17 July 2008
Is Summer Break Really Over?
26 June 2008
Brothers
I am so proud of my son, for not only completing his freshman year in an IB program in high school but for also being a caring, wonderful young man.
Today he is meeting his half brother for the second time in his life (His biological fathers’ older son). The first time was 2 weeks ago. His older brother is 3 years older and bit more world wise. I worry as a parent but at the same time I am so happy to see him spread his wings of independence. I hope this relationship is a good one. I have to be patient and have faith in my child as well as his brother.
Vegetarian and Vegan
My son decided to go vegetarian about a month and a half ago. The concept is not new to my family. I’ve gone vegetarian in the past. I think it’s actually a great idea. I love the idea of eating locally grown food and healthier choices. Ever since he was a baby I made sure to feed him a healthy diet. My diet growing up was filled with sugars and processed foods. We are now eating better and feel great.
My cousins’, aunt, and uncle have been vegan for years. The middle cousin is so dedicated to being a vegan, after she finished culinary school she opened a vegan restaurant here in Chicago, The Balanced Kitchen, which has been a huge success for her.
( http://www.gfreev.com/balancedkitchen.html )
20 June 2008
Summertime
Now, 21 years later, what would be the one thing that would completely represent me and what I am. It came to me, coffee. When people spend enough time with me they begin to notice that I am never without a cup of coffee in my hand. From the time I get up to the time I go to bed, there is a cup of coffee in my hand. So, naturally, a cup of coffee was to be my next tattoo. It was pretty cool. I picked out an old time diner coffee cup that my grandparents had, complete with the green stripe. For the coffee itself I had to have it tan to represent the milk I take in my coffee. Although it hurt the closer he got to the elbow crease, it was so worth it! Once the reddness goes away from the steam lines (that are a light gray) it will look great. I am so happy I got this tattoo and can't wait for the next one. Of course I say that now. When the time comes I will be just as nervous as before. But at least I got my next tattoo before my 40th birthday, which is gulp, next year.
02 June 2008
Senseless Drive-By
I am still attempting to process what has happened in the past 24 hours. I received a phone call yesterday late afternoon from a fellow teacher telling me that a wonderful teacher is no longer with us.
While waiting to pick up her children from her mother's home she was a victim of a drive by shooting. It left her dead and her 3 children without a mother. She was an incredible teacher. Dedicated above and beyond to her students. She had the hardest teaching position in any school, Special Education. Ms. Prince was never without a smile or even temper. In the past year I never saw a frown or shortness of temper on her. Even when I wanted to pull my hair out because of one of my students, she would work with them and create a calm environment. She was the 7th grade Special Ed Teacher so my students were her students. She was always my partner for field trips and never without an excellent story.
Working with my students to process this was so hard on all of us. Ms. Prince went above and beyond in my school, as all of the teachers do that I have seen. It breaks my heart for her children and the students whose lives she touched.
The next few days will be difficult for the kids. What a horrific way to end a beautiful life that who truly gave back to the community.
21 March 2008
Last Day of Spring Break
On Thursday I broke up 2 fights with 2 different sets of boys and on Friday I broke up a girl fight of my own homeroom. Happy to be able to leave and begin a weeks worth of grading, I managed to get all the way to my car with all of my bags when I noticed a fight with 2 other girls from one of my 7th grade classes. I dropped my things, had my 2 of my students watch my bags, break up the fight, and managed to bring one of the girls to the Principal, explain what I saw, and leave for my break.
Now I am on my last day, with lesson plans to write, laundry to do, grades to enter, grocery shopping to do, and an apartment to clean. I have done nothing but work but feel even more behind than ever. The only thing I actually did for myself this whole week was go to lunch with my BF and some friends from the company I worked at before teaching, and managed to get my eyebrows threaded just before. That was the first time in 2 years I've had the chance to have it done professionally. My silly plan of actually having time to work on something for myself was a dream. Guess that work will have to wait until summer vacation. Oh, wait, they decided to go with year round school this year. What summer vacation?
09 March 2008
Last Saturday School......Till Next ISAT
With ISAT's over I didn't feel like putting them through drills of extended responses. Instead we played a version of Jeopardy. It was actually a lot of fun. Except for my bouncing off the walls boy. He just couldn't focus to save his life. Being a parent of a child with ADD/ADHD all I could see was what my child looked like in 7th grade without meds.
All I have to say is, one more week till Spring Break!