TO DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM

I think I read a little too much Twilight over the break. My family can attest to that but everyone has been bugging me about when I was going to finish the 4th book, Breaking Dawn. I spent Christmas Eve Eve and Christmas Eve (single kids only holiday in the mission home lends a little bit more down time than I am used to) reading that freaking book and all it left me with was a night full of, well...nightmares. Yep.

I woke up in a rotten mood Christmas morning because that dumb story was etched in my subconscious so deep that I had not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 different dreams throughout the night! Every time I went back to bed after waking up (laughing at myself), I fell right back into the same dream sequence but a different story line. Blah. I just wanted to enjoy my evening. I would have willingly allowed for some great Edward/man-of-my-dreams dreams but not about wolves and vampires coming to destroy the people I love that resulted in a war in my classroom. I am just going to go to bed tonight hoping I dream about saffron rolls because thats all I did/made/thought about/ate all day.

TEACHING CHRONICLES: CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

Who knew that students really give teachers presents? I thought it was just in the movies. I wasn't imagining anything extravagant like a fruit basket from Ralphie but dont worry people, I got much more than that. My kids were bringing me random gifts throughout the last week of school. Here is a sample of what I received:

• free hair cut
• hot chocolate
• little stuffed santa
• 3 ornaments
• lots of Christmas goodie bags
• free lunch at Tucano's (for our faculty Christmas party)
• bag of candy from the seminary teachers
• 2 large mugs
• chocolate orange

Seriously, who knew? I mean I was a teachers pet-ish. Thats probably obvious since I loved school and became a teacher but that certainly doesn't mean I wished them well with presents. No way. And I know its only Saturday (i.e. day 1 of Christmas break) but I love knowing that I don't have to have anything prepared for Monday. I don't have to fake excitement when talking about Madurai Gopuras for the 100th time. Its going to be a good 2 weeks.
Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope you all enjoy your holidays and try and get some skiing in!

NICKNAME: AFFECTIONATE OR OFFENDED

The majority of OJH students call me:
Miss Belly-Bel or Miss Belly-nap

NOVEMBER SHOWERS BRING BIRTHDAY FLOWERS

Well November (aka the greatest month ever) is usually a good one for me because I tend to get older around this time. This November was pretty good in the birthday department. I had a good birthday, got some good presents, saw some great friends, ate some good food, snacked on delicious baked goodies, and got to be with all my students! Whats not to love about that? Well maybe the fact that mom and dad were missing from the whole thing but other than that the day was great.

I have to be honest, I was a little worried that the day would be a bust. I missed momma and daddy, I got some pretty bad news on birthday eve, and I didn't know what the school day had in store for me. Birthday greatness started off the day before with a beautiful delivery of flowers from Joshy. They were so gorgeous! Thank you son, you really don't even know what that did for me. Then I arrived at school on the day of all days - November 20 - and was showered with gifts from my students. That wasn't expected. Here is a candy poster one of my favorite students made for me:I got some very sweet cards, delicious candy, amazing renditions of happy birthday from screaming and off key teenagers, lunch from Janet, flowers from Heidi, balloons from Mom and Dad, Red Mango with my ladies, and kindness from my kids. All in a days work! The flowers and balloons continually being delivered to my room was a little embarassing but just the sweetest things ever. And my kids really were nice to me! They quieted down and sushed each other with "hey, be quiet now because its her birthday. its the only day we have to be quiet."

After school I met up with the fam for a birthday dinner at Spag Fag. I returned home to magic muffins (it was no longer too soon) from Leslie that I literally devoured. I had some friends come and eat cake and ice cream with me. I must thank Leslie, Alisha, Ashton, Chris, Lani, Heather, Jessica, Kyle, all of the brothers, Justin, Laura, Kyle, Chalet, Paul, and my VT for helping me celebrate the big 23! Big thanks to the fam for putting up with me for the last 23 years. You are all the best.

EARTH'S GREATEST WOMAN

No not me folks, my MOMMA! My mother, Elizabeth, is the most amazing woman that has ever graced the human world. Today is her birthday and I want the entire world (because I know the entire world reads this blog) to know that I love her. She is pretty, kind, loving, patient, adorable, beautiful, magnanimous, awesome, smart, funny, precious, and my mom! I wish I could be with her today but she decided to go on a mission instead. I miss her everyday, all day. I love her with all my heart and soul and thats a lot because I have a really big heart people. My mom was born into this world to be a mom. And more importantly, she was born to be my mom. I love you momma. Thanks for being born and also for having me even when daddy wanted to be done having kids. I hope you enjoyed the "Happy Birthday" rendition from my 9th graders. LOVE YOU!