"Phenomenal Woman"
Another day without much to report, but I must keep The Streak alive! I'm quite impressed with Elmore-Pisgah's customer service. On Tuesday night, I ordered a bunch of double-worsted Peaches & Creme for a bathmat, and it arrived this afternoon via UPS Ground. My only concern is that I didn't order quite enough, but I'm sure I'll find a way to manage.
On the downside, this afternoon I spent $315 for three new tires. Yeeeowch. Thank god for tax refunds covering the cost. I probably could've found much cheaper ones elsewhere, but those three old tires were *bald*, and Wal-Mart was the most convenient option. A truly awesome coworker/friend went out of her way to meet me there before school, but the tire center hadn't opened by the time we gave up at 8:40, despite a sign saying they open at 8:00. Idiots. Then again, traffic here in Atlanta was INSANE this morning because of that tragic bus accident on 75, which might explain the delay. N and I tried again during our planning period -- the idea was to drop off my car and get the tires done while I was working, so I wouldn't have to sit around Wal-Mart for four hours. Fortunately, the second time was a charm, though the total bill wasn't the least bit charming. I did give N. a Starbucks giftcard as a thank-you for helping me out. So yeah, I probably spent much more $ than necessary, but I abhor the idea of sitting around a waiting room for hours. And at least now I can cheerfully drive around town without worrying that I'll die in a tire blowout. ;)
In our ongoing poetry unit, today we read two poems by Dr. Maya Angelou: "Still I Rise" and "Phenomenal Woman". I had no idea that the first one was used in a silly way in the movie Beauty Shop, so I had quite a few snickering students. ;) I had to take a couple of lines out of the second -- not entirely appropriate for 8th graders, though I feel guilty editing Angelou! -- and since it's always a marvelous read, here is "Phenomenal Woman".
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
And finally... still no nephew. Poor sister! Guess the baby's still too comfortable hanging out where he is. ;)
On the downside, this afternoon I spent $315 for three new tires. Yeeeowch. Thank god for tax refunds covering the cost. I probably could've found much cheaper ones elsewhere, but those three old tires were *bald*, and Wal-Mart was the most convenient option. A truly awesome coworker/friend went out of her way to meet me there before school, but the tire center hadn't opened by the time we gave up at 8:40, despite a sign saying they open at 8:00. Idiots. Then again, traffic here in Atlanta was INSANE this morning because of that tragic bus accident on 75, which might explain the delay. N and I tried again during our planning period -- the idea was to drop off my car and get the tires done while I was working, so I wouldn't have to sit around Wal-Mart for four hours. Fortunately, the second time was a charm, though the total bill wasn't the least bit charming. I did give N. a Starbucks giftcard as a thank-you for helping me out. So yeah, I probably spent much more $ than necessary, but I abhor the idea of sitting around a waiting room for hours. And at least now I can cheerfully drive around town without worrying that I'll die in a tire blowout. ;)
In our ongoing poetry unit, today we read two poems by Dr. Maya Angelou: "Still I Rise" and "Phenomenal Woman". I had no idea that the first one was used in a silly way in the movie Beauty Shop, so I had quite a few snickering students. ;) I had to take a couple of lines out of the second -- not entirely appropriate for 8th graders, though I feel guilty editing Angelou! -- and since it's always a marvelous read, here is "Phenomenal Woman".
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
And finally... still no nephew. Poor sister! Guess the baby's still too comfortable hanging out where he is. ;)