MIra Monte Days

Ok! Back to work means back to great friends and great students. I'm so happy to be back at work... you have no idea.

Today was very good. We had Mira Monte Idol where Tony Varela came away with the massive dance moves and points. I wish I would have taken pictures because it was all the way live! I thought it was a great ending to the never ending meetings. I know and understand that most of this we "older" ones at MMHS have heard but the newbies needed to hear some of this stuff I suppose, so I was being patient with the never ending meetings.

Sarah, Joseph, Annaka and myself went to lunch downtown and had a great time. It was great to blow off the steam and relax a bunch. I'm going to start doing yoga with Sarah! I'm looking so forward to her influence in my life. She is a very chill person and I dig hanging with her.

Next week

Guns, Germs and Steel briefing for honors

What is citizenship--Generals

AVID--getting them squared away for college

Peace out.. Short blog because I'm chillin at home with the family gearing up to watch Big Brother.

Focus Anna Focus :)

I have never in my life felt so thoroughly unfocused in my life! All of my thoughts are so jumbled I can't concentrate on anything. I wish that something would snap in me and I could get on with the things I need to do. I have so much to do for work and I can't even sit down at the computer and do anything at all! I lost my thumb drive and I can't find it anywhere. I think I lost it at WTP. I have a copy of it at work on my computer so I know I'm ok there unless Marty decided in his infinite wisdom that I didn't need what was on my desktop. Oh well. I need to get out to work at some point and put everything on a new flash drive. I have to do my syllabus for my honors class. Can someone please tell me if this is the 4 year teacher doldrums and when will I snap out of it?

I am seriously considering some ADHD medication if this doesn't soon get out of my head. I blame summer. Next year for sure for sure for sure i'm doing 6 weeks of summer school so that my mind doesn't turn to mush. Then i'm going to go to Virginia to be with my family for a while and the rest of the summer i'm going to hibernate and sleep! I loved working in Delano because summers were shorter, and I got more time off in the year. Those were the only advantages though.

I hate to say this but i'm not looking forward to Vegas this year. It doesn't have the same feel to it and honestly I wouldn't mind staying home and saving the money for things I need. I am going to get my class set up on Friday. Maybe I'll feel different after i'm more organized.

Things I'm looking forward to:

Starting work back and seeing my friends

3 fantasy football leagues

Mira Monte High School Football

Chargers vs. Jaguars September 19th

Cold Weather

Happy Hours with MMHS Peeps

Book Clubs

We the People

I'm going to book Jerry and I a cruise at some point.

That's all I have to say about that.

Books and Today's musings.

Today's agenda

This morning coffee with Lettie :) I always look forward to that.

This afternoon--Shopping for book club! I can't wait till tonight

Tonight--BOOK CLUB!! We will be discussing Are You There Vodka? It's me Chelsea. I admit I didn't read the whole thing. She is CRAZY! LOL Next month's book is The Help by Kathryn Stockett! It's been on the best seller list forever :)

Looking forward to blissful and drama free night.

Arm Chair Warriors .. and other stuff.

I've tried to blog for the last week, and every time I sit down at the computer, I get distracted. I'm almost at a lost for words as what to write because life has been so crazy lately with everyone. There have been so many bad things happen and they aren't appropriate for FACEBOOK or BLOG! In fact, it drives me a little bonkers that grown people think it a wise thing to air crap on these venues. It's immature, high schoolish, and easy. By easy, it seems to me like people feel they can put others out on blast with no consequence because they would rather sit behind a desk and type or pick up the phone and say it or even send a text.

Like a really smart person I know said this week--"Those who know the truth seldom are talking... and those who don't--well, they can't be described as quiet.."

Another thing that drives me nuts, I feel like i'm withdrawing. I think it is really from lack of intellectual stimulation in the summer months or all the drinking i've done in the past few years. I just don't feel like doing this anymore. Lifestyle changes are good, but I have yet to find things to replace the bad with the good. I'm on the look out though. Any suggestions? I've got books so i'm good there. What I really need to do is get started with my lesson planning for this next year. Think i'm gonna do that starting today.

I read a great blog today by my friend Rachel. It was touching and I just wanted to squeeze her face.

Can't wait to go Naci this week and have my last hurrah before work starts back. If anyone wants to come help me clean out my cockroach infested room that would be terrific!

Ok that's all for now i'm going to grab the laptop and start working.

The Poisonwood Bible, Friendship, and Mr. Carl Lindstrom

Well, I finally finished this wonderfully written and emotional roller coaster of a book. Barbara Kingsolver is an amazing writer. This is the story of Southern Baptist faimly living in the Congo as missionaries during the late 1950s. It is told from the point of view of the mother and 4 daughters. It is a story of tragedy, loss of life, personal growth, and personal decline. It's about faith, hope, love and the absence of these three. I think this is one of my favorites. (I know I say that every time) I just bought Prodigal Summer written by Kingsolver, and I hear it is just as good. She weaves so many literary elements in The Poisonwood Bible, and I know she will do the same with Prodigal Summer.

My favorite character in the book is Adah because of her palindromes, cynical wit, and strong free will. Everyone would be lucky to have a friend like Adah. I'm starting a new book today before I read Prodigal Summer. It's called Water for Elephants. If anyone has read it, please let me know what you think.

As the day progresses, and my nap moves on, I realize some things. You can't make people do the right thing. The only thing you can do is leave them to God, and let them know you will be there for them through thick and thin. If a person chooses not to believe this or doesn't accept it, then there is nothing you can do. (I know that sounds weird coming from me because I am not that religious, however, I believe it none the less.) Until vital important questions can be answered, you can't move on to better things. All you can do is know in your heart you did the right thing despite the consequence. Keeping the good times rolling is not always the best thing at the time, and I have to stand up and fight for what is right. Friendship is thanksgiving. I am grateful for all of them, even the tough ones in my life. I don't and won't take them for granted or forsake them. I've learned a lot this week and frankly i'm exhausted.

For my friend who is fighting the good fight right now. I love you. Your family is going to be blessed once you crush those demons and I'm so proud of you for trying. There are so many people in your life that will benefit from the choices you are making now. Stick to the plan and know that blessings lie beyond the pile of crap you are feeling like now. (Remember ur dumb, and smiley is always watching you) hahahah :)

I'm sadly missing the good time at BT's and Claytor Lake right now. I hope that all my pals in the VA are having a blast! I got the BEST phone call from Mr. Carl Lindstrom today letting me know all of the ailments of my friends in the VA; I guess we are getting older now. Apparently, Greg Allen has some scrotum problem, Randy Jarrells has hemorrhoids, and poor Leslie Martin has a herpe on her lip! Gosh, who knew our old vice principal kept up on such things! Thanks Scotty! I laughed harder than I had in weeks, and I needed that!

Shout OUTS <3

Erin--I miss you already. Vesta--I always miss you. Jd--I hate the Raiders. Lora--Oh no! It wasn't me! It was the one armed man! Jodi--I was RUNNING! Tina--Take your 70 degree weather and shove it! Christina, Annette, Vanessa--I love your faces.

That's about it.

Hard Days

Sometimes a day is so hard you just want to bury your head in hole and never come out. Relief only comes when those you know come through for you.

The Not so-Dirty Southwest

Within the last few days, I've had some good rude awakenings. I won't get into those now, but I continue to learn my shortcomings and strengths sometimes are one in the same. The things that make me a good person at times also incapacitate me. Can you care too much? According to my husband, you can love someone to death. I tend to think there is not enough love and sometimes self-sacrifice is needed, be it marriage, friendship, parenting...whatever the case my be. Also the things that make me a bad person are the things that give me strength. How can a person be so dichotomous? I honestly think that is the way we are all made. One little slip--a good person.. another slip--we are villainous! Isn't that human nature?

I really loved today. Hanging out with Jodi and Leti and the kids was great. Kelsea got a little sore throat today and didn't feel too good, but being a trooper she hung in there and slept on Leti's floor while we enjoyed coffee, dog-nuts, and chorizo and eggs! It was 104 and as usual I can not get in the damned sun because of my Lupus! The damn curse of the sun... why can't a vampire bite me or something! Everyone was so sweet and sat in the shade with me which makes me feel guilty as hell because they should be enjoying the pool.

I guess it could have been worse and all of us girls wearing CHP wool uniforms! HAHA we sorta teased the guys today because they were working and we were by the pool. They sent some pretty cute pictures of themselves all clothed in wool at the range. We felt sorry for them (for a second) and then went back to drinking water and sweating and complaining about the heat.

Thanks girls for a great day today! I loved hanging out. I love your faces. I love the kids! :)