I wonder if they (the people who are in charge of the computer--or blogs--or whatever) shut down blogs that haven't seen new posts in months. Hmm . . . actually, I guess they don't since I'm able to post here without trouble.
It's summer now. And wow, it's soooooooooooooo nice not to have grading waiting for my attention/lesson plans waiting for my studying/responsibilities in general waiting for--whatever responsibilities wait for. It's been years (five, I think) since I've had any time--more than a week--without teaching responsibilities. Phew. But I'll admit that I do miss the classroom a little bit. Not enough to run around looking for an empty classroom to fill right now--but enough to already be looking forward to the 2nd session of summer school. (Yes, I split my infinitive there--for anyone who is looking for possible errors in my writing.) I am not apologizing for that excitement. I have new pictures to share--why wouldn't I be looking forward to teaching again? Let me explain where I've been.
New England. Northampton, Amherst, and Concord specifically. It was wonderful.
Northampton--we weren't there for a long time--just stayed there for a few nights while we traveled over to Amherst (the more important destination)--but we did get to see Jonathan Edwards's church in Northampton. (Unfortunately, I couldn't get the exact picture I wanted--there were some odd/borderline scary types in front of it, and I didn't want to confront. So they're in my picture. I'll see if I can figure out how to post it on here somewhere.)
Amherst--anyone remember what's important about Amherst? (I did learn, while I was there, that if you actually pronounce the H in Amherst, you immediately identify yourself as an outsider/visitor. Just thought I'd throw out that fact.) Emily Dickinson. That's right. I've visited there before, but not for that long--a really quick run-through is all I've had. So, this time, we spent time looking at Amherst College. Then, we walked over to Emily's grave (she's buried relatively close to her home--not too far away). And then, we took the long tour of her home. It was amazing. Standing in her bedroom--the place where she composed (and then hid) all of those thought-provoking gems--extraordinary. And we had a great tour guide, too--she was a little TOO observant--I would have liked someone who could have been more easily distracted so I could have taken a photo or two throughout the tour, but at least she was well informed.
Concord--come on now--everyone knows what's important about Concord. No, not Paul Revere's lantern (although that is definitely important). Henry David Thoreau's Walden Pond. I have had the chance, in the past, to visit Sleepy Hollow Cemetery--and his grave (along with Emerson's, Hawthorne's, Alcott's, etc.). However, I've never actually visited the Pond--seen the replica of his cabin, walked around his beautiful Pond, stood in the center of the site of his original cabin--those activities. Walden Pond is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited--I don't know if it was the particular day we were there--or if I was concentrating on nature more than I normally do. But it was glorious. I wholeheartedly recommend a visit if you have the chance.
I didn't intend to talk about those places. I was going to talk about other things. Oh well. I'll wait and do that another day--maybe I won't wait four months before I do so.
I will say that the BEST thing about having a blog--and scribbling in it once in a while--isn't anything I write--or remember--or whatever. It's being in touch with students from the past--how I do miss my Northland students. (And I LOVE reading your blogs--I actually look forward to it! :-) So, thank you. (And I think that your kids are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen! Are they really your kids? Do you run around and find the cutest kids around and ask to take their photo?? Hmm?)
More soon. Hopefully.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Origin of the Snow Day
Okay. I just posted--and I have left out something--so I MUST immediately post again. (I wonder if my computer will explode at my posting two times in one day. Hmm.)
I wanted to tell you WHY we had the snow day--as in, who was responsible. It was my niece--Kate. She told my sister, after she woke up on Thursday and saw the snow and learned that she had a snow day, that she had done it! Her friend Amanda had given her three steps to follow to "make" a snow day happen. I'll outline them for you:
1) Wear your pajamas to bed inside out.
2) Put a spoon underneath your pillow. (Kate went overboard--or was incredibly thorough--if you care to look at it that way--she put a spoon under EVERYONE'S pillow. In fact, Brenda didn't find out until she was making the bed Thursday morning and found utensils under the pillows. She must not be that princess and the pea gal--you know, the one who could tell the pea was there--under lots and lots of layers/mattresses.)
3) Throw a couple of ice cubes in the toilet. (But Kate told Brenda that it couldn't be TOO many ice cubes or the electricity would go out.)
What kind of, and I use the term loosely, reasoning is that? I guess the reasoning of a 6th grader and her friend Amanda. It made me laugh and laugh.
That's all. :-) I've got to go now and--yes--put my pajamas on inside out, find some spoons, and empty the ice tray into the toilet. :-)
I wanted to tell you WHY we had the snow day--as in, who was responsible. It was my niece--Kate. She told my sister, after she woke up on Thursday and saw the snow and learned that she had a snow day, that she had done it! Her friend Amanda had given her three steps to follow to "make" a snow day happen. I'll outline them for you:
1) Wear your pajamas to bed inside out.
2) Put a spoon underneath your pillow. (Kate went overboard--or was incredibly thorough--if you care to look at it that way--she put a spoon under EVERYONE'S pillow. In fact, Brenda didn't find out until she was making the bed Thursday morning and found utensils under the pillows. She must not be that princess and the pea gal--you know, the one who could tell the pea was there--under lots and lots of layers/mattresses.)
3) Throw a couple of ice cubes in the toilet. (But Kate told Brenda that it couldn't be TOO many ice cubes or the electricity would go out.)
What kind of, and I use the term loosely, reasoning is that? I guess the reasoning of a 6th grader and her friend Amanda. It made me laugh and laugh.
That's all. :-) I've got to go now and--yes--put my pajamas on inside out, find some spoons, and empty the ice tray into the toilet. :-)
An Actual Snow Day AND Brushes with Fame
Okay. It's going to be mighty difficult to contain my excitement in this blog, but I'll do my best to try.
First, since I last wrote about an almost snow day, I thought it would only be fair for me to tell you (whoever is reading!)--or at least record the fact--that we did indeed have a snow day last Thursday. It was VERY exciting. Now, the snow wasn't all that exciting. We got, oh, about 1 and 1/2 inches. Maybe. But we also received some ice and sleet, so school was cancelled. I can't really put into words how seeing our school's name scroll across the bottom of my television screen makes me feel. I'm fully aware that it sounds like I dislike school, but I promise you--it's not that. It's just an unexpected surprise. And a treat. That's the best part--a gift of time you didn't know you'd have. What can compare to that?
Maybe the other part of my post--
Second, a brush with fame--well, we are all quite thrilled on our campus these days because the film Leatherheads is being filmed right off our campus--in fact, so close by that the crew/actors/etc. are set up in the parking lot of our football stadium. The set they're building is really close by--walking distance. (It's a 1920's movie--so it's an old football stadium they're building--bleachers, scoreboard, and all.) And it's George Clooney and Renee Zellweger who are creating the buzz all over campus. (Yes, they're the stars.) No one has actually spotted them. (WELL, one of my students, Sarah, told me today that she saw George, as she called him--as if they're close friends--as he was getting into a Buick--on the side of the road. And he was wearing, according to reliable Sarah, a tan jacket, a white shirt, and black pants. [What specific details!]) I was just watching the local evening news--because there were several news crews on campus today--to see the story (and to check if any of my students made fools of themselves). And one of my students was interviewed. She said (I promise you this is what she said--I just saw it), "My English teacher said that perhaps we could go on a field trip during class one day to look for George Clooney!" Ha! It's my brush with fame! :-) How exciting! (Now, did I say that? Who knows? I'm old now--I can't keep track! How scary!) I did look for him on the side of the road as I drove to school this morning--I thought that if his car had broken down, I could give him a ride. (Now, why would I think that 1) he drives himself to work; 2) his car would be the kind that would break down; and 3) there wouldn't be 1001 people around to help him out.)
Did I lie? Isn't it all exciting? It makes me laugh. The headlines read, "Hollywood comes to Tigerville!" (That's where North Greenville University--my school--is located--just in case I hadn't mentioned it before.)
I can't top all of that. I must stop for now. If I spot George or Renee, I'll be sure to blog about it. (AND, I'll snap a photo with my phone. That will be a treat, huh?)
Hope you're well.
First, since I last wrote about an almost snow day, I thought it would only be fair for me to tell you (whoever is reading!)--or at least record the fact--that we did indeed have a snow day last Thursday. It was VERY exciting. Now, the snow wasn't all that exciting. We got, oh, about 1 and 1/2 inches. Maybe. But we also received some ice and sleet, so school was cancelled. I can't really put into words how seeing our school's name scroll across the bottom of my television screen makes me feel. I'm fully aware that it sounds like I dislike school, but I promise you--it's not that. It's just an unexpected surprise. And a treat. That's the best part--a gift of time you didn't know you'd have. What can compare to that?
Maybe the other part of my post--
Second, a brush with fame--well, we are all quite thrilled on our campus these days because the film Leatherheads is being filmed right off our campus--in fact, so close by that the crew/actors/etc. are set up in the parking lot of our football stadium. The set they're building is really close by--walking distance. (It's a 1920's movie--so it's an old football stadium they're building--bleachers, scoreboard, and all.) And it's George Clooney and Renee Zellweger who are creating the buzz all over campus. (Yes, they're the stars.) No one has actually spotted them. (WELL, one of my students, Sarah, told me today that she saw George, as she called him--as if they're close friends--as he was getting into a Buick--on the side of the road. And he was wearing, according to reliable Sarah, a tan jacket, a white shirt, and black pants. [What specific details!]) I was just watching the local evening news--because there were several news crews on campus today--to see the story (and to check if any of my students made fools of themselves). And one of my students was interviewed. She said (I promise you this is what she said--I just saw it), "My English teacher said that perhaps we could go on a field trip during class one day to look for George Clooney!" Ha! It's my brush with fame! :-) How exciting! (Now, did I say that? Who knows? I'm old now--I can't keep track! How scary!) I did look for him on the side of the road as I drove to school this morning--I thought that if his car had broken down, I could give him a ride. (Now, why would I think that 1) he drives himself to work; 2) his car would be the kind that would break down; and 3) there wouldn't be 1001 people around to help him out.)
Did I lie? Isn't it all exciting? It makes me laugh. The headlines read, "Hollywood comes to Tigerville!" (That's where North Greenville University--my school--is located--just in case I hadn't mentioned it before.)
I can't top all of that. I must stop for now. If I spot George or Renee, I'll be sure to blog about it. (AND, I'll snap a photo with my phone. That will be a treat, huh?)
Hope you're well.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
An Almost Snow Day
Is that even possible? Well, we had cold temperatures. (Here in SC, it's been rather warm. So, our 33 degrees feels really cold to me. I am a baby now--I don't remember what it's like in Wisconsin!) And they (ambiguous pronoun, I know--the weather people) had been calling for an ice/sleet/snow mix for today. Phooey. We got enough ice to make it miserable--but not enough to cancel school--not even enough to go late. Enough to slip around on as you try to crack the coating off of your car--enough to make you slip as you walk across campus--and enough to cause the caring/overly-cautious public safety boys on campus to dump sandbox after sandbox all over campus. But not enough to cancel school.
As I read over that paragraph, I realize that it may sound like I don't like school. That's FAR from the truth: I do love school. But I had some cranky kids in classes today--they feel they've been cheated in some way. I thought my lecture on plagiarism and quoting/paraphrasing/summarizing was inspiring--and I can't begin to describe the joy my Nathaniel Hawthorne lecture brings to my own life. But it didn't seem like enough for some of them. Pooh.
We've been in classes for a week and one day now. But I got a call from one distressed student who proclaimed, after I greeted him on the phone about an hour after class, "I think I'm late for class! Isn't it Wednesday?!?" I calmly replied, "No, it's Thursday. And class is over." He said, "Are you sure? Where's our class?" I answered--with the patience I'm known for all over the world--"I am ABSOLUTELY sure. I'm looking at a calendar right now. AND your classmates are probably at lunch or in other classes since I dismissed them at 1:30--when our class is over." He said, "What should I do?" My response, of course--"Go home." Hee Hee.
Another student came running in the door of my office--all out of breath--saying, "I overslept!!!" (Those three exclamation points are absolutely essential.) I just looked at her--our class had been out for, oh, 2 hours or so by now. What in the world? She asks (still out of breath), "Did you mark me absent?" Hmm . . . how do I answer that question?
Wherever you are, I hope you're warm--and dry. (This freezing rain is really quite miserable.)
But remember: I DO love school. (But a snow day--once in a great while--is quite a treat!)
As I read over that paragraph, I realize that it may sound like I don't like school. That's FAR from the truth: I do love school. But I had some cranky kids in classes today--they feel they've been cheated in some way. I thought my lecture on plagiarism and quoting/paraphrasing/summarizing was inspiring--and I can't begin to describe the joy my Nathaniel Hawthorne lecture brings to my own life. But it didn't seem like enough for some of them. Pooh.
We've been in classes for a week and one day now. But I got a call from one distressed student who proclaimed, after I greeted him on the phone about an hour after class, "I think I'm late for class! Isn't it Wednesday?!?" I calmly replied, "No, it's Thursday. And class is over." He said, "Are you sure? Where's our class?" I answered--with the patience I'm known for all over the world--"I am ABSOLUTELY sure. I'm looking at a calendar right now. AND your classmates are probably at lunch or in other classes since I dismissed them at 1:30--when our class is over." He said, "What should I do?" My response, of course--"Go home." Hee Hee.
Another student came running in the door of my office--all out of breath--saying, "I overslept!!!" (Those three exclamation points are absolutely essential.) I just looked at her--our class had been out for, oh, 2 hours or so by now. What in the world? She asks (still out of breath), "Did you mark me absent?" Hmm . . . how do I answer that question?
Wherever you are, I hope you're warm--and dry. (This freezing rain is really quite miserable.)
But remember: I DO love school. (But a snow day--once in a great while--is quite a treat!)
Friday, January 12, 2007
A New Semester
Wow. I shouldn't talk about how fast time flies because that's a sign of age, right? But Christmas break just disappeared. Truly. And we've just finished our first three days of the new semester. Amazing!
How sad that I can't post more than once a month--even while on vacation. I don't think I'm cut out for blogging/to blog/the blogger world. (I'm still trying to find all of the various ways to use the word BLOG.) It's pressure! :-) I am so grateful, though, to see my former students--and so many of them have beautiful, precious children now. Wow--have you seen Alicia and Matt's incredible daughter? Or Karen and Nathan's little jewel? And Carissa and Brent's extraordinary little clan? (I shouldn't start listiing--I'll inevitably leave out someone/many.) Participating in the world of blogs (ha) is definitely worth it if I get to communicate with/see them.
Back to North Greenville--I would say that 88% of the students I've asked have told me that they're not ready to be back. I consider that quite positive. (It's a B on our ten-point scale!) And the other 12%? Nope, they're still on vacation. The seniors, of course, are happy to be back: they know they're on the last leg of a really long race. But the freshmen--they look cranky. And I practically have to pry their cell phones out of their little hands--they LOVE texting. (And they are really, really good at sending messages during class.) I'm so old I can remember passing notes--now that's old!
Enough. I'm rambling; I think I will write up an outline before I attempt to blog again. (And THEN, I'll make sense.)
How sad that I can't post more than once a month--even while on vacation. I don't think I'm cut out for blogging/to blog/the blogger world. (I'm still trying to find all of the various ways to use the word BLOG.) It's pressure! :-) I am so grateful, though, to see my former students--and so many of them have beautiful, precious children now. Wow--have you seen Alicia and Matt's incredible daughter? Or Karen and Nathan's little jewel? And Carissa and Brent's extraordinary little clan? (I shouldn't start listiing--I'll inevitably leave out someone/many.) Participating in the world of blogs (ha) is definitely worth it if I get to communicate with/see them.
Back to North Greenville--I would say that 88% of the students I've asked have told me that they're not ready to be back. I consider that quite positive. (It's a B on our ten-point scale!) And the other 12%? Nope, they're still on vacation. The seniors, of course, are happy to be back: they know they're on the last leg of a really long race. But the freshmen--they look cranky. And I practically have to pry their cell phones out of their little hands--they LOVE texting. (And they are really, really good at sending messages during class.) I'm so old I can remember passing notes--now that's old!
Enough. I'm rambling; I think I will write up an outline before I attempt to blog again. (And THEN, I'll make sense.)
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
CELL PHONES!
Okay. I guess I'm old. Not the best way to start my 2nd blog entry, but I guess it's true. Now, I am fond of cell phones: they definitely have their uses. In fact, I use mine all the time. I'm very thankful for it. HOWEVER, what's with people using them EVERYWHERE? Today, I was at the mall Christmas shopping. And one of my pet peeves (and my students already know this) is women (and men--I guess--I've just not been in the men's room--ever) who talk on their cell phones IN THE BATHROOM. What's up with that? And it's not that they're talking while they're washing their hands or fixing their hair or putting on makeup. No. They're talking WHILE THEY ARE IN THE STALLS. And they're not talking about some emergency situation. They aren't even calling about running out of toilet paper. They're talking about the stupidest things. They can't wait until they're finished? I am more than annoyed by this behavior. I don't know the word for it right now--but annoyed is too calm. So, obviously, today, I observed this behavior. And I ran from stall to stall (the unoccupied ones, of course) and flushed every toilet I could--just to be annoying as well.
But that's not all! I was in a store looking at slippers for Mom, and here comes this lady--on her cell phone. (And, of course, these conversations are for everyone to hear.) So, she says, "I didn't call you last night because I didn't know how to tell you, but have you heard about Grandma?" Time passes. The lady says, "Well, she's not doing too well. In fact, she died last night. Oh, wait, I have another call." AND SHE PUTS THE PERSON ON HOLD TO TAKE A DIFFERENT CALL--from someone who wanted to know what's for dinner. Am I wrong to be astonished at this behavior? I had to leave that department. I was so angry.
THEN, I went to the children's section--looking for Curious George clothing for my niece (who is wild about him!). There's this girl--oh, at least mid-20's I'd say--talking on her cell phone. She says, "Did you make out with him AGAIN? I can't believe you!" Giggle, giggle, giggle. She continues (after a moment), "You swore you'd never do that again! Was his mom around, too?" Ack. Ack. I had to run away. Well, actually, I got on MY cell phone and called my mom--and told her how disgusted I was with everyone around me, everyone in SC, everyone period.
I am probably overreacting. But I don't care. It's genuinely how I felt today. Now that I'm home and can't hear anyone else's cell phone conversations, I feel fine. (Plus, Elf is on again. I can't tell you how much this movie makes me laugh. "Smiling's my favorite." I love Buddy the Elf.)
I hope you all are well--and enjoying your cell phone conversations--and everyone else's around you. :-)
But that's not all! I was in a store looking at slippers for Mom, and here comes this lady--on her cell phone. (And, of course, these conversations are for everyone to hear.) So, she says, "I didn't call you last night because I didn't know how to tell you, but have you heard about Grandma?" Time passes. The lady says, "Well, she's not doing too well. In fact, she died last night. Oh, wait, I have another call." AND SHE PUTS THE PERSON ON HOLD TO TAKE A DIFFERENT CALL--from someone who wanted to know what's for dinner. Am I wrong to be astonished at this behavior? I had to leave that department. I was so angry.
THEN, I went to the children's section--looking for Curious George clothing for my niece (who is wild about him!). There's this girl--oh, at least mid-20's I'd say--talking on her cell phone. She says, "Did you make out with him AGAIN? I can't believe you!" Giggle, giggle, giggle. She continues (after a moment), "You swore you'd never do that again! Was his mom around, too?" Ack. Ack. I had to run away. Well, actually, I got on MY cell phone and called my mom--and told her how disgusted I was with everyone around me, everyone in SC, everyone period.
I am probably overreacting. But I don't care. It's genuinely how I felt today. Now that I'm home and can't hear anyone else's cell phone conversations, I feel fine. (Plus, Elf is on again. I can't tell you how much this movie makes me laugh. "Smiling's my favorite." I love Buddy the Elf.)
I hope you all are well--and enjoying your cell phone conversations--and everyone else's around you. :-)
Friday, December 8, 2006
Graduation/Christmas Break!
Here I am, new to blogging. (Actually, new to the idea of using blog as a verb, to be frank) I thought I would give it a try--now that we've had graduation: papers are evaluated; scores are calculated; grades are submitted. It's time for a change. So, I'll give this blog idea a try. (Look--blog as an adjective) Many, many of my students record most (if not all) of their feelings on the Internet in their blogs (now as a noun); in fact, some of them direct me to their blogs (even when they've used their blog as a place to vent their frustration with school--or even with my class specifically). It seems incredibly odd to me.
Well, let's leave it at that. I'll try again later. We'll see if I keep it up.
Well, let's leave it at that. I'll try again later. We'll see if I keep it up.
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