Friday, August 29, 2008

The Media is Speechless...

For now anyway.  I only see one tiny article on McCain's choice, Sarah Palin, as a running mate.  I actually think he caught them (the media) completely off guard.  I am interested to see how they approach this.  I would say I want to research her more, but honestly, I am so against Obama becoming our next President that I almost couldn't care less.  The only thing they have dug up on her so far is that she refused to fire her brother-in-law who is a State Trooper in Alaska.  No mention of why she should have fired him.  I am sure we'll hear an absolute great and twisted story of some horrendous thing he did... with only the facts they want us to hear.  Like I said, I am really interested on how the media handles this!

Update:  It's been 5 minutes and they have already changed the story!  But I can't figure it out.  Is this a bad thing?  Do they mean hire or fire? BIG DIFFERENCE!

"More recently, she has come under the scrutiny of an investigation by the Republican-controlled legislature into the possibility that she ordered the dismissal of Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire her former brother-in-law as a state trooper."  Associated Press

NO JOKE.... I just posted and clicked on the article again and they have removed that paragraph completely.  

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

READY OR NOT.....

HERE THEY COME!!!!

Well, I would say the school as a whole was not ready for yesterday.  Each individual teacher was as ready as they could be.  For instance, the Kindergarten teacher was ready except she had no tables for her kids to sit at.  They are supposed to be in today.... hopefully.  I have no equipment for PE but I have several games in my back pocket that don't need equipment and one that needs bean bags which I am making.  Drop off....  Is it normal for every parent to come into the school on the first day?  We weren't prepared for that.  Dismissal was a nightmare as well.  We only lost 2 kids.  Not too bad, I guess.  After school we had a meeting.  This meeting consisted of things we should have discussed last week.  I guess this is what one is to expect when a school is completely run by men.  
They don't think of the little things.... like tables for 5 year olds.

I had my first experience with a class of 1st graders.  I survived.  After an intense game of Simon Says we played a riveting game of Duck Duck Goose.  It was all about following directions.  One thing I found out about 1st graders is that they all have a story to tell about a "long, long time ago."  And it takes them a long long time to tell it.  Oh, and the only time they can sit still is when they are telling their story, and sometimes not even then.

I am currently deciding if teaching is what I want to do when I grow up.  The lovely state of Texas is requiring me to take 3 tests to become certified in this state.  I guess taking the national exams and teaching for 5 freakin' years means nothing.  I'll keep everyone posted though.  

This picture reminded me of my dad.  Scrabble is the only game he really likes to play with us.  I'm think it is because he almost always wins.  His birthday was Sunday.  Happy Birthday Dad!

Soccer news :  We lost.  Big!






Saturday, August 23, 2008

No Official Language

This morning I was looking to see if the US Women's Basketball Team had won the gold medal.  All Lady Vol fans have a vested interest in the team.  I happened to stumble on the page that gave the US facts.... you know, a picture of the country, population, etc.  Below "Official languages" it had written "No Official Language."  This is something that I was not aware of.  Below that it broke down the percentages of languages spoken.  I posted  the link and what it says below.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/USA;_ylt=AlgsfNwStaMMaVWsOvcPQTUSv5V4
  • Largest city:New York
  • Official languages:No Official Language
  • National languages:English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7% (2000 census)
  • Total area:3,794,083 miles² (9,826,630 km²)
  • 2008 Estimated population:303,824,646 people
I find it hard to believe that a world power has no official language.  How does that happen?

Monday, August 18, 2008

I'm Employed and It's Raining!!!

It is raining here and everyone seems so excited.  "Look, it's raining!"  people are saying like I would if it were snowing.  I don't mind the rain but I wish it would only rain at night.  The cooler temperatures have been nice though.  

Yes, I have a JOB!!!  I went in on Thursday for a "2nd interview" but it was actually an offer.  It isn't my first choice of schools but, it is a job.  I was told to come in today and help with student orientation.  He neglected to tell me that it wasn't until 2:00 this afternoon.  So who was at the school at 7:30 this morning?  ME...and ONLY me.  (7:30 is the time I was told teachers are to report to work.)  No one else got there till 8:30.  I got all my paperwork to fill out at least.  I am about to head over there now to "help out," whatever that means.  All I know is that I
 missed my extra sleep this morning.  I guess I need to get used to getting up early though.
In other news....
We won our soccer game on Sunday 5-2, and no, I didn't score any.  

That's all that is going on in these parts!



Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Armadillo and soccer

Everyone down here says armadillo are everywhere.  They liken it to possum in Tennessee.  Anyone who drives along a road will probably see some roadkill possum along the way.  I lived here 2 summers and now almost a month and just saw my first armadillo on Saturday.  It was dead, but it was still an armadillo.  I was so excited!  Did you know it is the state animal of Texas? Here is another piece of Texas trivia for you.  Did you know that Texas is the only state that can fly their flag at the same height as the U.S. Flag?  Anyone know why?  I do! I do!

Now, onto soccer.  I hate soccer... loathe it actually.  But yet, I am playing on a 30 and over indoor soccer team.  Our first game was Sunday night.  We lost but I actually had a slightly good time.  I am a forward.  I got one good shot on the goal but it was too high.  The other team's goalie said that if it had been lower I would have scored because he couldn't have got to it.  Oh well.  I am not very good but it is active and gives me something to do.  


Thursday, August 7, 2008

Makin' Friends

I finally got to go to "yarn group" yesterday.  It was so nice to sit and crochet and talk.  :)

I had an interview today.  It was for a PE position at a charter school.  No gym, very little equipment, and I was told that the priority is academics, especially math and science.  Hmmm, I can take a hint.... PE is there because it has to be and don't expect much money for space and equipment.  I'll hear next week if I got the position.  Hopefully something else comes before then.   I applied for 2 more positions today.  

That's the update.  Sorry it's short but I have 13% battery left and I can't find a place to plug in around here!

Monday, August 4, 2008

Cupcakes and bets

Well, I made my first cupcakes since I've been here.  Jeremy had an end-of-season soccer party to go to and we were supposed to bring something to eat.  I finally had an excuse to make cupcakes!  Here they are....

The night before we went to my brother's for dinner.  On the way Jeremy and I were listening to a Merle Haggard CD.  A song came on and he made a bet with me.  Ic I could name the person singing with Merle Haggard on this one song without any hints then he'd watch Pride and Prejudice with me.  Now. that is a serious bet.  Pride and Prejudice is almost 6 hours long!   He would only bet that if he knew I wouldn't get it right......  I won't make him watch it all at once.  :)  The answer to the bet?  Clint Eastwood.  He hasn't wanted to bet anything since then.

Well, I have no job yet.  I am being patient and not panicking.  My last 2 teaching jobs I got right before school started.  My first one I got the day before!  I am looking into some private schools as well.  I'll leave you with one of the questions on one of the applications to a private school...  What is the minimum salary you will consider?  How do you answer that??????