Coming soon to a computer near you....

Yesterday was the senior's last day, lots of tears and emotions.  But the senior's last day only means one thing- school is almost over.  We have four days left and then I can get back to what I really enjoy, writing my blog. LOL.  I know all of my loyal followers are sick of clicking on this link only to find that I haven't written in months, so be prepared, in the next few months, I'm planning to blog my little heart out!

I'm Not In Iowa Any More...

For the last two and half years, I have been the class advisor for the class of 2010.  They are a great bunch of kids who work really hard to raise money to pay for their prom.  Today was the day it all really begins- we went searching for a prom site.  The last time I even thought about something like this was in the fall of 1998 when I was prom c0-chair for the SLHS Prom of 1999.  Let me tell you, these California kids have it made.  Today we toured two magnificent museums right by the coliseum at USC, the California Fashion Market- the center of the LA Fashion World, and the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel- home to the nightclub most frequented by the girls of The Hills.  These places are no Sieben's Forum let me tell you!  No wonder these kids think this is going to be the most magnificent night of their life---at $100 a head it should be.  You know me though, if I wasn't a teacher, I'd want to be a wedding coordinator or an interior decorator, so I am going to love spending their money planning this extravaganza!  

Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair

A scene from our production

Macbeth FINALLY opened last night.  We had a nearly full house and its always a huge feeling of relief when the lights go up at the beginning of the first show and I know that the end of stress is near.  Let me begin by reiterating that this has been the most challenging show I have EVER directed.  It was more difficult than any musical ( and musicals are a huge challenge for me).  Along with the cast, I had to go on a long journey with many bumps in the road to get to opening night.  But, we made it.  Yesterday had to be the most chaotic and stressful opening day I have experienced.  Maybe this really is the cursed play.  Once the show started though, I couldn't have been prouder of my actors.  It was like all at once, they understood what Shakespeare wanted them to do and they did a magnificent job of sharing the story with the audience. (FAIR)  The audience on opening night is typically full of teenagers that are there for extra credit, last night was no different.  While teenagers always are an enthusiastic audience sometimes their responses are not appropriate- especially last night.  It is sad to realize how de-sensitized these kids are.  In scenes that give me chills and make me want to cry(murders, fights, breakdowns, etc), these kids laugh! (FOUL) This reaction really discouraged my actors.  Tonight we will have more adults in the audience and hopefully the reactions will be more appropriate, and the audience will be more appreciative of the fact that very few teenagers can act in a play written by Shakespeare and do it well!

I'd Rather Eat Glass

Today was our first rehearsal in the actual theatre for Macbeth.  The lights don't work, the sound doesn't work.  I hate technical theatre, I'd rather eat glass.  That's all I have to say about that. 

Class Size Rant

I'm not going to spend a lot of blog time complaining about work, because I am really fortunate in the fact that I love my job.  However, I would like to point out that at this point I find it slightly annoying that counselors keep adding students to my classes when they are already full.  It's hard for me  to get a grasp on the fact that in my 3rd and 4th period only, I have 97 students- that is 9 less than were in my graduating class in Storm Lake!Pari that number with my less than efficient air conditioner and you can just imagine how hot it is in my room by the time 5th period rolls around.  Can we say it's just a bit out of control!  Come on Arnold, give some money back to the schools for Pete's sake!  To end on a positive note, today are auditions for the fall show...pretty exciting!

UGH

It's back to reality today.  Summer break is officially over.  I won't complain too much, it's unfair to those of you with real jobs that have to work 12 months out of the year.  But in this life of a teacher, today won't be much fun.  Meeting after meeting telling us how we are going to raise those test scores this year.  I'm looking forward to Wednesday when the students arrive and I can close the door to my room and just teach.  I'm not much for all the beginning of the year junk we get handed every year.  In honor of this "glorious" day, the kids gave me a taste of my own medicine and took first day of school pictures of me.  Scroll back to Coop's first day of school and you will see the great contrast in emotion that a 36 ( I can still say that for two weeks) year old and a five year old have.  As a matter of fact, my body language is frighteningly similar to Bella's in Cooper's first day pictures.  I wonder where she gets her attitude? Ha-ha.