Happy Hour happened tonight. Yes ma'am. Right on the Riverwalk in downtown Chicago.
And it was lovely.
And it was most fittingly named, for I was, indeed, happy.
What teachers and educators have so aptly nicknamed the "honeymoon phase" of the year, I am in it full on with my 6th graders. I am knocking on wood trying not to jinx myself at every possible turn, but they are such a delight. Yes they get a little antsy and there are times when we stop, "rewind," and try again. But, for the most part, they engage in the tasks (with one small exception using the iPads today) and they partner talk about what they are actually supposed to be talking about.
Marvelous.
Will it last? Let's hope so. (At least for this year, right?) Let them be those angsty teenagers next year...or, better yet, wait until high school.
But more than simply the students (not including the 8th graders - we've got some work to do...but it should be good work), I truly feel like part of a team. When misbehavior comes calling in the classroom, I have so many people I can turn to for suggestions, and I don't feel the least bit judged! Other teachers (who are even busier than I am - and man, do I feel like I hardly have two seconds to breathe in a given day!) actually have taken time to sit down with me or chat while making copies. It is incredible. Such a huge help and joy in my job. Team effort, oh yeah!
Lots of work to do this weekend, including developing a genre project for the 6th graders and finishing some lesson plans. Groceries and laundry are a must, but I do plan on sprinkling in some more fun with friends as well as Sunday night Mass.
Woo hoo - week 1 - we did it!
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Friday, August 28, 2015
Monday, June 2, 2014
3 Bits of Advice
1. Don't take any pictures for the first 3 days of your trip - Remember your purpose: you're a pilgrim, not a tourist.
2. Have one very special intention to take with you on your trip. (And pray about it leading up to the trip too.)
3. Don't buy every souvenir you see.
These were three pieces of advice passed on to me from a friend who recently went on a trip with her Focus group to the Holy Land...which is exactly where I'll be going so very shortly!
The one that sticks out to me the most is #1 - How often do I worry about getting the "right" picture? or, will I be able to share my memorable trip with family and friends back home? or, how will I remember this trip if I don't take any pictures?
And in thinking on these things, I realized how likely I would be to miss the experience of the trip. Yes, pictures are all well and good, but, in the end, it goes back to the original thought posed - Am I a pilgrim or a tourist?
On this trip, I am a pilgrim. And in the greater scheme of life, that's what I am too - a pilgrim on a journey, just trying to get to heaven.
So, I'm going to work on following these suggestions. It's going to be an amazing trip...
2. Have one very special intention to take with you on your trip. (And pray about it leading up to the trip too.)
3. Don't buy every souvenir you see.
These were three pieces of advice passed on to me from a friend who recently went on a trip with her Focus group to the Holy Land...which is exactly where I'll be going so very shortly!
The one that sticks out to me the most is #1 - How often do I worry about getting the "right" picture? or, will I be able to share my memorable trip with family and friends back home? or, how will I remember this trip if I don't take any pictures?
And in thinking on these things, I realized how likely I would be to miss the experience of the trip. Yes, pictures are all well and good, but, in the end, it goes back to the original thought posed - Am I a pilgrim or a tourist?
On this trip, I am a pilgrim. And in the greater scheme of life, that's what I am too - a pilgrim on a journey, just trying to get to heaven.
So, I'm going to work on following these suggestions. It's going to be an amazing trip...
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Rather Be
When the traffic just stinks and you're still in the car -
And the cars are all moving...but not very far -
When you'd rather be drinking at the local bar -
(just kidding about that last one...)
Then you best make a wish on the next evening star
Because, frankly, my friend, you are stuck where you are!
Honestly, it's days like today that remind me why I try to leave school no later than about 4:45 (even if that means taking work home) - traffic is brutal. But what can you do about it?
Well, you could bi*** and moan (and honk the horn) like quite a few people I encountered on the way home, but I prefer other options (texting while driving not being one of them!)...
1) Crank up that music nice and loud...and sing along!
2) Listen to the news - NPR usually has a few gems.
3) People watch - there are always a few crazies or people in a hurry. (I don't make fun of them, but it can be amusing, and I wonder if I ever look that ridiculous. Mmm...I'm guessing yes...)
4) Make mental notes about how you really need to clean your car - face it, the rain probably won't come...until you clean your car. (Isn't that Murphy's Law or something?)
5) PRAY (one of my go-to's - amazing how the stress melts away...)
6) Think about all of the food you could have for dinner...preferably without much effort and/or cooking...maybe even with no cooking...mmm...
...And #7...wait for it...wait for it...
Think about the AMAZING parking space right in front of the apartment - ok, so usually that's just a dream, but tonight (for me) it was a reality. Amen, amen! Boy, I needed that.
P.S. About those cookies - they were phenomenal - let's be honest. I might have had 2 tonight - and I likely would have had the other 2 had my roommate not been home to save me from eating them (by eating the cookies herself). Yum...
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