Teaching on Your Birthday

I don't normally publicize my birthday, and I definitely don't purposely tell students when it is, so today, when one of my students returned from the bathroom and said, "Today's your birthday?" my response was, "Who told you?"

Turns out Ms. Teacher-Down-The-Hall told Student L, who told Student M when they saw each other in the hallway.

This was followed by a very nice rendition of happy birthday and utter chaos in the classroom.

It was very nice.

good teaching day

today we actually got through everything in my lesson book. i think it is the first time ever that
i didn't over plan, and for some reason, even thought it was a friday, the students were, for the most part, great -- of course, there are always a few exceptions.

what i like about this teaching position is that i don't leave on fridays feeling so defeated that i just want to sleep all weekend. i'm looking forward to the weekends for things other than sleeping, and that makes me happy. it makes me more relaxed and able to enjoy what i do even more, knowing that i'm totally okay returning to work on monday.

thanks to you, students.

Time

I'm so excited about this semester that I'm actually spending some time every day working on the novel. In the past, I've squished all of my writing time together. Lately, though, I find myself thinking a lot more about the actual writing part of writing, and not just thinking about the thinking part. I'm trying to write something every day, no matter how tired I am at the end of it. We'll see how that goes.

Woo hoo!!

Yay Kathi! Yay Tobin! I feel so honored to know these people. And congrats to all the winners!

Tomorrow...

The ALA announces the awards. It's very exciting, if you're into that sort of thing. Last year I was in Vermont, at the residency, when this happened. We were all pretty psyched. Except for Leda, when she found out the Caldecot winner. This disappointment would haunt us throughout the rest of the residency. We can't all be pleased, now can we?

Leda and I

Here's a quick picture of myself with Leda Schubert. Leda was my third semester advisor and held my hand through my critical thesis. Without her, I probably would have never gotten through it. I cannot express with words my gratitude towards and love for Leda. She rocks!

Montpelier Walk Pictures

College Hall; Frozen TreeFire Box at College St and E State St.
Some dangerous looking wires on State St.
Crazy Icicles on West St.