Diagnosis

For those who know me, the topic of my chronic stomach problems is not a new one. It comes up in many a conversation and has been a huge mystery to my doctors for years. I have had numerous cat scans and blood tests run and no diagnosis was given. I'll spare you the detailed symptoms (Trust me) and just skip to the part where I say that I am tired of being in pain every time I eat and visiting the ladies room several times a day. So although this is what I picture when I hear the word "tests":






I have decided it is about that time to face the pointed metal object associated with pain. I happen to be one of those people that doesn't consider my doctor my best friend, and visit her frequently, rather I attempt to get over any flu, broke bone, or pain, without medication. But my complaints have become louder and my stomach has gotten more annoyed so I believe it's about time for my wallet to open wide and say, "ahhhhhh."

Touch This Tap That

Although the title of this post sounds questionable, it makes sense with the content. I was wondering about the many ways to teach my kindergarteners easy addition. I have never forgotten the way I was taught. Although way back in the early 90's, this method has never left my brain. The "touch point" method has been engrained in my memory to this day and is what I use with the simplest of math problems. To this day I have thought of it as a genius mathematical method. However, while doing some researching today, I ran across a series of articles discouraging its use in schools today. The articles stated how many who were taught this method are slower in math, having to use the "touch method" rather than raw memorization. I finally realized how true these statements are! I feel robbed of what I believe was a fantastic and authentic math trick! It's like realizing Santa isn't real!
Needless to say, I will spare my students to embarrassment of counting using fingers and touch points, and open their eyes to a more speedy form of math...memorization.

Abandon Ship

With it being nearly a month after the new year began I thought it appropriate to make a list of all the habits, promises, and goals I have made, at one point or another, and abandoned as quickly as I would a sinking ship:

Since it is 2009, here are 9 things I haven't stuck to:

1. drinking 2 full water bottles a day
excuse: refilling with nasty tasting water at school, bathroom breaks are minimal

2. not eating the skittles meant for student rewards
excuse: um....yum! "I bought them and I'm the teacher"

3. going to bed early
excuse: ya right

4. legally changing my name
excuse: how long will this take?

5. not having sweets every night
excuse: its a diet ice cream bar!

6. patience at work
excuse: try hearing this all day: "She's breathing on me!" (literally)

7. more extracurricular reading
excuse: "Doesn't a cookbook count?"

8. get more creative with low fat cooking
excuse: _____________________ (wish I had one)

9. write a blog everyday
excuse: life

Anniversary

I can't believe it has been 6 months already since I walked down the alter and met the love of my life in Holy Matrimony. There has been uncertainty with money, jobs and struggles with family and career futures, but I have soaked up with joy every moment JP and I have together. Someone recently asked me how it was to get used to living with JP and I really couldn't answer with details and description. It's just like living with your best friend. You get used to schedules, toothbrush placement, and sharing the load. I am excited for the rest of my life and to see what happens in the next 6 months! Marriage and life is nothing short of exciting. Now all that's left is for me to finally and legally change my last name!

Happy Anniversary, Love!

Dialing

I am teaching my children about their address this week and how the mail system works. I was going to work on having them learn their phone numbers as well (although many of them already know theirs) when I realized I didn't know which number to have them memorize. These days we might expect them to know Mom's cell number, Dad's cell number, sister's cell number; all along with their main home phone number (which may never be used). (This topic is humorous considering I couldn't repeat many cell phone numbers from memory since my phone has a memory of its own).

Crazy how the world is moving so fast, and what an affect it has on education!

Seaching for chuckles

I had by far, the worst week I have experienced in my short and mild teaching career. It has been a whirlwind and more eventful than many of my horribly memorable high school faux paus. Despite being hit, having things thrown at me, being chewed out by a parent, having to attend school while the rest of Illinois' educational facilities enjoy the warmth of their homes, and being told "I will rip you in half" by a 3 foot child, I decided to find the humor. I laugh when I think about moments such as those when one of my favorites told me he was "having a hard attack."

It's moments like these when I learn to find reasons to snicker and ways to giggle despite the madness that may surround the learning environment.

Home sweet home

We are home from our amazing Carribbean Cruise. I already felt blessed to be able to join my in-laws for such a great vacation but now feel privileged to be part of such a wonderful family. It reaffirmed the joy I'll have to share my children with wonderful Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and Grandma and Grandad. Its a blessing!

We had wonderful weather and stopped in Puerto Rica (Old San Juan), St. Kitts, and St. Maarten. After adjusting to the rocking feeling and receiving my sea legs (with the help of a little pill called Boanine), I enjoyed the trip. Here a few pictures of our grand voyage!













This is the reason I gained 5 pounds!