Just FYI

Never ever wear the same contacts for over 4 months.

Because now (ow ow OW) my left eyeball is approximately the color of a tomato and about to fall out of my head.

Just thought I'd let you know. Please return to your scheduled Internet surfing.

PS- But apparently some people like my glasses. :)

Sudden paranoia

So another teacher at school was giving me a ride home today after the staff meeting, and somehow in the midst of talking about problem kids (because this is what teachers do) we landed on the topic of the fragility of the school. We've been and still are under pressure to up the enrollment for next year; in effect, if we don't fill all the classes we need to fill, the school is done.

Other Teacher: 'So, what will you do if the school goes under?'

Me: 'Uh, good question.'

OT: 'Would you stay here or go back to New York?'

M: 'I have no idea. That would really suck.'

And it would. I'll have had one year of experience in a situation that's not exactly marketable (honestly, how many schools of this type are there?), six months left on a lease, unending student loan payments, and quite possibly a car. Not to mention all the effort it takes me to get out of my shell and get to know people. As well as the fact that I like it here, more than I ever thought I would.

So the pressure's on to enroll 30 more kindergarteners and 20 more first-graders for next year, by March 1st. I don't generally go in for putting up posters and advertising all over town, but hi, I need a job for next year. Looks like I'll be asking various businesses if they have bulletin boards.

On a related note, I found out today that one of my kids may not be back for the second semester. This would make my life so much easier in so many ways, but this makes the fourth kindergartener who'd have dropped out. Four out of 27...that's a fairly large percent. No one from first grade has left. I realize that each one of these four kids has his/her own personal, compelling reasons which are all very valid...but I can't shake the feeling that I can't hang onto the students. What am I doing or not doing?

Christmas=love=bacon

The above pearl of wisdom is brought to you by moose (who else?). The kid needs to write a book...or create a t-shirt design company, I'm not sure which.

And now: Things I Have (Not) Brought Back From Home!

I've returned with:

• an iDog
• fleece
• a sweater
• a tool kit
• Italian shoes! (originally $200, marked down to $30! completely impractical, but who could turn them down?)
• The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
• boots and snow pants for playing with the kiddies... I mean, taking them on educational outdoor field trips
• a George Foreman grill
• stubs from 'King Kong'
• sponge candy
• Christmas cookies
• frozen hors d'oevres in a lunchbox + Party In A Box = instant New Year's Eve party!
• maple sugar
• a newfound knowledge of knitting
• scrapbooking supplies
• a haircut
• ant traps for my ant-infested kitchen
• frustration with a certain airline, which will remain nameless

I do not/no longer have:

• Christmas cards
• gifts for people
• an account at Key
• the new GBS CD -- blast you, Borders
• purple circles under my eyes
• lesson plans

I heart vacations.

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go

'Cause I'm leeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaviiiiiiing on a jet plane...

I'm taking off for the airport in about an hour, and may or may not post anything next week. It all depends on how exciting life at home is. So have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Festivus (don't forget that aluminum pole!), or whatever it is that you celebrate.

Und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr...because that sounds much better than simply 'Happy New Year'. :) See you in 2006!

Map of European Countries I Have Visited (And Not Just Driven Through)

Because I miss traveling...



create your personalized map of europe

Randomly, I'm going out tonight with a classroom assistant (and recent college grad) and his friends. I feel like I should somehow be too old for this, but we'll see how it goes.

PS- I'm on vacation!!

Back after (forced) hiatus!

Guess what? I now have Internet at home! Wireless! Here's the story: I finally got around to sending a note to other people in the building, semi-introducing myself but more asking if anyone had wifi they'd be willing to share. Of course, I offered to pay half the monthly fee and mentioned that it would be very useful for lesson planning for this overworked, underpaid first-year teacher. I got a note today under my door, including the following: "Because you are a teacher, you can jump on my wireless network. ... PS- No charge!" That's right, my wonderful neighbor is letting me use his wireless Internet access for free! Minnesotans rock, seriously.

In other news: Tomorrow is the last day of school for the semester...and I don't have anything to plan! It's like Christmas has come early this year!

And I'm flying home in 3 days. Life is good.

More frequent updates in the future, now that I have wireless Internet. :)

To quote Heather:

Shoot me in the face. Seriously. I am going to snap at those kids one day and scar them all for life.

By the way, in case I haven't mentioned this before, the morning and afternoon kids have now switched places in my esteem: Afternoon is generally great and morning is rough. But today, they were both a bunch of winners. At the end of AM kindergarten, we sat there for literally 8 minutes waiting for the kids to shut up. I usually just wait for them and other kids will tell the ones who are talking to be quiet or else we can't go home. But seriously, eight minutes. Doesn't sound terribly long, but when you are waiting for them to STOP THE HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER AND SHUT THE HELL UP, it's rather a long time. And they would have gone on longer, except that it was then really time to go, so we had to rush out of there. I yelled at them in English, gave them the whole 'I am very disappointed in you and I hope this never happens again' speech. I literally was like, go home, I can't deal with you guys anymore today. Argh.

And then came Round Two. Including the three Kids Who Don't Listen To A Word I Say. They get 'breaks' (or 'time-outs' or whatever you want to call it) and they continue to talk. And hide under the table. And get up and just walk out of the classroom. And then there were kids who just wanted to take a break just for fun. At one point, there were only three or four kids doing what they were supposed to. Seriously, I am going to just start sending kids down to the office after one warning. There are very few things that really tick me off, but not listening (when I know for a fact that they understand) is one of them. (two of the others are intolerance and people who need to search through their entire car for change at the toll booth)

And then we hear at the staff meeting that some parents are complaining that their little darlings aren't making it out of the building as soon as the clock hits 3.45. Well, maybe they can come in next time and help, since there's only one of me and thirteen 5-year-olds putting their papers, lunchboxes and water bottles in their backpacks, changing into snow boots, and putting on snow pants, jackets, oh wait where's my [fill in the blank] I forgot it upstairs, gloves and hats, and zip this (no please) I can't do it with mittens on, and I swear I didn't come to school with a coat today even though it's ten degrees outside.

Thank God tomorrow's Friday. And next week has only two days! Yaaaaay Turkey Day!

PS- Mad props (ha!) go to moose, who performed four solo cello pieces at his concert on Tuesday. And he had a matching hat for each piece. You rock, o my brother.

What have I gotten myself into?

Weather forecast courtesy local news station:

'Forecast for today Wednesday November 16, 2005: ** WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL NOON for blowing snow and cold temperatures...Highs today will be in the low to mid 20s but the strong Northwest winds at 14 to 28 mph will keep wind-chills in the 5 to 10 degree range all day. Winds will decrease this evening ...and skies will be clear with a full moon - lows will drop to near +9 degrees by sunrise Thursday with wind-chills from 0 to -5 below.'

This whole walking-to-school thing is getting old real quick.

In which there are an inordinate amount of links

Amazing how the weekend flies by, isn't it? Here it is, Sunday again, and here I am, procrastinating again. Some things never change. Although, I guess I am being sort of productive: My laundry's going at the moment. (ha...I'll take whatever excuse I can get)

Anyway. After two weeks of madness, report cards, parent conferences, and rehearsing for our Grand Opening, it's back to normal for a while. And let me just say that 'normal' feels so relaxed and low-key compared to what had been going on. The biggest event coming up in the near future is Moving Day, next weekend, and then Thanksgiving after that. Then, of course, everyone will either be (a) in a good mood due to the holidays or (b) completely stressed out due to the holidays. Hopefully, I'll be in the former category. Actually, I'll probably be in a good mood, looking forward to going home. The only downside is that I'll have to find a way to go Christmas shopping before going home, since I don't get in until the evening of the 24th. Oh well... they don't make a light-rail line to the Mall of America for nothing. (hellooo, Harry and David!)

So about this weekend: Friday was Martinstag (or link here for German speakers), and we had the big opening ceremony at school, complete with German consul and all sorts of speeches...none of which I heard, since I was too busy corralling 5-year-olds. No big loss there, though; I'm not all about speechifying. The kids had made lanterns in honor of Martinstag, and they had a couple of songs prepared, all of which went off much better than expected. Nothing like a little stage fright to get everyone doing what they're supposed to! The kids were all so cute, and we had a little parade around the neighborhood with our lanterns after everything was over. It was excellent, and I'm sure the music teacher is especially relieved.

Last night, I went to an exhibition opening at the Walker Art Center, during which I felt very cultured. Nothing like hors d'oevres and Andy Warhol. (seriously, do i sound like a snob yet?) No really, it was fun; my favorite pieces were two involving electric chairs. Now what does that say about my subconscious?

Off to either plan some lessons or read some more of my book. Let's see which happens first.

(incidentally to lj users: i can't seem to comment on anyone's lj. it blocks me each time i try. so it's nothing personal, i have been trying, and i do check up on you. just FYI.)

Hello, my name is Bridget and I am intimidated by quotation marks

You are a hyphen!


You scored 46% Sociability and 58% Sophistication.

You are comfortable around others. While you don't have to go out every night, yet you take pride in being easy to get along with. This should not, however, be misconstrued as believing (as many do) that you are without subtlety. In fact, you have the power to inform the anal retentive that, indeed, they are discussing an anal-retentive issue. Who else can do that? Quotation marks intimidate you a little bit.





Link: The Which Punctuation Mark Are You Test written by Gazda on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Err...okay? Frankly, I thought I was less social (and more anal-retentive) than that; maybe kindergarten is softening me up a bit?

Lesson plans? What lesson plans?

Your Birthdate: June 9

You are a born idealist, with more pet causes than you can count.You prefer be around others, both when working and while relaxing.Generous and giving, you believe you can change the world one person at a time.You're open minded and tolerant. People feel like they can tell you anything. Your strength: Your go-with-the-flow flexibility Your weakness: Your flair for the over dramatic Your power color: Pine green Your power symbol: Circle Your power month: September

href="http://www.blogthings.com/whatdoesyourbirthdatemeanquiz/">What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Heard on the radio this weekend:

• 'Winter Wonderland'
• 'Home for the Holidays'
• 'Have a Holly Jolly Christmas'
• 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' (thanks Dr. Clare's 7th grade music for helping me recognize that one)

What the....?! It's the first weekend in November.

Speaking of the most wonderful time of the year, I bought plane tickets for Christmas break! Only I'd better have all my shopping done ahead of time, since I'm flying in at 6pm on the 24th. Looks like someone's going to be making a trip to the Mall of America.

Just over 2 weeks until Thanksgiving!

A reason why I teach

Since yesterday was Halloween, we made a big deal out of everything dealing with monsters, costumes, and candy. One of our activities was talking about and making a class graph of our favorite candy. Of course, to introduce some of this new vocab, I had to demonstrate it and exaggerate a lot (e.g.: Meine Lieblingssuessigkeit ist Kit-Kat. Ich liebe Kit-Kats!) But they understood pretty well, even though paying attention was difficult. Standard lesson; it went fine.

Fast forward to this morning: One of the kids came in with a little Halloween treat bag and handed it to me. I was pleasantly surprised and said thank you, and then I opened it: There was a Kit-Kat inside! I said something like, 'Kit-Kat! That's my favorite Halloween candy!'

Then this huge grin spreads over this little boy's face and he says, 'I know.'

Geschafft!

The week is over! Woo! Survival was a question at certain points; today was not so stellar, but who cares because it's Friday. All those report cards and lesson plans and laundry can wait until tomorrow, since I'm drained and not doing a thing tonight. That, and because procrastination is my religion.

Curriculum Night was yesterday, and I was (obviously) terrified. Dealing with kids is one thing; dealing with parents is another. My boss was making a big deal of this, since this is the school's first year and all the parents (especially the kindergarten parents) are really REALLY into their kids' education and want to know what's going on every minute of the day. Their kids aren't telling them anything and they haven't been in the classroom at all, so they've been on our backs pretty much nonstop. And by 'our', I mean 'her', because the parents don't come to me with any questions. Of course, that would be too easy! Instead, they ask everyone else involved in the school (admittedly, three people) what we're doing and why.

Anyway. I was nervous and had everything written on index cards and all that. To make a long story short, it was a success! Everyone left fairly satisfied, I could answer all the questions, and one parent even told me this morning that her husband said I did a great job. Yay! Plus, it's now over and one less thing I need to prepare.

Also, I've found an apartment! Basic one bedroom, hardwood floors, built-in cabinetry, on the third floor, in a great neighborhood. There's a grocery store down the street, a bar about two blocks in the other direction, and a movie theater about 4 blocks away. I'm going to sign papers tomorrow morning. A bit scary and very adult-like (I still don't feel quite old enough to have a real job and a real place of my own), but how exciting! Pictures to come, as soon as I move in (mid-November) and have a chance to take and post some.

See Spot fly

Dude, I am so tired. Does this ever get any better? At the moment, I've got lesson plans to do (standard), plus preparing a talk and handouts for Curriculum Night, plus figuring out how to set up my room so (a) it looks nice and (b) 25 grown adults fit on the circle time rug, plus report cards to start filling out, plus conferences to start preparing for. Gah. I just want to go to bed and sleep for a week...and it's only Tuesday!

So I'm keeping it short tonight, but have to share a great kid story: Two girls had found a ladybug and brought it into class. We put it into one of those jars with a magnifying lens on top. Everyone had a chance to look at the ladybug and then we put it on the windowsill for the duration of class. At the end, one girl wanted to keep it as a class pet, but I suggested letting it go outside (don't want to be held responsible for killing the ladybug). So as I let it out the window, two girls said 'Bye, Spot! Tschuess, Spot!'
And then one of them goes, 'Tschuess, Fleck!' ('spot' in German)

How cute and hilarious is that?

Phlegm-fueled post

Lovely, eh? I sound like Darth Vader and feel like I've got a grapefruit lodged in my trachea. Curse those germy kids. This all falls into the category of 'more than you needed to know', but if I can't get sympathy from you folks, who can I get it from?

The family's gone this weekend, so it's just the dog and me. Chilling out, watching Bravo. That's to make up for my training from 8 to 4 today, so I had to get up at 6.30 on a Saturday...heinous. What I do for this job, seriously. Tomorrow's dedicated to planning out the next unit: fall. If anyone has any great fall projects/games/activities/songs, let me know...you can earn my undying gratitude and a cookie.

I was attempting to post some photos from Salem here, but there seems to be no love between the camera and the computer. Guess it'll just have to wait until I have the energy to find the instruction manual.

And now back to our regular schedule of sitting around...

Weekend update

Did you miss me? Surely you did, since my consistently witty posts are the only thing worth getting on the Internet.

Right.

Anyway, I'm back! After a fabulous time in Salem and a looong work week, there's probably too much to write in one post, so I'll just do this randomly in bullet form:

• Salem was great! I've always wanted to go, and the four days there reminded me how much I would really like to live in New England. Just the history-filled atmosphere, the ocean, the excellent 17th- and 18th-century houses... okay, all of those sound like lame reasons but it's true.
• Salem is also a rather interesting little town; quite the mix of historical monuments and museums (Puritans, witch museums, old town hall) with new age-type stores (tarot readings, psychic places, handbooks on wicca). It also reminds me a bit of Wittenberg: cute small town that gets tons of tourists for one season out of the year but must be pretty dead otherwise.
• The Witching Hour conference was so fun! I actually didn't get to quite as many panels and discussions as I wanted to, due to sleeping late, but the ones that I did go to were interesting. But I felt kind of out of place, not having wizard robes or a Ravenclaw scarf (yes, I was sorted into Ravenclaw) or my own theories about who should hook up with whom in the books and what is going to happen in Book 7. People there were hard-core fans. It was great fun, but I don't think I'm going to the one in Vegas in 2006; don't have the money, and apparently an HP conference is not something that you just casually attend.
• Things that I bought in Salem: 'Save Ginny!' t-shirt from Harry and the Potters (band that played at the conference.. hilarious!); Gibraltars (America's oldest candy from America's first candy store); butter crunch; an umbrella (it rained nearly every day), admission to the Pirate Museum (arr!), the Witch Dungeon Museum, and the Witch History Museum; a pumpkin ale; and a Reuben.

I can't think of anything else at the moment, and it's time for lunch, so I'm off. How was your week?

Who's not going to school tomorrow?

Or Friday? Or Monday? Because she will be here? Oh happy day!

I've been taking lots of teasing for this, not to mention staying at school until almost 7.30 tonight, writing up lesson plans for a sub, but it'll be worth it. I get to see Heather and learn lots of stuff about Harry Potter and go to Salem.

Bring it on! (But not people in capes or wizard hats or things. That's a bit weird and scary.)

See you Monday or Tuesday, kids!

Phrases to put on a future resume

My laptop's battery is about to die, so I'll just share the ridiculous Advertising Slogan Generator with you. Idea shamelessly stolen from Heather, who shamelessly stole it from Jess. Thanks, you two!

Because So Much Is Riding On Your Bridget.
Today's Bridget, Since 1903.
Every Bridget Helps.
A Bridget Works Wonders.
Come See the Softer Side of Bridget.
The Joy of Bridget.
Moving at the Speed of Bridget.
Loves the Bridget You Hate. (err...what?)
Wear Bridget.
Bridget - The Freshmaker! (my personal favorite)
The Right Bridget at the Right Time.
Pardon Me, Do You Have Any Grey Bridget?
Strong and Beautiful, Just Like Bridget. (most flattering)

Things I saw at the Mall of America today

• H&M (pronounced the German way, of course) - How I missed you! Decent clothing and yet affordable...just wait till I get paid again.
• NY & Co. - the only place where I can buy jeans!
• An amusement park
• DSW - the biggest one I've ever seen
• A woman beating her husband/boyfriend/male companion with a Gap bag
• Legoland
• River of Life (or similarly-titled) church
• A wedding chapel - not related to the above-mentioned church
• Urban Outfitters - made me realize how un-trendy I really am. (shocking! hope you were sitting down for that observation)

Just the ground floor of two wings of the mall took me over two hours...nothing like buying stuff to counteract a stressful few days.