End o' the week

Hey ya'll! Sorry, but it's been a week, ya know? It however has been a great week. Tuesday night was fun...I went to Karaoke for a bit. Wednesday was a great day. I dressed up, which always tends to make me feel better, so my kids were in a great mood as well. My students' pen pals came by, which was great, because they are all in a sorority. So, needless to say, that was fun. Twenty three coed's in my classroom...no complaints here. And then, Wednesday after school I was able to help a friend out with his complicated proposal senario. I was the driver in the whole complex situation, and it went off without a hitch. God bless and good luck Becki and John.

After that, I went home and put on my Santa costume, because I played Santa for a group of neighborhood kids. That was awesome. I had one moment where this cute little girl came up to me, and I swear it was like talking to little Cindy Lou Who, who was no more than two. She asked me how the elves are able to make all the toys. But, you know, I was so slick...I thought up a tale...and I thought it up quick. Ok, that's enough Dr. Seuss for one blog.

So, that was a lot of fun, and the kids really got excited. There were nine little kids, all under the age of 5, and it really meant a lot to their parents as well. So, that was fun. And then, being the great big geek that I am, I passed out at 8:30. Yikes! How old do you think I am!? Man.

Yesterday was fun. We had our DARE graduation in the morning and then we went to another class' Christmas play in the afternoon. Last night I worked, but it was fun. BUSY, but fun. Today is just a half day, which is cool. We have meetings this afternoon, but then I'm off to Kansas City for a weekend of debauchery and good times. More next week!

Tommy

good days

Well, today has just gone swimmingly. Really, it has. I think there is a distinct possibility that last night's events may have indeed colored todays experiences...however, that is to be expected.

The students were good, classes went well, and once again my students were cracking me up. I have somewhat of an obsession with chocolate; and when I give spelling tests I try to make most of the sentences revolve around chocolate. (It's actually quite challenging...imagine creating sentences about chocolate using the words archaeologist, hemisphere, and disorderly.) Well, today I let one of my kids give the spelling test to some students who weren't here yesterday. He has somewhat of a fixation on pigs...so, his sentences were all about pigs. (He actually made up a song about pigs to the tune of Stand by your Man. "Pigs by my side...they are so soooooft and cuddly." I was, needless to say, quite amused. (c; )

A friend send me the following link:
http://www.playerappreciate.com/pimphandle.asp

It was at this particular location that I found my "pimp name", which, if I do say so myself, fits me to a "T": Reverend Tommy Flow and Dopetastic Estlund Love. Either one sounds tasty to me. Feel free to hit me up with a little o' that flava, freel. (c;

I'm off to the coffee shop to relax. I'm going to read and enjoy the last night of relative ease before the madness of the holidays strikes full force. Argh.

Later ya'll...

reverend tommy flow

The Morning After...

Well, as promised in my last post, I will now inform you all about last night.

I had a date. My friend who is in med school is dating this cool girl who happens to have a twin sister. He decided that he would set this girl up with me. It was very fun...a LOT better than my last date. (Let me just say, that date ended with her saying, "I'll be in touch" with a quick pat on the shoulder." Ugh.)

We just had a really good time. Ate at Spazio, and had great conversation. We then went and hung out with her sister and my friend. It was cool, laid back, not stressful at all. We didn't have any of the usual nonsense that comes with a first date, at least from my perspective. I'm definitely going to call her again.

All right, I'll write more later and fill ya'll in on what's up in the K-ville. The busy-ness commences tomorrow, so tonight I'm going to just enjoy myself.

tommy

A New Week

Well, the weekend was good. Very relaxing, much needed invigoration. Today was good as well.

My students were well behaved, and we got all we needed to get done (and more!). I woke up earlier than I have the past week, which was a nice change of pace. I had been oversleeping by a good 45 minutes. However, as I try to get up WAY earlier than necessary, it wasn't making me LATE, just later than I'd like. So, today was good.

I have a special evening planned tonight...which, if it goes well, I'm sure I'll write more about tomorrow. However, I don't want to say too much now, as I don't want to jinx things. Anyhow...off to the coffee shop to get some reading in before tonights activities. (c;

More tomorrow.

And thus starteth the weekend...eth.

Well, today is done. It was great. I am a bit chilly as I write this, because I just got done with bus duty, but it was fun anyway. Good times were had by all, I'd wager. Good day. Tonight, a good night? I think it should be. We'll see. Man, how 'bout an award for least interesting blog EVER. Well, maybe I'll run into some scary space monkeys tonight...maybe they'll ransack my house and take my dog hostage. Nah, nothing exciting ever happens to me. More monday.

TGIF

Greetings to the one or two of you that are reading this. (It's interesting--in all of my writing classes, I was always told to be mindful of your audience--and I don't think the teachers knew about the wonderful world of technology that stood just offstage waiting in the wings.) I told myself when I started this I would write every day. However, things just are't always that feasible. Last night was one of those times. I had a meeting at 5:15, and I had to rush home in order to get back into town to make it. I did, rest easy, make it on time. But, the night just seemed rushed. However, I did go to karaoke last night which was--as always--an interesting experience. Here in Kirksville going to Toons on a Thursday night is like an episode of Jerry Springer with a two drink minimum. (In other words, if you gathered any five people together, you MIGHT have a complete set of teeth. )

Yesterday was good though. My kids were cracking me up. They're so funny sometimes. And this group is cool because they can usually read me well, so they know when to back up and focus, and when the can kind of "let go". That's great.

Today we're having our first read-in of the year. For those of you who don't know what that means, let me explain. We start by moving all the desks out of the way. Then, the entire class (me included) spreads throughout the room and relaxes with a good book/books for the entire day. The kids bring in snacks, I sip my coffee, and everyone just enjoys a good read. And this is an especially great activity on a day like this--cold, dreary, and gray. (One might even say it was slightly despressing--if today weren't such a great day in the first place.

Well, I need to go. My book is calling my name. Tonight I work at the restaurant. Shouldn't be too bad. I do enjoy working there, and I don't work tomorrow which will be really really nice. All right...so long from cyberspace...

Tommy

Hump Day

Well, today was an awesome day. I got up a little later than I usually do, but I got to school with plenty of time to check my e-mail and to do my normal morning routine. I graded both of my tests from yesterday, and my kids did great, which is always a good feeling. Social Studies was especially good today...I made up an analogy for the French and Indian War that utilized Brian Regan's "calling the back seat" bit. I know, it doesn't seem to connect, but trust me, it did, and the kids laughed--and more importanly--they understood.

I'm kind of getting a bit of the holiday stress lately...I usually love the holidays, music, trees, etc, but the financial obligations are just so pervasive...I mean, you gotta donate to this fund, and you gotta give this person that thing, and that person this thing, and well, I understand that it's good to give of yourself, but I'd like to not feel guilty for putting some money into the "grocery" fund, and the "gas-so-Tommy-can-get-to-work" fund. You know, luxuries like those. (c;

Anyway, I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing night at home. I'm going to kick back, read a little and go to bed at some odd hour like...oh, I don't know...six sounds good. Later.

Tommy

Quickie

Hey there. It is Tuesday after school. Today was, as I suspected, a good day. The kids were good, the hours were good, the coffee was good. I have a staff meeting tonight and those have been short--lets not break the cycle now, right?

Karaoke tonight later. That'll be fun. Always is, anyway. Oh, and my chilli last night? Awesome. Just awesome. You might want to ignore the previous post...i was trying to add a picture to my profile, and that didn't so much work. I promise more tomorrow, but for now...

Me 

Definitely a Monday

Today has been a Monday...it's been dreary, drizzly, and autumnal--all in a non serene kind of way. In discussing the day with another teacher, I've found that both of us were a little short with our students. I feel bad when that happens because they're so good. However, even as a Monday, my students did great work today. We have two tests tomorrow, so that means the day will not be very tasking on me, which you know, is nice.
I'm still struggling with separating my classes out. I have had three distinct groups of students, each one filled with unique, challenging and exciting students...and it's difficult to understand that while I know what I want from my class and for my class after three years, my students now are not that familiar...I can't expect them to respond like classes prior to this one. (For some, that's a good thing.) It's a life lesson, I guess...and one that I will probably continue learning for some time. At least until I get it right.
Making chilli tonight for dinner...mmmm....chilli.

Later.

A New Beginning

I know, I know...it's not time for a new beginning yet. I'm supposed to wait until next month when everyone else is doing it. Well, too bad...I feel like doing it now. So, there. I've started one of these before, but I forgot my log in info, so I oculdn't do it again. Oops. (c; However, in the span of time from then until now, I've had to think about what I would want my blog's purpose to be...and I think I've got it.
This journal will be my catharsis from my daily grind as a fifth grade teacher. In writing the previous statement, I think I was unnecessarily harsh. I don't want to give the impression that I don't love my job more than anything else. I thank God everyday for my job--to think, that not only am I able to spend my days with inciteful, creative and energetic people everyday, but...I get PAID for it too! It's amazing! However, as I imagine it would be with a spouse, there are aspects of the job that are unattractive--things that are slightly less than desireable. Through this blog, I would imagine that those things will from time to time come out. I do want to underline and reiterate that I have so much joy here...I wake up everyday with a huge smile on my face and it usually stays on until well after I leave the building.

Ok....more later...the day begins.