Despite Popular Belief...

... I'm not dead. I've just been on a blogging and internet hiatus due to no internet access (or time!) on our vacation. I'm still in California. We spent 5 (sometimes) magical days in Disneyland and California Adventure. Another couple of days in Yosemite National Park. AMAZING. We're now in Windsor, California and yesterday I enjoyed doing absolutely nothing more than just sitting by the pool and reading a book. AWESOME. We leave tomorrow to drive home and I'm glad. I miss Evan. By the time I get home, I won't have seen him in 2 weeks, which, I've realized, is much too long. I'll write more soon! I'm back to reading my book and playing with my nieces and nephew. Hope you all are enjoying summer!

(This is a picture I sent to Evan last week because I miss him so much!)

And I'm Off...

It's funny that the German word of the day was "Welt" (world) and the sentence that went with it said, "It would be nice to take a world trip."


Traveling to California today may NOT consist of a world trip, so to speak, but I am getting out of town to enjoy some R&R (and a good tan!) with family and friends. Still debating on bringing a computer or not. If I don't, I may not post for a couple weeks, but rest assured faithful readers, I WILL post about my trip in a timely manner!

YAY! School's out for summer!

Advice of the Day

I had my students write advice cards to the incoming 7th grade students. Today, as I was reading through the cards, I found that one of my IEP students (who struggles in integrating with others, but LOVES drawing pictures of wolves) wrote fabulous advice for life.

She wrote:

• Don't be shy. Don't get mad. Just have a good day!
• If you see someone sad, say "Hi!" and smile at them.
• Treat others how you want to be treated.

I loved it! She is a shy person who talks generally only to the teacher, but to no other students. I thought this was great advice for all of us to remember. :) Happy Friday! And happy summer break to me, which starts today in an hour. Yay!

SoCal here I come!

My family has been planning a trip to Southern California for a few months because of a family wedding. They have probably been inviting me to go for just as long. Initially, I thought I couldn't go because they would be driving down and leaving 2 days before school ended. However, last week, they mentioned that I could just buy a one-way ticket to fly down and then meet up with them, hang out at the beach, go to Disneyland, and Coronado Island (in San Diego). They even threw in that they would pay for me to go to Disneyland. Sweet. (I love Disneyland and haven't been in 6 years.)

I deliberated for a few days (and drug my feet for a few more days) when Evan reminded me how much I am LONGING FOR ADVENTURE and that this is my chance to get out of dodge. SO, I decided I am going! Look out California, here I come!

P.S. Sadly, Evan can't come with me because he is started a new quarter of school two days after I leave and we'll be gone for two weeks.

Longing for Adventure

Image via here

Today, I long to get out and see the world. I yearn to experience cultures, places, languages, food, and people. Sometimes I think I'm scared to take a leap and to see what will happen. Maybe I'm a homebody, maybe I am worried about using money now because of a "rainy day" in the future. In spite of my reservations, I cannot get it out of my mind that I want to go somewhere. Now. I want to have an adventure and experience a little more fully the world that we live in.

The one thought that keeps coming to my mind is: Why can't I be doing this now in my daily life? Why is it that I have to wait until the weekend to get away from the daily grind and let loose a little? I need to enjoy life now and take every opportunity afforded me to be adventurous and spontaneous, for this moment will never come again. In 20 years, I do not want to regret what I did not do. I want to be proud of what I did.

Mt. Peak & Jesus Cares

(Written 12/30/10:) For me, Mt. Peak is my go-to hike. I've been hiking up and down this mountain since the early 90's! It's a quick hike up (35+ minutes on a slow day, 19 being my best time) and is beautiful with a lush green landscape nearly year-round. If you push yourself, it can be an extremely challenging workout.

Evan and I decided this would be our hike of choice today. Most people call this "The Peak" or "Peak." Our joke in high school (and maybe the truth) was that people would say "Meet me at Peak" if they wanted to fight after school. I've never seen a fight there, but have heard rumors that the "Meet me at Peak" stories are true.

Here are a few cheesy views from the trail:

After a quick hike up Mt. Peak, Evan and I headed to the REI in Tacoma so Evan could get new wheels for his bicycle. (Somebody from Craig's List met him there.) I had to laugh as I took this picture of Evan loading the tires and the neon "Jesus Cares About You" sign glowing in the background. Nice.

Library Day Makes Me Cranky

NOTE: If you choose to read this blog post, you may be subject to hearing the complaints of a frustrated teacher. You have been warned.

Our school started a new class this year in order to promote, encourage, and improve reading: We have a 30 minute silent reading class period at the end of the school day. This means that, as an English teacher in this school, I must take my students to the library once a week to ensure they have enough to read throughout the week and over the weekend.

However, sometimes this is a pain. Okay... Let's get real here, most times it is a pain! Unfortunately, no amount of reminders gets students to come to class prepared. Our start-of-class conversations usually go a little something like this:

ME: (BEFORE the bell rings) "Make sure you have a book to bring to the library! If you don't, go get it out of your locker."

A few kids yell "Oh, no!" and scramble to go get their books. No problem!

ME: (AFTER bell rings) "Okay, hold up your book if you have one."

I then quickly look over the class to make sure every student has a book to

take to the library, either to return, renew or read while everyone is

checking out books, stopping occasionally while certain students

comment on WHY they don't have a book. Problem.

STUDENT: "Mrs. Stout, I don't have my book because I left it in my locker." OR "I left my book at home." OR "I don't want to check out a book." And the list could go on and on.

I understand that kids, like adults, can occasionally forget to come prepared. But, it seems that the same students "forget" every week.

Sadly, this isn't the hardest part of library day. I then proceed to take 30+ students to the library for 10-15 minutes at the start of class, attempting to keep them quiet in the hallways as we pass 5 other teachers' classrooms.

Once we arrive at the library, trying to keep students quiet and reading rather than hiding in corners to chat with friends is a management nightmare! While most students are good about keeping it quiet, there are some repeat offenders that REFUSE to whisper in the library (cue evil glare from librarian) and instead sneak to sit and hide in corners while I'm helping other students to find books. (My favorite part of library day is helping students find new books!)

When I go with 1st period to the library, I have energy and it's not so bad. But, by the time I reach 6th period, and I've been back and forth to the library 5 times roundtrip, I become somewhat irritable and cranky. Even if my students aren't, I am grateful we just had our FINAL library day of the year! YAY!

P.S. Let it be known that I LOVE going to the library... but, the love feeling is generally only present when I go without 30+ pre-teens. :)

Moving On...

(Written 12/30/10:) Another school year has come and gone and I'm faced (yet again) with the challenge of packing up my classroom and moving to another school. I have been at 4 schools in 3 school years. That's a lot of moving. I have learned a lot at each and have enjoyed all of the subjects and students I have taught. I'm really excited to be teaching German again next year.

Out of nostalgia (and to delay packing a little bit longer), I took these pictures before I started tearing it all down. My favorite thing that I put up at the beginning of the year was the wall with the map and the words surrounding it. Before the school year started, I came into a disaster of a room. I feel like I did a lot to clean it out and organize it for the next inhabitant. Here's to moving out and move on...

NOTE: In the front, above the white board is a wall of quotes. The kids could add to the wall throughout the year. It was a fun idea I had!

Free Desktop Backgrounds

As posted on OUR FAB FINDS, a new blog Rachel and I started

(more details about the new blog to come!)

I don't know about you, but I get SUPER bored with the desktop background I have at work! It's hard to look at it for more than a month at a time. While I could put up pictures of families and friends, I choose to be a little more creative with my work space.

Thankfully, Smashing Magazine provides a variety of FREE desktop backgrounds for every month of the year. And, what's better... each background comes replete with a monthly calendar as well. This is the one I chose for this month. Happy June!