...these three words: day from hell. I'm not even going to get into it, it'll make me too depressed. In summary: (1) I have zero control over my class and (2) The kids are learning absolutely nothing.
Jamie, I might have overestimated when I said that I can handle another year of kindergarten.
Bright spot of the day: My grandparents sent me a Christmas present: a huge fleece blanket! So when I'm wallowing in self-pity because I suck at teaching and am lonely, at least I'll be warm.
*yanks self out of self-pitying pit*
Time to go do some schoolwork. Surprise, surprise.
27 February 2006
24 February 2006
You know you're old and/or a big dork when...
...you turn down a Fasching party in favor of a night at home, a movie and an early bedtime.
B stands for Big Loser.
B stands for Big Loser.
23 February 2006
Reality check
There are moments in which I think my job is great: kids are learning and being nice to each other, everyone's listening, and their progress is amazing. (Case in point: One of the kids helping the new student ask a question in German.)
And then there are weeks when I want to quit, lock myself in my apartment and live off of chocolate alone. Weeks like this one. Though it only has four days, verily, it bites the big one. Chalk it up to the parents who blame everything on that lousy kindergarten teacher instead of their kid not paying a damn bit of attention in class, the people who want us to now prove we are not just meeting standards but exceeding them, the people who've been asking why some kids can't read (they're freaking 5 YEARS OLD, it's KINDERGARTEN for god's sake), and some other totally unrealistic expectations which I am expected to meet. And I was just starting to not think about school every waking minute.
Also, bizarre dreams this past week. What is going on in my life?
Forget it. Bring on the chocolate.
And then there are weeks when I want to quit, lock myself in my apartment and live off of chocolate alone. Weeks like this one. Though it only has four days, verily, it bites the big one. Chalk it up to the parents who blame everything on that lousy kindergarten teacher instead of their kid not paying a damn bit of attention in class, the people who want us to now prove we are not just meeting standards but exceeding them, the people who've been asking why some kids can't read (they're freaking 5 YEARS OLD, it's KINDERGARTEN for god's sake), and some other totally unrealistic expectations which I am expected to meet. And I was just starting to not think about school every waking minute.
Also, bizarre dreams this past week. What is going on in my life?
Forget it. Bring on the chocolate.
20 February 2006
Thank you, George and Abe
...for giving us this long weekend. Without the two of you, February would be a long, cold month. Oh yeah, and thanks also for helping win the Revolutionary War and signing the Emancipation Proclamation.
In honor of President's (or Presidents'?) Day: Name Your Favorite President! Come on, you know you have one. I'll go first: Woodrow Wilson. Brilliant man, had the idea for the UN before anyone else did, got the country through WWI, and alliterative name. Rock on, Woody.
And happy birthday, Hetta! You now have the same age as the title of a television show! Have a great day and eat lots of cake. (by the way, that dinner invitation didn't work out...because I should have called 15 minutes earlier!)
Not a whole lot more to say, except that it's back to school tomorrow. Without another break until March...right before parent-teacher conferences. So I am going to continue slacking off today for as long as humanly possible until I really have to write some lesson plans. Join me in becoming one with the slack.
In honor of President's (or Presidents'?) Day: Name Your Favorite President! Come on, you know you have one. I'll go first: Woodrow Wilson. Brilliant man, had the idea for the UN before anyone else did, got the country through WWI, and alliterative name. Rock on, Woody.
And happy birthday, Hetta! You now have the same age as the title of a television show! Have a great day and eat lots of cake. (by the way, that dinner invitation didn't work out...because I should have called 15 minutes earlier!)
Not a whole lot more to say, except that it's back to school tomorrow. Without another break until March...right before parent-teacher conferences. So I am going to continue slacking off today for as long as humanly possible until I really have to write some lesson plans. Join me in becoming one with the slack.
17 February 2006
In which I sound like a squealy 14-year-old girl
*Warning*: This entry to be filled with ridiculousness, since I am currently on a four-day weekend, have had enough sleep, and haven't done a thing all day. Therefore, I'm in a great mood. (bipolar, what?)
I've been listening to this radio station all day, and it's like a constant nostalgia trip. Half the time, it's songs like REM's 'It's The End Of The World' and Blues Traveler's 'Run-Around' which remind me of high school yearbook (i.e., skipping class, racing wheely chairs, vandalizing furniture, fighting over Bruce the couch) and then it's 'Everyday' by Dave Matthews bringing back memories of college. Makes me feel old. I wonder if any songs will make me nostalgic for my first year of teaching. Doubtful; although it has its moments, it's not the most pleasant experience in the world.
So I went out last night with two co-workers and a friend of one of them... it might turn into a Thursday night routine, since we were out last Thursday as well, and we're going ice skating next week. They are a riot, seriously. It is fabulous to be able to (1) talk to people over the age of 6, and (2) be sarcastic and somewhat witty. Of course, that's before I have a few drinks, because then I start talking too much and say stupid things. (at least I realize it and shut up) BUT...
**edited because I've clearly jinxed it already, so really, what's the point**
So...yeah. No concrete evidence, clearly, but I enjoy replaying moments in my head and blowing things entirely out of proportion. Because this is what I do. Suffice it to say I'm looking forward to next Thursday.
I've been listening to this radio station all day, and it's like a constant nostalgia trip. Half the time, it's songs like REM's 'It's The End Of The World' and Blues Traveler's 'Run-Around' which remind me of high school yearbook (i.e., skipping class, racing wheely chairs, vandalizing furniture, fighting over Bruce the couch) and then it's 'Everyday' by Dave Matthews bringing back memories of college. Makes me feel old. I wonder if any songs will make me nostalgic for my first year of teaching. Doubtful; although it has its moments, it's not the most pleasant experience in the world.
So I went out last night with two co-workers and a friend of one of them... it might turn into a Thursday night routine, since we were out last Thursday as well, and we're going ice skating next week. They are a riot, seriously. It is fabulous to be able to (1) talk to people over the age of 6, and (2) be sarcastic and somewhat witty. Of course, that's before I have a few drinks, because then I start talking too much and say stupid things. (at least I realize it and shut up) BUT...
**edited because I've clearly jinxed it already, so really, what's the point**
So...yeah. No concrete evidence, clearly, but I enjoy replaying moments in my head and blowing things entirely out of proportion. Because this is what I do. Suffice it to say I'm looking forward to next Thursday.
12 February 2006
What I have realized while house- and dogsitting
- Having an entire house to yourself can be kind of creepy.
- TiVo is fantastic!
- ...as are dishwashers!
- Small dogs are cute when they crawl up onto your bed.
- However, not so cute when they get you up at 6.30 AM on a Sunday.
- Not having your closet to choose your clothes from is a bit irritating. (sounds snotty and materialistic, but try it sometime...it's true)
- Cafe lattes are fabulous.
- It's hard to make dinner when you don't know what food you have or where everything is.
- When you read the newspaper, you actually learn what is going on. (i.e., Mark O'Connor and Leahy are both here this week! Too bad I don't know anyone who'd be interested in going...)
Right, lesson plans.
07 February 2006
Warning: Don't read this entry unless you want to listen to me complain.
A lot.
So it's 9.20, the dishes are finally done, my apartment smells like a combination of fish and drying laundry, and I'm apparently a bit sleep-deprived, since I'm feeling rather snappish. (snappish, adj.: ready to snap at small, trivial things) And this blog is going to be full of griping, so WATCH OUT.
First off, if I hear that freaking 'A Hundred Years to Live' song or whatever the hell it's titled ONE MORE TIME, I will seriously flip out. That's not a threat, it will happen.
**remainder of post edited because I like my job and would like to keep it**
So it's 9.20, the dishes are finally done, my apartment smells like a combination of fish and drying laundry, and I'm apparently a bit sleep-deprived, since I'm feeling rather snappish. (snappish, adj.: ready to snap at small, trivial things) And this blog is going to be full of griping, so WATCH OUT.
First off, if I hear that freaking 'A Hundred Years to Live' song or whatever the hell it's titled ONE MORE TIME, I will seriously flip out. That's not a threat, it will happen.
**remainder of post edited because I like my job and would like to keep it**
01 February 2006
Happy St. Bridget's Day!
Ha ha...and happy 21st birthday, Müs!! God, that makes me feel old. Now my age has absolutely no advantages over yours. Damn.
And I got the fellowship; I'm going back to Wittenberg this summer! Time to pull some strings and see if I can live with someone I know...think they'll let me live with an American (i.e., Jess)? That is, if she'll have me? Was that request smooth or what?
And I got the fellowship; I'm going back to Wittenberg this summer! Time to pull some strings and see if I can live with someone I know...think they'll let me live with an American (i.e., Jess)? That is, if she'll have me? Was that request smooth or what?
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