As week one come to a close...I can't help but beam with pride. I just finished grading my kids first quiz and I am proud to say that the class averages have been around a 75%. Now some of you are reading that and can't believe I'm proud of that statistic, but I am. Lately, my kids have been pulling D and even F averages. Now, maybe I'm a bad teacher...maybe my tests are too hard...but I have a feeling that's not the case. But I have vowed that I will get through this year and my kids will be successful. I'm implementing new things that hopefully will make my life easier and them more successful. Well, we'll see the true test will be the benchmark they will take at the end of this month. Let's all pray for the kids.
No more ranting and raving. Its the weekend...rest.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Back to School Again!
Well, its Jan. 6, 2008 and I have to make my way back into the classroom. I wish I had just one more week of my vacation. Do you ever feel like you need a vacation from your vacation? That is how I feel at this exact moment. I'm giving myself an easy day tomorrow because I have no idea what my kids are going to come back like and I don't want to have to deal with the complaints of new material. I hope they are ready to work.
Mike has started a new job at Stamps.com. He's been there three days so far. It's in Marina del Rey. It takes him about 45 minutes to get there and an hour to drive home. Our days of early dinner and early to bed are over. He took us by his office today to "borrow" equipment from another coworker. We set up all our benefits and everything. The downside is now its up to me to keep the house clean, cook dinner, take Roxy out in the afternoon, and keep kayla occupied. I don't know when I'm going to find time to plan and grade papers. I guess I'm just going to have to be as efficient as possible. So, for those of you who would like to see us, you better contact us at least a week in advance so we can set something up. Between our two schedules its gonna be busy!
Shout out to my cousin Robin who is due this month! From what I hear it'll be within the next couple of weeks so make sure Wei Yan gets as much sleep as possible (cuz i know you probably have trouble sleeping at this point).
In closing, I would like to wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love you all!
XOXO
Mike has started a new job at Stamps.com. He's been there three days so far. It's in Marina del Rey. It takes him about 45 minutes to get there and an hour to drive home. Our days of early dinner and early to bed are over. He took us by his office today to "borrow" equipment from another coworker. We set up all our benefits and everything. The downside is now its up to me to keep the house clean, cook dinner, take Roxy out in the afternoon, and keep kayla occupied. I don't know when I'm going to find time to plan and grade papers. I guess I'm just going to have to be as efficient as possible. So, for those of you who would like to see us, you better contact us at least a week in advance so we can set something up. Between our two schedules its gonna be busy!
Shout out to my cousin Robin who is due this month! From what I hear it'll be within the next couple of weeks so make sure Wei Yan gets as much sleep as possible (cuz i know you probably have trouble sleeping at this point).
In closing, I would like to wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Love you all!
XOXO
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Stabbing at Magnolia High School
I just found this article on the OC register website:
http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-jefferson-anaheim-1926106-stabbed-magnolia
This school is in the district that I teach. Not only that, but I was at the school yesterday at 3:15pm. It is right down the street from the school I teach at. I had just drove up and there were a bunch of cop cars and people in handcuffs. But I had no idea what had happened. They must have rushed the boy to the hospital, because there was no ambulance when I got there.
How can people, especially high school students, have no regard for other people's lives? Thank you to Anaheim PD who are always patroling. It was a good thing they were around or else those kids would have got away.
A little background on that school. It is a Title 1 school which means they have many students who are on free or reduced lunch (poverty students). The student population is largely hispanic, and they have many rough students who attend that school. Now we aren't talking Compton or South Central tough, but tough students none the less.
I can only hope that we will be able to live in a community and within a school district where Kayla can have a safe and effective education.
http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-jefferson-anaheim-1926106-stabbed-magnolia
This school is in the district that I teach. Not only that, but I was at the school yesterday at 3:15pm. It is right down the street from the school I teach at. I had just drove up and there were a bunch of cop cars and people in handcuffs. But I had no idea what had happened. They must have rushed the boy to the hospital, because there was no ambulance when I got there.
How can people, especially high school students, have no regard for other people's lives? Thank you to Anaheim PD who are always patroling. It was a good thing they were around or else those kids would have got away.
A little background on that school. It is a Title 1 school which means they have many students who are on free or reduced lunch (poverty students). The student population is largely hispanic, and they have many rough students who attend that school. Now we aren't talking Compton or South Central tough, but tough students none the less.
I can only hope that we will be able to live in a community and within a school district where Kayla can have a safe and effective education.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The first vacation of the year
Well, its almost time for our first vacation since school started. I am exhausted. Now I know how teachers get burnt out so easily. I feel like I'm running around in circles and not really getting anything done. I've got pressure from my department head, the administration, other teachers on campus, and even the district office. I have got to learn how to say no. If I keep at it like this I may drive myself insane before Christmas break. I am stressed to the core. I am waiting and looking forward to the break. But in the back of my mind I wonder whether it will reallly be a break. Can I enjoy the vacation without thinking about family drama or what I still need to do before I go back to work? I hope so, because I definitely need it. I think if I don't get a break, then a BREAKdown will be happening soon.
I hope all is well with everyone out there and I'm sorry if I haven't been keeping in touch. But really, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I love you all and hope you are all doing well.
I hope all is well with everyone out there and I'm sorry if I haven't been keeping in touch. But really, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I love you all and hope you are all doing well.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Sports
Now, everyone knows I'm a jock! But, I was never a fan of baseball. I thought it was pretty boring and long and I couldn't sit still long enough to watch a game. I will be the first to admit that between Mike, Shane, and Fantasy Baseball...I am actually starting to get into it. I know every single player on the Angels and the Dodgers (Can you name them all Jack?!). And as i sit here and watch the Angels losing to Seattle, I am getting a little excited that we may be at the game that the Angels clinch the division title. We have tickets to tomorrow's afternoon game and the Angels need just one more win to clinch. Seattle is up 4-0 and I'm actually rooting for them tonight.
Might I just add, that there is a "boy," and I do mean "boy," that dares to be sexist in my presence. This "boy" claims to be training to be a UFC fighter but I have more muscle in my left calf than he has in his entire body. Let me tell you what he had the audacity to say to me. We were sitting in the bar having a couple drinks talking about Fantasy Baseball. I mention how well I'm doing and he says "Yeah, but that's with Mike setting your team for you." I was like no he di'nt! But, being the lady that I am I didn't say anything to him. Although if he says something again, it will not be pretty. So Jack if you read this...you better watch out if I have had any drinks and am anywhere near Donovan words will fly. By the way Donovan the pig...Who is #1 and #2 in Fantasy Football? That's right Denise and Krisdee...the only girls playing in this league.
By the way, congrats to my cousin who is looking beautiful with her pregger's bump!
Congrats to all the teachers out there who have survived the first couple weeks of school. It will get better.
Might I just add, that there is a "boy," and I do mean "boy," that dares to be sexist in my presence. This "boy" claims to be training to be a UFC fighter but I have more muscle in my left calf than he has in his entire body. Let me tell you what he had the audacity to say to me. We were sitting in the bar having a couple drinks talking about Fantasy Baseball. I mention how well I'm doing and he says "Yeah, but that's with Mike setting your team for you." I was like no he di'nt! But, being the lady that I am I didn't say anything to him. Although if he says something again, it will not be pretty. So Jack if you read this...you better watch out if I have had any drinks and am anywhere near Donovan words will fly. By the way Donovan the pig...Who is #1 and #2 in Fantasy Football? That's right Denise and Krisdee...the only girls playing in this league.
By the way, congrats to my cousin who is looking beautiful with her pregger's bump!
Congrats to all the teachers out there who have survived the first couple weeks of school. It will get better.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
First Full Week of School Down
Well, the first full week of school has past. Its been a long time since I have been this tired. I've been at school until 4pm each day and working hard to introduce a new curriculum that I have no experience with. I'm just making it up as I go along. I've been receiving the brunt of the complaints. Its been pretty taxing especially on my positive outlook for the year. I'm already starting to fall back into my bad habits. I've also heard things are going to change drastically tomorrow. This is the most unorganized first week of school ever. I hope the counselors can figure something out. How can I have one class of 41 and then one class of 30? Support for the program is starting to fade and many of the kids want out. I'm starting to wonder whether it was a good idea to implement this year. I'm going to work hard to keep a "glass half full" attitude.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
A month since my last post
Oh my gosh! I can't believe it has been a month since my last post. I can't believe how busy I've been. But now I can take a breather and let everyone know what we've been up to. Well, I agonized over my last paper a couple weeks ago and was able to punch out 10 pages in 5 hours. Then, the next two days I went to Western to work on my room. Which, by the way, looks amazing. We went into Labor Day weekend excited to have some time without having to think about papers and tests, etc. However, I did spend Labor Day working with Gary in my room putting up bulletin board paper. Finally, it was back to school. Last Tuesday and Wednesday were the first days of staff development which turned out to be a waste of time. Unorganized and repetitive, we ended up just like the kids...spacing out. Then it was GO TIME. Thursday and Friday brought the first days of school with kids. I was amazed to find my freshmen behaving and listening intently. Unfortunately, the small learning community is not as small as anticipated. Plus, everyone has large numbers this year and the kind administration is blaming it on our program. So, I'm struggling with curriculum that I am not used to and had no training with and a program with no support. Wonderful! But I guess that is how it is.
We were able to enjoy Kayla's second birthday. We had a party at the park. Which was fantastic. Filled with good food, conversation, family, and friends. Pearl brought up a good point, she was amazed at how many of my friends have kids. And you know what...I am too! It didn't really hit me until they were all there hanging out. Geesh! Thank you to everyone who attended, especially Grace who drove the morning of the party from Las Vegas to be there...I love you G! But to everyone else: Annie, Dave, Theresa, Cheryl, David, Quasar, The Chews, Helen, Steve, Shane, Ryan, Jen, Rick, Noah, Angelo, Ashley, Matthew, Tuyen, Pearl, Izzy, and the family. Thank you for being an important part of Kayla's special day.
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