Kontan.

Archive for August, 2007

If you have been reading here anytime at all you know that our lives have been consumed with a state to state move, new jobs, and new circumstances. I thought I would miss our house, yard, back yard water view, great neighborhood, and my relaxing refuge- the garden tub. Surprisingly no. I LOVE being back here and am absolutely loving my job. Maybe it is because this is where we met and spent our first years. It could simply be that it is an attractive area that is great for the family. I don’t know, but I do love being back. Starting a new school was professionally the best thing in the world for me. What is the difference? No clue. Before I thought it was the grade level that I disliked. Freshman are a different breed. I also thought that it could simply be the subject. I think the subject had a lot to do with it, but not everything. MS Studies is at the bottom of my list of subjects I want to teach…somewhere just above Economics. I love teaching World History, but that isn’t all that makes the new school better for me. The kids are just nicer. I haven’t been completely disrespected, insulted, threatened, or even blatantly disobeyed. For the most part the students come in and do what is asked of them. Never before in my teaching of 9th grade have I been able to make an assignment at the beginning of the period and it be done without having to stay RIGHT on top of the students. The students bring their books to class and they even have necessary supplies. Not the case before. I don’t know what makes them different, but I like it.

I teach my first college class tomorrow night. I’m ready, but it is a little nerve racking. I’m trying to remember myself as a freshman. You know, clueless. I’m not overly concerned with the teaching aspect. I just hope I don’t have some DA in the class who wants to show how much he knows. You know the type. The one that throws something out there to get the prof off topic or see if they can get the better of him/her. No time or patience for that.

I do have to sing praises for my current hs freshman. This is the best group I have ever taught. They are not the brightest bulbs in the box, as a whole, but they are good kids. Their main goal is not to make my life miserable. Over the last few years I taught some spoiled twits that made teaching miserable. I am actually enjoying teaching this year. Honestly, I think everyone should change jobs every few years just to gain perspective and keep life fresh.

Photobucket has a new way to waste time! Meez avatars:

isnt’ that neat…not very attractive though…

My oldest went to her first dance tonight. She’s growing up.

If you are not a teacher, married to a teacher, or you don’t have close teacher friends you can only imagine what the first few weeks of school are like. I had NO idea what I was getting into when I agreed to be student council sponsor. I keep hoping that things will slow down, and I guess they have. It just doesn’t feel like it. Working with students is strange though. They are instructionally challenged and suffer from selective hearing. So far I am still happy with my group though. I haven’t been directly insulted, threatened, or even blatantly disrespected. For the most part they have been pretty good. Yes, several like to talk…but this can be dealt with. Now if we can just get the instructions and listening thing down they will be more successful.

Today we attempted to vote for student council officers. It amazes me that teachers tend to scatter when help that requires you to give up prep time is part of the deal. Fortunately I had two that stuck with me the whole period. Despite a few serious snags getting the net up and running the wp-polls was a success. I have to offer great thanks to GaMerZ. He has the best wp plugins and support is top notch. In a bind to remove the coding that lets users see results GaMerZ jumped in and helped. Without the help I would have been belly up in the water. As a precaution, since this was a trial run for online voting, we did paper ballots too. WP-Polls was right there with the paper and I got the same results. Pretty awesome. I think we will tweak the organizational bugs and try it again next time.

With carpal tunnel setting in I should really restrict my typing, but I love my new notebook and this brace makes everything better…or maybe that could be the serious doses of prednisone and ibuprofen. Either way, it no longer feels like I’ve broken my wrist. It is just a simple sprain feeling now…and not even that if I do absolutely nothing with it. Back to the doc for blood work tomorrow. I’m on the verge of old, arthritis meds here I come.

Oh where to start…

The first full week of school went very well. For that I am thankful. Now let me tell you about our crazy week.

Last Saturday I had to call the local AC maintenance company because our AC unit decided it was working too hard. Keep in mind we are still in the deep south and have had over 100 degree temps for 10+ days. They came out and had to replace a good bit of freon. The diagnosis, leak. So they replaced what needed to be replaced in order for us to stay cool through the weekend and we scheduled a leak check. Before they guy could get here for the leak check, which was scheduled for Thursday, the air went out again. Still keep in mind it is OH so HOT outside. Tuesday night, struggling air…Wednesday night, no air…Thursday night, we borrowed a portable AC that did little to touch the heat. Since the last AC breakdown the temp in my house has not dropped below 87. The weekend in a hotel is our only relief. I pray that it will be fixed ASAP.

My last post ended with me going to buy a computer. I ordered from Dell on July 17th and it was scheduled for arrival July 31st. After two backorder notifications, the final estimating arrival in September, and a few hours on the phone I canceled the order. Dell confirmed the cancellation and said allow 48 hours for it to show in records. After 48 hours, and the purchase of a new Sony Vaio, we received notification that our Dell order had been shipped. WHAT?!?!!?!?!?! OMGGB now what? I call Dell again and when they realized that they had shipped after I canceled they said accept it and call them back, DO NOT DECLINE. So when it arrived I of course was not home. They try again on day two and leave instructions to make arrangements if I can’t come pick it up. I drive across the river to pick it up and search for the DHL place. Finally find it, pick up the Dell and come home. Remember, we don’t have AC. I didn’t have the time, patience, or desire to get on the phone with Dell so the Inspiron just sat in the music room. That is, it remained there until my curiosity got the better of me. In choosing the Inspiron I selected all the components and features that I wanted. I even chose the color. One of the computers had to go back, but which one. The Vaio is thin and light. It really looks cool and has great operating speed. The Dell is heavier, but it is what I chose. I love the Dell product. The price is about the same. I wouldn’t have to pay to return the Dell, they cover that and pick up. But arranging pick up, not fun. The Vaio would have to go back to Best Buy and I’m sure there is a restocking fee. It still seemed like it would be easier to take the Vaio back. Well, here’s a third idea. Why don’t we keep it? Jem is going to be taking classes and the other Dell is several years old. I got it at the beginning of my grad school nightmare. He loves the wide screen and speed. The third idea is really taking root. I think it is the best. We can sell the old Dell for a few hundred. Someone wanting a basic notebook can get several good years out of it.

I love my new Inspiron. It isn’t that I didn’t like the Vaio, I really do. I’m glad Jem will have it. Froggy is going to be upset when we sell the other Dell, but she just isn’t old enough to take responsibility of a laptop.

Off to the pool…

This was the most difficult school start I have had, but it wasn’t terrible. I am a floater, so there was no classroom to prepare. There is a blessing and curse. Certainly it is better to concentrate on what will be taught, but without a classroom there is no home base. I have no where to keep everything. Sharing the rooms of others I feel like such an interloper. I do have the last four periods in one place. Well, planning, then the last three classes. The room is still that of another, but it is better than having to change with the students. The school is great. Same concept as where I was. Certain aspects are better, others need work. The hardest part has been adjusting to a new place. It is very difficult to go from the person trying to help the newbies, to being the newbie. It is very unsettling to have to look like you know exactly what you are doing, when the actuality is that you are simply flying by the seat of your pants. In the classroom I am 100% comfortable. Procedures and such…let’s just say forgiveness is a wonderful thing. There are several on faculty that are looking our for me and have been SO helpful. For that, I am truly thankful. It’s going to be a great year…

now off to buy a laptop. there’s a story here….I’ll share later.

Here I come!

It is the start of a new school year and at a new school. I am anxious, excited, and ready to see how this story will go. I’m apprehensive. It has been several years since the last time I taught World History. This is my favorite subject to teach, so I am looking forward to it. As Student Council sponsor I am lost, but I have been assured the rules are set up and help will be there if I need it. I will need it.

I’m actually more concerned about teaching World Civ. University freshman, unknown teaching territory. The time is not now to deal with that!

Time to get it together and go to the exciting world of intro meetings. Hooorah. :-/

Summer is officially over. Meetings start Monday and students come Thursday. Not sure if I’m ready or not.

I am absolutely at the end of my rope and it feels like I am tethered by my neck. Summer is over and there hasn’t really been a break. The entire summer has been spent dealing with selling the house and finding a decent and affordable rental. The stress of moving is bad enough, but throw in realtors, inspectors, and two young children and you just have a party. [private] For me, school starts Sunday. Monday-Wednesday will be spent in workshops and meetings with orientations for the girls during the evening hours. I have the first three days of school planned. My intro handout is typed, but my classwork handouts are not. To actually start teaching text material, HA…not planned. I haven’t started for my Civ class either. Fortunately classes do not start for a few weeks. Let’s just say I am completely overwhelmed and can’t get to my happy place. Fortunately Djembe moved all boxes to the garage so they are not staring me in the face, taunting with their unopened contents. I’m working all day everyday, but nothing is getting accomplished. The laundry has to be done. Dishes have to be done. The lawn has to be mowed. Kids need clothes and school supplies. Groceries have to be bought. Kids bedrooms have to be cleaned so that you can actually walk through them. Yes, I know that is their job and they should do it. Those with kids understand that it just isn’t that simple. One of mine needs constant motivation. The other “wants to help” but a seven year old helping is not all that it may seem. Not a big deal, that’s just life. The problem is life keeps going while you have all the asides that need attention.

What needs to be done for me to obtain a happy sane place?

1. bookshelf for music room so that I can have materials accessible
2. shelving in music room closet so that materials are accessible
3. armoire for bedroom so that there is some other place to store stuff and to get the tv off the dresser
4. end tables- living room and bedroom
5. microwave stand for kitchen because cabinet space is minimal
6. remove clutter from music room and den- this is my immediate project
7. fence gate estimate
8. poison ivy/oak/sumac removed so that I do not have endure another 10 days of serious irritation
9. lesson plans for August and accompanying powerpoints

That’s just the tip of the iceberg for my Titanic. You know, the Titanic sank…[/private]

Update: With August plans complete and a good start on Civ notes I’m feeling much better. Nothing like a rant to clear your head and get on track. Right? Tomorrow’s goal- powerpoint completion for August. It could happen!