which would likely not be worth the drive, nor sacrificing the long term sub job I have pretty much set for the end of Jan. to mid March.

If it wasn't so late, I'd try to make this entry a bit more interesting, with all sorts of "bells and whistles," but that will have to wait for next time. I'm thinking picture, I'm thinking witty commentary, I'm thinking perhaps another load of KRAP. Patience, my friends. All in good time. Like maybe over the weekend.

Unemployment never kept me so busy

I finished my long term teaching job on Wednesday. When I was almost finished with grading and such, I rushed off to La Casita from my very own first going-away party. I tell you, that day I felt soooooo loved. There were cards signed my teachers and students, flowers, an ivy plant in a pretty pot, a little teddy bear, a gift card to Olive Garden, and lots of hugs and well-wishers. There was only one sore point with one stupid kid, but I pretty well decided I'd had enough of his shit, so I yelled at him, told him I was tired of his crap, and that if he said one more word, he was out. The other teacher just kicked him out at that. Good luck to him in the future--what a whiny, ignorant, selfish brat.

But I'm going to miss most of the students and the staff. They really went out of their way for me. Thursday I was able to stop at the National Middle School Conference, picking up a bit of free stuff and attending a few seminars. The seminars were pretty boring, but I can always mention the training on applications. I also stopped at the middle school in an attempt to finish up the grading, but no, I ran out of time since I was carpooling with some teachers to the conference.

And then on Friday, I had my first short term sub job at a high school teaching math for the day. It went surprisingly well, considering I'm an English teacher and it's been 5 years since I took my last math course. The only bad part was that I was really really sick. I woke up in the morning with a swollen throat and a the chills. But I didn't want to call in sick on my first job outside the district I had been working in. I wanted to make sure I had a good start and continued a good reputation to keep up my options for future employment. Plus, it would have left Kelly Services with only an hour to find a substitute. Probably plenty of time, but I went anyway. Afterwards, I planned on stopping at the middle school to finally finish taking my stuff to my car and finish grading. I did that, and the secretary opened the door for me. She took one look at me and said, "You're sick." So they took my temperature, looked at my throat, and told me I should go get checked out for strep throat.

So I called Chris, he picked me up, and we went to the ER (the clinic was closed) to get me checked out. 4 hours later we were on our way home. That sucked so bad. But after two shots in my ass, antiobiotic pills, and a weekend of bedrest, I feel a lot better. Tomorrow afternoon I'm stopping at the middle school to FINALLY finish the grading, and to ask a few questions about my sub job teaching special ed. there on Tuesday. I also have 3 days subbing lined up for next week as well. Kelly Services and the awesome staff at the middle school are making sure I stay busy. I tell you one thing though. Tomorrow my phone stays OFF in the morning. No 6:50 am call for ME this time. At least not until Wed.

Days Until Unemployment: 2

Just Tuesday and Wednesday left, that's it, then I'm outta there. Today just flew by, and I expect tomorrow and Wednesday to do the same.

Tomorrow I leave work in a timely manner so I may vote, as it is Election Day. I'm all ready to vote....shit, no I'm not. I haven't yet looked up the local candidates in my precinct. Dang, guess I have to check that out sometime tomorrow during the school day. I hate voting for people if I don't have at least a CLUE as to who they are and what they stand for. I've already decided upon a presidential candidate, though it kills me to choose the lesser of two evils. Damn two party pseudo-democracy. Nader's better than the last 5 presidents put together.

Wednesday will be a day for games and pictures and then a sweet going away party :) One of the teachers decided I needed a proper send off, so we're meeting with other staff for drinks after work, and then she's buying me dinner. The worst part about leaving the job (aside from the dependable income) is the great staff. And no, Tricia, I do not mean "great staff" as in the quarterstaff of flame my Champions of Norrath wizard is currently wielding.

Days Until Unemployment: 4

Tomorrow is the Friday before Halloween. You know what that means? I'm going to be tricky.

You see, the administration said at the staff meeting weeks ago that they would have no policy on costumes. They would not encourage costumes, but not ban them either. Well, today at the very end of the day, they made an announcement saying NO COSTUMES. Needless to say, I was a bit miffed.

Amber, the science teacher across the hall, had talked with me about costumes and said she would wear one if I did. She was planning as dressing as a cell because her students are studying plant and animal cells right now in the class. Her costume would have consisted of wearing all black and then sticking felt cut outs all over herself to represent the different parts of a cell. She suggested I wear something that had to do with my class as well. So I thought about it.

I was going to wear a toga. Yep, a toga. My students are studying Greek/Roman mythology, so what could be more appropriate. Tricia even has a nice garland of fake flowers and leaves that I can wear in my hair. Naturally I'd be wearing clothes underneath the toga, although I'm sure that going without would have been quite comfortable. You can understand my miffiness when I heard the announcement.

Thing is, I'm being observed by the associate principal tomorrow during one of my English classes. While discussing the observation with him, I asked about the change in policy about the costumes, and he said yeah, they decided to change that. So, I mentioned what I had planned for a costume, and he said well...I don't have to say anything about it if you just wear it in class. YAY! I'm such a rebel. Hell, it's not even an official observation--I asked him to watch me teach so he can write a good recommendation for me. Besides, I'm done in 4 days! What are they going to do, fire me?

Days Until Unemployment: 6

Six days to go at the middle school before I enter the world of short-term substitute teaching. Yay. My English students are working on writing their own myths, so of course less than half of them had their first draft done for today for the peer editing we did in class. I just hope that a few of the students that never turned in their Hercules paper or did poorly on it will have to motivation to do well on this paper. Heck, it's a fictional story; how hard is that to write? Honestly, I am pretty much spoonfeeding this paper to them.

On the other front, I'm slowly gaining my humanity back. For the couple months I have been losing what's left of my humanity, bit by school-filled bit. Any human blood I had was being replaced by Teacher blood. It was a scary, scary moment. I feared my roommate's and significant other's life, that the Teacher in me would eventually destroy them.

Thankfully, that was not their fate. I have emerged from the abyss, using the little resistance I had left, and I'm finally leveling off. Teaching still takes a lot of work, but I've finally gotten into a good routine. Of course, now I'm finishing up in this position, and I'll be done next Wed. The teacher I'm subbing for came in today to talk about what's been going on in the classroom, and she'll be coming next week to observe and get things set. Yippee.

I'm so torn. Part of me is sad to leave MY classroom; the other part of me will be VERY happy for the time off from all the work. At least there's a party this weekend. Parties solve everything. And I can't wait to don my Catholic school girl "costume." ;)

Days until Unemployed: 8

Just a week and a half left to this first teaching job of mine. I've been a "long term sub," but it has certainly been a full time job and more these last few months. I'll be sad to leave the staff, sad to leave some of the kids, and certainly sad to leave the reliable income. On the other hand, not having to get up EVERY morning at 6am also sounds rather nice. ::sigh:: Stupid work ethic :P

Call Me Crazy

Yes, call me crazy, but tonight I have plans to see Team America, what's sure to be a heart-felt piece of genius, teaming with majesty that brings it to the symbolic level of Forrest Gump and Care Bears: The Movie. Or it will sick and wrong and full of political criticism, just what I'd expect from the creators of South Park. Either way, it ought be a lot of fun ;)

All this cold weather and the pseudo snow yesterday have me already imagining this scenario. I love the different seasons and wouldn't have it any other way, but god being cold sucks ass.

Hacking and Slashing Our Way to Closure

Tonight, Tricia and I finally finished Champions of Norrath, or at least the beginners' level. We imported our characters to the "Courageous" level and will likely start the whole thing over again starting at levels 19 and 18 sometime next week. For now, we've decided we need a little break from it. What's nice is that we really drew out the game, playing for just an hour here and there, except tonight we felt like finishing it so it was more like 3 hours of playing.

In the real world, I'm finishing up my long term sub position at the middle school and searching for another long term position. The principal and Kelly Services have informed me about an opening at the high school Jan-Febish as another long term sub for an English teacher on maternity leave. Not a bad deal considering the kids have off half the days from now until then anyway, so it's probably the best time to be unemployed/short term substitute teaching now and then. I mean, there's the National Conference, Thanksgiving, and Christmas break, all with days off. So it's not like I'd be working much then anyway.

It pretty well sucks that I'm not under contract so I don't get paid as much or get the insurance benefits, but at least I'm getting $130/day right now, which could be worse. I'll just have to worry about buying my own insurance come January when I'm off my parents' insurance finally. ::sigh:: I suppose while I'm off of work I should get in an eye exam and a dental visit before it ends up costing me.

On a lighter note, today marks the end of Parent-Teacher conferences, which I have to say are pretty much a breeze. Yeah, it sucked having to sit all day at work, but it was cool to be paid to catch up on grading, sit at my desk listening to my favorite music, chat with some friends in the rooms next door, and occassionally talk to some parents about how good/shitty their kids are. In addition, next week's going to rock cuz there's only 2 days of teaching, and then 1 day of district inservice meetings, and 2 days of optional attendance at the state teachers' convention where you can get plenty of free samples (food, candy, pencils, pens, pointless knicknacks, and business cards) and also pick up some cheap shit for teaching. Sometimes the seminars aren't too bad either. Last convention I attended I was able to listen to Bob Kann speak, and he was hilarious and had some great ideas about using humor and storytelling in the classroom.

I guess that's about it for now. My parents are living it up in Aruba, celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary from August. My mom convinced my dad to go parasailing with her this time, they went on a cruise, and they're going snorkeling tomorrow. And so naturally I'm jealous of their beach-going in 85 degree weather while I'm bundled up here in the low 40's with freezing rain. But oh well. Tomorrow I'm off to see Death Cab for Cutie FINALLY in concert after falling in love with their music while traversing Europe last winter. And then it's a friend's surprise birthday party which should be a nice break from the monotonous life I've lived this week of conferences, working 12+ hour days.

A parent said today, "Teaching must be a calling. I can't see why else anyone would do it." And I just nodded my head. Sometimes I have no clue why I'm in this profession. And then I see a kid improve and succeed, hear a brilliant comment during a discussion, or have a student smile and say "Have a good weekend, Ms. Collins." And then I realize I can only hate teaching for so long before I remember why I love it.

Well, as Bailey says, "Sometimes life is just ruff." School's not that bad, just a few students who are growing up to be brats. I'm working on fixing that, little by little, call home by call home, and it's not like I'll be there much longer anyway. On the plus side, I may have a job for a couple months in the spring. So yay!

Fuck school.

Fuck students.

Fuck teaching.

Screw you guys, I'm goin' home.

(FYI: not YOU guys, I mean shitty students.)