Day 159: Indoors Day

I killed a bird today.  I was driving to school this morning and a bird landed on the road right before I drove over it.  As I drove away I saw feathers fly and a little body fall to the ground.  Sorry little bird.  I didn't mean to.  

I didn't end up staying for long in my new classroom, but I put up the fabric on one bulletin board and was able to visualize what the room will look like.  The first picture is where my reading corner will go.  There will be reading nooks throughout the room, but this is where the main bulletin board will be along with my library.


The second picture is where my math corner will be.  There will be manipulatives for stations and other displays to help the kiddos with math.  I will also have a writing corner and science/social studies corner.  I figure it will be easiest to organize my room by subject.  We will see how it goes.

It felt good to stay inside today after being burnt yesterday.  I had fun today working on my French pictures.  As I write this, I am watching the DVD that my Aunt Lori made.  When I see the pictures and videos, it is so hard to believe that I have seen these places.  I sometimes feel that I am in a novel and the story is told in third person.  "She went to Provence with her favorite aunts (and adopted aunts).  It was an experience she would never forget."  How fortunate I must be to see what I have seen.  I used to believe that the good people always suffer.  Either I am not a good person or my suffering is waiting for me because I have been so blessed with the life that I have.  One of the goals of this blog was to help me see that, and I definitely have.


The last bit of news tonight relates to the next trip.  My dad and I will be going to New Orleans again.  I booked the hotel tonight and I am excited to see what it is like.  Here is the link if you are interested in seeing: http://www.frenchquarterinns.com/hotelstpierre/

Day 158: Feelin the Heat

My Aunt Lori is probably going to kill me because she just sent me an e-mail about wearing sunscreen, but I am a crispy critter.  Crystal came over today and we went to the pool that Ashley works at to soak up some sun.  I didn't put on sunscreen right away, but I did later.  Apparently it was too late.  Besides the burn, it was a wonderful day.  It was the perfect makings for a relaxing summer afternoon.  Margaritas (or Margrets as Crystal calls them), good company, beautiful weather, and time.  Mix these all together and you get fun in the sun.  We came back from our roast to fix dinner and watch "500 Days of Summer."  As we sipped wine, ate dinner, and watched a movie I was thinking that this is the life.  


Tomorrow I get to go into my new classroom to do a little decorating and sizing up.  Then Friday I've got graduation rehearsal and drinks.  Saturday is graduation.  And Sunday is a wine festival in Lincolnwood.  Life is pretty great.  The only worries I have are the IRS and my blood test results.  More information to come about these items later.

Day 157: I Would Walk 500 Miles

I learned a life lesson today.  When going to a new forest preserve and deciding to walk a trail, don't just walk a trail.  It was a beautiful morning and I thought hey, why not go for a walk.  I hopped on a trail and took off.  I figured that it would loop around and the sign said 2 mi, so I thought hey, that sounds like a nice little walk.  Well, loop around it didn't, at least not exactly.  As I was walking through the prairie, I lost sound of the construction on the road and sight of people.  I felt like I was walking back around, but my car never appeared.  After walking about 4-5 miles, I came across a visitors center.  Like a real dummy, I rang the bell and asked for help.  I was getting desperate and almost asked for a ride back to my car.  I had a doctor's appointment and didn't know if I had enough time to walk back.  After looking at the map I realized I had at least another two miles to go.  So I trekked back and when I saw my car again, it was a magical moment.  I sat down in my car and dumped the rocks out of my shoe.  I made it!  It was definitely a good walk and I needed it, just wasn't planning on it today.


I made it to my appointment on time and I was happy to see that the doctor thinks I should have a sleep study done.  He also ran some blood tests.  I may be a little bit of a hypochondriac, but it would be so reassuring to know that nothing is wrong.  I am so fatigued and I'd like to know if it is something I can do something about.  I guess we will see.  Plus, it is pretty cool to have a sleep study done.


All in all, it was a good day and I am finishing my evening with some indie movies featuring Ryan Gosling. 

Day 156: Funny Moments

Today had a couple funny moments worth noting.  While at the teacher store I was told by the lady next in line that I am a brilliant woman.  Although I know this already, the reason she claims I am is kind of odd.  I was purchasing a calendar for my classroom and some lightbulb came on in her mind.  I don't know what it was, but I'm glad I could contribute.


As I was contemplating walking Kendra this evening, a voice came through my screen door.  Some guy was belting it out in his apartment.  I would say that his music background is pretty minimal, but good for him for not feeling self conscious about the whole neighborhood hearing him sing.  These are probably moments that would be more entertaining if you were here.  Instead, I will chuckle with Kendra.


In my first picture you can see my new tablecloth.  I can't wait to fill it with dishes and company.  I'm sure you know what the second picture shows.

Day 155: Summer Sundays

 What a wonderful day. I took my time this morning before leaving for Geneva.  I stopped to do some shopping and then at the French Market.  Yes, a French Market in Northern Illinois.  I finally broke down and bought a Provencal tablecloth.  I bought a couple in Provence, but the nice ones were too expensive.  Instead I bought it here.  There is a french woman at this market that I have talked to a few times and this is the place I was supposed to get my tablecloth.  We talked for awhile and she helped me pick out the perfect one.  When I asked to take a picture, she laid out all of her best tablecloths.  I get the impression that she is very proud of what she does and what she sells.  I think that quality deserves my business.

After the French Market I went to Galena Cellars for a wine tasting.  I know that it may be a little odd to do a wine tasting on my own, but if I want to taste wine and I am alone, I don't think I should miss out.  I was originally planning a solo trip this year, but financially it would be better if I didn't.  I think instead that I should work towards doing what I want when I am out on my own.  The goal of the solo trip was to learn about myself and grow.  I think I've said this here before, but I think true growing occurs when you are facing something independently.  Being free of influence is a reflective thing.  But anyway, I think I will just try to continue doing this on a smaller scale.


Later in the evening I was fortunate enough to meet up with Ashley for dinner and drinks.  We sat outside and enjoyed the nice evening.  It is so nice to have someone so close that is such great company to hang out with.  I think it is going to be an awesome summer.


I ended my night with a few sips of wine sitting outside with my pup.  I am a happy girl right now.

As I lay in bed tonight, I have my window open and I hear people speaking in Italian.  A woman is laughing and I wonder if I'm really in Illinois.

Day 154: Let the Farmer's Markets Begin

 The weather was made for browsing farmer's markets and garage sales.  I found some pretty sweet deals today.  I purchased several books for my library, yards and yards of fabric for my classroom, and a lamp to add to the ambiance of my reading nook.  It was a nice day. 

Day 153: School's Out For Summer

Ah, the first day of summer break.  I enjoyed the extra sleep and the lack of worries about everything I still needed to do to get ready for the day.  Instead, I took my time drinking my water, fixing my breakfast, and finally took care of little things I have been putting off.  Today's picture shows some progress I made.  I painted my record shelf and started putting up some of my work.  I need one more piece for it to be complete.  It looks better in person than in this picture.


I am finally a member of the Naperville Library System.  I am so excited to have so much available to me.  I walked through the foreign film section at one of the branches and it went on and on.  I think I will be taking advantage of this resource.


I cannot stop thinking about my new classroom and what I'd like to do.  I went to buy some fabric yesterday for the bulletin boards and for curtains.  While at the library I picked up book on tape that won the blue stem award.  It is pretty interesting.  I am not far in, but it takes place in the future and there is not much land left, so people have moved to the ocean.  It seems that global warming has gotten the best of us.  It is interesting because so much of what I taught in oceanography ties into the book.  The boy is "shiny" because he eats bioluminescent fish.  I'm excited to listen to more as I drive to DeKalb tomorrow.  


One thing I'd like to work on is a "Reece Reviews" poster.  I want to make mini posters for all the books I read this summer.  I was thinking I could rate it by Reese's Pieces and when I provide a summary, it will be located in a peanut butter cup like the peanut butter filling.  I will also provide reading levels.  


I used to feel this way at the end of summer; where all I can think of is preparing for next year.  I am so glad to have the excitement back.  The past summer I did absolutely no work until the very last moment.  This year my goal will be to make sure I have balance.