The End of January & Looking Back

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the last day of January. It seems as if we just celebreated New Year's, and now 2008 is 1/12 over! It's been an incredibly busy month. This week is the beginning of a new semester, and that always entails a renewal process. Renewal of expectations to returning students and an extention of expectations for the new kids I see. The beginning of term hustle and bustle of scheduling and rescheduling is ongoing. Tomorrow is the deadline for all changes, so I'm hopeful that things will come together and I can concentrate on teaching.

It's funny: This week I reminded one of my seniors that it's her last semester of high school. She turned and shouted "Don't tell me that!" I tried to remember my last semester of high school and I can't. Not really. I remember significant events. The US was involved in the Desert Storm. Congress was making noises about possibly reinstating the military draft. I turned 18. There was a college visitation. Making sure the college application was mailed by the deadline (yes...I only applied to one school.) Then it was graduation and all night party. That's what I remember about my last semester of high school.

Thanks for Forgiveness

Last week I had a little problem. I should explain that I love social network sites because you never know who you'll meet or reconnect with. Last week I received a link to Tagged.com and so when I set things up I accidently forgot to click off everyone in my address book resulting in a mass invitation to everyone I've ever emailed. I just wanted to let those of you who received that invitation that I really appreciate your understanding of my major faux pas. It won't happen again.

And for those of you who are wondering, I have pages on Tagged.com, Myspace.com and Facebook.com. You never know where you'll find me. Look me up if you're so inclined.

Visit from Mom & Dad

It's MLK Jr Day and that means no school. I really like having the occasional day off. Long weekends I usually try to get away for a couple days. But this weekend my parents came to visit. We never do anything super exciting. If the weather cooperates we walk on the beach, hang out and maybe watch a movie. This time we worked on a puzzle. I really like jigsaw puzzles and buy them when the price is right and the picture is interesting. Here's the one we worked on this weekend. Since Mom and Dad had to go home, I had to finish it by myself. They left the entire head for me.

Snow!

I woke up Sunday morning to snow falling outside Mom & Dad's. I had delayed going home the day before due to high winds on the Coast. But snow is a different matter. After checking the highway cameras online, I changed my route a bit, loaded Kit into the car, kissed my parents goodbye and headed home. While the snow was pretty, it wasn't much of a road hazard. And I did live in Montana, once upon a time. Those old driving skills came back in a flash.

Happy New Year!

Here's a Happy New Year to all with best wishes for a joyful 2008!

Merry Christmas!

It's hard to believe that the much anticipated day is over. On Christmas Eve my 7 year old niece was on pins and needles for presents. She was even willing to skip dinner for them. And I realized the major difference between kids and adults at Christmas time is the "now" versus the "anticipation." Personally I love the whole Christmas build-up: Shopping, baking, spending time with friends and family. For the kids, it's all about the presents.

Our celebration this year included some old and (hopefully) new traditions. We changed our Christmas Eve this year, returning to a similar multi generational arrangement we used to have when my grandparents were still with us. In those days we spent Christmas Eve at their house, and had Christmas Day at home with family dinner. When Grams passed in 2001, our Christmas Eve changed. This year we reinstated some of those traditions. We had a snack buffet at my sister's home and spent some time together as a family. We played games and told stories before opening gifts to each other. It was a very nice evening.

Christmas Day dawned early, mostly for Mom. On the 24th she and I made three pies for dinner. On the 25th she made two more. The prime rib went into the oven at 8:30. Then we had breakfast and then my parents and I opened the remainder of our presents. Dinner was scheduled for 2:00ish. (It's always an "ish" at our house.) My sister and her family arrived at 1:00. My aunt, uncle and cousins by 2:00. We spent most of the afternoon just hanging out together, eating, playing games.

Winter Vacation!

The last week has been nuts. Every year before a break of some sort the kids really start to spin out of control. Christmas is the worst. It's that one time of year where everyone is supposed to be happy and healthy. In reality, many kids deal with some pretty big hurdles: family disturbances, no money for food or presents, lack of stability they get from teachers and other staff. The week, for learning is pretty much a wash. But at the same time we can't just coast through one giant week long party either.

From my own personal standpoint, two weeks off is a huge blessing. It's the opportunity to sleep, recharge my energy and enthusiasm, and the opportunity to be elsewhere. And that is where I am. Elsewhere for two whole weeks!