I can still taste the rancidness of watermelon fluoride from the dentist :\
Since all my friends have abandoned me, I thought I'd spend some quality time with my LiveJournal and write that substantial entry I promised.
I feel I should take a few moments to comment on the wonderment that was Thanksgiving Break, despite the fact that I have suffered through two weeks of school since that time. (Can you tell this entry was started a while ago?) Wen-fai's party was rockin', with the foosball playing, the Jello shots, and the illustrations on plastic cups. A good time was definitely had by all. I can safely assert that her house was the place to be the evening of Tuesday, November 25. I just hope she had a happy 17th! Ushering in Thanksgiving with old school Sploosh, crossword puzzles, and a 6 AM drive home from Dan's house was certainly unconvential but nonetheless enjoyable. As Jon aptly stated, I seemed to have had a good amount of Dan over the break, but a bit too much of Matt. (I'm only kidding.) I could delve into the woes of the snowball fight, but as the bruise has mostly healed and I have forgiven Dan, I'll drop the subject. (I'm just glad I got that great shot/kick on Matt. Though I do hope I didn't hurt him too much.) It's too bad that the whole "evil plan" did not exactly work out, but I was successful in forcing Dan and Matt to see "Love Actually" (okay, so I didn't really force them, but I like using that word since it implies that I have some power and influence over them). Of course they enjoyed the film, as it's highly unlikely that someone could not enjoy something so adorable and down-right feel-good.
Life at Jeff Road last week was merry as usual. I am always struck by how much I have missed the fourth grade environment when I am unable to go for a day or two. I miss the kids, my little family of boy toys and girl (argh, nothing good rhymes with girl). And there been some amusing moments the past two weeks! Last Wednesday (the 3rd) I had my first real teaching experience! During reading time, Mrs. Feldman divided the class and assigned seven students to my discussion group. (I got the smart kids, haha.) We were allowed to dominate the couches in the back of the room. At one point we got off on a tangent and one of the Ryans asked me if I had ever fallen asleep in class. I sheepishly replied with a "yes," which delighted the kids. Taylor, whose quirkiness amuses me to no end, then exclaimed, in jumping off the cushion, "Oh my God, can I have your autograph?!" I was quick to explain that I have to wake up much earlier than they do (as Genna stated, girls have to get up at 5 AM to do their hair) and I also stay up much later. I was sure to add that it is not advisable to fall asleep in class in high school since you miss so much of what is being taught. However, my words did not seem to injure Taylor's enthusiasm, as he asked at least two more times for my autograph. And then, upon explaining my dependence on coffee, I was very surprised to learn that fourth graders are devout Starbucks customers! Yes, Ryan H2 proudly declared that he adores caramel macchiatos. But overall, the experience was very gratifying. I was actually a bit nervous beforehand; yes, I can tackle such beasts as Walden and Anna Karenina, but The Sign of the Beaver intimidates me.
Another occurrence at Jeff Road m'a frappée beaucoup. Something which deepened my disgust for Pittsford. A few girls were discussing Christmas presents or something of that nature and McKenzie announced that she was receiving a cell phone for the holiday, which prompted several students to profess that they owned cells. I even had the privilege to see a few. Now maybe I'm just being close-minded, but what in the world do fourth graders need cell phones for? They don't drive. They don't stay out late, worrying their parents about their whereabouts. They don't have a ton of after school activities to create a need for rides from parents. I never talked on the phone when I was in fourth grade except to quickly call up a friend and ask if she could "play." The whole affair just disgusted me a bit. Ah well.
Now I must devote a large portion of the next two days to planning my holiday/winter arts and crafts project for the fourth graders. Someone, anyone... please give me a fantastic idea! I am clueless as to what would stimulate the fourth graders' minds while still being fun. Snowflakes are much too unimaginative. Although Dan is pushing the popsicle stick puppet idea, I must stress that these kids are nine and ten years old, not three. This certainly needs to be a "bang-up" project; I am Miss Heintz and all. However, Miss (Mrs?) Heintz needs assistance.
I do hope all of you lovely readers of my journal caught Saturday Night Live this past weekend. (I know Wen-fai did!) Other than the fact that Elijah Wood is altogether adorable, the episode was great. What made the experience even better was that I was parler-ing au téléphone avec Wenfs. I must admit that my favorite sketch was the Queer Eye Santa Claus one. Absolutely fabulous. "Let's work on eye contact.... because that's all I do" and "You're not Santa, you're Kathy Bates!" I definitely believe that Bravo should look into such a special; you know I'd be all over it. I'm also sure that the money lies in Queer Eye: Saddam Style. But perhaps that's just me.
Man, I feel like this entry needs some sort of oomph. But it's hard to be oomphful when you're simply not feeling that way. I was glad to learn that I wasn't the only one who had viewed this past weekend as weird. Perhaps Wen-fai's reasons for saying so were a bit different than mine, but my mood was certainly all over the place. I've come to realize that all the stress currently present in my life has ruined something very important, the Christmas spirit. I've been listening to Christmas music incessantly for the past few weeks, but it has had little effect on me. Not only has the stress of college applications taken away my sleep and my sanity, now it has begun to attack something so precious. EVIL, I TELL YOU! I'm always so excited about bells that are ringing and children that are singing, but I've remained so dispassionate this year. I'm hoping that I snap out of it quickly and that it doesn't require me to blast Britney Spears Christmas music fifty-three more times.
I feel I should take a few moments to comment on the wonderment that was Thanksgiving Break, despite the fact that I have suffered through two weeks of school since that time. (Can you tell this entry was started a while ago?) Wen-fai's party was rockin', with the foosball playing, the Jello shots, and the illustrations on plastic cups. A good time was definitely had by all. I can safely assert that her house was the place to be the evening of Tuesday, November 25. I just hope she had a happy 17th! Ushering in Thanksgiving with old school Sploosh, crossword puzzles, and a 6 AM drive home from Dan's house was certainly unconvential but nonetheless enjoyable. As Jon aptly stated, I seemed to have had a good amount of Dan over the break, but a bit too much of Matt. (I'm only kidding.) I could delve into the woes of the snowball fight, but as the bruise has mostly healed and I have forgiven Dan, I'll drop the subject. (I'm just glad I got that great shot/kick on Matt. Though I do hope I didn't hurt him too much.) It's too bad that the whole "evil plan" did not exactly work out, but I was successful in forcing Dan and Matt to see "Love Actually" (okay, so I didn't really force them, but I like using that word since it implies that I have some power and influence over them). Of course they enjoyed the film, as it's highly unlikely that someone could not enjoy something so adorable and down-right feel-good.
Life at Jeff Road last week was merry as usual. I am always struck by how much I have missed the fourth grade environment when I am unable to go for a day or two. I miss the kids, my little family of boy toys and girl (argh, nothing good rhymes with girl). And there been some amusing moments the past two weeks! Last Wednesday (the 3rd) I had my first real teaching experience! During reading time, Mrs. Feldman divided the class and assigned seven students to my discussion group. (I got the smart kids, haha.) We were allowed to dominate the couches in the back of the room. At one point we got off on a tangent and one of the Ryans asked me if I had ever fallen asleep in class. I sheepishly replied with a "yes," which delighted the kids. Taylor, whose quirkiness amuses me to no end, then exclaimed, in jumping off the cushion, "Oh my God, can I have your autograph?!" I was quick to explain that I have to wake up much earlier than they do (as Genna stated, girls have to get up at 5 AM to do their hair) and I also stay up much later. I was sure to add that it is not advisable to fall asleep in class in high school since you miss so much of what is being taught. However, my words did not seem to injure Taylor's enthusiasm, as he asked at least two more times for my autograph. And then, upon explaining my dependence on coffee, I was very surprised to learn that fourth graders are devout Starbucks customers! Yes, Ryan H2 proudly declared that he adores caramel macchiatos. But overall, the experience was very gratifying. I was actually a bit nervous beforehand; yes, I can tackle such beasts as Walden and Anna Karenina, but The Sign of the Beaver intimidates me.
Another occurrence at Jeff Road m'a frappée beaucoup. Something which deepened my disgust for Pittsford. A few girls were discussing Christmas presents or something of that nature and McKenzie announced that she was receiving a cell phone for the holiday, which prompted several students to profess that they owned cells. I even had the privilege to see a few. Now maybe I'm just being close-minded, but what in the world do fourth graders need cell phones for? They don't drive. They don't stay out late, worrying their parents about their whereabouts. They don't have a ton of after school activities to create a need for rides from parents. I never talked on the phone when I was in fourth grade except to quickly call up a friend and ask if she could "play." The whole affair just disgusted me a bit. Ah well.
Now I must devote a large portion of the next two days to planning my holiday/winter arts and crafts project for the fourth graders. Someone, anyone... please give me a fantastic idea! I am clueless as to what would stimulate the fourth graders' minds while still being fun. Snowflakes are much too unimaginative. Although Dan is pushing the popsicle stick puppet idea, I must stress that these kids are nine and ten years old, not three. This certainly needs to be a "bang-up" project; I am Miss Heintz and all. However, Miss (Mrs?) Heintz needs assistance.
I do hope all of you lovely readers of my journal caught Saturday Night Live this past weekend. (I know Wen-fai did!) Other than the fact that Elijah Wood is altogether adorable, the episode was great. What made the experience even better was that I was parler-ing au téléphone avec Wenfs. I must admit that my favorite sketch was the Queer Eye Santa Claus one. Absolutely fabulous. "Let's work on eye contact.... because that's all I do" and "You're not Santa, you're Kathy Bates!" I definitely believe that Bravo should look into such a special; you know I'd be all over it. I'm also sure that the money lies in Queer Eye: Saddam Style. But perhaps that's just me.
Man, I feel like this entry needs some sort of oomph. But it's hard to be oomphful when you're simply not feeling that way. I was glad to learn that I wasn't the only one who had viewed this past weekend as weird. Perhaps Wen-fai's reasons for saying so were a bit different than mine, but my mood was certainly all over the place. I've come to realize that all the stress currently present in my life has ruined something very important, the Christmas spirit. I've been listening to Christmas music incessantly for the past few weeks, but it has had little effect on me. Not only has the stress of college applications taken away my sleep and my sanity, now it has begun to attack something so precious. EVIL, I TELL YOU! I'm always so excited about bells that are ringing and children that are singing, but I've remained so dispassionate this year. I'm hoping that I snap out of it quickly and that it doesn't require me to blast Britney Spears Christmas music fifty-three more times.