break, break, break ,break

Anyone else having trouble with the picture at the top of my blog? It doesn't come up like it used to for me.

As I watch an America's Next Top Model marathon on MTV, I'm more relaxed than I have been in a while, despite having a fairly poor week at school. Basically my kids don't respect me - and I feel like I haven't given them a reason to yet. I haven't found a certain stern-ness in my voice that I need to get kids to take me seriously. I'm optimistic, though. There's not much to plan for next week, I started working on a couple things in class that will eventually help my management, I've focused on writing instruction (rather than being stuck in grammar), and the big thing, winter break is less than one week away. I might be anticipating seeing Brittany in, and then attending the Goats' New Year's party with her, more than I am doing the Christmas stuff with the family. Going to college got me used to not seeing the bros and the parents, but this not seeing Brittany and my friends thing is still uncomfortably new.

Things I've done recently:

Played 'Catchphrase' with Karl's 'small group' - the Christian wing of the TFA movement who he goes to church with. This was a bit outside of my standard idea of fun, but I had a solid time with the help of a few beers.

TFA holiday party - After buying us beers (never to happen again), Gilson ralphed. That's the highlight of my night.

Zoo membership - Karl and I bought memberships to the Zoo when we went there with his bro, Chalmers, and Bethany. The monkeys won me over again.

Beale St - overrated as usual, but I hadn't done it in a while and was feeling drawn in by its allure. Also, dipped some Turkey Chew with Brad B.

Winning Teacher of the Month - more a result of helping an 8th grade teacher grade writing assessments rather than anything I've done in my classroom.

Beer date with Brad Leon (Executive Director, TFA Memphis) - went to a place that sells a hundred beers or so. I ordered an 'Oktoberfest' beer, a safe choice, but still 'exotic'. Brad ordered a Miller Lite. Enough said.