Nice weekend

Well I'm finally caught up on all the paper grading, even got it in the computer! Last Thursday the Dean of Students came and spoke to my classes, well actually she called them out!!! She is my new hero, she let um have it and God help the ones that came in late! It was AWESOME!!! She basically told them to get over themselves because if they couldn't get an A in my class they won't ever pass classes in their majors, hahaha!!! My first class of students true to their idiot form actually had the nerve to talk back to her and one even said that he should be allowed to come in late because he pays my salary with his tuition! Oh no he didn't you say, but oh yes he did! Narcissism? Oh I think so. She didn't set out to cut them down to size but they just served themselves right up for it!!! After she left one of them said "That was harsh!" to which I replied , "No that was reality, wake up people many of you are failing!" IDIOTS!!! My other 2 classes are better but that 11:30 class is seriously deluded. I also got my review on Thursday. Overall it was really good, I told Russ that I only got a VERY GOOD rating when I wanted an EXCELLENT, he called me an overachiever. Rachel you understand and next time I will be EXCELLENT!

Yesterday we went to Aiken SC, a little town about 30 min from here. Russ went in the Yamaha shop there and then we hit the cute downtown area. we strolled around, looked in some art galleries and I even found a cute new clothes shop. Of course I can spend money anywhere! it was a beautiful day and lots of fun. Later today we're going to take Ellie for a walk in the park.

Okay now time for some deep thoughts. I've been feeling really down about the possibility of no teaching next semester, despite my comments I do love to teach and connect with students. I know that this is what I'm supposed to do with my life, I've never been happier than when I stepped into my classroom to start my student teaching. I worked so long and hard to get there and now to finally be doing it and getting paid is just a dream come true. I think that sometimes we can lose sight of our dream when we are faced with overwhelming amounts of work, barriers that seem impassable or just plain stupid people but in the end putting up with all of that and overcoming challenges just makes the reality even sweeter. I love knowing who I am and what I am doing with my life and I'm not going to let that feeling slip away just because part time faculty doesn't work in the spring!

Have a great day everybody, take care and enjoy the journey! Love you

Stop Comma Abuse

Camden is here and he's AMAZING!! Such a personality, so sweet! This grandparent thing is the best!
My students are a pain but I'm still having fun, giving another test tomorrow, we'll see how it goes. I'm almost finished grading their papers, such comma and semicolon abuse! I asked them "What did these poor punctuation marks ever do to you?" I'm still not sure how they graduated from high school. Oh well....

Russ is still trying to get back to work but no word yet. I'm off to help Amy find a dress and show off my adorable grandson. Hope you all have a great day!

So Excited!!

Well today's the big day, my little Camden is coming!!!! I just can't wait to see him laugh and smile, and I finally get to smooch those baby cheeks!! I know, I'm such a grandma,ha,ha. That's okay I'll be the same way with your kids, one day in the very distant future.

in other news... my classes are going well, the second exam scores were a big improvement for most people. The others well they may just be "the child left behind". I had my observation on Thursday, I was nervous and of course my class was on its worst behavior. One of the girls, this very strange "I'm a tortured artist" chick decided to be a jerk. Everyone was working in groups and her group was just "chatting", she told me she didn't do the work and why should she. So I asked her to move up front and she says "Are you going to throw me out?" My mistake, I should have said yes, but I was only going to put her in another group. Anyway, she gave me some lip and sat down, I just didn't want to give her any more attention. Next time anyone pulls that crap, out they go, I've had it. I was talking to this other teacher friend of mine and she said it was the "mom syndrome" apparently there was some study that showed that when female teachers tell students to do something they react like it's their mom telling them to do it and they rebel. Male teachers don't face this, weird huh. Maybe I just need to send them to their rooms, lol!

That was Thursday and we've been busy ever since. Russ had his endoscopy Friday, what a relief to have that over and know that he's better. Saturday morning we went motorcycle riding with our new professor friends, great time, great weather! Then we got back and cleaned up and went to an art auction/wine tasting. Also lots of fun and we got some nice artwork. Today we have to go pick them up and then figure out where they'll go in the house.

Well that's it for now, I have papers to grade! Rachel I'm so happy and excited for you, as usual I think you are amazing!!! I miss you guys and I love hearing about all of your adventures!!!
Love you

Is Anyone Listening?

Not you guys, I'm pretty sure you're out there hanging on my every word...wait, you are out there aren't you???? No I mean my students. I try to explain to them about responsibility and owning their work and their journey toward a degree and I swear they just look at me like I had three heads! Ugh, it's so frustrating sometimes!!! Then again, today I found out that part time teachers like me don't have a job spring semester due to lower needs. So sad! But I'm working toward getting a full time position and now that I have some campus connections maybe I'll find something to do next term. Even with all my bitching I do love being there and teaching. And the extra good news is that I gave back 150 papers today so my book bag is much lighter and my scooter doesn't have to work nearly as hard!


I'm on the lookout for the "hoochie of the day" on campus, you know the girl who looks like she will need a street corner rather than a degree for her profession. Usually I see at least one but today the weather was cooler so I really didn't see much of interest. When Russ dropped me off we did see a girl with tight capri length jeans, a tight T shirt and high heeled booties(shoes) but that was fairly mild compared to hot days. But fear not, I will maintain a vigilant watch! 


Yesterday we went to Target to prepare for Camden's arrival, we were such grandparents,lol. We bought a pack and play(folding crib sort of thing), towels, washcloths, a blanket and some toys. I would have bought more but Russ talked me down,haha! 


Okay well dinners here so I'm eating
Love you

Whew!

I finally finished grading all my tests, still have to grade the papers and do over tests. Not today! I ended up having a great time at mah jong and I even won 2 games!! Maybe teaching has reactivated my brain? I can only hope...
Well good night all

Here goes

So I have caved in to peer pressure and created a blog about my daily life! Now what to say, hmmm. Yesterday while Russ was off riding the roads I stayed home and graded papers, I have about 150 tests and essays to grade by Tuesday. What's the rush you say? Well Wednesday is the last day to drop classes and I have a feeling some of my students may want to reconsider their college careers when they get their tests back. The scores were higher on these tests compared to the first one but even with being able to use their notes some people still failed. I may not grade the essay papers yet, they are awful! You know how I feel about grammar, word choice and sentence structure, well let's just say that the papers are PAINFUL to read. Plus if I try to correct all the errors Camden will be in kindergarten before I finish! ACK!


We did have fun this weekend hanging out with friends. Russ was great at the faculty party, a real social butterfly! People kept coming up to me all night saying "I met Russ and now I want to meet you". I'm sure that next week people on campus will stop me to tell me they met Russ! He was wonderful, I wanted to chicken out and not go to the party but he convinced me to give it a try and we had so much fun! I danced! Well in my own "special"way, sorry there's no video, go ahead I know you're laughing!!! Still if I ever get a full time faculty position I'll have Russ to thank! Actually everyone at the party was really nice and I did feel super comfortable, obviously since I got out on the dance floor, lol! 


Today I'm going to play mah jong with my friends. I don't really feel like going but I'm sure it'll be fun. I really suck at the game and I hate feeling like the "dumb kid", but I guess I'll take one for the team!


Well there you have it, my first blog. I do love reading your blogs and hearing about what you're doing. I miss you both! Love you