Spring Break... It's SOOOO close

After my dedicated post to the amazing Diana Ziser, maybe it's time to actually write about what's been going on in Houston and KHHS.

I'm giving midterms this week, but they aren't true midterms. Really they're just a unit test over SW Asia. My honors kids are taking them today, and on-level classes will take them tomorrow. While they are testing, I'm trying to tackle the grading that I let accumulate over the past few weeks. I was doing so well with grading at the beginning of the quarter, but I'm afraid I let life get in the way of keeping up. I mean, I still haven't finished grading their AIDS papers. I'm a horrible teacher. :-( Or maybe not. My kids can now talk about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict with confidence and accuracy. That's pretty awesome and impressive if I do say so myself. And soon they will be able to describe social and political issues in China and India with the same confidence.

On Thursday and Friday I'll show a documentary that I watched with Michelle, Jake and Andy about children in Israel and Palestine. It's called Promises and is AMAZING. I really hope they can make connections between what we learned in class, their own lives, and the video. That's the goal.

In other news... it's rodeo season here in Houston, and I was lucky enough to see Kenny Chesney on Thursday night, along with wagon racing, calf-chasing/wrestling and Muttin' Bustin'. Now, I've been to my fair share of rodeos, mostly in Columbia County; I've seen roping, riding and wild cow milking. But never have I seen children under the age of 6 climb on the back of a sheep and hold on for dear life as it races to the other side of the arena. That is COURAGE. Or child abuse.

I'm in full concert-going mode lately, and saw John Mayer on Saturday night. Again, he is a musical genius. I will see him as many times as I can. What other concerts will roll through Houston soon?? I'm already planning on seeing Dave this summer in the Gorge. Of course.

Hmm... other things of note:
I now have an iPhone and a new phone number. And I know that this is absolutely ridiculous, but I am really heartbroken to not have my old number anymore. I had been with T-Mobile since I got a cell phone as a sophomore in high school, and have had the same number since. That's an 8 year relationship that I built and since I was such a loyal customer, T-Mobile says I can give my number to someone else. How strange of a perk is that? I can GIFT a NUMBER. Who wants it???? Any takers?? Also, iPhones are pretty fun.

I'm REALLY excited for Wyeth. He is going to travel to Rwanda for his thesis. How awesome is that????

I guess that's all that's been going on. I miss home A LOT right now. I miss my family and my friends and really want to do nothing more than sit on the deck at home and play with the dogs and drink good coffee and eat yummy food with everyone. Hopefully I can make this happen sooner than later.

And be on the look out for for a post next week sometime about Spring Break 2010: Tour de Tejas!!!! I'm embarking on a road trip with three girlfriends to San Antonio, Freddericksburg, and Austin. I'm so excited!

Things I Love (About Diana Ziser)

I know it's been a while since I've written anything of substance. Actually, I take that back: commenting on the weather is substance! I LOVE meteorology and sometimes wish I were a weather lady. I get all excited about weather and clouds and cold fronts!

But this is a blog about something MORE important and awesome than weather. This is a blog about Diana Ziser. You see, my dear friend Diana recently joined the blogging world, and recently posted a list of things she LOVES. I laughed out loud as I read this list, and pictured her in 4 inch leopard heels, eating spinach artichoke dip with a heaping side of mac n' cheese and drinking a gin and tonic while writing it. And this inspired me to create a list of things I LOVE about Diana Ziser.

1. Her obsession with leopard print. It's true - this woman LOVES anything that looks like it was skinned during a safari. And it reminds me of her whenever I'm shopping.

2. When Diana talks like a Jewish mother. GOD this cracks me up and makes me feel loved all at the same time.

3. When she mails pictures of us together. That picture of us from our summer fiesta in the silver frame is one of my favorites. That party was also one of my favorite nights, and I think about Diana and all of the good times when I look at it.

4. Diana singing show tunes in our living room/kitchen/deck/basement/car. Mmm, yes please. I'd listen to that for a good, long time!

5. How Diana once made Mac and Cheese with more than 4 sticks of butte and I ate it. Thank goodness we fixed this little problem by the time your goodbye party happened!

6. Any conversation with Diana. About anything. Anywhere. I love them all.

I could go on and on, but I really want to add pictures and I can't since I'm writing this from the iGoogle app and photos aren't an option. I'll come back later and amend this post with photos of all these wonderful things.

I love you, Di, and I hope you are taking in Baltimore. You are more awesome than even you would admit!!

The Same

According to the weather application on my dashboard, it is the same temperature in Houston as it is in Portland, and 4 of the next 7 days the temperature will be within 3 degrees of each other. Brr.

Sharpening the Knife

As we are wrapping up Africa, my students have been completing a review packet to get them ready for their test on either Thursday or Friday. Part of their packet contains an Op-Ed from the NY Times.

Thursday will be the 20th anniversary of the release of Nelson Mandela after 27 years in prison. Never ceasing to amaze me, the NYT found several people who were imprisoned for political reasons during the same period of time as Mandela, and asked them to write a short Op-Ed on their reaction to his release, as well as any other thoughts towards Mandela. My students have read about and watched videos on apartheid and South Africa and have a good understanding of the events that happened in the not so distant past, and I thought it would be good for them to read the opinions of others during that time.

After reading, we talked about their reactions and the important lessons that can be learned from Nelson Mandela. Typical answers include to never give up and to stand up for what you believe in: typical KIPP answers.

When I read to them the response from a man who was imprisoned in China in the 90s, I heard some really great responses. In this piece, Wei Jingsheng references a Chinese saying that notes that "a knife must be ground to be sharpened." I asked my kids what this meant, and what it was referring to. It took them a minute, but they finally made the connection between the saying and Mandela's 27 years spent in prison where he studied and read and made himself better.

We then talked about how hard KIPP is sometimes and why we do the things we do. We talked about going through hard times and how that makes you a better person, a wise person. We discussed laziness and dull knives and how dangerous they are. We dug into the importance of knives and survival and helping others; about how knives aren't a bad thing, but a good thing.

I just love when I can help students make connections like this: from an abstract idea like persistence and adversity to making a better life for themselves.

Appropriately Inappropriate

The HIV/AIDS paper seems to be a never-ending pain in my rear end. We keep going over the requirements, the expectations, and the resources that they can use. I've been asked what a hook is over and over and over again. But this is not the part of this project that I will remember. What I will remember is how HIV/AIDS will prompt 14 and 15 year old children to ask many, MANY questions about sex. Here are questions/statements that I've heard in my class over the past two weeks:

Female student, while reading a pamphlet found in the commons near the counselor's corner about STIs and HIV: "Miss, what is petroleum jelly?" Me: "It's the stuff that they use when a woman gets an ultrasound on her belly." "Why are they talking about it in this pamphlet? Why is it bad for condoms?" "It's bad because it can break down rubber and make the condom ineffective." "But why are they using it? What's it for?" "It's a lubricant." Another student chimes in: "It's lube. Like in Superbad." I turn red and tell them that the conversation is now over.

Student writing a paper on how the distribution of condoms will be the most effective way to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa: "How much do condoms cost?" My answer: "I don't know." "Can we google it?" Students already at the computer: "According to Google, they are $3.00 for 3 at Rite Aid." Another student: "But let's look at Trojans. They're the best, right Miss? They have all of the commercials." Good job Trojan. You've got them eating out of your hands. Poor Durex.

A male student definitely referred to condoms as 'rubbers'.

Question "Miss, what is ejaculation?"
Answer "It's what comes out of a man during sex." (Or did I say when he climaxes... oh Lord)

Question "Does all kinds of birth control stop HIV/AIDS?"
Answer "No, it has to be a physical barrier, like a condom. Oral contraceptives don't stop STDs."

Question: "Is it the sperm that has the HIV?"
Answer: "I'm not sure because there are other fluids that come out so it might be in there."

So there, I've probably told these kids more about sex than many other adults. But you know what? I'm glad they're asking these questions. The last thing I want is for a kid to think that just because she's on the pill that she can't get an STD.  I'd like to stay naive about the whole situation and hope that none of them are having sex. I really wish I could just sit them down and say "Wait. Don't do it. These high school boys/girls aren't going to be worth it. Just wait till you're older and you know yourself better and you're more mature and it's someone you REALLY like. Please just wait." Probably a conversation I can have with my advisory girls since they are my advisory girls. I'll have to work that in somewhere.

On a lighter note: G Love this Saturday. Sweet. I've never seen them but I've heard they're great live. And the Super Bowl - we can't forget that, especially since I'm in the South and the Saints are pretty much the most important thing right now. And I may or may not have mentioned how much I love the Maple Leaf Pub, with their $1 mimosas on Sundays and now Trivia and $14 Steak, potato and you-call-it on Thursdays, but I'm mentioning it now. It love this place. And they have darts and board games. All they need now is shuffle board and I'd probably never leave.

Virgo: February

Jess introduced me to astrologyzone.com a couple of months ago, and of all the horoscope websites I've read, this one is pretty good. I've always been a believer of the power of the stars and other celestial bodies over our lives, and loved reading about different signs when I was little. Living with Diana just amplified my confidence in divine works. Last month's horoscope, which I read at the end of January, was entirely way too accurate. Scarily so. I read the one for February at the beginning of the month, and now I'm afraid that if anything correlates, I'll just chalk it up to a self-fulfilling prophesy. Oh well, it's still an interesting read, and has me thinking a lot about fate, serendipity and ending up where you may not have planned.


For you non-believers, I hope you get a good laugh out of this.

Virgo Horoscope for February 2010

By Susan Miller


This month will be very special. It marks a turning point in your personal history where you can turn away from so many disappointments of the past and start out in a new direction. You will feel confident this month, for Jupiter will see that you do and that's a necessary ingredient as well. You won't have to do everything alone either - this is a "twosome" month where collaborations are not only wise but outstandingly successful. Dear Virgo, you have so much going for you now!

February's first week brings your first cosmic treat on Saturday, February 6. On this day, your ruler, Mercury, will link with surprise-a-minute Uranus, making for a very lively day that will sizzle with electricity and spontaneity. Ideas will come up so fast and conversation will be so lively that you'll wish the day would never end. While every sign will love this day, you will benefit more because Mercury is your ruling planet whose job it is to take special care of you!

Mercury will be positioned in your sixth house of work, so you may get a surprise phone call about a new assignment - perhaps it will be about something you'd like to discuss in more detail later the following week. If so, the offer will come from a middleman such as a headhunter or agent, business partner, or former employer - someone who will speak for you and recommend you. All month, an intermediary will be an essential element to your success and you will see this theme played over in several ways.

On this very same day, February 6, Jupiter, the giver of gifts and luck, will send a beam to Pluto the planet of power, transformation, and financial strength. It's extraordinary that two such impressive aspects should fall on the same day. This aspect can help you both personally and professionally, for your fifth house is involved, but in a way that would allow you to see financial gain from your creative ideas. You can rally people to your cause at this time, and if you work in communications, as many Virgo do, you would be able to reach massive numbers of people from what is on the table now.

You will start to feel things heat up the day prior to this magical day, Saturday, February 6, on Friday, February 5, too.

Planets have started to gather in your seventh house of partnership, so it is clear that in order to get to where you want to be, you will need to collaborate with others. You will have to rally the troops these days, rather than run with the banner by yourself.

You will get a chance to go solo in June and July when Mars moves into Virgo, but for now, it's too soon. You need to do some important lobbying first. You will likely enjoy being a team player, for Venus will start the month in your work area (sixth house), ruling co-workers and subordinates, and move into your house of colleagues and associates and partners (seventh house). Venus will link to Jupiter, the great benefactor, in this partnership house, so collaborators will help you showcase your talents and allow you to be productive.

If you have been unemployed and looking for work, employed and hoping to make a change, or self-employed and looking for new business, the new moon on February 13 will set powerful forces in motion. It will send a strong and supportive beam to Saturn, so you will find greater financial security at this time, too.

If you have no job or hope to find a job similar to the one you've had before, you can find one now that would likely inspire you in new ways. If you had hoped to move up the ladder to more responsibility than you had, you would need to wait until early June. Sometimes, though, a present job is so fraught with problems that it would be torture to stay one more minute at that desk. If that describes your situation, seize the opportunity to break out of that old job and free yourself for something more interesting. In your new spot, you may be able to demonstrate more of your talents, and move up faster.

Neptune will be prominent at that new moon, and few planets can set off the imagination as well as Neptune. If you work in the visual arts, you will be particularly fortunate, for Neptune specializes in all things considered "right brain" - creative, innovative, and very visual. Neptune will glide in the scientific sign of Aquarius, so if you work as a scientist, in research or high technology, you will find this new moon outstandingly helpful, too.

Aside from gaining work that can make you feel more financially stable, there is another completely different way you can benefit from this month's new moon! It has to do with pets - one you have now or may chose to bring home soon!

A new moon in this house is perhaps the best in the year for starting to do your research for finding the best pet for you. Mercury is no longer retrograde as it was last month, January 1-16, so you can feel confident about choosing a little dog or cat that you can care for each day.

Go to the animal shelter or pet shop during the first week between February 13 and 20 for your strongest days, but in truth you will have the whole second half of the February to take action. If your present pet has been lonely or ill, you can find the right remedy for your little creature this month. I know your pet brings you such joy, dear Virgo - here's your chance to give your pet more time and attention.

Building a stronger body will be another theme this new moon will bring up. Before long - certainly by swimsuit season - you will be looking mighty special on the beach and turning lots of heads. You need time to get ready, and you've got the right new moon to start.

With the predominant presence of Neptune at this new moon, you may want to take up water sports and thoroughly enjoy yourself. Or you might have fun working out with a very visual method, like the Wii or other game that lets you become more active with technology. Neptune is right brain and visual, but Aquarius is high tech - find a way to combine the two!

Alternatively, when it comes to fitness, of course you can do things the old fashioned way, like take a morning run in the park while listening to your iPod, or working out at the gym on the elliptical machine while you watch television (another "Aquarius" median). Nothing wrong with those methods! The point is that it might be just as well that you didn't get started on your fitness resolutions yet because now you'll have the right time to start! February 13! (If you have been working out, now's the time to ratchet up your effort!)

I should add that the coming emphasis on improving your health includes all preventative efforts you take, too, so spend a minute calling your doctor for your annual checkup, or to have your teeth and eyes examined. It really does make a big difference, having those little tests done. Now is your best chance in the year to do so with the right results. Just be sure you don't take any medicine incorrectly (too large a dose) or take pills that you might be allergic to - Neptune's predominance this month is a warning to be careful with all prescription drugs.

Now let's talk about your favorite subject - love! With Venus in your opposite sign of Pisces, and Jupiter and the moon there, too, on Valentine's Day, it's clear this day for lovers is about to be very special indeed. Your partner will lead the way, and so this year, you can sit back and enjoy having your partner make all the plans - with the planets shining brightly, you'll be blown away with what your partner decides for you both. This will be true even if you are male and not used to having your female partner make the arrangements. This Valentine's Day should be different from any other you've seen in recent years.

At month's end you will reach the biggest moment when Jupiter meets with the Sun on February 27 and 28. This will be a magical weekend, one that could change the way you see partnerships, for it will be clear that your partner is very, very good for you. It is worthy of five stars - I always call this aspect the luckiest day of the year.

This is warming my heart to write this to you because, of all the signs, Virgo has suffered the most relationship difficulties of any sign in recent years. It is clear that by the very end of February you will be able to draw the line between the past and the future, and leave those dark days behind.

Certainly many Virgos will get engaged or married this month, for all the planets will act like loving little matchmakers - especially on February 27 and 28.

If you are single and dating, or not even able to find the right one to date, you are in a potent period, too. Last month you had a very positive, helpful eclipse in Virgo on January 15 in your house of true love.

Often an eclipse will not assert its energies immediately but rather one month to the day later, plus or minus four days. That means the January 15 eclipse in Capricorn would bring you to Valentine's Day - so watch the days that circle it. You may meet someone rather intriguing. Allow for that possibility! If you have no date, throw a party or go to one, but don't stay home. Be open to meeting others - don't feel that Valentine's Day is only for those coupled up. Thousands of people don't currently have a partner, so venture out!

The full moon will be in Virgo on February 28, giving more power to the beauty of the interchange between Jupiter and the Sun. At once you will know your own mind and the direction you want to take. It will be especially emotional if you were born on August 31 or within four days of this date. It's your time, and someone close seems to be part of all you are doing.

The disappointments of the past are now behind you. This month begins a new chapter, dear Virgo. You've weathered the storms and you've not only survived, but also thrived. This month brings calm blue skies and many reasons to believe again in the power and beauty of love.


Summary

This month brings a cornucopia of good news. Since September 2007, you have been contained and your movements limited by the presence of Saturn in Virgo. Many Virgos lived a very no-frills life, and in particular suffered a betrayal or reversal from a close partner. Health issues may have plagued you too, well. Now, all those difficult days are behind you.

This month Jupiter will align with the Sun in the very part of your chart that gave you such concern - the part of your chart ruling partnerships, serious commitment, and marriage.

It's not clear if you have a new partner or if you reconciled with a former one. Either way, there appears to be someone in your life now who has earned your trust and whom you find just right to merge energies with soon.

Venus will glide through this house from February 11 to March 7, and Venus is known to bring happiness, and in some cases, profit, too. This is all good!

Needless to say, Valentine's Day should be one for the record books this year if you have a special steady partner. With the moon in Pisces, let your significant other take the lead - you'll love what's planned.

The date to watch for developments will be one of your best weekends of the month, and possibly of the year, due February 27-28. Next month, in mid-March, your plans to couple up or collaborate may take shape, for that will bring the new moon in your seventh house of commitment, business partnership, and marriage. For now, you are seeing the truth of how different a day - or a year - makes. The coming year will bring a whole different set of conditions.

If you are single, you will have the chance for exciting love from February 5 or 6, two fantastic days, thanks to Mercury's beam to Uranus. These days will be filled with romantic surprises. You could have a very electric meeting with someone you find you really like a lot and will want to know better.

There is one other heart-stopping moment, when Jupiter aligns with Venus in Pisces, in your house of commitment, February 16 - a lovely day to go shopping for diamonds together. Actually any collaboration is likely to be fruitful, even business ones.

Your work likely will get a boost at the new moon, February 13, plus two weeks. You may get a new assignment, or gain a new client if self-employed. If you change jobs this month, you would likely do work on the same level as you have been doing. Sometimes that is fine, but if you were hoping for a step up, you'd have to wait for March 7.

In the meantime, you can generate freelance work at this new moon, and that may be good news. This new moon will reach out to Neptune, suggesting you will be doubly lucky if you work on artistic expressions for pay, or support the creative talent. The second half of February will be ideal for hiring help.

The full moon in Virgo on February 28, coinciding with the luckiest day of the year, thanks to the conjunction of Jupiter and the Sun, will bring all your desires and dreams into focus. Pluto, in your house of love, will send a special bouquet to that moon, proving to you that in life and in love, the possibility to be completely transformed anew is always possible.


Dates to Note for Virgo:

Venus will move through your opposite sign of Pisces from February 11 to March 7.

Valentine's Day brings the moon to Pisces - let your adoring partner take the lead.

If single, you have an electric set of days in store, February 5-6 - you could meet someone when you least expect to do so.

Your best day of the month - possibly of the year - will be February 27 or 28, when making a serious commitment to a partner in love or business would be ideal. Sign papers on these days, too. These are rare, five-star days. You may get engaged, or, you may merge energies in a business alliance on the luckiest days of the year, February 27-28. The day prior, February 26, will be fortunate, too.

Another day to feel your pulse race when it comes to committed love: February 16

New jobs and assignments come up February 13 plus two weeks. Look for a new job or get new equipment. You may also hire new personnel at home or at the workplace.

The full moon in Virgo will be a lovely time when you find that all your desires become clear, and that you decide to go after one with all your heart. Pluto will help you see success, either immediately or in time.

Teacher Time Update

Enough about love and it feeling like spring in Texas (which is coming to a screeching stop with temperatures in the 40s for the rest of the week). It's time to focus on things in or around my classroom.  I'm not even going to try and count the number of weeks we've been in school, but I do know that we are in that loooong stretch between Christmas and Spring Break. The kids are getting tired, the teachers are getting tired, and we are all trying our hardest to hold on.  So here are some updates:

Budgets
Turns out we have less money than we need to run the school. Go figure. So what are we to do? Cut back on our printing/copying (duh), and call in less substitute teachers (ouch).  Since I've been singing the praises of recycling since I was in 1st grade in Ms. Polschneider's class, I know a thing or two about conserving resources. But now I must be even more creative in my copying and try keep my pages to a minimum.  As for the subs, I've only been absent two days this year (!!!!!!!). I was hoping to take a day off to head to Portland sometime soon, but I'll just have to make that an "A" day Friday or Monday so other teachers can cover my two classes. No biggie.

AIDS
I don't know what I was thinking, but I have assigned my students a persuasive essay where they must choose a way to prevent/stop HIV/AIDS in Africa. They could choose from the following preventative methods:
I. Educational Programs
II. Distribution of Condoms
III. Needle Exchange Programs
IV. Abstinence
V. Medication
Many students chose abstinence and medication, and many more chose educational programs and distribution of condoms. Since then, I've read many detailed hooks about AIDS, condoms and sex. Wow. But I will say this. I am incredibly impressed by the ability of my students to stay mature when talking to their teacher about such topics. It's rare when someone gets all giddy or embarrassed when talking about condoms. In fact, the most uncomfortable moment for me came when I read one student's hook, thesis and supporting details that pretty much said that God was punishing people in Africa because of lust. I have to try and find a way to tell her that even if you only have sex with one person, a person you're married to, you can still get AIDS if your partner is not faithful.

Breakthroughs
There were several students that my entire grade level team were concerned about last semester. They were failing many classes and seemed apethetic about their work. Since we've returned from break, many of these students have shown a new attitude towards their work and behavior in school. I could be the multiple failing grades on their report cards and the all-too-real reality of repeating 9th grade next year, but they are finally pulling themselves up and getting to work.

Interior Decorating
My classroom looks like crap. I'm a social studies teacher World Geography teacher, and there is not a single map in my room. What am I doing? I need to get my browser over to a post site and order some colorful, up to date, posters. Money, money money. It's also time to put up new bulletin boards which means I need to find some new fabric and borders. The problem is that my classroom is painted this impossible golden yellow/split pea soup color. What color goes with THAT? When will I have the time and energy to go to the teacher store to buy all of this?

Laptops
The Social Studies department now has a functional laptop cart thanks to donations to and through Donors Choose. It's such an exciting event that my students can now work on papers, projects, presentations and research. I'm so excited. Thanks to those who donated to my projects - this is worth more than you know.

Teacher Joke
A teacher died and was waiting at the Pearly Gates of Heaven. St. Peter gave the teacher a tour of Heaven and showed were people from different professions hung out. When he got to the place where the teachers should have been, none were there. The teacher asked St. Peter where all of the teachers were and St. Peter replied "They're all in Hell for Professional Development".

Hahaha.

OK, so most of this was written last week. It's now Monday and I'm in my first of two prep periods for the day. My alarm didn't go off this morning so I woke up at 6:30 with 15 minutes to get my ass out the door and it's Monday. Let me repeat that one more time. IT'S MONDAY. Eew. God help me.