Sick

Ugh, I am not feeling very well. I don't have the option of staying home sick because a. my kids are too far behind with Ike. etc and b. my principal prefers that we come to school no matter what as long as we're breathing. Since I have to be at school, the only thing I feel like doing is sitting at my desk and writing a blog. However, sitting at my desk, to the students, means time to talk and forget every rule in the book. The second I stand up, they get quiet and get back to work, an interesting game to watch and play. These kids are a handful. So much pressure is on me to bring them from 54% last year to 90%. I have faith that I can do it, but it is so hard. Other than a language barrier their main problem stems from laziness. They just don't know what it means to work hard. They have a difficult time using all of their reading strategies, sitting down to work, shutting their mouth, etc. They'd rather see me stand up and get angry.

I had a fairly good weekend. I worked all day Saturday and didn't really do much Saturday night. I randomly had Sunday off, which was nice! I went to church, ran some errands and had a VERY lazy day. I have gotten use to working on Saturdays and Sundays and so yesterday felt very bored with such a slowdown in usual pace. It made me feel lonely and reminded me why I work on the weekends. Last night I went to dinner at a new friend's house (Morgana). Morgana is an 08 corps member and from CANBY! How random!!! She grew up in Mulino then moved to Canby sometime after Mom moved. Her mother was in town and she cooked a Lebanese feast for a group of us. So, not only did I have a home cooked meal by a mom, I also had some Canby love too!
James, a good college friend and fraternity brother is in town for two weeks training for his job. I am looking forward to seeing him. Tonight I am going to a TFA benefit dinner with all the big money philanthropist in Houston as well as the founder of TFA, Wendy Kopp. Should be a good time and good food!

Next week, I am taking the 5th graders to outdoor school for a week at a camp 1 1/2 hours North of here, not really sure what to think nor expect... wish me luck. 7 months left! I have completed 19 miles of the TFA Marathon! WOOOOT!