Here's a little acrostic poem for a good friend of mine who is a teacher...of course most of my friends are teachers since I am one as well...
Teaching is a way of life
Exciting and new opportunities always abound
Always do you have a smile for your kids.
Caring and sharing
Has a way to make your students open up.
Each one holds a special place in your heart,
Reminding you that what you do is all worthwhile!
Showing posts with label writing prompt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing prompt. Show all posts
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Do's and Don'ts of a playground.
1.) Create a list of playground dos and don'ts.
Mama Kat has another great list of prompts. I chose this one because...
Seeing as I'm a teacher and I've worked in a few different schools where the playgrund rules are amazingly different at each one...I have a few rules of my own:
1. Play safely!
2. Take turns on the slide and swings.
3. If someone is sliding down the slide move out of the way!!!
4. No walking up the slide if someone is sliding down.
5. Use your imagination while on the playground equipment.
6 Use your kind words with one another.
Basically::
PLAY SAFELY :: PLAY KINDLY :: PLAY FAIRLY
Don't...
1. Hit each other.
2. Hurt each other.
3. Speak unkindly.
4. Be mean!!!
Basically::
DON'T HURT YOURSELF OR OTHERS!!!
Mama Kat has another great list of prompts. I chose this one because...
Seeing as I'm a teacher and I've worked in a few different schools where the playgrund rules are amazingly different at each one...I have a few rules of my own:
1. Play safely!
2. Take turns on the slide and swings.
3. If someone is sliding down the slide move out of the way!!!
4. No walking up the slide if someone is sliding down.
5. Use your imagination while on the playground equipment.
6 Use your kind words with one another.
Basically::
PLAY SAFELY :: PLAY KINDLY :: PLAY FAIRLY
Don't...
1. Hit each other.
2. Hurt each other.
3. Speak unkindly.
4. Be mean!!!
Basically::
DON'T HURT YOURSELF OR OTHERS!!!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Top 10 things I'd rather be doing...
than having sex with David Letterman.
10) Scrubbing the bottom of the pool in a snorkle outfit.
9) Jumping up and down on a bed of nails.
8) Stand in line at the Dept. of Licensing.
7) Watching a horror movie marathon.
6) Putting my finger in the light-socket.
5) Be an outside window washer for buildings that are 20 stories high or higher.
4) Pick up garbage on the interstate.
3) Be in politics.
2) Be like Forest Gump and run across the U.S.
And the number 1 thing I'd rather be doing than having sex with David Letterman....(drum roll)
1) Swim in a shark tank with a few fresh paper cuts on my fingers.
Thanks MamaKat and Happy Hour Sue!! What a fab idea!
10) Scrubbing the bottom of the pool in a snorkle outfit.
9) Jumping up and down on a bed of nails.
8) Stand in line at the Dept. of Licensing.
7) Watching a horror movie marathon.
6) Putting my finger in the light-socket.
5) Be an outside window washer for buildings that are 20 stories high or higher.
4) Pick up garbage on the interstate.
3) Be in politics.
2) Be like Forest Gump and run across the U.S.
And the number 1 thing I'd rather be doing than having sex with David Letterman....(drum roll)
1) Swim in a shark tank with a few fresh paper cuts on my fingers.
Thanks MamaKat and Happy Hour Sue!! What a fab idea!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Couple Having a Conversation
Mama Kat and her great Writer's Workshop moments....
Okay, so this couple I think I will call....Christian, and Rebekah.
"Rebekah!!! Come on!!! I was just joking!"
"Walk the other way Christian! I mean it!"
Kissing her shoulder, Christian says, "But honey, I swear I didn't know that you would go out to the far, far corner of the yard to search for me!"
"Well the game WAS Hide-And-Go-Seek. You're supposed to look everywhere! No one told me there was poison ivy in the yard!"
"Yes, well, why would you think I was hiding back there? You can see from here that that I am not small enough to hide in the ivy."
"I know..." Rebekah sighed. "I wasn't actually looking for you over there."
"You weren't? Then...what were you doing over there?"
"I was...no - I can't tell you! I'm embarrassed." Rebekah turned around and walked away again.
Christian followed and kissed her again on the shoulder. "Honey, you can tell me anything."
"Promise you won't laugh?"
"I promise I'll try. Is that ok?"
"Well, I supposed that is the best I can hope for!"
"Ok, so...what were you doing over there?"
"I was...I was...I was relieving myself! There! I said it!"
Trying to stiffle a chuckle, "Oh, my!!! Ok, so that is a bit embarrassing. But, it's ok. Just don't go into the corner of the yard again! I suppose that you can understand that now, though!!!"
"Yeah, I suppose I can. But....I just couldn't wait. Will you rub some calomine lotion on me, please?"
Raising his eyebrows, Christian said, "Yes indeed!" He embraced Rebekah again and they walked into the house together.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Anywhere in the world - Writer's Workshop
Another Thusday and another Writer's Workshop.
If I could go anywhere in the world....since I was able to see many places in the two years I was in Germany, there aren't too many other places I would like to go. Did you believe that? You shouldn't have!!! I would love to see many of the same place I went to before but I'd also like to go to a few others.
Some of those places I'd love to re-visit are:
Tallinn, Estonia because it was just filled with medieval looks. I loved it.
Another place I would love to re-visit would be Paris....I LOVE PARIS. Paris c'est une tres belle ville! Elle est magnifique!
I'd love to go back to Switzerland. I think going back in the summer would be fun, but I'd love to see it in the winter as well. Here's a shot of a waterfall.
And here's the Mt. I climbed:
And the last place I'd love to re-visit is Ireland. Anywhere there. It's all great After my twelve days of driving through the country, I couldn't get enough of it. Here's the Cliffs of Moher.
Now as for the places that I'd love to visit...I wanna go to Australia. I now have friends living there. It would be great to and travel around down-under in Oz. I wanna see some Kangaroos, which I've heard are just nuisances. Crazy I know.
And I'd love to go to Rome. Denmark, The Netherlands, and Lebanon. You're probably thinking....I can understand Rome, Denmark, and Holland, but...Lebanon? Well, I'm part Lebanese and I've always been curious about that part of my heritage. But that country has been in War for all of my life and I'm not sure that I would feel comfy going there. But I'd love to. I am related to a fairly famous philosopher/writer from there. It'd be cool if I could meet any of the family.
There you have it. My wishes.
If I could go anywhere in the world....since I was able to see many places in the two years I was in Germany, there aren't too many other places I would like to go. Did you believe that? You shouldn't have!!! I would love to see many of the same place I went to before but I'd also like to go to a few others.
Some of those places I'd love to re-visit are:
Tallinn, Estonia because it was just filled with medieval looks. I loved it.
Another place I would love to re-visit would be Paris....I LOVE PARIS. Paris c'est une tres belle ville! Elle est magnifique!
I'd love to go back to Switzerland. I think going back in the summer would be fun, but I'd love to see it in the winter as well. Here's a shot of a waterfall.
And here's the Mt. I climbed:
And the last place I'd love to re-visit is Ireland. Anywhere there. It's all great After my twelve days of driving through the country, I couldn't get enough of it. Here's the Cliffs of Moher.
Now as for the places that I'd love to visit...I wanna go to Australia. I now have friends living there. It would be great to and travel around down-under in Oz. I wanna see some Kangaroos, which I've heard are just nuisances. Crazy I know.
And I'd love to go to Rome. Denmark, The Netherlands, and Lebanon. You're probably thinking....I can understand Rome, Denmark, and Holland, but...Lebanon? Well, I'm part Lebanese and I've always been curious about that part of my heritage. But that country has been in War for all of my life and I'm not sure that I would feel comfy going there. But I'd love to. I am related to a fairly famous philosopher/writer from there. It'd be cool if I could meet any of the family.
There you have it. My wishes.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Fall Favorites - Writer's Workshop
It's been a long time since I've done one of Mama Kat's writing prompts. I have been out of sorts lately, guess that's why.
Ok, so some of my fall favorites (although I won't get to enjoy them this year as I'm in the desert now):
1. The changing color of leaves. I have a friend who lives in Vermont and she calls the folks who drive up there to watch the changing of the leaves "leaf peepers" I love that! I want to be a "leaf peeper." One of these days I will go and hang with her in Vermont and peep at those leaves during the fall!
2. The smell that is in the air. Usually that's attributed to the leaves as well. But the crispness the starts to come out that you can just smell.
3. The way people's demeanor changes. It usually gets nicer. It's like during springtime as well. When the weather warms up after a long winter people get nicer. And vice versa...when the summer heat starts to cool down it's when people start to get nicer as well. You've gotta love that!
Ok, so some of my fall favorites (although I won't get to enjoy them this year as I'm in the desert now):
1. The changing color of leaves. I have a friend who lives in Vermont and she calls the folks who drive up there to watch the changing of the leaves "leaf peepers" I love that! I want to be a "leaf peeper." One of these days I will go and hang with her in Vermont and peep at those leaves during the fall!
2. The smell that is in the air. Usually that's attributed to the leaves as well. But the crispness the starts to come out that you can just smell.
3. The way people's demeanor changes. It usually gets nicer. It's like during springtime as well. When the weather warms up after a long winter people get nicer. And vice versa...when the summer heat starts to cool down it's when people start to get nicer as well. You've gotta love that!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Chutzpah!
It's been a long time since I've done Mama Kat's writing prompts. Just haven't felt pulled to one of them in awhile. But this one sounded interesting. I don't know, I guess I have some things on my mind that should be said to some people.
List ten things you would say to ten different people in your life...if you had the chutzpah.(inspired by Cassandra from Cassagram)
1. A, why don't you just tell him you love him already and get it over with? We can all see that you are desperately in love with one another.
2. CB, can't you see how much he doesn't work? He talks a great game, but his students just haven't learned a damn thing all year!
3. SB, you have really pissed me off!!!! Pay me my money NOW!
4. E, can we talk about our future?
5. J, you suck as a teacher! You need to stop avoiding work so much and actually do your job. There's no reason why you need a full time assistant!
6. KB, you were one of the worst administrators I've ever had. You lie, and talk behind your employees backs, how is that ever a good thing? At some point, you will get your just rewards!
7. You are really, really cute! Kiss me!
8. Give me a seat in First Class, it's empty and I know you don't need to charge me the fee to sit there. This is a 14 hr flight, give me a little something for it. Even if it's just for 5 hrs of the flight.
9. KR, I can't believe you made the decision 2 yrs in a row to stay in a country you despise for a guy. It worked out so well for you last year (NOT)! I wish you luck this time. But, really??? You should never stay somewhere for someone else, you should always stay somewhere for yourself or go somewhere for yourself.
10. F, I can't believe how the tides have changed. You have a job and now I don't. How is that fair???
Ok, so a few of those would be really fun to say to others and some of them would be really interesting to find out what would be said in response. One of these days, perhaps I will have the guts to say something to some of the folks that need to hear it!
List ten things you would say to ten different people in your life...if you had the chutzpah.(inspired by Cassandra from Cassagram)
1. A, why don't you just tell him you love him already and get it over with? We can all see that you are desperately in love with one another.
2. CB, can't you see how much he doesn't work? He talks a great game, but his students just haven't learned a damn thing all year!
3. SB, you have really pissed me off!!!! Pay me my money NOW!
4. E, can we talk about our future?
5. J, you suck as a teacher! You need to stop avoiding work so much and actually do your job. There's no reason why you need a full time assistant!
6. KB, you were one of the worst administrators I've ever had. You lie, and talk behind your employees backs, how is that ever a good thing? At some point, you will get your just rewards!
7. You are really, really cute! Kiss me!
8. Give me a seat in First Class, it's empty and I know you don't need to charge me the fee to sit there. This is a 14 hr flight, give me a little something for it. Even if it's just for 5 hrs of the flight.
9. KR, I can't believe you made the decision 2 yrs in a row to stay in a country you despise for a guy. It worked out so well for you last year (NOT)! I wish you luck this time. But, really??? You should never stay somewhere for someone else, you should always stay somewhere for yourself or go somewhere for yourself.
10. F, I can't believe how the tides have changed. You have a job and now I don't. How is that fair???
Ok, so a few of those would be really fun to say to others and some of them would be really interesting to find out what would be said in response. One of these days, perhaps I will have the guts to say something to some of the folks that need to hear it!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Finally, I can do Writer's Workshop....
Interview is over....claming down now....Won't find out until next week if I make the cut for the 2nd interview - which really counts for getting the job!
Now I can take some time to write to MamaKat's writing prompt:
For some crazy reason, I think I tend to choose number 3 the most when I write these prompts. I wonder why that is? Lucky number? I always thought my lucky number was seven. Huh? Something to think about.
3.) Describe a memorable gift. Why was it important to you?
I received a journal from my boyfriend, at the time, a few years ago. He had gone to Europe with some buddies for the summer and had picked up a journal from Florence, Italy. He had saved it for my birthday. It was so sweet. He had whipped the present out of his bag one evening and lay it on my chest. I was taken aback, but when I saw it was a leather bound journal I was completely touched. He knew I wrote in a journal often. He had been thinking about me during his summer vacation....it was just so sweet.
I didn't start writing in it right away as I had more of my previous journal to fill in. When I did start writing in it - as I still am doing to this day - I think back to that evening and smile! It's a good reminder of a great gift and a wonderful gesture from a great guy! I still love that guy....can't wait to get back to the states and see him again!
I love gifts that come to you from someone who took the time to think about what it is that you like and know about who you are. A journal was just the most appropriate gift to give me....I simply love it!
Now I can take some time to write to MamaKat's writing prompt:
For some crazy reason, I think I tend to choose number 3 the most when I write these prompts. I wonder why that is? Lucky number? I always thought my lucky number was seven. Huh? Something to think about.
3.) Describe a memorable gift. Why was it important to you?
I received a journal from my boyfriend, at the time, a few years ago. He had gone to Europe with some buddies for the summer and had picked up a journal from Florence, Italy. He had saved it for my birthday. It was so sweet. He had whipped the present out of his bag one evening and lay it on my chest. I was taken aback, but when I saw it was a leather bound journal I was completely touched. He knew I wrote in a journal often. He had been thinking about me during his summer vacation....it was just so sweet.
I didn't start writing in it right away as I had more of my previous journal to fill in. When I did start writing in it - as I still am doing to this day - I think back to that evening and smile! It's a good reminder of a great gift and a wonderful gesture from a great guy! I still love that guy....can't wait to get back to the states and see him again!
I love gifts that come to you from someone who took the time to think about what it is that you like and know about who you are. A journal was just the most appropriate gift to give me....I simply love it!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Writer's Workshop: Sick and tired...
3.) List ten things you are currently sick of.
This list is in no particular order. They are all just pretty annoying at this particular moment.
1. Passive aggressive people! I have a few of these people in my life, mostly because they are those I work with....I don't enjoy them. It's not fun to be the recipient of their passive aggression....
2. Double negatives....if I could give an example, I would, but seriously, my ears start to bleed when I hear one!
3. Report Card writing! I know parents want to see the comments and all...but it's ridiculous the amount of writing I must do per child. Seriously, do parents really want to read all of that? I don't think so! Not that I'm a parent or anything. I just don't think that it's necessary for teachers to spend their weekends and "free time" working on report cards that are read once then put in a drawer.
4. Job searching! I hate moving and I hate looking for new jobs. I just wish this was already over with! UGH!
5. The yearbook! I've complained about this on previous posts....and it's so up in the top ten! I am ready for the books to be here so that they can be given out! Oy vay!
6. Clean freaks! My desk, in my working classroom, gets a tad messy, because it's basically a place to put papers. I rarely sit there! My passive aggressive boss has found my desk mess an embarrassment to her. I don't see what she has to be embarrassed about...It's my mess, not hers. And not only that, it's not that bad. It's really just organized chaotic piles. I know exactly what I have on my desk! Seriously! Just ask...I'll go right to it! Damn PR principals!
7. Doing Dishes....without a dishwasher, other than myself, I despise this job. My kitchen is small and when a few dishes stack up, it gets even smaller! Ugh! I wish I had a maid....
8. Cramps. 'Nuff said!
9. People acting like my mother. I know they are doing it out of love and to be helpful. But they are really starting to get on my nerves! I already have a mother...I don't need another two or three!
10. My cell phone battery! My goodness, this darn thing will be nice and plumped up at the beginning of the day, and then in a few hours it's already almost dead. There are times that it stays charged for two or three days without a problem. Now, though, it's dying quickly. That's annoying, especially when you need to use it and you can't!
This list is in no particular order. They are all just pretty annoying at this particular moment.
1. Passive aggressive people! I have a few of these people in my life, mostly because they are those I work with....I don't enjoy them. It's not fun to be the recipient of their passive aggression....
2. Double negatives....if I could give an example, I would, but seriously, my ears start to bleed when I hear one!
3. Report Card writing! I know parents want to see the comments and all...but it's ridiculous the amount of writing I must do per child. Seriously, do parents really want to read all of that? I don't think so! Not that I'm a parent or anything. I just don't think that it's necessary for teachers to spend their weekends and "free time" working on report cards that are read once then put in a drawer.
4. Job searching! I hate moving and I hate looking for new jobs. I just wish this was already over with! UGH!
5. The yearbook! I've complained about this on previous posts....and it's so up in the top ten! I am ready for the books to be here so that they can be given out! Oy vay!
6. Clean freaks! My desk, in my working classroom, gets a tad messy, because it's basically a place to put papers. I rarely sit there! My passive aggressive boss has found my desk mess an embarrassment to her. I don't see what she has to be embarrassed about...It's my mess, not hers. And not only that, it's not that bad. It's really just organized chaotic piles. I know exactly what I have on my desk! Seriously! Just ask...I'll go right to it! Damn PR principals!
7. Doing Dishes....without a dishwasher, other than myself, I despise this job. My kitchen is small and when a few dishes stack up, it gets even smaller! Ugh! I wish I had a maid....
8. Cramps. 'Nuff said!
9. People acting like my mother. I know they are doing it out of love and to be helpful. But they are really starting to get on my nerves! I already have a mother...I don't need another two or three!
10. My cell phone battery! My goodness, this darn thing will be nice and plumped up at the beginning of the day, and then in a few hours it's already almost dead. There are times that it stays charged for two or three days without a problem. Now, though, it's dying quickly. That's annoying, especially when you need to use it and you can't!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wed. Writing prompt Day
Yep, it's writing prompt time again....I found this one particularly interesting from MamaKat.
1.) Define goodness...joy...sorrow...and anger using pictures you've taken.
So, I think I'll go backwards....never good to end with anger:
So this guy was at the Temple Philae in Egypt. He doesn't look so happy as he has tumbled down from his original spot and just in general...he looks a bit angered about something. Sometimes I wish the tour I had been on wasn't in German...I might have picked up a bit more information...although I don't think our guide actually talked about this fella.
For sorrow:
The birdie sitting there, as the snow tumbles down, seemed a ton sad. It was spring, last year, and we had had tons of sun and the flowers had bloomed, and then....BAM! The snow started to fall again. This young feller was trying to stay out of the major snowfall!
As for joy:
Hanging with good friends just brings me tons of joy! Especially since I'm so far away from my family....my adopted family of friends help with tough times!
And last but not least, goodness:
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When you get the chance to sit on the beach on your birthday on a beautiful island in Greece...that is complete goodness. You can tell just how happy and relaxed I was feeling then...and that's without liquid nourishment. That came later that evening!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Writing prompt time...again
Although the prompt said to write about a recent email exchange...I'm changing it to a recent IM exchange I had with a friend. I think I do more IMing now...I love Skype. Totally has helped me stay in contact with friends and family (and for free - with most of my friends and fam - which is fab-u-lous!) Here it is, my IM with a friend of mine who is in Vietnam.
Her: Hey! How's it going?
Me: Hey you! I'm ok...didn't get the job at Marywood, so a bit bummed, but it was a longshot! How are you?
Her: Aw, I'm sorry, that sucks. I'm good.
Me: Yeah, well, they went with a computer teacher...
Her: I'm actually doing a bunch of applying this evening....computer smumputer
Me: That's all I did yesterday...I sat in front of the computer and looked at job openings. Ugh! I saw that there are a few in Ho Chi Mihn City. Maybe you should stay!!
Her: yeah, ugh! Nope, not staying! I wanna go home.
Me: I hear that...but I'm thinking I'd need a job more than I need to be home...we'll see, we'll see. Any other interviews for ya?
Her: Yeah, I think I'm in the opposite position, I need to be home more than I need a job. I can always sub. No other interviews.
Me: Did you hear back from the schools you sent your video to? And yep...subbing is always an option...if I really feel the need to be home, then...I'll do that.
Her: Nope, they said they would send them to the principals, and "let me know"
Me: Ugh!
Her: Yup
Me: Perhaps a little reminder that you're still interested is necessary. I had my interview with the school in DC last Monday...went well. Said they were in the middle of interviews though...but gonna send a little reminder about who I am tomorrow and say that I'm still interested in their school...We'll see. I hate searching for jobs!
Her: Well that's good hopefully that will work out for you. Yeah, the job search sucks. I think I will send them a reminder today.
Me: Good girl!!!
Her: On a lighter note I actually went out drinking last night!
Me: Yeah, if it wasn't for my bloody condo...I'd be ok with going to a few other areas.... Drinking? You? Wow! Hope you didn't wake up with a huge hangover!
Her: No, I didn't do the excessive drinking, I still don't trust everyone you know to be that out of control but I was good and drunk. It was great.
Me: Good for you! Always nice to have a night to social and drink. Fri we went to a friends house for a BBQ and had wine, or mojitos, margaritas. It was fab.
Her: Yeah I had a good time. I hung out with a bunch of Vietnamese, Korean, English, Australian, Irish and a New Yorker, fantastic!
Me: I bet that was great fun! What day do you fly back home again? It's in June, right?
Her: June 14th
Me: I'm a month behind ya. July 16.
Her: I'll be in LA at 10:05 am on the 14th, Sunday...oh wow
Me: Boy will you be nice and tired! I get into PS at like 6 pm. But I stop in Chicago and then again in Phoenix. Ugh!
Her: How long are you staying in Ireland? 2 stopovers huh?
Me: Not sure yet. Prob somewhere between 7 and 10 days. Esp if I'm on my own...I think that will be enough. You should come!!! That would be fun!
Her: Yeah, I think so. I leave for Kuala Lumpur on Thursday....come to Ireland?!
Me: Yes!
Her: or to the airport?
Me: Ireland babe! I'm looking at a school that has an opening in Kuala Lumpur!
Her: Huh, now I have to look up ticket prices and put off applications... Oh really? I'll let you know how it is.
Me: Oops..sorry!
Her: (Of course)
Me: Anything to be distracted right? I didn't do any cleaning yesterday...although that was my hope....and it's not looking good today...
Her: Pretty much. I got a pedicure this morning...you know because I had to have one...so why are you applying for the job in DC not in Northern Ca?
Me: But I must...our relocation person is coming to check out my apt. to see if she'd be willing to get someone into it for next year...so must be clean by Tue. Don't know...it was an int'l school and the east coast would be interesting. I've applied to lots of jobs in Vermont, too.
Her: Huh, that's cool.
Me: Yeah....I miss our pedi and mani days...They're not the same here...no cool foot baths and massaging chairs.
Her: Yeah, same here...no massage chair but it was nice. I got a mani pedi (a nice one) for $10. That's the nice thing.
Me: Wow!!! $10....amazing...Have you been able to save a bunch? Can I be nosy and ask what you take home each month?
Her: Yeah, I save a good amount. I bring home $2100. I get $2400 each month with my housing allowance.
Me: Nice! I think I might need to go to Asia just to afford to keep my condo! Europe is great...I love it....but it's not a place to teach if you want to save money!
Her: For example this month...I bought my plane ticket home, my plane and hotel for Malaysia, paid rent, bought shoes, clothes, drinks and every other thing I wanted including expensive coffee and food and I am still managing to save $800. yeah, Asia is totally the place to save.
Me: Wow!! That's amazing...nice for being able to enjoy the finer things in life, huh? Like manis and pedis!
Her: Well, "finer" on a busy dirty street and miserably hot places! Such a dichotomy. Well yes I do like the mani's and pedi's.
Me: Funny girl! But....you understood what I meant.
There's a bit more....however....it just goes on a bit more and then a few British terms get thrown in there. I love that I use "bloody" in normal conversation, as well as "bugger" (although that's a really horrible term!) Hope you were able to follow the conversation I had with my friend.....it's so much easier when you're in the IM moment....
Happy May Day!
Her: Hey! How's it going?
Me: Hey you! I'm ok...didn't get the job at Marywood, so a bit bummed, but it was a longshot! How are you?
Her: Aw, I'm sorry, that sucks. I'm good.
Me: Yeah, well, they went with a computer teacher...
Her: I'm actually doing a bunch of applying this evening....computer smumputer
Me: That's all I did yesterday...I sat in front of the computer and looked at job openings. Ugh! I saw that there are a few in Ho Chi Mihn City. Maybe you should stay!!
Her: yeah, ugh! Nope, not staying! I wanna go home.
Me: I hear that...but I'm thinking I'd need a job more than I need to be home...we'll see, we'll see. Any other interviews for ya?
Her: Yeah, I think I'm in the opposite position, I need to be home more than I need a job. I can always sub. No other interviews.
Me: Did you hear back from the schools you sent your video to? And yep...subbing is always an option...if I really feel the need to be home, then...I'll do that.
Her: Nope, they said they would send them to the principals, and "let me know"
Me: Ugh!
Her: Yup
Me: Perhaps a little reminder that you're still interested is necessary. I had my interview with the school in DC last Monday...went well. Said they were in the middle of interviews though...but gonna send a little reminder about who I am tomorrow and say that I'm still interested in their school...We'll see. I hate searching for jobs!
Her: Well that's good hopefully that will work out for you. Yeah, the job search sucks. I think I will send them a reminder today.
Me: Good girl!!!
Her: On a lighter note I actually went out drinking last night!
Me: Yeah, if it wasn't for my bloody condo...I'd be ok with going to a few other areas.... Drinking? You? Wow! Hope you didn't wake up with a huge hangover!
Her: No, I didn't do the excessive drinking, I still don't trust everyone you know to be that out of control but I was good and drunk. It was great.
Me: Good for you! Always nice to have a night to social and drink. Fri we went to a friends house for a BBQ and had wine, or mojitos, margaritas. It was fab.
Her: Yeah I had a good time. I hung out with a bunch of Vietnamese, Korean, English, Australian, Irish and a New Yorker, fantastic!
Me: I bet that was great fun! What day do you fly back home again? It's in June, right?
Her: June 14th
Me: I'm a month behind ya. July 16.
Her: I'll be in LA at 10:05 am on the 14th, Sunday...oh wow
Me: Boy will you be nice and tired! I get into PS at like 6 pm. But I stop in Chicago and then again in Phoenix. Ugh!
Her: How long are you staying in Ireland? 2 stopovers huh?
Me: Not sure yet. Prob somewhere between 7 and 10 days. Esp if I'm on my own...I think that will be enough. You should come!!! That would be fun!
Her: Yeah, I think so. I leave for Kuala Lumpur on Thursday....come to Ireland?!
Me: Yes!
Her: or to the airport?
Me: Ireland babe! I'm looking at a school that has an opening in Kuala Lumpur!
Her: Huh, now I have to look up ticket prices and put off applications... Oh really? I'll let you know how it is.
Me: Oops..sorry!
Her: (Of course)
Me: Anything to be distracted right? I didn't do any cleaning yesterday...although that was my hope....and it's not looking good today...
Her: Pretty much. I got a pedicure this morning...you know because I had to have one...so why are you applying for the job in DC not in Northern Ca?
Me: But I must...our relocation person is coming to check out my apt. to see if she'd be willing to get someone into it for next year...so must be clean by Tue. Don't know...it was an int'l school and the east coast would be interesting. I've applied to lots of jobs in Vermont, too.
Her: Huh, that's cool.
Me: Yeah....I miss our pedi and mani days...They're not the same here...no cool foot baths and massaging chairs.
Her: Yeah, same here...no massage chair but it was nice. I got a mani pedi (a nice one) for $10. That's the nice thing.
Me: Wow!!! $10....amazing...Have you been able to save a bunch? Can I be nosy and ask what you take home each month?
Her: Yeah, I save a good amount. I bring home $2100. I get $2400 each month with my housing allowance.
Me: Nice! I think I might need to go to Asia just to afford to keep my condo! Europe is great...I love it....but it's not a place to teach if you want to save money!
Her: For example this month...I bought my plane ticket home, my plane and hotel for Malaysia, paid rent, bought shoes, clothes, drinks and every other thing I wanted including expensive coffee and food and I am still managing to save $800. yeah, Asia is totally the place to save.
Me: Wow!! That's amazing...nice for being able to enjoy the finer things in life, huh? Like manis and pedis!
Her: Well, "finer" on a busy dirty street and miserably hot places! Such a dichotomy. Well yes I do like the mani's and pedi's.
Me: Funny girl! But....you understood what I meant.
There's a bit more....however....it just goes on a bit more and then a few British terms get thrown in there. I love that I use "bloody" in normal conversation, as well as "bugger" (although that's a really horrible term!) Hope you were able to follow the conversation I had with my friend.....it's so much easier when you're in the IM moment....
Happy May Day!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Writing Prompt
So I have a few frustrations to vent, but I'll do that later....first I'll give this writing prompt a go from MamaKat:
3.) Why won't you forget? List six true sentences that begin with the words 'I'll never forget...' Then use all six of your sentences in a paragraph, poem, or longer descriptive piece.(writingfix.com)
1. I'll never forget playing in the waves as a kid on the Oregon Coast.
2. I'll never forget meeting Eric.
3. I'll never forget the fear and excitment of moving to Germany.
4. I'll never forget the friends that have made it into my heart.
5. I'll never forget the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower.
6. I'll never forget my trip through France with Eric.
3.) Why won't you forget? List six true sentences that begin with the words 'I'll never forget...' Then use all six of your sentences in a paragraph, poem, or longer descriptive piece.(writingfix.com)
1. I'll never forget playing in the waves as a kid on the Oregon Coast.
2. I'll never forget meeting Eric.
3. I'll never forget the fear and excitment of moving to Germany.
4. I'll never forget the friends that have made it into my heart.
5. I'll never forget the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower.
6. I'll never forget my trip through France with Eric.
Never Forgetting...
Of all the things I'll never forget
These are some of the top
Playing in waves
on the coast of Oregon
Was always truly fun.
France is great
I love that place,
The tower by Eiffel
Seemed surreal
Traveling with Eric was
Equally surreal,
But, fun and cool
All the same.
Remembering the moment
Eric and I met,
Brings a smile to my face.
The same thing happens
When thinking about
All the friends that I have made.
They will be in my heart
For such a long time!
Taking chances and
Moving to Germany
Was a hard and
Scary thing;
However, I am
Glad that I did it,
And wouldn't change a thing!!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Why did I do it?
Why did I do it? Why did I leave the states and come to Germany? I don't know, I guess it was because I was ready for a change. I guess it was because I was ready to have an adventure. Why did I go to a country that speaks a language I knew nothing about? I guess it was mostly because they offered me a job.
Why did I leave the desert, where the sun shines pretty much 365 days a year to come a country where it rains tons and the clouds make it gloomy most of the time? I suppose it was for a completely new way of life. I've enjoyed it, don't get me wrong. Well....not all the rain or cloud cover, but the days that the sun comes out are precious! I definitely love those!
Now....why am I leaving a job to come back to the states where I don't know if I'll have a job? Huh? Good question. It started out because I was ready to come home and be closer to family a friends for at least a year (a sort of coming back to the basics kind of year), but now I'm starting to become nervous about finding job.
I did it, and I don't regret any of it. I'm a changed person because of it!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Back to childhood
I just started to follow Mama Kat's Losin It blog. She's got a great way of writing! I'm enjoying it! I found that she's got a little writing prompt to do. So here it is:
You can go back to your childhood for one day. What day and age do you choose?
This is interesting because I've just done a writing lesson (a memoir) with my first graders. We are studying the past and the present - how things have changed. I figured it would help them understand the "past" if they took a "picture" from their past and wrote about the moment. In order to teach that, though I had to think of a moment from my past. I didn't have the picture to help me as it's in a storage unit (I hope!) in Palm Springs, and I'm in Germany....kind of far to go searching for a picture. But I remember this day or rather this moment.
"Check out my new camera!" I said to Sandra. I had just gotten a new Polaroid camera and was enjoying taking pictures with it. "Here, let me take your picture." I swung the picture back and forth until the picture popped out and showed it to Sandra.
"That's so cool!" she said. "I'll take one of you!"
"Let me see the picture!!" I exclaimed after Sandra took the Polaroid picture of me posing by the clothesline. It was summer and Sandra had come over to play for the afternoon.
"Sandra, go stand over there," I pointed to the garage, "and make a funny face." She did. After the minute or so it took for picture to show up, we were laughing at ourselves. I stood on my head and Sandra took a new picture. "It's actually funny when you turn the picture over as if I were standing," I said. We laughed some more.
This went on for ages - well, at least until the film ran out. We thought we were pretty cool models. We used the clothesline pole to help us sometimes, with our poses (I think we might have been good pole dancers had we just had the music!)
*Being ten years old, with a good friend and a Polaroid camera was fun. Looking back at those pictures today (or when I move back) I remember how much fun the world was. No fears and no embarrassment.
Now, I didn't write all of that for my students. I wrote a portion of it, and then I wrote a version that was fairly dull so that they could see the difference and try to go with a more excited memoir of their own. It's fun to go and look at the past - especially when it's good memories!
You can go back to your childhood for one day. What day and age do you choose?
This is interesting because I've just done a writing lesson (a memoir) with my first graders. We are studying the past and the present - how things have changed. I figured it would help them understand the "past" if they took a "picture" from their past and wrote about the moment. In order to teach that, though I had to think of a moment from my past. I didn't have the picture to help me as it's in a storage unit (I hope!) in Palm Springs, and I'm in Germany....kind of far to go searching for a picture. But I remember this day or rather this moment.
"Check out my new camera!" I said to Sandra. I had just gotten a new Polaroid camera and was enjoying taking pictures with it. "Here, let me take your picture." I swung the picture back and forth until the picture popped out and showed it to Sandra.
"That's so cool!" she said. "I'll take one of you!"
"Let me see the picture!!" I exclaimed after Sandra took the Polaroid picture of me posing by the clothesline. It was summer and Sandra had come over to play for the afternoon.
"Sandra, go stand over there," I pointed to the garage, "and make a funny face." She did. After the minute or so it took for picture to show up, we were laughing at ourselves. I stood on my head and Sandra took a new picture. "It's actually funny when you turn the picture over as if I were standing," I said. We laughed some more.
This went on for ages - well, at least until the film ran out. We thought we were pretty cool models. We used the clothesline pole to help us sometimes, with our poses (I think we might have been good pole dancers had we just had the music!)
*Being ten years old, with a good friend and a Polaroid camera was fun. Looking back at those pictures today (or when I move back) I remember how much fun the world was. No fears and no embarrassment.
Now, I didn't write all of that for my students. I wrote a portion of it, and then I wrote a version that was fairly dull so that they could see the difference and try to go with a more excited memoir of their own. It's fun to go and look at the past - especially when it's good memories!
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