Random Tuesday and Coffee Chat

I'm joining Stacy Uncorked for some randomness.

So... I have my 27th Fall Open House under my belt.  Yes, 27, and that's just every fall for every year I've taught.  We also sometimes have one in the spring.  It's so much more unnerving to stand up in front of parents than children.  Of the 125 I teach every day, at least 85 of their parents showed up, maybe more.  It was a good turnout.  And it's always exhausting!

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And speaking of school, I have a lot of teacher's kids this year.  Some of them are teachers in my school, but others are teachers at other schools, and one is my son's college professor's son.  I don't think she knows he's my son as his last name is different from mine, but I know. :-) Not only that, but I have the Deputy Superintendent's son in one of my classes.  The Deputy Superintendent is my boss's boss.  Imagine if he had come to open house!  He sent his wife instead.  Whew!

And speaking of open house, I am so sore and tired.  It was a 12 hour day.  I just had a massage yesterday, and I need another one.  I am really sore from this massage, and I thought I had drunk enough water, but now my shoulder hurts even worse than usual..  It's a combination of pain from the surgery and pain from the sprain I got in the car accident.  Healing seems to take longer the older you get.

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And speaking of getting older.  Tomorrow I am OFFICIALLY over the hill!  What hill?  Where?  But seriously, the big 5-0.  Out of all of my "milestone" birthdays, none of them has really bothered me in the least, until now.  I don't know why.  Maybe because it's half a century?  Well, I guess getting older is better than the alternative.

And it's also time for Coffee Chat with Ink Interrupted.

Back To School:  What Would you like to learn Now?

If I were going to go back to school for another degree, more training, or just to learn something new, there are a few things I would be interested in.

If we're talking "school,"  I would either take classes toward a Doctorate in Education or a Master's in Business Administration.  If I had to choose, I would probably choose to get a second Master's so I could market my skills in the "real" world

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I would also like to get training in becoming an event planner and/or professional organizer.  I have actually looked into this online.  The Professional Organizer Academy seems like a reputable place.  They have been in business 20 years.  Or I could become a Certified Special Events Planner.  Sounds like it's up my alley!

If I were just going to take some class in areas of interest, it would be fun to learn to play the piano.  I would also love to improve my photography skills by taking a class at the local community college.  Maybe one day, I will!

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Friday Confessional

Friday Confessional is sponsored by High-Heeled Love.  Won't you join us?

I confess...
One  of my groups of students is causing me exhaustion every day!  Don't get me wrong, I love this group of kids, but the boys outnumber the girls 5 to 1.  Yes, for every 1 girl in that class, I have 5 boys!

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I had forgotten how PHYSICAL boys this age (11-12) can be when you get big groups of them together without enough femininity to offset their budding masculinity.  They're always pushing, shoving, tackling, chasing, jumping, or falling on the floor.  And not because they're being bad.  They're just so physical!  And today, one of the little buggers got me good.  He hid in a doorway as I was coming down the hall, and he jumped out and scared me, just like my son used to do, actually still does sometimes.  They're great fun, but I am exhausted when they leave my room after an hour and a half each day.

I confess...
I'm still feeling somewhat depressed.  It started when I was confined to my recliner for 5 1/2 weeks this summer after shoulder surgery.  Then I had a car accident.  And my body is going through changes I am sure are related to turning 50 very soon.  Not to mention the stress at work over added job duties and a complete change in curriculum and methodology that is requiring me to work harder and longer than I have in years.

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Have you ever heard of Project Semi-colon?  Our counselors at school sent us a link this week to read some inspiring stories in order to help students who suffer with mental illness or addiction.  According to the website, Project Semicolon is a faith-based non-profit that encourages and supports people with depression, addiction, and thoughts of self-injury or suicide.  If I were ever going to get a tattoo, and I'm too scared to ever do it, but if I were, it would be a semi-colon, and not just because I'm a grammar nerd!   "Writing [a] semicolon is used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life.” Doesn't that just say it all?

I confess...
That's all for now!  Have a great weekend!

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ABC Wednesday

I just discovered this great meme called ABC Wednesday, and I can't wait to jump in!  I know it's been around a while, but I wasn't aware of it until recently.

Click ABC Wednesday to see a list of other participants.  

J is for

Jaded Rockband Logo

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Dictionary.com defines it this way:

worn out or wearied, as by overwork or overuse

and

exhausted or dissipated

while the Urban Dictionary defines it this way:

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Although not a glamorous feeling, jaded is something we feel when we are
 constantly bombarded with negativity and disappointment.  It's actually the first word that popped into my head, and while some of this is in jest, in other areas of life, it's accurate.

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Remembering 9/11

September 11, 2001. I remember it well.

 On the way to school that morning, the silence was deafening. Planes usually flew over our area at very regular intervals, but absolutely nothing was in the sky. It wasn't until later that I found out why. I was working in my classroom preparing for the school day when the teacher next door came to get me to show me what was happening on TV. I didn't understand it. Was it a movie stunt? A joke? What? It took a while for it to really sink in what had happened... terrorists changed the face of America in a matter of minutes.

Too Much of a Good Thing?

There are  certain things I really love, or just can't live without, and certain things that are really nice to have.  Here are 13 things of which I (me, not everyone) can never have too much or too many - in no particular order.

1.  Laughter - Whether it's a sit-com, a funny movie, jokes , or my son's crazy voices, I love to laugh.
2.  Flowers - I received beautiful flowers from my daughter over the summer.  It was such a surprise, and fresh flowers just make the house more homey.
3.  Friends - I don't feel like I have a lot of friends, but I know a lot of people.  I'm always happy to make a new friend.

clip art - http://sweetclipart.com/bubble-bath-rubber-ducky-1853

4.  Bath Time - I'm usually in a hurry, and a quick shower is all I have time for, but when I have the luxury of taking a long, hot soak in the tub, it's divine.
5.  Dental Floss - I wore braces a few years ago, yes, as an adult, and now I just can't stand not to floss after every meal.  I have dental floss in every bathroom cabinet, my bag, a drawer at work, even the bathroom at work.
6.  Shoes - Men don't understand that women need shoes for different occasions, different outfits, in different colors for different clothing.   I know many women who have at least double the shoes I have!
7.  Love - Can't live without it.

clip art - http://www.inshape-clinic.com/chocolate/

8.  Chocolate - Enough said.
9.  Money - I suppose I have enough, but I wouldn't mind having more.
10. Photographs - I love taking pictures.  I like them on the walls of my house, in my wallet, at work, and in my scrapbooks.

clip art - http://www.clipartbest.com/book-free-clip-art

11.  Books - I love to read.  I've got so many titles on my "want-to-read" list!  If I ever get through all of them, I will be lost.  I'm currently reading books by an author I found on Goodreads, Mark Gimenez.
12.  Fragrance - I love things that smell good whether it's perfume, body spray, lotion, bath gel, candles, room spray, Scentsy.http://scentsy.com/.. you get the picture.
13.  Time - There is never enough time for everything I want to see and do!

Would any of these make your "can't have too much" list?
I'm linking up for Thursday Thirteen.  Want to join me?

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