Day 59- the raindrops

There are some lovely things about torrential rain storms:

everything washes clean.  

I used to love to walk in the rain when I was in school.  Since it was in Boone, the weather always seemed to have a mind of it's own and it was usually windy- too windy to properly hold an umbrella right-side out.  

the smell is... unique.

Eventually I reached this point where I was not afraid to get wet.  I did not need an umbrella or poncho, just an ipod playing "Sit Down, Stand Up" by Radiohead.  

everything seems to get greener.  green is my favorite color.

I loved to watch people finagling with their instruments in search of staying dry while Thom sang "...the raindrops, the raindrops, the raindrops..." 

the sound, when you are inside, has such a calming effect. 

I look back at these memories and think about how fun that was forgetting how depressed I probably was.  I think its a good thing that I can remember that time positively, or maybe I am just naive. 

the puddles- until one catches you.

Day 58- Calm Before the Storm

This week is going to be reeeee-diculous. 

There are lots of things going on after school for which I have to be in attendance.  Two nights I  will get home around 8.  

Today, in anticipation of this coming week, I took it easy.  I enjoyed being lazy and indulging in bad television and then ventured out to the gym.  I made a delicious and fresh supper- 

1.  Portabello burgers with fresh spinach

2.  Squash, Onion, Tomato, and Garlic Stir Fry

3.  Fresh Chilled Pineapple

I feel more prepared for this long week now. 

Day 56-57: Nice Drive

Today I had one of those days.  I was feeling down today from the moment I woke up.  I was definitely in a funk and wanted to do nothing productive.  I managed to muster up enough gusto to clean the kitchen and straighten up the bedroom.  I felt guilty not getting up and getting things done.  It made me feel even more guilty when I saw Gabe doing multiple loads of laundry and cleaning the bathroom.  Late afternoon, I finally took a shower.  Gabe and I had some errands to run, one of them being in Polkville (about 30 minutes away).  During this drive we listened to Radiohead's new album, The King of Limbs.  Gabe shared with me that he was also feeling this same funk that had made home in my body and we chatted about this.  On our way back to Forest City, before I could realize it, my mood had twisted, turned, flipped, and shuttered.  I was smiling, giggling, and talking non-stop as if my funk had turned into funky.  There were several beautiful things that happened on this 30 minute drive home from a dust-stirring lawnmower to great conversation.  I wish I had the patience to share each and every detail of these moments, but I do not.  Just know that there were these beautiful things, and most importantly they all happened during a beautiful drive with my love.

Day 54-55

Day 53- MoodRegulatorrr

Today I had a very productive day.  I have learned that one important quality of a teacher is the ability to use every possible second of planning time while still making it to music, art, PE, science lab, or the library at the exact correct moment- just before the next class comes in- to pick up your kids and rush back to the classroom because you were just reminded that there are less than 50 days until the End of Grade test.  So I did my best to scurry around and get things done today.  

I was most thrilled about exercising today for the first time in 2 weeks.  I have been looking forward to it and can't wait until I can really use the machines, not feel like I am just piddling around as to not over exert myself.  But I must say that it was a beautifully thing to get back into it.  I have missed my "mood-regulator," cousin to the "smooth operator." 

By the way, I am still not 100% sure where this blog is going.  Perhaps I should have put more thought into that upon creating it, but I am just a procrastinating-wing-it kinda girl.  I will soon figure it out...

Day 52- Chitterchatterchitterchatter

Sometimes it is good just to talk. 

Even if it is to yourself.

Even if it is to your cats. 

Even if it is to the radio or tv screen.  

Day 51- Big 5-0

Happy Birthday to Ken Cook!

He turns 50 on the 51st day of the year. 

Day 50- Lotus Flower

I do believe that this song was written for this blog... And in case you didn't know: this weekend has been declared "National Radiohead Weekend" by yours truly. 

Day 49- The King of Limbs

Long drive. 

Full Moon. 

New Radiohead Album.

Day 48- Groovy

I have never before seen Thom get down like this.

Day 47- Pump, Pump, Pump it up.

School, lately, has made me feel like a flat tire.  

Not only am I exhausted every Monday through Friday, the added stress of not knowing what I will be doing next year has made the last couple of weeks a blur.  

Today we had a guest speaker come to my school.  It was, to say the least, the best professional development I have ever been to.  I have attended many seminars of educators/speakers/professionals/etc and he was the best!  I left feeling pumped and excited about the rest of the year! 

Day 46- Climbing Up the Walls

I am strong. 

I am stronger than your average 24 year old girl, err... woman. 

Even though I cry at sappy stories, I am strong.

I have lived lifetimes of scary, heartbreak, unhappiness, unsureness, obscurity...

and I think I am doing just fine. 

Maybe I do owe most it to the people in my life, but I am not gonna sell myself short.  I am strong because I decided to be.  I am strong because I decided to learn, grown, change, blend.  

So, yes, I can handle this.  I can handle everything that is slowly building brick by brick to create a wall that has every intention of stopping me dead in my tracks.  See, I am gonna learn to climb walls. And me, you can find me, climbing up the walls.  And either way you turn, I'll be there.  Open up your skull, I'll be there.  Climbing up the walls.

Day 45- "It's Valentine's Day"

Gabe just  gave me a beautiful tree locket and an even more beautiful card covered from top to bottom with indescribably beautiful words.

Day 44- Kitty Kitty

This is Arlo.  He joined our family 2 years ago as an 8 week old little puff ball.  He is and has always been the sweetest and cuddliest cat I have ever known.  

Day 43- Great Documentary

Day 40-Day 42- People so dear

Due to an injury a few days ago, I am behind.  I would like to say that there is one thing, however, that I can post that would fit into a post for each of those missing days.  My wonderful boyfriend, Gabe, has been the best caretaker a "crippled-girl" (I know that can't be politically correct) could  ask for.  He has attended to my every need.  

Today, I got to chat briefly via text with one of my most favorite people of all.  She is an amazing and strong lady that will always be so dear to me.  I can never get enough. 

Day 39- Dogtooth

If you know me then you know I love film. 

If you really know me then you know I love good films.  

If you really, really know me then you know that I love to think about good films and reflect for long periods of time.  Only 2 people really, really, really know me. 

We (Gabe and I) watched Dogtooth recently.  I do not want to get into a synopsis, you can IMDB it, but I do want to STRONGLY recommend that you check it out.  I don't care who you are and whether I personally think you will like it, it should be seen.  It is disturbing so prepare to be disturbed.  

I laughed more than I should have during this movie but didn't feel guilty about it.  I liked that.  I like that several days later (now) I can think about things that are so important to the storyline, yet things I did not notice due to the fact that my jaw was hanging open from either shock or laughter.  I very much like that this film was nominated for an Oscar.  

You wont see it, I know, but that is not the point of this post anyway.  The point is to share my excitement in the beauty of films that play over and over in your head for days after the first viewing. 

Day 38-

Gabe didn't let me give up.  Honestly, I gave up too easily.  Shame on me. One rough week and I throw in the towel? This is something I have to work on. 

Mondays are usually awful.  Last Monday was especially awful.  This Monday- not so bad.  I really appreciate days that go exceptionally well, but when Mondays are even just "above average," it is a call for celebration.  It wasn't a manic Monday for many reasons:

a) we did not have a meeting during our planning period as usual. 

b) the meeting after school was short

c) my kids were well behaved

d) we began The B.F.G. unit

e) vegetarian sloppy joes

f) duty free lunch

You see, when Mondays go right... it is quite possibly one of the most beautiful of gifts.  

Day 37- Back

I decided to not to give up.  The search continues...

Day 33- Inspiring Kids

My kids inspire me everyday. 

This week we during our small group reading time we have been reading a leveled reader entitled "Making a Difference."  This is a story about a student who decides to hold a school canned food drive.  Today, two of the girls in my first group decided that they wanted to hold a canned-food drive at our school.  They took the initiative to present it to the Principal to get approval.  They are so excited about making posters, announcing on the intercom, and researching where to take the food. 

I am so lucky to have students who think about others. 

Day 32- Not Crazy