my first week of teaching

Anyone who says that teaching is easy either hasn't ever taught, or doesn't do it well.

Clueless!

So, DON'T laugh...

Ever since I was in California, I've wanted to dig out the Parent Trap movie-just for the scenery, promise! STOP LAUGHING. Well, Clueless is on the same tape, and as I was forwarding, I stopped for a lighthearted chuckle. At THE pivotal dramatic moment of the film (where Sher realizes that she is in love with umm....her ex-step-brother...), I realize that she is taking refuge and shopping in, like-omigosh!, Rodeo Drive, and in fact she was walking down the stairs that Carrie and I had our photo taken on, right in front of Tiffany's. No WAY, dude...I was all excited, anyhow-I had to rewind it.

I'm such a geeky touristy-type.

Daffodils

The daffodils are blooming-halloo, hallay! (ha-to my Cleveland friends, enshrouded in a wet, gray blanket till June. )

In honor of such a glorious miracle of spring, a poem. Never fear-I didn't make it up. I'm not that smart.

The Daffodils, by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely, as a cloud
Which floats on high, o'er vales and hills.
When all at once, I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils.

Beside the lakes, beneath the trees...
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched, in never-ending line,
Along the margin of a bay.

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in spritely dance.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee.
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company.

I gazed and gazed, but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.
For oft, when on my couch I lie,
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye,
Which is the bliss of solitude.

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.


Not too bad, considering that I memorized that in eighth grade, for Mrs Shilling's infamous honors language arts class. I can still recite the prepositions, helping verbs and linking verb lists too...What a class that was! Richie Thomas, Mike Maag and Rich Gombach just about drove Mrs Shilling over the edge, I think. Poor woman. But it was a great class-we had a blast, and learned some english along the way, too.

Mourning the death of Pope John Paul II

Although I am not Roman Catholic, I do want to say a little something regarding the death today of this great man. Pope John Paul II performed a most difficult job and fulfilled a highly demanding post with the utmost dignity and grace. He stood for godliness against a sinful world which has largely lost its sense of moral values. He will be sorely missed by all who are aware of the difference this man strove to make toward the furthering of the kingdom of heaven and an awareness of human rights and suffering. My thoughts and prayers are with those of the Catholic faith who are mourning him this weekend. God's comfort be with you all.
Isaiah 61:1-2

Funny Mexico anecdote

I forgot to mention that the first thing I noticed when we crossed the bridge into Tijuana was an Hispanic guy with a chihuahua on a leash.