I thought I'd have a heart attack when I saw my observer walk in to the class before I thought she would. This class...5th grade...hard class to teach. But, the observation went well and she had great things to say, and I am relieved. Yay! Time for a happy dance!!
I'm still feeling super overwhelmed about this project. However, I am making progress. I think it will all work out OK, although I'll have to spend hours and hours editing, I think.
Enough about that-I have been neglecting my blog, and I'm sorry. Sorry mostly to myself, because I love this little blog. I think of it almost like an adorable pet, and I'm feeling guilty because I haven't fed it enough.
Do you ever just feel bleh...you know, like getting out of bed is so hard that you're pretty sure you'll never make it through the day so that you can get back? I feel that way today. I'm not really tired. I just want to get in bed and stay there. Anyone who wants to see me could surely see me from my bed. I just want to hide.
And I'm getting an observation today, which is never fun. The worst is that it is during 6th grade time. Around 1:20, the 6th graders pack their bookbags, then go to recess. So in their mind, they're done, right? So they run around and get sweaty and tired, and then come to specials. So, I have 25 rambunctious kids who feel like their day is already over. It's very difficult to accomplish anything in those classes. Especially on Fridays, when they know all that is keeping them from the weekend is my class. It's frustrating. But then, 6th graders have frustrated me pretty much since my first day teaching.
But the little ones. I love them so much. And as the year goes on, I get more and more hugs, which is excellent. And today, this very sweet girl made some flowers for me. My mornings are always excellent, but after lunch, it's big kids all the way. And I don't want you to think that I hate older kids...but they're not as much fun. They're very worried about what their friends think about them, and they have to be "cool" all the time...so drama is tricky. I'm always having to think..."If I were their age, would this be cool or dorky?" And lots of times, I'm wrong.
Perhaps the real source of my frustration is simply that it is nearing the end of the year...the hardest part of the whole thing.
I'm struggling, ya'll! Any ideas?
Hey, Hey
Hey hey are you ready?(clap, clap)
Are you ready?(clap,clap)
To test(clap)
Say go rockets(clap)
Go rockets (clap) (clap)
Rockets all the way!
We're up for the Challenge and glad to be here
We wish you the best of luck, ready set, let's cheer
We've got the spirit, we're not weak! We're going to ace that test this week! We've got the talent, we've got the heat! Catawba Rockets just can't be beat!
Catawba Elementary is the best! We’re gonna ace that mean ole’ test.
We'll show you what we've got, 'cause we're the best and we're hot!
Explode! Ignite
Catawba Rockets are dynamite
We’re going to ace those EOGs
We’re going to ace them wait and see.
Is it A or B or C or D?
Think about it hard and you will see!
Take your time and ace that test.
You’ll soon see that you’re the best.
The night before get lots of rest!
That will help to ace the test!
And make sure you eat some food-
Grumbly tummies are awfully rude.
Don’t be scared, don’t be nervous!
You’ll be as slick as the secret service!
I love to blog, don't get me wrong, but I've been a smidge too busy. Today, I've been teaching school and working on a video project that just had to get finished, and I suppose I should do some trivia questions, too, or tonight probably wouldn't go well. So, it may be tomorrow before I get back to this. Internet, I miss you!
I can't believe it's already Friday. This week flew more quickly than normal. I've just discovered that I love twitter. I kept hearing about it, but I just didn't care. But now, I care. It totally satisfies my need to blog, but satisfies it in about 30 seconds.
This weekend-dinner with the in-laws, including Thad, who is coming in from Asheville. Guitar lessons!! Karaoke!!! Sleeping past 6:30!!
I have an enormous project coming up at school, and any ideas you have would be helpful. Grades 3-6 have to take the End of Grade tests, and thanks to George Bush, this is a very very important thing, and EVERYONE freaks out about it. My job? To create a movie that includes each class in the whole school doing something peppy to get ready for it. Then, I will edit it all together, and we'll show the movie instead of a pep rally. I would have no problem doing this with say, 10 classes. But I have to do it with 24, and I just am a little overwhelmed. That's a lot of plays and cheers and songs I have to write. So, any ideas?
Interesting coincidence: My mom took the personality test, and so did Allison. And guess what? They have the same personality type! Which would totally explain why I've been drawn to Allison the whole time I've known her. But, they do not remind me of each other. But now that I'm thinking about it, I totally buy it.
Since I was so fascinated with the results of the quick and silly personality test, I took a real Myers/Brigg test. Result? Performer. :)
What follows is a creepily accurate look at my personality (I especially like how it mentions at least 2 times that I like to be the center of attention):
The Performer
As an ESFP, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion. Your secondary mode is internal, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit with your personal value system.
ESFPs live in the world of people possibilties. They love people and new experiences. They are lively and fun, and enjoy being the center of attention. They live in the here-and-now, and relish excitement and drama in their lives.
ESFPs have very strong inter-personal skills, and may find themselves in the role of the peacemaker frequently. Since they make decisions by using their personal values, they are usually very sympathetic and concerned for other people's well-being. They're usually quite generous and warm. They are very observant about other people, and seem to sense what is wrong with someone before others might, responding warmly with a solution to a practical need. They might not be the best advice-givers in the world, because they dislike theory and future-planning, but they are great for giving practical care.
ESFP is definitely a spontaneous, optimistic individual. They love to have fun. If the ESFP has not developed their Thinking side by giving consideration to rational thought processing, they tend to become over-indulgent, and place more importance on immediate sensation and gratification than on their duties and obligations. They may also avoid looking at long-term consequences of their actions.
For the ESFP, the entire world is a stage. They love to be the center of attention and perform for people. They're constantly putting on a show for others to entertain them and make them happy. They enjoy stimulating other people's senses, and are extremely good at it. They would love nothing more than for life to be a continual party, in which they play the role of the fun-loving host.
ESFPs love people, and everybody loves an ESFP. One of their greatest gifts is their general acceptance of everyone. They are upbeat and enthusiastic, and genuinely like almost everybody. An ESFP is unfailingly warm and generous with their friends, and they generally treat everyone as a friend. However, once crosesed, an ESFP is likely to make a very strong and stubborn judgment against the person who crossed them. They are capable of deep dislike in such a situation.
The ESFP under a great deal of stress gets overwhelmed with negatives thoughts and possibilities. As an optimistic individual who lives in the world of possibilities, negative possibilities do not sit well with them. In an effort to combat these thoughts, they're likely to come up with simple, global statements to explain away the problem. These simplistic explanations may or may not truly get to the nature of the issue, but they serve the ESFP well by allowing them to get over it.
ESFPs are likely to be very practical, although they hate structure and routine. They like to "go with the flow", trusting in their ability to improvise in any situation presented to them. They learn best with "hands-on" experience, rather than by studying a book. They're uncomfortable with theory. If an ESFP hasn't developed their intuitive side, they may tend to avoid situations which involve a lot of theoretical thinking, or which are complex and ambiguous. For this reason, an ESFP may have difficulty in school. On the other hand, the ESFP does extremely well in situations where they're allowed to learn by interacting with others, or in which they "learn by doing".
ESFPs have a very well-developed appreciation for aesthetic beauty, and an excellent sense of space and function. If they have the means, they're likely to have to have many beautiful possessions, and an artfully furnished home. In general, they take great pleasure in objects of aesthetic beauty. They're likely to have a strong appreciation for the finer things in life, such as good food and good wine.
The ESFP is a great team player. He or she is not likely to create any problems or fuss, and is likely to create the most fun environment possible for getting the task done. ESFPs will do best in careers in which they are able to use their excellent people skills, along with their abilities to meld ideas into structured formats. Since they are fast-paced individuals who like new experiences, they should choose careers which offer or require a lot of diversity, as well as people skills.
ESFPs usually like to feel strongly bonded with other people, and have a connection with animals and small children that is not found in most other types. They're likely to have a strong appreciation for the beauties of nature as well.
The ESFP has a tremendous love for life, and knows how to have fun. They like to bring others along on their fun-rides, and are typically a lot of fun to be with. They're flexible, adaptable, genuinely interested in people, and usually kind-hearted. They have a special ability to get a lot of fun out of life, but they need to watch out for the pitfalls associated with living entirely in the moment.
Darjeeling Limited is an awesome movie that I recommend highly. It was a charming look at 3 brothers, it made me laugh, and it was beautiful. Also, yay for movie rentals through iTunes. I hate going to the movie store. Jon and I rented from iTunes, and watched the movie on the back porch on my laptop. Very nice, very nice.
So Sparknotes has this great personality test. It uses the same classifications as some of the bigger more respected personality tests, but asks questions that are more entertaining. I took it in college, and took it yesterday as well, just to see if my personality type has changed. Nope. Not one bit:
I've decided that I should learn to play the guitar. I'm working on my favorite song, Famous Blue Raincoat. I think I might can do this. I actually remember things from way back in the day, and it seems easier than it did when I was a kid.
The wall between the music room and mine is very thin and for the last 30 minutes, I've been hearing "Rockytop" over and over and over and over. And folks, it's not always going to be home for me.
I forgot to take my vitamins this morning, including the L-Thianine, and I already feel tighter and a little rumbly in my brain.
I don't normally recommend the Tap Room in Hickory, but I do for Thursday. My friend Jimmy is playing with his band Airspace. After them will be Brian Houston, who is supposed to be fabulous, and way too big to play at the Tap Room. I'm excited. Airspace will play around 9:30, and it's free, so make sure you get there!
Happy Earth Day!!
No judging now-they're "guilty" pleasures. I know they're silly...
1: Family Guy. I know I'm a grown up and all, but I love this show. Even while I'm thinking "this is the stupidest thing ever", I'm laughing. And, I could watch the same episode 10 times.
2: Celebrity Gossip. I don't know how to explain this. I don't exactly care-I know it has no effect on my life, but I'm fascinated anyway. I really love www.dlisted.com the best. I've gotten better as Britney Spears has become more sane. It's just not as interesting.
3: Prime Rib. I know it is bad for me, but I love it. It hurts my stomach within minutes. But a greasy hunk of meat that's pink all the way through, dripping with aus jus, and fat just glistening on top. I want some now.
4: Terrible taste in music. I have a pretty bizarre set of musical interests. I never realized this until I started adding music trivia to my trivia night. People always complain about my musical taste. My favorite songs, in no particular order: Love Shack (B-52s). Tainted Love (Soft Cell). Ol' Black Water (Doobie Brothers). 9 to 5(Dolly Parton). Famous Blue Raincoat (Leonard Cohen). Roses (Outkast). Anything by Sublime. Kiss Off (Violent Femmes). Who Will Save Your Soul (Jewel). You Know I'm no Good (Winehouse). If you'll notice, there isn't a real theme here. I love Itunes, because I can easily buy one or two songs, which is typically what I'm interested in.
5: Letting my wonderful husband do things for me that I can do for myself. I've always been independent, and I've never liked for people to do things for me. Except in college, I liked it when Allison did the dishes. Sorry about that, Allison. But there are lots of things that Jon does for me, and I love it. It makes me feel luxurious and beautiful, and kind of like a queen. It just makes me so happy to see that it makes him happy to make me happy. It's a cycle that results in us both being happy a lot.
6: McGuires. I don't get it still. I don't drink. But I love to go there. I think it's because I love that everyone knows me, and I know them. And, sometimes it makes me feel like a pretty pretty princess.
7: Coke/Caffeine. I'm supposed to be off the juice, but every once in a while, I sneak a little and don't tell a soul. Silly, since my irritated bowels are the ones who I should be keeping that info from.
8: Attention. I love it. Especially when it is because I'm leading a group, or because I look lovely. I've tried to analyze my constant need for attention, but I've recently just decided to go with it.
9: www.dooce.com. I check it constantly to see what's going on in her life. Why do I care? I don't know...why do you guys care what's going on in my life, I guess?
10: Laying on my couch. I love it. It is in the top 4 of my favorite places. I know I shouldn't spend so much time there...there are always things to be done, but it's so nice there. If I were a rechargeable battery, I would plug into the couch.
Yesterday was the prettiest day of the year. The music teacher, PE teacher, counselor and I stayed outside all day. Each grade level that came to our class, we'd stay outside and walk, to raise awareness for Diabetes. I'm not sure how successful it was in that attempt, but it was super duper nice for us to stay outside. My legs are sore from all the walking, and I have a touch of sunburn, but it was very awesome anyway. And last night, Jon and I cooked out with our friends Matt and Herb. Yesterday was awesome. And today is already Friday. I'm always so shocked at how fast the weeks go.
Now, I'm stealing this from a friend.
8 years ago...
How old were you? 18
Had you ever been to a real party? Yes
Were you in a relationship? I had just broken up with my high school boyfriend Cameron, and I was sort of seeing this dude Noah, and briefly, a Jason.
Where did you live? Boone, on campus with a crazy girl who was engaged to an Army boy, best friends with a dude from the Air Force, but still let some weirdo Marine who went AWOL live in our dorm for months before the RA finally fixed the situation.
Who was your best friend? Well, this was the year that I went to college before Allison was there. I didn't really have a best friend. I was super lonely. I hung out a lot with David and Patrick, Teaching Fellow friends.
Had you ever been in love? I thought I loved Alan and Cameron. Probably what I really felt was incredible lust with some fond feelings strewn about.
Had you ever had your heart broken? Not really. I broke up with Alan in high school, and (remember, high school-immaturity) he did all sorts of really mean things to me. Like destroying the play I had written for a near by play festival. And spreading all kinds of rumors. And handing me all sorts of those tracks from churches about premarital sex. He was a jerk. But we're cool now.
Did you have a job? I worked at Farthing Auditorium in Boone.
4 years ago:
How old were you? 22
Had you ever been to a real party? Yes
Were you in a relationship? I was married to Satterfield.
Where did you live? I was finishing my student teaching in Boone.
Who was your best friend?Allison Suggs.
Had you ever been in love? Yes.
Had you ever had your heart broken? Yeah-that guy Noah that I mentioned really screwed with me.
Did you have a job? I was student teaching and working at Sagebrush.
Now:
How old are you? 26
Had you ever been to a real party? Yes
Are you in a relationship? I am married to Jon.
Where do you live? In Hickory, next to my best friend.
Who is your best friend?Allison Suggs.
Have you ever been in love? Yes.
Had you ever had your heart broken? Yeah
Do you have a job? I teach drama and do fun things at McGuires.
1: Today is National High Five Day.
2: The Catawba River is the most endangered in the whole US. That sucks, huh?
I love writing in my blog. I have to admit, there is some sort of intense pleasure I get from knowing that strangers will read the words I write. However, since Ally's been gone, I've been a little bit bummed because I only got 1 comment in a week. So I was thinking, no one cares even a little...no one ever reads this blah blah blah. But then I checked my stat counter, and it turns out, people do read this little blog here. And lots of those people come back day after day, and never say a word. These are the people that I know actually read this blog-Allison, Mom, Jon, me. Katie reads it sometimes-so hi to all you guys. The rest of you are a mystery.
I read www.dooce.com every day. I've gone through the archives and read everything the woman has ever written. But have I ever left a comment? Nope. Why? I don't know. I don't have anything to say to her, because I don't know her. So I get it and all. But then, I have to also admit to the burning curiosity in my gut. But I won't be pushy. :) I am especially curious about 3 people: 1 in Charlotte, 1 in Arizona, and 1 in Hickory. Thank you folks, for coming back and reading my ramblings. For some reason, the person who lives in Hickory makes me nervous...only because I have no idea who you are! You could be my principal, or the Chair of the School Board. You could be that creepy guy who comes into McGuires and stares a little too much. You could be some random person I've never met, or you could be a good friend of mine, hoping to score some interesting information I don't know you have.
Hey-Hickory person-who are you? And if you don't want to tell me that, will you at least tell me if I know you? If not, then I guess you'll just continue to be the only real mystery in my life at this point in time.
As always-email me anytime! Carmeneckard@gmail.com.
I am a caffeine junky. I'll just go ahead and admit it. I had recently gotten as bad as 4 cups of coffee and a couple of sodas every day. I love it, as bad as it is for me. I like coffee and coke better than I like food. But, alas, with this prognosis, and all the reading I've done, I know I have to give it up. Give it up? I have been hooked on the caffeine as long as I can remember. There was this one day when I didn't have any caffeine, and then I killed 3 people. And ate them, just in hopes that I might absorb any little caffeine particles that were floating in their bodies.
It has now been 26 hours since the devilish stuff has touched my lips. I miss it, maybe as bad as I'd miss a toe if I lost that. My head is pounding, and I can't concentrate. I had to write the last sentence 3 times because I kept forgetting where I was going with it.
It was better in the morning, because I had the calming effects of the stuff I blogged about earlier. I need some more of that, and it is at home. But now, it's been too long. But Herb Sr, the chiropractor, went into a very long and detailed and gross description of what soda and coffee do to a person. And every IBS page I've looked at says "No caffeine, no dairy, nothing deep fried." Bother.
But I just want to go to sleep. After I punch someone in the face.
I had an embarrassing incident at school on Thursday that sent me home and made me realize I should go to a doctor. Now, my mom and my friend Shannon have been saying this for months, so they're both happy with me. Word is, pending further tests, irritable bowel syndrome. Nice and icky. I read up on it, and it would pretty much explain my whole life. But the medicine they gave me made me a bit of a space cadet. So, my friend Herb took me to talk to his dad, also Herb, who is a chiropractor, with lots of knowledge of alternative treatment. The biggest factor in IBS is stress, so he gave me some handy information. He told me to take slippery elm, which thickens into slime when you add it to water. This is very good for your insides. And he told me about L-thianine, which is just the coolest, and each of you should go to the Vitamin Shoppe and get some right now. It is a free amino acid that is found in green tea, but it does all kinds of wonderful things. One of those things is that it melts stress away beautifully, without making you tired at all. It crosses the blood brain barrier and causes your brain to create Alpha Waves. If you were in a deep state of meditation, you would produce these same waves. So, I think this is a medical marvel and breakthrough, and it has released my stress a lot actually. It doesn't make you feel like you're on anything...it just releases your stress. Awesome. I can already tell a difference in the irritability of my bowels. Really, just do yourself a favor and go get some. It has no bad effects at all, and no known side effects.
On a different subject-Allison is home! I haven't seen her yet, but her car was back this morning. Can't wait to talk to you, chica!
A couple of years ago, Allison and some friends and I played poker at my house just about all the time. We played a minimum of once a week, and I have to say that Allison and I are pretty good at that game. Well, she's in Vegas, and she told me last night that she won $300 playing poker. I'm so proud!
In other news, Jon Scieszka, who is my favorite children's author, is in town and giving speeches. I'm going tonight! I know it is dorky to be excited about such a thing, but I love his books. I've turned 3 of his books into plays that I did with kids. I just can't wait to hear him!
I've been doing a happy dance all day because I did our taxes. I know taxes are no big deal and everyone has to do them...but our were kind of a mess with the whole self employment thing for Jon, and with me working extra little jobs. I was pretty convinced that we would owe at least $500. But get this-after about 2 hours of clicking and filling in boxes, the government will be giving me back most of my taxes! I didn't even dare hope for a refund. Yay! I love TaxAct online...you can choose between a simple filing and a pretty complex one...but it finds deductions that I never would have even thought of. Awesome!!!!!
And tonight, to celebrate, I will be buying some clothes. I have 2 pair of pants that fit me. I'll be taking care of that situation promptly.
Last weekend reminded me of why I love Hickory. Friday night, I went out dancing at City to City. Bad news for that place...there were only 10 people there or so. But it was all kinds of fun. Saturday, the Art Center hosted a concert for $1, yes $1 that had about 10 local bands. And karaoke was more fun than it has ever been. Click that link to see some truly excellent pictures. Sunday, we had a cookout, and you know how I love me some cookouts! Raspberry BBQ chicken, carrots and baked potatoes with mango icecream.
So, later today, I have an interview with the Science Center. I'm terribly excited. Summer is only about 9 weeks away, and we've started making end of year plans at school. I love this time of year.
Trivia was fun last night, and that's good. And, they gave me a little raise. So that's cool. But I'm not sure if it is enough to keep me there. I just don't know.
My husband is a sweet dear man. I haven't mentioned that lately. He's very sweet and understanding. I really love him, and I'm so glad I married him.
Thank you, darling husband, for fixing my banner. It was just a rug before, but now it's a rug with my name and the blog name in cool fonts. Yay Jon! I'll reward you later. :)
Back when I changed the design of my blog, I said it reminded me of my living room. I totally stole this picture from Allison's Flickr, and I can't help but post it here. It's the pillow from my couch, and it just matches my blog beautifully. And if you're thinking, "why is she posing something so dumb?" please let me remind you that I've decided not to move at all until 3:15, and I'm bored.
Today has been a very tedious day. Maybe it's that it's cold and gross...or maybe it's horomonal...who knows? All I know is, I lack the motivation to stand and walk to my desk, where I have a chocolate bar stashed. It's 2:39, and I can leave here at 3:15, and I'll probably be stuck sitting at this keyboard, staring at a screen, simply because I lack the energy to move until it is actually neccesary. Maybe I'll get that candy bar on my way out the door.
Please read this story.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23905909/?GT1=43001
To sumarize-a third grade teacher scolded her students for standing on a chair, so they decided to murder her. They hatched an elaborate scheme, and each of the 8 students had a job. They also were supposed to bring items to school, including duct tape, a steak knife, and a paperweight to hit her over the head with. They each brought their items to school. An uninvolved student told a principal that someone brought a weapon to school, and they ultimately uncovered the plot, which probably would have worked.
They have been suspended. Suspended.
Will someone hold my hair while I throw up, please?
Suspended. Because we all know that kids hate having to stay home from school. Does anyone else think that this is an inappropriate punishment for hatching a murder scheme and actually carrying out the first part?
I do a lot with my days, but I love to do powerpoints of stories that I read. Today, I figured I'd try a photostory instead, with my voice narrating. So, enjoy. Although to truly enjoy the experience, I'd recommend being 6 or 7 years old.
This week should be awesome.
Last night was not fabulous, but not bad either. Allison, Matt, and Jon all skipped Trivia, though, and Eddie is still sick. So I was all by my lonesome. At least Joe and Herb came so I had some friends there.
Tonight-Juno, for $2! Also, I have to kill Allison for making me think she was pregnant for a whole 30 seconds.
Thursday-Thirsty Thursdays Crawdads Game!! If you're my friend, you should come!
Fun Fun Fun.
If you drop an LG phone into the bathtub, and even if it slips out of your hand as you're getting it out, and goes under the water again, it will still work in the morning. I am relieved.
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