Pokemon

Tension Activity

Today we taught the narrative technique of tension and surprise.   We showed them short scary videos and then have them the first half of a scary story about a clown where they had to write the ending. While they wrote we turned it all the lights, put on scary music, and even had an administrator dress up as a clown as sneak into the room. Scaring then was the best part of my day. 

Halloween costumes

Matilda

Korra and I watched Matilda this afternoon. It was her first time seeing it and she thought it was "really funny but sometimes scary" which was also her review for Hocus Pocus. 

Frida

Went shopping at the thrift store yesterday morning. Not only did I get what I need to complete my Halloween costume, I also got 3 sweaters and 2 shirts, all for $30. 

Last night I went to my coteacher's Halloween party and wore my first costume in years. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out and I'm looking forward to wearing it again on Wednesday. 

Hocus Pocus

Friends invited us over to eat chilli and watch Hocus Pocus. Perfect rainy cold Friday night. 

Unfair

I've been called unfair approximately 17 times today by 10 student students. How could I possibly be unfair to so many kids?

No MakeUp

A student in my second block class just pointed out that my face "looks kind of bland today."  I guess I forgot to put on concealer and mascara.  At least I remembered deodorant.  

Dental Work

All 3 of us had appointments to get our teeth checked and cleaned today. I ended up having 4 hours of dental work done. Thankfully, I am the one of the three of us with dental insurance, but it still cost nearly $500 to have an old filling and part of a tooth removed and then replaced. No wonder people hate the dentist. 

Tacky Day

Homophobia

I am so so so tired of hearing students say, "that's gay," "no homo," and "faggot."  Most of my students have my speach about this memorized but a couple (plus kids in other classes) keep me busily repeating it. I just have to repeat my prayer that has sustained me through 13 years of teaching middle school. "God, help me to plant seeds of love. Provide water and sunshine for years to come. I trust that growth will come, even if I never see it."

conspiracy theorist

One of my coteachers is a serious conspiracy theorist.  I just want to avoid him during planning.  Holy crap.  If he talks about the CDC and the flu shot or the healing powers of essential oils one more time....

Quote

Read this in the daily email from the Center for Contemplation and it feels really important. 

"Love protects us from nothing, even as it unexplainably sustains us in all things"

Brave Korra

At ninja tumbling, Korra did a front flip over a bar by herself for the first time!  So proud of how brave she's getting. 

Waffles Required

My coteacher was out sick today and there were no subs to be had so I taught both his class and mine. It was fine until last block. That was rough. So I asked Nate to make waffles for dinner which I ate immediately after changing into sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Balance restored. 

Vegan AND Gluten Free

Because I love my coteacher and I only know how to express appreciation through baked goods, today I made vegan gluten free brownies. (Because it wasn't enough to be vegan he had to cut wheat out too). They aren't as good as traditional (aka real) brownies but they will properly convey my gratitude. 

Homecoming

This weekend was homecoming at our Alma mater. We didn't go but we did get to see 3 fellow alumni, which is a pretty good compromise.

Lost Tooth!

Korra lost her first tooth today while we were walking in the beltline with friends!

Apple Crisp

I came home from work and immediately made apple crisp. Fall!

Hammock

I wish I'd gotten a picture of Nate and Korra laying in the hammock on the balcony reading this afternoon. 

Conferences

I have parent conferences after school every day this week. The days are so long. I need another fall break. 

Life of Leisure

After a week off of school, I thought I would be refreshed and ready to come back. Nope.  All my fall break did for me was confirm my suspicions that I was made for a life of leisure.  Staying in my pajamas all day in my life's calling.  

In other news, going back to work has been hard.

Pride Parade

We left the house before 9am to pick up the church van and park it in line for the Pride Parade. We waited 3 hours for the parade to start (Korra danced for a solid 2 hours of that wait) and then we waited for another 3 hours for our section of the parade (the end) to move. After all that waiting we walked the 4 mile parade route giving out beads, bracelets, flyers and telling people "Happy Pride! God loves you!" Korra loves the music, glitter, dancing, and the number of people who tell her she is adorable. 

We then walked the 2 miles home. We are exhausted. 

Cabin Time

We spent Monday night through this morning at the cabin.  Just the 3 of us.  We took naps, read on the porch (enjoying the beautifully cooler weather), built puzzles and played board games, and ate yummy food.  Korra and I went on a little hike.  No internet.  No cell phones.  It was glorious.  I feel refreshed. 

Real Adulting

Getting a flu shot at Target so you can get a gift card. Using that gift card to buy new underwear. 

Tax Refund!

We finally got our tax refund!  Only 7 months late. 

Last Swim

It's over 90 degrees and the pool is still open so we have some friends over for a swim and homemade pizza. 

Whooppee cushion

I went back to school today but only made it until lunch. During my 4 hours there, a student used an actual whooppee cushion in class. That's a first. 

Still sick

Stayed home again today. Added a cough and runny nose to my illness. I'm going in tomorrow unless I start barfing. I still feel awful but I'm bored and don't want to use up all my sick days. 

Guilt

The worst part about being sick isn't how it hurts to talk or swallow or breathe. It's how guilty I feel about taking a sick day. I feel like I'm inconveniencing/adding to the stress of everyone. 

No subs

I began calling subs at 5am. Couldn't find a single one to cover my class. My throat hurts so bad. I went in and stayed until I looked pitiful enough that other people worked out how to cover my class. I tried 4 times to do an online doctor's appointment (didn't work a single time). My sister was able to confirm its most likely not strep (probably bacterial) so all I can do is what I've already been doing: drinking water and hot tea, gargling salt water, sinus rinses, hot showers, Tylenol, and cough drops. And hopefully rest.