When they say "Fenway South" or maybe a better term would be "Fenway Mid-Atlantic," they are not joking when it comes to Camden Yards! This Saturday, I finally went and saw a game at the famed stadium with my dear Sox in town. What a wonderful night!
The weather in DC has been to die for this week. This must be the fall weather that everyone raves about! Cool crisp nights and warm, glowing days. Saturday evening was a perfect night to catch a game. Not a cloud in the sky bothered us as we drove to Baltimore...if anything I was a little chilly!
All my compliments to the birds for their gorgeous stadium. The place smells like Dr. Charles- everything about it seems to have his touch, you can tell he was thinking of "the fan experience" when he and Lucchino went to work. The old factory backdrop, the arrangement of the seats, the green classic paint- you feel like you are in an old-time stadium. The place has character, it doesn't feel commercial in the least. And I confess, I adore the Orioles' mascot. It's too bad that the seats were teeming with rowdy Boston fans!
The game was a smear, and I almost felt bad for the O's. But a chowdah head never is sad about a great win and like every fan I'm praying the Sox have it this year to go all the way.
This week the Dodgers are in DC... so that will be a blast from my past. I will be eating dinner with Dr. Charles tonight and hopefully catching Tommy L and company on Wednesday. You know I'm a happy girl with so much BASEBALL to chew on !!
Peace and Love.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Back to School Night
Tonight is Back to School night at Gwynn Park, and in a funny way I'm excited. No, I'm definitely not thrilled about being in the same building from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm- that is FOR SURE my bed time, but I am excited about meeting my students' parents for the first time. Usually, the apple doesn't fall that far from the tree, and I think it's going to be really eye opening to see who- if anybody- comes by for the night.
It's a busy and hellish week. This today, grad class yesterday, and more professional development on Thursday afternoon. Wednesday, I have a huge packet due for Teach For America, and I'm also supposed to put together 3 days of emergency substitute plans by the week's end. Pray tell, WHEN? I don't even have a moment to watch a football game, cook a nice dinner or even THINK about working out. Every moment, I am working and I'm never caught up. Someday, I'll be a millionaire when I invent the "Teach For America" diet- stay awake ungodly hours, relieve hunger pains with adrenaline, and NEVER SIT all day. You'll waste away, promise!
Last weekend, in between re-taking the praxis test and going through 8 hours of correcting tests, I did find some time to go out on Saturday. A new friend here is teaching me how to swing a golf club, and I'm hoping to make a habit out of it. It's one business skill I didn't pick up while at SU, and I've always wanted to learn how to play.
Well, best wishes to all from a tired girl. If anyone has any tricks for making the day longer let me know!
Peace and love.
It's a busy and hellish week. This today, grad class yesterday, and more professional development on Thursday afternoon. Wednesday, I have a huge packet due for Teach For America, and I'm also supposed to put together 3 days of emergency substitute plans by the week's end. Pray tell, WHEN? I don't even have a moment to watch a football game, cook a nice dinner or even THINK about working out. Every moment, I am working and I'm never caught up. Someday, I'll be a millionaire when I invent the "Teach For America" diet- stay awake ungodly hours, relieve hunger pains with adrenaline, and NEVER SIT all day. You'll waste away, promise!
Last weekend, in between re-taking the praxis test and going through 8 hours of correcting tests, I did find some time to go out on Saturday. A new friend here is teaching me how to swing a golf club, and I'm hoping to make a habit out of it. It's one business skill I didn't pick up while at SU, and I've always wanted to learn how to play.
Well, best wishes to all from a tired girl. If anyone has any tricks for making the day longer let me know!
Peace and love.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Alive and well
Just a short post this evening to let everyone know that yes- I am alive and well. I love my school, I love my students, I love my coworkers. Every day is simply entertaining, and I think I'm very lucky to land where I did.
I have to say one thing though: There is simply nothing more thrilling than taking away a student's cell phone. It's a cardinal rule: don't text during my class. Don't text during any class, but especially not one where the teacher is literally dancing a jig and twirling and bopping and having you interact, where you're speaking and repeating and asking and answering, where everything on the board is new to you and where your teacher is young enough to absolutely know what you're doing when you're "looking around in your purse." No, don't text in that class above all classes or there will be a problem.
The best part about the cell phone take-away is the standoff. Some students roll over quietly, knowing they are busted. But some of them put up a good fight- what they don't know is, it isn't a fair one. I'm going to win every time. Today it went a little something like this:
(approach student while still teaching)
Me: Give me your cell phone. (Put palm out.)
Student: No.
Me: Give me your cell phone. Clase, que significia son las dos?
Student: No.
Me: Give me your cell phone. This is not a negotiation. Muy bien! It's two. Ok, Son las cinco! Son las cinco.
Student: I'm putting it away.
Me: Nope, now. (beckons with hand)
Student: I'm not going to.
Me: Well, I'm not going anywhere. Give it to me.
Student: When am I getting it back? (cedes phone.)
Me: End of the day. See you then. Yes! 5 o'clock! Very good!
In fact, it's almost like fishing. The fight before the catch makes it more fun. I took two today. I'm hoping to get up to about 5 a week. I'm told that's how I'll know when I've really become a "strict" teacher... haha!
Peace and love!
I have to say one thing though: There is simply nothing more thrilling than taking away a student's cell phone. It's a cardinal rule: don't text during my class. Don't text during any class, but especially not one where the teacher is literally dancing a jig and twirling and bopping and having you interact, where you're speaking and repeating and asking and answering, where everything on the board is new to you and where your teacher is young enough to absolutely know what you're doing when you're "looking around in your purse." No, don't text in that class above all classes or there will be a problem.
The best part about the cell phone take-away is the standoff. Some students roll over quietly, knowing they are busted. But some of them put up a good fight- what they don't know is, it isn't a fair one. I'm going to win every time. Today it went a little something like this:
(approach student while still teaching)
Me: Give me your cell phone. (Put palm out.)
Student: No.
Me: Give me your cell phone. Clase, que significia son las dos?
Student: No.
Me: Give me your cell phone. This is not a negotiation. Muy bien! It's two. Ok, Son las cinco! Son las cinco.
Student: I'm putting it away.
Me: Nope, now. (beckons with hand)
Student: I'm not going to.
Me: Well, I'm not going anywhere. Give it to me.
Student: When am I getting it back? (cedes phone.)
Me: End of the day. See you then. Yes! 5 o'clock! Very good!
In fact, it's almost like fishing. The fight before the catch makes it more fun. I took two today. I'm hoping to get up to about 5 a week. I'm told that's how I'll know when I've really become a "strict" teacher... haha!
Peace and love!
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