All of us under it's spell...

are you really my parents?

2006-07-11T00:55:30Z

I didn't think it was too much to ask that my immediate family contact me on my birthday. I heard from my mom first thing that morning, as expected, but while we were talking she relayed a message from my dad that he wanted to wish me a happy b'day. I didn't think much of it, maybe because she called me at the ass-crack of dawn, but once I met up with friends for dinner later, and I realized that I hadn't heard from my brother either, I realized that my mom was the only one who called. How shitty is that?

My mom called to check up on me yesterday and I made a joke with her about how shitty it was that my dad and brother never called me. That turned into a whole conversation about my dad trying to prove some kind of point to me. That by not actually speaking to me he was making a statement to demonstrate how he feels about my "life choices". What a dick!

I got a call from him today [after much persuasion from my mom I'm sure] and he conveniently used his stroke/memory loss as the excuse, saying that he thought he had called and wanted to apologize for forgetting. It's just funny that my mom said all that shit to me yesterday and was very clear about his reasons for not calling me, but I guess he needed to say something when he called so he wouldn't seem like such an ass-hole.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not usually the type to disrespect my parents, and they have done a lot for me over the years, but it just sucks to think that even at 29 years old I still have to go through this crap with them. My dad will never change and I just need to get used to him being the close-minded jerk that he continues to prove himself to be over and over again.

This and That

2006-07-07T16:58:59Z

I saw the president on television this morning. I can't believe how "un-president-like" he is. I don't ever remember a president being so fumbly and unable to put his words together like this one. He just comes off as such and uneducated, unprepared, idiot - all the time. I'm wondering if this is because most other presidents made better choices during their presidency so they were always prepared with answers to any questions that people might have, whereas, this president has made so many crappy decisions that he is constantly bombarded with questions that he has to actually come with an answer for himself and he is just not smart enough to do so on his own... Just a thought I guess.

In other news: I had a birthday this week. I am now officially one year away from no longer being in my twenties. Eeek!!! I need to enjoy this last year before the life of a person in her thirties begins.

I've also settled in nicely into my new home. I love it. When I first moved in I had everything I needed and really didn't need to buy much. Recently however, I have had a need to add some stuff as a few things have changed. First, and most importantly, Ms. Jodi is in the process of moving in. YAY!!! This is a decision that we thought long and hard about and have decided that we are both ready for. We got a bigger bed, I love our new bed. We are also going to be adding some shelves and maybe a desk, for her books etc. There will also be lots of "healthy purging" as she puts it. I will be spending some time sorting though my stuff so that I can get rid of some of things that I don't need. This way I can make room for some of her things. She's been living here now for about a week and I love having her here. I think this will be good for us. :>

Summer school is over and I'm really happy with my decision to work for that first month. I ended up making a lot more money than I thought I would and it gave me the extra cushion that I needed to get me though this long summer. The best part though is that it's over now and I officially have nothing to do. I love this part.

For now I'm just hanging around, watering my plants everyday, and relaxing, because before I know it, summer will be over and it will be back to 180 days of crazy, busy, life.

the results are in

2006-05-01T19:22:46Z

All of my kids [with the exception of one that I got just before the test] passed the FCAT!!!! I am so happy for them. They worked so hard and I know I busted my ass and I'm so happy to see that it all paid off. YAY!!! for them all. :)

**The only kick in the ass is that the one that failed is my one dreaded child/parent and since I'll be teaching summer school this year(the only 3rd grade teacher from my school teaching summer school), she'll probably be in my class again ALL summer. YUCK!

these days

2006-03-09T02:24:32Z

Spring Break begins in 2 days
My girlfriend is leaving me for 4 days
My roommates are moving out in 5 days
My mom will be here in 7 days
I close on my new place in 13 days (it got pushed back until March 21st)

Today is the 1st day of a new part of my life.
I can't wait to look a back on it and smile.

notes from home

2006-03-04T14:05:04Z

"Control your anger" - is what a parent wrote to me. Her annoying ass kid is my cross to bear in life. She doesn't do a thing in my classroom all day except irritate me, play around and act really mean to all the other kids, not to mention her lack of respect for all adults. When I got that letter, I hastily responded and pissed the mom off even more. She called yesterday demanding a meeting with my principal. I almost had a break down when I got to work and got the message, but my principal is so supportive and so awesome that she is totally backing me and willing to put this mom in her place. It just makes it so hard to be objective and actually teach this kid on a daily basis.

13 days until I close on my new place. I can't wait!

What's up with you?

2006-02-09T01:43:12Z

So it's been a long time. So much going on. I'm moving again! Number 18 I think. I'm buying something for myself this time though so I have high hopes of residing there for at least 3-4 years. Looks like Altamonte Springs will be my new city of residence - if all goes well.

I'm also working my ass off, getting ready for FCAT and working with an intern. The idea of being a good example of what teachers should be doing with their days was kinda scary for me but she seems to be settling in pretty well and I'm actually surprising myself with how much information I have to give to her. I just have to work on letting go. These are my babies that I have molded and not let out of my sight for almost 7 months. It's hard to hand them over to someone else.

I'm still very much in love and coming up on my 1 year anniversary with the little lady. This has been the absolute best way that I have ever began a relationship. I can't wait to see where else we are going to go and where we will end up.

The baby is getting bigger and sweeter every day. She's just like her daddy - she can't sit still. She's fun and cute and extremely exhausting right now but I can't get enough of her.

That's where I"m at.

Edit: I was trying to put some pictures but this fucking website will not let me do a cut for some reason so I'll have to wait and try again another time.

what do you think?

2005-12-03T02:55:28Z

Imagine that you were thinking about opening a daycare for kids under the age of 8. How does the name "The Enchanted Forest" tickle your fancy?

the little princess

2005-10-28T16:55:34Z

Here's some new chloe pictures. I got to look after her a few days ago and I was like a kid with a new toy. Babies do the strangest things. She's such a good baby though. My cousin Lindsay (who is also my roommate)is scheduled to have her baby next Tuesday or Wednesday. By this time next week there'll be a baby in the room next door. eeek!!!

Here's my favorite:

...and some more

Some with Chloe and her granny and grandpa (my parents).

if only you were so lucky

2005-10-27T16:42:02Z

My beautiful, sweet, and thoughtful girlfriend came to surprise me at work this morning. Of course I was running late so I missed her but that's irrelevant. I have to think of a good way to make it up to her.

Incompetent People

2005-10-13T13:42:05Z

I think I was jipped out of almost $500 on my last pay check. I am pissed and no one has a straight answer for me. The secretary at our school is new and a complete idiot (in the true sense of the word) so me calculating the numbers and trying to explain the problem to her is like talking to a 5 year old about the theory of relativity. Her general response is, "Email me the problem and I'll send it downtown to the right person" who then takes days to get back to her, who in turn has to take time out of her busy figuring out what to do next schedule to get back to me. Blah!

A picture of sweet Lola to cheer me up:

Here's one of my three favorite people alive:

Your Special Day

2005-09-28T12:51:00Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY PRECIOUS GIRL!!!!

I love you so much.

Get ready for tonight. You are going to have the best birthday you have ever had. ;)

donations

2005-09-07T20:16:21Z

I know I asked about this last year but I don't remember what anyone advised me to do so I'm asking again. My tacky assistant principal is trying to bribe us all to give money out of our paychecks to some organizations that OCPS regularly helps out. It's a yearly thing that they do and you have to pledge money to the organization of your choice. I have no issues donating to a charitable cause, especially in light of everything that has been happening in this country recently, but I don't want my money going to an organization that may have an anti-gay agenda. These are the groups I have to pick from:

Foundation for Orange County Public Schools Inc.
Heart of Florida United Way
United Arts of Central Florida
UNCF

Any info that you may have about any of these organizations would be greatly appreciated. Also, any websites that I might be able to go to, to find out about these people's agendas would also be really helpful.

Thanks folks.

Remember that bitchy teacher we had in third grade?

2005-08-26T19:32:29Z

I gave a kid a "B" today for his behavior grade because he was playing around while I was trying to give some instructions. He was fine at first but then once it set in, he started bawling like someone in his family had just been killed. He was huffing and puffing, I thought the kid was going to pass out. I didn't know what to do. I just wanted to cry, change the grade back to an "A", and give him $50. But I held my ground. If I caved with him, my whole system would have crumbled. Consistency is what it's all about. I can't give in every time a child starts crying. They'll end up walking all over me. Nonetheless, it was a terribly difficult thing to do and I really hope that I can use this as a reminder to warn him the next time so that this won't happen again.

Arghhh!I feel like such a mean lady.

yogurt or ice cream?

2005-08-22T19:47:30Z

I bought a scale yesterday. My goal now, especially since my parents will be here in a matter of weeks (and we all know what that means), is to use it to keep me on track again. I haven't been able to afford to go to Transformations recently so I'm trying to use the left over pills that I have and I'm hoping to drop a few more lbs before they get here. The good news is that I really haven't gained back as much as I thought I did - you wouldn't believe the shit I've been eating over these last few months. The bad thing is that I tend to get a little crazy when I don't see the results that I want, especially when I'm busting my ass to not give into the cravings or I'm anxious (enter mom and dad).

This week's goal: 5-7lbs.

My Hero

2005-08-22T03:42:05Z

We spent our Sunday doing the dinner and a movie thing. We saw Skeleton Key. It was okay. I was expecting it to be WAY scarier. The best part of the day: My awesome girlfriend turned around and asked these obnoxious people that wouldn't shut-the-hell-up, to shut-the-hell-up! I was stressing out because they were being so annoying but I wasn't brave enough to do much more than the "head turn, glance back". Jodi decided to take things into her own hands and saved the movie for me by asking them to stop talking. They got quiet after that. It was so awesome. She's my hero.

I know it sounds cheesy but no one has ever done anything like that for me. A day worth remembering.

flip flop

2005-08-13T03:56:58Z

So I think my cousin's chinese fighting fish will be dead when we wake up in the morning. I came in from walking the dogs a minute ago and he was flipping around in his bowl. At first I thought he was just doing tricks for attention, but I eventually realized that it was just his way of fighting to live. He ended up laying on the bottom of the bowl and he looked like he was gasping for breath. Lindsay (my cousin) swears that he, like a cat, has more than one life. He has been through much trauma in his life and has yet to be defeated. I will become a believer if he is actually alive when I wake.

what day is it?

2005-07-29T03:29:18Z

I did absolutely nothing all day today. There was actually a point in time, when I was staring at my blank television screen trying to think of something to do and I just couldn't come up with anything. I'm trying not to spend money unnecessarily so staying home ends up being the only solution that I can come up with. Thanks to danielmath, I had some company for dinner and someone to chat with. We had a lovely evening of chinese food and some cooking show on the food channel.

starscha @ 2005-06-21T07:56:00

2005-06-21T11:58:42Z

I got to work on time today!!!! YAY!!! First time since summer school started. I woke up this morning feeling very refreshed and happy and giddy and ready for my day to start. All feelings that I haven't had (at the same time) in a really long time.

I love my ipod. I was up last night buying and organizing music and I'm so excited about the end result. I now have two new "playlists" with some of my very favorite 80's music and all of my favorite songs in my library. I had so much fun driving to work this morning. Queen and David Bowie combined with Violent Femmes is the best way to start your day.

Presidents? Wars? Miles to Kilometers?

2005-06-09T19:29:18Z

Your IQ Is 120

Your Logical Intelligence is Exceptional
Your Verbal Intelligence is Exceptional
Your Mathematical Intelligence is Genius
Your General Knowledge is Above Average

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

I want to know what the answers are. The General Knowledge really kicked me in the ass. In my defense however, I think I can play the "I didn't grow up in this country" card for that one.

the things people say

2005-06-04T07:36:01Z

Someone told me that I have beautiful teeth as they were leaving Southern tonight. Huh. Of all the things to be complimented on in a night club.
At least the money that my parents spent on my braces didn't go to waste. They would be so proud.

a little praise isn't so bad

2005-05-26T20:04:48Z

Today I got the ultimate compliment from my principal and although I'm not usually comfortable "tooting my own horn" I felt very proud of the impression that I have left on her and wanted to share it.

I was in the office turning in some things from my End of the Year checklist and she was eating lunch with the Assistant Principal in their conference room, when she heard my voice rambling on about something to the secretary and asked me to join them. The conversation went something like this:

Principal: "Ms. C, I just wanted to let you know how happy we are with what you have done this year, and how proud I am of the way you came to our school and settled in. You have done such amazing things with the kids that you had this year and we couldn't be happier with you."

Me: "Wow! Thank you very much!"

Principal: "I know you were a little hesitant to do 3rd grade when you came to us but you have done such a great job. I am so happy that we got you when we did."

Me: "Thank you! I am really happy to be here. Third grade has been a little bit of a challenge but I really enjoy teaching this age group and now that I know what to expect, I'm really looking forward to next year."

Principal: "Well, we have a kindergarten teacher that is moving to 3rd grade next year and she will be in the room next to you, so I wanted to ask you if it would be okay for you to take her under your wing and show her the ropes. She has been in a third grade classroom before but you settled in so well and have been such a success this year that I thought you would be a great model for her to follow. I've told her to check with you if she has any questions because I am confident that you will be able to help her out with anything that she might have questions about."

Me: "No problem. I think I have a pretty good handle on what needs to be done and if I have any questions I am not afraid to ask for help. Let her know that my door is always open."

Principal: "Thank you very much. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't mind helping the new teacher out. (To the AP) I was so happy when she came to us at the beginning of this year and I really saw how well she was doing when I walked into her room during her observation and saw what a great job she was doing with her students and with the 3rd grade reading and math curriculum. (Back to me) And other teachers have noticed it too. I am constantly getting compliments from other teachers about you and how much of a pleasure it is to work with you and your kids. I really appreciate all your hard work."

Me: "Thanks again. Just let me know if there is anything else you need to me to do."

I was blown away.

Define Irony
I got to work 40 mins late today...10 mins after the first bell rang and the kids were supposed to be let into my room. OOPS!

I have actually only been to work on time once since January. I guess I really need to start working on that.

horse shoes and four leaf clovers

2005-05-12T13:16:55Z

I broke my full length mirror this morning. What is it, 7 years of bad luck? I'm probably up to about 21 years by now. Cleaning that shit up when I get home is going to be such a pain in the ass. I see a trip to the neighborhood Target in my near future. Arghhhh!!!

13 days left

2005-05-10T19:25:39Z

"you dum ass!" [notice the spelling - he's not only obscene but he's stupid too]
"you ass hole"
"no shit"

This, accompanied by a drawing of some dragon/chicken-like creature who appears to be urinating out of an oddly shaped protruding body part is what was found today, on a student's Social Studies folder. One of MY lovely students of course. I'm thinking it's referral time. I'm also thinking it's vacation time. I am turning into a royal bitch and I really don't want them to remember me this way. I just don't know what else to do to make them listen and follow simple directions. I even resorted to following in Ms.jzo's footsteps today and had them write a three paragraph essay this afternoon. I never use writing as a punishment but today I just felt like I had no other choice. Blah!

awwww!!!

2005-05-06T19:13:45Z

My kids made me a book while they were in Art class for Teacher Appreciation Week. After yelling and freaking out on them all day [they deserved it, every single one of them that felt my wrath today], the Art teacher pops in my room and gets one of my kids to present me with the book. It is so cute. It has all of their signatures on the front cover and it has a page from each kid with a sentence that tells why I'm the "greatest teacher". The best part is that they all got to draw a picture with their sentence. I love seeing their impressions of me. They all have me dressed in black and they made sure to draw my black hair with the yellow streaks in the front. It was great! I stood there reading each one and I actually had to hold the tears back.

It blows my mind how much I love each and every one of these kids, especially when I think of how absolutely crazy they make me feel on a daily basis.

starscha @ 2005-05-02T16:35:00

2005-05-03T02:40:37Z

I really don't like Mondays. I did a science experiment with my kids today though. This is a big deal only because I usually get all caught up in teaching Math and usually run out of time to actually get the science in that I should. My AP walked in today close to dismissal time. I was writing on the board and the class was REALLY quiet - writing their homework down. I love when I get lucky like that. If she only knew what my class usually sounds like. She even commented on how good my FCAT scores were. I don't really know how, but I seem to be doing a great job at fooling these people into thinking I'm a "good" teacher. I'm not saying that I suck, I'm just saying that I often do things in somewhat of a half-ass manner if I can get away with it and that approach is often frowned upon in this profession. I have to admit though, I am constantly reminded of the fact that the days I am less organized and prepared, my classroom management goes straight to shit and my kids are just out of control. They need structure every minute of every day. I know these kids deserve the very best teacher every day that they are there, but it's getting to be that time of the year. The kids don't care anymore and I am practically killing myself to get them to do anything. Having her walk in today and still find things to compliment me or my kids on was a really nice feeling. Somewhere deep down inside, I think I harbor the feeling that I need to prove to them that even with the blond chunky hair and visible tattoos, I'm still fully capable of getting the job done.