tag:,2007:/4 2007-11-18T23:48:20Z Movable Type 3.34 tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.669 2007-11-18T23:44:05Z 2007-11-18T23:48:20Z

One of my greatest pleasures this summer included traveling back to Michigan, seeing so many of my old friends and celebrating the joining of two of my dearest friends. The ceremony was lovely, the reception beautiful, and everything was full...

A group shot of those TNC members present. We just glow with happiness, don't we. ]]> tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.668 2007-11-12T17:57:55Z 2007-11-12T18:04:52Z

So, once upon this summer, I hinted at some really big news. At this point it's safe to share that we're buying a house. Not just any house, but one being created from the ground up. You can follow...

So, once upon this summer, I hinted at some really big news. At this point it's safe to share that we're buying a house. Not just any house, but one being created from the ground up. You can follow along with it's progress so far with the Home Collection over at flickr.]]> tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.667 2007-11-09T17:02:07Z 2007-11-09T17:02:45Z

I managed to mess up the look of the page here. I'll fix it on Sunday or so once the play is over. Cheers....

I managed to mess up the look of the page here. I'll fix it on Sunday or so once the play is over. Cheers. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.666 2007-11-08T17:14:43Z 2007-11-08T17:15:02Z

The Play is tomorrow. Tomorrow. I am very glad about this for so many reasons. It's coming together quite wonderfully. It's wearing my out because I've been here so long so many days in a row (including weekend). I'm curious...

The Play is tomorrow. Tomorrow. I am very glad about this for so many reasons. It's coming together quite wonderfully. It's wearing my out because I've been here so long so many days in a row (including weekend). I'm curious to see the turn out and the reactions and the cast as they perform in front of their real audience. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.665 2007-11-04T18:43:00Z 2007-11-04T18:43:35Z

I've posted more on this website in the last 3 months than it has rained here. I miss rain....

I've posted more on this website in the last 3 months than it has rained here. I miss rain. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.664 2007-10-18T19:29:40Z 2007-10-18T19:40:31Z

I started listening to the new KT Tunstall album recently and I really like it. I feel like I've been really out of touch with music lately. Or the rest of the world for that matter. I'm fine but busy...

I started listening to the new KT Tunstall album recently and I really like it. I feel like I've been really out of touch with music lately. Or the rest of the world for that matter. I'm fine but busy as usual. There's something about school that makes me really tired. I'm still learning how to balance the rest of my life with this entity that is school and everything that comes with it. I'm directing the fall play this year and that is also an interesting experience. Sometimes it's the things that seem like they will be the most fun that end up wearing me out to the largest extent. Along with the play comes the theater class. They are my largest class and by far the most work. Nothing seems to please them, although I am not sure what they expected this class to be or why they signed up in the first place or if they were just placed here because that's what happens when there aren't a lot of electives and there are students who need something. At this point we're halfway through the semester and while that's scary because there is so much to do still it's good because... well, halfway through is a good thing. Next semester there is no drama, just english, english, english. I think that will be ok too, but there are moments of drama that I will miss. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.663 2007-07-19T15:38:12Z 2007-07-19T15:49:05Z

Every once in awhile I consider letting the renewal on web hosting and the subscription to my domain slide. I consider whether I really write enough or do enough or care enough to update and keep the thing running. To...

Every once in awhile I consider letting the renewal on web hosting and the subscription to my domain slide. I consider whether I really write enough or do enough or care enough to update and keep the thing running. To be honest, I don't know why I hold on to it. Sometimes I think I will start writing again as passionately as I once did or at least as often if it isn't as emotion filled or exciting. I think about now, however, what might I write about? I don't take photos so nearly as often as I would like. I have enveloped myself in a more personal side of my life that I am not sure I'm ready to put out into the world. Mostly because it's so good and I am jealously keeping it to myself. There are other factors too. I work in what can be considered a very public place where it's not at all acceptable to talk about it. Or at least not to write about it. Maybe I am making all of that up, but because I teach and my job involves so many other people whose consent to discuss them in writing for the world to see I don't have... well yeah. I like what I do and I want to keep it. Perhaps at some point I will come to some agreement with myself where I can write about pieces without giving away individuals. I also had a really, really, really rough first year and it was too painful to record. I tried to keep a lot of that pain and confusion private, and I think only a little leaked out. In the end I found people who are awesome support and people that I really love to work with and talk with. There's always the question of the coming year, but at least I know I have a wonderful group of people to back me. I think the real question is, that I've gone so long without real updates, does anyone even visit this space anymore? I know that I used to read a lot of blogs and failure to update usually allows them to fade. Not to mention I lost my list of websites I looked at a lot. But really, if I start, maybe people will come back, and then they leave disappointed again when I can't manage to stick with it. In the end, I will tell myself that I can do this once more, that I can find the little things to mention, that I am moving into a place in my life where I might have more to write about. If nothing else, I am still reading, seeing movies, and putzing around online to the extent where there must be some casual observation in me somewhere about something. Thanks for reading. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.662 2007-07-16T16:24:36Z 2007-07-16T16:30:25Z

It was hot and humid when I arrived, even at 11 pm at night. The next day the cooler weather moved in and we've been hanging around in the mid 70s during the day, perhaps creeping up to 80 degrees....

It was hot and humid when I arrived, even at 11 pm at night. The next day the cooler weather moved in and we've been hanging around in the mid 70s during the day, perhaps creeping up to 80 degrees. The humidity, dare I say it, has been generally nonexistent and I have seen the first overcast skies in months. It's also been sunny for the most part and quite lovely. I have some how managed to fit in the (FAMOUS) Chicken Broil and the (Ann Arbor) Art Fair into my stay. I will likely skip the former and attend the latter. Free look at art is better than paying for chicken I can generally cook at home. Although I still believe I am the only one in town who does not have the "secret" coleslaw recipe. I did learn in the paper that the chickens come from Georgia and are prepared and shipped the night before the broil so they are completely fresh and never frozen. They send quite a few as well (12k?). I will also be touching base with some friends, so dinner and coffee is somewhere in the plans, a trip to Mackinac Island, and a wedding will all be part of my life for the next few weeks. Oh, and a lovely BBQ. Well, that one might not be pretty, but with lots of food and beer it will at least be fun! That's the update as of today, although I am also secretly keeping a secret (not so secretly) that I may be telling you about soonish. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.660 2007-07-10T14:30:36Z 2007-07-10T14:31:08Z

Today's the day I fly to Michigan for a few weeks. Hope to see some of you there. Cheers....

Today's the day I fly to Michigan for a few weeks. Hope to see some of you there. Cheers. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.659 2007-06-19T17:20:48Z 2007-06-19T17:25:55Z

I guess I'm getting used to the fact that I don't have to get up at 5 something every day in order to be somewhere. That somewhere where I have to be on my toes, on my A game every...

I guess I'm getting used to the fact that I don't have to get up at 5 something every day in order to be somewhere. That somewhere where I have to be on my toes, on my A game every moment for 3 periods a day.I'm not staying after school to straighten things out or bringing work home with me. I'm not losing sleep to wonder what else I can do to get the concept through to so and so or that one that sits in the back or the one who would rather sleep or the one who really is trying but for whatever I try it won't just click into place. Instead I am developing resources for teachers to use next year. I'm playing computer. I'm reading. I make my own coffee in the morning. I play with the dogs and sleep in and watch Dr. Who or Food Network. I shop online and create jewelry. I experience brief moments of boredom and then I sink into them and enjoy them for the quiet moments of nothing that they are. I cook and don't clean and sometimes I think I might even get through some of my Blockbuster queue (which, if you have any suggestions, send them my way). I've been drinking more water and I might actually get to the gym today. I don't get through much on my list each day, but enough to make me happy and enough to know that it's ok if I don't. I have tomorrow. And I have tomorrow for the next handful of weeks. And this is my summer. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.658 2007-06-08T15:38:29Z 2007-06-08T15:38:58Z

Last night's graduation was officially my last duty before I can start my summer vacation. Today is officially the first day that I didn't have to be somewhere or don't have anything to do. Even though it's half past seven...

Last night's graduation was officially my last duty before I can start my summer vacation. Today is officially the first day that I didn't have to be somewhere or don't have anything to do. Even though it's half past seven and I've been up for a half hour I consider that sleeping in. Of course, I was also up quite late last night because I had the chance to go out with some people from work for a drink after graduation. I work with some of the neatest, coolest people and I had a blast last night. Unofficially I'm not really done because I signed up for summer work. I'll be doing some curriculum and assessment work for the district with some of my department people and then we'll be doing some work within our own high school. That stuff starts on Monday, but I will still get to sleep in, so I won't complain. As for today, I think I will relax, watch some movies, read a book, or just do a little more nothing. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.656 2007-05-21T01:08:54Z 2007-05-21T01:24:36Z

At this point not only are the students counting down, but so are the teachers. We've reached that point in the school year when everyone is just ready for it to end, for summer to arrive, and relaxation and lazy...

At this point not only are the students counting down, but so are the teachers. We've reached that point in the school year when everyone is just ready for it to end, for summer to arrive, and relaxation and lazy time to begin. I think there are 11 days left. That's 12 alarm clocks, but two of those are half days, which makes it a little easier. From there it's summer vacation and relaxation. Although there will be some summer work and prep for next year, it's enough of a break that I think we'll all be at least ok to start next year. Aside from all of that I will be back in Michigan on July 10th and am staying through the 7th of August. If you're going to be around and want to get together, please drop me a line. I'd love to see you. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.650 2007-05-08T18:57:42Z 2007-05-08T18:58:28Z

I started an entry 3 times about the weather and finally had a little something when the server burped and I was unable to publish. Maybe later....

I started an entry 3 times about the weather and finally had a little something when the server burped and I was unable to publish. Maybe later. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.649 2007-04-20T18:59:50Z 2007-04-20T19:09:00Z

I'm currently teaching Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Sometimes I think it's more fun for me than the kids, but they seem to be getting into it. We're using the SparkNotes version of the text which has the original text side...

I'm currently teaching Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Sometimes I think it's more fun for me than the kids, but they seem to be getting into it. We're using the SparkNotes version of the text which has the original text side by side with more modern text. They read both and are at least giving it a good effort. We've also looked at clips of Shakespeare in Love and the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet. As for me, it means that I get to watch both movies on my own. Shakespeare in Love is such a fun movie. I really enjoy the hints of Twelfth Night that are intermingled throughout as well as the inspiration of Romeo and Juliet. If you haven't seen either, I recommend both. Absolutely. On other fronts, this week has been wonderful. Thank you all for your well wishes. Birthday week still survives and I think today will be another day of fun and relaxation. It's also marking the end of the school year. Or rather it marks the fact that we can see the end of the school year in the not so distant future. tag:www.sillyamericangirl.com,2007://4.643 2007-04-13T01:08:48Z 2007-04-13T01:11:14Z

Saturday is my turn for standardized testing. I'll take my tests for certification in Arizona. I think I'll pass. Or, are you supposed to say "I know I'll pass. (!)" The only real complaint that I have is that unlike...

Saturday is my turn for standardized testing. I'll take my tests for certification in Arizona. I think I'll pass. Or, are you supposed to say "I know I'll pass. (!)" The only real complaint that I have is that unlike Michigan, they don't give both tests to me at the same time. So I will be there at 8 am for the first test, and regardless of when I finish I will be there at 1 pm for the second test. Talk about a long day of testing! Either way, wish me luck and a good night's sleep on Friday. Whenever they send out the results I'll let you know that I'll be teaching here again next year.