It begins......

2006-05-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

Im bored of blogging. Im going to myspace now. www.myspace.com/rocket28

Heres a few..

2006-02-17T20:47:00.000-08:00

Ha! 2 blogs in one night. It's a miracle!

Here are a few cute kid stories:

me: who takes care of the animals on the farm?
kid: God
me: Ok (how can I continue with this questioning after an answer like that!) Um..so...who helps God with the animals?
kid: Gods brother

me: there will be a new kid joining in speech class with you
kid: who is he
me: he's fred smith in mrs. t's class
kid: is he black or brown?

kid: do you work here?
old man librarian: well yes i do.
kid: you know what?
old man librarian: what?
kid: when you are 100 you will die.

Yeeeaaaahhhh!

2006-02-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

I promised i would right a fantastic blog about Justin since he always writes nice stuff about me and also because he is fantastic.

I really can say he is such a wonderful boyfriend. One thing you must know is he is an amazing cook! I havent eaten this good since high school - really. I look less emaciated now. My face is fuller he reports.

He also is a very inspiring preacher. I am encouraged by his passion for God. I ve never seen anything like it. Im so proud of his desire to share it with other people.

Im so excited for you all to meet him. Hes full of interesting stories from all of his experiences all over the world. Hes entertaining and funny and I look foward to seeing him everyday!

I love you Justin!

Merry Christmas

2005-12-25T11:36:00.000-08:00

My gift to you....

dumbest kid ever

Yeah for Christmas Break!

2005-12-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

WooHooo LB we made it! I also could hardly stand it, and I don't even have 30 kids following me around all day.

Last week, there were treats in every break room and the office. Wednesday night I was trying to go to sleep and my stomach was feeling gross. I then realized I had eaten cookies all day long. that's it. Thats all I ate. You just don't realize it because you eat a cookie here, eat one there, 12 cookies later you have a stomach ache. My assistant principal ate so much fudge she threw up.

Hey.

2005-12-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Justin!!! I love you.

Random Dr. B stories

2005-11-13T19:53:00.000-08:00

So I went to Searcy a couple of weekends ago with Reagan. I told her a mission trip story and she said it was blog worthy so I thought I would share it.

Summer 1998 (I know Justin, you were like 12) I went to Australia for a six week campaign. Dr.Burks (president of Harding) was the leader for three of those weeks. One of the activities we took part in was door knocking. One morning Wendy Green/Davenport, Dr.Burks, and I were all teamed up together. Now most houses we went to didn't have a doorbell but had an actual bell with a rope attached that you swung back in forth. You know how a bell works.

So... One particular house had a bell with a really really long rope and some metal thing at the very end of it. Dr. Burks, apparently had not caught on, saw the bell and commented, "Hmm how does this work?". And preceeded to take the rope, got a hold of the metal part, and hit the bell with it. Wendy graciously took the rope from Dr.Burks (while laughing at him of course) and rang the bell correctly.

On another note, later that day I found out Dr.Burks has never thrown up in his life. And Wendy and I were allowed to call him David (his first name). And there was somthing funny and strange about that. Oh! And I believe he gave me relationship advice. I think he told me it was important to 'play the field' or something. Oooo.. Once a bird flew down and took a piece of his steak right off his fork. It was a very entertaining 3 weeks.

Thursday

2005-11-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

Tonight I'm at home being a bum. I'm watching Friends. I just ate some of my favorite foods. Even though Im going to work tommorrow, I consider this the beginning of my weekend. Ahhh.

..................

2005-10-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

I often wonder what it is that makes some weeks really really good and some weeks really really bad. I mean is there some way you can spread it out a little? Must all frustrations and heart breaks come all at once?

This week has been a particularly stressful week. I finally started that new job I was talking about back in April. Seeing a couple of 2 year olds for language and feeding. Do I know what Im doing? No. The full time job continues to not slow down. Sometimes I eat lunch and do paperwork at the same time. Not really fun. Also I realized I never got my new tags for my car in the mail. I think I threw them away on accident. And I got a bill in the mail saying I owed 69.99 for 'Artic Fun'. Not fun or true. And the most mysterious of all - I got a letter in the mail saying I had not paid my student loan bill in 4 months. Not fun.....but true. Which is strange on so many levels.

All of this happening in a mere 3 days have caused some wierd actions. I had trouble making connections in my brain. First of all, Im pretty sure I did not teach my students anything this week. Words came out of my mouth in a jumbled mess. Sometimes I would stare at my students and forget to listen to what they just said. One time we were naming vocabulary and I couldn't think of the word 'stroller'. After 14 guesses someone finally came up with it. Tonight I got confused when a restroom used an upside down m for w in womens. I actually questioned if I was at the right one or not.

Really those things are can be quite humerous. But it seems that several friends this week have NOT been having a good week. Stress, heartbreaks, drama, finances, unknown...... I have to wonder why. Why does it seem there is an increase of attacks on a group of connected people?

Direct me to the nearest wall....

2005-09-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again. The time of year again that I see a multitude of language impaired children that challenge me in a way that I was unaware existed. And it never fails, and I mean never, that I always get caught up in this freakish round robin game. You would think I would recognize it and put a stop to it or find an alternate way to teach what I m trying to get across. But no, oh no, they reel me in and the result is always a daydream of ramming my head in the nearest wall. Here is my most recent:

Me: What would you do if you found money on the floor? (accompanied by picture)
Kid: I found it.
Me: You already found it.
Kid: I find it.
Me: No, you already found it what do you do next.
Kid: Give it to a kid.
Me: It's not their money, what are you going to do with it?
Kid: Give it to my friend.
Me: It's not your friends, someone lost it.
Kid: (blank look)
Me: Maybe you could give it to your teacher......
Kid: I would give it to my teacher
Me: (I was pushing it here) What do you think your teacher is going to do with it?
Kid: She will spend it.

8/28/77

2005-08-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

I dont really feel like writing but I did feel as if I needed to document something on the golden birthday. It s wierd because I dont feel 28. Of course Im not really sure what your supposed to feel like. Someone could knock on my door and say 'There was a typo on your birth certificate and your parents arent very good at math. I just wanted you to know that you are actually 22 today.' Ok, I would say, that sounds about right. You know late twenties are wierd. I never laid around as a child and daydreamed about being 28. But here I am. I think it will be a good year.

Ahh..Nashville Drivers.

2005-08-26T18:38:00.000-07:00

So I have not been in any major wrecks, thank you Lord. But I have had my fair share of bumps and scratches. I was at our very own ghetto WalMart one day backing out of a parking spot. I did a really good job of watching where I was going AND I was going real slow. Then out of no where. NO WHere I tell you, this lady appears behind me. I only know because I feel my car hit hers. Now I suppose this was my fault as I was the one backing out. However, Im pretty sure if she had been paying attention, she would have said to herself "she probably cant see me, I should stop" or "Im nice Ill go ahead and let her back out". Plus she had to be speeding to appear out of no where like that. She got a tiny tiny scratch on her dumb car. No fair.

Back to School Baby

2005-08-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

So I noticed my past 4 blogs or so had some reference to television, so I thought I would change the subject. As many of you know or are involved in, school started recently (hence the obsessive blogging on the newly returned laptop). I had this perfect cute little room that was like a second home to me last year. But this year I got the boot. Boot meaning, I am now in a portable. Not just any portable. A double wide. I get one side and a noisy second grade class gets the other. But Im not complaining because I know there are speech therapists out there that are sitting in hallways, closets, ans dusty corners. So I took my cave (because its way too big for my needs, it really echos), and took it from a sterile, plain, health hazard to a organized, colorful, health hazard. Here are some pics, its still a little under construction. Any other school/work stories out there? LB Im waiting excitedly for more 'Melvin' like stories...............

What Are Things You Love to Hate?

2005-08-25T20:02:00.000-07:00

I like to watch Jeopardy. However, there are 2 perfectly good reasons why I should just change the channel. First, I dont know the answers. I mean I know a good handful of answers.... but mostly I just shout out wrong answers. And I know there wrong. But I don't care. Second, Alex drives me crazy. And I don't mean 'I think he's sexy' crazy. I have this theory that someone backstage took him aside and said, "Look Alex, your killing the audiennce. You need to loosen up! Joke around, befriend the contestants. You, Alex, are in the entertainment business. Entertain them Alex. Entertain." And like Bill Gates trying out his acting skills on Frasier, Alex lets loose stiffly joking with the contestants and using funny accents. Its painful to watch. I cringe and turn the channel but somehow always find myself right back where I started... yelling out wrong answers.

If You Keep Saying the Word Champion, It Sounds Funny.

2005-08-22T19:35:00.000-07:00

I'm watching dart throwing on the tv right now. I don't understand it. They suck at it. I appreciate the wild enthusiasm of the crowd though. I'm pretty sure, from the looks of it, I could be a Dart Throwing Champion... Nah, I'll stick with being a Filing Papers Champion. Or maybe a Make Kids Speak Good Champion. Oooh, or a Jelly Bean Eating Champion. I do love jelly beans.

Im Baaaaack...............

2005-08-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

So my plan to start anew in July didnt really work as planned. There was no waking at early hours. There was no exercise routine. There was no blogging. But who cares. It was a great summer and I will briefly try to entertain you with the details...............

Hmmm... where to start. First with miracles. I have a wonderful boyfriend (pic below). Yes, Margie, I had to look up the spelling of boyfriend, that doesn't mean anything.. He's a sweet, spiritual man that I miss most dearly at the moment. He treats me so well I often feel surprised as if I am in a Fairy Tale or Full House. I hope you all get to meet him soon.

I traveled to Atlanta to see my friend Kim. We went to the grand opening of IKEA (a most fabulous furniture store). And when I say grand opening I mean City Event. We walked 5 miles from parking, stood outside in a line in the middle of the day (got a free frisbee!), literally herded to the escaladers, shopped shoulder to shoulder (people do not know how to walk or move!!), considered purchasing, decided against it because of the 47 lines 153 people, during this whole time I had to pee and finally got to, walked back 5 miles through crowds and IKEA cheerleaders, and shouted with glee when we got back to the car that I accomplished something amazing that day. I loved the chaos. I would do it again.

How about this? Three Cheers for Alma, Arkansas. My best friend lives there and also the home of the most recent Extreme Home Makeover show. The one about the kidnapping. We went by the house while i was there and was quit amazed. The house so does not belong in that neighborhood. They have about 2 inches of yard all around.. The lady that lives there did pull out a drawer in the kitchen and then tried to slam it as hard as she could, but right before it closed it stopped and then slid in automatically..... ooo....amazing...

Carolina Bible Camp Pt. 2 (this is where I met my boy last year).. It was a wonderful, spiritual, fun experience. Better than last year. I was a little disturbed by teenagers with birthdays in 1990 but all in all I would recommend it to anyone.

Thats all for now. I have now been give my laptop back from the school. Yeah. Hopefully I can read and write more blogs!!

p.s. i don't know anyone named Margie

Justin

2005-08-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

My New Obsession....

2005-07-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

I have often stated that email is the best thing ever invented (i know not really). Then I found blogging to be a release and just a fun way to communicate with friends. However, i have discovered a new obsession. It's not new. But through a recent turn of events I have acquired a new phone and the ability to text message. My favorite new sound is the two dings that announce someone has left me a text message. It's good for short informational, witty, and flirty messages.

My plan to slowly phase out verbal communication is working.............

I Haven't Had This Much Free Time Since Summer 1997

2005-06-30T17:55:00.000-07:00

So I finally scored a part time job today. Except it doesn't start until August, completely defeating the purpose of a summer job. But I was planning on keeping it during the school year so whatever.

So in the mean time I will continue to live a strange daily cycle. Somedays it consists of waking at 10, watching 2 Unsolved Mysteries, eating, reading, running errands, and going out at night. Other days when I feel motivated, I get up at 9:30, clean (the other day I cleaned behind the fridge!), watch only 1 Unsolved Mysteries, eat, read, run errands (amazingly there are always errands to run), and go out at night. OK but July I'm ready! I am going to start anew! Back to my exercise routine! Attempts to awake at 9:00.....ish! Get my school papers organized! Finish random home repairs/paint/clean! Be a better blogger! I'm ready - I am.

I'm mad.

2005-06-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted. Which is odd because I have had AMPLE time to do so. My original plan 2 months ago was to get a part time job in my field right after school let out. But a number of events - that alone are not that significant - but together can turn one mad. And when I say mad I mean a crazy loonatic.

1. My AC in the house went out.

2. My phone was soaked and ruined.

3. I lost my credit card.

4. I lost my debit card (twice). Just recently I had to get a third one because the one they sent me said, 'Rachel Friggs'

5. I spilled coke on my lap top, one week before I was supposed to turn it in, and also during the time that all special ed decided to start using them in meetings.

6. A Parent came to me and said thier private speech therapist does not agree with my decisions and wants to me to change the kids paperwork (that's so none of her business!!)

7. Lady at 'The Club' (gym) got rude with me on the phone because she said I owed them money (which I didn't!!)

8. Paid for class took the test and passed, didn't get credit for it, or my money back (long story)

9. Brother decided to move out (since changed his mind)

10. My cooler leaked in the trunk and got all my workbooks (that I was supposed to turn in to the speech office) completely soaked.

11. Haven't been able to get my speech license so I can work because of a number of reasons, mostly because apparently ever step that I have to do, takes them 7-10 days to process.

I could go on, but I won't. All of these things happened one after another, sometimes overlapping, for the month of May and well into June. I've since hung up my straight jacket and am attempting to live a normal life.

2005-05-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

I went to the Ronald McDonald House this evening to help make dinner for the people that stay there. Ok, actually I just brought drinks and helped set things up (go ahead justin, insert cooking joke here). It's for families who have children in the hospital. These are families that are dealing with premies, cancer, anything you can think of. The owner came and spoke with us and told us all about the House. It's $15 a day and way better than any hotel. There are play rooms for the kids, laundry, nice dining area, entertainment room for movies and such, and a nice kitchen that appears to be available to anyone who wants to use it. He told us of one story about a family that had a child that had cancer of the blood(?), and that he had several treatments. When it was all said and done they had a bill of siX MILLION DOllars. So... my 2K AC suddenly doesn't seem like such a burden anymore........

For Snoozers Anonymous

2005-05-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent product I discovered:

Alarm Clock with Telephone Signaler

The Sonic Boom SBT425SSS, from Sonic Alert, is designed as cost effective, full featured bedside alarm clock with a telephone signaler and built in flashing lights....

....The Sonic Boom is packaged with the latest, most powerful 12 volt bed shaker. It comes complete with a high/low dimmer switch to allow better sleep at night.

Funny mental picture.

Top Ten Reasons to Purcase a New Cell Phone

2005-05-19T17:13:00.002-07:00

10. You have to press on the screen to view it.

9. If it's vibrating, don't touch it, you could get electrocuted.

8. The antenna doubles as a screwdriver.

7. You become ill from overuse.

6. People laugh at you.

5. You have forgotten how to use all 4 of your special functions.

4. You use it for a serving tray for cheese and crackers.

3. Atari games have better graphics.

2. You keep a list of witty sarcastic comebacks for people who remark, "Is that your phone?"

1. Your phone gets soaked at Steeplechase and when you try to turn it on nothing happens. So you go to the store and the guy says, "Let it dry out for a few days, it'll be fine" So you take his stupid advice and 4 days later the phone shows no signs of life. So you go back to the store and even though you have the oldest phone in history and you've been with the company for five years, and you've paid your bill on time every month, you are still not eligible for a free upgrade. But you have no choice because your phone is dead.

I think that's a pretty good reason.

Events of the Week....

2005-05-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

This week we made dirt pudding. After making dirt pudding with 50+ children, I never want to see the stuff again - ever. Here is an excerpt from that event:

Me: Now we are going to crush the chocolate sandwich cookies.
Kid: Why don't we use... (unintelligible)
Me: What?
Kid: Why don't we use... (unintelligible)
Me: I don't know what you are saying.
Kid: Why don't we use the blonde cookies.
Me: Vanilla. Those are vanilla sandwich cookies.

I was working with a couple of 1st graders who are very low in most areas. This day we were working on questions that begin with When....
Me: When does school begin? (many answers are acceptable here: Morning, 8am, when I get off the bus, monday, after the announcements...)
Kid: 7:23

This was another one of those round about conversations that I sometimes get caught up in.
We were working on naming items in a category.
Me: Name 3 girl names.
Kid: Rachel, she's in my class.
Me: Good, name another.
Kid: My sister
Me: Well, what's her name.
Kid: LeeAnne
Me: Good, name one more.
Kid: My aunt's name is Rachel.
Me: You said that one already pick another one.
Kid: But that's what my aunts name is.
Me: I know but you have to tell me a different name.
Kid: LeeAnne
ME: You said that one.
Kid: She's my sister.
Me: Name another girls name.
Kid: [Long silence] I don't know any.

This is a conversation I have almost daily with the same child.

Kid: Do I come to speech tomorrow?
Me: No, tommorrow's Thursday. You come Mon., Tues, and Wed.
Kid: So I can come yesterday.
Me: No, that day already happened.
Kid: Then I can come Monday and Sunday.
Me: We don't go to school on Sunday.
Kid: Can I come in two days.
Me: You come Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Now you need to get back to class.
Kid: When I come tomorrow do I bring Andy and Jake.
Me: No, you need to go, your late.
Kid: How many days do I come?
Me: I don't know. Go. [putting my hands on his shoulders and guiding him to the door]

Random Acts.

2005-05-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

I take some comfort in knowing I have a particular routine each week. But this week I noticed something random - not neccessarily exciting - occured each day of the week. They were small things and I wondered if small random things happen every week and I just don't notice.

Monday I gave this homeless man some bread. The bread bag had a bright orange sticker on it that boldly announced "bake me". So I didn't see it. The man asked me if he could put in the microwave. Yes I said. I'm pretty sure that's true. I think if I lie to a homeless man it cancels out my good deed.

Tuesday my brother took me to pick up a free couch and chair that I got from www.freecycle.com. I am then going to promptly sell it at a garge sale May 21st.

Wednesday I received a free sandwhich from Chick Filet (sp?). Ok, not that random but when you're on a budget, very exciting.

Thursday I went to an authentic hispanic grocery store on Nolensville Road. I am currently on the search for the best store bought salsa in Nashville. The man at the check out announced my price in Spanish and I briefly panicked. He switched to English and I cheered and sang 'God Bless America' into the intercom.

Friday, went to dinner at 4:15 as if I was age 60. Tommorrow going to the zoo as if I was 6. WooHoo!

Written by: Kristin, Illustrated by: Alma, AR

2005-05-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

Leave me alone! I'm trying to adjust to the idea of you no longer wanting to talk to me on the phone! Oh, and since I'm not going to call you again until I have read your blog I should tell you this before I forget... Last night in class at church our preacher's daughter was telling a story about her best friend "who lives in Nashville"!!!!!!!!! I leaned forward, looked directly at her, and almost yelled at the top of my lungs, "No way!! My best friend lives in Nashville too!!!" But she continued with her story, so instead I just played out the scenario in my head and imagined everyone turning to me with a mad look on their faces b/c I had interupted. I quietly leaned back in my seat and smiled to myself. The end.

Pick Up Lines...

2005-04-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

Christian Pick Up Lines. (I didn't make these up. In fact there were a few I couldn't stand and had to take out. But some are funny. I thought I would share).

1.Nice Bible

2. "I would like to pray with you"

5. "I know a church where we could go and talk"

6. "How about a hug, sister?"

7. "Do you need help carrying your Bible? It looks heavy."

8. "Christians don't shake hands, Christians gotta hug!"

9. "Oh, you're cold? Maybe we should read Ecclesiastes 4:11"

10. "Did it hurt when you fell from Heaven?"

11. "What are your plans for tonight? Feel like a bible study?"

12. "I am here for you."

13. "The word says "Give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the hungry," So...How about dinner?"

14. "You don't have an accountability partner? Me neither."

15. "You want to come over and watch "The 10 Commandments" tonight?"

16. "Is it a sin that you stole my heart?"

17. "Would you happen to know a Christian woman that I could love with all my heart and wait on hand and foot?"

19. "Do you believe in Divine appointment?"

20. "Have you ever tried praying at a drive in before?"

21. "Excuse me, I believe one of your ribs belongs to me."

23. "You know, they say that you have never really dated, until you have dated a Christian."

24. "Yeah, I predicted David over Goliath."

25. "What? Friends listen to Amazing Grace by candle light."

26. "What do you think Paul meant when he said, 'Greet everyone with a holy kiss'?"

27. "You have the body of Amy Grant and the soul of Mother Teresa."

28. "You know, I'm really into relationship evangelism."

29. "I'm pretty flexible - I don't think a woman should be submissive on the first date."

30. "Before tonight, I never believed in predestination..."

31. "Just looking at you makes me feel all ecumenical."

32. "I hear there's going to be a love offering tonight."

Yea, for Second Grade...

2005-04-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I have grown to enjoy watching the second graders these past 2 weeks (refer to Have Patience blog). And to use one of Carolines phrases, I am not above admitting I have learned a lot being in the second grade. I mean helping with the second grade.

I did improve in spelling. A friend, we'll call him Jay - Chaudoin, pointed out the poor spelling in my blogs (such as patton in the divas blog). The kids and I played some hangman and I improved in words such as dandelion, poison, mountains, and dinosaurs. Ok, it's hard to remember how to spell in hangman. I actually had a debate with the second graders on the spelling of poison. I teach oral language. We write sometimes and when we do we write things I can spell.

I also learned some science. We watched a science video each day which I have to admit I enjoyed. When I heard someone talking during the video I would say ' Uh,I hear someone talking' but what I was really saying on the inside was 'shh I can 't hear how many earths can fit into the sun' (millions by the way).

Cursed Mornings.

2005-04-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

This thing where I only blog on the weekends is totally not working out for me. I use my schools lap top which I can blog at home but not at school. As mentioned in some other blog somewhere, in the metro schools a blog is catorgorized somewhere with racial/pornographic material, so I can't pull it up at school. So I drag this wonderful machine home. I don't know what I will do in the summer. I will have withdrawals. They will have to pry this lap top from my hands come May.

I feel I should jump on the morning madness bandwagon. I have for years been in denial of being a morning person, wishing I was a morning person, and finally just accepting that I am not a morning person.

However, if there is something important that really motivates me I can usually get up with only one snooze button. In high school I was up out of bed because I really wanted to get to school early. I liked getting there and talking with friends and being to class on time. I even took my brothers to school which took an extra 30 minutes so that was a huge undertaking to get all 3 of us out the door at 7 ( I think it was 7, I don't know that was like 10 years ago).

In college there were a lot more snooze buttons. But rolling out of bed and going to class was just part of the culture, so there was nothing unusual there.

But here is where the real kicker comes in. Now I have a job. Wouldn't you say contains more responsibility? But yet, I have slept thru an hour in a half of snooze buttons. I have taken a shower, felt tired, and then decided to go back to sleep. I have arrived late. I have had people call me to wake me up and then - surprise - I go right on back to sleep. I have skipped a morning shower so I can have a few minutes extra sleep. You must hate your job you say. Nope. Just love to sleep.

In college, my roommates found this verse (hey kim!) Proverbs 20:13 Do not love sleep....
We always kind of laughed about it, but now I'm thinking I should memorize, have it written down next to my bed, record it like dans' CD clock, eat it for breakfast, something...............

Psych Pt. 2

2005-04-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

No you don't have any diseases! These are types of personalities. These categories have been used for over 2400 years. Oooh. Now technically you have a primary and secondary (such as a sanmel or phlegchlor) but we won't get into all that. However, you may find you are a perfect mix of two, so keep that in mind as well. Here are a couple of random topics.

Eating Habits:

Sanguine: Enjoy eatting everything in sight; in a resteraunt they enjoy talking so much they don't even look at the menu until the waitress comes

Cholerics: stereotyped eaters - seldom vary their menu from on day to the next, bolt it down with big chunks, often talking while chewing food.

Melancholy: picky eaters; takes them forever to decide what to order in a resteraunt, once it arrives they savor every bite

Phlegmatic: deliberate eaters and the last ones to finish

Driving Habits:

Sanguine: Erratic drivers; sometimes they speed then for no apparant reason lose interest in driving fast and slow down. they are so people oriented they want to look at you in the face when talking, even when driving

Choletics: daring speed demons who dart in and out of traffic constantly. they try to get more accomplished in a given amount of time than humanly possible. They attempt to make up time by driving furiously between appointments

Melancholy: never leave home without lots of preperation; they study maps; they are the most likely to keep records of gas, oil, maitenance, etc.; legalists by nature they rarely speed

Phlegmatic: slowest driver of all; last one to leave intersection; rarely changes lanes; indecisive driver that can cause problems when merging onto the freeway. Doesn't get many tickets or have many accidents but can be a road hazard.

More random subjects to come.........

ps Should I be footnoting this? Tim LaHaye Why You Act the Way You Do

Have Patience, Have Patience, Don't be in such a Hurry (for you Romaura)

2005-04-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

This week I have discovered a new appreciation for teachers across the world. This week has been a week of TCAP. It's a slew of #2 pencils, rigid bathroom schedules, countless hours of bubbling, and test answers that determine the quality of the school, in turn the reputation of the school system, noting the intelligence of the state of Tennessee, which tests the Presidents' take on education. Ok, a little dramatic, but not that far from the truth.

Oh, so my appreciation. I was in charge of watching 18 kids who aren't taking the test until next week. They were in my room (which is half the size of a regular classroom) for two in a half hours. And if I hear another tattle, another ailment of the stomach, the word 'fart', or irritating humming I might toss a child out of a window ( I did just received tenure this week so I could possibly get away with it).

Don't you have student of your own, your thinking. Yes. Yes I do. But let's keep in mind I have small groups that rarly breech 3 or 4. Additionally, I have them for a short 30 minutes before I send them on their way. I've been known to gently push them out the door when need be.

So thank your teachers. They have great patience.

ps. just for you random surfing bloggers and people who don't know me that well, I like kids and my job. and I would never throw someone out the window.

Psychology

2005-04-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

Are you a Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, or a Phlegmatic? These are temperaments (a combo of inborn traits that subconsciously affect your behavior) that people possess.

SANGUINE: Strengths - outgoing, responsive, warm, friendly, talkative, enthusiastic,
compassionate.
Weaknesses - undisciplined, emotionally unstable,unproductive, egocentric,
exaggerates.

CHOLERIC: Strengths - strong willed, independent, visionary, practical, productive, decisive,
leader.
Weaknesses - cold, unemotional, self suffecient, impetuous, domineering,
unforgiving, sarcastic, angry, cruel

MELANCHOLY: Strengths - gifted, analytical, aesthetics, self sacrificing, industrious, self
disciplined
Weaknesses - moody, self centered, persecution prone, revengeful, touchy,
theoretical, unsociable, critical, negative.

PHLEGMATIC: Strengths - calm, quiet, easy going, dependable, objective, diplomatic, effecient,
organized, practical, humurous.
Weaknesses - unmotivated, procrastinator, selfish, stingy, self protective,
indecisive, worrier, fearful

You wont have every characteristc of a certain category. Pick the one you relate with most. I feel I related most with Plegmatic. More to come on this psychology lesson......

Random Comments Because I Don't Feel Like Writing a Story.

2005-04-17T19:14:00.000-07:00

I bought a Nelly CD today. The cashier allowed me to make the purchase with out checking my ID. That's progress. It came with a poster. In contrast to the progress I made at the register, I regressed to my junior/high school years and taped up.

Went and saw Million Dollar Baby last night. I enjoyed it. I would of enjoyed it more but I overheard the ending. STILL a good movie.

I listened to a few good lessons last week. Check it out: http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/living_on_the_edge/ Click on broadcast archives on the right for last weeks lessons.

I'm Laughing With You.

2005-04-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

Exercising is good. It's comfterable to exercise at home. You don't have to get out or spend any money. It's especially good when you need minimal supplies.

I'm impressed that you exercise for a whole hour. I'm most impressed when you can even create your own exercise moves. However, it doesn't count when you only do one or two reps at a time. It also doesn't count when all your exercising is done lying down. And I'm pretty sure that it doesn't count when you don't sweat.

You know who you are.

Create Your Own Diva

2005-04-15T22:29:00.000-07:00

Nothing possibly deep or profound can be written at this hour. It is past midnight on a Friday night. At one point, staying up till 2 a.m. for no reason was the norm. Now, if I'm staying up till midnight, there better be a damn good reason (mom, simmer, it was for effect).

Claire did a fabulous (that's so her word) job of choosing the show entitled Divas. And Divas they were indeed. During the show we were informed that there were many types of Divas. Opera Divas, Broadway Divas, etc. This got me thinkin'. What other Divas could there be? I mean why not? They don't have a patton on this word. All you need is this simple equation: Hobby/talent + Diva. Knitting Diva. Stamp collecting Diva. Sandwhich making Diva. Tread mill running Diva. Accounting Diva. Crown wearing Diva. British Accent Diva. I could be a diva. YOU could be a diva.

I am not a feminist.

2005-04-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

It's always flattering when someone notices your obvious beauty. However, look, I'm no feminist, but I have had a few instances from a certain ethnic group that just needs to back off! Give me some space. Take your borderline harassment somewhere else please. Here are a couple of proximity stealing moments.

Driving. Driving. Driving. HONKING! MORE HONKING@#&!! I'm following all the rules. I'm not swerving. What!? I am alarmed at the moment. I look up to my left, who is trying to warn me, and of what? But oh no. A large truck drives by and a man smiles and waves just a little too friendly like. Thank you for the heartattack sir.

Most recent was just this morning. I am pumping gas and, of course, minding my own business. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a truck pull in. It idles for a few minutes. As I finish my transaction I turn to get in the car and the truck finishes it's idling and drives by me. The man makes it no secret to stare and exits the lot. Gee, thanks idling man. Really, is this the best thing he could find to do on a Sunday morning?

Good, will it work?

2005-04-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

A good mental exercise is to go into a Goodwill store. Because immediatly, questions begin to pop in your head. How old is this? What were they thinking? Why did they give this away? What would I do with this? Could I fix this? Why wasn't this just thrown away?............

However, my most recent Goodwill experience has been an outing with LB and Amanda. There was an insistance in purchasing a nice looking coffee pot for the bargin price of $8. Amanda was getting cold feet. She didn't want a broken coffee pot. She wasn't going to settle for just any coffee pot. She wanted a coffee pot that would treat her well and always greet her warmly in the morning. There is a special coffee pot out there for Amanda, but she wanted to learn a little more before allowing it to come home with her.

So yes, we sat at the front of the store pooring water into the pot. So we waited. And waited. Entertaining 1 random customer and an overly helpful 12 year old checker named Aaron. Finally, it became clear - and I don't mean the water - the coffee pot was a keeper. We hope it brings Amanda many years of soothing brew.

Times are a changin'

2005-04-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

I have had some recent requests to share an important story that occured a few weeks ago. Many of you have heard this story already and may want to skip this.

A while back there was a Top Paws programs here at school. This is a program at the end of the six weeks for kids who made good grades or had good behavior. This particular six weeks, a DJ came to the school.

I was not aware of this because I had not heard the announcements that morning (getting to school right at 8 a.m. is so over rated). So I am walking by the gym hearing loud music. I peak in and see 100+ children (5 & 6 year olds) and their teachers breaking it down to the sweet little chicken dance. How nice.

Ten minutes later, I walk by again and hear the beginning beats to an all too familiar song that begins with the words, "YEAh, YEAH, YeAH" I suddenly become light headed with surrealness. I am feeling like I need to make a calculation. I do the math; small children + elderly teachers + ghetto fabulous Usher song = it just doesn't compute! Ha, well the children must be putting their hands over their ears (it's so loud), teachers must be looking panicked, parents must be rushing the doors to take out the DJ, administrators will be reporting a security drill over the intercom - but oh no. The children are screaming with glee. I back away in astonishment as the lyrics blare "..I want a lady on the streets but a freak in the bed...."

spongebobaphobia

2005-04-05T19:54:00.000-07:00

I had a dream last night where I awoke frightened. I don't remember what the dream was about but I decided today it had to be about a recent enemy.

I don't know why I can't turn the corner and run into Sponge Bob Square Pants. I don't know why every child at Mt.View has a Sponge Bob TShirt. I don't know why I cannot get my students to name 3 zoo animals but can describe in detail the freakish events of Sponge Bob and his sidekick Patrick. Spongebob video games - no I've never played it, but I hear about it constantly. And today there was a drawn picture of SpongeBob in the hallway. It was quite detailed and I' m sure its eyes were following me as I walked past it. I stared it down, it will not control me. I'm waiting to turn the corner and run into a life sized Sponge Bob. I am working at school that plays Ludacris for 5 year olds. I won't put anything past them.

Can anyone hear me?

2005-04-05T19:41:00.000-07:00

I often wonder, did you want my opinion or are you just humoring me.

I had a situation this week in which the principal asked me about a meeting on some brothers. I was doing the paperwork for one brother and the resource teacher was doing the other.

So she asks me, "Do you want to go first or do you think the resource teacher should go first?" I had already thought this through, " I think I should go last because it will be closer to the regular ed teachers planning time and it will be easier for her to come to the meeting."

The principal nods and responds with, "Why don't you do it during the teachers planning time so we won't have to get someone to cover her class? You know what I'm saying?"

Ok, everyone stop. Take a moment. Ponder. Did I not just say that very same thing? Was I speaking in a vacuum? Was time actually lost in space and we skipped over that moment?

"Yeah, that's a good idea" I say.

2005-04-03T23:30:00.000-07:00

From the fabulous recommendations of Caroline Martin, I feel that not starting a blog would be a diservice to my friends and families. Those of you unfamiliar with a blog (cough, cough, mom cough), it stands for web log and it's kind of like a diary except it' s not private. I will try to keep it updated. Mom, welcome to your S.I.T. of the future. I don't even know if you have email. Dad you may want to send this to her, or let her read it on your email.

There is nothing like a long day at work, driving up to your house, getting out of your car, enjoying a decent 70 degree temperature, and hearing the soothing sounds of bagpipe music. Don't adjust your screens or run to the nearest school psychologist insisting on dyslexia. Last Monday afternoon I was welcomed by the clear melodic sounds of a bagpipe. Searching for the source, I finally laid eyes on my neighbor proudly sharing his talent with the neighborhood. I hope to approach him one day and inquire about this unusual hobby.

Abrupt subject change.
I do not understand the following as a speech therapist in the school.
Me: What is a Mexican food, has a hard shell, and has meat in it.
Kids: Hot Dogs?
Me: It has lettuce, cheese, tomatos
Kids: I like french fries
Me: Let's name all of our clues together. (and we do so) So what do you think?
Kids: Popscicles (yes an original answer).
Me: Ok (patience wearing) what do you get at Taco Bell
Kids: I like the chips there.
Me: No, what do you get at TACO Bell (blank looks)
Me: It's a taco. You get a taco at taco bell.

Or this:
Me: What animal is this? (blank looks) Ok, it's a turkey. What does a turkey say?
Kid: Turkey, turkey, turkey

Or this:
Me: Ok, what did we learn today
Kid: Playing bingo
Me: No, that's a game we played, what did you learn
Kid: we did a worksheet
Me: what was the worksheet about.
Kid: I don't know
Me: Well, look at it, it might give you a clue.....

Now keep in mind I do have successful cases as well, but it's moments like this I wish I could have concepts that were intertwined with Usher, 50 Cent, Yughio, or Hello Kitty. These things are things they can discuss with a variety vocabulary.

Thanks for reading.
It's late, until next time,
Rachel