Long dark tea time
The foggy end to a 3 day weekend. The fog is Romantic (with a capital R, like..Byron) but could be conducive to small r "romantic" as well, you know, swooning into your beloved's arms kind of thing. Today was astonishingly productive compared to the last 2 days (whereupon, except for short interlude in which I went to Sunday school, I resembled nothing more than a sentient fungus fixated on reading novels and eating an entire box of clementines). Today I got my car's oil changed, went to Brunch with sister-llama and her beloved J. at a nifty diner called Mama's 39 (evidently it was featured on The food Network). it was quite delicious ( I had a waffle). Afterwards, I came home and filled out my application for the Kansas Teaching Fellows program. (I've sent my essay out to be proofed, then I'll upload the thing and have it begone.) Since it's MLK Jr Day, I should be devoting my time off to fostering peace, love and understanding. However, I figure applying to teach school in the 'hood counts for something.
In contrast, last weekend was much more productive than my imitation of a sentient fungus. Last saturday, I spent the day helping out at Coro Selection Day (Coro, it lives!). This year, I was a candidate wrangler, and helped lead lines of the would-be interns to the various games and activities the Selection Day committee put them through. I really enjoyed chatting with the candidates (they always get such interesting, accomplished kids. When I was a candidate myself, I remember talking with the other kids and thinking, "What the hell am I doing here? Geez!" I also had an excellent time talking it up with the other alumni assistants/candidate wranglers. They are folks on who also tuned into the New York Times-reading, NPR-listening, strange book-enjoying spectrum of the galaxy. Kindred souls!
Last sunday was equally crazed, as after Sunday school I set off on a quest for a rubber chicken. I was convinced that rambunctious Tuesday night class needed some kind of outlet-valve to allow to get rid of energy and yet remain in their seats. When I worked with 4th and 5th graders, I had a stuffed rubber chicken (and other similar items) that had a remarkably calming effect. So I had an extremely fun time at U.S. Toy playing with (and eventually purchasing) various squishy balls. Tuesday night, my experiment in providing squishy toys to the my students worked for about 5 minutes. The students really enjoyed their toys, and asked interesting, insightful questions, but after that period of time, we unable to keep from flinging the squishy toys at each other's heads. Luckily, these being squishy toys, serious damage was averted, but I had to take the squishy toys away due general malfeasance on the part of the class. Boys ...are different, but that does not mean impossible.
Aside from the Bright Spot that is Hebrew High, week was generally unremarkable and draining. Have been thinking about interlocutor gryffin23's comments about gaming and community, which may spawn another rambling post.
In contrast, last weekend was much more productive than my imitation of a sentient fungus. Last saturday, I spent the day helping out at Coro Selection Day (Coro, it lives!). This year, I was a candidate wrangler, and helped lead lines of the would-be interns to the various games and activities the Selection Day committee put them through. I really enjoyed chatting with the candidates (they always get such interesting, accomplished kids. When I was a candidate myself, I remember talking with the other kids and thinking, "What the hell am I doing here? Geez!" I also had an excellent time talking it up with the other alumni assistants/candidate wranglers. They are folks on who also tuned into the New York Times-reading, NPR-listening, strange book-enjoying spectrum of the galaxy. Kindred souls!
Last sunday was equally crazed, as after Sunday school I set off on a quest for a rubber chicken. I was convinced that rambunctious Tuesday night class needed some kind of outlet-valve to allow to get rid of energy and yet remain in their seats. When I worked with 4th and 5th graders, I had a stuffed rubber chicken (and other similar items) that had a remarkably calming effect. So I had an extremely fun time at U.S. Toy playing with (and eventually purchasing) various squishy balls. Tuesday night, my experiment in providing squishy toys to the my students worked for about 5 minutes. The students really enjoyed their toys, and asked interesting, insightful questions, but after that period of time, we unable to keep from flinging the squishy toys at each other's heads. Luckily, these being squishy toys, serious damage was averted, but I had to take the squishy toys away due general malfeasance on the part of the class. Boys ...are different, but that does not mean impossible.
Aside from the Bright Spot that is Hebrew High, week was generally unremarkable and draining. Have been thinking about interlocutor gryffin23's comments about gaming and community, which may spawn another rambling post.