Tough call

Benadryl for the still-itching bug bites on my legs or prescription-strength ibuprofen for the slight back pains that will certainly be heightened by the impending 2 hours of standing in heels? Right, I think I just made my decision. Off to the fundraiser then!

Completely random

1. I haven't posted in a month for no good reason. My excuse is that there is nothing to post about because life is much the same, day in and day out, but that's not really true. Things happen every day that I think about posting and then don't. So, while I kill some time before getting ready for an event tonight, I thought I'd stop being lazy and at least try to post some news.
   
2. Congratulations are in order for my freshman year college roommates Jennifer and Aaron (Jennifer was my actual roommate, but Aaron was there every weekend, so I count him too). Just after midnight this morning, they welcomed their son Gabriel into the world. All the best will certainly be given to this lucky little boy, but I'll send some best wishes of my own out to the new family in Seattle. Much love, guys!
3. The longest school year is on a short hiatus, thank goodness. I'm in the midst of my week-long break between the end of the school year and the start of new student orientation. As always, the end came at a time when I really appreciated it, but this year felt different. Instead of being thankful and excited about the end of the year, I just felt empty. This year has been such a struggle for me professionally that I was cranky and sad about it ending because that meant it could never be a success. The 2007-2008 school year is over and it was never really very good. I guess I can find solace in the fact that it is over and I am still standing. That's something.
   
4. Graduation was this past Saturday and, in many ways, it was more about the adults than the students. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the school so there was much to celebrate, I suppose. ::sigh:: I deeply believe in the mission of my school, but sometimes the way they pat themselves on the back and spin the reality is a little gross. Plus, there was much gift giving to mark the occasion and, as such, the ceremony felt a little like the Oprah show. Fitting, I know.
   
5. This morning I spoke with my grad school admissions counselor. Starting with the 2008-2009 school year, I will be working towards a Master's in Education specializing in Literacy in the Content Area. I am really excited about the coursework and about the career path that I think this degree will put me on. The more I think about it, the more I think I will work at my school for another two years (completing my Master's and seeing my first class of students graduate high school) and then apply to be a consultant to urban schools serving underserved populations. Makes me smile just thinking about it, which is a welcome feeling regarding work these days.
   
6. My very best friend Maggie got into town on Saturday night. She is here to visit with me, meet Brian, attend her boyfriend's fundraiser (he is running for state assembly in WI) and meet his good friends who also live in the area. We haven't seen each other since last July and our trip to LA so it was good to sit and relax together. Plus, it meant a lot to me to have her meet Brian and spend time with him. And I was glad to be able to meet her boyfriend yesterday (and support his campaign by attending the fundraiser tonight). Maggie and I have one of those very comfortable friendships where you can be completely satisfied by just sitting in the same room and occasionally talking while watching tv or, in the case of this trip, lounging by the pool. Plus we did a good amount of shopping, which is always fun.
   
7. Maggie's visit and our talks got me thinking about how I have really moved into a new stage in my life. My friends are almost all in serious relationships and many are starting families. We are contemplating education and career moves that will set us up for a long-term future and we are settling down without settling. It's exciting and fun, but also a little surreal. I'm just glad that I've already had my quarter-life crisis or this could all prompt some kind of freak-out on my end. As it is, I simply think about it all at times and then get on with having my life and not analyzing it.
   
8. Brian and I are headed to the Midwest in three weeks and I am anxiously awaiting the trip. I'm also a little stressed about fitting everything in. I have not been back home since the winter and both of those trips were very short and centered around major events (Christmas; a wedding) so I want to spend time relaxing with my family and friends. Unfortunately, because I get back so infrequently, there is a lot to fit into our five days. But you all know me well enough not to worry; I'm diligently working on an itinerary to make it all work. Even if the schedule changes, it makes me feel better to have it laid out ahead of time.
   
9. A very exciting perk of our trip back to Chicago is that it coincides with my sister's visit home from China. I have not seen her since we were all in LA last summer and I am so excited to spend time with her. Plus, she and Brian have never met, which makes me sad, especially since I think that they will get along very well.
   
10. To end this very haphazard posting, I want to send a congratulations out into the cyberworld for my second cousin Marty and his partner, who will exchange vows in August after nearly 30 years of unrecognized marriage. My politics should not surprise any of you at this point, but politics aside, I am so happy for both of them and I am glad my dad will be able to attend the ceremony in CA. Much love to them and to all of you.
    

One sign that I'm getting older...

I have no weddings to attend this summer.

To others...

Three points in response to the "anonymous" comment:

1. It's not deep down, I miss you lots.
2. We can have cake, but maybe not hats. I can't handle those elastic chin straps. What about balloons? Could we compromise with balloons?
3. No mystery - I'd know your silly comments anywhere - remember last year when you posted on my Myspace wall? Another classic example. And it always makes me smile.

Wendy, you've got it! I think the only night we still have free is that Monday, although we also might be able to swing Saturday night. Let's talk when it gets closer...

Thanks, Paul - I'd love to see you. Plus I have a lot of time to kill between the end of my conference and my need to be at the airport for the red-eye. Ugh.

Miscellaneous musings

I have a lot of random thoughts bouncing around so I'm going to use a list to get them out in semi-ordered fashion.

1. The Democratic primary campaign has become one of the most frustrating things for me to read/hear about. Not for the reasons you might think either. Mainly I am frustrated because very few people are acknowledging that race and gender have had and will continue to have an impact in the election. And I don't know what has been more disturbing to me, the outward misogyny directed at Clinton or the not-talked-about-but-definitely-there outright racism directed at Obama. Check out these two articles from the Washington Post to see more of what I mean: Misogyny I Won't Miss and Dark Side of the Campaign. I understand wanting to stay positive and the like, but these are important issues that we should be discussing and admitting to as a society. Or so I think, anyway.
2. Friday was the last day for seniors at school. For the next two weeks they will work in various internships and are responsible for getting themselves there on time, etc. In order to honor their departure, we had a two hour "transition" ceremony to say good-bye to the senior class and the recognize the rising seniors as the new leaders on campus. It is an amazing ceremony, full of love and community and reminders of why I chose to stay at this school (and in teaching) in the first place. Honestly, the best time for my principal to give me my letter of agreement for next year would be right after this ceremony. Walking out of the gym at the end of the ceremony, I couldn't imagine doing anything other than teaching. Yeah...
3. I'm not sure I can articulate this well, but I'm going to try. Last week was the beginning of the end of the school year. This means that as students get more and more crazy, I get more and more tired of it all. After observing some tenth graders run away and attempt to hide from our attendance officer, I mentioned something about being tired by all the bullshit to one of my coworkers. She replied, "I know. Can you believe that this is the future of our country!?" She might as well have punched me in the stomach. Yes, I can believe it. Absolutely. Because isn't that the point? That our school educates those students that society says are not the future? I mean, our mission, which is the whole reason I looked into the school in the first place, espouses a belief that all students can be prepared for success in college and in life. And I do believe in that, even if I don't always think we're living up to our mission and even if there are days when I want to walk away. In the end, I cannot give up on our kids. Not yet.
4. Yesterday, Brian and I went to our friends' house for a cookout. Three couples, two babies, warm sun, cold beer, good food, fun music and lots of laughter; it was a perfect day. And it makes me realize how ready I am for summer. Even if I only have a month off, the month of August should be a pretty easy one so I'm looking forward to two months of cookouts with friends, drinks on the patio, jazz in the park and walks around the pond.
5. Speaking of summer...Brian and I will be in Chicago July 10-July15. I think we'll be in Madison July 11 & 12 and in Chicago the rest of the time. Other than a trip to Madison and a trip to see my grandparents, we don't have anything planned so I'm looking forward to exploring Chicago with him and meeting up with all of you. Look for an email as the trip gets closer. Additionally, I'll be in Seattle July 16-20, so if you live in that area, I will be hitting you up for dinner plans, etc.

Y'all know how I feel about lists. Five is a perfect place to stop. Plus Brian just came home with the Sunday paper so I'm going to dive in to that. Hope you have a good week!

shortened summer solstice

Okay, so the title doesn't quite work, but I was striving for alliteration...

Just got the calendar for next school year. Three weeks of PD to start the year (don't get me started) and then since I am on the 08-09 leadership team I have an extra week of planning. Add in mandatory summer orientation staffing and my summer vacation is now June 28th - August 3rd. Add I will be at a work conference for four of those days in mid-July. Ugh.

I know some of you are rolling your eyes at me and thinking, "What is she complaining about? What I wouldn't do for a month of vacation!" I tell you what, here's what you have to do: spend nine months of the year without being able to take a day when you "feel like a break" and spend five days a week for those nine months working 10-15 hours/day plus some weekends molding and shaping the minds and character of adolescents who, more often than not, challenge you and your hard work at every turn. Approach every day with a positive attitude, even when being cursed at, yelled at and ignored. Dream and worry about your clients so much that it makes you a little crazy. When the last thing you hear some nights before falling asleep is the echo of teenagers yelling your name (and not in a good way) you can have a month off. In fact, in my mind, you deserve a little more than that.

Sorry, off the soapbox now. I have four weeks this summer - any one want to book some time now? Happy Friday, all!

some days the shine is off

Most days I find my students entertaining and enjoyable, even when other adults may find them a bit trying. But then there are days when the shine has worn off and I have no patience for their rudeness, their lack of effort and their nonchalance. Today is one of the latter. Probably doesn't help that I'm tired and it is raining for the third day in a row. ::sigh:: Just six more hours to push through. Happy Monday, all.