Hula Hoopers Crossing

When leaving from Jazz in June this past Tuesday, this sign caught my eye:

Humor is alive and well at UNL.

Friday Randomness

1.  I didn't technically have to teach anything today, which was a great way to spend a Friday.  My media specialist taught the writing lesson, and during reading time, our counselor and special education teacher provided students with a simulation of what life is like for students with autism.  Both lessons were phenomenal.

2.  Today was the first day of the week that I didn't take a nap.  The first full week after Winter Break is always really hard on teachers. 

3.  The first week back from Winter Break is hard on students, too.  Which is probably why I had to write five referrals today.

4.  It started snowing for a while today, and it is expected to snow a bunch more this weekend.  Because I hate grocery shopping when there is snow/ice on the ground, I had to go to Wal-Mart during rush hour, which I normally try to avoid at all costs.

5.  My phone is not smart, but there have been lots of rumors lately that Verizon is picking up the iPhone very soon.  I want one really badly.  And I think I've made the mental commitment to go through with the purchase should one actually come out.

6.  Tonight, Ashley and Jeremy invited me over for omlettes and hash browns.  For dessert, Jeremy made brownies from scratch.

7.  Despite the fact that Jeremy made homemade brownies, Ashley, Kelli, and I decided to go get dessert from Dairy Queen.  Why?  I don't know.

8.  After eating our snacks, we decided to play some Mario Kart on the Wii.  I do not own such a device, and I don't get many opportunities to practice.

For the first two tracks, I didn't make it past the starting line, as I somehow got myself turned around so that I was driving toward myself, necessitating that I move the Wiimote in the opposite direction of the way I actually wanted to go.  My friends eventually helped me figure out my problem, but, needless to say, I spent most of the night in 12th place.

Lesson of the night:  After you have selected your character and kart of choice, do not push the "A" button.  Doing so really messes up your intentions to drive toward the finish line.

9.  The above pictures of Jeremy and Ashley were taken with my new camera.  Can you tell a difference?  So far, I definitely think that 14.2 megapixels is better than 5.  Time will tell.

10.  It is way past my bedtime, but I have an all-day meeting tomorrow for which I am ill-prepared.  Instead of figuring out what I need to do, I have chosen to write this meaningless list.

You're welcome.

Don't Get Stuck on an Escalator

Have you seen this video?  If not, watch it.  It'll only take two minutes and three seconds of your time.



This video has turned into one of my most popular classroom catchphrases.  As of late, I've said to a student, "Don't get yourself stuck on an escalator" more times than I can count.

Here are some examples of behaviors that students were exhibiting that caused me to feed them my new favorite line:

1.  A student not doing work because they don't have a pencil.
In my district, we are required to provide all school supplies to all students; so, in my room, I have boxes of pencils for the taking.  They don't even have to ask for one.  The pencils are easily accessible and located in different places throughout the room.  Therefore, when students don't have a pencil, it's because they don't want to get up to get one.

2.  A student not doing work because the pencil they have isn't sharpened.
There are multiple pencil sharpeners in my room.   I'm not even a you-must-raise-your-hand-to-get-out-of-your-seat kind of teacher.  I have always told students that if they need something to just go get it.  The only circumstance that requires permission is leaving the room.  Other than that, they are free to access anything.  Therefore, this situation is also one that occurs simply because a student doesn't want to get up to sharpen it.

3.  A student letting an assignment go missing for multiple weeks because they didn't understand what to do.
I am perfectly willing to admit that part of this could have been my fault.  Perhaps I didn't explain directions well enough.  I am really intentional, however, about asking for questions after I give directions.  Now, maybe the assignment was taken home and then the questions came up.  Fine.  But ask a sibling, ask a parent, call/text/e-mail/Facebook a classmate and ask for help.  Or, bring it back the next day and ask the person who is in charge of grading it.  Don't let it sit idle in a folder for three weeks.

Anyway, I was inspired to write this post because of an incident that happened this weekend in which I ended up saying this phrase out loud to myself.

On Saturday morning, I was enjoying my morning shower when, all of a sudden, the shower head came flying off and landed in the tub before I had even lathered up the shampoo.  I turned off the water and put the shower head back on, but as soon as I turned on the water, the shower head flew off again.  When I put on my glasses to further examine the situation, I realized that the attachment thingy was broken.

I'm fairly sure that "attachment thingy" is not a technical plumbing term, but it's the best that I can do.

Anyway, this is were I got kind of stuck on the escalator.

Here are the solutions that I came up with in order of occurrence:

1.  Forego the shower.  Go to class a little bit dirty and buy a new showerhead later.
2.  Go to Wal-Mart really quickly and take the fastest shower of my life in order to get to class on time.
3.  Wash my hair in the sink and use lots of perfume.
4.  Go to Wal-Mart really quickly and take a normal shower.  Then, call my really awesome professor and explain why I'll be a bit late to class.
5.  Go to a friend's house (who lives on my way to Doane) to shower and get ready.

In this situation, I differed slightly from my students in that I at least attempted to come up with some solutions to my problem.  I weighed pros and cons and was ready to take action.  They, on the other hand, mostly just sit idly.

After quickly brainstorming the aforementioned list, I decided to go with the 6th solution:

Take a bath.

No, my bath tub is not this nice.  But, hey, a girl can dream, right?

I laughed out loud at myself for taking that long to come up with such an obvious solution.  In my defense, however, it's been a long time since I've taken a bath.  I'm thinking middle school was the last time, and that was literally half of my life ago.  That said, there is no good excuse for not coming up with that solution sooner.

Anyway, the crisis was averted, and I made it to class on time.  I even had time to stop at McDonald's for a mocha frappe.

My Day

My day started out with a pretty awesome event...

I was listening to the radio as I was getting ready for work just as I always do.  They mentioned something about giving away Dave Matthews tickets before 7:00.

I very much enjoy listening to Dave Matthews Band, but I've seen him in concert before.  It was a great concert, don't get me wrong, but I was somewhat indifferent about seeing him again.  At about 6:45, the time came for the tickets to be given away.

I called in.

I was the first caller to get through.

They told me that I would need to play a game called, "Know the Show," where they would read statements which I would need to attribute to either of the hosts (Matt or Lindsay) or to the Dave Matthews Band.  I agreed to play.  After all, I do know the show.  I listen faithfully every day.

"Can you hold, please?"  they asked.

Sure, I can hold.  You're about to give me free concert tickets.  I'll hold as long as I need to.

While on hold, I started shaking a bit.  I did not want to make a fool of myself by not being able to answer the questions, so I got really nervous thinking about who might be listening to me floundering on live radio.

Thankfully, the questions were easy, and I correctly answered all five of them.

Thus, I'm going to the Dave Matthews Band concert on Tuesday!

Yes, it's a school night.  The great thing is, I don't have to go to school on Wednesday.  I'm going to a training for people who will be teaching Health class.  Training doesn't start until 8:00, so I get to sleep in an extra hour!  It's working out perfectly.

This evening, however, something weird happened to me.

Pizza Hut called on my home phone line.  They told me that my pizza was ready and they wanted to know if I was coming to pick it up or if I wanted it delivered.  The thing is, I didn't order pizza.

I asked them if they were sure they had the right number.  They were sure.

I asked them for the name associated with the order.  They said, "Allysa."

It's not April Fool's Day.

I don't think I am on some TV show that pranks people. 

I am stumped.

I don't even give out my home number, so I have no idea how this happened.  Also, I now fear that I am going to appear on some sort of Pizza Hut watch list.  I don't order Pizza Hut pizza very often, but should I decide to, I don't want them to think that I am not trustworthy.

In conclusion, today has been a good day.  Yay for free Dave Matthews Band concert tickets!  Boo for pranks and maybe ending up on a Pizza Hut watch list.

Happy weekend!