Post Thanksgiving Slump

Hey ya'll! So, the title sounds kind of negative, but I'm really not. It just seems like I'm never ready for the onslaught of the holiday season, and this year is no different. It's too warm out, and I'm just not feeling Christmas-y....you know? Ok, maybe you don't. This was the first year that I was not with my family for Thanksgiving. I had a great time with Bibi's family, and it was really neat to experience the holiday with another family (let alone, my future family)...(sidebar: I majored in English and I just used the word "neat"?!?!)Anyway, I just don't feel like it's time yet, and I'd like to be my usual chipper self, so we'll see if that happens soon, all right?

Anyway, over the break I read a couple of books...I read another book by Christopher Moore, "Practical Demonkeeping". I tell you, if you haven't checked him out, he's amazing. "Lamb" is still my favorite, but all of his books are hilarious. Then I read "About a Boy" by Nick Hornby. I saw the movie a couple of years ago, and it really didn't impress me. Didn't much care for it at all, to be honest. However, this one came recommended, so I read it, and it was really good. VERY different from the movie, which probably made it enjoyable for me. The book alternates between narrators, first Will, the Hugh Grant character, and Marcus, the odd, quirky, yet strangely endearing 12 year old. Good story about how life REALLY is...not about how it should be.

I've now started a book that so far isn't very good, and i"m actually considering stopping, which RARELY happens. I'm going to give it a couple more chapters, but we may be cutting it short.

Ok, so highlights from the long weekend: (in no particular order)
1. Watching Harry Potter with Bibi and just LAUGHING hysterically, and just really, really enjoying myself.
2. Playing Texas Hold'Em with Bibi's family, and her 7 year old sister kicking everyone's butts!!!! (That girl is SMART!!!)
3. Playing Cranium and laughing hysterically. (There's nothing quite like trying to do an impression of Elvis in front of your future inlaws. (c;)
4. Kaya "attacking my friend Dave's mother's dog, Cassie," getting in to pull the two dogs apart, and realizing that Kaya couldn't hurt a fly, because SHE"S GOT NO TEETH!!!!
5. Putting up my Christmas tree, listening to Christmas CD's, while baking cookies with Bibi, and her whole house.
6. Realizing that I COULD survive a Thanksgiving without turkey. (Although, if anyone has any leftovers, I wouldn't mind helping you eat them!!!)

I'm sure there's more, but that's all I've got for now.

Oh, there is one other thing. Something odd struck me as we were driving home yesterday. Bibi was reading a Spanish novel for one of her classes, and I was driving. We were basically just driving with the radio on, and it was quiet. Now, I've always been one to sing loudly whenever I drive anywhere. And, it struck me that whenever I travel I always look in other people's cars, and observe them. I've always thought that I was having more fun as I was driving. I don't know, it just seemed like it was so boring, all the cars where people were not talking, or singing...I don't know.
Anyway, as Bibi and I were driving yesterday, in silence, I would glance over at her every once in a while. My heart was just filled with this sense of love...I know that love is NOT just a feeling, but at that time, I was filled with knowing how much I loved her...and that, regardless of how much fun I have had in solo drives while I sing, and talk to myself...there is NOTHING sweeter, at least nothing I've experienced, than being able to sit in my car with the woman I love, for three hours....just being able to be close to her, and watch her read her book...she looked SO beautiful, so peaceful sitting there. It was...I don't know...it was magnificent. Yeah...that's what it was.

Ok, that's all I got for now. Hope everyone had fun, and remembered to be thankful...

and I'm thankful for you all for reading...
Tommy

Thanksgiving

So, I've decided to follow Sara's lead and write a blog before Thanksgiving about all that I am thankful for. So, here goes...

Ahead of eveything...God.
1. Bibi. I love you! I am thankful for how much fun we have together (Taco Bell sauce packet fights, nicknames, and deep conversations about COUNTRY MUSIC?!). I'm thankful for our ability to be total dorks in front of each other. I'm thankful for the conversations we have, and the way that you just "get" me...you know? I love you babe!
2. My family. As I grow I realize how important my family is, and I feel like more of a doofus every day for not appreciating what I have.
3. I'm thankful for the fact that I'm one of the lucky few who actually LOVES his job...I don't just like it...I don't tolerate it...I LOVE it...even on the days when I'm tired and cranky...this is an unbelievable honor to be able to do this every day.
4. Good coffee.
5. Frank Sinatra.
6. Johnny Cash.
7. Books, books and more books. Or, more to the point, the fact that I'm able to read!
8. Kaya, my sweet dog.
9. The view out my front window.
10. Sunrises.
11. Sunsets. (in that order)
12. Quiet, autumnal days, sitting in the window seat of Java Co, with Bibi reading and sipping coffee.
13. Life, in general.
14. All of my friends.
15. All of my memories.

Thats all. Thanks for reading...
Tommy

Walk the Line

So, I saw the movie Walk the Line today. Wow. That is all I can say. First of all, Johnny Cash was amazing, and second of all, Joaquin Phoenix WAS Johnny Cash. I gotta be honest--before this movie? Didn't much care for the guy as an actor. However, the fact that he (and Reese Witherspoon, who was ALSO AMAZING) sang the songs, was unbelievable! Holy cow...just, absolutely amazing.

Also, I'm reading a book now called New Found Land, by Allan Wolf. It's a poetic re-vision of Lewis and Clark adventure. The story is told through fourteen different perspectives, in such an amazing way. Sacagawea, Lewis, Clark, York, as well as many others. The interesting thing about the book is that each character is a COMPLETE character...each person brings his or her own personalities and view points (Sacagawea's poetic spirituality, York's yearing for freedom after the trek, Lewis' dark and tormented struggle with depression, etc.) to the narration.

Also, Lewis' dog, Seaman, is the main narrator of the story. He is, as an animal, able to have certain insights that other character's can't have, and is the glue for the whole story. I'm almost four hundred pages into it (nearing the end) and I can't stop reading...this book is DEFINITELY one of the rare "WOW!!!" books that one is lucky to find.

Ok, that's all...

Thanks for reading!

Tommy

Funny stuff...

So, for the last six weeks, I've been using a Pilot Communication Arts text with my class, and right now (literally, as I type) my students are sharing their final projects. One of my kids made a Jeopardy Game over one of the books he read. He's playing it up, he's such a ham; he even had a commercial break, where he walked away from the front of the room, grabbed a drink, and then came back. Now he's having the students introduce themselves. Wow...this is fantastic.

Seriously, these guys are ALL cracking me up. (c; Wow.

(He's even imitating me in the front of the room!)

Here is a picture of Bibi and me at her sorority's formal last weekend. Yeah, we look hot. (c; That's my girl!

Questions O' The Day...

1. Anyone know what effect the water falls of the Fall Line had on the development of the Middle Colonies circ. 1600's?

2. What impact did the glaciers of the Ice Age had on the Middle Colonies?

My fifth graders know....do you?

(c;

Tommy

Occupational Hazards/Benefits...

Odd things that a fifth grade teacher has to/gets to do....

Tell a student to get "that thing out of your nose!"
Hold an eleven foot Burmese Python while my class squirms and giggles in awe.

Just to name a few. (c;

I realized today, that, partially due to schedule demands, and partially due to negligence on my part, I have not, as of yet, spent as much team-building time with my class as I have in the past two years. I believe that it's not indeed too late, and that it WILL be accomplished in the near future. In fact, I'm not doing another thing academically with my class (for the most part) until we come to a better understanding of what our class room can be like.

Fortunately, I have a theme already in place for my class that lends itself quite well to this concept. I have ships, boats, maps, and captains all over my room. (For those of you that don't know, I also allow my students to call me, "O Captain, My Captain" if they need my attention.) So, during our class meeting, we're going to be working on realizing that on this "jouney of discovery", we are in fact a crew...and every single person in the room--regardless of anything else, by virtue of the fact that they are IN this room--is a valued and needed member of our crew. I'm excited because, although it may sound cheesy to anyone that doesn't work with fifth graders, we're going to actually grow closer as a class and many of the behavioral problems will be eliminated due to the realization that, by God, every single person is important.

Ok...gotta get on that...
thanks for reading...
Tommy

funny stuff

So, we're studying the founding of New York and Philadelphia in Social Studies. We read one of Ben Franklin's quotes..."Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes it." I thought there was a connection to John Smith's quote, "If a man doesn't work, he shall not eat." So, I rephrased Franklin's quote, and asked them what it reminded them of. One of my students raised his hand really enthusiastically, so I assumed he knew what I was looking for. His response? "It reminds me of me!!"

I laughed out loud. (c;

More later...

Tommy

native American Day

Today is also Native American Day...we serve Buffalo meat, show the students NA games, hobbies, crafts, and tell traditional Native American stories. My classroom is the Ivory Soap animals room...each student in fifth grade comes through and carves an animal out of Ivory Soap...and, I gotta say, my shark is AWESOME. I've got my new hobby!!! Whoo hoo!! (Sorry Bibi, I know you're going to love the smell of Ivory permeating our home for the next 80 years. (c;)

Veteren's Day

Ok, so here is what I was thinking this morning...we had a Veteran come and speak to our class. He was really cool, and he explained the proper way to fold a flag, which was interesting. (Anyone out there know why we fold it into a triangle?)

Ok, so it sent my mind off to a bittersweet memory that stands out for some reason...

The summer after my freshman year in college, I worked in Alaska for a month(ish). I was in a fish camp, gutting salmon. I took six rolls of pictures, and I loved the entire time...it was definitely a fall from innocense, a wake up call, and a BIG growing experience. However, the flag in our camp still remains in my memory.

The flag flew over our camp cookhouse. It was this unbelievably ragged, weather-beaten flag...it looked almost war torn. I took this picture of the flag, against this dark ominous cloud in the background as it was whipping in the wind...it looked so much like a flag one might see during war time. I was in this camp over the fourth of July, and I think that may have actually been when I took the picture. I was SO proud of the picture, and couldn't wait to get it blown up. Here's where the bittersweet part comes in...I was using my brand new (for me) Alice Pack (army backpack) on the trip. There are three pockets on the back that are not entirely tight when closed...and somewhere between Eggegik, Alaska, and LaCrosse, Wisconsin, that one roll of film fell out of my backpack. So, either on a plane, in the hotel room in Anchorage, or on the train, there is a roll of film, with my picture. Ugh. )c:

Oh, well. At least I still have the picture in my mind, right? (c;

Have a great day...and thanks to ALL our veteran's and our service people serving today....God bless you all!

and, thanks for reading...

Tommy

work and stuff

So, here we are, on Thursday, just one more day til the weekend. Wow, the year is FLYING by! I've been having an interesting week...some things are post-able, and some aren't. Isn't that just the way? Anywho...I'm reading a really good book by one of my favorite authors. It's called Summer of '49, and it's by David Halberstam. He is a really prolific writer who covers such varied topics as, war, politics, advertising, history, culture, and quite often--sports. Now, those of you who know me even a little bit, know that I couldn't care less about things sports related. However, I had dinner with, and was able to have a fairly decent conversation with Halberstam, and I decided I'd give even his sports books a try. They're VERY interesting. Quite fascinating, really. Anyway, this book ('49) is about the rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. So far, really good.

As far as personally...well, things are good there, too. Planning a wedding, school, work, and all the rest of life sometimes gets a little hectic and stressful. As Bibi and I grow together, we find that--although it can be stressful and scary, after each bump or obstacle, we are closer than ever we were before...which, is nice. (Getting past/through things can be difficult, but a relationship IS work--we're both finding this a very challenging time, but it's so unbelievably worth it...she's amazing...I'm a good person, she's a good person...together...well, we're even better. It's wonderful. (c;

All right, enough of this gooey sh....ow of emotion. Later ya'll.

...and, thanks for reading...
Tommy

Hey ya'll!

All right, so...sorry for the vague-ness of my post yesterday, but rest assured (in case any of you were up all night pondering it) that all is well.

Anyway, something kind of cool just happened, and I wanted to post on it...one of the things I teach my students about is different strategies for studying vocabulary. I have been focusing on Cornell Notes (thanks Mr. Henderson!!) and flashcards. Well, today I was giving the students time in class to create either of these study tools for the present chapter. Two of my girls, immediately after I had the students start working, asked what they should do. I said, "well, you should work on the assignment I've given you." They both looked at each other, and then said, "but we did these last night!" They had ALREADY made the study tool, because they had found it useful!!! yeah!!!!!!!

Good feeling, good feeling. Oh, and I'll probably post more about yesterday's post later. (c;

Thanks for reading...
Tommy

reeling and grasping...

Sometimes, even though everything is amazing...if you actually sit back and count how many things are good, how many undeserved blessings are in your life (and it's staggering how many you have) one thing not going well, can make all the difference in the world. You're left trying desparately to find your direction, suddenly forced to question your direction, forced into a position you would normally give ANYTHING to avoid. Even with all the doubt...even when you're facing questions that are scary and disturbing, uncomfortable and harsh...underneath it all, in the cockle region of your heart....you know. And, knowing...IS a wonderful thing.

weekend update

Hey y'all! Well, it's Monday, and as usual, that means we just had a weekend.

Gotta say...I love my Bibi. (c;

We went to Kansas City, and registered. That was a lot of fun. Basically, just like making out a huge wishlist. How can that NOT be fun?! We also got our engagement pictures taken, and that was good, too. Saw my sister, and that was fun, and had some great Indian food on Saturday. Good times, good times.

I'm reading the Princess Bride, and it's SO good...if you haven't read it, go do yourself a favor, and find a copy. William Goldman's The Princess Bride. Don't be confused by the complete title...it's the "Good Parts" version you want. (It's also the ONLY version out there.) The movie the Princess Bride is fantastic, and the book--as is almost universally the case--is significantly better.

All right, more later...as always...thanks for reading...

Tommy

Joy/Luck

As I continue to read, I am struck through each vignette, how touching and profound this book is. Most recently, I was touched by the extent of a mother's love, and how, quite frequently, we as children are completely and totally unaware of this, as it is something that we cannot see. It is evidenced through sacrifices not seen by our eyes, choices made that effect us in ways we can never know, and prices paid that we can never understand. As I read, I am humbled, thankful, and awed.

Thank you, mom. I'll never know, but I thank you.

Love...and thanks for reading...

Tommy