Saturday, April 29, 2006

Auction

Tonight was the 10th annual school auction. We had a western theme so I got to braid my hair, wear cowboy boots and randomly yell, "Yah-hoo!" I love this event because as a teacher I am only asked to be there. I don't need to watch any kids or prepare for it in any way. It is so nice to be able to just relax and enjoy my co-workers and parents involved.

I was fortunate enough to get to play Vana White for the live auction. So I struck quite a few entertaining poses to try to sell stuff. Some people have some pictures out there that could easily be used to blackmail me.

My dad and Simon came to support me. They bought a yellow cake and a gift for me....drum roll please!.... the VIP teacher parking space! Ahhh! Life is grand! No more putzing across that horrid bridge in the dead of winter, in the rain, in the wind...I get to park right next to the door! Life is good. My daddy spoils me. And I love him!

Then came the line dancing. I am horrible and I have a hard time remembering when I had so much fun. Seriously just trying to dance is fun...it doesn't matter if you are any good at it...it just matters that you try and try I did. And laugh I did. And it was so great. Again there are more blackmail pictures out there somewhere.

The auction was a blast. Let's do it again sometime!

Friday, April 28, 2006

Spa Day

Today has been a day for some much needed rejuvenation. I have converted my bathroom into a spa. I have lounged. I have lit glowing candles. I have poured over books and magazines. I have basked in the purple and blue twinkle lights. I have hummed along with the soothing crooners like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. I have sipped luxurious tea. I have even danced.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Forgotten

No one will remember yesterday's chapel mishap. Because today we made the 5 o'clock news. It was a short clip for which our PR people are very grateful. Two high school students walked off of our campus this morning. They were told to stop by their administrator and they disobeyed. Their parents and the police were called immediately. Now, no one can find them. They have been missing for about 12 hours at this point. My heart breaks for their parents. That is a long time to go with no answers. I pray for them, their safety, I pray that they come back of their own will, I pray for our administrators who have suddenly been thrust into a very negative spotlight, and I pray for their families. It has been a long day. May tomorrow bring good news.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Chapel Day

Today it was my responsibility to "do" chapel. Basically that means that I needed to find a speaker or...put on a play. Well, I had already found a speaker for last semester's chapel duty so I thought it was time to give the play option a try. If nothing else it was time to decide which is easier. ;)

I decided to play it safe by choosing a play that was included in our Bible curriculum that way I was sure to offend as few people as possible. This play happened to be a news broadcast. I decided that we would rehearse and then record the play the week before our chapel date (April 26) so that we could edit any ghastly errors and we wouldn't need to worry about someone being out sick or forgetting his/her lines. I also decided to allow the students to use their scripts or cue cards during the actual recording because it was a long play and we had a lot of other work to be doing and I didn't want to hear any excuses about play practice being the reason for late math papers.

The costumes were to be brought from home as were any props that were needed. After several weeks of reading through the play I borrowed a camera and tripod and we set to work. It took two days to shoot a 20 minute production.

I wasn't overly thrilled with the work. I was certainly not nominating us for any awards. I did however consider starting some sort of drama outlet to teach them how to act...but that was a very fleeting thought.

The first chapel that was to view the video was the K-3rd grade chapel. I teach math during this time Does this mean that I am required to be in two places at once?...yes it does. However, I thought that my video plan was brilliant. I set up the TV/VCR, double checked cables and sound, arranged for someone to lead a couple of songs and introduce the film and I left contentedly to teach my math class about division with decimals.

Thirty minutes into math my administrator walks in to talk to me. The video was boring, hard to hear/understand, and l-o-n-g...he couldn't bear to sit through it a second time...I asked him if he wanted me to come up with something else to do for the 4-6th grade chapel. (I had about 14 minutes to prepare something else) But he said that they could just suffer through.

Not quite the rave reviews I was hoping for. Fourteen minutes later I was quieting the 4-6th grade crowd to watch the "horror" that was this film. And it turns out that I think that Tom was just having an off day. These kids didn't have a heard time hearing or understanding...they listened (and laughed at the right parts) and nodded knowingly. I was pleasantly surprised.

But I do hope that this gets me out of future chapel obligations. I had joked about it earlier this week...and after Tom's response I just might never have another chapel day quite like today. :)

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Quiet

My life has been joyously quiet over this spring break. It has been a refreshing harbinger of summer thus far. I tell you I could live like this.

Monday, April 10, 2006

Witty

Lauren and I stopped to purchase fuel after small group tonight. As we were pulling away we noticed a friend at the pump next to us. Lauren rolled down her window and said to me, "Think of something witty to say!" *shakes head*

I have been laughing ever since. I guess I don't have it in me.

Friday, April 07, 2006

As of 3:21

I traded in my business casual for sweat pants and tank tops. I don't plan on wearing anything other than pajama material for the next week. I lost my shoes...All of them. I will go barefoot...Ok, I might carry a pair of flip flops with me so that I can walk into grocery stores and the post office. I unplugged my hair dryer. I won't be needing it. I plugged in my CD player. I won't stop listening to it. I opened my windows. There is a whole world out there. I have emptied the trash. Done my laundry. Matched my socks. Sorted my mail. Paid my bills. Called my mom. Watched Oprah. The news. Checked my e-mail. I have gotten so much done in two hours.

I have so many plans. 254 more hours of spring break. Life is good.

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The wallowing must end

*WARNING: I am in a seriously sappy mood*

I am not entirely sure where these moods come from. Maybe it was my introduction to the Charlotte Bronte romantic classic, or maybe it was my over exposure to the dizzying sunshine, or maybe I just haven't taken the time to be this "in-touch" with my feelings in a while...but the point is that right now I am wallowing in emotionalism. I cry during good movies, commercials, piano practice, and test grades. I bought two (2) different kinds of ice cream when I went grocery shopping.

All I know is that the wallowing must end...soon.

Other than that...life is good. :D