Last week I had to work four sixteen hour shifts in a row due to extracurricular activities--hence my lazy blogging. Some of them were fun (like taking the Rattler Readers to the movies to see "Divergent"), and some of them were grueling (like spending three hours creating a picture-video-presentation-thing). I think the only thing that pulled me through this week was Trinity, who helped me put together my picture presentation, and Clint, who took two days off of work and bent over backwards to get me through the end of the week. On Thursday night, we had "Kiwanis One Night," which is where my club (Builders) gets together with Kiwanis to eat dinner, play games, and do some kind of service project. Usually we make blankets for homeless shelters, but this year we put together care packages. It was fun and well-organized, but I missed the blankets. Something about making cuddly stuff for kids--you can't beat that. Anyway, at the end of the evening, the president of Kiwanis called me up and gave me an award for my "service and dedication to Builders Club." She also gave me a $100 Visa Gift Card. I was so surprised and touched, but I felt (and still feel) a bit awkward too, because...well...I plan to quit running the club next year, and all of this is making it that much harder for me to tell them.
In other work-related news, our principal is leaving us (*sniffle*) and we have a new principal coming in for next year. Because I run our staff newsletter, I was able to sneak out of class to interview him on Friday. The interview was awesome--a lot of laughter and boisterous fun. But check this out:
The dude is HUGE. I'm average-heighted, and he towers over me. He used to be an MMA fighter, which sadly he doesn't want to share with students (I think it would be great for classroom management).
Oh, for the record, us teachers don't generally wear oversized paint-splattered overalls to school. It's just that every now and then us tenured teachers get lazy and become total slob dogs. Plus it was laundry day.
Okay, I'm totally kidding. Friday was our "Country Jamboree," and we were dressing the part (that explanation seems so boring now...I liked being a slob dog better).
We signed a contract for our pool! It's going to be a 16x30 ft. free-form (wavy-ish, lagoon-shaped) pool, with a six-man spa set above the pool and a simple waterfall feature. We're also adding a baja shelf (this slightly submerged island type area) for small kids to play. We're set to break ground on May 19th, and estimated date of completion is June 16. I am too excited for words. I'll take lots of pics.
This song came on a Pandora '90s' station that Clint downloaded the other day, and I can NOT get it out of my head. Shan says I shouldn't post songs because it might be construed as me reaching out to people. To her I say, yes, I see your point. I AM reaching out. I hope this song (despite it's really crappy graphics) speaks to all fifty-some of my secret lovers. Alejandro, this includes you.
That's about all I've got steam to write. Time to stuff my nose back into "Ruby Red"--my latest mindless YA read--which of course has to do with time travel because, as usual, I'm obsessed with time.
16 hour work days?! That's insane!! Still, your dedication to getting it done is admirable, even if you're planning to quit--although, I think I remember you saying something about quitting before, in previous years. lol.
ReplyDeleteAlso, that is one very tall man. You're about the same height as me, so he must be somewhere near 7 feet. I've always liked men who're taller than me, but that might be a bit much. I hope you like him as much as you have your current principle. As I recall, your principle was my 7th grade study period teacher (is that what we called it? I can't remember).
Ooh, a pool!!!!! That's awesome. My folks have a pool and I love to visit in the summer so I can go swimming. It's not very often, but when I was there last summer I had a blast swimming. Now that your kids are older, and there's less concern about them falling in or whatever, a pool is awesome. Sounds like you're going to have a great summer!
Yeah, I say every year that I'm going to quit running the club. But this time I really mean it. ;)
DeleteI'm not sure how tall he is, but his head just about brushes the top of that door frame! And yes, you remember correctly. My current principal was a teacher at HJH--I had her for 8th grade English. It's going to be tough seeing her go. She's become like family to me. But our new incoming principal (based on our interview) seems like a great guy, so I'm looking forward to getting to know him.
I gave the wrong measurement for the pool--it's actually a 16x30! (I said '20'). But yes, summer is going to be awesome. :)
What song is it Jojo? For some reason, it won't show up on my iPad.
ReplyDeleteI'm SO freakin' excited for your pool. Even more so now considering the kids got swimmer's itch the last 2 times they swam at Silver Lakes. Don't forget to plan your "Pool Warming Party." :)
The song is "Wild Horses" by the Sundays. It doesn't seem like much in the beginning, but the guitar in the main chorus is gorgeous.
DeleteI'm already planning our Pool Warming Party--I can NOT WAIT to have you all over!
Sixteen hours a day is crazy! No wonder you're so fit without even trying! And no wonder I haven't heard anything about DoT from you ;)
ReplyDeleteLife's been so busy here too, although it's nothing as tasking as yours (it's all mental here with the books but enough to make me sweat under cool weather xd).
And OMG the outgoing principal is soooo tall! I was about to ask if he was a basketball player, then I read about his MMA fighting career.
And lovely picture you have, Jod! Looking forward to more! :)
Ack! I meant to write *Jodi*
DeleteYeah, poor DoT...if there was a hotline for neglected, malnourished manuscripts, mine would be called in for sure. But work isn't always THAT bad. It's just the month of April--it's killing me. Things will slow down a bit by next week.
DeleteAnd I guarantee your mental work is just as exhausting as my physical work! In some ways, I think all that studying and homework is even more taxing.
He tallness is even more staggering in person. When he walked in, I had to crane my head up to talk to him.
Thanks for the compliment on my "lovely" picture, which had me giggling a bit since I'm in my crappy overalls. :-D
No worries about "Jod"--some people call me that as a nickname (pronounced with a long o).
Glad you're still alive and kicking Ifeoma!
Thinking about it now, Jod's not bad at all :D
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