Today...

I had a student take an seven page test today, entirely in bright green crayon.

More School Stories

It's St. Patrick's Day. Remember pinching people or being pinched if you didn't wear green? Where did that even come from? Well, here is a little more middle school interaction.

Boy Student: (fingers poised for the pinch, asking EVERYONE in the classroom) Did you where green? Where's your green?

Boy Student to Girl Student who is clearly not wearing green: (excitement fills his voice) Where is your green?

Girl Student: I'm not wearing any, but if you pinch me, I'll punch you in the face.

Boy Student: shrinking, walks away

Ah...middle school. But, I couldn't agree more with the girl.

Yep, he sure did

Last Wednesday I was taking my Journalism class to the computer lab. No big deal. As we were walking out of my classroom door, a boy (Sam) pulled out a note and here are how things proceeded:

Me: I'll take that (I reach over, get a hold of the note and get ready to take)

Sam: (yelling) You can't take my things! (Yanks the note out of my hand)

Me: If it's a note in class, I most certainly can take it. And, you are not allowed to speak to me like that. So, you need to give me the note, Sam.

Sam: (still yelling) No! You can't take my stuff and you can't tell me what to do

Me: (thinking: really? do I really have to do this? It's a note and now he's just made it into something so much bigger) Ok, Sam, here are your options: give me the note and apologize or we'll be walking down to the office. Actually, there are two officers down there right now who I am sure would be happy to speak to you about your behavior (I was just making stuff up, but I figured I'd scare him...turns out that backfired)

Sam: (wads up the note while simultaneously shoving the notes into his mouth)

Me: (jaw drops, trying desperately NOT to laugh) Did you just eat the note?

Sam: (mouth full of paper as he chews)

Me: (in disbelief) K. Let's go.

The entire walk to the office, about thirty yards, he walked like a turtle, but chewed the paper like mad. He stopped at the drinking fountain to help mush up the paper. Turns out, there were two officers in the office (a separate incident had brought them there). Sam wouldn't spit out the note for them and they found a lighter on him...he said he needed the lighter for protection and that the note was a rap he wrote that he was too embarrassed to let me read. Hmmm...you tell me...

Christmas Mini Eggs?!?

K, ladies. Mini Eggs have made their holiday appearance. And, yes, they are as wonderful as the originals. I want you all to know that since my freshman year of college, I haven't officially bought a bag of Mini Eggs. Why? Let's remember the 7 pounds I gained eating Mini Eggs as I studied for finals. But, considering this is new packaging,I figured I could take the dive and buy some. If you haven't seen them in your local store yet, let me know and I will send you some. I mean that.

Dear Adam

So, it's been three years. It's weird. This anniversary has been harder than any of the previous years. I'm not quite sure why. There are so many things I still feel. Like, I want to tell you that I'm running all the time and you'd be so proud of me. Or how family gatherings don't feel the same because you aren't harassing me, and no one is helping me steal food from the plates mom is trying to prepare. Or how it feels like the "glue" for our family is gone. Jessica is doing really well at being the glue...maybe it's an Indian thing. But, it's just not the same. Dad went to your grave on Sunday...Tim said he sobbed. That's when I hate you. I'm still so angry at you. Because after you died things just got really bad for a really long time. Everyone is starting to heal, but it shouldn't take three years. And it makes me angry that it will probably never be all better. And that we had plans for the following weekend and that you couldn't make it five more days. Jordan was just getting to know you. Sometimes I am angry at myself for being so self-involved that I didn't answer every time you called. And then I am angry at you for making me always second guess myself. I have dreams about you. You're always smiling and that provides so much comfort and I hope that I'm actually seeing something that is true. I guess...I guess I just really miss you. And I still hurt, but I'm doing ok. And I don't want you to worry and think that I am constantly arrested by thoughts and memories. It's mostly around the holidays, when you left. But, I do think about and remember you. I still say I have 13 brothers, because you still count and you still matter. I miss you. Love you and hope all is well.

Maggie

Who Knew?

I ran 5 miles today. I'm training for something bigger, something my sister-in-law suggested we all do. It appealed to my competitive nature, and here I am, doing something I never thought I would do. It felt great!

Can I just say...

1. Parents of Honors Students are re-freaking-diculous
2. Blogging, facebooking, etc. gives me anxiety, seriously