1. Ugly Betty
"Tap That"... Oh my goodness, I just about died laughing. What a great episode tonight. I'm glad there wasn't anything too emotional. A few weeks ago, Sarah actually screamed, "I can't handle this emotional rollercoaster!" But I noticed that Lost is going to be on next week instead of Ugly Betty! And I went on the website to see when it would be one next, and it said TBD!!! Why can't this writer's strike just get settled? First The Office, now Ugly Betty... just give the writers what they want! They deserve it!
2. History
I realized lately just how much I love to read about history. Not all history, just certain things, especially stuff that happened in Chicago or Illinois in general. I still haven't finished Sin in the Second City, but I'm about halfway through. I'm just slow when I read nonfiction. Also, I kind of took a break and have been reading from "Haunted Illinois." Not only is it a great guide to haunted places, but it really goes in depth about the history of places. Next, I need to start reading "Devil in the White City," which Nina lent to me months ago.
3. Algebra
I just started teaching my students algebra. They love it and I love it! It's all thanks to Danica McKellar's awesome book, "Math Doesn't Suck." I struggled so much with algebra, and I know I sucked at teaching it last year. But this book helped me see how simple it is to teach. And kids pick up on your attitude towards whatever your teaching, so my kids can tell I love algebra. They freaked out when I told them what we were starting, but now they go on and on about how easy it is. They're so proud of themselves.
4. Maniac Magee
I read this book to my kids last year, too. This is the third time I've read it, and I'm still not sick of it. This time around, I'm noticing how brilliant Jerry Spinelli is with figurative language since we've been learning about it in reading. I love that this book makes you think about what it would be like to be homeless as a kid. All those questions about where would you sleep, eat, shower, etc. are answered. Plus, it's just a really cool story about a boy who becomes a legend. We'll be finishing the book in class tomorrow.
5. Reading my Bible
I've been reading my Bible every night before I go to bed, and I'm just loving it. I tried to do this so many times in the past, and it always became a big chore, and then I felt guilty about it being a chore, so then I stopped doing it, and then I felt guilty about not doing it. But this time around, I actually look forward to it. I am currently reading Romans and Numbers (as some of you could tell by that theology question I emailed this morning... which, by the way, is still on my mind). I really do feel like I'm more conscious of my words and actions, and God is more a part of the minute-to-minute boringness of my everyday life. It's perfect for bedtime because I fall asleep pondering deep thoughts. Like what Rob Bell was talking about in a recent sermon- when Moses asked to see God's face, and God only let him see His back, it wasn't actually His back; it was where He'd just been. And that's still true today. We don't actually see God's face, but we can always see where He's just been.
6. The possibility of hot water
There is a giant hole in my bathroom wall. The plumbers were here today and will be back tomorrow. There might be a simple way to do things. Otherwise, it's going to be complicated and take a long time. Let's hope I get a hot bath soon!
7. Planning vacations
When I am bored or stressed, I plan. I am soooo excited for Disney World in two months. (Although after reading in "Irresistible Revolution" that Disney is a huge abuser of human rights with sweatshops in Haiti and Cambodia, I'm very upset.) Disney World is my favorite place in the world. I'm having so much fun planning what we will do, where we will eat, etc. I have always loved planning trips and making itineraries. I actually remember doing that on Disney trips even when I was little. I'm just a planner, although I don't always stick to my itinerary. Anyway, I'm running out of things to plan for my Disney trip, so now I'm working on another trip- Alton, IL! Yes, I know it sounds stupid. But this town sounds so cool. It's on the Mississippi near St. Louis. There is an Underground Railroad tour (Alton was a major stop; I'm really excited to go in tunnels and stuff) a waterpark, a Lewis and Clark historic site (it's where their journey started), a ghost tour, hiking, wineries, and archaeological sites. It's all my favorite things in one trip! I am going for a weekend in June, even if I can't find anyone to go with me.
"Tap That"... Oh my goodness, I just about died laughing. What a great episode tonight. I'm glad there wasn't anything too emotional. A few weeks ago, Sarah actually screamed, "I can't handle this emotional rollercoaster!" But I noticed that Lost is going to be on next week instead of Ugly Betty! And I went on the website to see when it would be one next, and it said TBD!!! Why can't this writer's strike just get settled? First The Office, now Ugly Betty... just give the writers what they want! They deserve it!2. History
I realized lately just how much I love to read about history. Not all history, just certain things, especially stuff that happened in Chicago or Illinois in general. I still haven't finished Sin in the Second City, but I'm about halfway through. I'm just slow when I read nonfiction. Also, I kind of took a break and have been reading from "Haunted Illinois." Not only is it a great guide to haunted places, but it really goes in depth about the history of places. Next, I need to start reading "Devil in the White City," which Nina lent to me months ago.3. Algebra
I just started teaching my students algebra. They love it and I love it! It's all thanks to Danica McKellar's awesome book, "Math Doesn't Suck." I struggled so much with algebra, and I know I sucked at teaching it last year. But this book helped me see how simple it is to teach. And kids pick up on your attitude towards whatever your teaching, so my kids can tell I love algebra. They freaked out when I told them what we were starting, but now they go on and on about how easy it is. They're so proud of themselves.
4. Maniac Magee
I read this book to my kids last year, too. This is the third time I've read it, and I'm still not sick of it. This time around, I'm noticing how brilliant Jerry Spinelli is with figurative language since we've been learning about it in reading. I love that this book makes you think about what it would be like to be homeless as a kid. All those questions about where would you sleep, eat, shower, etc. are answered. Plus, it's just a really cool story about a boy who becomes a legend. We'll be finishing the book in class tomorrow.
5. Reading my Bible
I've been reading my Bible every night before I go to bed, and I'm just loving it. I tried to do this so many times in the past, and it always became a big chore, and then I felt guilty about it being a chore, so then I stopped doing it, and then I felt guilty about not doing it. But this time around, I actually look forward to it. I am currently reading Romans and Numbers (as some of you could tell by that theology question I emailed this morning... which, by the way, is still on my mind). I really do feel like I'm more conscious of my words and actions, and God is more a part of the minute-to-minute boringness of my everyday life. It's perfect for bedtime because I fall asleep pondering deep thoughts. Like what Rob Bell was talking about in a recent sermon- when Moses asked to see God's face, and God only let him see His back, it wasn't actually His back; it was where He'd just been. And that's still true today. We don't actually see God's face, but we can always see where He's just been.
6. The possibility of hot water
There is a giant hole in my bathroom wall. The plumbers were here today and will be back tomorrow. There might be a simple way to do things. Otherwise, it's going to be complicated and take a long time. Let's hope I get a hot bath soon!
7. Planning vacations
When I am bored or stressed, I plan. I am soooo excited for Disney World in two months. (Although after reading in "Irresistible Revolution" that Disney is a huge abuser of human rights with sweatshops in Haiti and Cambodia, I'm very upset.) Disney World is my favorite place in the world. I'm having so much fun planning what we will do, where we will eat, etc. I have always loved planning trips and making itineraries. I actually remember doing that on Disney trips even when I was little. I'm just a planner, although I don't always stick to my itinerary. Anyway, I'm running out of things to plan for my Disney trip, so now I'm working on another trip- Alton, IL! Yes, I know it sounds stupid. But this town sounds so cool. It's on the Mississippi near St. Louis. There is an Underground Railroad tour (Alton was a major stop; I'm really excited to go in tunnels and stuff) a waterpark, a Lewis and Clark historic site (it's where their journey started), a ghost tour, hiking, wineries, and archaeological sites. It's all my favorite things in one trip! I am going for a weekend in June, even if I can't find anyone to go with me.
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