9

I actually did some house cleaning today! To avoid more cleaning, we went to my brother-in-law's house most of the day and cooked out.

I tried searching the web again for travel insurance, but it just gave me a headache. I don't understand why my travel agent who booked my tickets didn't take care of this for me. She just handed me a bunch of brochures. I think I'll go see her on Monday and ask for help.

10

Started re-reading the book that started all of this to begin with...
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I skipped to the India section. I find it very comforting to read about her experience. It was by no means perfect, it was hot and difficult, but in the end she learns a lot. Let's hope my experience turns out as well.

Reality Setting In

I leave in 11 days... flying across the Atlantic Ocean for 6 weeks to India where I know no one!!!!

I can't wait!

Saying Goodbye

Since I started teaching, this is the first year I have really been sad to say goodbye to my class. I know that sounds awful, and it is not because this group was better someone than the others. I think it really had to do with my mind set this year, how hard I worked to make a connection with each student, and the fact that we didn't switch the students around as much this year as we have in the past.

I didn't cry, though I could have if I let myself. I did give each student their own personal goodbye. One at a time I told them how special they are or what I enjoyed about them, gave them each a big hug, kiss on the forehead, told them, "I'll miss you and I love you," and reminded them all to READ over the summer. Well, all but my Mr. Macho -- he is too cool for all that mushy stuff.

My Students Cried Today

We read the last two chapters of Where the Red Fern Grows today and I got the reaction I was looking for... they cried their eyes out!

In our school, we have so many incentives for kids to read lots of books. The problem with this is that the students are learning to read for prizes and recognition and not for the joy of it. The other problem is that they don't even know that there is joy in reading. It's not modeled for them at home and at school it is all about learning bigger words. So my goal this year has been to get my students to connect to a book on an emotional level. Mission accomplished!!

I have to be one of the happiest teachers in the world right now. I had a student clutching the book to her chest because she didn't want to let it go, another who was still crying on her way down to lunch, and when one girl asked if she could keep the copy she had been reading (and I explained that I couldn't give them away) a boy offered to copy the story by hand so he could take it home.

I received these books as a donation from www.donorschoose.org, a wonderful organization that allows donors to choose which projects they'd like to fund. The title of my proposal was, "Enough to make the cry". I wasn't sure if they actually would cry or not -- you know inner city kids connecting to a hillbilly -- but the unconditional love of a good dog is a universal message.

Headaches

I've been getting these horrible headaches almost everyday the last couple of weeks. They usually start in the afternoon and last for a hours (even after I take Aleve). I know it is mainly to do with clenching my jaw at night, but I've done this for years. Why am I now having such bad headaches so regularly? And why are they suddenly resistant to the pain reliever that I've always relied on?

They wear me out and make me really grouchy!

According to the Quotes...

According to the quotes I found, all I need to do is focus on the good and relax! So let's see...

It's the end of the school year!!! :)
Summer is starting very soon!!! :)
I don't have to deal with knucklehead kids all day long!!! :)
I'm taking a road trip to Kentucky and visiting with friends!! :)
I'm traveling to Lafayette for Memorial Day weekend!! :)
Someone else is cooking out and cleaning up the Memorial Day cookout!! :)
I'm going on the trip of a lifetime!!! :)
I get to go shopping to prepare for this trip of a lifetime!!! :)
I get a 6 week long break from house cleaning!! :)
I get a 6 week long break from yard work!!! :)
I get a 6 week long break from my husband!!! :) and :( but I'm only supposed to focus on the good, so :)
I won't be cold in India like I have been here in Indiana!! :)
I will get to meditate and do yoga and eat right for 6 whole weeks!!! :)


Now it's time to relax... but I have to get to work.... maybe later.....

Panic Button

End of the school year...
Report Cards...
Packing up my classroom...
Packing for my trip...
Helping my friends pack their house and move to Kentucky...
Going to Kentucky and helping them unpack their house...
Visiting family for Memorial Day Weekend...
Having a Bon Voyage party...
Attending a 2-day meeting/conference...
Getting last of shots...
Two different doctors appointments...
Double checking that I have EVERYTHING I need...

AND ALL BEFORE JUNE 9TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Malayalam

Malayalam is the commonly spoken language in Kerala (although English is widely spoken). Visit this website to hear common phrases in the Malayalam language.

http://www.jaimalayalam.com/vegam_vegam_malayalam.htm

Unhappy Childless Day

It's not that I'm being selfish -- I didn't realize it was happening until I had to hold back the tears. But I get really angry and jealous on Mother's Day. It didn't help that I watched Juno tonight for the first time.

After I said, "Happy Mother's Day" to my sister-in-law as we were leaving her house she automatically said, "Happy Mother's Day to you" and then immediately apologized.

I had a lady at Martin's who was handing out free samples of food tell me "Happy Mother's Day" and I didn't correct her.

My other sister-in-law put up a Happy Mother's Day wish on the family website and then included all women because we all "mother" somebody. Which was a sweet sentiment. She was trying.

I guess this is what it feels like for the romantics who don't have anyone to love (or to love them back) on Valentine's Day.

The List, Continued

DONE **Get the money (on its way to me now)
DONE**Get luggage (looking for something that converts into a backpack)
DONE**Buy tickets (looking for as few stops as possible--I hear changing flights there is hell)
4. Confirm taxi to Ashram
5. Get travelers checks
DONE**Get outlet converter

DONE**Get camera
DONE**Get laptop
9. Get comfortable/cool shoes
10. Look into international phone plan or skype.com for communication
DONE**Get shots (I have an appt. will cost almost $200)
DONE**Look into student loan repayment (because I want to enjoy my trip and not worry about this while I'm meditating)
DONE** Look into starting my masters in the fall (for the same reason as above)
14. Pack.

To Be Continued.....

Students' Comments on My Teaching

So, on the front of my "Teacher Report Card" I ask the students/parents to give me a grade in several areas dealing with instruction, organization, and temperament. I asked them to write comments on the back explaining why they gave me those grades. Here are a few:

"Sometimes I wish you will listen better to me."

"Mrs. M forgets a lot."

"Mrs. M dresses great!"

"Mrs. M don't give us a lot of time to work on stuff."

"You know you get nothing but the best grade from me cause you is one teacher I can really say care. Keep up the good work Mrs. M."

"On 'answer questions' I gave you a 'C' because sometimes you say you don't know and say 'Go
to the library and see'."

"Why I gave you a 'C' because you are not always energetic."

"I picked all those grades because you treat everyone equally and gives test fair."

"I gave you five 'A's cause you do come back to our questions, you do accept corrections from students, you do control your emotions, you helped me solve problems when I had a lot of punches from Mr. S and you got a good sense of humor, and you can be trusted."

"[My daughter] speaks very highly of Mrs. M. She likes her a lot and feels that she treats her very well. I've talked to her and she seemed to be a pleasant teacher that is really concerned. Some questions I couldn't answer because I'm not there, but I see a better difference in my child and she's happy."

And my favorite... "I gave you a 'C' on energetic because sommetimes you be lazy." :)