Oh happy day!

School's out for winter (break)! I cannot believe that it is already the middle of December. I cannot believe that I am off of work for the next two weeks. I cannot believe that I leave for Chicago in approximately 4 days. I cannot believe I will be in Madison in 5 or 6 days. I am truly in shock. Overwhelmingly pleasant shock, to be sure, but shock all the same.

My last day was good - lots of hugs and laughter and some serious moments. I brought candy canes for my seventh graders and cupcakes for my seniors and all of my classes earned a movie day by having a week of excellent behavior and work (okay, Monday was crap, but the rest of the days were fabulous and they were (and I quote) "AMAZING" (empahsis hers) for my substitute yesterday). So, I ate a bunch of garbage and watched the first 40 minutes of XMen (2x), XMen United and Lilo & Stitch during class today. But I also patrolled the hallways like nobody's business, gave my first period a stern talking to about eye contact and active listening.

Yesterday I was in a day-long training on how to be a behavior management coach. It was a great training, with 6 or 7 other teachers from the school, but early on there was a misunderstanding between 2 of the participants that ended with one crying and both apologizing and being more than a little emotional (in my opinion). Then a third person got involved and there were more tears. Only one of the coaches in training is a man and this afternoon he came into my room and said, "How to phrase this? ... I don't know, so I hope you aren't offended. You know, when that all went down yesterday I immediately looked for another man to make eye contact with and realized I was the only guy. And THEN I realized that I should be looking for you only you wer sitting behind me!" I laughed and was not offended at all. It's completely true. I am a girl and a woman in a million ways, but I am most certainly like a guy in this: I emote like a man. Which is to say, I really don't. It was actually kind of cool that he got that.

In the final stages of planning my trip back to the Midwest. No wedding to attend means less people will be seen (sad) and more plans must be coordinated (no lie, I kind of dig this part). I am beyond excited to hang out with Maggie and Stephanie and Cole and Karen and Marcia. And I'm looking forward to being in Madison again - I imagine it will look very different (again). I'm also hoping for a post-Christmas WY reunion of sorts, but, as usual, have put that on Wendy to plan (thanks, chica!). AND (!) this winter, Kara, Katie and I will all be in Chicago at the same time, so there will be much reminiscing over margaritas and Mexican food at Taxco. Yum....

Enough of this being in my classroom thing! Work's been done for nearly 30 minutes - it is time to get to happy hour and celebrate! Have a wonderful weekend, y'all!