No. I’m Not Dead…

…but it sure can seem like it some times! Despite a severe lack of time, I still do long to Blog. Each day that has passed I have “thought” Blogs – if only I could get them from my head to the computer instantaneously. Even now I should be working, because I’m still way behind, but I must simply stop and move away from reality to the land of empty cyberspace.

There is absolutely no way to catch up so we must just move on from here. For instance, the greatest thing has come into our chaotic and busy middle/high school hallways this week and sparked an interest level that I wish I could see in my students (and myself) everyday. What is it you ask? AFRICA. Actually, it’s an African watering hole. No kidding, there is a real-time audio/video feed of some watering hole somewhere in Africa that has enthralled us all – at least most of us anyway. Everyday we hear birds and bugs of Africa chirping and squawking in the hallways (which is oddly more welcoming than the usual sounds we have). We have seen wildebeests grazing and drinking, monkeys moving about, and even a turtle lazily slumping off into this great watering hole. What an adventure! My daughter really doesn’t get it though. I sent her the link and she simply wasn’t that amused. My daughter usually “gets” this kind of stuff, so I find myself questioning the level of sanity among us all at school. Have we really come to this point? Are we so stressed out that finding moments of escape in an African watering hole has become a salvation to us? I’d prefer to think that we have really hit on something that stimulates our mind and our senses. Check out the
Link

But if you disagree, don’t bother to tell me about it –I prefer to remain in denial until the thrill wears off.

Today was one of those days. After being at work for half of the morning, I suddenly realized that I didn't have my purse. "Where could I have left it?" I thought aloud. So, I decided to pick up my cell phone and give my mom a call to see if I had left it at home.
Interjection: Okay, the truth is out. My kids and I are all living with my mother. Hmmm. Unfortunately, there's not much out there that a divorced private school teacher can afford, outside of the projects that is. Hence, we decided that living with dear ole mom was far better than living with the other choice.
Back to story:I would have placed that call to dear mom if I would have had my cell phone; sadly it was in my purse which was MIA. So I decided to call from my classroom. The phone rang, and rang, and rang some more. Perhaps mom has left the house, so I'll call her on her cell. Of course, that too would prove to be a difficult task because I can't dial a cell phone number out from my classroom phone. By now the bell had rung and classes were switching so I ran into the hall and borrowed a cell phone from one of my 11th grade students. Finally I have a way to get in touch with mom, find my purse, get to my phone, and ask her to kindly bring the cheese that I left in the fridge, all at the same time (today was my day to bring food for the teachers at lunch and cheese was an important topping). But alas, mom did not have her phone turned on. Now I'm thinking-her cell is turned off so that means she's home, but she won't answer the phone despite my countless calls and endless ringing, is she okay?! By now the bell has rung again and my 12th grade class is coming in for Sociology. I'm on the phone with my daughter in a conversation that goes something like this: "Could you take an early lunch and go by the house at eleven to check on your grandmother because she's not answering the phone and I'm concerned about her. By the way, if she's not dead (I said this in humor) could you please look for my purse and bring it, my cell, and the cheese out of the fridge for me?" My 12th graders are laughing by now. No sooner had a hung up the phone I looked up to see my mother walking into my class - holding my purse and my cell phone. I quickly called my daughter back, reported that grandmother was alive and I had everything I needed except for the cheese. Ahh yes, just another beautiful day in the neighborhood. I should charge my students admission into my classroom because their getting great entertainment for way too cheap! Oh, by the way, mom went and got the cheese for me and brought it to my classroom just as the bell rang again. Thanks for saving the day mom :) but I really need to teach you how to use the call waiting feature!!!