Yeah It Wasn't Me!

Computer issues?? Not my fault. Not even my computer!! Yeah! Somehow something broke with our school server and they didn't bother to inform anyone (like no one would notice???)

I'm just glad it wasn't me going crazy!

So on to funny things . . .

I have a new student who is an absolute doll. She has medical issues so she visits the nurse every day. We also eat lunch every day.

She had just finished a paper and needed some copies made. I told her where the copy room was (between the nurse and the cafeteria - its the only other door there). Then she stopped and asked if someone could go with her. I said no, she could find it. And she stepped out the door. One of her classmates who sits right in front of me says in a mysterious stage whisper "What if she never comes back?"

I laughed out loud and the kids asked why and I told them what their classmate had said. They laughed too. Then another student got called to office to pick something up. She met up with the new girl in the hall (and informed her of what the student had said after she left.)

When my new girl got in the room, she walked right up behind the boy who had whispered (he was in his own world working on the computer) and whispered loudly in his ear, "I made it back."

It was so hilarious. We were all laughing for awhile:)

I like it when they can be themselves and have controlled fun!

The Lesson that Worked

For the first time ever, lesson number 8 in the electricity unit (which is an experiment) worked! Well I'll be dog gone.

This is the third year I have taught electricity. I was bound and determined this year that it would work. To make the lesson participatory, I had the students tell ME the steps I had to do in order to conduct the experiment. (I don't think that is why it worked this year, but it was funny that this is the ONLY time it HAS worked.)

The lesson is on making a filament light up.

We use two D batteries and hook them up to 2 wires, which are bent at a 90* angle through a lump of clay. Then nichrome wire is wrapped around the two open ends. This wire becomes the "filament" and gets hot and glows.

The kids read through the experiment so they knew it should glow. I also informed them it would get hot and smoke, which is why I was the only one doing the experiment.

We were all set. I was getting ready to plug the last wire into the clip and I paused. Then I said, "Right now would be a good time to review the fire drill procedures."

One girl caught it right away and let out a "HA." About 30 seconds later, another girl yells out, "Oh, I get it," and started laughing. Then the others started to get it and we were all just rolling laughing.

And as great as that was, it wasn't near as good as seeing that filament get hot and glow! The kids were absolutely amazed! At that moment I could have given them 5 pages of homework and they still would have thought I was a genius and they loved me :) hehe

So we all oohed and aahhed and took turns walking by it.

It was so absolutely terrific. Way better than the other years when we dim the lights in anticipation and nothing. And then I say, "Well, it was supposed to work." And we all go back to doing boring things like vocabulary. Talk about a major let down. It's like going to see the guy get shot out of a cannon and he has to crawl out 20 minutes later cause it won't fire.

It was a pretty eventful day in the classroom today. (see my photo blog for other interesting sights)

I love my job and wouldn't trade it for anything - well, maybe teaching scuba in the islands but that's about it. Remind me I said that when report card time comes.

Having Gas

Sorry, there is no appropriate picture for this.

I am a teacher. I teach 4th grade. They are giggly at fourth grade. Sometimes they need to be reminded to be nice in fourth grade.

Today I had gas. E gad. No lie. Now, having gas is one thing. But for a teacher to have gas is quite another.

Imagine giving a presentation and having gas.
Now imagine giving a presentation while you are turned around with your bottom facing the audience.
Now imagine giving a presentation while you are turned around with your bottom facing the audience, who are a bunch of short people in short chairs.

See how bad it is?

At the beginning of the year, I have the fart talk with my kids. It's fun, it breaks the ice, and lets them know I am human. This is how the fart talk goes (I've done it for 10 years)-

"Okay folks. We need to talk about something. Raise your hand if you have never in your entire life had gas or burped. (no one does but they are all shocked and surprised and on the verge of giggling). See, everyone has done it. It is a natural part of life. We can't get around it. And sometimes it just comes out. And sometimes it comes out at a really bad time. Am I right? (I get lots of giggles and yeahs and nods)

Now I want you to remember one time when one came out and it was a really bad time. How did that make you feel? (sometimes someone will raise a hand and say embarrassed but sometimes not) You were embarrassed and maybe other people laughed at you, which made you feel worse, right? But could you help it? You didn't do it on purpose.

The thing is, it is a natural part of life. We all do it. And while we would hope no one would hear it, sometimes it just comes out and we can't help it.

Now in this class, we don't want anyone to feel bad. Especially for something that was an accident. SO, the rule in the class is this. If you have gas or burp, the most polite thing to do is say excuse me as loud as the fart or burp was. (This really gets them laughing because I said fart.) And the most polite thing for people around you to do is not laugh, because you couldn't help it."

Honestly, this has worked wonders in my class. I have to say it is one of my most favorite "discussions" at the beginning of the school year. Farts fly and burps are let out at really odd times, and we just keep going. No one dies of embarrassment.

Well, except for the teacher. :)

Karate Control

We spent most of the evening sparring last night.

Yes, I went. I made myself go.

I got to use my pink gear, which was the topic of conversation for a bit :) It was either pink or gold and I liked the pink better. I just can't get into wearing "boring."

So my sparring partner has been doing this since right before I left, so this is maybe his 3rd session. He is very gung ho.

What does gung ho really mean? Like in a literal translation?

Anyway, I found out control is not one of his strong points. He hit me right in the face twice. We aren't supposed to do face shots. Luckily he didn't slam me. But the next time I am partnered with him, I am wearing my head gear! Although I really should just get my dog gone hands up and it shouldn't even happen.

I ended up with no black eyes, mouses, or such. I looked fine today. But boy did I have a headache last night.

I enjoy the sparring part. I don't get angry but it gets out a lot of aggression. I pull all my punches. No solid hits. And if I get in the spot I am always saying, "Sorry." I'm a dork.

On an interesting side note, I store my gear in the car. Last night when Sensei announced we were sparring I threw my coat on to run get my stuff. The temperature was super cold (10). My stuff was frozen! Boy, had some of the girls not helped me work it out, it would have been like hitting with blocks of ice! I was worried they would split and crack the minute I hit anything. :) Funny!

I gotta work on blocking more. NOW I am angry :) Well, as angry as a pink sparring gear wearer can be!

13 Reasons

photo thanks to barunpatro @ sxc.com


I have thought of at LEASt THIRTEEN reasons not to go to karate class tonight. None of them are real. None of them are good. None of them are important.

But getting myself to go is like pure torture.



Which is silly because I know when I go I will enjoy myself. And it will make me feel good. Like I really did something.



So here are the reasons (in case anyone else is looking for an excuse :) in no particular order



1. It's cold out.


2. My feet will be cold in class.


3. My skin is really dry.


4. I need a pedicure.


5. I am super white pale.


6. I have more important things to do like homework (which I won't do anyway).


7. I shouldn't spend the money.


8. If I commit then I am obligated to go every week and I really don't want another commitment.


9. The timing of the class is all wrong and it messes with our eating habits.


10. I don't get to spend that time with hubby.


11. I am REALLY out of shape.


12. I don't remember any of the moves, katas, etc.


13. It is really gonna take a lot of energy and I think I might be getting sick.


14. I will be sore tomorrow.


15. Once a week of doing something isn't enough to get into shape.


16. There will be people I don't know there.


17. Am I going to look like a dork after taking a session off?


18. Where is my GI and is it ironed?


19. I don't have anything to wear.


20. It's THAT time of the month.


21. I could really use some rest.


22. It will be dark out.


23. Parking might be rough - the spots might be taken and I will have to walk far in the cold.

Wow. That's a lot more than 13. Look how good I did and how quickly I was able to come up with them. What does that mean??? I am lazy. I hate being lazy. I guess I will go.



Reasons to go


1. So I don't feel like I am lazy.


2. So I can wear a swimsuit this summer.





If I had a lot of money I could just go visit a lipo doctor once and be done with both reasons to go.

Get 'Er Done

photo courtesy of cohdra @ morguefile.com

Today.

I planned for it.

I laid it all out.

I was going to get so much accomplished.

HA HA HA HA HA!

Not one thing went the way I planned.

And I ended up getting absolutely nothing done on my list.

Now, that is not to say that nothing got accomplished. I had two very productive meetings. My students were happy. I got some editing done while they anxiously awaited the return of their stories.

But none of that was on my list.

I took a class about two years ago that was focused on the type of people we are and how we are all different. I read a book (which the title escapes me at the moment). We discussed it. I learned that I am . . . an achiever. I love lists. I make them all the time. The accomplishement I feel when I cross off "Clean toilet" is beyond measure. And it has nothing to do with the toilet. I GOT TO CROSS SOMETHING OFF THE LIST!

My husband teases me about my lists, among other things. Therefore, some of them become mental lists so no one can see them.

But today was a written list and not one thing was crossed off. So despite everything, I don't feel as well as I should.

Now, I have to admit. Sometimes I get sidetracked from my lists and do something important and productive that is not on the list. I am guilty of writing it on the list just so I can cross it off. I am not ashamed to admit it. I'll bet someone else is laughing because they do it to. Sorry to have to tell you this but YOU ARE AN ACHIEVER! :0 And that crossing of just feels so good.

I have been accused by various family members that I don't know how to relax. It is relaxing to me to get something done. That is how I am wired. My husband lovingly refers to me as "The Overachiever."

I just don't see anything wrong with doing it all. And I will leave you with a list from this past summer.

1. Lay out

2. Clean pool

3. Check email

4. Finish book

5. Go to karate

See???? I do know how to relax!