Tuesday, February 27, 2007

puppy love

My dog doesn't like when I leave for work- so she eats my mail...today she ate a new cd :( Grrrr...

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Sleep Deprived

All I've been doing all weekend is sleep. Yet, I still managed to oversleep this morning and miss church. Grrrrr...Friday I watched a movie (Elizabethtown) and slept. Saturday, I slept in, watched a movie (The Guardian), took a nap, journaled, worked on some writing, checked email, made dinner, watched a movie (SummerStorm), slept, answered drunken phone call from brother at 2:00 AM, and slept. Today, well apparently I needed to sleep in again since I managed to turn off my alarm...So what else is on the horizon? Some time with God, grade papers, who knows - maybe watch a movie (either Flags of our Fathers or SherryBaby) since I seem to be on quite a movie kick - drive to C3 if the weather allows. And PRAY FOR SNOW!

Saturday, February 24, 2007

I need to read more Jane Austen

You scored as Marianne Dashwood. Most girls can relate with Marianne on a more personal level than some of Austen's other characters. She represents the emotional longings and struggles that seem to attack and bless us at the same time. Loyal to a fault, passionate for experience and life, and a bit over-emotional, Marianne matures and grows (making her so beloved).

Marianne Dashwood

75%

Emma Woodhouse

72%

Jane Bennet

69%

Elizabeth Bennet

66%

Elinor Dashwood

63%

Charlotte Lucas

50%

Lady Catherine

34%

Which Jane Austen Character are You?
created with QuizFarm.com

In my spare time...

...and with my spare money - HA!!!

  • Writing Snapshots of Grey - creative nonfiction, collection of writings, letters, memoirs of my journeys and relationships over the last 10ish years
  • Co-writing Curriculum Development Text - collection of research, reflection, and student work regarding how to develop and implement cutting edge curriculum, based on my experiences over the last year with my new Advanced Literacies Class.
  • Remodeling my bathroom - new pedestal sink and toilet, new tile floor, re-bath covering over tub and tile walls, new ceiling, new paint, new decor :)
  • Finishing my backyard - finish laying raised flower beds, build steps, plant grass, plant flowers, buy grill, have party :)

working my way through it all

My tendency to want to do away feels natural and
My urgency to dream of softer places feels understandable

The only way out is through
The faster we're in the better
The only way out is through ultimately
The only way out is through
The only way we'll feel better
The only way out is through ultimately

Every time I'm confused
I think there must be easier ways
Every time our horns are locked on towel throwing
Every time we're at a loss, we've bolted from difficulty
Anytime we're still made of final bowing

My tendency to want to hide away feels easier and
The immediacy is picturing another place comforting to go

The only way out is through
The faster we're in the better
The only way out is through ultimately
The only way out is through
The only way we'll feel better
The only way out is through ultimately

A.M.

you and me

At the dark end of the street
That's where we always meet
Hiding in shadows where we don't belong
Living in darkness to hide our wrong
You and me at the dark end of the street
You and me

I know time is gonna take its toll
We have to pay for what we stole
It's a sin and we know it's wrong
Oh but our love keeps coming on strong
Steal away to the dark end of the street
You and me

They're gonna find us
They're gonna find us
They're gonna find us all some day
You and me at the dark end of the street

And when the daylight hour rolls round
And by chance we're both downtown
If we should meet then just walk on by
Oh darling please please don't cry
Tonight we'll meet
At the dark end of the street
Oh tonight we'll meet
At the dark end of the street

Eva Cassidy

Friday, February 23, 2007

Would you know me now

we were young and so inspired
we weren't the only ones who thought
we'd change the world
no sun would set without us
no one we knew could ever doubt us

we had our future figured out
we knew a love like ours would always save the day
and that we'd always be ok

but would you know me now
would you lay me down beside you
tell me everything i want to hear
like that was your favorite year
like that was your favorite year

Dixie Chicks

5 Year Plan

Recently, I have been quite convinced that I can't do what I am doing too much longer - I give myself about 5 years. I love my students, I love my colleagues, I love my material, I love great conversation, and I love impacting lives, but I hate the politics, the red tape, the incompetency, the inconsistency, and the bureaucracy. I hate the system. So, I need a plan. I'm not clinging to the plan. It could change tomorrow or in five years and a day, but I need a plan nonetheless - a plan that is practical yet visionary, determined yet flexible - a plan that I hold in my open hand, not my closed fist.

During the next five years, I want to...

  • Gain more teaching experience at North
  • Continue my literacy research (Advanced Academic Literacies Course)
  • Pursue a Master's in Educational Leadership/Curriculum Development
  • Pursue a Supervisor/Principal Certification
  • Present at the National Literacy Convention
  • Publish my first book
  • Publish articles in education journals
  • Pursue Literacy Consultant opportunities
  • Design and lead seminars

After that???

  • PhD in Literacy Education?
  • Administrative position in curriculum development?
  • AIDS relief in Africa?
  • Get married and have babies?
  • Own a little Bed and Breakfast and write books on the beach?
  • Change the world?

Thursday, February 22, 2007

morning thoughts

I regularly wake up debating with myself whether I should get out of bed. Which call will I listen to - Duty or Depression? Most days I choose to be dutiful. I get up. I go to work. I teach. I usually even enjoy my day. I usually even wonder why I wake up feeling like I do when I feel so positive later on. Most days...

Tuesday I did not choose duty. I am very persuasive - sometimes I can even convince myself...

Wednesday, therefore, was a looooong day. But good, productive, enjoyable, tiring. And since I worked so hard, I somehow thought it would be a good idea to play equally hard - and long - into the wee hours of the morning.

Thus, today it was especially hard to choose duty - after two hours of sleep :) But I did. Yes, I was operating on pure adrenaline, but what a day!! I, along with 5 other literacies teachers, took 17 students to FunPlex to celebrate their accomplishments during the semester. So fun. Laser Tag - Go Carts - Roller Coaster Simulators, FreeFall, DDR, Arcades :) How fun to bond with them on such a different level. I teach great kids, I really do. I want to wake up believing this truth.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

you'll be in my heart

I saw Tarzan on Broadway this weekend - very good, different from the movie, and more depressing than I expected...but still very good. I was very affected by the two father figures - one so much like my father at times and one so much like who I wish my father could be.

Will someone tell me where I belong?
Where I should go?
Can someone tell me where I'm going wrong?
I need to know

Why would I hurt the ones I love?
Why would I hurt you?
If I can't be what he wants of me
What am I to do?
When will I be me
The son that he can't see?
There must be somebody who understands
Out there, somewhere

When will I find home?
A place where I belong?
Surely there must be more like me
Out there, somewhere

There must be somebody just like me
Out there...

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

I want to be big and let go
Of this grudge that's grown old
For the life of me I've not known
How to rest this bygone
I wanna be soft and resolved
Clean of slate and released
I wanna forgive for the both of us.

Did you tell her who you called tonight?

I want good things for you. I want happiness in your life. I want it to work for you this time, for this to be the last time.

But I also want closure. I want to hear that you and I were good together, so good... That we couldn't stay together, not because we didn't fit, but because the world couldn't handle us, and you couldn't handle the world. I want to hear that we are better off apart, not because our love faded, but because life got too complicated. I want to hear that I was the best you knew, but you knew the best for me was missing.

And I also want my friend back. Where did you go? Why couldn't you talk to me? Why couldn't you let me share your excitement, your new happiness, your new memories in motion? I wanted to be there for you, to share with you, to smile and laugh with you - and her.

I still do. I am here. I am willing.

My song for you

Open the window
Let the sunset in
If only for the last time
Let me see you smile again

I'll take my records
You can have your books
I'm sorry I never read them
But it says so much about us

Always trying
To make love out of care
The perfect recipe
But something wasn't there

Sunrays and Saturdays
Perfect starry nights
Sweet dreams and moonbeams
And a love that's warm and bright

Sunrays and Saturdays
Friendship strong and true
Oceans of blue and a room with a view
To live the life you choose

You'll write me letters
I'll call you on the phone
A wire away from touching
And never quite alone

We'll get to know ourselves again
And we'll heal our hearts
It's not that we're bad together
We're just better off apart

Always trying
To have one and one make two
And even though it never worked
I still feel love for you

Sunrays and Saturdays
Perfect starry nights
Sweet dreams and moonbeams
And a love that's warm and bright

Sunrays and Saturdays
Friendship strong and true
Oceans of blue and a room with a view
To live the life you choose

Vertical Horizon