My attempt at poetry

My sister's post for Wordful Wednesday was about poetry. She wrote some lovely words, as she is a fantastic writer! You should check it out. Anyway, our librarian here at school has monthly writing contests with our students and faculty. This month's theme was the write a poem about your favorite things. You had to include favorite things from your childhood, present day and future. I figured I could enter this one because I at least had a song from The Sound of Music I could use as a pattern. If Meg is brave enough to post her poem, I supposed I can, too. So bear with me and sing it with the tune, makes it easier haha :)

Snuggles from Grandma
And tucked in at bedtime
Muffin, our puppy
And candy for a dime
Taking vacations with my family
These are a few of my favorite things!

Having my own home
And planting my garden
Playing canasta
And scrapbooking often
Cooking homemade bread so my home smells great
These are a few of my favorite things!

Taking vacations
And seeing Big Ben
Touring the Louvre
And rating it TEN!
Riding the train all through Italy
These are a few of my favorite things!

And there's my little poetic attempt :)

Yep- I had tickets :)

Wicked has been touring the country for quite some time and it finally made here! A few months ago, my friend called and said she could get us tickets. Did I want to go? haha Do you really have to ask that?! I'm the one who introduced you to the music! So our evening at the theater was last night. While it can't ever compare to seeing it for the first time on Broadway with original cast members, I have to say we did a fantastic job! Still loved every minute of it! If I had to pick a favorite number (or two...) here they are...

This is Elphaba- also known as the Wicked Witch of the West. In this number, she has just realized that she has power she didn't realize to stop bad things from happening. She sings a song called Defying Gravity. Its amazing to see. Its the final number of Act One.

haha- then there's this little number called Popular. Elphaba and Glinda are roommates at college. Glinda, in her own little way, decides to help Elphie become "pretty and popular." Hilarious! The woman who performed last night was priceless.

Wow I love the theater!

My Thought for the Day

Its alright to sit on your pity pot every now and then. Just remember to flush when you're done.

Spring is in the air!

FINALLY! Some sunshine and warmth! I'm so excited I decided to post some of my favorite flower pictures that I took at Disneyland. I'm no pro by any stretch of the imagination but I sure think they're pretty! Enjoy!This last one is my favorite :)

Reading Update

Just barely I was saying I needed something to read (see post below). So I started Sense and Sensibility and thought I could get through it. Wow. That's going to take some time. But no sooner had I decided to start the Jane Austen works, then my sister gave me 1776. Yay! And then I was talking about needing a good book with my friend, Delight, at work. This morning she brought in two more books she's recommending by Jodi Picoult. One called "Plain Truth" and the other called "19 Minutes." So...... I'm stocked for a bit. Watch my goodreads page to find out what I think!

Teaching Moment

Let me set this up for you. I get new sevies every quarter. So the kids are all new and I don't know them from Adam. Monday was the first day of the quarter. I'm sitting at my desk, trying to catch up on some things inbetween classes as my new 5th period is filtering in. I have a student come up and just stand at my desk and stare at me.

Now, I'm the sort who thinks that's rude and will continue to work until a student can politely let me know that they need something. So.......we stay like this for several minutes until it becomes awkward. I finally turn my head and say "Can I help you?"

And this student looks at me and says "Are you the teacher?" (with this "dah" tone of voice)
Me? Being so patient, I respond "Nope, just some adult in the room who hands out paper." And I smile and giggle a little bit.

He looks at me, gets irriated and sits down. The bells rings right after that so I introduce myself as the teacher so now he knows.

You think this is where the story ends, right? lol- that's what you get for not being in jr high. The next day, my VP comes down, laughing as he walks in my room. He just wanted to let me know that I have already traumatized one of my new sevies and ruined his life. He brought his FATHER in to complain because I hated his son. My VP did his best, as he says, to not laugh at the dad as he explained why I already hated his son. Come to find out, this student doesn't get jokes. My VP said to him, "Are you sure she hates you on the first day? Don't you think she'd wait until the second day for that?" Blank stare. From both father and son. haha

Yep. True stories from the J.R.

My 10 Favorite Things About Disneyland

How can you really condense a trip to the happiest place on earth into just one post? Or one picture for that matter? You can't. So instead of regaling you with all the trip details, I'll just tell you my ten favorite things. Then you can look at the pictures and see for yourself what fun I had! Keep in mind, I hadn't been to Disneyland since I was 11!
1. Fast pass- great invention for getting to the front of the line! Especially helpful when its an annual pass holder's birthday because they aren't limited to time. Thank you, Maryanne, for being born AND for being an annual pass holder!
2. Park hopper passes- go back and forth all day long!
3. The Hollywood Tower of Terror Ride at California Adventure! OH MY GOSH! I could ride that thing all day long!
4. Space Mountain- let's be honest. Best ride ever.
5. Grizzly Rapids and Splash Mountain lol
6. Nestle Toll House frozen ice cream cookie sandwiches
7. Caramel popcorn
8. Everyone is so friendly and literally so happy about their jobs!
9. Doesn't matter what age you are :) you still have a good time!
10. Being within walking distance (but still taking the shuttle) to the front gate

More Pixar Parade

Disneyland 09

I'm sure this will be the first of a couple posts as I get pictures uploaded and stuff. But here's part of the Pixar parade at California Adventure. There isn't any sounds so don't worry about turning up your volume or thinking you're going deaf!