"It's not about a salary, it's all about reality"

"You know everything!"

Today one of my students said this to me...it was one of those good days and hearing this sort of thing...

First this made me feel old...and then as I looked into the faces of the five students staring up at me...I felt like I was right where I belong. It is for this group of students that I am researching Andre The Giant's life tonight. (It is amazing when your interests align with students...teaching reading makes these stretches, well less a stretch.)

This school is the most diverse school I have EVER been in, students AND staff and it is seriously growing on me. It is not perfect and after Coop I am hesitant...but there is more to the equation than my past and insecurities...

"Teachers teach and make the world good..."

"Today was a good day"

1. Nabali Tree Olive Oil- Fair trade olive oil from the ancient trees of Palestine, the land of milk and honey.
2. Be Kind Rewind- go see it or learn more here.
3. Paper Planes by M.I.A. - hot song from her newish album.
4. The Nuggets are coming to town!
5. Rediscovering my deep love for hip hop and rhythm and blues, I would not be here without them. (I am reminded of this daily, now that I live with a rocker.)
6. My mom voted for Kucinich!
7. Cold beer (Guess who's contribution this one is?)
8. Sitting down
9. Living in the city....
10. Sunshine (Topher says..."in February")

we clean up nice...

home again, home again

today i start my week of vacation and we are lucky enough to both have Wednesday off!

this week...

I have been subbing in West Seattle for the last three days...in a position that has the opportunity to be a full time job for the rest of the year. It happens to be serving the exact population of students that I absolutely love working with, but it is only Wednesday and I am tired. I will give the Principal my resume tomorrow and we will see what happens...

Tomorrow is Valentines Day and so far that has meant planning a lesson that is fun, but not too fun for a group of 2nd and 3rd graders and Topher buying me stickers to give out. (I haven't decided whether to get candy on the way to work or not yet.)

As I was about to write something about how this year Valentines Day has an different meaning for me and I just got the best present from Topher...gotta go!

xoxo Heather

V-day B.S.

The commercials on T.V. right now are making me want to hurl. Humans can be such simple creatures...READ THIS!!!

transitions

Yesterday I thought it was about time for a blog posting, but I wasn't sure what to write. This morning, (I took the day off today), I have these random thoughts that made the last week of my life a GREAT one...

* Hoping that Mitt Romney is NOT an option for our country's leadership is no longer a dream.
* Gaining a new understanding of American Football and the other Football means I can enjoy even more games. Being reminded of how much I really like sports and not being embarrassed of this.
* Growing older just keeps getting better.
* Rodney Yee exhilarates my body and mind.
* Middle schoolers are still adorable.
* The obstacles that helped prevent me from true happiness everyday have dissipated...
* Saint Patrick's Day is coming soon! (My favorite holiday!)
* I am not ready to get a dog yet, as it breaks my heart every time there is a dog that resembles Bibby at the shelter. But loving them up there is good for us both.
* All we need is love...(But, good music, good food and great friends help too!)