Today, I had to deal with the flack and disappointment of no Fling dance on May 11th. The freshman administrator was out of the building today for a conference so it fell on me to handle damage control.
The parents are upset. They are complaining that "it's not fair." Yes, they spent a ton of money on the clothing for this dance.
The kids are upset because they feel they shouldn't be punished for what other kids did wrong.
The freshman teachers are standing by their decision that the Fling should be cancelled.
The non-freshman teachers who were not even in the auditorium during the 1st assembly feel that the Freshman teachers "over-reacted."
This is my opinion: Guess what???? Life is not fair! I refuse to be treated with no respect and have no consequences for those students actions would be a disservice to them and their future. I will not be treated like shit. I don't get paid enough as a class advisor to be treated like shit. The 16 freshman teachers in that auditorium 100% agreed with me and supported the decision that the administration made for the situation.
I stand behind that decision!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Just a few pictures of Cheryl and her hubby
Thanks Cheryl for emailing me pics of you and Brian. You'd think after all these years of us being friends and getting together that I'd have a picture of the two of you.
Smile pretty for the camera! :-)
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I love this picture!
Friday, April 27, 2007
A very rough day for M-Dawg . . . .
It's a rainy day here in MA today. Dreary. Sorta fit my mood all day long. Had some drama at school today. It wouldn't be a productive day without the drama.
I had arranged for a Freshman House assembly today during Homeroom to go over details regarding the Freshman Fling, MCAS Schedule, the new bell schedule next week (that's a separate story), and class dues. It's a huge production to process the paperwork and get permission to have an assembly. I have 392 freshman in the class. As Freshman Class Adviser, I played the game and fulfilled all the requirements. These kids had assemblies throughout the school year so an assembly is NOT something new to them and we've spent a lot of time going over proper behavior during an assembly.
We (the Freshman House teachers) brought the kids down to the auditorium. It took them over 20 minutes to just sit in their seats. I kid you not! We finally had them seated and they wouldn't stop talking and screwing around. Two boys start to fight in their chairs. Another kid was talking on his cell phone. The ridiculousness of the situation continued to get worse throughout the assembly. The Housemaster spoke for a few minutes to the kids and then introduced me to talk (he left the auditorium to go to another meeting). I get up to speak and some of the kids start to boo me! What the %@^@?????
I try and talk about the Fling and every time I would talk, they would be disrespectful to me - yelling, hollering, etc. I finally asked my class officers to speak because I was getting very frustrated with the situation. The class did the same thing to the officers - totally disrespected the officers too. Finally, one of the Science teachers tried to calm the kids down and one of the kids started yelling at the teacher to go away. I pulled the plug from the assembly and told them all to go back to class since they couldn't behave like human beings.
Every single Freshman teacher came up to me and told me that this class does not deserve to have a semi formal dance based on their behavior. I agreed. So, we all went to the administration to tell them what happened and the administration supported me by cancelling the dance.
We called an emergency assembly at the end of the day to talk to the kids about their behavior and try and get them to realize that there would be consequences for their behavior. At the second assembly, they continued to be rude even to the Principal! I was horrified! The decision was made to cancel the dance. The kids were angry and upset. Unfortunately, the problem was the silent majority of the kids were behaving but they are afraid of the obnoxious kids and voicing their opinions. At the second assembly, the Freshman Housemaster told the kids that those students that are fed up with the minority of idiots in the building that ruin the school environment should start to take back their school. I told one of my classes that when one of their classmates acts up, tell them to knock it off. Speak up!
So, now I'm dealing with parents called and complaining about cancelling the dance. There needs to be consequences for their actions - even the good students. The good students are just as guilty since they did not speak up to their classmates that ruined the assembly for the entire class.
And to add more fun to my day, I had a parent meeting today after school regarding an issue of forging a grade on a paper and claiming that I made the mistake. The marked grade clearly was not my handwriting.
As I sit here tonight exhausted and emotionally drained from all the drama and meetings I had to sit in today, I think to myself, "Why did I agree to be a class adviser again????"
I will be resigning my position of class adviser at the end of the school year. This event clearly pushed me over the edge but there were other issues as well. My officers not doing any of the work or organizing for the Fling dance, the officers blowing off meetings after school and then lying to me about why they can't show up for a 20 minute meeting after school, and the woman that is in charge of all the advisers not providing any support to me are just a few more reasons why I can't be the class adviser any longer.
That was my day in a nut shell. Oh, and I was supposed to teach my three classes in a row today. So, how many of you want to run out become a teacher?????
I had arranged for a Freshman House assembly today during Homeroom to go over details regarding the Freshman Fling, MCAS Schedule, the new bell schedule next week (that's a separate story), and class dues. It's a huge production to process the paperwork and get permission to have an assembly. I have 392 freshman in the class. As Freshman Class Adviser, I played the game and fulfilled all the requirements. These kids had assemblies throughout the school year so an assembly is NOT something new to them and we've spent a lot of time going over proper behavior during an assembly.
We (the Freshman House teachers) brought the kids down to the auditorium. It took them over 20 minutes to just sit in their seats. I kid you not! We finally had them seated and they wouldn't stop talking and screwing around. Two boys start to fight in their chairs. Another kid was talking on his cell phone. The ridiculousness of the situation continued to get worse throughout the assembly. The Housemaster spoke for a few minutes to the kids and then introduced me to talk (he left the auditorium to go to another meeting). I get up to speak and some of the kids start to boo me! What the %@^@?????
I try and talk about the Fling and every time I would talk, they would be disrespectful to me - yelling, hollering, etc. I finally asked my class officers to speak because I was getting very frustrated with the situation. The class did the same thing to the officers - totally disrespected the officers too. Finally, one of the Science teachers tried to calm the kids down and one of the kids started yelling at the teacher to go away. I pulled the plug from the assembly and told them all to go back to class since they couldn't behave like human beings.
Every single Freshman teacher came up to me and told me that this class does not deserve to have a semi formal dance based on their behavior. I agreed. So, we all went to the administration to tell them what happened and the administration supported me by cancelling the dance.
We called an emergency assembly at the end of the day to talk to the kids about their behavior and try and get them to realize that there would be consequences for their behavior. At the second assembly, they continued to be rude even to the Principal! I was horrified! The decision was made to cancel the dance. The kids were angry and upset. Unfortunately, the problem was the silent majority of the kids were behaving but they are afraid of the obnoxious kids and voicing their opinions. At the second assembly, the Freshman Housemaster told the kids that those students that are fed up with the minority of idiots in the building that ruin the school environment should start to take back their school. I told one of my classes that when one of their classmates acts up, tell them to knock it off. Speak up!
So, now I'm dealing with parents called and complaining about cancelling the dance. There needs to be consequences for their actions - even the good students. The good students are just as guilty since they did not speak up to their classmates that ruined the assembly for the entire class.
And to add more fun to my day, I had a parent meeting today after school regarding an issue of forging a grade on a paper and claiming that I made the mistake. The marked grade clearly was not my handwriting.
As I sit here tonight exhausted and emotionally drained from all the drama and meetings I had to sit in today, I think to myself, "Why did I agree to be a class adviser again????"
I will be resigning my position of class adviser at the end of the school year. This event clearly pushed me over the edge but there were other issues as well. My officers not doing any of the work or organizing for the Fling dance, the officers blowing off meetings after school and then lying to me about why they can't show up for a 20 minute meeting after school, and the woman that is in charge of all the advisers not providing any support to me are just a few more reasons why I can't be the class adviser any longer.
That was my day in a nut shell. Oh, and I was supposed to teach my three classes in a row today. So, how many of you want to run out become a teacher?????
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Boris Yeltsin 1931-2007
We don't appreciate what we have until it's gone. Freedom is like that. It's like air. When you have it, you don't notice it.Boris Yeltsin, 1995
RIP Boris . . . . . . .
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Happy Anniversary Brian and Cheryl!
I wish I had a picture of the two of them.Happy Anniversary to Cheryl and Brian. You've got some great kids and a great marriage. Love each other. Accept each other. And, most importantly, keep on smiling!
Lots of hugs to you both!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Busy week
It has been a busy yet productive week.
*I booked a DJ for the Freshman Fling. It's going to cost the kids a lot of money but that is what they get for waiting until the last minute.
*Went to the New England Aquarium on Tuesday. I had a fantastic time! The penguins were my favorite! I could watch them all day long. Afterwards, Michelle and I walked over the Faneuil Hall and had lunch here. Yes, it was a bit touristy but the food was yummy! We saw a ton of folks walking around Boston that had run the Boston Marathon the day before (they were wearing the official jacket of the marathon). I think if I ran 26.2 miles, I'd have to ride in a wheelchair for the rest of the week! :-)
*Did a ton of school work. I'm trying to plan out the rest of the school year with my curriculum. I also have a meeting next week with my Principal so we can discuss the end of the year.
*Saw The Italian at the Screening Room in Newburyport last night. It's a Russian film about a young orphan boy, Vanya and his goal of finding his birth mother. Vanya is supposed to be adopted by an Italian family but he wants to find his birth mother. The film was pretty good - not your typical "hard or depressing" Russian film.
*Working a ton of hours this week at Paws. I really need to get as much money as I can before I leave for Russia.
*Had some blood work done. Nothing serious. Just routine stuff before my Dr. appt. I need to have a Dr sign off on my paperwork for Russia. I may have to get some shots too. I have my appt on Wednesday of next week so we shall see what he has to say about the shots.
*Filled out paperwork for the Fulbright-Hays. My goodness! A lot of paperwork! I feel like I'm signing my life away!
*Had a hair appointment. Went a tad bit lighter on my highlights and cut about 1 1/2 inches to make my hair healthier.
*Met Janet-poo for dinner. We ate here. Yummy!!!! We then hung out at Barnes & Noble for a few hours. I bought a How to Learn Russian in your car CD to help me learn a little of the language. I figured I might as well use that commuting time productively! :-)
*Dentist appt was on Wednesday. I had two fillings! I used Novocaine for the first time. I thought I could suck it up. No luck! :-( I couldn't talk normally for over three hours! My Mom called me to check in and she was making fun of me! No kidding . . . thanks Mom!
So, that was my week. Productive yet some fun thrown in for kicks!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Random post . . . .
Just some thoughts:
*I totally forgot to give a shot out to Brian Hunt - my friend Cheryl's husband. Last week was his birthday. Happy belated birthday Brian! Hope Cheryl and the boys were extra good to you.
*I purchased a Learn the Russian Language in the Car CD. I figured I'd might as well make my 30-90 minute commute more educational and useful. Hopefully, I will pick up some key terms.
*I think I may start building an ark - Noah had the right idea. We are getting so much rain this week. The sun doesn't show up on the weather map until Friday. Blah!
*My folks are camping this week in their new camper with Uncle Jim and Aunt Marilyn here. The first official christening of the new homestead. :-)
*I have to share this cute picture that my friend Traci emailed today. It's her husband Mark and their son Jeffrey! Is this not the cutest thing ever????
*I totally forgot to give a shot out to Brian Hunt - my friend Cheryl's husband. Last week was his birthday. Happy belated birthday Brian! Hope Cheryl and the boys were extra good to you.
*One of my colleagues at school ran the Boston Marathon on Monday. His time: 3:43:54. Go Dan go! :-)
*The college shootings today in Virginia. So sad. I just don't get all this violence in our world. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all the victims tonight.*I purchased a Learn the Russian Language in the Car CD. I figured I'd might as well make my 30-90 minute commute more educational and useful. Hopefully, I will pick up some key terms.
*I think I may start building an ark - Noah had the right idea. We are getting so much rain this week. The sun doesn't show up on the weather map until Friday. Blah!
*My folks are camping this week in their new camper with Uncle Jim and Aunt Marilyn here. The first official christening of the new homestead. :-)
*I have to share this cute picture that my friend Traci emailed today. It's her husband Mark and their son Jeffrey! Is this not the cutest thing ever????
Friday, April 13, 2007
I'm on April vacation!!!!!
It's official!
I'm on break.
It's a break but not a break.
Got lots to do.
Working a ton at Paws this next week. Want to make as much money as possible before I leave for Russia.
Have Doctor and Dentist Appt.
Have hair appt.
Meeting my friend Janet for dinner.
Going to New England Aquarium with my friend Michelle for the day (I work with Michelle). I best part - I can use my union card and get in for free! I'm so excited because I've never been here.
Fill out all my paperwork for the Fulbright-Hays grant. Trust me, it's a lot!!!!!!!
Do some school work. Joy - I can't avoid it.
I'll check in periodically throughout the week.
Have a great week everyone . . . . . .
I'm on break.
It's a break but not a break.
Got lots to do.
Working a ton at Paws this next week. Want to make as much money as possible before I leave for Russia.
Have Doctor and Dentist Appt.
Have hair appt.
Meeting my friend Janet for dinner.
Going to New England Aquarium with my friend Michelle for the day (I work with Michelle). I best part - I can use my union card and get in for free! I'm so excited because I've never been here.
Fill out all my paperwork for the Fulbright-Hays grant. Trust me, it's a lot!!!!!!!
Do some school work. Joy - I can't avoid it.
I'll check in periodically throughout the week.
Have a great week everyone . . . . . .
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Positive thoughts
I know that lately this blog has gone to the "dark side." The negative space. And, it's not a good thing.
So, today I will talk about a positive event. I just want to point out that I did have some students that did well 3rd Quarter. Those students really worked their butts off and did an amazing job. I gave them words of encouragement throughout the quarter by "harassing them" in the hallway - "Did you do the homework assignment?" or "Don't forget you have a quiz tomorrow!" I also gave them cards and free homework passes. I had 15 failures but 100 students passed my classes. I should be focusing on the passing grades and not the failures. Teaching on the freshman team, we are given the stats of the failure rates instead of the passing rate and the focus is always on the negative and how we can improve the negative.
I think part of the problem is that the building I work in so pretty negative. When you have icky thinking in the workplace, it tends to grow like mold! And, the kids feel the vibe too.
I AM proud of those kids that brought up their grades considerably - these were kids that had failing grades throughout the school year and are working hard to bring up the grade so they can pass for the school year. For example, I had one kid that's been getting 40's for grades but brought up their grade to a 71! This is a wonderful thing!
Does anyone have any ideas of how to stop the "stinky thinking" and get back to that positive vibe?????
So, today I will talk about a positive event. I just want to point out that I did have some students that did well 3rd Quarter. Those students really worked their butts off and did an amazing job. I gave them words of encouragement throughout the quarter by "harassing them" in the hallway - "Did you do the homework assignment?" or "Don't forget you have a quiz tomorrow!" I also gave them cards and free homework passes. I had 15 failures but 100 students passed my classes. I should be focusing on the passing grades and not the failures. Teaching on the freshman team, we are given the stats of the failure rates instead of the passing rate and the focus is always on the negative and how we can improve the negative.
I think part of the problem is that the building I work in so pretty negative. When you have icky thinking in the workplace, it tends to grow like mold! And, the kids feel the vibe too.
I AM proud of those kids that brought up their grades considerably - these were kids that had failing grades throughout the school year and are working hard to bring up the grade so they can pass for the school year. For example, I had one kid that's been getting 40's for grades but brought up their grade to a 71! This is a wonderful thing!
Does anyone have any ideas of how to stop the "stinky thinking" and get back to that positive vibe?????
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I DID IT!
I'm done with calculating and entering my grades into the computer.
Yeah for me. :-)
Oh, I had another drama today:
*Two of my Honors World Studies students came up to me to show me a grade on their paper that I "supposedly" neglected to write in my grade book (these students are best friends). Problem: the grade on the paper is NOT my handwriting! AND, it's pretty obvious that one of the students wrote the grade since it's in HER handwriting. So, guess whose parents I get to call during my lunch tomorrow???? And to add more fun to this joyous occasion - one of the parents that I need to talk to is known as the psycho parent on my team. Joy!
How dumb do you think I am folks???????
Is it Friday yet?????
Yeah for me. :-)
Oh, I had another drama today:
*Two of my Honors World Studies students came up to me to show me a grade on their paper that I "supposedly" neglected to write in my grade book (these students are best friends). Problem: the grade on the paper is NOT my handwriting! AND, it's pretty obvious that one of the students wrote the grade since it's in HER handwriting. So, guess whose parents I get to call during my lunch tomorrow???? And to add more fun to this joyous occasion - one of the parents that I need to talk to is known as the psycho parent on my team. Joy!
How dumb do you think I am folks???????
Is it Friday yet?????
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
3rd Quarter Grades are due by Wednesday @ 3:00 pm!
Can M-Dawg do it? Can she get all the grades calculated and entered into the school system????
So, I'm winding down 3rd quarter which means that grades are due . . . ah, tomorrow! Ughy!
Today in my three classes (US History Honors, World Studies Honors, and World Studies College Prep), I gave out printouts of their grades for 3rd quarter so they know before the report card comes out what they are getting for a grade. What a concept! Actually being informed of what they EARNED for 3rd quarter! Never mind that I give them EACH a "Keeping Score" sheet so THEY can keep track of their OWN grades. Very few of them actually keep track of their own grades.
In my World Studies Honors class, I had an interesting drama:
*As I'm passing out grade sheets, one of my female students (who never pays attention or hands in homework assignments) asks if she can ask me a question regarding her grade. I had already explained that if she (or anyone else) had issues or concerns that she (they) can come see me after school on HER (their) time. She ignores my remark and tells me that I've "made a mistake" on her grade sheet. I asked what was the mistake. She tells me that she was absent on this one particular day and that the zero for the missing assignment needs to be deleted. Why? "Well, M-Dawg, I was absent! I'm not responsible for making up the work that I missed in class that day." Hmmmm? I try and explain to her that it states on my syllabus and I've reminded them a million times that whenever they are absent, they are to see me for the missing work and assignments. This girl barely gets C's in my Honors class - I didn't recommend her to stay in Honors next year but her mother waived her in anyway.
In my World Studies College Prep class, I had this drama:
*One of my students chose to cut my class last Thursday. Thursday was the last day a teacher could accept any late or missing work. I don't accept missing or late work except if the student has an excused absence. This student "freaks out" on me about not accepting his homework from the last class. I'm trying to explain to him that since he cut my class, I'm not under any obligation to take the assignment for a grade (this is stated in the Student Handbook). He was yelling in my face and I kept stepping back since he was in "my personal space." He then calls me a "racist." For anyone that knows me, I'm soooo not a "racist" - this student was upset and angry over a bad choice that he made and now he will have to suffer the consequences. He was taking his anger out on me. I kept explaining to him that I don't accept any missing work from a student that cuts my class. I don't care who or what you are! I have to say I was somewhat amused by his comment. Trust me, if I was a racist, would I be working at an inner city school???????? I think not. I did ask him to step out in the hallway to calm down. Unfortuntely, this is a kid that is never held accountable for his actions. So, I wrote him up and we shall what happens. I did try and speak to him after class and he was still too angry to talk to me.
Tomorrow, I give out grades to two classes. I wonder if anyone will "go off" on me?????????
So, I'm winding down 3rd quarter which means that grades are due . . . ah, tomorrow! Ughy!
Today in my three classes (US History Honors, World Studies Honors, and World Studies College Prep), I gave out printouts of their grades for 3rd quarter so they know before the report card comes out what they are getting for a grade. What a concept! Actually being informed of what they EARNED for 3rd quarter! Never mind that I give them EACH a "Keeping Score" sheet so THEY can keep track of their OWN grades. Very few of them actually keep track of their own grades.
In my World Studies Honors class, I had an interesting drama:
*As I'm passing out grade sheets, one of my female students (who never pays attention or hands in homework assignments) asks if she can ask me a question regarding her grade. I had already explained that if she (or anyone else) had issues or concerns that she (they) can come see me after school on HER (their) time. She ignores my remark and tells me that I've "made a mistake" on her grade sheet. I asked what was the mistake. She tells me that she was absent on this one particular day and that the zero for the missing assignment needs to be deleted. Why? "Well, M-Dawg, I was absent! I'm not responsible for making up the work that I missed in class that day." Hmmmm? I try and explain to her that it states on my syllabus and I've reminded them a million times that whenever they are absent, they are to see me for the missing work and assignments. This girl barely gets C's in my Honors class - I didn't recommend her to stay in Honors next year but her mother waived her in anyway.
In my World Studies College Prep class, I had this drama:
*One of my students chose to cut my class last Thursday. Thursday was the last day a teacher could accept any late or missing work. I don't accept missing or late work except if the student has an excused absence. This student "freaks out" on me about not accepting his homework from the last class. I'm trying to explain to him that since he cut my class, I'm not under any obligation to take the assignment for a grade (this is stated in the Student Handbook). He was yelling in my face and I kept stepping back since he was in "my personal space." He then calls me a "racist." For anyone that knows me, I'm soooo not a "racist" - this student was upset and angry over a bad choice that he made and now he will have to suffer the consequences. He was taking his anger out on me. I kept explaining to him that I don't accept any missing work from a student that cuts my class. I don't care who or what you are! I have to say I was somewhat amused by his comment. Trust me, if I was a racist, would I be working at an inner city school???????? I think not. I did ask him to step out in the hallway to calm down. Unfortuntely, this is a kid that is never held accountable for his actions. So, I wrote him up and we shall what happens. I did try and speak to him after class and he was still too angry to talk to me.
Tomorrow, I give out grades to two classes. I wonder if anyone will "go off" on me?????????
Monday, April 09, 2007
Ahhh . . . the books I've read!
Saw this on many blogs the past month and thought I'd give it a go!
*Look at the list of books below.
*Bold the ones you’ve read.
*Italicize the ones you want to read.
*Leave blank the ones that you aren’t interested in.
1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown) - Book Club - Loved it!
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) - amazing book!
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)-a high school read
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden) - Wow!
16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees(Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)-love this book!
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)-it was OK
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel) - Book Club -not a huge fan
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)-Oh, soooo dramatic!!!!
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie(Mitch Albom) - I cried!
31. Dune (Frank Herbert) - the movie sucked!
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks) - good chick flick
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)-High school read
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb) - Good - She's Come Undone is better.
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho) - thanks for Carla and the rest of the English teachers for the summer read at Timberlane.
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini) - Book Club - Amazing!!!!
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)-brainless read
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom) - Wow!
45. Bible-I was brought up Catholic, what do you expect????
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt) - good read - Teacher Man is good too!
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb) - AMAZING BOOK! I could so relate to the main character!!!!
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens) - not a huge Dickens fan - my teaching partner made me read this book - I hated it!
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger) - Been wanting to read this one.
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky) - Nothing like a long Russian novel!
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy) LONG!
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice) - I think every high school in the 80's read this book!
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)-Love this!!!!
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding) - great chick book and movie!
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)-Great childhood memories of this book.
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)- high school read - didn't like it.
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth(Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd) Book Club - Loved it!
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)
101. Jurassic Park
*Look at the list of books below.
*Bold the ones you’ve read.
*Italicize the ones you want to read.
*Leave blank the ones that you aren’t interested in.
1. The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown) - Book Club - Loved it!
2. Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen) - amazing book!
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)-a high school read
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10. A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12. Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden) - Wow!
16. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees(Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)-love this book!
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)-it was OK
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel) - Book Club -not a huge fan
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)-Oh, soooo dramatic!!!!
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie(Mitch Albom) - I cried!
31. Dune (Frank Herbert) - the movie sucked!
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks) - good chick flick
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)-High school read
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb) - Good - She's Come Undone is better.
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho) - thanks for Carla and the rest of the English teachers for the summer read at Timberlane.
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini) - Book Club - Amazing!!!!
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)-brainless read
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom) - Wow!
45. Bible-I was brought up Catholic, what do you expect????
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt) - good read - Teacher Man is good too!
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb) - AMAZING BOOK! I could so relate to the main character!!!!
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens) - not a huge Dickens fan - my teaching partner made me read this book - I hated it!
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger) - Been wanting to read this one.
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky) - Nothing like a long Russian novel!
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolstoy) LONG!
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice) - I think every high school in the 80's read this book!
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)-Love this!!!!
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding) - great chick book and movie!
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)-Great childhood memories of this book.
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)- high school read - didn't like it.
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth(Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd) Book Club - Loved it!
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100. Ulysses (James Joyce)
101. Jurassic Park
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Excitement! :-)
What can I say??? I'm really excited and I wonder how I'm going to make it through to June 19th! I have so much to do prior to leaving . . . lots of paperwork to fill out for the trip, go to Doctor for a check-up and updates of shots, get a Travel Debt/Credit Card from AAA, read up on Russian History, PACK for five weeks, plus get all my final exams graded and grades calculated before I leave on the 19th of June. There's obviously more to do before I leave but this is the main stuff.
The director of the U of I Fulbright-Hays program has been sending us a ton of reading packets to brush up on Russia prior to our trip (she sends the readings as attachments through Microsoft Word documents). She also emailed us a form to fill out about our host families. It's a questionnaire asking us our preferences such as smoking vs. nonsmoking families, do we have allergies, special eating preferences, etc.
I had Friday off from school (Good Friday). I had made an appointment at Saturn to get an oil change and get some stuff fixed on my car. That's the disadvantage of commuting . . . I'm putting more wear and tear on my car so things are starting to go wrong with it. I correcting my school work for three hours at Saturn. $600 later - I walked out. Ughy!
I went over to Borders afterwards to check out some travel books on Russia. I found three books that I think will be great references for my trip.
I'm going to start up a travel blog soon to document my experiences. I'll be giving out the address to family, friends, colleagues, and my students. I thought it would be fun for the kids to read about M-Dawg. :-)
What are the plans for the weekend? I work today at Paws. I don't know if it will be busy or not since it's the day before Easter. Believe it or not, folks get Easter stuff for their pets too! I hope to see a few of our "regulars" come in today: Bula the English Bull Dog, Sasha the Poodle, etc. Bula is my favorite!!! She's my baby girl! :-)
Not doing too much on Easter. I bought myself a small spiral ham, making Mom's Green Rice, and some green bean casserole for my meal. I had a few invites but I really just want to relax. Carla mentioned something about seeing a movie on Sunday night so I might do that.
I have all next week in school and that following week we are on April break. Looking forward to getting some stuff done since I won't have another day off until Memorial Day.
The director of the U of I Fulbright-Hays program has been sending us a ton of reading packets to brush up on Russia prior to our trip (she sends the readings as attachments through Microsoft Word documents). She also emailed us a form to fill out about our host families. It's a questionnaire asking us our preferences such as smoking vs. nonsmoking families, do we have allergies, special eating preferences, etc.
I had Friday off from school (Good Friday). I had made an appointment at Saturn to get an oil change and get some stuff fixed on my car. That's the disadvantage of commuting . . . I'm putting more wear and tear on my car so things are starting to go wrong with it. I correcting my school work for three hours at Saturn. $600 later - I walked out. Ughy!
I went over to Borders afterwards to check out some travel books on Russia. I found three books that I think will be great references for my trip.
I'm going to start up a travel blog soon to document my experiences. I'll be giving out the address to family, friends, colleagues, and my students. I thought it would be fun for the kids to read about M-Dawg. :-)
What are the plans for the weekend? I work today at Paws. I don't know if it will be busy or not since it's the day before Easter. Believe it or not, folks get Easter stuff for their pets too! I hope to see a few of our "regulars" come in today: Bula the English Bull Dog, Sasha the Poodle, etc. Bula is my favorite!!! She's my baby girl! :-)
Not doing too much on Easter. I bought myself a small spiral ham, making Mom's Green Rice, and some green bean casserole for my meal. I had a few invites but I really just want to relax. Carla mentioned something about seeing a movie on Sunday night so I might do that.
I have all next week in school and that following week we are on April break. Looking forward to getting some stuff done since I won't have another day off until Memorial Day.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Update on Russia Trip
Thanks to all that commented on my last post.
I also should clarify something I said about my parents and them not being proud of me. I know they are proud of me. They are not saying it to me but I know they are proud. I called my Grandma last night to tell her the good news and she told me that my Dad had called her to tell her earlier in the day. She told me how proud and excited he was in sharing this good news with her.
You'd think that after all these years that I could live my life without having to have the acceptance or approval of my parents in any of my life decisions. I guess it doesn't work that way.
And, I know that I'm not a parent yet. I know they are worried about me and that they love me.
I read the last post and realized how insensitive I was in saying that I wish my parents were proud of me. I know they are proud of me . . . I just wished that I could hear it from THEM and not other people.
I also should clarify something I said about my parents and them not being proud of me. I know they are proud of me. They are not saying it to me but I know they are proud. I called my Grandma last night to tell her the good news and she told me that my Dad had called her to tell her earlier in the day. She told me how proud and excited he was in sharing this good news with her.
You'd think that after all these years that I could live my life without having to have the acceptance or approval of my parents in any of my life decisions. I guess it doesn't work that way.
And, I know that I'm not a parent yet. I know they are worried about me and that they love me.
I read the last post and realized how insensitive I was in saying that I wish my parents were proud of me. I know they are proud of me . . . I just wished that I could hear it from THEM and not other people.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
I'M GOING TO RUSSIA!!!!!!
Oh my God!!!!!I was notified this afternoon via email that the Fulbright-Hays grant was approved and I'm heading to Russia this summer!!!!!
I'm soooooooo excited!!!!!
I called my Mom today at work. My folks have many concerns about this trip:
1) My safety - the idea of me traveling that far away is freaking them out.
2)They don't want to see me get in trouble financially and overspend.
3) Leaving my cat for such a long period of time and having someone else take care of her.
I understand their concerns. But this is such a wonderful opportunity for me, personally and professionally. Everything is paid for by the grant except spending money. I promise not to get too crazy with spending. The safety issue - something could easily happen to me here in the United States too. I refuse to live my life in fear. I love traveling - I want to see the world before I settle down and get married. What's wrong with that? The Ellie the Cat issue is understandable. Mom wants to make sure that her "grandcat" is taken care of. I'm a good Mom. I will make sure she's all set.
I just wish that they would be proud and happy for me.
Is it June 18th yet??????????????
Sunday, April 01, 2007
It was an up and down week . . . . . .
Last week, I felt like I was on this emotional roller coaster ride. There were some ups and downs going on throughout the week that really messed up my karma. Let's review the week, shall we?
*I was supposed to chaperon a trip to London during my April vacation with one of my colleagues from school. ONE kid pulled out so now if I want to chaperon, I would need to come up with the $1500 plus spending money to go on the trip. I agreed to chaperon in the beginning since I wouldn't have to pay for the trip. The deal is they needed a certain number of students to go on the trip per chaperon. London is one of my favorite cities in the world to visit and I really wanted to go on that trip. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of money.
*My HS made it to the finals for Mock Trial but ended up second in the state. If they would've won first place, they would be going to Washington DC for nationals. The kids did an amazing job and in the history of our school had never made it to the top 16 let alone the finals so it was a huge deal.
*Pink slips were given out on Friday to all teachers on waivers (mostly Math and Science folks). I was having severe panic attacks all day Friday - I was having the memory of what happened to me last year and not having my contract renewed (no reason given). I'm not on a waiver but you can't feel that anxiety and wonder if I will lose my job again. I've received two evaluations so far and they've been wonderful but I had wonderful evaluations at my last school too. As far as we know, my school will not be having budget cuts (unlike the majority of the schools in MA) so I hope to have a job next school year.
*I was officially notified by the University of IL of the Fulbright-Hays grant that I was one of fourteen teachers in the country chosen to go to Russia for five weeks this summer. However, they are still waiting on the gov't to approve the grant money. No grant money - no trip. My family and some friends are not happy about this since they see all sorts of danger traveling abroad right now for an American. Instead of being proud and happy for me, they are stressing out and trying to convince me to not go on the trip. Joy! I understand their stress however, I truly believe that I can't live my life in fear and this is too incredible of an opportunity for me (personally and professionally) to pass up if we get the grant money.
*I met with one of friends/former colleagues from my old school on Friday night. We ate dinner here and chatted and caught up. She told me that morale and attitude at my old school are not positive. They will have some major cuts in teaching positions. And, the interim Principal is not doing her job. She sits in her office all day and does nothing. I have heard similar stories from other former colleagues and students too. This colleague is having a major issue right now with an AP English students' parents and this Principal is not siding with my friend. It sounds like my colleague will be leaving education within the next few years because she's sick and tired and fighting the good fight for her students. The job is incredibly harder now and even though she's an amazing educator (she really is an amazing teacher!!!), she just can't deal with the administration and politics anymore. She's been teaching for eight years (same as me) and is really frustrated with the bureaucracy - can ya blame her?
So, that was my week. I know that I've been in this negative place for a while and it's so hard to just get out of the funk. I think it doesn't help that I also have some personal stuff going on too. My family and non-teacher friends are getting sick of hearing me complain. I have no one else to vent to so I apologize that they are getting the blunt of this abuse.
I have such a difficult time separating my personal life with my professional life - probably since I don't have much of a personal life. That was one goal that I wanted to work on this year. I did go on one date that was a flop so at least I'm getting out there again.
This stinky thinking has got to go! What's a gal to do??????????
*I was supposed to chaperon a trip to London during my April vacation with one of my colleagues from school. ONE kid pulled out so now if I want to chaperon, I would need to come up with the $1500 plus spending money to go on the trip. I agreed to chaperon in the beginning since I wouldn't have to pay for the trip. The deal is they needed a certain number of students to go on the trip per chaperon. London is one of my favorite cities in the world to visit and I really wanted to go on that trip. Unfortunately, I don't have that kind of money.
*My HS made it to the finals for Mock Trial but ended up second in the state. If they would've won first place, they would be going to Washington DC for nationals. The kids did an amazing job and in the history of our school had never made it to the top 16 let alone the finals so it was a huge deal.
*Pink slips were given out on Friday to all teachers on waivers (mostly Math and Science folks). I was having severe panic attacks all day Friday - I was having the memory of what happened to me last year and not having my contract renewed (no reason given). I'm not on a waiver but you can't feel that anxiety and wonder if I will lose my job again. I've received two evaluations so far and they've been wonderful but I had wonderful evaluations at my last school too. As far as we know, my school will not be having budget cuts (unlike the majority of the schools in MA) so I hope to have a job next school year.
*I was officially notified by the University of IL of the Fulbright-Hays grant that I was one of fourteen teachers in the country chosen to go to Russia for five weeks this summer. However, they are still waiting on the gov't to approve the grant money. No grant money - no trip. My family and some friends are not happy about this since they see all sorts of danger traveling abroad right now for an American. Instead of being proud and happy for me, they are stressing out and trying to convince me to not go on the trip. Joy! I understand their stress however, I truly believe that I can't live my life in fear and this is too incredible of an opportunity for me (personally and professionally) to pass up if we get the grant money.
*I met with one of friends/former colleagues from my old school on Friday night. We ate dinner here and chatted and caught up. She told me that morale and attitude at my old school are not positive. They will have some major cuts in teaching positions. And, the interim Principal is not doing her job. She sits in her office all day and does nothing. I have heard similar stories from other former colleagues and students too. This colleague is having a major issue right now with an AP English students' parents and this Principal is not siding with my friend. It sounds like my colleague will be leaving education within the next few years because she's sick and tired and fighting the good fight for her students. The job is incredibly harder now and even though she's an amazing educator (she really is an amazing teacher!!!), she just can't deal with the administration and politics anymore. She's been teaching for eight years (same as me) and is really frustrated with the bureaucracy - can ya blame her?
So, that was my week. I know that I've been in this negative place for a while and it's so hard to just get out of the funk. I think it doesn't help that I also have some personal stuff going on too. My family and non-teacher friends are getting sick of hearing me complain. I have no one else to vent to so I apologize that they are getting the blunt of this abuse.
I have such a difficult time separating my personal life with my professional life - probably since I don't have much of a personal life. That was one goal that I wanted to work on this year. I did go on one date that was a flop so at least I'm getting out there again.
This stinky thinking has got to go! What's a gal to do??????????
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