Good times and map shortages

Hello, world. Haven't been up on my blogging, though not for lack of material to share. Just lack of APPROPRIATE material. School related, of course. These stories from 7th & 8th graders would knock your socks off.

Life's good in the Ham--went to the beach this past weekend, spending good time with friends this week, and going to my Granny's 80th birthday party for Labor Day. I THOUGHT I was going to the beach again, but how could I miss 80? Can't do it.

I'll leave you with this YouTube video that was emailed to me--view in bewilderment. And please, someone get maps distributed to American households.

You're not going to believe this, but...

They're LISTENING to me! I mean it, they really are! I know it's only day three, but really--even before the first breakdown last year, none of them listened to a word I said. Didn't DO a thing I said, be it behavioral or academic. It's like they can SMELL a new teacher. Today I stepped out of the room for a second, and they started getting rowdy doing who knows what, and when I stepped back in the doorway to eye them, a hush fell over the room. I never thought that day would come, and it may never come again, but it happened today: the unthinkable. I saw signs of fear. I think it's the worm. They all think I'm going to cast a voodoo hex on them.

One more thing about school and then I'm not going to blog about teaching everyday, I promise. I got two of my students from last year! I was elated (believe it or not) to see two familiar faces in those desks. Two precious Hispanic students that I adore. One tiny, squirty boy who is the light of my life (ever since he came running up to me during a test frantically calling out with a heavy accent, "Miss H, my pen! My pen! MY PEN! It...it...it...it ran out of PAINT!") One huge 8th grader came looking for me in the hall before school this morning just to tell me that one of my students from my old school had come here--and he had the little guy in tow. I about jumped out of my skin.

Anyway, that's all. Goodnight, friends.

Aaaand release breath

Whew. Day one--out of the way. Once that first day is over, it's good. At least I think anyway. The day went relatively well, though I know now not to get my hopes up for an easy year. Last year I left my school the first day thinking it would be a breeze. Not so. It took a full five days for the monster in them to emerge, thus relegating me to the teachers' lounge for a 30 minute cryfest. So I expect it to get more difficult, but I'm ready for it now. Bring it on. Try me. Thanks to L (many of you know who I'm speaking of...former student...) I am much tougher than you think.

Ps--to the left you see the sheepish expression that appeared on my face when I discovered (thanks Anisa!) that I MISSPELLED "quotes" on one of my bulletin boards! What kind of English teacher misspells words on her own bulletin boards?? Last year I misspelled "remarkable" on the wall, also. Whew. It's good to catch these things BEFORE the curriculum director pays you a visit.

Moving on. Let's all welcome Murry Horn with a rousing chant and round of applause--she's FINALLY started a blog. I've been on her for so long about this, because her life is far too comical not to be documented for all. Scenarios like pigeon poop on her nightgown, turantulas in her living room, pictures of the bull horn station wagon (piece of art on wheels), and stories of grilling out with neighbors (goat meat) are all too good not to share with the world. She lives in Alpine, Texas now, and I miss her dearly. First friend out of the womb. Severed wasps in Flight: How We Beat the Odds is the title of our joint bio, a coming of age novel chronicling the oddities of the two of us growing up in the same small town (a miracle in and of itself), and is hitting bookstores near you any day now.

Here goes...

Oh my gosh--it's here. Tomorrow morning I get my second shot at the first day of school--my nerves are as bad as they were last year, even though I'm worlds more prepared.

I finally got my room finished (for the first week or so, anyway) after a little over two days to work on it. Better than the hour I had last year, right? Everytime I tell someone in the district where I've been transferred to, I get the same two responses..."Start praying IMMEDIATELY" or "I'm not sure where you transferred from, but I can guarantee this is rougher, so the sooner you wipe the smile off your face, the better."

Apparently with 8th graders the fact that I'm so young looking is not going to work in my favor. I could've told you that, but they've got me pretty terrified. BUT if there's one thing I know for sure after one year, it's that I'm much tougher than I thought, but not nearly as tough as I need to be.

But I don't know the students yet, and they don't know me. I say the sooner we get to know each other, the better. We'll all have some stereotypes to break, and we all need to know how to do that, right?

Here are some pictures of my classroom. As scared as I am, I'm also pretty excited.

The verdict is in

Well, after many efforts to stay at my old school from last year and teach the same students again, I found out today that it's probably not going to happen. I will be, after all, teaching 7th and 8th grade English in the bonafide projects. Little nervous about this...okay, very nervous. Okaaaaay...I'm freaking out a little bit. But the Lord was astoundingly faithful last year in my school placement and in all the unknowns, and his faithfulness is unchanging. Let the chaos begin!

I love this hymn we sang at church last night--a hymn of the hope that I've got to hang onto, lest I be trampled 'neath the feet of a pack of rowdy 14 year olds....

Jesus the Lord My Savior Is
Jesus the Lord my savior is,
My shepherd and my God
my light, my strength, my joy, my bliss
and I his grace record.

Whate'er I need in Jesus dwells,
and there it dwells in me.
'Tis Christ my earthen vessel fills
with treasures rich and free.

Mercy and truth and righteousness, and peace, most richly meet
In Jesus Christ, the King of grace, in Whom I stand complete.

As through the wilderness I roam,
His mercies I'll proclaim.
And when I safely reach my home,
I'll still adore his name.

"Worthy the Lamb," shall be my song,
"For He for me was slain."
And me with all the heavenly throng
Shall join and say, "Amen."

Whate'er I need in Jesus dwells,
and there it dwells in me.
'Tis Christ my earthen vessel fills
with treasures rich and free.

Love ferns, old friends and live music

What a way to spend my last weekend of summer freedom! I got back yesterday afternoon from Starkville, where I went to see friends Seth and Laura Beth get married (Seth--college friend, LB--grad school roommate, good friend, Mere's cousin). The Robbins love fern, as I like to call it, has come to full fruition. I'm tempted to re-publish the engagement poem I wrote them back in December, but I'll spare you.

It was so much fun--LB was stunning, the wedding was beautiful, and getting to see and spend time with so many old friends was way too much fun.

Saturday night, several Bham friends went to hear John Mayer, which was pretty great. I've always had an appreciation for JM, but I was never a huge fan until his last album, Continuum, came out. One of my favorite albums, of all artists, of all time. Strong statement, but it's true.

I've heard him in concert once before, years ago, and I remember thinking that several concert patrons were shockingly young. That time, I sat behind a girl not a day over eleven, who was singing along word for word to his song, "Your Body is a Wonderland." Seriously...I didn't go to a concert until I was 16 or 17--when I was 11, I was jamming out to the Pocahontas soundtrack.

Last night, I had about as much fun taking discreet pictures of interesting fans as I did hearing the music. Check out the little tyke on the bottom row, far left. He's standing in his chair so he can see to take pictures with his camera phone. Yes, you read correctly: camera phone. This kid has to be no older than 9, and A) he's at a John Mayer concert B) he has a camera phone. I don't even have a camera phone. He should be at home reading a bedtime story or playing with transformers.

Such a fun weekend...now back to school. Hope you all had a good one.

OH!! Before I forget---the picture in the previous post is in fact my head, but most definitely not my body. I did not actually order a modesty suit. My tankini suits me just fine. Apparently there was some misunderstanding in the blogging community, and some people thought that was me in the picture. Nope. The wonders of photoshop. Thanks to my friend Ivan. Just thought I'd clarify.

Swimwear update

Well, my modest swimwear arrived in the mail the other day--just in time for the lake. What do you think? I'm pretty pleased with the pattern and the fit if I do say so myself.

It'll be interesting to see how conducive it is to wakeboarding. If I ever get tired of it, I can always cut it up and make nine string bikinis and a new shower curtain.