Today's Funny

This hilarious drawing is courtesy of Patrick Moberg and you can find his work at http://www.patrickmoberg.com/

Oye Vay!

The first week of school is over. Thank God! I only really worked 4 days and can I tell you, I feel like it is June or something? The Gods (or devils) must have it out for me.
1. I have two sections of journalism, but half of the kids in both sections are in it, "because my counselor just put me in it. I didn't sign up for it." <---what is that about?
2. I can see that Yearbook is going to get on my nerves. But it isn't for the reason that you may think. Let's see: Staff, check. Staff that wants to actually be in Yearbook, check. Theme chosen, check. DSL's chosen, check. Cover designed, check. Advertisement posters ideas pitched and posters created, check. Ladder completed, check. Faculty photo notifications written and distributed, check. Lab to send, upload and begin building book....ummmm.....Grrrr. Our Master Scheduler (I am using master very loosely) seems to get dumber with the passing of each school year. Check this. He scheduled both Yearbook and Newspaper during the same period in the same lab. That wouldn't be so bad if we had enough computers for everyone. But we only have software licenses for 10 computers...I have 14 kids in Yearbook alone! The poor Newspaper teacher hasn't stopped laughing.
3. My new Literature kids are very chatty and rather immature. The summer assignments I received from them are abysmally sad looking. I can't bring myself to even read them.
4. My principal and one of my AP's have managed to stop by everyday this week. I guess they are making up for the past 10 years that they hadn't stopped by (even when I begged them to) and getting a few in for this year also.
5. I met my student teacher. She seems nice. She has painted on eyebrows. It is kinda odd looking.

I need a very large glass of wine. I will have one after my long run tomorrow.

Big Up fi mi Countryman!

The footage from Beijing's Birds Nest has been off the hook! That is all!

I've Superiorly Performed...

and I got a very stylish, 8x10 inch wooden placard and a letter to prove it! Walsworth (the company that publishes my yearbook) sent it to me during the summer. I got it today at school, along with all of my other summer mail. Being the suspicious person that I am, I asked around if everyone gets such a nice placard at the end of a publishing season. I was pleasantly surprised when I was told no. My rookie year wasn't all bad. Along with a bigger, better, and profit making book, I'd like to get another placard for my sophomore year.

So you asked (I know you did, so I am just answering) what did I do (exactly) to get such recognition. The answer (hold on to something, this one is big): I turned in everything...on time. LOL!

Speaking of superior performance. I am now up to 15 miles on my long runs. I have also past the 50% mark on my fundraising goal.

Mi Free Paypah Bun

is a Jamaican expression that means (roughly), "time is up". My time ran out at precisely 1 pm today when I had to report to The Professional Development Center to be professionally developed. I guess I should be grateful. I was able to make my grocery list, my Office Depot list, my weekend 'to do' list, and my 'once I report to school, I have to do' list. At least I feel like I am organized to begin my 15th school year.

Sigh....my summer is over.

Locals Makes History

Congrats to Michael, Katie, Principal Debbie and the entire staff at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. I know that there is magic in those lanes.

A Family Affair

This past weekend I was an invited guest at the Wilkins Family Reunion in Kansas City, Kansas (yes, I wrote Kansas). What a great time. I laughed plenty. Drank Plenty (although not as much as the members of the Wilkins Family). Ate plenty (OK, I am now a Kansas BBQ convert). Took hundreds of pictures (I can't wait to upload them into the digital picture frame).

When I boarded my Delta flight to come home I left Kansas City, Kansas with the warm fuzzies that you get after getting a hug from your own mom and/or dad. Or, the hug you remembered from grandma or grandpa. I left with the renewed understanding and appreciation that life is all about family. Indeed.

Thanks Michael David.

Liberdade

In Portuguese it means "freedom". Liberdade (pronounced: Li-ber-dad-gee) is in Sao Paulo, Brazil and it is the largest Japanese community (in the world) outside of Japan. It reminds me of Chinatown in DC and New York. I really got mixed up, however, because everything was in Japanese and Portuguese (oh boy). Thank God I am great at pointing and nodding 'yes' and 'no'. I also think I have a nice smile.

I went to Liberdade at my hosts suggestion. They know that I am into street markets (of all kinds). Liberdade closes its main street on Saturdays and Sundays and holds a street market. Vendors sell until whatever they have (everything from fresh fruit, jewelry to kabobs) is all gone.

On a funny note....

I didn't venture inside to see if the #1 was the same. The line was much to long.