Lunch with Craig

Well, the library cooking class was GREAT!!! Craig Commons taught us how to make several dishes and then he FED US all the food.  We had Shrimp and Scallop Creole Spinach Salad, Parmesan Crusted Whitefish with Lemon-Chive Butter and Fresh Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries) with Grand Marnier.  SUPERB!!! He also gave gobs of cooking tips while he was preparing lunch--like--why to only use free range chicken that has not been fed antibiotics etc etc, take the skin off your fish when you purchase it, soak it in milk before you bread it, cook it,  use kosher salt etc........ I got extra copies of the recipe for Jeanine ;-)

Well, off with a full happy tummy to finish grading my tests (15 to go) and join the NCIS marathon!

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was up early

trying to update this blog and whoa--felt like I was losing my mind ;-)  I couldn't remember how to sign on....when I finally realized something was wrong with google this morning and it wouldn't display the sign on piece of the blogsite. Ah

well, hi all

Had a tremendously intense week.  I had to lecture 2x (T and F) with 4 hours of Parent Conferences thrown in on Thursday night.  I came home last night and fell asleep with my clothes, contacts, and tv all engaged at 7:30 pm.  Jan had asked me over for dinner but I declined. Barely found the bedroom as it was.  

My lecture yesterday was brilliant.  Had lots of info and "fun" music (Romantic Era is so cool!)  I was up at 4am prepping since I had fallen asleep with my notes on my face at 11pm Thursday night (got home from conferences near 8pm and had started right in).  I ended the lecture section with the 1812 Overture and as the music came to its climax, clashing, cannons, crescendos, tympani--I shut down the computers, turned off the cameras, and pushed the button for the screen to lift (on cue no less) to reveal a Grand Piano set up with a student poised ready to perform.  The kids were so enthused with this culminating music, screen movement, revealance of the piano (Yeah, Jeanine, I know that's not  a word) that they stood up and applauded--yep at 8:25 in the morning.  They were in LOVE with Tschaikovsky--almost made me blush with joy.  Well, I had asked Alvin to play his cadenza as a promotion for the concerto concert (in 2 weeks)--he was brilliant and ALL the kids left saying it was the best lecture yet--even better than my last lecture where I ended up showing Bugs Bunny as the Barber of Seveille!  (Yeah, I'm a showman)

So lecturing next week and have to play "top this"  ...

Still have 48 tests to grade--down from 158..not bad.  

Yesterday after the long long week, packed up the car (had 2 computers, 3 texts, 60 pages of lecture notes) and drove to the Fine Arts Director District Office--for an appointment.  I told her I was hoping she could tell me of any options for teaching next year to get out from under the heavy prep load of Humanities.  Seems IF the district funds the band program another .2 taking Nancy out of MT&T for an hour--they could give me that MT&T position (should but then you know the history of the department....) and I could drop Humanities.  Yes, they'd need to hire someone for Humanities but alas......

I will talk to my Humanities Department chair today so she is in the loop.  Then I have to talk to my Music Department Chair (David) to express my interest in teaching MT&T if that position opens up.  My other choice was to leave the high school and teach vocal music at the lowest economic, lowest scoring, most difficult life challenging middle school--I passed.

Oh and yes, I was the "cool" teacher this week as I let the kids tune in on Thursday at noon and then again (another class) at 2pm to watch the BB games.  Unfortunately they then thought they could watch each day--but I'll let them have a few. ;-)  Yeah, might be hard pressed to explain this in my curriculum.

Headed to a lecture this afternoon by Craig Common (yes, Jeanine, I'll take notes) about global conservation/purchasing and eating locally.  Should be interesting.  

Talked briefly with my sis, Emily Ann on Thursday (until my phone battery gave out).  Things are doing better in her life.  Larraine is tired but still feeling pretty well.  Tonight is the COPS Sacramento version.  ;-)  Veronica is off on her own (well, living with her boyfriend and his mother)  and Ben is happy but poor.  

Gpa has been showing some signs of confusion of late and he asked us to research diabetes and Alzheimers.  Larraine sent some articles.

I plan to go in to Detroit tomorrow morning.  I don't feel as "pushed" this weekend as in the past weekend.  yeah   We "have" to go to breakfast/brunch as I have a 3pm Hawaii chaperone meeting in A2 for the spring trip.  (I think I had better talk to David about that position BEFORE he finds out I am accompanying Huron on their trip.  I meant to mention it earlier, but never got around to it--besides Pioneer has never asked me to chaperone so what can I say?)

Oh and ....I've been asked AGAIN to submit an application for the grant to study in Turkey this summer.  I had thought perhaps it wouldn't get funded, but it did and they (UMS) has asked for me to consider.  (total cost is $1000 for 5 weeks which the bulk is supposedly for housing in A2 in June (a week) for classes/seminars--so I wouldn't have to pay that).  I'm thinking........

I really really really want to go to Boston and hear the Pops play 1812 over the Charles River with the cannons and fireworks.......I think actually that is my priority--but I'll think on it.

Off to grade tests.

Love you

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Bill said last night

"Do you suppose there is a hip hop artist somewhere in China called Yo Ma Ma?"

Yo it's Yo Yo Ma

Friday night--came home from school, wiped out. I was in my jammies and napping already by 5:20 when Cynthia called and said "I have an extra ticket to Yo Yo Ma tonight--wanna go?"  I hauled toes.  I ate a quick dinner of leftover Chinese food (eh) and while digging in, Cynthia called back and invited me to dinner (declined) and about 6 minutes later Jan called and invited me to the local fish fry. (not this time)  I got ready, drove to Cynthia's, joined her and her friend, Kathy and off we went.  We had nosebleed section tickets--but the sound was incredible at Hill.  Yo Yo Ma was joined by many friends for his silk road presentation.  It was very different but also very rewarding.  Yo Yo Ma started the program welcoming us, shouting "Go Blue!" and then  introducing his friends on stage.  Two of the ensemble were U of M grads.  (Interesting) One, Wu Man, played the pipa (stringed instrument from China) and the other a percussionist, Mark Suter.  I particularly liked hearing the different modes, eastern threads in the music.  I also enjoyed hearing the tabla and peruvian cajon (?)--a box like percussion instrument.  (though Cynthia said it came from the Dominican Republic)   After the concert, Cynthia was in a talking mood so we sat up until 1am at her house chatting and eating baked apples (she has always been a great and generous cook.  You can never leave her house without taking home food).  Last night was no exception.  She wrapped up corn muffins with chili powder (yum), cabbage chicken soup (another yum) and more baked apples (with pecan, oats, honey, butter and cinnamon centers).  Bill is still looking for a job. At 58, he doesn't feel particularly hirable.  Julia is taking Humanities next year (yea, she's a senior next year!) She is interested in majoring in Japanese, attending a Japanese University.  The family went to Japan over the February break and had a wonderful time.  She hopes to graduate early (January) and then enroll in a Japanese language program in April. 

I have a list of chores for today--finish my taxes, mail a check to the Hawaii trip account, work on one of my two lectures for next week, finish wrapping up the last lectures--burning to CD, filing materials, rewrite Humanities exam for make up next week, AND go visit my Dad today as I have to attend a social function dinner tomorrow.  ahhhhhh weekends.

Muffin woke me up early (7am) insisting she wanted to go outside.  By 7:30 she wanted back in.  When I let her in I saw a female turkey at the corner of the house by the bedrooms.  I moved swiftly into my room and opened the curtain--not one female but 18!  They startled when I opened the curtain but didn't fly off.  I moved to my back window and opened that curtain--I quickly counted 14 more females and there was DeNozzo herding them!  All glorious with his feathers out like a kindergarten Thanksgiving turkey project made from your 5 fingers, neck all neon blue--signaling the ladies he found them to be cute.  I threw on clothes, grabbed my iPhone to take a pic--zipped to the far sliding glass window--hoping to "sneak out on the deck" to snap a pic--but as soon as I stepped out, they all went airborne--I thought they'd land in the near woods, but they all left for the north woods--Within moments the only one left standing in my woods was DeNozzo.  He turned and gave me a disgusted look.  Guess I broke up his lovefest for the morning.  I wonder if the price of turkey will go up at Thanksgiving due to lack of supply. ? ;-)

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right up there with brown snow

It's been an ick week!  We had MME testing T, W, and Th and it was horrendous!  Our schedule was all botched up because only Juniors came on T--and then W I was the lady in charge of the test--in someone else's room, which had 34 desks and chairs and had to instantly have 21 when the bell rang (4 minutes from end of briefing meeting at 7:10 and then pick up of testing materials and sprint to 3rd floor with broken toes,heel spur and huge box!) ALL my kids were standing there waiting for me (21 kids I've never met before)--and the room was a MESS!  Because my class was still in the hall when the testing bell rang, the principal and a floor comuunity assist appeared out of no where and started helping me shove desks and chairs around, lifting them up on the radiators--anywhere so we could get 21 desks 3 feet apart!  I was so stressed by the time the kids came in, I would have gladly pulled the fire alarm--yeah, that stressed.  Made me mad too because the task was overwhelming and it was really really really important to me that the kids have a "good" testing experience.  Just soooooooo poorly planned by the administration (not the principal who came to help).  I wrote him a thank you card later in the day, and found the community assist and thanked her as well.  The kids seemed to survive, but honestly I don't know if we filled out all the bubbles they needed at the beginning--I concentrated on the test.  Perhaps my class will come back disqualified, who knows!  Also when we are giving these tests for 3+ hours (4.5 on Monday) we are not allowed to read, use our computers, use our cell phone, write, draw, only stare into space.  Can you imagine how a student feels when the teacher is sitting in front staring out toward them?  boo!

Wednesday after that horrid testing experience, I had 11 minutes for lunch before going downstairs and giving my Humanities exam to 160 kids.  (pain in the)  then hauling off to my next class, and the next and then to a staff meeting until 5:30pm.  Someone didn't plan very well!  Thursday's testing was much better. I was in charge again but I had 3 helpers!!! They were rather controlling (YEAH!!!!) so they pretty much ran the whole thing (okay by me!) They really knew what they were doing.  One of the "rovers" who came in regularly signs up as a testing supervisor (for pay on Saturdays) so he knew the ins and outs.  Worked for me!

So this week ALL OF THE STAFF were exhausted--and most of the kids were wiped out.  

It was a wasted educational week.  We didn't see ANY of our classes on Tuesday, (testing 7:30-1pm), only half of our classes on W, and then the other half on M, then today back to "normal".  Kids were out of sorts.  glad that is done!

Thinking of going to see my Dad tomorrow (saturday) as I am supposed to go to a Chinese Healing Cuisine (5 hours) on Sunday.  Monday I am out to a dentist appointment (crown--how lovely a crown for the Princess ;-)  Thursday I have an appointment after school to talk with my Fine Arts Coordinator about possible options for teaching next year.  Doesn't hurt to see what's out there. ;-)

Any of you who have not had an opportunity to hear my beautiful intelligent Grandson talk--tune in to his mother's blog.  He is talking up a storm over there.

Love you and Hallelujah it's Friday!!!

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Not Sunday

Pushing week.  Have a Humanities Lecture/Test and Review next week (Monday/Wednesday) with Tuesday devoted to MME testing. W and Th are ACT plan testing and I am a supervisor (big job/no pay) so it is an extremely stressful week next week.  This week has been all about getting things in place for next week.

I am going to be with Jeanine and family this afternoon and evening so I'll push off the work until Sunday (darn, we lose an hour!!!)  

I did put in my inquiry about getting transferred to a new job next year...we'll see if anything materializes.

Saw Cynthia briefly on Wednesday at the Music District Meeting.  She and her family just returned from their week in Japan.  Yahoo!  Dan Long was presenting at the meeting, giving his eloquent speech on the History of Music in the A2 Public Schools. Very interesting.  Music actually was in the curriculum in 1854.  

Haven't heard back from Hayes so I may not be going to Pittsburg in the next couple of weeks to see him.  No doubt he is busy with the kids and juggling.  His Mom has developed the early stages of Alzeheimers so they are going to be with her.  Gosh, what are the chances of both your parents getting Alzeheimers?

Muffin didn't like the 20lb bag of food I bought her a couple of weeks ago, which then led to the bag with the mouse or snake or hippo in it--then led me to go back and get 20lbs of the bag she liked prior to the fiasco (they restocked).  I filled in the time with a specialized bag (big bucks) that I had in the pantry--well, this morning I opened the new 20lb bag (right next to the old 20lb bag that she won't eat) and she won't eat it.  She's decided she doesn't like it now.  Hunter might have strong lungs, but so does Muf as she goes about the house, following me in the nooks and crannies complaining.  When I leave her today with enough food for 3 meals--I guess when I get back I'll either find her keeled over from lack of nutrition or adjusting to her new/old food.  Geez!

Okay, I'm off to do school work.  

Boo

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Sunday Morning

Today is a great day to do those things I was going to do during the week. ;-)

Perhaps my toe slowed me down, but more likely I was less enthused about chores.

I had hoped to be waking up with the baby and family today but alas, plans change.  I'll work on my lecture--still not sure what "twist" I want to put on it.  Should grocery shop and wash the car--but both would involve moving about on this foot so...perhaps I'll just wing it.  Laundry is always present--even though I did every stitch as of Wednesday, from there--  and then there was the cleaning of the floorboards.  Well......at least I have another beautiful blue sky day to find the dirt. ;-)  With the youngin moving in next door, there is a lot of start up, motor running, slamming of doors and leaving in the middle of the night (he is a tow truck driver).  He parks his truck on the hill on his grass, so I often hear him coming and going.  It's kinda like sleeping in the city.  I don't remember so much comings and goings since I lived on the old westside in A2.  Just part of the new face of our little road.

Enjoying a nice cup of tea before raiding the kitchen cupboard.  Pancakes sound like a good bet this morning.  Have a super recipe for ginger yogurt and fruit however I don't have any yogurt.  I checked in the frig--had a BIG container of Mountain something brand (organic) but the expiration date was November 11, 2008 so I am guessing it needs to be recycled.  It seemed to grow in size these last few weeks but alas....

Jeanine texted that they were without power thus did not call Thursday night ....hope that got remedied.  Jean's Nicole emailed several times this week and weekend. She is off to Paris tonight.  Ah Paris!  "The last time I saw Paris....."  (its a song)

Well off and limping. Hope you all have a good day.

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