My Most Memorable Memory

It's been awhile since by last blog (sorry, Mom), but this Saturday morning, because I've been up earlier than normal, I'm going to make the time.

I recently asked my seventh grade class to blog about something a little different: If they knew they were going to lose their mind but could keep ONE memory, which one would it be? (This also ties into the book we're beginning to read, I Am the Cheese.) So with that assignment, I thought, "Which one would I keep?'

I have many treasured ones: the day I got married, my first job, climbing the steps at Waterloo, flying in a private jet, driving across America, seeing my nephew Gunnar for the first time...the list goes on and on...

I was torn between three memories. Have you noticed that there doesn't seem to be as many lightning bugs as there used to be? When I was little, visiting my mawmaw in Greenville, SC, I loved catching lightning bugs and then going to take a bath where I would turn out the lights and bathe by the light of those bugs. Another one was a time that my brother and I did this rain dance because we needed rain. Again, I was in Greenville, SC, out on my mawmaw's front porch. We danced in a circle, whooping with our hands over our mouths. Then, lo and behold it rained! We thought we had the POWER! Gosh, we were so happy! Those two thoughts, remembering, just the joy of being a child, the innocence and wonder of it, creativity at its finest! I hate that we lose so much of that.

Although I love those memories, I think I would have to pick my college graduation - not the acutal graduation itself, but all of my family that came, and although it was a bit tense having exes together again, the happiness of having everyone there overcame that. And in keeping that memory, I would be able to remember so many family members, which is so very important to me. All three of my grandparents who attended have all passed on, so I think that's anohter reason why this memory stands out especially my pawpaw, who died the following Wednesday. It's just amazing how God works at times.

In addition to my family, I would also be able to remember the sense of accomplishment and how proud I was of myself. After being out of school for seven years and being married, becoming a full time student again was a little daunting, not to mention surviving Dr. Manigault and Dr. Fulton, but I did what had to be done.

I would always like to remember the happiness of being a child, but I think I would rather remember most of the people (my mawmaw had already passed on) in my life that had such an important impact in my life. I wouldn't be who I am today.

Being Appreciated

Lately, I've been in this "funk." School, home, church - it's all been a big "blah," and I've got to get out of it.

Recently I read in a story where a character asked another what three things she valued most, and how she went about expressing that value. Automatically I said, "Family, job, God," but when I tried to evaluate how I go about showing that value, I was stumped! Well, I call my mom every week, go to church weekly, and try to be an enthusiastic teacher, but, let's face it, that's not enough.
Then, as I was thinking how I can better show my appreciation, I wondered, "Am I appreciated? Do I appreciate myself?" M-m-m, it's a gray area there, too.

I hate to say it, but I think this feeling of "funk" derives from my job - more precisely, my boss. I don't think he appreciates what all I do, and that makes me irate! And to top it off, it's even worse because I am basing my worth on the expectations of someone else. I know all the self-help talk, but dang it! I want to hear the words from my boss-just to see if he notices. Is that wrong? Probably, because yes, when I'm gone, someone else will step in and do the work; I know I can be replaced, but yet...

So, since I can't change the situation, I guess I need to focus on what I can change - myself.
It's time to pull myself out of the mud.

We've just completed our first full week. People ask me, "How's school?" and I reply, "So far, so good," but that isn't accurate. It's only just begun, and I really don't know. The sixth graders, they're still in the "honeymoon state." They don't quite know what to expect of us yet, so they're still behaving pretty well overall. (I did have to have a "talk" with one today, and since the sixth graders are still rather scared of me now, it's better to nip things in the bud right away.) All I know is true is that I can hope for a really great year. I know I'm going to have it in two classes (seventh and eighth), so, as Meatloaf sang, "Two out three ain't bad."

When my great-aunt Kit died, I found this book in her house entitled A Search for Self-Discovery THE FRIEND IN YOUR MIRROR by Edward Cunningham, and I keep this book at school. Today, after the final bell rang, I pulled it out, and this particular piece caught my attention:
Speak honestly to yourself
of people you knew,
Recalling the kind ones
who taught you lessons in love,
The thoughtless ones
who made you feel the bitterness
Of their own self-doubt...
and the very human ones
Who may have done both.

Leaf back
through the album of time.....
What portraits stand out
in sharpest detail?
Whose faces can you see
most vividly?
Whose voices can you her
most clearly?

Re-enter tht world you shared
and see them all
As they appeared to you then...

When the years go by, what will my students remember about me? Will I show them that I'm human and have them remember the good and the bad? Will they remember the crazy antics I invent to try to help them memorize different things, or the way I bang my head on the board if I continue to get wrong answers over something I KNOW they should know? Will it be the funny times, singing on the bus, on overnight field trips, or the "eagle eye" I give them when I mean business? Last year I had a student state on his blog, "Sometimes she makes me want to pull my hair out, but other times I don't want to leave her class."

That's a good way to be remembered.

Summer Readings

Summer reading is required where I teach. Most everyone complains, so I try to pick books that are interesting. I know the eighth graders wouldn't agree, but there selection is to get them in the mind set of what lies ahead in high school.

I had a great summer reading lists, especially since I was able, for the most part, to choose my own. Two books, The Missing by Chris Mooney and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, were my book club pics, but since I had choose The Missing and had already bought The Thirteenth Tale before it was picked by my club, I knew I would like them, and I was right! Although The Missing reminded me too much of Kiss the Girls, I couldn't put it down! I started it at night before I went to bed. At 2:00 A.M. I made myself put it down, but once I woke up, I finished it off. The Thirteenth Tale I read twice. I read it at the beginning of July, but since I was hosting the meeting in August, I wanted the characters and plot to be fresh on my mind. It, too, was one I highly recommend.

I have waited for the seventh Harry Potter with baited breath, and it was by far the best one. I kept hoping that J.K. Rowling would continue, maybe have Harry become a professor, but sad to say the story line is over. However, since so much time has passed since I picked up the first book, I had forgotten some details. So, I started re-reading Harry Potter. I'm now reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

When I traveled to Gettysburg this summer, I picked up a book, which was a diary of a girl living in Gettysburg at the time of the battle. First hand accounts seem to bring a touch of humanity to the story.

Speaking of first hand acconts, I finally read Night by Elie Wiesel. There is a section that is so...I can't think of an adjective that'll do it justice. He's questioning the existence of God. I cried. If I'm still coaching Oral Interp. next year, I'm going to have the person memorize and recite it. It is so powerful.

On a lighter note, I read my first Stephanie Plum (she's the character) novel entitled One for the Money. It, too, was a quick read and FUNNY! I'm looking forward to reading the others.

I Feel Sorry for My Neck was another hilarious book about growing older. When I read the section about how the neck really tells a woman's age and if you haven't done anything by the age of 43 it's too late, I was jumping out of bed and lathering the lotion on!! On thing I felt good about - I don't carry one of those purses that can sneak out a seven-course meal!

I had a busy summer, but I was sure to make time for myself and read. I still didn't get all the books read that I wanted, but I put a fairly good size dent in my list.

And just think, this doesn't count the three books on tape!

Summer Travels

Every few years my dad and I get an itch to travel. This time we have a reason, too. My niece is graduating, so we're off to upstate New York. But first, I have to get to West Virginia on my own. (reason for new car, remember?) From WVA we're off to D.C., back to WVA to tour Amish country and whatever else that neck of woods have to offer. I'm looking forward to New York. I hope on the return visit I can talk my dad into going to the Statue of Liberty. It'd be a shame to be that close and not visit the "Gateway to America."

I've had a great school year, but I'm looking forward to the summer to refresh and rejuvenate my mind.

Time for a Change

I finally caved; I bought a new car - 2007 Saturn Vue.

I wasn't even looking it; I actually thought I wanted a Pontiac Vibe, but driving by the lot, the style caught my eye. I took it for a test drive and loved it. I went next door and test drove the Vibe. Didn't love it as much. But the Vibe gets much better gas mileage. As much as I'm on the road, that's a major factor. However, there was more room in the Vue, and it handled better, too.

So, what about my 1997 Grand-Am? Still have it. Nothing, except the evaporator, is wrong with it. Sure it has 170,000 miles on it, but that's just a testament on what a great car it is!

I just hope my Saturn does as well!

But isn't it funny how in life you think you want one thing - never consider an option - until it presents itself. Another reason we should have open minds!

Mother's Day

In honor of Mother's Day, I am posting the words to Maya Angleou's "Phenomenal Woman."

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,

They say they still can't see.

I say,

It's the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

The palm of my hand,

The need of my care.

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally,

Phenomenal woman.

That's me.

That's us, Phenomenal Women.

Thanks, Mom, for showing me the true meaning of strenghth and perseverance. I love you.