I really miss my chauffeur - it's awesome that Bob takes me to and from school when he's home. Oh well, gotta get up a little earlier...
Today was peer edit day. Student feedback on my new method was totally positive -- they loved the class time and validation of their work for the composition. I know some of my slackers who normally would have had a minimal paper (if any) used their time wisely and brought in a full draft - yay!
I have a massage at 4PM - yay again! Tomorrow I MUST update grades for interims. I also need to create a new key for my final exam, complete with standards -- yuck!!! Thanks to last year's coordinator for losing my key...grrrrr. But -- I just asked my department chair if he had saved the correspondence from last year, and HE HAD!!!!!! Sweet.
Monday, February 27, 2012
February 26, 2012
Bob left this morning for parts unknown...boo hoo!! I watched the last episode of Season 2 of White Collar -- so good!!!
Frank is singing in a concert this afternoon, so I'll be getting ready in a few minutes to head over to the local Lutheran church...
After the concert, Frank and I went to the Pizza Pub for dinner, and then I watched about 2/3 of the Academy Awards - no surprises, darn it! I would have liked to see Viola Davis win although I also love Meryl Streep...
Bed at about 10:30 - no reading tonight -- too tired.
Frank is singing in a concert this afternoon, so I'll be getting ready in a few minutes to head over to the local Lutheran church...
After the concert, Frank and I went to the Pizza Pub for dinner, and then I watched about 2/3 of the Academy Awards - no surprises, darn it! I would have liked to see Viola Davis win although I also love Meryl Streep...
Bed at about 10:30 - no reading tonight -- too tired.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
February 24, 2012
Today is Ingo Beckmerhagen's birthday - sent him an email yesterday so that I didn't forget.
This week flew by: 4 days + Cyrano projects due = no blog MATH ACROSS THE CURRICULUM!!
The kids really rose to the challenge of baking difficult French breads and desserts; all dishes were spectacular.
I need to remember to keep the same timing next year: project due Wed after President's weekend, rough draft of Cyrano comp due the following Monday. The food was due over three days; during the rest of the period, the students worked on their embedding and outlines for the Cyrano/Doll's House comp.
Bob and I went to Stella Blu for dinner. We planned to sit at a table, but the bar deal was just too good - $5 wine and half price small plates. We shared a cheese plate,
drizzled with balsamic vinegar, scallops and polenta , and lamb lollipops - so good!
Then we drove back in the rain and rush hour from Conshohocken and watched some White Collars....
Bed at 9ish....
I finished Death Comes to Pemberley!
This week flew by: 4 days + Cyrano projects due = no blog MATH ACROSS THE CURRICULUM!!
The kids really rose to the challenge of baking difficult French breads and desserts; all dishes were spectacular.
I need to remember to keep the same timing next year: project due Wed after President's weekend, rough draft of Cyrano comp due the following Monday. The food was due over three days; during the rest of the period, the students worked on their embedding and outlines for the Cyrano/Doll's House comp.
Bob and I went to Stella Blu for dinner. We planned to sit at a table, but the bar deal was just too good - $5 wine and half price small plates. We shared a cheese plate,
drizzled with balsamic vinegar, scallops and polenta , and lamb lollipops - so good!
Then we drove back in the rain and rush hour from Conshohocken and watched some White Collars....
Bed at 9ish....
I finished Death Comes to Pemberley!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
February 18, 2012
I slept until 7ish - nice! We got up, Bob exercised while I did two crossword puzzles and read part of the paper, and then we sat on the side porch for a few hours reading the rest of the paper. I also worked on trying to upload pictures to the blog, but they still come in sideways...so weird and frustrating. I also did some Wii exercises later in the day, and we watched some White Collar. I actually COOKED DINNER!! We had bratwurst and pierogies, a classic from back when the boys were home.
It's 8:45, and I'm ready to read for a while before going to sleep.
It's 8:45, and I'm ready to read for a while before going to sleep.
February 17, 2012
Today was an in-service day, and not too bad of a day, all things considered. We had to sign up for 3 sessions in the morning, so I signed up for AP, reading, and technology workshops. The AP and the technology were really interesting, the reading just new vocabulary for the same old stuff. During the lunch break, I went back to HH Gregg and bought a refrigerator, which should be delivered on Monday. The afternoon was devoted to working on our final exams. The PLC I'm in works really hard, and so we got a lot accomplished.
By the time I got home, Bob was back for his week at home - yay! We went to El Sarape for dinner and then came back and watched White Collar - Bob really likes it, so we have another fun show to watch together...
By the time I got home, Bob was back for his week at home - yay! We went to El Sarape for dinner and then came back and watched White Collar - Bob really likes it, so we have another fun show to watch together...
Thursday, February 16, 2012
February 16, 2012
And how time does fly - if I don't post early in the morning, I'm too tired to post before I go to bed.
Anyway, Valentine's Day is the saddest day of the year for Cassel women and partners, so I had nothing for that "special" day except that Frank came for dinner before his choir rehearsal - Happy Valentine's Day, poor Chris!
In class I introduced Catcher, and they had their first reading due yesterday. It's so fun to see their reponses when we discuss the novel for the first time! I also went over embedding rules for plays - different than those for novels.
Today the kids worked on embedding quotes into their sentences so that I could see that they knew what they were doing - thank goodness for (crappy) computers in the classroom.
There's a school-wide happy hour after school today, so I'm heading over there. Tomorrow is an in-service day -- yawn.
Anyway, Valentine's Day is the saddest day of the year for Cassel women and partners, so I had nothing for that "special" day except that Frank came for dinner before his choir rehearsal - Happy Valentine's Day, poor Chris!
In class I introduced Catcher, and they had their first reading due yesterday. It's so fun to see their reponses when we discuss the novel for the first time! I also went over embedding rules for plays - different than those for novels.
Today the kids worked on embedding quotes into their sentences so that I could see that they knew what they were doing - thank goodness for (crappy) computers in the classroom.
There's a school-wide happy hour after school today, so I'm heading over there. Tomorrow is an in-service day -- yawn.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
February 13, 2012
It was a good Monday - kids were finishing up their prewriting, and tomorrow they present. We also start Catcher in the Rye, which is the basis for their literary critical paper.
After school, I scouted out refrigerators and found one that I liked - will probably go back on Thursday to buy it.
Watched most of Downton Abbey - it was 2 hours this week!!
Gotta stop eating cheese - it cuts into my point count!
Still reading Death Comes to Pemberley.
After school, I scouted out refrigerators and found one that I liked - will probably go back on Thursday to buy it.
Watched most of Downton Abbey - it was 2 hours this week!!
Gotta stop eating cheese - it cuts into my point count!
Still reading Death Comes to Pemberley.
Monday, February 13, 2012
February 12, 2012
A Busy Day!
I woke up before 7, took a shower, made some coffee, and settled into my very comfortable sofa chaise to read the paper and do the crossword puzzle. It was way too cold to sit on the side porch - :(
I was finished with the paper before 10, so I decided to visit Dad in the morning rather than the afternoon. He was in pretty good spirits, and we looked at some old pictures, which he seemed to like doing. Then it was my usual stop at Fresh Market for some coffee to take home.
I called Tom and Martina to wish Yannik a happy birthday. I sang the birthday song, and he said danke - I needed prompting to remember the response, and when I said bitte schoen, he repeated it so cutely!!
I also had a busy facebook day - I had posted some old pictures of Frank and of Ali, and there were many responses back and forth - fun!! I watched some White Collar and then went to dinner at Parc Bistro with Frank. We both wanted to eat light but ended up with a Kobe burger - oh, well...
Then we went to St. John's in Lansdale to a sing along Messiah. It was fun, but I really don't know a lot of the choral pieces, so I was doing SO MUCH sight reading.
I got home at 9 and went straight to bed.
Still reading Death Comes to Pemberley.
I woke up before 7, took a shower, made some coffee, and settled into my very comfortable sofa chaise to read the paper and do the crossword puzzle. It was way too cold to sit on the side porch - :(
I was finished with the paper before 10, so I decided to visit Dad in the morning rather than the afternoon. He was in pretty good spirits, and we looked at some old pictures, which he seemed to like doing. Then it was my usual stop at Fresh Market for some coffee to take home.
I called Tom and Martina to wish Yannik a happy birthday. I sang the birthday song, and he said danke - I needed prompting to remember the response, and when I said bitte schoen, he repeated it so cutely!!
I also had a busy facebook day - I had posted some old pictures of Frank and of Ali, and there were many responses back and forth - fun!! I watched some White Collar and then went to dinner at Parc Bistro with Frank. We both wanted to eat light but ended up with a Kobe burger - oh, well...
Then we went to St. John's in Lansdale to a sing along Messiah. It was fun, but I really don't know a lot of the choral pieces, so I was doing SO MUCH sight reading.
I got home at 9 and went straight to bed.
Still reading Death Comes to Pemberley.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
February 11, 2012
Sometimes whole days get away from me -- I guess that's a good thing sometimes...
Yesterday I took a half day and went to the annual lunch of former Criminal Rules Committee people - there's just 5 of us. It's always a really fun time, and we exchange Christmas gifts. They're really good gift-givers! We went to Stella Blu in Conshohocken for lunch - great food. I'm adding it to my list of places to take Bob.
I left the restaurant at around 3, went home, dropped off my leftovers, and went to Ambler for a drinks with some of the present and retired English teachers. That event, too, was really fun - I got to talk to some colleagues that I hardly ever see at school. We were celebrating Nancy's upcoming birthday.
Then Nancy, Beth, and I went to Shanachie's for dinner. By that time, I was pretty tired and still sorta full from lunch, so I ordered a sausage sandwich and just ate the sausage with a side of water...pathetic. Nancy really enjoyed her presents, I think!
Today I woke up at 4:30AM and finished Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George, which, after solving the main mystery, ended with sort of a cliff-hanger for one of the characters. I do love these books! I was able to go back to sleep after finishing the book and got about another hour or so of sleep - yay. It was snowing in the morning, but by mid-afternoon all the snow was gone...it's called sublimation!
I spent a few hours this afternoon looking through my picture albums for specific pictures for an upcoming event. I posted a few on Facebook just for fun. I also caught up on Merlin and watched the Brad Pitt episode of Inside the Actors Studio -- the man is beyond adorable.
Watched some White Collar..
I guess I'll start Death Comes to Pemberley...
Yesterday I took a half day and went to the annual lunch of former Criminal Rules Committee people - there's just 5 of us. It's always a really fun time, and we exchange Christmas gifts. They're really good gift-givers! We went to Stella Blu in Conshohocken for lunch - great food. I'm adding it to my list of places to take Bob.
I left the restaurant at around 3, went home, dropped off my leftovers, and went to Ambler for a drinks with some of the present and retired English teachers. That event, too, was really fun - I got to talk to some colleagues that I hardly ever see at school. We were celebrating Nancy's upcoming birthday.
Then Nancy, Beth, and I went to Shanachie's for dinner. By that time, I was pretty tired and still sorta full from lunch, so I ordered a sausage sandwich and just ate the sausage with a side of water...pathetic. Nancy really enjoyed her presents, I think!
Today I woke up at 4:30AM and finished Believing the Lie by Elizabeth George, which, after solving the main mystery, ended with sort of a cliff-hanger for one of the characters. I do love these books! I was able to go back to sleep after finishing the book and got about another hour or so of sleep - yay. It was snowing in the morning, but by mid-afternoon all the snow was gone...it's called sublimation!
I spent a few hours this afternoon looking through my picture albums for specific pictures for an upcoming event. I posted a few on Facebook just for fun. I also caught up on Merlin and watched the Brad Pitt episode of Inside the Actors Studio -- the man is beyond adorable.
Watched some White Collar..
I guess I'll start Death Comes to Pemberley...
Friday, February 10, 2012
February 9, 2012
The prewriting group work on the Cyrano/Doll's House composition went so well today - the kids were really into it!
This afternoon I have to check the presents for tomorrow's lunch and dinner; if I need wrapping paper, etc., I'll go back out and get everything ready for tomorrow.
I checked, and I have everything I need except for a white ribbon - will get that tomorrow.
Breakfast/lunch - 11 pt.
Dinner - 8
Snack - 5
Beverages - 2
I'm about 70% through the Inspector Lynley novel...
This afternoon I have to check the presents for tomorrow's lunch and dinner; if I need wrapping paper, etc., I'll go back out and get everything ready for tomorrow.
I checked, and I have everything I need except for a white ribbon - will get that tomorrow.
Breakfast/lunch - 11 pt.
Dinner - 8
Snack - 5
Beverages - 2
I'm about 70% through the Inspector Lynley novel...
Thursday, February 9, 2012
February 8, 2012
Today I awoke one minute before the alarm went off - and I feel pretty good today. Yesterday, for some reason, I was really tired.
Today the students took a quiz on "Federigo's Falcon" -- too many of them bombed it because they just forgot to read or something. I was a little ticked off....
We also started the prewriting for the next composition. Tomorrow will be devoted to the group work, and then Friday they'll watch a little more of Roxanne.
Breakfast/lunch - 11 pts.
Dinner - leftover shrimp risotto
Snacks - chocolate, bread
Beverages - coffee, coconut water
Still slogging through an adventure with Inspector Lynley...
Today the students took a quiz on "Federigo's Falcon" -- too many of them bombed it because they just forgot to read or something. I was a little ticked off....
We also started the prewriting for the next composition. Tomorrow will be devoted to the group work, and then Friday they'll watch a little more of Roxanne.
Breakfast/lunch - 11 pts.
Dinner - leftover shrimp risotto
Snacks - chocolate, bread
Beverages - coffee, coconut water
Still slogging through an adventure with Inspector Lynley...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
February 7, 2012
Yesterday I just didn't get online to blog...
I totally missed the fact that today is Charles Dickens' birthday.
Today we finished reading Cyrano in class. I returned some papers and finalized the project entries for my classes.
Breakfast/lunch: 11pts
Dinner: Indian food from Costco
Snack: cheese and crackers
I totally missed the fact that today is Charles Dickens' birthday.
Today we finished reading Cyrano in class. I returned some papers and finalized the project entries for my classes.
Breakfast/lunch: 11pts
Dinner: Indian food from Costco
Snack: cheese and crackers
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Day Two - NYC
I was awake by 6am, so I slowly got up and got ready for the day. I went to the tenth floor and had some fresh coffee. Packing was a breeze: this time I made sure that I remembered my charger! After checking out, I got my car and drove to 7th Ave and Barrow. Parking there makes it easier to get out of town via the Holland Tunnel. Boy, am I getting good at this!
We had a mini-breakfast for the kids when the Arandas arrived, and then we played on many pieces of playground equipment!
I left around 11AM while the kids were still running around the fountain in Washington Square - a great morning!
Home again, home again: unpacked and ready to watch a teeny bit of the Super Bowl...
We had a mini-breakfast for the kids when the Arandas arrived, and then we played on many pieces of playground equipment!
I left around 11AM while the kids were still running around the fountain in Washington Square - a great morning!
Home again, home again: unpacked and ready to watch a teeny bit of the Super Bowl...
Saturday, February 4, 2012
New York, New York...
Decided to come up for a night - found a decent rate at the Marcel. I drove up and parked at a garage right around the corner from the hotel. I was able to check in right away, so I hung up my super-cool suitcase insert and set out for Union Square Cafe.
There's a story about this place. Back in the '80s when Lynne and I came to NYC annually in December, we ate here twice, but both times it was after an evening with her cooking friends (gay couple-one of them was a former Episcopal priest). Needless to say, we were so hung over that we never really enjoyed our meals...
So here I am today trying out the bar! I ordered a porchetta sandwich on the bartender's recommendation. It was delicious! Now on to a banana tart with Macadamia nuts and honey - so good!
After lunch I went to Macy's and bought a coat - then I gave the coat I wore initially (I discovered it had a big unfixable hole in the lining as I was getting ready to leave for NYC) to a guy who promised he'd give it to a homeless person. Then I walked to Lord and Taylor and then back to my hotel.
I met Swanna and Sarah at the House in Gramercy. We talked, texted Will, talked some more, ate, and drank. So much fun!
Am now having a Bailey's before bed - one bartender looks like Uncle Fester and the other looks like a folk rock/grunge kind of guy - interesting!!
There's a story about this place. Back in the '80s when Lynne and I came to NYC annually in December, we ate here twice, but both times it was after an evening with her cooking friends (gay couple-one of them was a former Episcopal priest). Needless to say, we were so hung over that we never really enjoyed our meals...
So here I am today trying out the bar! I ordered a porchetta sandwich on the bartender's recommendation. It was delicious! Now on to a banana tart with Macadamia nuts and honey - so good!
After lunch I went to Macy's and bought a coat - then I gave the coat I wore initially (I discovered it had a big unfixable hole in the lining as I was getting ready to leave for NYC) to a guy who promised he'd give it to a homeless person. Then I walked to Lord and Taylor and then back to my hotel.
I met Swanna and Sarah at the House in Gramercy. We talked, texted Will, talked some more, ate, and drank. So much fun!
Am now having a Bailey's before bed - one bartender looks like Uncle Fester and the other looks like a folk rock/grunge kind of guy - interesting!!
Friday, February 3, 2012
February 3, 2012
Another vocab Friday - quiz and then reading Act IV until the end of the period.
B/L -- 11 pt
Beverages -- 6 pt
Dinner -- who knows... had a nice meal at Washington House with Nancy.
B/L -- 11 pt
Beverages -- 6 pt
Dinner -- who knows... had a nice meal at Washington House with Nancy.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
February 2, 2012
Good day, but I'm pooped! Went over vocab. with kids; had them write a story using vocab. words in their journals while I looked over their exercises.
Breakfast/lunch: 11 pt
Snack: 5 pt.
Dinner: 7 pt.
Beverages: 3 pt.
I'm still Believing the Lie...
Breakfast/lunch: 11 pt
Snack: 5 pt.
Dinner: 7 pt.
Beverages: 3 pt.
I'm still Believing the Lie...
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
February 1, 2012
**IMPORTANT NOTE TO SELF**
RETURNING THE TTC COMPS AT THE SAME TIME AS DISCUSSING COURSE SELECTION CHOICE IS A GREAT IDEA!!!! I NEED TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR!
The alarm woke me out of a SOUND sleep -- I hate that!! Today was another good day. I gave a synthesis quiz but next year will let them use NOTES ONLY. I also brought up each student and discussed next year's English recommendations while I returned their TTC comps.
Breakfast/lunch: 11 pt
Snack: 6 pt.
Dinner: 7 pt.
Beverages: 4 pt.
I'm still Believing the Lie...
RETURNING THE TTC COMPS AT THE SAME TIME AS DISCUSSING COURSE SELECTION CHOICE IS A GREAT IDEA!!!! I NEED TO DO THIS NEXT YEAR!
The alarm woke me out of a SOUND sleep -- I hate that!! Today was another good day. I gave a synthesis quiz but next year will let them use NOTES ONLY. I also brought up each student and discussed next year's English recommendations while I returned their TTC comps.
Breakfast/lunch: 11 pt
Snack: 6 pt.
Dinner: 7 pt.
Beverages: 4 pt.
I'm still Believing the Lie...
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