10 Things You Like/Don't Like About Your Job

I didn't get a chance to do my top ten list last week, so this week I'm doing both...

10 Things I Don't Like
1. Lazy students
2. Having to repeat yourself 100 times because students aren't listening (and still having them not follow directions).
3. A dirty lab room
4. Teachers who surf the Internet during class
5. Grading papers, record keeping, grading papers, record keeping
6. AYP and No Child Left Behind
7. Lunch duty
8. Parents who SHOULD pay attention to what their kids are doing or not doing, but don't.
9. Excessive student absences
10. Students, parents, or coaches who complain about eligibility for sports

10 Things I Do Like
1. Summer vacation :)
2. Building rapport with students
3. Finally getting a student to understand a challenging concept (the "ah-ha" moment)
4. Feeling confident about the material I'm teaching
5. Doing labs or other hands-on activities with students
6. The autonomy that a classroom teacher has, like making your own rules and boundaries, teaching how you want and what you want to (within limits)
7. The positive support of my professional peers
8. The comradery in the teacher's lounge
9. Posting grades online for students and parents
10. Working one-on-one with students in class

Vera Epidemic

It's officially an epidemic. My sister caught the bug with the purchase of her Petal Pink Tic Tac Tote and it all went down hill from there... I've caught it, my Mom has caught it, even my Aunts over in California. The bags are quite contagious and are a threat to your checking account. Extreme caution should be used when considering a purchase because they are highly addictive, especially if OCD runs in your family (like mine). My condition has worsened with yet another symptom acquired on my birthday - Java Blue Villager... with matching wallet. Outlook is gloomy. The picture that follows may be disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. (Note: only six items belong to me)

One Third

Aiden is 4 months old! He loves his Ugly Doll from Pammy!

New Talents:

• Scooting on his back and belly
• Reaching for toys in front of him
• Grabbing small rattles and keys
• Moving objects to his mouth
• Sleeping through the night (mostly)
• "Standing" with help from Mom & Dad

10 Things You'd NEVER Do Again

I had A LOT of difficulty with this one. I'm really not one to do stupid things, ultra-adventurous things, or things I would regret. I had to pick Chris's brain for help.

1. Shots of Goldschlager
2. Drink so much I'm puking and hungover the next day (see #1)
3. Go on spring break - to a collegiate spring break place during spring break week
4. Buy another dog from a pet store
5. Smoke a cigarette
6. Pull an all-nighter to write a research paper or study for an exam
7. Forget to put sunscreen on my "crack" between my braids on my head
8. Eat at Awful Arthur's restaurant in the Outer Banks
9. Go geocaching in the woods with two barking beagles and a crying baby
10. Hmmm... I'm stuck.

If you'd like to play along, post your own list in the comments!

Personal DNA Map

I stumbled across a really cool personality test while poking around online. The test was actually fun to take - much more interactive than other ones I've taken. For me, this one was right on. It's scary how well these tests really do summarize your personality. I can't find one comment that I disagreed with. I wish these tests weren't so dead on. Perhaps it bothers me that I'm not more open, sensitive, and emotional with others... oh well.