HOT Lava Springs

It was not-so-hot weather for us at Lava Springs when we arrived for our Spring Break Trip. Rain, snow, sleet, wind- lots of wind! It wasn't a place to lay out in the sun, that's for sure. We had a good time being holed up in our bungalow for a few days and the hot springs themselves were nice and warm on the cold, breezy winter days. It was so great to get out of town! Bill even took me to the Chuckwagon for dinner. . . but that is a whole other posting!

The Extraordinary Exclamation Point!

We have already established that I'm a nerd when it comes to learning and information and that is why I the exclamation point is so great!

It was introduced into English printing in the 1400's and it was known as the "point of admiration". It did not make an appearance on the typewriter until after the 1970's. Before that, one would have to type a period, backspace, and then type an apostrophe.

This is one of my favorite signs in town- how lucky am I to have found an exclamation point on it!

Not an Oprah Book Club

In 2006 I actually kept a New Year's Resolution- to start a book club- and we're still going! Once a month a group of my friends meet together for breakfast, coffee, or lunch and talk about a book that (most of us) read! It has been quite the reading journey with a lot of fun memories. Our only rule is that you cannot pick a book that only comes in hardback cover. Also, we try to pick some type of book or genre that we normally would not read otherwise, so that we can branch out of our "reading realm"

Some of my favorites have been:
The Red Tent
Redeeming Love
Blue Like Jazz
The Kite Runner

Oh The Almanac

Ok, so someone told me that I should give reading The Almanac a try. I'm not even kidding. Let me tell you that I am not disappointed! It is full of such great information! And I'm not even a Jeopardy-fan (well, just sometimes). The Almanac has something truly for everyone. I don't suggest reading it cover to cover, but I am going to leave it in my car and when I am stuck somewhere and have some extra time, I am going to catch up, because it really is quite fascinating
(it makes me feel a little smarter too).
http://www.almanac.com/

New Hobby

It's not like I need something new to do, but seriously, Antiques Roadshow, has me hooked! I have now become enamored with antiques and not collecting, but learning. I love looking at vintage jewelry, furniture, plates, tea cups, art, etc. So I went to the library to feed my obsession and checked out many large books on the subject. I soon discovered that there is no possible way to learn about ALL antiques, but that I will have to choose one area that I will focus my interest (and hunt at yard sales for finds so I can go on the show and say, "I only bought this for $10 and it's worth a thousand!" Oh that would be joy!

A Special Honor

It was a very special honor for me to be a "Teacher of the Year" nominee. Each year, every school nominates teachers in their own, special way and at our school our colleges nominate the TOY award. I felt so honored just to be nominated! Each nominee received a decorated cookie and the winner received a cookie basket. Who knows. . . maybe one of these years!

Happy Birthday Lois!

Today is Lois Lowry's birthday. It's not a day I usually celebrate, I happened to just come upon the fact, but I also happen to love Lois Lowry as an author! I have only read The Giver, it is one of my all-time favorite books, and I have a signed copy by her! It is a very precious memento to me and I keep it in my class (mostly to show it off:)

Lois was born in Honolulu, HI on March 20, 1937. She also wrote the book Number the Stars. That is probably a book I will have to give a try! Happy 72nd birthday!
http://www.loislowry.com/

1990 Hits

Since I teach 6th grade (and 6th graders are really into music). It is really fun for me to think about music that was popular when I was in 6th grade, especially music that either:

1. Kids still listen to
2. Kids have never heard of

So I did some research on the top ten most popular hits from the year 1990- when I was a 6th grader (And Bill had already graduated high school:) These definitely bring back some memories. . .
10. Nothing Compares 2 U (Julie and I have a music video to this that I hope nobody gets their hands on)

9. Vogue by Madonna

8. Groove is in the Heart by Deee Lite - Kendall and I would always watch this music video at her house ( mtv was blocked at my house- what does this song title mean anyway?)

7.Vision of Love by Mariah Carey

6. Can't Touch This by M.C. Hammer - I really hope "hammer pants" don't make their way back around

5. Escapade by Janet Jackson- I have this song on single cassette!

4. The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground (I don't know this one, but according to the website about.com, it made the top 10 list)

3. Epic by Faith No More

2. Poison by Bell Biv Devoe

1. All I wanna do by Heart

Music sure has changed a lot since I was a 6th grader!

Explaining Celibacy. . .

That's right folks, there is nothing like the day in the life of a middle school teacher! My students are researching the Middle Ages: castles, knights, Camelot, etc. One student wanted to research marriage and dowries during that time period (gifted- I know!) She came across the word "celibacy" and innocently came to ask me what it meant. I'm not one to say, "go look in the dictionary" so I nervously replied, "It's like marital relations. Monks and Nuns are celibate. They don't have marital relations." She didn't say anything and walked back to her desk.

I haven't had any questions from her since. . .

By the way I looked up celibacy in the dictionary: abstaining from intercourse

Glad I didn't tell her to look it up, now that I think about it. . .

Celebrate Read Day!

So, officially Dr. Seuss Read Day is over, but at our school we had a good time! Our librarian is so creative and had our pets pose reading books. The pictures were posted and students had to match the pet with the teacher. AND there was also a cutest pet contest- Gabby didn't win at school, but she certainly wins in my book( hehe, get it, book!)