The Happiest Place on Earth

So, after teaching special education for half the year, substitute teaching Kindergarten through 5th grade the other half, and teaching a K-1 Special Education class this summer (lots of whining, tantrums, snot and bad food), let's just say...I'm feeling a little burnt and looking forward to a few weeks off before school starts back up in August. What am I going to do?

I'm going to Disneyland! Vacation destination for millions of screaming, crying, drooling, whining...but happy...children! Yeah for me!

I think Erik is right. I AM insane.

Random

Here's a picture taken in October 2005 in San Francisco. Yes, that is a skier. Some people thought it would be fun to dump a bunch of snow on Fillmore Street and have famous skiers and snowboarders do their thing. Only in San Francisco. (photo by Erik)

Sometimes, Mother Doesn't Know Best

I've done my best...I really have...to expose Erik to a world beyond Nintendo, sports and Guitar Hero. Trips to art and science museums, educational walks in nature, travel and visits to national landmarks. For some reason, he has become quite bored lately with these efforts to expand his mind. He does love music, though, and he's been playing the bass guitar for a year 1/2. He can listen to a song, pick out the bass notes and play without me needing ear plugs. The other day, he came home late (Erik is a "better to ask for forgiveness, than permission" sort of guy) because he decided to stop at the Guitar Center and buy himself an electric guitar. So, the kid likes music.

What better way to develop this love than to enroll him in a music camp? This has been met with great resistance. I just knew, if he gave it a try, he would like it. Wrong.

"How was camp today, honey?"

"Mom, I am never going back."

"What do you mean, honey? What did you do?"

"We clapped...in a circle. We had to draw a picture about how we felt after listening to Beethoven. We had snack! We had Nilla wafers for snack. And, I'm, like, the oldest kid there. My partner is 8 years old and into Pokemon."

I couldn't help myself, but I burst out laughing to the point of tears. Erik is 5'10, 140 pounds and needs to shave.

He continued, "All I could think was 'My mom is INsane!' I looked out the window, and my friends were playing dodgeball in the Strength & Conditioning class and I'm sitting with 8 year olds eating Nilla wafers."

Needless to say, Erik will be switching to the Strength & Conditioning camp tomorrow.

Motivation vs. Procrastination

What I lack in motivation, I more than make up for in procrastination. These two are in constant battle and it can be quite exhausting at times...which is why I usually give up and take a nap hoping that I can start over-a little more motivated- upon waking. This cycle repeats itself every weekend. Really, it's amazing I get anything done at all.

...and I Quote:

Seeing ourselves as others see us would probably confirm our worst suspicions about them.

~Franklin P. Adams

Flare for the Camera

I really, REALLY don't want to go to work today. What is up with that?

Procrastination

I don't want to go to work today. Plain and simple. I want to sit around naked, combing my hair while blogging. Actually, I want to play with my new Wacom tablet.

I did this piece by spreading loose graphite all over the paper, then drawing with the eraser...using a bit of charcoal here and there. It's a copy from another work and for the life of me, I can't remember the original artist. Some artist I am! Caroline? Anyone?

If Wishes Were Horses...

Sammy was a little grey Arab I bought in December of 2003. A girlhood dream finally realized. Sadly, he developed lymphoma and died in June 2004. One day, I might be ready for another horse, but right now I'm content with the memories of galloping bareback along the coast of California.

Something Fishy Going On

Foxtails

I HATE foxtails. They haven't been a problem for Roman since his coat is a natural repellent, but Tikka has such fine hair...she's a magnet for them! So, yesterday she got a haircut. See her before picture to the right.

She's soft as a lamb and looks like a puppy!

Utopia Exists

Contrary to Caroline's belief, there is, indeed, a Utopia. It's different for everyone, and sometimes changes throughout a lifetime. The thing is, it is a state of being and it's not always constant. Sometimes, we must suffer. It sucks. I used to have a quote taped to my computer (can't remember who said it!)...it goes something like this: "Life is not about being dealt a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well."

So, there is sorrow in Utopia. Some may argue that this is not true Utopia...but I believe we can't have Utopia without it.

Kahil Gibran said it much better:

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked...

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find
it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

The Menagerie Continues to Grow

Meet Cobb and Stella...Amelanistic (red albino) Corn Snakes. I simply love snakes. Their beauty and misunderstood existence. We originally got these snakes to live in our classrooms, but I started having second thoughts since the snakes like to come out in the evenings for a bit of slithering while we watch TV. But, since Stella laid 6 eggs a few days ago, it seems we won't have a shortage of snakes to go around!