Marvelous Musings

Fwd: Take Care

2010-08-25T18:26:00.001-07:00

If, perchance, you decide to finish that box of delicious whole-wheat rotini in the cupboard, take care to check the box if it has been sitting in the cupboard for any period of time.

You may dump the contents into your pot of boiling water only to see a hundred tiny millipede carcasses float to the top of the bubbles. After gagging, checking the now almost-empty-except-for-those-bug-shells box, and deciding you refuse outright to eat the pasta, it will be of little comfort that at least you slaughtered all of them in a rolling boil of death.

Trust me.

Summer, days 1-4

2010-06-18T09:43:00.001-07:00

Summer break started with a bang. And by bang I mean unexpected nap on the couch with my purse because I was too tired to put it down. But after that, the fun really got started with some Big Al's bachelorette fun. Yippekiyay. I had no way of preparing myself for that brand of Cowboy Glory.

Cowboy boots hanging from the bar. Check.
Real Live Idaho Cowboys. Check.
Aforementioned cowboys smoking inside with their Miller High Life. Check.
Beer pong tables set up and ready to go. Check.
Mechanical bull and lasciviously-grinning operator. Check.
Country swing. Check.

The first full day of summer (both in the No School and Hot and Sunny aspects), I got to make a Cook's Illustrated Cherry Pie... Delicious to the nth degree, but I haven't decided if it's worth the halving-and-pitting of that many cherries. I did have a slice last night, and I think it improved in the interim. Flaky crust, delicious cherry filling... and ice cream. Yum yum yum. And we started building a shed in the backyard to host the tools which will be moved out of dad-in-law's garage soon. Unless he changes his mind and lets us annex the garage, pool, and hot tub onto our property. Dad?? (insert puppy dog eyes here).

AND I got to see MIRANDA! We realized it had been over two years. But I loved seeing her and feeding her pie. :)

Followed by Blind Side and ice cream. Hurray! First day down.

Day 2: Chores, church, sandwich, neighbors, wedding! run to Cannon Hill Park (where strangers laughed and my Running Dancing)

Day 3: Gym (reluctantly), then on to work to do some editing of curriculum with Margarita. I got paid. YES! Stopped to buy flowers on the way home and spent 2 1/2 hours planting. I'm hoping to get the yard in capital-G Glory for Karli's bridal shower in a couple weeks.

Then Small Group. I'm pretty sure they are the most fun small group in the History of the Known World. We decided that our Summer Extravaganza is going to be a Film Festival in which everyone makes their own short film and we have a party to present them. HOW FUN IS THAT?? I'm torn between an Edgy Foreign Flick (captions in English, no real plotline) and a Spy Thriller. Decisions decisions. Anyone want to act with me this summer?

Day 4 (today): The 2nd anniversary of our marriage! Hip hip hooray for a husband who exceeds my hopes in every way and who intentionally builds friendship and romance with me.

funny spanish video.wmv

2010-05-18T08:57:00.000-07:00

More Crazy Parents (or How I Wasted Two Hours Dealing with Nincompoops When I Should Have Been Grading Finals)

2010-01-24T10:12:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents,

I am rarely angry. In fact, generally speaking, I am the soul of patience and compassion. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the opportunity to be filled with a burning rage for the afternoon! What an interesting experience! And the added bonus of self-control by holding my tongue and not swearing at you, yelling, or berating your second-rate offspring! You are too generous.

In case you weren't listening to me earlier because you were too busy yelling at me on speakerphone (another new experience! Both of you yelling at once! What novelty!), I would like to make a few key points clear.

Main Point: It is not my fault that your son is inevitably destined to drop out of school. That pleasure, I'm afraid, must belong to the two of you and your spawn.

If, however, he stays in school here are some useful tips for you to keep track of him:

Do

1. Think about the situation in its entirety before yelling incoherently at a teacher.
2. If you think in September that your son may do better with a teacher whose class he has not previously failed, switch teachers immediately.
3. Take away his damn cell phone.
4. Don't just check his grades online! Check his attendance as well! Perhaps if he is late to 4th period more than, say 10 times a semester, you should ask him to shorten his marijuana time with friends at lunch so he can go to class.
5. Take responsibility for your own kid.
6. Be concerned before finals week if you son has a D or lower in Spanish I... for the second time in his high school career. And don't be surprised and infuriated with the teacher that it dropped to an F. Perhaps it was because the student failed. Weird.
7. Read the class information sheet that was sent home in September. I promise it explained in detail the grading policy, deadline for making up tests, participation, and cell phone policy. Oh oops... that was the second missing assignment of the year.
8. That should have been a red flag.

And, just for future reference, calling me a heartless person without compassion who should have taken responsibility for the situation was not very kind. Or accurate. I assumed that a 17 year old, whom I check in with weekly, should be able to a) Learn the material that he missed last time around; b) Use the plethora of resources around him, including the two special Spanish-speaking tutors, for extra help; and c) Advocate for himself. If he can't, you didn't do your job either.

International Mix-up

2009-12-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

Last night our Spanish and French Clubs hosted an International Mixer. We invited all the exchange students from the area and bribed our kids to come with extra credit. There was quite the showing - 30 or so exchange students and maybe 80 of our students.

Aside from the obvious complaint of a 14-hour workday punctuated by watching children dirty dancing (and scolding them, of course. eeew. grinding.), it is a lot of fun. The kids have a great time. They meet people and tell me, "Wow, you weren't joking when you said there'd be cute foreign people here."

My personal highlight, though, occurred near the end. I was congratulating one of my Bangladeshi students on actually dancing at the dance (which he had previously said he would not do), when one of his international buddies from Pakistan walked up.

Boy: Are you a teacher?
Me: Yes.
Boy: Will you dance with me?
Me: No.
Boy: What??
Me: No.
Boy: Why not?
Me: Because I'm married and I don't dance with students.
Boy: It's just a dance!
Me: No.
Boy: Come on!
Me: No.
Boy: You break my heart.
Me: I will not dance with you. Why don't you ask one of those girls?
Boy: But I want to dance with you.
Me: But I said no.

Realizing this conversation could go on indefinitely, with my part of the script starting to be redundant, I walked away. My Bangladeshi student was laughing hysterically, of course. He claims he had nothing to do with it.

The next day, one of my other exchange students told me, "That boy was confused. We tried to tell him a teacher wouldn't dance with him, but he isn't used to girls telling him no."

A little dose of rejection is healthy for some people.

Spanish Class Booker Awards

2009-10-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

Stories written while I was out sick. They are translated for meaning, not accuracy (some of the words are wrong). :)

Un dia Brett juega en la clase de español y tiene hambre. Brett dice, "Mrs. Solan, hazme un bocadillo ahora." Mrs. Solan va a la cafetería y prepara un bocadillo en la cafeteria. En la clase de espanol los estudiantes van a la Chuck E Cheese. Mrs. Solan regresa a la clase y no hay estudiantes. Mrs. Solan dice "ay chihuahua. Yo necesito los estudiantes." Mrs Solan va la la chuck-E-Cheese y grita "Regresa a la clase ahora." Brett está en el agujero de bols y Mrs. Solan está muy furiosa. Brett agarra el bocadillo de Mrs. Solan y regresa a la clase de español. El Fin.

One day Brett plays in Spanish class and gets hungry. He says, "Mrs. Solan, make me a sandwich now." Mrs. Solan goes to the cafeteria and prepares a sandwich in the cafeteria. In Spanish class, the students go to Chuck E Cheese. Mrs. Solan returns to class and there aren't any students. Mrs. Solan says, "Ay chihuahua. I need the students." Mrs. Solan goes to Chuck-E-Cheese and yells, "Get back to class now." Brett is in the ball pit and Mrs. Solan is very furious. Brett grabs the sandwich from Mrs. Solan and returns to class. The end.

And choice exerpts from others:

El gato robato ataca humanos porque los cerebros son grandes. De repente, las baterías del gato robato mueren.

The robot cat attacks humans because their brains are big. Suddenly, the robot cat's batteries die.

Baillin Walling tiene dedos de salchica.

Baillin Walling has sausage fingers.

Hay una chica. Ella va al centro comerical con su cacahuate. Pero ellos viven en la selva. Cuando entran el centro comercial un mono ataca ellos y el mono come el cacahuate. Ay chihuahua. Ella va y compra un amigo nuevo. Ella compra un platano. Pero un mono ataca la chica y come el platano. El fin.

There is a girl. She goes to the mall with her peanut. But they live in the jungle. When they enter the mall, a monkey attacks them and the monkey eats the peanut. Oh bummer. She goes and buys a new friend. She buys a banana. But a monkey attacks the girl and eats the banana. The end.

El tiburon entra el centro comercial. El tiburon entra champs y compra los pantalones cortos. El tiburon va a la casa. La novia del tiburon dice, "no me gustan pantalones cortos. El tiburon dice no se. el tiburaon va a la cantina y bebe para olvidar sus problemas.

The shark enters the mall. The shark enters Champs and buys shorts. The shark goes home. His girlfriend says, "I don't like shorts." The shark says, "I don't know." The shark goes to the bar and drinks to forget his problems.

Top 10 Signs a Substitute is a Substidon't

2009-10-19T18:14:00.000-07:00

1. The class average on an assignment jumped from 29% (with regular teacher present) to 86% (substitute present)
2. The two class troublemakers love him
3. Underneath the directions on the lesson plan, the sub wrote, "We didn't have anything to do in this period."
4. Chairs are strewn throughout the classroom
5. The vocab quiz the kids were supposed to take mysteriously disappeared
6. There are thirty extra vocab quizzes sitting on my desk
7. The most commonly used adjective students use to describe him is "Creeper"
8. "Is hot" has been added to the teacher's room nameplate
9. The word "GAY" was written across the whiteboard in red marker
10. There is a swastika in the corner of the whiteboard.

On an additional note, I have to figure out how to deal with a kid who made fun of my coworker's accent when she (kindly and without duress) took over my class so I could leave early. The kicker: there are 3 students in that period who are from other countries and have accents. Some people make me mad. Oh - and the other irony is that the mocker is black. Yeah. Let's put people down because they're different and they can't help it.

2009-10-07T18:25:00.001-07:00

Because sometimes you need a nice dinner all to yourself.

Fifty

2009-09-30T19:16:00.001-07:00

Fifty Alternative and Appropriate Ways I Could Have Expressed Myself Better Than by Saying, "What the Hell?"
As turned in by Pablo today.

1. Wut?
2. Wut the google?
3. Wut the gout?
4. Wut did you say?
5. Wow
6. relly
7. why did you say that
8. critan
9. why me
10. thats cool
11. thats nice
12. I dint need to no that
13. how dos your mom feal about that?
14. shut the front door
15. rell mucher
16. good one
17. how did you no
18. I dint no that
19. thats not cool
20. why would you say that
21. thats stoker statis
22. I dint no you liked that
23. does you dad no
24. did you talk to my mom
25. how tells this liyes
26. how was your lunch
27. that angerd me
28. Im telling mom
29. Im telling dad
30. Ill git you back
31. holy stics
32. holy tost
33. holy goat
34. holy mother of mine
35. holy mike (boy in the class... last name deleted for privacy)
36. sond fun
37. you sond like sheep
38. you smell like sheep
39. are you a gout
40. how do you live with your self
41. look a goos
42. why mee
43. do you have to talk
44. I disagre
45. wut the dog
46. wut the can
47. wut the house
48. wut the school
49. wut the monster man
50. I'll google that

My personal favorites are #38 and #43. I'd also like to point out that this student can spell the word "would" correctly, but has trouble with... everything else. Can anyone figure out #s 8, 15, or 25?

School!

2009-09-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

Three days down - one hundred and seventy-seven to go!

I look around my second year classes and think fuzzy thoughts about my students from last year. They are energetic and focused and well-trained. I've already broken their will and don't have to work too hard to manage them.

The first years are learning slowly. I appear all Sweetness and Light. Until you screw around.

I spent some time looking up some of my kids' disciplinary records. Holy cow - some of these kids were getting into Serious Trouble at a very young age (think snorting smashed hyros at school or bringing glass shards and threatening to cut someone until they're dead in 7th grade). Yikes.

In the meantime, there is much to get used to. High heels. Dress clothes. Performing the Mary Show 5 hours a day. Waking up at 6. You know, work.

On a completely unrelated note, I'm thinking about taking up Bog Snorkling. Anyone want to train with me?

The Garden

2009-08-28T20:48:00.001-07:00

Gardening proved to be an unexpected delight this summer - I wanted a hobby and found one that brought joy and awe and food all at the same time! Here are some pictures of my babies:

Nasturtiums taste like pepper, incidentally. Yes, those are jalapenos too - there are going to be a lot of them in about a week. Anyone want to come over for nachos?

P.S. School starts on Tuesday. Yipe!

The Polish in Me

2009-08-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

I recently learned that my family is part Polish - it was one of those facts that everyone assumed I knew so they never actually mentioned it. Until this summer. When someone told a rude Polish joke to my cousin and she responded, "Um, I'm Polish," and stalked away pretending to be angry in order to leave the unfortunate jokster in a state of shame. My mom related this story to me and was shocked when I asked her if I was Polish too.

I've decided that it would improve my life greatly to practice partying like the Polish. Last Saturday, my dear cousin married a Polish girl. The wedding festivities were wild. There was a Traditional Polish-Catholic wedding mass, complete with a reading from the apocrypha (in Polish... I'm not sure what Tobit is about, and I keep forgetting to reread it) and a presentation of roses to Mary (the Virgin, that is). After the ceremony commenced much merrymaking in the form of a plethora of vodka. Lots of vodka. The bride and groom were presented with a loaf of bread (symbolizing God) and salt (symbolizing prosperity), which they had to eat. They washed it down with a shot of clear liquid - another tradition: whoever gets the one with vodka wears the pants in the family. The other is filled with water. Then lots of dancing and speeches in both languages. More dancing. Shouting at the couple to kiss. Singing the traditional toast. It was awesome.

So, large quantities of vodka aside, my new goal is to dance more and shout joyfully for people to kiss. I'll let you know how it goes.

Summer, part 1

2009-07-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well, we're on day 31 of summer. It doesn't feel like it's been that long at all. David and I recently returned from a 3-week vacation with my mom - first to the North Woods of Wisconsin for lakes and woods, hiking, biking, and small woodland creatures; then to Chicago for a day (Harry Potter Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry, anyone?); then finally to the Lake.

The funny moments:
We tried to see the Chicago fireworks, but the city magazine gave the wrong time. Like, seriously wrong. We arrived when it was over.
One evening we went out to row a boat around, but the mosquitos were so aggressive and numerous, we made a very funny picture for my cousins, shrieking and slapping and spinning in circles.
Watching a mink family fight over a freshly-caught fish while rowing around the island in a wooden rowboat built for a 5 year-old ( a perfect fit for me, actually).
We were plagued with unseasonable weather for most of the three weeks. It was fairly cold and very rainy. We braved some hikes and bike rides anyway, but it made for a surreal summer break overall. Swimming is one of my favorite things to do at the lake, and it was much too cold for me to do anything but jump in and climb out immediately.

There was a lot of time for thinking, though. I thought a lot about my family - the lake has been an enormous part of my family history for four generations. My great-grandparents met there. My grandfather and father spent all summer, every summer there. My strongest and fondest memories of my grandparents and dad are at the lake. For many of those rainy afternoons, I was remembering. My grandma let me help knead bread dough with her in the kitchen, and she and I "fished" for nails off the dock with a magnet on a string (the construction workers are careless with nails, and there were many small children crawling around). She told me a story about one of her cousins slipping on a freshly-waxed floor on her hiney, and I thought she would suffocate with laughter - she laughed so hard I very seriously thought she was going to die (I was maybe 10).

And my grandfather has such a legacy up there that the folks at church talk to us just because we're related. He loved that place - I hope, for his sake, that heaven is very similar.

And my dad. Sailing, playing the cello on the boathouse roof, playing diving games with me for hours, and taking us for long boat rides up the lake. It was the happiest I remember him.

And when we leave, it's like having to say goodbye again.

Teacher Appreciation Week

2009-05-07T17:16:00.000-07:00

Appreciate the teachers you know.

It's likely they've been given crap or a pink slip recently, and could use a thank you.

I got two cards today. They were both very sweet, and one of them even had my name spelled Mrs. Slogan. She's been my student for two years. It made me giggle, and I'll probably keep it for a long time because it makes me laugh.

Almost May

2009-04-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

I know I've been remiss in my blogging. Our vacation was fantastic - all day every day with the man I adore and this quality time in the sunshine no less... sigh. Oh for those days.

We've had three weeks of nonstop fun, including two WASLs, three somewhat grumpy parents (Yes, Mrs. So-and-so, you child may make up those points and knows how. I don't know why he didn't tell you himself.), and a lot of crap I need to grade before 9 a.m. on Monday. Too bad I forgot it at school.

There has been quite a bit of stress on the home front, the result of which is sleepless nights and a mean old cold virus. But after a little tense bit with David, in which outside stress was seeping in to our coupledom, we remembered to talk to Jesus and subsequently I feel constantly gushy about my life partner and try to tell him so in as many ways as I can think of. That was a long sentence. Good job! You got through it!

There are two big things I am excited for (three if you count the end of school coming up in 37 school days). Excitement 1: David and I were gifted a certificate to a night at a local hotel. We are going to enjoy a mini-vacation this very night! We're having dinner with a couple we really really like, playing a game or two with them, and hopefully then playing a game or two by ourselves. It should be awesometimes.

Excitement 2: I've decided to try gardening. Yeeps! I've never grown anything before in my life, so this is scary and exciting. I've done quite a bit of research (because I = nerd + teacher), and hope things actually grow. I still have doubts. But I planted my cool crops today - two kinds of lettuce, sugar snap peas, carrots, green onions, and dill. I also started lavender, strawberries, oregano, and basil (which has started coming up).

Meanwhile, it's time to start gussying for my big date tonight. Over and out.

2009-04-07T18:53:00.000-07:00

2009-03-18T19:16:00.000-07:00

I definitely signed in to type a blog with something specific in mind.

The topic fled my overworked brain. Sorry.

Meanwhile, David bought me a new bike and is putting it together right now. He's so good to me.

T-Minus 9 days until Cancun.

I remember! I read a really amazing book last week. A coworker lent me The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz, and I read it in four days despite general business of teaching life. Memorable characters, hilarious and heartwrenching takes about a Dominican family, and brand new Spanish cuss words. I loved the family and every last member drove me crazy. I loved the snippets of history written throughout in a highly entertaining manner. I loved the Spanish phrases scattered throughout.

If you are a particularly sensitive reader, you may object to the cussing and occasional vulgarity (although it did add a great deal to character development).

Classroom Quotes

2009-03-04T18:47:00.000-08:00

My kiddos say funny things sometimes. Here are my favorites:

"I'm psychedelic... no wait... dyslexic."

"What's the first answer (to the test). I mean, seriously."

"Use your pelirrojo powers!" (pelirrojo = redhead)

"How do you say methamphetamine in Spanish?"

"You should be biased. That's not cool!" (re grading assignments)

"I'm not mean! I'm nothing but Jesus to you!"

"I need a license because I'm flying a rotflicopter"

"You'll have to take your shirt off for me to hear you." (teacher to another teacher at lunchtime)

Birthday!

2009-03-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

It was just the sort of birthday a girl needs after a long week slaving away at work. At school, my coworkers sent students to my classroom with miscellaneous toys, classroom kitsch, and car survival kit necessities. The students interrupted my class every 4-10 minutes all day with birthday wishes. It made the lesson go slow, but it made me feel good.

I went to Old Navy and bought summer clothes for our spring break trip to Mexico in exactly 1 month.

David planned a super-fun party complete with pizza, root beer, games and friends. It was great.

Highlight: At 5:25 a.m. David rolled over and sang a sleepy happy birthday. He's sweet.

P.S. am feeling better about Japan prospects. We'll hear back in April. I'll let you know.

Interview

2009-02-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

David and I had our interviews today for teaching in Japan. Both of us have been nervous about it for weeks - it's great that we made it to the next step, but interviews are scary.

I woke up at 4 am, my heart racing, after an interview dream. Definitely unable to fall back asleep.

The actual interview... it's hard to say. Overall, I would give it a 6 out of 10. Maybe a 7. I'm more used to teaching interviews - the panel is easy to read, and you know when you've said something right. I felt totally lost - I could read anyone's expression and two out of the three seemed harsh and stoic. They painted a really bleak picture of what our life could look like next year.

What if your job asks you to work long hours, but David's doesn't. You have to work a lot and don't see him very much. Is that ok with you?

How will you react when he gets an invitation for a weekend away and you do not? Or vice versa? Would you accept an invitation to a wedding if he was not invited?

If you are chosen to participate you will be lonely
Will you be satisfied if you are the only foreigners in your town, it is dark and cold, you are lonely all the time, and, did we mention you'll be lonely?

Ok, that last one is a slight exaggeration. but they did emphasize the loneliness.

So I came home feeling very doubtful about the whole idea.

And All I Wanted To Do was talk to someone, but the couch ate my cell phone. So I burst into tears and wrote a blog instead.

I'm hoping by tomorrow my perspective will have evened out.

Lady Doctors and Mood Swings

2009-02-05T20:39:00.000-08:00

I went to my yearly Lady Doctor appointment this week. It was everything I imagined and more, and I don't mean happy things. Male readers, ye be warned. This is a girl post.

She was a very nice lady - stoutish and wearing a red corduroy dress. She chatted about traveling and foreign films while feeling me up, and I wondered how many times a day she chats about those topics, over and over again, trying to set her patients at ease.

Easily the highlight was when she put on her cute orange latex glove, squirted a big ole dollop of KY, and turned her finger toward me. Waving the finger at me, she said in a finger voice, "Hi, Mary. I'm all jellied up, I'm cold, and I'm comin' in!"

Seriously.

I also appreciated, "I just want you to know that I am here for all your contraceptive needs." Well thanks, doc. Part of those contraceptive needs included a birth control switch, which immediately messed me up. Bad. I've gone from deliriously happy to hopelessly depressed within 20 minutes. Gah! Hormones.

Happy Superbowl Sunday!

2009-02-01T08:06:00.001-08:00

Football is the third most boring TV experiences in the world. The first is golf, the second business/financial news. All three boring experiences are, coincidentally, always being broadcast simultaneously on the gym televisions. As my students say (the letters - not what they stand for or they have consequences), WTF? Even Billy Mays would be more interesting than this!

Aside from that tangent, today is the Superbowl, which makes me excited about $3million commercials and snacks, but for totally different reasons. I've been reading Mountains Beyond Mountains, and I'm pretty sure I could come up with more efficient uses of millions upon millions of dollars. Uses that include feeding hungry people, providing clean water, and vaccinating small children. Uses that do not include making a 30 second commercial. That's $100,000 per second. Just for the ads. If I start thinking about other endorsements, player salaries, stadium upkeep, etc. I just get pissed off.

Now that I started thinking about poverty, I don't really want to talk about snacks anymore. I'm going to make BBQ meatballs. I've never made meatballs before, but they seem like a pound or so of Squishy Good Times.

January

2009-01-29T19:46:00.000-08:00

I apparently decided to stop blogging in January. Sorry. But now that the end is in sight, I can emerge from my non-communicative cocoon.

I've always hated January - I think I am only now, on the 29th, starting to feel like a person again. Living in a frigid, dark ice-cube is not how we were created to live - I mean Adam and Eve were made nekkid. But now it's starting to be light when I drive home most days! Sunday is February! One month closer to May!

Work has been... uninspiring until about yesterday. Yesterday, my classes were laughing and focused, on-task, and enjoying Spanish. It was awesome. Before that I learned a couple things about the Hidden Rules of the Classroom. Rule #1: If, during a verbal exercise in which you are supposed to be telling your classmates about a family member in Spanish, you say, "She has these enormous tits!" with hand gestures, you will not remain in my classroom. Rule #2: If you have a native speaker do your homework and he accidentally leaves one of his world history assignments in there with matching hand writing, I will notice and will no longer allow you to turn in late assignments.

Oh these kids.

David and I are planning a trip to Mexico for spring break, and that trip has acted as motivation for gym trips, getting out of bed, and not trying to cuss out the thermometer for reading 19 when I think it should be 91.

That's all I can think of. I'll try to be better about updates.

Christmas Story

2008-12-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

We made it home for Christmas! We made merry with my mommy darling, brother, family and family friends for three days. Highlights included: watching David interact with my extended family. He is charming and delightful, they are charming and delightful, and fun was had by all. I also loved watching my 2 year old cousin play. He is full of joy and giggles. It was fun. We also hung out with David's sister and her family.

Travel back included a 10-hour late train, 8 hours being stuck in a mountain pass waiting for a broken freight train to be hauled out of a tunnel (no cell service), and some crabbiness on the down side. Silver linings included: wintry mountain scenes without worrying about driving, plenty of time to read a new book, and arriving home on time for David to play a gig with his band.

Merry Christmas, everyone. I was struck many times this year with minor bursts of understanding our celebration - our King chose our weak flesh, chose humble beginnings and a painful end to bring us salvation, peace, joy.

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
"Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From heaven's all-gracious King."
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o'er its Babel-sounds
The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the heavenly strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not
The tidings which they bring;
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing!

O ye, beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing!

I'll Be Home for Christmas

2008-12-22T19:50:00.001-08:00

Maybe.

We have Amtrak tickets that say we are going home (to my mom's house) tomorrow. Although getting over that dang mountain range and into the snow flurries and wind storms of the West has caused no end of problems for stranded travelers here, I am hopeful. Mostly hopeful, anyway.

Poor Christina is (still) stuck here. At least I got to hang out with her yesterday, which would never have been possible otherwise (she was on a DC to Seattle flight that landed here).

Today we finished the snow castle. It's amazing. Maybe even newsworthy. It's taller than David's head and decorated with icicles. I helped until my fingers hurt through 2 pairs of gloves today. Awesome.

Superfun snow!

2008-12-21T09:49:00.000-08:00

Well, 30" later, our first Snowstorm left everyone shoveling furiosly and acting neighborly. David very kindly rescued my car with his dad, and snowplowed the entire block. And built more snow castle. I've been somewhat left out of the activities due to a raging sinus infection. This morning I woke up to a tinkling sound and thought, "hmmm. Either a robber broke in to pee on our floor or something is leaking. David and I leapt out of bed to a burst pipe and three new inches of snow! Hurray! Happy winter, everyone.

P.s. My computer broke so pictures will only follow if David grants his lowly servant permission to put them on his computer first. In awesome news, I'm blogging from my new iPod! Thanks, husband!

Snow Day!

2008-12-18T09:58:00.000-08:00

It was snowing when I left for work yesterday morning at 7:10. It is still snowing today at 10 a.m. It has not stopped - apparently we have a new record! 17" in 24 hours! We even beat last January's dumpdown.

I left work at 3:00 sharp. I walked in the doors of my house at 6:27. Traffic was the worst mess I have ever seen. When I heard on the radio that my hill was closed I almost cried. It had taken me an hour (maybe more) to go west of the only open street to the south hill. I would have to backtrack to the street so I could have a chance at driving up a steep, snowy street. It wasn't worth it (and I was running out of gas). I parked my car on the side of the road and walked home. It took me 20 minutes. I was zooming past the cars waiting through 4 light changes to make it through the intersections. Suckers.

Pictures to follow.

Tree Trimming!

2008-12-13T17:37:00.000-08:00

Babies, babies everywhere

2008-12-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

If you are currently participating in dangerous kissing behavior, or you want to, ye be warned.

Speaking of smooches, there are a lot of pregnant people around. It makes me nervous. Like it's catching. Come to think of it, I frequently worry about pregnancy around this time of year. Any ideas why?

Sheesh.

2008-12-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

We had a little excitement today at school. Ten minutes into 5th period, the principal announced that we were in lockdown.

Awesome.

When it's a drill, they tell the teachers ahead of time. They hadn't said a word.

We sat on the floor in the back of the room with all the lights out and the blinds shut for about 20 minutes.

We found out later that a student had a severe case of the idiots and didn't think before he packed his backpack. He brought a practice grenade to school. Oops. Turns out that practice grenades look a lot like real grenades, and if you have one, you should never bring it to school.

All is fine, but it was moderately concerning. 20 minutes is a long time to wonder what's going on.

Plans

2008-11-22T16:22:00.000-08:00

We applied here today.

Update: New House

2008-11-22T15:59:00.000-08:00

We moved from David's studio apartment into a house he remodeled a couple years ago! It's only half a block away, which, combined with other motivating factors, made our move the fastest in history.

Here's a brief photo-tour:
My own personal reading nook

David's drumming nook and where you'll sleep if you stay with us

Self explanatory (note the roses on the counter)

Living room with pillows from Africa!

The musical corner of the living room

Dining area

Oh, children.

2008-11-18T17:40:00.000-08:00

Quote of the day:

Profesora, I can't learn colors. I'm psychedelic. Wait... I mean dyslexic.

Daylight Savings and Drunkards

2008-11-16T16:30:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling pretty blue since Daylight Savings brought eternal darkness to my world. The silver lining includes seeing the sunrise when I drive to work, and, on good days, the sunset as I'm driving home. The bad part is that I'm inside for each and every hour of light. I think it makes me a little depressed. Last week got so bad that I stopped doing things that I know will make me feel better (exercise! vitamins! vegetables! googly eyeing!). This week I'm hoping to turn things around. I'm seriously looking at HappyLights, and I'm scheduling in gym time (which also means I'm leaving work before 6 pm). The St. John's Wort tea I bought today apparently makes my birth control less effective, so... anyone want it?

On a completely separate topic, David and I got some fun People-Watching in last night at one of his colleague's birthday bash. We went to the Casbah, a new bar downtown. I don't usually do the bar scene, so it was highly entertaining for me. I've avoided most interaction with drunk people, preferring people as they are, and this gave me a nice jolt of reminder that being drunk is the antonym of being glamorous. We had fun - we danced and were silly and talked to people and avoided the unwanted attentions of drunk men.

And David's band is playing there next month. Wahoo!

Parent Conferences

2008-11-13T18:36:00.000-08:00

My place of employment has the dubious distinction of being the only high school in the area that holds parent conferences. Last night, all the teachers gathered in the commons, set out our gradesheets and waited for parents to show up. Usually the conversation follows this script:

Parent: I'm Eduardo's mom.
Teacher: Hello! Eduardo is such a pleasure to have in class. He still has an A, and is across the board delightful. Everyone loves him and occasionally we spend all class admiring his unique combination of intelligence, charm, popularity, and athleticism. We have decided it is all due to the influence of his mother. Congratulations. I have a plaque with flowers right here for you: Our Madre Número Uno.
Parent: I thought as much.

But sometimes, mom is feeling unbalanced. The kid is failing or (gasp!) has an A-. It's obviously THE TEACHER'S fault. Mom comes in and publicly humiliates new teachers in front of the other parents and her colleagues and students. The teacher then holds back tears as she searches in vain for the restroom (which she cannot find because she is new to the school), and finally hides under a table in the art room to cry quietly.

Not like that happened to me last year or anything.

It wasn't nearly as bad this year. My favorite mom came - she always makes me feel special. The grumpy parents were (rightfully) grumpy at their kids for skipping, not turning junk in, failing tests, etc.

But still. 12 hour days in which the last three are parents... yikes.

Catching up: Marriage

2008-11-10T22:04:00.001-08:00

Being married is way fun. I am feeling particularly gushy this evening because David spent the last 30 hours or so spoiling me like crazy. I had a 4 day weekend (so I can praise the Lord with Becky), so David told me not to make plans between Sunday afternoon and Monday evening.

We started out at the Melting Pot eating the most delightful fondue. Bread chunks dipped in boston lager and melty cheddar cheese, anyone? Then amazing Simmer-Your-Own-Cajun-Rubbed-Meat, followed by a little piece of every dessert to be dipped in a chocolate peanut butter fondue. How can you top that?

By taking me to a romantic hotel so we can share a bottle of wine and make googly eyes at each other.

By letting me wander around Aunties and Pier 1 and eating at Clinkerdaggers with me. Then coming home and reading on the couch next to each other.

Sigh of contentment.

We have some difficult moments (usually me being insecure about __________ and freaking out. David then feels like he's done something wrong, and I feel guilty about feeling insecure. It's silly, and it really sucks in the midst of it, but lucky for me I married a good communicator.)

Mostly it's just blissful, and I am filled with all sorts of smooshy feelings in my insides that make me grin really big and trip over things.

Catching up: School

2008-11-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

School seems like the easiest thing to write about.

Usually I feel like The Mary Show does a reasonably good job at a) Keeping Children Awake, and b) Learning Them Up. Then, when I least suspect it, a kid falls asleep in class.

Luckily for my ego, a kind suck up or two will exclaim, "How could anyone fall asleep in this class? It's my favorite." This particular soul didn't wake up until well into the following period. That's right. I let him sleep. I figured being embarrassed and late to his next class might keep him from doing it again. It beats getting mad, anyway.

Sixth period is still my Doom and Destruction. You may see me in the news as the teacher who threw six students out the window in one period. And the rest of the class applauded her.

David and I went to the Drama Club's Improv Night this week. Some of those kids are stinking funny. There were some dumb moments, but mostly it was a kick.

The quarter ended yesterday (= grades due soon). I'm currently deciding which assignments to grade and which to just slap a sticker on and hand back.

2008-10-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

Today was Gina's celebration of life service. It was touching and heartfelt and sad.

photo courtesy of Ben Blood

2008-10-04T14:59:00.000-07:00

He says it better than I.

The Sorrow

2008-09-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't been writing about what has been at the forefront of our thoughts over the last two months. David's mom is dying from cancer. It has been a source of deep sorrow to see a woman so filled with life and strength and sass be in so much pain, her spirit is trapped in a body under attack.

I intended to write more, but I'm not sure I can right now.

Back to School

2008-09-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

All went well. I love my second year students - they are so fun and so warm and joyful. Last Friday they spent almost the entire hour listening to a story I wrote about how a girl in the class went to the Olympics to compete in trampoline with her cockroach friend. It was really fun. The first year classes I don't like as much as last year, but they're mostly ok. They behaved really well and were learning on schedule.

Until hellions plagued my 6th period class with their baneful presence. At first I thought they were just the usual rowdy boys, but it escalated. When two freshmen boys continued to steal each other's belongings, we had a class-wide chat (the You-Are-In-High-School-Now-Act-Like-A-Grownup-Or-Get-Out-Of-My-Class one). They settled down for a little while, at least until the body parts started flying around the room. That's right. Some kid had a prosthetic ear that fell off and rolled across the floor of the class and came to rest at my feet.

Read that last sentence again. I want to make sure you got it.

All hell broke lose, naturally. They are thankfully gone now, even the kid who was punished for yelling, "Earless Hobo!"

Post Script

2008-08-26T19:26:00.001-07:00

School starts the day after tomorrow.

I am physically ready. Lessons are planned, copies are made, posters are tacked, papel picado is draped.

Excitement is lacking, motivation has run to the hills, doughnuts are consumed in stress.

A Real Yogi

2008-08-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

I started going to yoga class again at the gym three weeks ago. It feels wonderful to bend in funny ways and feel worked out without a treadmill.

However, don't be too impressed. My favorite poses are Happy Baby and Corpse Pose.

In fact, I start sneaking peaks at the clock just waiting for those two about 20 minutes before the class ends.

2008-08-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

My aunt and uncle have been going through my grandpa's papers and files - a daunting task that is taking a long time. Periodically they send a big envelope of old letters, pictures, news articles, and other paraphernalia they think I would find interesting. I always do because I'm a nerd like that.

This morning I opened their most recent gift. They found my grandpa's Proud Father file for my daddy. There were priceless old photos of him in high school working in his shop, clippings of the Moscow, Idaho newspaper about him as the featured cellist in the University symphony. I had no idea he was making cellos and playing featured solos in the University symphony as a sophomore in high school. There were also old programs from his funeral, at which members of the Seattle Symphony played, as he made the bows for most of the strings section. There's still an article on the internet about him.

It made me cry. Still, after almost 10 years, I feel a deep grief for his absence, and illogically hope that it will all have turned out to be a mistake and he can come be my dad again.

Happy Twomonthiversary, David!

2008-08-15T20:54:00.001-07:00

You're amazing and I love you.

David

2008-08-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

is now playing Wii boxing with the young son of a family friend. He is really good with kids, and makes me all swoony.

Swoon.

Wii Party

2008-08-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

I've decided my small group is fun. Not only did we meet as a small group, but one of the girls took me to yoga yesterday. Then tonight, two more came over to play Rock Band. Tomorrow night we're all meeting up for a Bollywood party complete with an Indian Feast.

They're really fun.

And we have hula hoop tournaments in the alley

And Clue Parties in the park.

Sleepbeating

2008-08-06T13:52:00.001-07:00

I dreamed about being trapped on a rickety old boat in the middle of the Mississippi River being forced to play ridiculous camp games by a group of armed bad guys. The winners got to live. One of the games involved hitting the other team with an object.

I woke up with a start and realized I was beating my husband over the head with a pillow.

He was very gracious about it.

Signature

2008-08-05T19:27:00.000-07:00

I spent the greater part of the afternoon at the DMV to change my name (finally) on my license! When the lady asked me to sign my new name in the yellow box, I hesitated. Apparently I am not a real girl because I have not practiced my new signature.

David was so happy about my new license he grabbed it and showed a friend across the room. I should have done it sooner.

Summer News

2008-08-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

Vegas was fun. The teacher conference made me laugh like crazy and gave me some great ideas for incorporating silly stories in my classes. I love silly stories. It made me happy to see a style of teaching that I feel uses my gifts. The hotel was ridiculously far from the Dazzly Part of town, but I caught a ride one afternoon and just walked around for hours and hours. I had fun, spent very little, ate yummy food, and ended up with gelato in St. Mark's Square:
photo taken by an old man who was laughing at my attempt to take a picture of me

Otherwise I have been assiduously avoiding thank you notes and all paperwork (ie name changing).

We've been spending quite a bit of time with David's family. The out-of-town relatives have mostly gone home, and we get to focus on the immediate family.

And we made a serious purchase, and have been working hard on it.

Treasure

2008-07-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

I discovered wedding pictures that were surreptitiously uploaded on my computer by an angelic bridesmaid (or was it a group plot?)

Thank you!

Las Vegas, anyone?

2008-07-11T16:22:00.001-07:00

Rather suddenly, I realize that I am going to Las Vegas next week. I've never been, and truthfully never cared much about going. However, I find myself in need of very specific teacher training to keep some peace at the place of work. My options at this point were limited. Las Vegas has the cheapest airfare.

I haven't traveled much by myself in the US. I went to France and Portugal for trips my myself no problem. I speak the language, and somehow Las Vegas seems scarier. Much scarier.

And I'll be away from my charming, funny, and handsome husband for three days. Pout.

I hope I can get over being scared. I want to go out and see things and have fun outside of my hotel room. Hopefully I will. I'll let you know.

In the meantime, anybody want to join me?

Honeymoon Photos

2008-07-11T16:09:00.001-07:00

As demanded...

2008-07-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

We are married, honeymooned, and mostly moved in! (if anyone knows how to insert joyous and celebratory music for a blog entry, let me know). This post will have to be brief, as it is after 1 pm and I haven't left the house yet. I do promise honeymoon pictures and more introspection later.

Best wedding day memories:
All of my dearest friends generously getting things done without being asked.
Feeling like a princess.

Best ceremony memory:
During the ring exchange, we both teared up and I stopped shaking and realized it was real and done and beautiful.

Best reception memory:
Getting a sneaky note from Caroline Fowler that said I looked beautiful and still very much like myself.

Best Davenport memory:
Waking up and eating room-service breakfast in bed with my husband. (Sorry if you were looking for a more titillating memory. This is a G-rated blog).

Best Honeymoon memories:
Doing nothing except hanging out with my best friend.
Salsa dancing in a cuban bar.
Hearing David giggling like I've never heard him giggle before when we swam with dolphins.
Fine dining on the beach (like, this-table-is-in-the-sand-on-the-beach, not what-a-lovely-view-of-the-beach) at sunset.
Zip-line jungle tour.

And check out these PHOTOS!

Day Before

2008-06-14T07:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Body,

This is Mind. I'm going to try to be polite, but it's going to be difficult. Why did you wake me up at 5am with a killer Charley Horse? NOT NICE. And you feel barfy - don't you know we have TONS to do today? And what is with the breakout?? I can't just be limping around feeling sorry for you all weekend. We're getting married for crying out loud. Pull yourself together.

Dear Mind,
Just shut up. Do you know what your stress hormones do to me? Don't you dare blame me for something you caused. I think you owe me an apology. And breakfast.

Just a tad

2008-06-06T19:45:00.001-07:00

I spent about half of my prep period crying under my desk.

I'm a little stressed out.

Magic

2008-06-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

One of my students put on a magic show this week. That sounds cheesier than it was - he is a very charismatic and talented person, and the show was incredibly entertaining. Two parts of his show blessed me immensely: watching the two thuglike teenage boys burst into stitches and hearing my student cheerfully (and unconsciously) repeat my words to the audience.

You in the back! I see you! You might as well participate because we're not moving on until you do.

Introspection

2008-06-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

I went to two weddings yesterday afternoon. Both were beautiful, both suited the couples' personalities perfectly. Listening to two different sets of vows and two sermons on marriage was timely, to say the least.

While I was driving from one wedding to the other, the idea of marriage - what it means, what it takes - crashed into my mind. In many ways I feel so unprepared. Aren't I supposed to be mature in order to get married? Don't I have to be this upstanding selfless woman who prays for her husband and future children for four hours every morning? Don't I have to be responsible with money? Don't I have to be unashamed of my naked body (and therefore weigh a ridiculous number on the scale)? All these questions overwhelmed me with feelings of complete unworthiness. I'm incapable of being a good wife.

While there has been so much healing in me - David being the catalyst for much of it - I am still mired in many insecurities. So I spent my drive thinking about where it comes from. A lot of my self-condemning language came from my dad. I don't want to pass it on to my children.

And then God decided I had done enough thinking on my own and stepped in. He said, "Mary." He always starts out by saying my name. "David is a gift. Your marriage is my grace to you. Your marriage is your mission to the world. You have never been worthy of the gifts I give you. That's the point, isn't it? While you were still a sinner, I died for you. And now, haven't you thought enough about yourself? Think about me. Love me. I will heal you if you'll only just look at me and let me."

So that's what I've been thinking about.

With apologies for being late...

2008-05-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

I know. Two and-a-half weeks to go, and I haven't blogged anything of substance in... a while.

In wedding plans: In 19 days I will be a married woman. When I think about them, planning details are overwhelming. I'm trying to make To Do lists with manageable chunks. Up next: marriage license, confirm details with Gonzaga, figure out where to buy a garter, buy a garter. Aside from the list, I'm excited. Really excited.

School: I have to teach 10 more lessons, including finals. I'm excited to be done - that means that somehow I survived this crazy first year and maybe I can keep going. I do genuinely like my students (almost always), and I love it when they have that burst of understanding. It's a rush. I had to deal with cranky crazy mom again today - but she was Cranky, Crazy, and Downright Mean enough this time to just send it right on to the Powers That Be, who promised to take care of it. Their response warmed my heart ("She's given us this shit before. I'll take care of it.")

Other: How do you know if you're getting an ulcer? Just curious.

The irises are blooming outside my house. They are my very favorites, and I spent about 20 minutes this evening taking pictures after my run.

I love running in the spring - the earth is finally alive. It smells like something new every few steps. It's hot enough to sweat, but not enough to make me want to drink out of random sprinklers. The birds sing louder.

The Impotence of Proofreading By Taylor Mali

2008-05-13T21:20:00.001-07:00

My extra little burst of giggles today.

Internet Fun

2008-04-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

My high score is 80%.

Countries like Gabon, Qatar, and Bahrain kill me.

A tad unorthodox

2008-04-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

The nurse came in to lunch the other day, saw us all looking glum, and gave us a copy of this.

Sudden Insight

2008-04-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me this morning if I was nervous about getting married.

I knew the answer immediately - no way.

I'm way excited. The only thing keeping me a little patient is the 187 things remaining on the to-do list (Not an exaggeration. There are actually 187 things on the list).

Checked off the list yesterday: Picked up David's band. Bought flower girl dress. Got 400 stamps in the mail. Printed address labels.

Maybe y'all can help with bridesmaid shoes, though. We're having trouble deciding. I like these
and these and more. Any more ideas?

2008-04-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

I hate grading.

Snapshots of Today

2008-04-10T19:48:00.000-07:00

I almost didn't go to the gym today. I even parked, walked to the door, and paused. I did go, but the only motivating factor was getting to listen to my audiobook.

I am wearing my Christmas reindeer pajamas.

Living alone is not for me. My roomies have been on tour, and while I don't see very much of them it is sad that they aren't here altogether. It makes me nervous of small noises, terrified to leave/enter the house in the dark, and lonely. Only a week or so left.

Body issues attempted to consume my afternoon thoughts. That's maybe a whole new post.

At lunch, I had something in my teeth. A coworker offered some dental floss, but I said no thanks - I'd work it out. And I did. In the bathroom with a hair. You read right - don't make me repeat it. It worked like a charm. As I walked out of the bathroom, the coworker (lurking in the hallway), threw the dental floss at me. I confessed. We laughed.

Said to me by a student: "You must be in a really good mood today. You're nicer." As opposed to most days when I'm a sadistic dictator.

The lack of wedding planning notes and work-related complaints is deliberate.

Photoshoot (aka The Game That Never Gets Boring)

2008-03-31T22:15:00.000-07:00

David and I decided to take our own engagement photos, but we need some help choosing which ones to include as a 3'6" by 5' poster for the wedding ceremony backdrop. Help!

Photo 1:
David says he's making a funny face, but I think he's handsome.

Photo 2:
Here's a fun candid that I think really captures our spirit.

Photo 3:
I love that we're looking lovingly at each other in this one.

Which one is best?

Spring Break?

2008-03-29T10:54:00.001-07:00

Today marks the full official day of Spring Break, and all the freedoms, sleep, and sweatpants that ensue. I say official because technically I took a sick day yesterday (a legitimate sick day filled with Sinus Wonder). I have dreamed of this week, oh, since mid-January. The crocuses magically reminding the other flowers that it is spring, the temperature rising enough to wear a feminine flowered skirt, the books on my shelf becoming friends with me again.

Imagine, then, my consternation when I glance out the kitchen window to see this:

And run to the back to make sure.

And run to the front to double check.

And scrape the five inches of snow off my car, so I can go have breakfast with David.

It's almost April, weather. Stop being a jerk.

*note: sorry about the sideways pictures. If I knew how to right it, I would.

Mary is...

2008-03-19T21:31:00.001-07:00

This is a fun game:

The contradictions are amusing:

mary is the mother of god
mary is a devil

or

mary is a whore
mary is still a virgin

My relationships appear unhealthy:

mary is the last thing i own
mary is unbelieving; makes acquaintance with the fairy
mary is beheaded by her cousin

Some things are true:

mary is arrested for giving brownies to suffering patients
mary is busy

Some are just silly:

mary is a chicken
mary is looking to hire hundreds of monsters

mary is for everyone

My Horoscope

2008-03-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

Karli read this out loud from the paper today as a joke:

Pisces: Musician Sarah McLachlan told the crowd at one of her concerts: "I feel great about singing really depressing songs." In the U2 song "A Man and a Woman," Bono sings, "The only pain is to feel nothing at all." They are your role models in the coming week, Pisces. I hope they inspire you to feel grateful for your capacity to experience such intense emotions. You're lucky to be so sensitive! You're blessed to have so much vital force! So please celebrate your talent for feeling melancholy and overwhelmed. Congratulate yourself for being such a connoisseur of guilt, confusion, and anxiety. You're more alive than other people. You've got a soul as big and wild and deep as the Amazon River.

Oh, I'm grateful.

And more alive than all of you suckers!

No, actually, I've been downright cheerful all week. Oh well. Maybe I'm dead like everyone else.

Improving Slowly

2008-03-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

I've felt much better since Sunday; an event I attribute to continued salsa lessons, newly acquired vitamins and discovering this website. Thanks, Jake!

2008-03-16T17:13:00.000-07:00

I feel like this most of the time:

The last couple months, I've been constantly on the edge of falling into a muddy pit. I'm one misunderstood comment away from sobbing inconsolably for two or three days. I'm irritable and snappy. The you're-not-and-never-will-be-good-enough dragon whispers constantly in my mind. I feel at fault for everything tragic, wicked, or annoying in the world.

And while this might be a usual sort of funk for first year teachers, for women planning a wedding, for women adjusting to hormonal birth control, for Eastern Washingtonians in March when the weather forecast says rain/snow 35 degrees every day for the next ten days, I want out. Normal or not, I want to be healed. I want joy and peace that seems impossible right now. I want to run from the voice that yells You're Too ______________ (stupid, lazy, fat, ugly, boring, etc) and You Don't Have Any ________________ (strength, friends, talent, time, energy).

How do I summon the gumption to get out of bed when I am so worn down I don't have any fire left in me?

Magical Mermaid Lungs

2008-03-11T20:50:00.001-07:00

While proctoring this test to juniors who failed the reading/writing portion, I ran across this old memory:

It almost made me laugh during the test (gasp! horror! not that!)

2008-03-08T13:29:00.000-08:00

Current Stress:

2008-03-08T13:10:00.000-08:00

the guest list numbers nearly 500.

our room holds 250.

assuming 15% of the people invited don't show, we still need to pare down our list by 200 people.

200.

people.

wimper.

Fighting

2008-03-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

The current battle with my to-do list rages on.

It is harder on days like today when I try to nobly accomplish something difficult, car-related, and tedious and it falls through, wasting the best part of the afternoon.

I feel pulled in so many directions that I want to cry. And my emotions ricochet off the people I like best.

But there is hope of spring.

Yay! I've been tagged!

2008-02-14T18:25:00.000-08:00

The Contents of my Purse:

The trick is, I've been carting around two substantial bolsas this week, just trading out my wallet when necessary. So...

Work Purse:

1. Love cartoon from David (in Spanish)
2. Empty fruit snacks wrapper (now it the garbage)
3. Four tea bags
4. Small bottle of ibuprofen
5. Sparkley lime lip gloss
6. Trident white gum
7. Albertson's card
8. Clean pair of socks
9. A bar of cherry almond soap (Christmas gift)
10. Bluetooth
11. Flashdrive
12. Another Albertson's card (?)
13. Bottle of Airborne
14. Nivea hand cream
15. CO Begelow Mentha lip tint (bright red)
16. More Trident white gum
17. Wedding to-do list (unlooked at)
18. Ipod sans headphones
19. Chapstick
20. Hairband
21. 2 ballpoint pens
22. Miscellaneous receipts
23. Manila folder with miscellaneous documents (mostly important)
24. Four periods worth of exams from Tuesday in a blue folder

Sigh. I need to clean my purses.

Fun purse:

1. Wallet
2. Tahiti Sweetie lotion
3. CO Bigelow Mentha lip shine (uncolored)
4. Body Shop lipstick
5. Tiny LED flashlight
6. 3 pens
7. Cover up (I thought I lost that)
8. Sucrets (Maximum strength, black cherry)
9. Small notebook
10. Half-eaten organic chocolate bar
11. Valentine from Ellyn
12. Drawings from David's niece
13. David's mom's business card
14. Penny
15. Toasted nuts 'n Cranberry Luna bar
16. Heart-shaped Reeses
17. Bobby pin
18. Crochet hook (4.0 mm)
19. Check from David's mom for wedding expenses
20. Laffy taffy wrapper
21. Triple Play coupons

I tag Miranda, Christina, Bianca (and Jeni, if you've started carrying a purse)

Photographer. Check.

2008-02-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

The more of his work I see, the more blessed I feel that we snatched him up.

winter woes

2008-02-05T20:26:00.001-08:00

Ok, here's the deal. Two winter complaints for two winter happies.

Complaint 1: It snowed 4" again before the chunky ice on the streets melted.

Complaint 2: It's supposed to snow again tomorrow.

Happy 1: A thaw in the forecast! 40 degrees on Friday!!

Happy 2: Yoga is fun. I went for the first time in an attempt to make my new gym membership worth the ridiculous money I paid for it. It was intense. I kind of thought yoga was for sissies, but I was way off. I'm going to hurt tomorrow.

Malawi Memory

2008-02-04T18:16:00.000-08:00

I was looking through some pictures from Malawi, and ran across this:

You'll notice he's not wearing pants.

That is a minor detail I did NOT catch when I got distracted by his hand-hewn canoe and shiny fish.

And what a fascinating disconnect to find beauty and pain so close to each other.

Tidbit

2008-02-02T19:40:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across this baby in my internet wanderings. Happy travels!

Confronting Whines

2008-02-02T11:05:00.000-08:00

Things I whine about regularly:
Being cold
Snow
Winter
Darkness
Getting stuck in the snow
How it snows more and more
Being wet because the snow comes up past my knees
Being tired
Moron students

Things I should talk about more:
How much I love David
How nice he is to me even when I whine
What I read in my Bible
What I read for fun
Music I like
People I like
Giggling with my roommates
How liberating it is to just Stop Doing My Hair. Or brushing it.
How glad I am to have a car even if it gets high-centered on the SnowIce or doesn't start or the alarm goes off accidentally
How much fun my job can be
How I make my students do/say silly things just to make me secretly laugh at them
The fun people I work with
Yummy food
How glad I am to have health insurance
Two snow days that we don't have to make up
The fun party I get in June
The fun vacation I get after the party

P.S. Do I need your address for an invitation? Email me!

Answered Prayers (even semi-silly ones)

2008-01-28T06:18:00.000-08:00

It's snowed a little bit here in town. Yesterday, David and I spent a couple or three hours digging out cars from the freshly plowed streets. Yes, they even plowed the side streets, even though that was 3-4 inches ago. We dug out my new car (side note: YAY!). Even though I'm refusing to drive it in this beast-weather until I have insurance, it's easier to dig freshly plowed snow than iced-over-compacted-mountains. We dug out a neighbor's car. We dug out David's car. We dug out another neighbor's car. We dug out his parents' driveway. It was the most exercise I'd gotten in months.

Featured in this photograph: my Handsome and Hardworking fiance, my pretty car, and the 11" or so of snow.

As all of this occurred, schools were closing like mad. Some waited for the Official Meeting to see what the combined opinions of such trustworthies as the State Patrol, Firefighters, Snow Plow Crews, and Paramedics thought. They shouted a resounding, "STAY HOME! DON'T BE AN IDIOT!" Most school districts closed. Except mine and the two other valley districts. I prayed, "Jesus, if it's going to snow, and least make it snow big enough to miss school. Amen."

This morning I woke up and checked the school closures. No Luck. The teacher giving me a ride was too afraid to come into my neighborhood (justifiable caution), so I was going to meet her at a bus stop 7 blocks away. I thought mutinous thoughts at this point. There is no reason to have school when none of the kids are going to show up anyway. They must despise us and want us to die icy deaths.

Luckily, I checked schools again, and we have reluctantly closed. And not until 5:30 a.m. AFTER the other schools. How heroic.

But YAY! I get to build a snowman with David today!

Big Decision

2008-01-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

I need to buy a car. I have been without vehicle for about a month now, due to former car being sadly totaled. I'm sure it's been a wonderful humbling experience and lovely money-saver. However, I would like a car now. In my price range are jewels like this. Pickings are slim. Young women are taken advantage of. I need help!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

It turns out we were in the right place at the right time. Edinburgh is internationally famous for its Hogmanay (New Year) celebrations.

By chance, we made it to the Torchlight Procession in which we, with 15,000 other people, processed through about two miles of the main streets with torches. We walked up Calton Hill and watched a giant Viking ship and a wooden stag burn like the biggest bonfire you've ever seen. They then set off the most incredible fireworks show I had ever seen until that night.

On New Year's Eve itself, we witnessed the biggest, friendliest, and wildest street party in the world. They closed off most streets in the downtown area and all of Edinburgh turned out, most with bottles in their hands, to dance, sing, drink, watch concerts, and party through the night. There were four or five stages set up with bands playing simultaneously. We ended up on a bridge at midnight, and watched two elaborate and identical fireworks shows on each side of the bridge, one at Edinburgh Castle and the other at Calton Hill. Strangers wished us a happy new year with shouts and handshakes and hugs.

This video gives you a great idea of what it looked like. It's a bit long, so if you get bored, skip to the last 30 seconds or so.

Yes, it was really like that.

Tourist Highlights

2008-01-03T14:03:00.001-08:00

Hosea...

2008-01-03T13:50:00.001-08:00

gets his own post.

The Big News

2008-01-03T13:33:00.000-08:00

David and I are engaged.

On Friday night he took me to a little park overlooking the city, dropped on one kneee and asked me to marry him. I, of course, burst into tears and said yes. Then, after an appropriate interval, went to a pub to listen to Scots sing traditional songs and joke around. (Which was amazing. These were songs that everyone had heard from their grandmothers and sang along. There was even one about Jacobites).

The sparkley

The center diamond is my great-grandmother's, the rest are from David. It is beautiful and princessy and sparkley.

Hip Hip Hooray!

2007-12-27T09:58:00.000-08:00

We made it to Edinburgh! Hosea is darling.

We are sleepy. More posts and pictures to follow (maybe).

Transportation: the Old Fashioned Way (sorta)

2007-12-20T10:48:00.000-08:00

You know when your car is (still) in the shop, and you suddenly remember you have a dentist appointment? And that all of your friends are working or otherwise appointmented. But then you look online and see that it's only 2.7 miles to the dentist and you can cut through two parks on the way.

I'm going to walk there and run back! Yay! Exercise, parks, fresh air, and it's above freezing!

Respite!

2007-12-19T15:41:00.001-08:00

One hour and eight minutes ago Christmas break began. I came home thinking, Man! I'm going to clean my room! After walking in the door, however, my legs decided they had had enough for the day and collapsed. So I'm sitting in the Comfy Blue Chair for a while until I can stand up again.

We went caroling today. I have Navidad Navidad Navidad Rock thoroughly stuck in my head. It was fun and bone-weary exhausting.

I will not set my alarm this week.

In one week, we're going to Scotland!

Love,
Mary

A Merry Christmas link

2007-12-15T20:44:00.000-08:00

From the Holy Family.

Students

2007-12-14T22:00:00.000-08:00

I encourage my students to doodle when they finish a test early. Sometimes it's really amusing. However, some of my third period boys like to draw doodles along a particular theme:

Yup. Death.

Sometmes I tell them to draw things I say in Spanish to check comprehension. We just learned ugly:

They're funny kids.

some news

2007-12-09T15:26:00.000-08:00

The bad news: Ice can make your car inexplicably and tragically attracted to big poles.

The good news: It's snowing and pretty. I'm ok. Nothing was leaking/exploding/smoking, which the tow truck guy assured me was a good sign. Three people stopped to ask if I was ok. That was nice. One even almost got hit by another car that was spinning down the hill (I mean spinning literally). He had to jump out of the way before the car smashed into his truck. He's ok.

The lessons learned: Don't procrastinate snow tires. And don't drive on 14th.

Airing of Grievances

2007-12-07T17:15:00.001-08:00

You know that little dragon-whisper that sneaks in sometimes and tells you, "Wow, you're trying So Hard, and you're still Not Good Enough." It's been plaguing me for the last few weeks. And I always underestimate how deep that not-good-enough wound is.

There was another loony mom last week. I don't want to talk about it besides saying that I have never before been spoken to so rudely and I would be a happy woman if she takes her spitefulness and immaturity far far away from me.

I have a cold.

I spent three days this week at school later than 5:30, one was about 6:45. That's a lot of working. And I still feel behind in grading, planning, organizing, and the PILE of miscellaneous paperwork that appears magically, as if summoned by aforementioned dragon.

No one ever thanks teachers.

I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, even on good days.

I am an unstable crazy woman to Mystery Man. Luckily, he is patient and kind.

Sunday night blues

2007-11-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

Sometimes on Sunday nights, I get a little loony. I don't know what I'm teaching tomorrow morning. I don't care. I need a hug. I eat some ice cream. I mope a little. And I procrastinate on the internet. Here's a sampling:

Merry Christmas, everybody. Love, Mary and Mystery Man

City Driving

2007-11-08T16:57:00.000-08:00

Considering some of my friends' commuting experiences, my morning drive to the next city over is painless.

I usually get an adrenaline rush as I recklessly zoom in the left lane, passing cars like a crazy woman. The irony? I am zooming at 67 miles an hour. Sometimes less. The right lane chugs along between 50-60 mph, and the middle lane at EXACTLY 60. The left lane remains comparatively empty, making it easy for us young LocoDrivers to break the law.

Oh, Washington. I love you.

Saturday posting...

2007-11-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

I just finished my very first hat!

Other exciting things: David took me to Across the Universe, and it's fun. I bought a shoe organizing rack and a pretty coat. It's sunny (pretty much).

Otherwise, this week kicked my butt. School left me totally wiped out every day. I stayed longer than 11 hours on Monday and Friday. I found myself, through a severe miscalculation, with an extra hour of unplanned class time. I have nightmares about things like that.

Marvelous Musings

2007-10-30T18:53:00.001-07:00

Which Jane Austen heroine are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Catherine Morland

You're Catherine Morland of Northanger Abbey! Innocent and good-hearted, you love to read gothic novels, the elements of which find their way into your daydreams.

Catherine Morland

85%

Elizabeth Bennet

75%

Marianne Dashwood

70%

Emma Woodhouse

70%

Anne Elliot

60%

Elinor Dashwood

60%

Fanny Price

50%

High School Excitement

2007-10-30T18:38:00.000-07:00

Today, I had a student come into class on time for once. I noticed him
a) because he was on time, and
b) because he was holding his face in his hands.

Something was wrong. As I walked over, his friends let him to the sink and I heard the chatter of students gleefully explaining what happened. Turns out, my sophomore student (Yes! He'll be driving soon!) pepper-sprayed himself in the face.

Himself.

In the face.

For $10.

He tried to refuse when I sent him to the nurse. He got pretty belligerent actually, but I persuaded him eventually ("Well, you can go yourself, or I can have someone come up and take you down."). The office called too, and asked if I needed the Sheriff and Deputy to come to my room (??). Luckily the "incident" did not happen in my room, and there was no weapon present.

The paramedics took him to the hospital.

My class was bananas for the rest of the period. This class is bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S! This class is bananas! B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

Important lessons learned: Pepper Spray counts as a weapon and is NOT allowed at school. Pepper Spray hurts really bad. More than $10 worth bad.

Halloween Party '07

2007-10-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

Art Masterpieces Theme:

It took me a while to decide. I am pre-beheading and bearming of course.

We also had people dressed as Zac and Karli...

Rainbows... (not pictured)
The real and lovely Karli,
Van Gogh, the girl with the pearl earring, and a guy with an apple in front of his face... I didn't recognize that one.
and mountain climbers.

Oh, and one really attractive and charming cowboy.