Dueling Theories

The pass little while, I've been coming across different theories on education. From Danish, Hong Kong, Canadian, American....starting school earlier (age wise), starting school later, more time in school, less time in school, after school programs, tutors, more structure, less structure, exploration, tests orientated...
The only thing I'm sure of is that my head is spinning...

2 Down, One More to Go!

I finished my second evaluation today! One more to go!
The class went really well. I'm so glad I decided to not go with the idea from the textbook and went with my shopping idea. The kids were curious about the lesson before the it even began. And it looked like they had a really good time.
Well, back to work!

Welcome Little Man!!

I just got an email from my friend's cellphone in Japan. So excited, I had to share that her baby has arrived safe and sound, though he's a little bit early! I'm just so relieved that they're safe and healthy. Can't wait to meet the little guy. He looks adorable, well, at least the side of his head does. Happy Birthday!

Retail Therapy

Well, since the dentist was near by, I made a quick stop at the mall to get a birthday gift for myself. I have the Body Shop gift card so I get a $10 present for my birthday. Oh happy day! I usually just get a little something, but they were having an insane sale. It was a "green bag sale". They had these green gift bags that you bought for $5, and anything that fit inside would be 50%. If you do the math, if you bought anything over $10, you would save money. So I figured, I would stock up on a few presents. Plus, as with any good Body Shop promotion, a portion went to charity. So, I took a few laps around the store and then headed to the register. To my surprise, I was informed that I was also eligible for my 4 point discount, which I'm still not too sure on the details. The bottom line being that I would get $15 free stuff, but with the 50%, it meant I could get $30 free stuff. So, I was set free into the store again to get something for me (as everything else had been for other people). When I finally finished, the girl smiles at me frm behind the counter and says, "Wait till you see your receipt. You got a better discount than we do!" So, at the end of the day, with the
-50% green bag sale
-10% card discount
-$10 birthday discount
-$15- 4 points discount
I made off like a bandit! What would have been $95 before taxes, only cost me $25.14 total!!! Couldn't even get this price at the drug store!

kid power!

Second block has started, and I'm still adjusting to the change. But I have to say, being around kids is amzing. You're tired at the end of the day, but it's a different kind of tired. I'm numb and my arms and legs feel like lead at the end of the day, but I'm happy. It's like that feeling after a really good workout. You're tired, but at the same time, that numbness feels like you're walking on clouds. Something about being with kids that just recharges my batteries! Could this be considered a renewable energy source? :P
And it's amazing how quickly the kids open up to new teachers. The look on the kids faces when they wanted me to join their teams today, it was very hard to say no (hard to supervise the activity if you're dodging flying projectiles). There was one student who came up to me and started to talk to me about his basketball game that I went to. It was hilarious, because I don't think either of us remembered each others' names. But, the fact that he came up on his own instead of just going home.

Cantabile!

A little while ago, I started watching Nodame Cantabile. This particular show is about music students, so as you can imagine, the soundtrack is pretty amazing. There are moments where you can just close your eyes during the show and listen to the music (I then have to go back and actually watch the scene!) and feel completely blissful. I didn't realize how much I missed playing music. The other day in class, it was our last day and we were just goofing off. One of the guys just sat down and started playing the piano. I hadn't heard live piano like that in so long and it just stopped my heart. I forgot that music could do that.

done like dinner...

My battery has run out. I'm just done right now. But, gotta put on that happy face for the next day. I'm starting to really feel empty. I feel like I've had to put my life on hold and I'm watching everyone around move further and further away. I don't really feel close to anyone right now. So out of the loop, just going around in a holding pattern.