Gamin' Girl

As we all know, technology is the center of our society. It has changed so much in my lifetime alone, and we have no idea what is in store for the future of technology. It's exciting and a little bit scary too. I love the thousands of apps that are available for Androids and iPads, but have you ever noticed how people still long to bust our their Super Nintendo games from the 90's? If anyone out there still has Duck Hunt on the original Nintendo, I would be willing to come over on a Sunday afternoon to shoot up "ducks" as we laugh about the dated graphics. In some cases, the new and improved never beats the original.

Recently, I was able to participate in a game of NBA Jam on Playstation. I don't get generally get too worked up about winning, but for some reason those game get me talking smack and itching to kick my components butt. Who am I?

Earlier this year, I was playing Mario Kart at a friends house. I am such a girl. I was moving my entire body as I tried to complete the course (Rainbow Road - one of the most difficult courses for those of you that are unfamiliar). Seriously Anna? Did I really think that if I was jumping up and down and moving my arms left and right would make me stay on the path? It surely didn't work; I was zooming all over the place. I guess I'm not a true gamer. I'm just too much of a girl.

I know y'all can relate to this...

Happy Monday :-)

Piss Off a Teacher

Happy weekend folks! I spent the pass two days subbing in second grade classrooms. Not ideal, but the school year is inching closer and closer.

I say it’s not ideal, because substitute teaching is not fun. I’m not complaining; I am merely stating a fact. Kids like routine, and having a new person in charge totally throws them off kilter. I understand that it’s hard to venture far from this routine; however, I don’t understand being disrespectful to any person.

Sharing these feelings with teachers is easy. They totally get it. They live it each day, and at least pretend to sympathize with my feelings of frustration and angst. I do find it difficult to share stories, feelings, and vent to someone that is in another profession. I feel like I sound crabby and weak. I know that I am young and still learning, but I also feel capable of being in front of a classroom.

For those of you that are not teachers, and feel the need to piss one off, I have a few suggestions to bring up in conversation:

“It’s not that hard. All you do is play with kids all day.” Um, excuse me?!?! PLAY!?! We are giving kids an education; something that arguably matters more than ten other careers combined. There are standards that need to be met. Teachers have curriculum to follow and daily lesson plans that exceed far beyond building sandcastles and finger-painting.

“You can’t complain; you get the summers off.” Oh. My. Gosh. Do you honestly think that is why we are teachers? No. We did not strategically choose a career so we could sun bath and rollerblade all summer. Get real. Plus, have you ever stopped to think how hard we work during the school year? A teacher’s brain never stops. We are constantly thinking about ways to incorporate everything into our curriculum. Throughout the summers we are planning and taking classes. The list goes on and on. Plus, we pay to do all of this. That’s right, “the man” is not paying for us to further our education or buy new posters for our classroom. Not only are we paid s*$%, we pay to better ourselves.

I think I actually have steam coming out of my ears. I need to chill out. That was quite the tangent; but honestly, I can’t wait to be a teacher. I love almost everything about it. It is challenging and rewarding. Kids are amazing. I just want y’all to consider what you say to teachers. And maybe instead of pissing off a teacher, you could thank that person. 

Tea Party for One

As my grandpa headed out the door this morning he asked, "Would you like me to put on some tea, Anna?" The answer is always "yes." I. Love. Tea. I used to find myself adding sugar and tea, but I have actually acquired a task for plain ole lipton hot tea.

I waited until the pot whistled (so obnoxious, but I love it). I poured the steaming water into my grandmother's cream teapot, and helped myself to my first cup. I was getting ready for the day and enjoying the warm liquid make its way to my tummy. What a great way to start the day. 

Life is busy; there is no question about that. Waiting for the pot to blow and sitting down with a cup of tea really teaches us to slow down and enjoy. 

Here's my confession of the day: I drank the whole pot. I guess I need to be hydrated after that six mile run? I plan on making numerous trip to the restroom :-)

Feel free to make fun of me for this one... I deserve it :-)

I can't believe it's Wednesday already! Yippee!!

Popcorn Problems

I love popcorn. I love it in the theatre. I love it for dinner. I love it with M&Ms. The other night I sat down with my mom to chow down on those little kernels. I realized that I have zero manners when I have a bowl of popcorn in front of my face. Wow. I was shoving it in as if I hadn’t eaten in thirty days.

Now, there are just a few problems when it comes to popcorn. First of all, it gets to be a tad messy at times. You think that it’s getting into your mouth until you stand up. Then, for some reason kernels are flying all over the place. I usually find myself wondering if I actually ate any of it. I’m not really into dousing popcorn with salt and butter, but that always adds another dimension of messy into the mix.

Then there is the issue with my teeth. I feel like I have kernels stuck in my teeth for days after I devour a bag of Orvill Redenbacher. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, there always seems to be a great need for toothpicks and dental floss.

The biggest popcorn problem is that there just never seems to be enough. I’m shoving my face and reaching into the bowl for more when I realize that I’ve reached the bottom. In my opinion, popcorn should be an endless supply – a bottomless bowl of yumminess. 

Lovin' Lyrics

There are so many ideas floating around in my brain that are often hard to express. I love hearing a song that seems to be reading my mind. And, of course, songs express our feelings in a much more poetic manner. I found a website that showcases the lyrics of a variety of artists. I couldn't stop looking through the website, so I must share them with you!

A blessing and a curse.

 It's never too late to be brand new.

Be proud of your stain.

Savor.

Why is this so difficult?

A hard part of life to accept.

Thank you Brandon Boyd. :-)

Always and forever.

Gaga knows best.

The K's

Substitute teaching is quite an adventure. Walking into different schools and classrooms full of students that have no idea who you are is a whirlwind. You truly have no idea what to expect. Will the kids like me? Will there be a good support staff? What on earth will be in the cafeteria (not like I would be caught dead in line for school lunch)? And of course there are always the few kids that test my limits. It’s like they look at me thinking, “how dumb is this girl?” I may be young, but I wasn’t born yesterday. I’d like to think I can handle most situations.

I thought this until I entered a classroom full of 5 and 6-year-olds. Oh. My. Goodness. Did you realize that kindergarteners still cry when they don’t get their way? Yes, I realize that I sound incredibly ignorant. But seriously, I guess I always thought that kids had that figured out before they headed off to school. Isn’t there a checklist out there? Potty trained – check. Plays well with others – check. Stops crying – check. Yeah… about that list… it doesn’t exist.

I talked to my parents after my adventure. My dad is a guidance counselor for little guys (he calls them the K’s), and my mom is a third grade teacher. I’m sure they got a pretty good laugh after I described my day full of pouting, tattling, and snotty noses. “Ms. Nelson, no one likes me (cry, cry, cry).” I would have liked to say, “Probably because you have been pouting and whining all day.” Seriously kids… figure it out.

I probably sound like I am missing a heart. And honestly, I had a good day. It was fun to watch them color and work on number charts. I have to admit I had a great time hula-hooping during recess.

I am thankful that I was able to have the experience teaching younger kiddos. It is always good to “walk in the shoes” of my fellow teachers. I also know for sure that I belong in the secondary level. With that being said, teenagers are charming; however, they aren’t quite as cute as the K’s. 

Tab, Tab, Tabby

It drives me crazy when people claim to have ADHD because they "get easily distracted." If you find yourself watching the huge bird that flies in front of your windshield or walk into your kitchen and forget what you were looking for, it's really not that strange. I'm sorry, but this doesn't mean that you need to be diagnosed or start popping pills left and right.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am fully aware that ADD and ADHD are very real to those that are clinically diagnosed. In fact, I have a soft spot for those that have to deal with this on a daily base. I cannot image what it would be like to cope with such distractions. I just feel like people overuse the term for some reason or another.

The fact is, we are all easily distracted. As I type this blog post, I have five tabs open on my browser. My mind has been spinning in about seventy different directions this week, and my internet use clearly shows every direction my thoughts seem to wander. Currently, I'm looking at the news, reading about Missy Higgins (random), listening to music on Pandora, and checking out apartments. Wowza! I will not claim to have ADD; I simply just have a mind that is working overtime. Maybe this weekend my poor brain will have a chance to relax. Until then, I continue to have too many tab, tab, tabbys open.

Thankful Thursday!!!!