Más es3

Yesterday N. commented on my appearance at Friday's Senior/Faculty game: "Oooh, Ms. S! I saw you there with a friiiieeeend." I'd gone with B. Apparently, people noticed. Haha.

Today, A. invited me to her graduation party on the 14th. BK will probably be in town, but I feel compelled to stop by. I do love that kid....

In other news, I'm stressed beyond belief. Seriously.

I'm making a list and giving it up. It's not mine to deal with anymore. Deep breath, FJ, and let. it. go.

1. Exams.
2. Two-hour blocks.
3. Grading.
4. My app.
5. Summer job situation.
6. Money.
7. Ticket to LA.
8. C.'s wedding.
9. C.'s wedding conflicting with the summer job situation.
10. No, really, money.
11. My stupid heart.
12. My kid's knowledge of the subjunctive.
13. Post exam evals.
14. Graduation.
15. Cleaning out my classroom.
16. Not having my classroom during planning to clean it out.
17. Lack of workouts.
18. Overwhelming desire for more chocolate.
19. Messed up phone.
20. Placement exams.
21. Professional leave and sub plans.
22. My birthday.
23. Family.
24. Lack of privacy.

Okay. Another deep breath - I'm letting it go.

Feeling better already....

Another one and a list

I'll blame it on the hormones. Hormones and stress.... Anyway, this:

Mountains Out of Molehills

Catch a bit of this and that;
Add two of mine
to two of your own.
Draw your assumptions.
Those words:
"I KNOW".
Really?
Really, really?
From whose lips, because you don't
"KNOW"
it from these.
Feed the rumor mill,
play the games,
spread that talk.
I tighten my lips
clench my jaw.
Believe what you will.
I know -
first hand -
and that's enough.

A look at my to-do list below.

End of the school year:
Senior exams begin FRIDAY.
Graduation next weekend.
Exams.
Somewhere in there, I should grade placement exams from the middle schools.
Spring Concert - I promised I'd help....
Clean classroom.
My birthday.
Cristina's wedding.
Job search.
Scream.
Breathe.

IB therefore...

I need a good workout to destress today, but first:

One of my students didn't show up for the IB exam today. I saw him walking down the hall with this sheepish smile, laughing to himself.

Me: "J, why aren't you in the exam?!"
J: "Haha, I'm late."
Me: (Dumbfounded, mouth agape, trying to keep my cool....)
J: "I can make it up tomorrow, right?"
Me: "No. There's no make up exam, J."
J: (Face falling)Oh.

Oh, I was LIVID.

You do all you can, and this is how it goes down.

And my favorite part: When his classmates returned and I broke out the cookies and candy (a reward for a long day), he was one of the first to help himself.

Figures....

¿Qué se puede hacer...?

Snow...

It's snowing. The first big blizzard of the year. It's supposed to get worse, and so far, we've got at least two inches. After the snow, they're calling for sleet, after that, icy roads. Who's hoping they cancel school tomorrow? Ha, ha.

I hate snow - hate winter in general - but I love snow days. I'm already anticipating a day of packing and cleaning and grading papers while enjoying some fine Netflix selections. Let me not jinx myself though....

The past week and a half has been rough. I think (crossing fingers) that I'm coming to the top of that hill, though, and that it'll be smoother from here on out. I've got a few things to look forward to: MLK Jr. Day on Monday, M's visit that Friday, and the beginning of the semester. That brings me that much closer to Philly. I've set a deadline for myself: I must apply by Valentine's day. Why V Day? Why the heck not?

I've been a serious insomniac - I'm too stressed to sleep, but also too stressed to work. Go figure. That alone can make you feel like you're fighting your way through a permanent fog. Throw in the stress of exam review, friendship crises, a friend's death, and the need to move, and you've got a highly volatile situation. I am feeling like I need a vacation, and urgently. Of course, there's no time or money for that right now. Boo.

I haven't felt this frazzled since my first year of teaching when I felt like I couldn't get my head above water. Before that, it was exam time in college just before I went off to Costa Rica. The thing is, I hate this feeling. I don't know what to let go of: GC, Spanish Club, EDGE, two churches (could I just settle on one?), family, friends, working out, personal time.... The personal time is taking the biggest cut. I'm no fun these days. Ha, ha.

In more exciting news, M's coming to town for his birthday. I haven't seen him in about four years. I was in Atlanta the last time we hung out. Goodness, I do miss that man.... It'll be good to see him, even if it brings back a boatload of memories - both good and bad. I'm looking forward to it - sometimes it's the only thing that gets me through the days. I just have to get through one more week, and then I'll see him - and it's a short work week, so it's even better. He'll be my reward after semester exams.

I found this video that I used to love - one of those songs I still don't totally understand, but that I can feel - and it seems appropriate for M's upcoming visit. Like I said, I still don't totally get the lyrics (¿delfines en tu voz? Whaaat?), but there are some parts that I connect with, almost instinctively. They sing about not knowing whether to feel or to think, because even now, they love eachother. Hmm....