Whoda Thunk It

I've always been convinced that elementary is the level I was meant to teach. I'm certified K-12, but my entire teaching career has been at the elementary level (and most of that in the primary grades).

This semester, however, due to budget cuts, schedule constraints, and one of the secondary teachers needing an extra prep period, I've been teaching one period of junior high reading.

Yes, that's right. Junior high. The redheaded stepchild of school leveling. That age that everyone wishes their kids would just skip over on their way to adulthood. Puberty at its finest. Attitude and laziness and sarcasm.

And I kind of enjoy it. Sick, huh?

In some ways, it's more difficult than teaching the wee ones. In others, it's easier. The workload kind of balances out. But I kind of enjoy the specific challenges that teaching those in-between ages presents. Maybe it's just the newness of it all, but I honestly find myself looking forward to seventh period. They're loud, hormone-y, and slightly awkward. I have to say things like, "Please don't fart and waft it intentionally at your neighbor." I have to answer questions like, "If number one is pee and number two is anaq (poop), what's number three?" I supervise boys and girls whose idea of coy flirtation is throwing mechanical pencils at each others' heads.

In a sick, sadistic kind of way, it's a lot of fun.

Yes, Yes, and Yes

I like what this guy has to say about Palin, Alaska, and where the two do and don't intersect. We're talking about a state that still lacks basic infrastructure in many places. A state where my husband (who is a highly intelligent and capable person, but has ZERO I.T. training) is a village's "guy who really knows computers, you should ask him." A state where thousands of women can't remain at home past the 36th week of their pregnancies because their communities lack sufficient health care facilities and professionals.

I get the "Alaskan Mystique." I really do. But the reality just doesn't match up with what Palin's trying to capitalize on.

In Case he Forgets who he Is...

I made the bracelet (in manly colors, of course) for him before he was born, but it was too big for him at birth. I just got around to putting it on him today at lunch!

I... No Words. I Have no Words

Pet Yarn Chic.

And then there are some finished products here.

I love knitting, I love my dog. But... no. No. No. No. A thousand times no. I guess I shouldn't judge, but no.