Penguin

Is this not the cutest most funny penguin you've ever seen?! Love my students... :)

Farting

Conversation between me and my students today:
Jimmy: Ms. H, Lee keeps following us and trying to play with us.
Me: Well why can't he play with you?
Jimmy: He keeps farting...we move to get away from the smell (crinkling his nose up). But it keeps following us...
Me-I go find Lee: Ok, Lee you have to try to hold it in sometimes otherwise people don't want to play with you...
Lee: Otay (speech issue). It's hard sometimes

Me: I know... (patting him on the shoulder)

Then he farts while we're standing there...all I can do is give him a look and walk away to get away from the smell!!!

Pennsylvania!

Visiting Andrea and Christian in Pennsylvania was a blast. I couldn’t have asked for a better trip. When I got there Thursday, Christian picked me up from the airport and we got home to Andrea around 10:30pm. We caught up for a while, and it was nice to get a tour of their new home! I couldn’t wait to see outside in the light (couldn’t see anything since it was night). The next morning we woke up, had some coffee in their morning room and then Christian had to leave for work. Andrea and I went to King Of Prussia Mall shopping. It wasn’t just one mall but two! We had a great time! We walked around, ate lunch, shopped and caught each other up on our lives – I have missed this!

As we were walking to the next mall (only a block away), we walked past a group of African Americans. Andrea was saying something, and then as we passed them, she started to listen to what they were saying. This chick came out of the doors and yelled back at the doors (to no one special). “She’s a dizzy bitch. Aint nothing but an amateur.” I tried to ask Andrea questions to make it look like we weren’t listening, but as soon as we got in the doors, we busted out laughing, hoping we’d remember that saying later.

*Note – it took us a week to remember what she said – way to go Andrea!*

That night we all cuddled up on the couch and watch Horrible Bosses – great movie! It was a fun night just being able to hang out with friends I don’t get to see often.

Saturday we decided to go into Philly to do a bit of sightseeing. Christian and Andrea had never really done that, so it was a perfect opportunity! We went on a double-decker bus tour and got a tour of the town. We saw the liberty bell, went to the Rocky Steps, ate my first Philly Cheesesteak at a farmers market, had ice cream from the first ice cream company in the U.s., went to Ben Franklin’s grave, and saw independence hall. It was a pretty cool day! This is the best picture ever – us on top of the Rocky Steps. 

That night we went out for drinks, and a bunch of Christian and Andrea’s friends met us out. We went to Club 24 – and danced the night away. Their friends are pretty fun too! Guess west coast people are okay huh?!

The next day on the way to the airport, we stopped at the Harrisburg Capitol. I had heard it is much like the one in Madison, WI. I agree, although I don’t think it’s as cool! 

All in all it was a great trip to see great friends, and I can’t wait to convince more friends to go back soon! I hope my friends realize that when I care about you, and you move away, I WILL make that effort to come visit – no matter what. Friends mean the most to me in my life, and I would do anything for them.

Airports...

 

It’s interesting the people you see at an airport. I am waiting at the Chicago, O’Hare airport for my flight to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and I begin to notice the amount of different cultures, and people around me. An airport has a constant flow in and out throughout the day – millions of people going in and out, and it is interesting to watch them. I am definitely a people watcher, and this is the perfect place. Here is a list of the people I see and what or how I feel about them. Now please remember, these are my thoughts and my opinions – no judging, just observing out loud/online!

-          So many people are rushing to get where they need to be. I am often one of these people, and I hope one day I can slow it down and realize that life is one step at a time.

-          Other people are walking around soooo slowly that I want to run them over and I’m not even in a rush at this point! Why do people have to walk slowly in the middle of the hallway/aisle? I think that it should be like a road – if you’re going a slow and chill space, move to the right!

-          There are also some creepy people walking around – more like stalking around. They are wearing creepy and smelly clothing (no one wants to sit by them!) and some even have those scary trench coat jackets! Didn’t those go out of style around Columbine!?

-          Then there are of course the flight attendants and pilots. Some are quite attractive and others are…well…you know. I watch them walk by (usually in a rush) and wonder what their lives are really like. There are so many shows and movies where they have the best lives, but I’m not sure I believe it so much. Part of that could be because I don’t fly well and I get motion sickness and could not imagine being on a plane all day, but I just don’t see the great joy in this job – although the outfits are cool!

-          The fast-walks in the middle of the hall are pretty cool. I was walking down them, and I felt like I was speedy Gonzales! I wasn’t paying attention though, and ended up getting onto one that wasn’t working – planned on walking fast and ended up walking at regular speed – boooring… Anyways, I was watching people enjoy it as much as I did until one man wasn’t paying attention (looking at his phone) and ended up tripping over himself on the fast-walk! Oh it was so embarrassing and I felt bad for him – probly along with the other hundreds of people watching at that point!

-          Another thing I have noticed is that everyone is either holding their phone, looking at it, or talking on it. Technology has risen quite a bit lately, and sometimes I am not sure how I feel about it. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE my iPhone 4s, but there are times when technology is appropriate and there are other times, when I wish we could all leave them at home and enjoy our time with each other.

-          Then there is this guy who has super poofy hair (yes it looks like he blow dried it and gave it a good wave like in the 80s). He has a tight black shirt on, and HUGE cross necklace, creepy thick black glasses, tight pants and cowboy boots. I also think he’s holding a trench coat. The important part of this man is that he is holding a silver briefcase (yes the kind that looks like it holds money). I start to watch him. He sets down his briefcase and is kind of looking around him, making sure no one is looking. He punches in a code into the front of the briefcase and opens it. At first he is fiddling around inside – still looking around him secretly. My first thought is: why be secretive and stealthy when you can just go to the bathroom and do this? My second thought is that he likes looking like he has something important in this briefcase. Then, what does he pull out? Yep, a sub sandwich…my first thought is the kind of sandwich from How I Met Your Mother, and my second thought is….wow that needs to be hidden? Haha what a downer…He ends up causing some problems later when getting onto the plane, but goodness some people sure can be interesting 

Airports are very interesting places, and I find it fascinating to sit and watch people go in and out. So many people rushing, people taking their time, people hopped up on caffeine, showing major camel-toe, wearing shorts when it’s freezing, speaking different languages, and much much more. Airports are like our country – ever changing and ever thriving…

This weekend was a pretty low key and easy going one. We did soup group today! Soup group is just like a cookie exchange. There are five girls, and we each bring 4 7cup containers of a soup we make. Then we get to come home with four containers of new kinds! This is super fun, and I love trying new soups - even if I don't like some of them. I can't last longer than February or March, because eating soup constantly for months on end can get a bit long...It's still fun to get together with the ladies and catch up once a month!

Firefighter

When we were out this weekend and I was a Charlie's Angel, I remember giving my number to a guy named Ted (TJ). Because I had many many drinks, I couldn't really remember what we talked about and why I gave him my number, I wasn't interested...

He text me on Sunday to say hello, I ignored it. I was going to write him back eventually - I swear! I just got busy...

He text me again today asking if he had offended me, and apologized if he had. That made me feel even worse! So I wrote him back and explained that I was sorry I couldn't remember what we talked about and I didn't mean to give him the wrong impression (that I was interested). He wrote me back almost instantly and reminded me that we had not talked about going on a date, but having him come into my classroom to talk to the kids. It was then I realized he was a firefighter and being a nice guy, he offered to come in his full fighting gear... It was not about going on a date...haha oops!!

Adios!

Drew is a student of mine whose parents are from Africa. They speak Swahili at home. The other day I asked him if he could speak it - he said yes. So I asked him to say goodbye in Swahilian for me. He smiled and said "adios!" Then walked out the door.... :)

New Names

Last night was a fun night out with the girls! We started at the Dane to watch the game, which was seriously disappointing. We made a lot of mistakes - come on guys! Then we eventually moved on to Madison's and had a good time dancing there. It used to be pretty sketchy, but with some remodeling and moving the dance floor upstairs, it's much better! While we were at the Dane however, I think we spent over an hour discussing what our names would be on my blog. It was a hilarious discussion! We came up with car names, so you'll just have to wait and see who shows up in upcoming posts! :)

Mrs. Office

We had open house, and one of my
students came in and couldn't remember our principal's name. Instead of not saying anything he said
"Hi Mrs. Office! Have a good night!"

Kids say the darndest things

Today a 3rd grade class was discussing the names of our government leaders. The kids of course knew Obama's name. Then they got to discussing our governor. The students knew his name was Walker. The teacher asked: "but what is Walker's first name?" It was quiet for a moment and then a little girl raised her hand. The teacher called on her and the girl excitedly said... "Recall!"

Careful...

Beatiful Fall Evening at the Union!

Enough said

2.5s

Us ladies were at Paisan's tonight for happy hour (best happy hour ever by the way! $1 rail drinks & $3 wines!). The 2.5s came and hung out with us - it was a good time! They are the 25 year old boys that enjoy hanging out with us 30 something ladies. Wish all us singles could find some older good guys like them!

How to draw a person

Today I taught this little boy how to draw a person. He came to school this year not knowing how to write his name or even how to hold a pencil. Today when he successfully drew this person I thought he (and me) was going to cry he was so happy. These moments make me love my job :)

Getting Started

Okay everyone we've got this ball rolling on my new blog! Please be a reader and tell others. I will tell my tales of bad/good/interesting dates or encounters with men, tales of funny school stories and tales of just enjoying life. Have fun and feel free to make comments (only good ones!) ;)