Julie and Julia

Last night I saw the move, Julie and Julia. It really got me thinking about this whole "blog" thing. I mean it. I haven't promoted my blog, or really even imagined that anyone would ever read it. I thought it was amazing how in the movie, Julia really thought about and interacted with readers of her blog. I like to think that my blog just floats out in cyberspace--drifting along, not bothering anyone. Other bloggers though blog as a full-time job. I can't imagine! I don't even have enough going on in my life to post every single day.

After being swept up in the blogosphere last night, I wondered what I would write about every single day. The biggest thing in my life (besides my wonderful Sam) is teaching. For a few minutes I dreamed of blogging every day from my little classroom. I worry though about repercusions. It would be far to risky to blog about students/school/work. Gosh, the thought alone makes me shudder with what could go wrong. If I slipped up just once and wrote about a certain student and someone guessed the name of that student, my job would disappear. Much too scary to write about school. I think I will continue with my random posts. I like it that way. Random and simple. :) Kind of like me.

Whoopie!!

I saw on a fellow blog today, that whoopie pies are reported to be the new cupcake. It made me want to share one of the best bonding experiences in my classroom. Whoopie pies! Yep, they are amazingly simply ways to reward students. They are unique, delicious, and include the word "whoopie!" in the title. What could be more excited for a middle school student then to earning an indulgent treat and being allowed to shout "WHOOPIE!"

I celebrated the end of the school year with my homeroom by bringing them all whoopie pies. It was such a fun day, and we really bonded! WHOOPIE!

KINDLE

I have the best husband in the entire world. Now, I know that is a big statement, but he knocked my socks off. Seriously. He got me a Kindle for my birthday. What could be more exciting then saving trees via less paper and being able to download books immediately. I can't wait to start reading!

Social Media

I am currently sitting in a grad class all about social networking. How exciting! I love using technology like this to "trick" kids into enjoying school. My students LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Facebook, so I hope that I can funnel that love into a Ning site of my own. Middle school students need to feel part of a community and they need to learn how to socialize appropriately. I think that a class social network site would be a cool place for them to learn.

Busy Busy Busy

Such a fun weekend-We went camping in Wisconsin with our friends, the other Pearsons. We biked 50 miles in one day, played minigolf, ate lots of s'mores and banana boats, and enjoyed some Spotted Cow. It was such a fun weekend, but now we are back in the real world for one day. Tomorrow morning, (3am-EEK!), we leave for D.C.. It should be a fun trip, but today I feel swamped with papers and projects for GPDE. I can't believe how much homework we have. There is no way to get it all done, so I am one crabby girl. Sam keeps telling me not to worry, but I can't seem to help it. Therefore, I am trying to relax by checking up on my blogs. It will be about a month until I can veg out online again, so I am soaking it all in now. (i.e.-procrastinating)

Tears

I don't know why I keep finding tears joyful. Seriously, tears usually are brought about by sadness or pain. Lately, I keep finding them refreshing, natural, and inspiring. Last night, I went to see the movie My Sister's Keeper. I honestly wasn't expecting a lot. I mean seriously, I thought I knew the story. I even told my friend Bridget, "Don't judge me if I don't cry. I never cry when I am supposed to." Lo and behold, I spent the entire movie crying. The bond between the sisters was just so touching. It reminded me of my sister, Laura-or Louda, to me. I miss her so much, and she just moved to Montana. It was quiet a coincidence that in the movie, Kate, the sister that passed away, told her family that Montana was the place where they could always find her. That got me...the tears and sadness were so refreshing though afterwards. It really made me realize that I am so blessed. Seriously, why am I so lucky??

sick

How can I be sick during the summer? All school year, through the cold, the snow, the sniffles, and the snot that surrounds me, I remain healthy. Then, summer comes, and BAM, I get the flu. Bah. I wish I could shake it. After saltines and toast, I snuck some real food today. Let's hope it doesn't rock the boat too much.