Back to the grind tomorrow...
I decided that this weekend was my last weekend of "naughty eating" for awhile. I need to shed some belly fat and oblique fat in preparation for a certain event coming up in May. I think I'm going to stick to fruits, vegetables, breads, grains, cheeses, fruit juice, and lean meats as much as possible over the next 8-9 weeks, and step up my workout routine.
Good news! Virginia is letting me have Tuesday off from work so I can work at the mayoral election as a precinct clerk. Now if we can just keep Villaraigosa under 50% in this week's primary, which will force him into a runoff on May 19 against whoever finishes in second-place (hopefully NOT that nut Jennerjahn!).
On Friday, we were having our morning assembly outside after first bell, which is usually moderated by Virginia and Carol. They do attendance awards, reading awards, Caught-Being-Terrific awards, etc. I always circulate around the seated clusters of youngsters, holding a laminated sign that lists the school rules...mainly to give myself a plausible excuse to refrain from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance while all the other students, teachers/staffers, and parents do.
Anyway, on Friday I could see Rebecca standing with one of the other teachers ("Mrs. PEAR-ISH"), watching the assembly. Rebecca was wearing her visor-like hat with a hood over it, and she had this giddy, passive smile on her face; I just wanted to burst out laughing. Mainly because the way she was dressed and her overall demeanor was just so...Rebecca. Honestly, Rebecca is probably one of my favorite people out of all my coworkers, because she's into so many of the same TV shows I am, and she's just so kewl to socialize with in the staff lounge.
There's one first grade teacher, MaryAnn, who's an unapologetic Republican, and it's alternately stressful and amusing listening to her bitter rantings during her mid-morning break in the staff lounge. She basically blames everything on "the Democrats" and "the liberals."
Also, Sandy told me that apparently Kerry's husband used to be a driver for Pamela Anderson when Pamela was on Baywatch and VIP, and I guess, according to Sandy, Kerry sometimes babysat for Pamela Anderson's children.
I still can't stand Debbie, and I still don't think Donnia likes me.
I have my Problem_Students. Patrick, the hyperactive comedian who's in the class of second-graders whom I watch over during their lunch hour. The girls in that same class who are obsessed with imitating Michelle Tanner from Full House and always give me the thumbs-up while saying, "You got it, dude!" Dan, the Asian kid in that class who always has to take the corner seat at their table, and can't stop hanging on the pole near that corner like he's a pole-dancer. Kevin G. and Kevin N., who always find ways to make trouble. Max, one of Patrick's best friends, on whom I've noticed Patrick is becoming more and more of a bad influence.
Then there are the other kids. Sammy, the ADHD first-grader (with whom our vice-principal plays favorites) who is a happy rebel. Francisco, the punk first-grader who is a defiant rebel. Skylar and Sage, Kerry's twin boys who can stir things up in an innocent way. Danny, the third-or-fourth-grader who always cheats at kickball. Rhianna, the black girl in third grade who always makes grumpy faces at me. Colin, the shy fifth grader who always looks so sad and rarely ever socializes with the other kids. Grace, the overweight tomboy in third grade who seems to like me for some strange reason. Tony, the fifth grader who works out at my gym who always seems to get himself in trouble with Mr. T.
One thing about this job: whether it's fun or frustrating or challenging or easy...it's always fascinating.
Good news! Virginia is letting me have Tuesday off from work so I can work at the mayoral election as a precinct clerk. Now if we can just keep Villaraigosa under 50% in this week's primary, which will force him into a runoff on May 19 against whoever finishes in second-place (hopefully NOT that nut Jennerjahn!).
On Friday, we were having our morning assembly outside after first bell, which is usually moderated by Virginia and Carol. They do attendance awards, reading awards, Caught-Being-Terrific awards, etc. I always circulate around the seated clusters of youngsters, holding a laminated sign that lists the school rules...mainly to give myself a plausible excuse to refrain from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance while all the other students, teachers/staffers, and parents do.
Anyway, on Friday I could see Rebecca standing with one of the other teachers ("Mrs. PEAR-ISH"), watching the assembly. Rebecca was wearing her visor-like hat with a hood over it, and she had this giddy, passive smile on her face; I just wanted to burst out laughing. Mainly because the way she was dressed and her overall demeanor was just so...Rebecca. Honestly, Rebecca is probably one of my favorite people out of all my coworkers, because she's into so many of the same TV shows I am, and she's just so kewl to socialize with in the staff lounge.
There's one first grade teacher, MaryAnn, who's an unapologetic Republican, and it's alternately stressful and amusing listening to her bitter rantings during her mid-morning break in the staff lounge. She basically blames everything on "the Democrats" and "the liberals."
Also, Sandy told me that apparently Kerry's husband used to be a driver for Pamela Anderson when Pamela was on Baywatch and VIP, and I guess, according to Sandy, Kerry sometimes babysat for Pamela Anderson's children.
I still can't stand Debbie, and I still don't think Donnia likes me.
I have my Problem_Students. Patrick, the hyperactive comedian who's in the class of second-graders whom I watch over during their lunch hour. The girls in that same class who are obsessed with imitating Michelle Tanner from Full House and always give me the thumbs-up while saying, "You got it, dude!" Dan, the Asian kid in that class who always has to take the corner seat at their table, and can't stop hanging on the pole near that corner like he's a pole-dancer. Kevin G. and Kevin N., who always find ways to make trouble. Max, one of Patrick's best friends, on whom I've noticed Patrick is becoming more and more of a bad influence.
Then there are the other kids. Sammy, the ADHD first-grader (with whom our vice-principal plays favorites) who is a happy rebel. Francisco, the punk first-grader who is a defiant rebel. Skylar and Sage, Kerry's twin boys who can stir things up in an innocent way. Danny, the third-or-fourth-grader who always cheats at kickball. Rhianna, the black girl in third grade who always makes grumpy faces at me. Colin, the shy fifth grader who always looks so sad and rarely ever socializes with the other kids. Grace, the overweight tomboy in third grade who seems to like me for some strange reason. Tony, the fifth grader who works out at my gym who always seems to get himself in trouble with Mr. T.
One thing about this job: whether it's fun or frustrating or challenging or easy...it's always fascinating.