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.

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.

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.

The Great Debate

We had our policy presentation yesterday. Our group worked really hard to ensure our presentation was informative and entertaining. It aimed to please. And it did, but unfortunately it fostered too much conversation. Our 20 minute presentation stretched to 30 or 40 minutes. Questions were being fired at us left and right. It changed into a debate. I felt like we were being attacked. I don't think they got the point of the presentation. At one point I felt like says, "When you have actually spent time in the classroom, then come and talk to me." Eileen and I left class fully frazzled. And still as I recap the event, I feel a little heavy in the heart.

My A-

Now, normally I would just accept the grade I get in a class and move on. But this last class that I took...Geesh. How are you gonna hire a bad professor in the area of education. Let me first start off by telling you that this professor only graded about 20% of the stuff that went toward our grade. Then, our TA was an ICS major, no an education major. He graded our papers like we were all English majors! I don't know about you guys, but I was a Math and Science major, not much need to write persuasive essays with research. Finally, the final we took had to be the worst written final I have ever taken. This was especially evident considering we just took a class on Assessment (tests). OMG! But its over, and although I think that I should have received an A and not an A-, I don't have the energy to protest. I just thank god I got an A- and not a B.

I GOT AN A...and a b

What a week of ups and downs! First, I get an A on a midterm I was certain I didn't do well. Then I get a B on a paper. My whole masters experience has been ups and downs so far. Every Monday and Wednesday I'm up because I enjoy the class and I know exactly what is expected of me. Then comes Tuesday and Thursday where I am in a class I have no idea what the heck I'm supposed to be learning and the professor is a biotch! The rumor is a couple of students wrote her an email to let her know everyone was upset with the work for her class...then she emails them back chewing them out. Geesh, shouldn't professors who are teaching teachers be flexible and state clear expectations...I don't know...just a thought.

Congrats to my cuz Wei Yan! Wei finished in the money in the WSOP. Man, he has become a poker pro. And to think our family are the ones who introduced him to this wonderful game. Now when I see him he can tell you about the odds and how you should play each hand depending on what you KNOW the other guy has. So far this year Wei Yan has finished in the money twice this year! That is amazing! We are so proud of you Wei Yan. I'm sure RC would have been there except for the second hand smoke. His friend is still in it, we're rooting for ya!

That is all.

You Know You're Getting Old When...

We just got back from Vegas. It was a blast! But why is it that every time I go to Vegas I (1) don't gamble nearly as much as I'd like and (2) feel like an old person. We all went out on Saturday night for Shane's 30th (Shane....CARBS). We went to the Palms and had dinner at Little Buddha (I rate it an 8 out of 10). Then we waited about an hour in line only to be almost scammed by a taxi driver (Thanks to Stacey for looking out). We finally get up to the Ghost Bar and I'm exhausted, not to mention not feeling well. So Mike and I stayed for about 45 minutes before we excused ourselves. We share a cab with Ryan, Garrett, and Jessica back to Hard Rock. We go upstairs and I change my clothes. At this point I am fully sober, not feeling the slightest bit buzzed. I lay in bed and all of a sudden I feel nauseous. I'm laying there shivering and I bolt out of bed with..."I'm gonna puke." I make it to the bathroom and puke everything that I had back up. It was gross! I'm thinking it was a combination of wine, sake, and cigarette smoke (2nd hand smoke, no I was not smoking) that did it. No one else got sick that night so it couldn't have been the food. But I was completely sober when I got back to the hotel. I think it was the smoke that really did me in. Luckily I woke up this morning and did not feel the least bit sick. Man, I'm getting old.

But, kudos to Shane and Stacey for arranging a killer weekend. I sure did have a lot of fun at the pool. If you have a chance to hang out at the Hard Rock Pool....DO IT! You won't be disappointed.

Happy 30th Shane!