Ah, working with 3rd graders can be rewarding and frustrating all within about 10 seconds. Here is a glimpse into my day... Oh wait, let's set up the scene for you.
Yesterday a student (named R) didn't finish an assignment. So I gave R the choice do it at recess or do it at home. Okay R chooses to do it at home -- I know big surprise from an 8 year old. So this morning I asked R if the paper was completed. Ah, there it was the blank stare. You know, the one where someone looks at you -- specifically a child -- like you just asked them if they sucked on their toes. I then tell R that there is no choice and it must be completed at recess. Now fast forward to recess...

Me: R where is Pg. 13?

R: (blank stare, this time as if I asked if R read War and Peace)

Me: You know the one that you were supposed to do last night at home. You showed it to me this morning.

R:  (blank stare -- okay, now this is getting old)

Me: (getting out another student's paper) It looks like this.

R: (looks in Practice Book)

Me: No, you tore it out yesterday. Look in your Classwork Folder. (not there) Okay, look in your Homework Folder (not there either)
(inside my head -- seriously, what the hell did this kid do with the paper? Oh, fuck it, the kid has no idea what paper I'm talking about, like R has any idea what happened to it? How does R survive on a daily basis????)

R: (looking at me like I'm cracked and completely dumbfounded)

Me: Come with me, I'll make a copy for you to do.

Wait, now that I think about it, I don't think R ever turned in that damn paper. Fuck! I wasted half my recess for nothing. Ugh!!!
 
So I was supposed to go to a baby shower today. I felt so overwhelmed by stuff that needed to get done at school, I went into work. I should have went to the party! While parked and getting Samson out of the backseat, some jackass decided that it might be fun to take my back door with him...with my ass sticking out it! All I know is that I was putting the leash on Samson -- who was sitting on the backseat floor -- when I hear the most horrendous noise. Fortunately, I couldn't register the noise so I didn't move. When I did, I realized that someone tried to take out the door, with their car (minivan). I began to wave and yell, "Son of a bitch!" and "STOP!!!!" all while waving my arms. Of course the person stopped at the stop sign and turned. So thank you asshole!!!

I am thankful that Samson and I are fine, just a little shaken. It took a while, but I finally got the car door to close. I did call the cops and filed a report. But let's face it, if they can't solve murders what's the chance that they'll find the car that hit me. Yes, I did see that it was a blue minivan with the license plate beginning with 6C or 6G. Sadly, I accidentally left my phone at home otherwise I would have gotten it out and taken a picture of it! Jackasses!!!!

I'm a little upset, but mainly thankful that Samson and I are okay. I also know that Karma is a bitch and this will catch up with the person who did this -- it's the running away part that really gets me. Karma!

So this is the damage...
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You can't tell from this, but I can see all the electrical and inner workings of the back door. Don't ask me how, but it still locks/unlocks and the window can go up and down. This is a view from above. There is now a HUGE gap between the window and the metal on the door.

 
This past week was our first week back to school. I have to say that it seems that I have a good class. We actually went on a walking field trip around town on Friday. Something I would have NEVER done with last year's class. Even the students who were with me last year notice a difference. They are much happier this year.
 
Before anyone calls the authorities, I did NOT take 40 kids wine tasting! However, for about 6 hours one day last week, someone thought it might be mighty fun if I had 40 3rd graders in one class. And yes, that not only is a lot, but it is also above the legal limit. So to make a long, stressful story short, I am back down to 30. I sure do miss the days of class size reduction (20 kids in a class).


A friend from Spain came into town with some of her friends who are planning to get married in Vegas -- but it doesn't count! How cool is that? They didn't get the proper paperwork from Spain, so the Vegas wedding is just for kicks! Anyway, we all went wine tasting here in Monterey County -- which in my opinion has better wines than Napa and Sonoma! We then ventured out to Monterey and Carmel. I will post pics later, running short on time.


Finally, we have MORE inservices! Seriously when will someone start to make them interesting. In all the years I've been a teacher I could probably count on one hand the number of times that I went to an inservice and enjoyed it! Yesterday the woman was explaining the new writing program. It became obvious -- to everyone, but the presenter, that we NEEDED a break. Sadly, she just kept plowing threw. That's when I vowed never to do that to my students again. Oh, and Ms. 'I'm my own biggest fan' pops in for literally two minutes -- of course we were antsy at that time -- and tells the presenter to tell us to -- basically -- be quiet. Of course the presenter said it in a much nicer manner. Then Ms. 'I'm my own biggest fan' ran out of the room. I don't even think she stayed long enough to hear the presenter to tell us to shut the fuck up! 


So, now I am off for more training...oh the joy!
 
I still crack up watching those 'Scrubby Bubbles' on the commercials. I remember those same guys when I was a kid. I was thoroughly confused as to why my mother never bought that stuff. I mean the bubbles come out of a can or whatever and clean your bathroom for you! What a great thing! I may have even asked her why she didn't buy the product. I mean if a product came with little dudes that would clean my bathroom, I would so totally buy it! I was sooooo disappointed to find out that commercials lie! How could they have led me on like that? Bastards!!

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Imagine, your a cute little kids watching Soul Train on Saturdays with your mom, while sitting on a floral print, velour couch -- weren't the 70's grand? Then this commercial comes on and a hundred or so of these guys comes out and cleans the tub. Then they go down the drain all on their own -- and presumably cleaning the pipes along the way. Yup, that was my thought process as a kid!

Then today after our walk -- that would be the stud dog Samson and myself -- I receive a phone call from my University in Michigan (Oakland University). Oh the good times I had there... They're putting together some damn Alumni book and wanted some basic facts from me. "Okay, fine, I'll humor them," is what I'm thinking. So the questions were basic. When did you graduate? (Can't remember...told ya, good times). Current address and phone number (gave em the one and reminded them that THEY called ME...I think they have the number!) Then...they asked about what I do..."Ah-ha! Law of Attraction saying Hello," I think to myself. So I say teacher AND writer! Cuz after all, that is what I want to be! So I put it out there in the Universe. Oh, then there was the question about spouse and kids. I asked if she knew anybody. Sadly, no.