Bookish Morning

I had a meeting of my book club this morning and Korra went with a friend to a Wings of Fire fan event. 

Teddy Bears

I've joined a group that makes teddy bears to give out to children waiting at immigration court or immigration detention centers. I finished my first 5 bears today!

Department of Education

If you read this and you're willing to submit a comment to oppose the Department of Education's bill to try to get rid of social emotional learning, please let me know (text me, email me, comment here).  I'll send you directions and what to say.  It's just a small thing, but we have to do something, you know?

Allergy Test

This morning I had an appointment at the allergy specialist. I started off joking with the nurse that there are more pleasant reasons to be topless than getting 32 small injections in my back (I know, I'm hilarious). Then I waited 15 minutes. When the nurse came back, she gasped and muttered, "sweet baby Jesus" while taking some notes. The doctor came in and said each of my panels of 8 pricks had blended into one giant inflamed blob, that I'm severely allergic to all trees, grasses, and weeds, and that it was one of the worst reactions he'd ever seen. He prescribed me an EpiPen and then made plans for a rigorous course of allergy injections. The nurse came back in and rubbed my whole back down with hydrocortisone cream and gave me some Zyrtec, all while saying, "you poor dear." So, I guess it was a useful appointment. Here's hoping next spring is a lot easier!

Value Village

Yesterday was the last Wednesday of the month so we went to Value Village (thrift store) for their half off sale! We got Korra most of a new wardrobe since she's grown 4 inches in the last year plus some hilarious tshirts for our family shirt exchange next month, a few new pairs of jeans for Nate, and some sheets/blankets for me to use for craft projects. 

Helper

Yesterday I had a teacher work day and Korra came to be my helper. Technically, she still has school 3 days this week but I think going back to school for a handful of days after Memorial Day is silly. I know all her teachers' grades were already due. I know the teachers are exhausted and the kids will be wild. I just don't think it will be a positive experience (and could possibly be unsafe) so I'm not sending her. 

Korra started out helping in the library- organizing series and noting if we're missing any books. After she finished I sent her to help the art teacher clean out her closets of doom. Korra (oh is she so much like her mother and grandmother) was in her element and didn't want to leave. 

We're done for the summer- 8 weeks off for me and 10 for Korra.  I'm so happy to be back into the rhythm of the school year calendar. 

Cabin Naps

We're at the cabin for the long weekend and I've already taken 3 hours with of naps. Starting summer break off right. 

Last day of school

Today was the last day of school for the kids. It was a half day and in addition to getting some overdue books and lost book payments (still about 25 unaccounted for), I finished weeding and reorganizing the book room (back part of the library where we keep book club sets) and cleaning things up. Dismissal was unbelievably smooth and quick (every single kid was picked up in 20 minutes!) and afterwards I went out to lunch with my team. It was an incredible year. Only one half teacher work day. 

1300 days

Today I reached a 1,300 day streak on Duolingo.  I've spent over 3 and half years of doing Spanish practice on the app daily and today, I'm done. I'm not enjoying it anymore, so it's time to say adios to Duolingo.

Another Flat Tire

This morning I was about halfway to work when I heard a twapping sound coming from my back tire.  When I stopped, I found a nail sticking out of it.  Huge bummer.

Thankfully my coteacher has a big truck and a generous heart so she came to my rescue- taking the bike back to my house and me to the school.  I'm really tired of flat tires.  

Inventory Complete!

Not only did I finish the library inventory, but I also either found or declared lost everything that was missing!  There are still about 30 student books checked out, but otherwise I'm right on track for where I wanted to be with only 3 days of school left. 

Medal of Honor

Today I was invited to two second grade classes to receive the school's medal of honor.  Each student nominated someone and then wrote about why that person is deserving of the award- including comparing their nominee to a famous Georgian they studied this year. Both students compared me to Jimmy Carter in their letters, saying I am smart, kind, hardworking, and peaceful.  It was an incredible honor.  

Seniors

This morning the graduating high school seniors who attended our elementary school came to be celebrated. It got me thinking that if I stay here until I retire, I'll get to see this year's kindergarteners come back for Senior Day. Whoa. 

AAPI heritage month school lunch

In honor of AAPI, the school cafeteria really outdid themselves with today's school lunch. 

It was outstanding. 

Inventory Status Update

Even with field day on Friday, I managed to complete my goal of having the student-facing part of the library's inventory complete (82%). This week I need to complete the office/book room part of the library- leveled reader sets, listening stations, book club sets, teacher resources, etc. It's going to be the most tedious and annoying part but I'm determined to get it done by tomorrow afternoon so I have time to search for missing books and get everything in order before Friday. 

Last Monday Alarm

Last week of school!  I'd say it's my last Monday of getting up at 6am, but I'm positive I'll still be awake that early often over the summer. 

Quakers

This morning I went to the Quaker meeting and this evening I went to a new visitors dinner at the home of 2 of the members. Even though I've been going sporadically for a few years, I think I want to be more intentional about getting involved in the community. It was a lovely evening and I'm glad I went. 

Victory and Board Games Afternoon

I got home yesterday afternoon, showered off all of the field day grime and took an hour long nap. Then I was refreshed and ready to join friends at Victory for dinner!  I even had enough energy to walk the mile there and back. 

Today I baked banana bread and went to the grocery store and then we spent the afternoon playing board games with friends. 

Fantastic weekend so far. 

Field Day

It was 88 degrees. I spent the day manning the bubble station and then doing crazy hair. I'm hot, sweaty, sticky, and exhausted. 

45% Complete

2 days into end-of-the-year library inventory and I'm 45% complete.  It's a slog, but at least it's something I can listen to an audiobook while doing.

Too Early

I woke up at 3:45 and couldn't go back to sleep. I might take a half day and come home early for a nap. 

Alumni Night

This evening we went to a brewery to meet up with other college alumni in our area. We only knew 2 other people there (the rest were either 20 years older or 15+ years younger than us) but it was still nice to catch up a bit. Plus I really like the current president. 

Mother's Day

 

With my mommy

After book club (and rush hour traffic had calmed down) we drove up to visit my parents for the weekend (specifically my mom for mother's day).  We went to a little outdoor market, poured concrete for 6 steps in their front yard, and went out for pizza. 

Book Club

Yesterday afternoon, I spent two thoroughly enjoyable hours on a coworker's deck with sangria and snacks while we discussed God of the Woods. Perfect way to end the week. 

Sticky Books

A kindergarten teacher returned a stack of books yesterday. They were all sticky. When I asked why he didn't warn me he said, "I've been teaching kindergarten for a year. I've stopped noticing when things are sticky."

Biking with a Trumpet

Rear rack plus bungee cords on her new (my old) bike means Korra can bike to school with the trumpet. 

School Picnic

This evening Korra and I went to my school's end of year chorus concert and picnic. The weather was perfect as we sat on blankets all around the school farm to eat and hang out. 

Annual review

I had my end-of-year evaluation yesterday morning and it was wonderful. My principal was thoughtful and attentive and then gave me a bunch of compliments about how wonderful I am at my job and how I'm such a great fit at the school. Probably my best annual review ever. 

Club Seats

 Nate found a good deal on club seats to the Atlanta United match, so this afternoon we enjoyed food, drinks, and great seats (even if the soccer match itself was pretty frustrating).  We found out that some friends were there, too, so we met up afterwards to chat and watch Atlanta Unified- our Special Olympics team- play a match.

Wolfie

This morning I drove to a coworker's house, put on our school's wolf mascot costume, and was led a few houses over to the start of a 5K.  I waved and danced, gave high-fives and hugs, and posed for pictures for about half an hour. It was really fun, but hot, uncomfortable, stinky, and impossible to see. I had to be carefully led everywhere I went because the head gives only 2 pinpoints of vision. Totally worth doing for 30 minutes. 

A Mano

We waved Korra off for a weekend at Girl Scout camp this afternoon and then went for a date at a restaurant we've been wanted to try for years- A Mano. It's only about a half mile walk from our house and is on the fancier side of what we usually go for. We tried a flight of Italian aperitifs with a charcuterie board and then shared a steak and pasta. I put on the reservation that we were celebrating our anniversary (or will be in a month) and the staff was extra sweet- they even gave us a little card and some free house-made limonchello. It was a lovely evening. 

Suzy Siu’s

One of the best things about living in Atlanta is the food. We're meeting some friends to celebrate a birthday and are getting dinner at Krog Market. Bao buns for me. A Philly cheesesteak from a bib gourmand restaurant for Nate. All walking distance from our house. 

Gum Removal

Today I learned how to get gum out of Astroturf.