and so begins my new theme song "chocolate" by snow patrol...which holds perfectly true at this moment in my life.
i am usually the one who blogs most but i have not had much blogging activity since the beginning of the school year because of the same old story...i'm too busy!
i wish i had better reasons but alas no...i'm pretty tired when i get home and find zero energy to type messages to you all (i'm sorry to say). in fact, i got home late tonight...yet again!! i know it's halloween and i should go home early but decathlon had a "party" after doing their reading for the day...afterwards had to go to the store and return to school to set up a lab with potatoes tomorrow. that kept me at school til after 6...other days i stay that late because i must grade at school (since i will most likely not grade while at home...like right now). the quarter ends on friday...and i'm in the middle of grading 2 assignments....have 2 more labs from this week to get to, a review packet and a test by the end of the week.
teaching all biology is kind of nice because i can just focus on one subject and not have to worry over what life science does. people say that they get bored teaching the same thing all day but so far i have not felt that way...the only bad thing i can really see is that i have over 170 of every assignment to grade. everything takes longer to grade simply because i have more of them. this year has been better overall. i feel like i am better prepared, i don't have btsa to worry over (i'm tenured & clear-credentialed) and more organized than ever which ultimately helps in preparation. i guess this year's students could be better but let's face facts...i don't teach honors or ap so i will have good apples and bad apples. trying to fix it though and they seem to like me enough to want to do better in my class (i hope!) i do have students that i really do not like one bit...however, i think that my students show more respect for me this year...i did cover another biology teacher's 6th period and even though he said they were his "nice" class i found them quite disrespectful when they did not pay attention as i talked, kept having their conversations while they were supposed to be doing a lab & other such things - it made me like my bunch of students a bit more...even though they could be a little more quiet for me!
in non-school news...well, there isn't much. i see rodel every week...i see lisa once in a while...and the rest of you are nowhere to be found!! albert has at least contributed to the blog...as for kim - not a single word of communication since she left for boston which saddens me a little but i also understand since it must be such a busy year & there are other extra-curriculars that occupy her. patrick - despite living a short distance away has turned into a "memory" - have not heard a word since martyn's goodbye dinner...mayhaps we should try a dinner again...but sometimes i can't figure out the one day he doesn't play wow from dusk til dawn.
you ever feel that monday and tuesday are just the longest days ever? and thursday and friday seem to fly by? i remember when i student taught with mr. wilmoth he'd always start wednesday off by saying "happy hump day" because once you get past wednesday (the hump) then the rest of the week is smooth sailing...i'm really feeling it this year. tuesdays feel so long for some reason...and sometimes wednesdays are torture...but thursday/friday seem to go by quickly. i would wish people "happy hump-day" but you know how those young minds are! i also have some boys in my class who want me to join their "pirate cult" - apparently my initiation is to wear a pirate hat in school (at first for 5 days...then they said 1 day...and now it's down to one period). once i join i guess i am allowed to sing their merry pirate songs and partake in raids (whatever that means). i also had some girls in my fourth period who want to make me a costume dressed as a cell next year...they are very excited about it. did i ever tell you that the teenage mind is weird?
i hope you are all enjoying halloween...it is a special day for me because it is the "first kiss" anniversary for rodel and myself...and we celebrate by going to bed early! =) sad but true...i am pretty sure he's asleep now...and even though i type this to you, i'm tired enough to go to bed (although if i have the eyeball strength, i will try to grade a little before i pass out). the rest of you should have all the fun you desire...rodel and i work hard enough for all of us so let us be the tired ones... =)
happy hump day tomorrow...and if any of the rest of you in driving distance happen to read this, if you want to have a dinner or something this weekend i'd say hooray! =)
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
I vant to suck your blog??
Sorry, that's my poor attempt at a devilish title. =)
Halloween is tomorrow. Hooray for the spookiest day of the year!
I celebrated a little early, I attended a halloween party on friday in Berkeley. Eating, drinking, costumes, and pumpkin carving so there was much to be merry about. I got to see Nick as well. He's doing good but he had a cast on because I think he slightly tore a ligament in his thumb while playing soccer. I'll see if I can get pictures of the pumpkin I helped design and carve and of my costume. I'm not sure what I'll be doing tomorrow on actual halloween day but maybe something will come up. Ooh, I also saw The Prestige. I have to say I'm a bit undecided on this one. I think I'll have to say that I liked The Illusionist better. I think my next movie won't be about magicians though =) Still need to see The Science of Sleep. I'll let you know what I think of that one.
I'm going to spend my spare time this week working on finishing up that computer I'm working on, making some more improvements to my room, a little work on my site, and doing minor fixes to my car. Not very exciting huh? =)
I don't think I'll be getting my own constellation anytime soon Lisa, but the thought is flattering. Besides, I merely returned 1 dog to it's owner, but you're responsible for the education of 30+ young minds! You definitely make a difference and I hope you're very successful stuffing their heads with knowledge.
Very sorry about the pocket call! I'm not sure why my phone would do that. You'd think it would call the first person on my list instead of someone in the middle?! I guess it's like russian roulette sometimes. Did you know what I was doing at the time I pocket called you? Don't you ever wonder what other people hear when you pocket call them? I guess most of the time it's just the rustling of the purse or jeans where their cellphone happens to be.
New hairdo eh? I don't think your hair before would be considered frumpy teacher hair but if your new style makes the old one look frumpy then it must have quite some panache. Good luck with the boys as well. Hopefully the losers will stay at bay and the keepers will come forth.
Pizza and something fizzy is always a good combination. How's the chocolate stout anyway? I think we'll all have to plan an outing sometime during thanksgiving break sometime soon seeing as how I'm only in town for several days.
It's good to hear from you Lisa. What about the rest of you eh? =) What's up?
*Pat*- My professor actually made a Stargate reference in class today. Just thought you'd like to know =) It's always nice to know there are other nerds out there.
Halloween is tomorrow. Hooray for the spookiest day of the year!
I celebrated a little early, I attended a halloween party on friday in Berkeley. Eating, drinking, costumes, and pumpkin carving so there was much to be merry about. I got to see Nick as well. He's doing good but he had a cast on because I think he slightly tore a ligament in his thumb while playing soccer. I'll see if I can get pictures of the pumpkin I helped design and carve and of my costume. I'm not sure what I'll be doing tomorrow on actual halloween day but maybe something will come up. Ooh, I also saw The Prestige. I have to say I'm a bit undecided on this one. I think I'll have to say that I liked The Illusionist better. I think my next movie won't be about magicians though =) Still need to see The Science of Sleep. I'll let you know what I think of that one.
I'm going to spend my spare time this week working on finishing up that computer I'm working on, making some more improvements to my room, a little work on my site, and doing minor fixes to my car. Not very exciting huh? =)
I don't think I'll be getting my own constellation anytime soon Lisa, but the thought is flattering. Besides, I merely returned 1 dog to it's owner, but you're responsible for the education of 30+ young minds! You definitely make a difference and I hope you're very successful stuffing their heads with knowledge.
Very sorry about the pocket call! I'm not sure why my phone would do that. You'd think it would call the first person on my list instead of someone in the middle?! I guess it's like russian roulette sometimes. Did you know what I was doing at the time I pocket called you? Don't you ever wonder what other people hear when you pocket call them? I guess most of the time it's just the rustling of the purse or jeans where their cellphone happens to be.
New hairdo eh? I don't think your hair before would be considered frumpy teacher hair but if your new style makes the old one look frumpy then it must have quite some panache. Good luck with the boys as well. Hopefully the losers will stay at bay and the keepers will come forth.
Pizza and something fizzy is always a good combination. How's the chocolate stout anyway? I think we'll all have to plan an outing sometime during thanksgiving break sometime soon seeing as how I'm only in town for several days.
It's good to hear from you Lisa. What about the rest of you eh? =) What's up?
*Pat*- My professor actually made a Stargate reference in class today. Just thought you'd like to know =) It's always nice to know there are other nerds out there.
Friday, October 27, 2006
I hate titles =)
I never know what to put as my title. By Friday I have no creativity left in my brain to devise a devilish title =).
Wow Albert, sounds like things are going well =) Congratulations on finding the dogs owner! You are a much better person than I...hooray for you, hero of animals...perhaps the gods will make you a constellation in the sky! =) (we're doing an astronomy unit right now, hence the cheesy reference)
Albert pocket called me at lunch...hahahahaha...pocket calls are so funny =).
I've been really super busy with work lately. I spend at least one day every weekend working on grades or planning. Trying very hard to make a difference in these kiddies lives...we shall see if I'm successful come years end. Our school test scores are dismal at best right now.
I've managed to stay quite busy with dinners and outings too though, so things are not all work...there's lots of play squished in too =). Oooh, and I finally got my hair done =) Making my look not quite as "tired, frumpy teacher", but more like "watch out boys, here I come" =) hehehehe...err...something like that =).
As of late, I've been craving pizza and a chocolate stout/framboise blend...so anyone making a BJ's run or Yardhouse...I'm sooooooooo there =).
Miss everyone and I can't wait until we can all just hang out again...=) *big hug*
Wow Albert, sounds like things are going well =) Congratulations on finding the dogs owner! You are a much better person than I...hooray for you, hero of animals...perhaps the gods will make you a constellation in the sky! =) (we're doing an astronomy unit right now, hence the cheesy reference)
Albert pocket called me at lunch...hahahahaha...pocket calls are so funny =).
I've been really super busy with work lately. I spend at least one day every weekend working on grades or planning. Trying very hard to make a difference in these kiddies lives...we shall see if I'm successful come years end. Our school test scores are dismal at best right now.
I've managed to stay quite busy with dinners and outings too though, so things are not all work...there's lots of play squished in too =). Oooh, and I finally got my hair done =) Making my look not quite as "tired, frumpy teacher", but more like "watch out boys, here I come" =) hehehehe...err...something like that =).
As of late, I've been craving pizza and a chocolate stout/framboise blend...so anyone making a BJ's run or Yardhouse...I'm sooooooooo there =).
Miss everyone and I can't wait until we can all just hang out again...=) *big hug*
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
How are you?
Hey guys,
It's been a while since anyone has posted. Sorry I didn't see your post in time as well Pat. I would have loved to go to Fuddruckers. They have them up here too but it's just not the same. I miss home and I do miss you guys too. But that's nothing new.
Anyway, I've just been going to school and I'm doing well. Had midterms about a week ago and school has been keeping me pretty busy. I'm set to graduate after winter quarter in 2008 so roughly a year and a half from now. I'm considering double majoring in Environmental studies, so I'm probably going to go see a counselor about that. I've made a couple of friends from school up here, but that's a fairly recent event. So things are well in that department too. That reminds me, I need to start thinking about applying to pharmacy school.....
So anything interesting happening with you guys? How are you doing? How is life? How is love? How is education? Any interesting future plans?
Something interesting did happen to me today. I found a lost dog, a male beagle. Cute as a button and very sweet. I missed class trying to find it's owner. Wandered around with the dog for about an hour and a half before taking it to my place. I've already posted up 10 flyers, called the animal shelter to see if there were any reports, and took it to the vet to see if the dog had a chip. Things would be so much easier if the dog just had a tag.
So my plans today, not that you really care but you're finding out anyway, is to finally place my residential parking permit on my car which I got just yesterday, talk to my biochem counselor, find the owner of this dog, and to drive to San Jose in order to get a lab coat, goggles, and a couple of erlenmeyer flasks for my Halloween costume for a party on Friday. THE GOGGLES! THEY DO NOTHING!
I've also started playing a new game... The Typing of the Dead. It's fashioned after the House of the Dead games you see at the arcade. Instead of shooting zombies though, you type them to death, or redeath or whatever it is zombies do as opposed to dying. Super fun.
Oh yes. Go see the illusionist and little miss sunshine if you haven't already. I still want to see The Prestige and Science of Sleep. I'll let you know how those are.
Hope you reply with all your interesting tidbits. Feel free to ask me questions as well! Let's get some dialogue going! I'm tired of monologues.
Here's a picture of the dog by the way... isn't he adorable?
UPDATE: His owner called yesterday, and so I brought him back to her. Happy endings are great.
It's been a while since anyone has posted. Sorry I didn't see your post in time as well Pat. I would have loved to go to Fuddruckers. They have them up here too but it's just not the same. I miss home and I do miss you guys too. But that's nothing new.
Anyway, I've just been going to school and I'm doing well. Had midterms about a week ago and school has been keeping me pretty busy. I'm set to graduate after winter quarter in 2008 so roughly a year and a half from now. I'm considering double majoring in Environmental studies, so I'm probably going to go see a counselor about that. I've made a couple of friends from school up here, but that's a fairly recent event. So things are well in that department too. That reminds me, I need to start thinking about applying to pharmacy school.....
So anything interesting happening with you guys? How are you doing? How is life? How is love? How is education? Any interesting future plans?
Something interesting did happen to me today. I found a lost dog, a male beagle. Cute as a button and very sweet. I missed class trying to find it's owner. Wandered around with the dog for about an hour and a half before taking it to my place. I've already posted up 10 flyers, called the animal shelter to see if there were any reports, and took it to the vet to see if the dog had a chip. Things would be so much easier if the dog just had a tag.
So my plans today, not that you really care but you're finding out anyway, is to finally place my residential parking permit on my car which I got just yesterday, talk to my biochem counselor, find the owner of this dog, and to drive to San Jose in order to get a lab coat, goggles, and a couple of erlenmeyer flasks for my Halloween costume for a party on Friday. THE GOGGLES! THEY DO NOTHING!
I've also started playing a new game... The Typing of the Dead. It's fashioned after the House of the Dead games you see at the arcade. Instead of shooting zombies though, you type them to death, or redeath or whatever it is zombies do as opposed to dying. Super fun.
Oh yes. Go see the illusionist and little miss sunshine if you haven't already. I still want to see The Prestige and Science of Sleep. I'll let you know how those are.
Hope you reply with all your interesting tidbits. Feel free to ask me questions as well! Let's get some dialogue going! I'm tired of monologues.
Here's a picture of the dog by the way... isn't he adorable?
UPDATE: His owner called yesterday, and so I brought him back to her. Happy endings are great.