From Wednesday's Pep Assembly

Quote of the hour:

"If the goat comes into the gym, the juniors will be disqualified."

Oh, I know you're jealous YOU don't work in a high school.

silly follow up, super quick post, about nothing deep

A few weeks ago I mentioned the Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog, my brother and I almost saw it but we needed food more than entertainment. Yesterday, at his suggestion (there were slim pickings at the cheap theater) we did see it...and while this is a silly place to talk about it, it was a wonderful break from my 4 hour National Board filled Sunday. While it was true that we were the only people in the theater over 16 without children of our own. It could easily be my favorite Disney princess movie...jazz, voodoo, singing alligators, and a Creole firefly who's in love with a star....um, it was a pretty genius plot line. Really, besides Up, it's the best kids movie I've seen in years.

South Texas picture post #3

It's called a caracara.











We took this picture along the coleche road on the way to the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. It is amazing. We saw alligators, and flowering yuccas, and birds, and it smelled like heat and south Texas. But, as it was early February, it was like getting Texas-lite. You knew what it felt like but didn't have it attacking you... besides, in the summer you never see the alligators.

poor timing but a positive outlook

So, it occurs to me that I shouldn't have put forth a huge writing intensive goal (this blog) when the other goal I am currently buried in (National Boards) is also huge and writing intensive. National Boards is currently winning the battle of time and intellectual bandwidth. I am making good progress but it will be another month until I can re-focus my energies here. But, here is the thought that pushed me through the weekend and past a huge diaster of a taping session....sometimes it takes a massive failure and good friends to mitigate the ensuing mess to put things back in perspective. I feel, finally, that I might actually pass. I'm not sure, but I'm no longer convinced I will fail.

pep-talk via social networking

I'm at the beginning of what promises to be an intense six weeks of work. (Not that my past few weeks have been stress free, but this I can anticipate coming.) But, in a strange venue for a pep talk one of the administrators from my building, who also happens to be my friend asked me how I was doing through facebook chat. I really didn't want to talk to her; I was trying to work (so, yes, I probably shouldn't have been on facebook at the same time) but she knew I was stressed and asked about it. I concurred, yep, stressed. She then proceeded to give me the nicest "Go Get'em Tiger" type speech. Including telling me that I was a "tremendous teacher" and if her son (overly precocious 3 year old) needed special ed (as if!) then she'd want him in my class. Wow, totally unexpected and completely welcome.

dare I say it, spring?

How's this for a hopeful image.

Lucky me!

There is something super endearing about a 22 year old boy who is excited to see Disney's, The Princess and the Swan. We didn't see it, because like most 22 year olds, food was a more pressing issue, but my kid brother would have happily accomplanied me if timing had worked out. I am so glad he lives in town. I get to know him as an adult for all that time I was in Texas and missed out on him growing up.

Oh and Happy Valentine's Day to me! Red wine and Harry Potter. Universe take note, I'm easy to please and hope to find a man who enjoys similarly fine aspects of life.

(Obviously, I'm feeling better today.)