I added Miss H (Teacher Catherine) to my links ober dare on the side. She's the T in Team Teacher w/ me. It's the two of us w/ our paraprofessionals, mine is Marvelous Marvel and hers is Glorious Grejoria.

So today, someone asked me what alphabet my students are working on. I wasn't aware that there was more than one taught in US public schools, so my answer was that we are working on the ABC alphabet. That is just one of many reasonswhy she says that we are becoming raving idiots.

Anyway, assuming that she continues to remember where she put this blog, she is rather entertaining and yall should read her.

Did I mention that my Dad just called and asked me if I would help Sheri plan there wedding. And, yes, I'm serious. Save the date--July 7 at 7 p.m. (7/7/07). Neat, huh?

There is a new movie that I love. It's Kung Fu Hustle. I loved it so much that I watched it twice right in a row. It's like Pulp Fiction meets Roger Rabbit in Chinese. Anyway, I know that most people won't dig it like I did--but I laughed and laughed.

I'm praying for Melanie and Drake and all those involved.

BTW, Misti, I have drank a gallon of water a day for years now. And 64 oz of that are in my sleep--I've mastered the art of sleep drinking. I believe that Mandy does also. So that's who drinks that much water :).

Ya know that old saying about if you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all? Well, I've put it in practice with my blog too. I've been in a mood. Going to school each day puts me in a funk, and I don't just mean the way my room smells. But things are improving--I think. There were 4 of us on 6 kids; but one was fired and one quit in the same week. Both are probably blessings in disguise; but it's been hard on the 2 of us that are left.

Dad had shoulder surgery the week before Thanksgiving and just got to take his brace off this week. That was an ordeal, he can't stand to be slowed down. It was actually really hard on me because it was kind of a major surgery--they made him have a stress test before they did it to make sure his heart could make it through the surgery--so I was really worried through the whole thing. It was intensified without mom being there. You loose one parent and suddenly the other one seems more fragile. Loosing someone who has, in your life, ALWAYS been there forces you to face the reality of your own mortality and that of those around you. I was a freak about it from the time I found out he was having the surgery until a good week or so after. I wish I could make him live in a bubble.

We had a really nice Thanksgiving. It wasn't has hard as I thought it was going to be. Me, Dad, Sheri (his "friend"), Vic, and William all went to Lance and Lori's to eat turkey and all the stuff that goes w/ it and then watched the Cowboy's game in their media room. The next day, William and Vic helped me cook a turkey, etc at Dad's house and Sheri came over and the 5 of us ate. I have a new appreciate for that meal. It wasn't hard, just took me forever! I think next year will be easier because now I know what to expect. But my mom would have enjoyed it and would have been proud of our efforts :).

As for Christmas, we will dine on tacos and enchiladas and margaritas...as me, Dad, and William will be in Playa del Carmen. Yeah for Mexico!

Momma MOE: I am SOOOOO excited! Yeah for babies!

Another month has pretty much slipped by and I haven't written. I don't do much other than work. This class is proving to be rather challenging. Not so much the kids, but just the general situation. There really need to be three adults in the room, but it's just me and another...both of us are exhausted...and bruised.

Anyway, only 3 weeks to Thanksgiving break! And then just 3 weeks after that until Christmas break! For Christmas me, Dad, and William are going to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I love it there. The holidays are probably doing to be rather rough this year...it's hard for me to really think about them without feeling that familiar lump in the back of my throat....

Upcoming dates: Nov 12-parents would-be 30 year anniversary; Nov 18-my Mema's (mom's mom) birthday; Nov 23-Thanksgiving-one of my Mom's favorite holidays, she collected turkeys (I'm taking over the collection, BTW); Nov 25-would have been Mom's 51st birthday.

This was Mom's favorite time of the year. She called November "her month." She loved the weather, fall leaves and the pumpkins. Summer was my favorite season growing up, but the older I've gotten the more I agree with Mom. Mostly because I love it being cooler--there's nothing better than a cool breeze blowing around some crispy leaves. But I also love the anticipation of the holiday season...and winter clothes, I like them so much better than summer clothes--all the rich colors!

It's rained all day here today--so peaceful! Ok, lots of love...yall update!!!

The year 1961 can be written both upside down and right side up, and still appear the same; this won't be possible again until 6009. That's so cool!

I'm going to take pictures of my classroom very soon...as I finally have it all together (only 7 weeks into the year :))!!! I have fun stuff like Dr. Suess numbers and pink poodley stuff around my desk! But I am ready for Thanksgiving break...I think William, Dad and I are going to NYC to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. We agreed even before Mom's funeral that we would make a point to make the holidays enjoyable and be together...so we are plannin' a trip :)!!

The 4th week of school ends tomorrow. I feel like we just started...but at the same time, I feel like I've been working with these kids forever. The new population of kids that I'm teaching is COMPLETELY different than anything I've ever been exposed to. I've learned so much so quickly that I'm having a hard time processing it all before taking in the next piece of new info. But I'm happy. I'm really enjoying the challenge of each day. Right now I'm really focusing on some behavior issues that I feel come from the inability to communicate effectively; meaning that the kids are frustrated by not being able to speak in a way that people understand....so they act out. But there are lots of possibilities for them!

I didn't go to work today though, seems an evil poop disease attached me vengefully. Also yacked a few times yesterday. I picked it up in Houston last weekend. I'm better tonight though, but not well. Ode to Imodium.

I think it's funny that Paris Hilton got arrested. I wonder if they put her in the drunk tank???

This was the quote on my teacher calendar yesterday, the first day of school. It seem so fitting to how my year is starting off...

"Is it progress if a cannibal learns to use a knife and fork?"
-Stanislaw J. Lee

I sat in a long long long staff development about technology today. Carson the Wonder Cat seems to have had the same kind of day...he was obviously very busy.

So I've been thinking about the definitions of "vacation" and "traveling." I have traveled some this summer, went to Hobbs to the HHS reunion; went to Austin to Derek's wedding; going to Midland for Jason's wedding. I went to Vegas in March, but that was an escape...nothing fun about it. Before that, I went to Vegas last September for William's 21st birthday, which was fun...but it was fast and hot. SO here are the technical definitions according to dictionary.com:

Vacation: 1. A period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation, especially one with pay granted to an employee.
2. A holiday.
3. A fixed period of holidays, especially one during which a school, court, or business suspends activities

Traveling: To go from one place to another, as on a trip; journey.

You see, today was my last official day of class, I still have some assignments due for my online class...but I don't actually have to sit in a seat and listen to jibber jabber again. But I start work a week from today. So there is no time for a vacation because I have to go work on my classroom and finish the online class, etc. I do know that I am going to Monterey, CA next March for my 10 year Catalina reunion...I didn't graduate from there, but I lived there a year and I want to go see everyone. And I'm going to New Orleans next June for sweet Whitney White's wedding. But those a so far away, and both places have an agenda.

So the point is: I'm in need of a VACATION, because my TRAVELING wasn't enough. I need a vacation that I can just chill. Lay on a beach, tour a museum, and eat weird food. So I am going to start planning something. Don't know where, when, or how I'm going...but just starting the planning process might make me feel better. Thought I'd share.

***Disclaimer***
I, Amanda, am completely aware of how spoiled this sounds and I completely don't care. Thanks.

My 10 year reunion was this past weekend and I had so much fun! Everyone was exactly the same, with only a few exceptions. One big difference was that more people were friendlier...which isn't even a word, but they were. I guess people growing up and not being as insecure makes a big difference. HHS class of 1996 wears the 10 years since graduation nicely.

I heard that a few people didn't come for reasons like they got fat or they didn't think they had done enough with their lives...that is ridiculous! People didn't care at all...and there were so many people to catch up w/, that you really didn't even have time to think about those kinds of things! Anyway, I'm already looking forward to the next one...some people were talking about doing a 15 year one and I really hope they do!

I am extremely tired though, I didn't get to bed until 3 friday night and we didn't even get home until 5ish sat night!