The future is now

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Shannon

I about had a happy heart attack today, and it is kinda a secret, but I had to tell someone, so I decided to just go ahead and tell the Internet.

Do any of you have a five year plan? I never did, not really, but I kinda sorta do now. I want some sibs for my TA, and then I want to move. Like, really move – to Thailand (preferrably) or India (preferrably) or somewhere in Asia with palm trees and diving and Buddhism and/or Hinduism. I want to teach at an international school and raise my kids in a country where they will learn a second language and be foreigners. Because I like it like that.

Excuse me for a second, my talking toddler is telling me, “Shannon, I need help.” When she changes it to, “Mommy, I need help,” I will, indeed, help her.

Ok, the juice has been successfully removed from the stroller, with a little help from the maternal parental unit. Back to blogging.

Anyway, as you may remember, in the depths of infertility despair, I decided that I would either become a teacher and move abroad, or become a teacher and a mom. And then, in the hospital, as I was changing TA into her going home snowsuit (it was COLD that day), I saw her feet and realized that they were made for travelling. As I got to know my TA, I learned that she is the best – the VERY BEST – travel companion ever. Seriously, the best ever.

I got to thinking: Why should these two dreams be separate? There are babies and kids and get this – there are even parents! PARENTS – in Thailand and India. Lots of them, all over the place.

So I started thinking… wouldn’t it be wonderful to raise my kids overseas? And I started researching. I learned that most international schools pay better than the pittance I’m making now. And most offer free housing. And free tuition for dependents. And free tickets home for the summer. And moving stipends. And better retirement plans than the one stolen from me by the Illinois Legisature.

So yes, I said. Yes, we will move overseas. We will live and love abroad, and come home for the summer to live and love in the most magical time in Chicago.

It’s just a matter of time.

And then this morning, my #1 school listed a middle school science position as tentatively open for the next school year, and I about died a thousand deaths. Just to see what would happen, I began the online application, and what do you know?

It wouldn’t let me compete the application because I don’t have enough teaching experience.

This was both a disappointment and a relief. We could totally move before next year. We could make it happen, absolutely. However, it would mean that TA might grow up as an only child. And that is a deal breaker. Really, I was just going to apply and see what happened, I didn’t expect to get the job or to actually, you know, move. Not yet. I think.

So I guess this is a long way of saying that today my little dream passed a test: The lesson for today is that that ZING I felt when I saw the vacancy? That moment of OH MY GOD THIS COULD HAPPEN OPEN UP YOU STUPID APPLICATION OPEN UP NOW I NEED TO APPLY! that had my heart racing and the rest of the world melting away? I guess it is proof that I really, truly do want this, this gypsy life that I loved so much as an irresponsible twenty-something. And diving. I want better access to amazing diving.

So watch out world, the TA and I (and a sib or two), will be boarding a jet plane one day, moving halfway around the world to new adventures and a new home in a land of curry. Oh, and diving, lots and lots of diving.

And now I’m off to declutter some more, because step one of this grand plan is to move into a bigger home in Chicago so that I can expand my foster license.

Happy Saturday!

 

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I should be working right now

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Shannon

But I’m not. In fact, I’m not merely blogging, oh now. I’m avoiding. I’m procrastinating. And? And I am being OBSTINANT and DEFIANT.

Those two words demand all caps, am I right?

My assistant principal is angry at me because I didn’t get my lesson plans into him (again, ahem) by 3PM today. I responded that I had the day off work, and will get them in by 3PM tomorrow. Take THAT, you task master.

Seriously, though, I have probably the best assistant principal ever. He has a job to do, which at least partly entails whipping me into doing my job. And right now? Right now, I’m just not willing to do it.

Which brings me to what I’ve been wanting to blog about for a while: Science. How the heck did I not know that I wanted to teach science? Seriously, my life would have been a lot simpler if I had figured that out at the start of my decade long back-to-school marathon.

Teaching science, on the days when I feel like I am really teaching science, is wonderful. Wonderful. I am especially excited about teaching the weather to my 6th graders, because I won a grant for $591 for materials and supplies to make it a hands-on unit. Holy schmoley, the kids are going to have so much fun. I’m buying a hygrometer and an anemometer and lots of other cool things that I can barely pronounce. The kids will have mini-labs galore and we’ll be trekking outside everyday to sketch clouds and check our weather stations. I am ridiculously excited about all of this.

Which brings me to my question for all three of my readers (I have, after all, been absent from the blogging world for a while): What should I put on my classroom website? I bought my last name domain name, and I would like to create a class website that is basically like an online version of each of my classes. What would make it awesome? Do you know of any examples that I could browse through?

I could use some inspiration. My goal is to have it up and running by the next school year. I know that is a long way off, but honestly? I’m overwhelmed as it is, and so I need to be realistic. Next school year is feasible.

So have at it, intarwebs. What should a good middle school science website look like? Have on it?

PS: TA and I are starting to have conversations. It is the BEST. Yesterday, I asked her, “TA, why are you taking off your pants?” and she replied, “POTTY, mommy. Pee pee in POTTY!” and sure enough, she sat on her duplo box and peed. Thankfully, she didn’t get her diaper off.

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We could all use a pep talk

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Shannon


NOT COOL ROBERT FROST.

Also: Please support my Donors Choose projects, especially this one and this one. If you use HEART as a promo code between now and Feb 18, Donors Choose will double your donation.

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Teaching is hard

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Shannon

We – meaning the whole school – have been having, um, how shall I call it? Behavioral problems. Engagement issues. I suppose that’s the jargon, anyway. I’ve been using other, more colorful, terminology. (Privately.)

And the thing is, I love my kids. Love them. Like, love them like they were my own.

So I decided to go back to basics. I asked myself, “What is the fundamental problem here?” I want to be clear: We aren’t talking about challenges, we are talking about problems. A challenge includes the solution, and last weekend there was only the problem.

What I realized was that the fundamental external issue was that my kids, my students, were not living up to my expectations. The fundamental internal issue was that I hadn’t expressed my expectations. So I wrote them down:

1. My 8th graders are the leaders of the school, and I expect that they will lead the students well. Leading well means that they will model behavior that will gain them acceptance to Harvard, and behavior that will ensure 4th graders gain acceptance to the high school of their choice.

2. My expectation is that every student is engaged in learning all of the time. This means that however we are learning, be it reading aloud or working on projects in groups, students have the tools, materials, supplies and show the behaviors that illustrate engagement in learning.

3. My expectation is that learning is hard work, and we will learn together in love. My students will help eachother, and encourage and teach whenever they can. We will learn together so that we may become better people and a better society.

4. Life requires gratitude, gratitude for people, experiences, opportunities and things. We must show gratitude, because gratitude is one step beyond respect.

In writing all of this down, I also realized a couple of painful things. Sadly, I haven’t been living up to my own expectations, and I have not been clear with my students on how they can live up to them. In essence, I have assumed that my kids could do what I have not taught them, or showed them. Shameful, humbling and unfair.

On Monday of last week, that changed. I began teaching my students my expectations, as well as stating clearly – in a strong, authoritative voice – the behaviors and attitudes that meet and exceed my expectations. I stopped focusing on negative behaviors, and started complimenting – I literally go around the lab and compliment one student at each table (4 students to a table).

By Friday, I was almost in tears at how much my students had improved. I’m looking forward to going back to school.

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Life is wierd

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Shannon

Isn’t it? It changes. So much.

Back in my infertility days, I checked postsecret every week. Religiously. And I would usually cry, and feel empathy or sympathy or somethingthy for the people who sent in the postcards.

Today, I saw an article about postsecret on some news site or other, and realized I don’t remember the last time I clicked over there.

I think it’s because I’m happy now?

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Middle of the night drive by

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Shannon

This little bloggity blog has been neglected. I guess a new job and a toddler will do that to a blog, you know what I mean? Here’s an update, and who knows, maybe my hiatus is over.

The kid: TA is beyond amazing. TWO! TWO YEARS OLD! How did time go by so fast? She is a delight. TA was an easygoing infant, and is a tough, resilient toddler. Has opinions, but not tantrums. She’s in music classes on Saturday, and her teacher is thrilled that she has perfect pitch and a mindblowing ability to drum a beat for an extended period of time. Brag moment: TA does things in music class that the 4 year olds can’t do. She counts to 11, and is ready to potty train. TA gives the best hugs you have ever had, and loves to hug, well, anyone.

Last week my babygirl got fitted for her first pair of ballet slippers, and I cried. I have waited so long for that moment, you know? I’m so very, very fortunate.

My girl loves her blue dog but really she has favorite songs, not favorite toys. The phonics song is way up there, as is Baa Baa Black Sheep. She sings the fun parts of the wheels on the bus to me every night.

As far as when will the adoption be finalized? Your guess is as good as mine. I’m hoping before my girl goes off to college.

I want another baby so, so bad.

The job: I love teaching middle school science! How did I not know that I wanted to teach middle school science? Ironic, considering I have a blog that is all about navel gazing. I went on strike after one week of teaching (4 days, actually), and there are rumors that my school will close next year. So lets just say that my job is not without its share of adult drama, but overall I love the kids (rambunctious as they are) and my colleagues are wonderful (with a few crazies thrown in for spice).

Tomorrow we are continuing the epic apartment hunt, so that I can increase my foster license. I had almost signed a lease for a place that had RADON, omg, so I took a few weeks off the hunt. Cross your fingers for us; I’m hoping to be in a new place by Feb 1.

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Look at me! All shiny and new.

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Shannon

Here’s the new layout, simple and clean. Also, easy: It was listed on the “themes” page of wordpress. How do you like it?

 

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Why I haven’t been blogging

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Shannon

I have no idea what to say. There. I said it. It is as simple as that.

No, really. It is.

But since that makes for a short post, and I am nothing if not long-winded, I’ll give you some navel gazing backstory.

Privacy has become an issue for me and my family. Yes, yes, I know, you are rolling your eyes and laughing at the irony of that statement. You know, seeing as how it comes from a woman who blogged about her lady parts. Repeatedly. And in detail. Yet, I’m human and therefore changing and growing and I am now a mom. This means that my story has intertwined with my beloved daughter’s, and, well, I really struggle with the boundaries between what is my choice to share and what would be a violation, a betrayal, of TA.

Add to that the fact that we can’t go outside without The Questions (howoldisshewhat’shernameisthatyourbabyisthatyourREALbabyhowlonghaveyouhadherisherdaddyblackwhatsizedoessheweardoyouspoilheristhisyouronlychildhowoldareyouetcetcetc), I have become much more… what? Introverted? No. Careful? Maybe. Untrusting? No. Cognizant that privacy is the first thing taken from you by someone who seeks to treat you without dignity? Yes. I’ve been experiencing a bit of that over the past year. I’m not now or becoming a misanthrope by any means, but I am more aware than ever that TA and I deserve the dignity of our privacy.

Which then leads to no blogging, because I’m not sure what to blog.

But I miss it.

I miss the connection with others, the giveaways (I loved those!), the journaling aspect of it all.

Not sure how to end this post, either. Is there a solution? Of course there is. There is always a solution, I just have to figure out what it is.

I also feel a change of scenery is in order. I’m going to get a different layout in the coming days.

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Mobile + Howrah cat

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Shannon

I have had 2 skeins of Lamb’s Pride forever. Originally, I used them to start a pair of slippers, but I didn’t have enough – I got 9/10 of the way through one slipper, and realized that extra 10% was going to cost me 2 more skeins, frogged it, and stored away the yarn. I still want those slippers, but now? Now I have a mobile:

I did the thing right, too. I thought about it for a long time, drew it, and considered several options for the materials. I even experimented. In the end, I chose a wooden dowel for the stick part (so technical, I know), crocheted around it, and then wove gray and blue yarn on the ends. For the rings, I used book rings, purchased in boxes of 100 from Amazon. I purchased two boxes, because my drawing was off… See, the one thing I didn’t do was measure the rings and space between the rings before I had the dowels cut. So now I will have a greater number of smaller mobiles, and all with a slightly modified design.

What are you working on? Leave a link to your current project (or a past one that you are proud of) and I’ll edit this post to have a list of links. I want to see!

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I’m famous, disorganized, and other various stuffs

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Shannon

The title said it all: I’m famous! Go over to Creating Motherhood, read my post, then come back here and pity me. Or not. Or something. I’m trying to write a follow-up post for here, to let the two people who read this blog know that my TA and I are ok. I’ll get it written soonish, just as soon as I finish the laundry. Ahem. Laundries? Is laundries a word? I ask because if you could see the smallish mountain sitting on the sofa, you would agree that it should be.

Speaking of disorganized, I am all about the organizings lately. I am DYING from the clutter and crap, DYING I TELL YOU. A friend is going to come over and help me out, which I am so, so very grateful for. Also, I have decided that today marks a new habit: I’m going to do the 7 day spread method of outfit choices. What’s that, you ask? Well, let me elaborate:

TA has a hanging Ikea-like cloth organizer in her closet. It has 5 cubbie holes, so I am going to use one for Sat/Sun and then one for Thurs/Fri. Instead of hanging and folding her clothes (they don’t wrinkle anyway), I’m going to put an entire outfit, including socks, in each. Then, in the morning I’m going to just grab and dress mah grrrl. I’m hoping that this solves two problems: 1) Getting in a laundry-doing groove again and 2) Taking one task I do everyday and getting it done faster once a week. I’ll let you know how it goes.

This Tuesday, my friend and I will be organizing the downstairs closet (if I don’t work). I’ll take before and after pictures, I promise. (Note: It’s so bad, I had to ask my friend, “How many scarves and hats are enough? How many do you really need?”)

TA is more than adorable, this kid is love and joy and sweetness all on two legs. She’s almost walking, and it is the most heart meltingly cute thing I’ve ever seen. Our lastest mommy and me activity is to blow raspberries at eachother. We find this immensely entertaining.

Other various stuffs:

My babette is coming along. I want to do a section a month, so section 2 will be up for your viewing pleasure soon.

I would like to start doing giveaways again, because those were such fun. Any ideas?

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