Chatter

When I'm on the way to work in the mornings, it seems I always can find things I think I should blog about. By the time my lunch period rolls around and I can actually sit down to blog, these thoughts have VANISHED. I managed to salvage a few for today's edition, so here you go!

I am in a graduate class with LOTS of elementary teachers this semester. They talk about mysterious things such as AMSTI, Directed Reading and something that was mentioned last night- the number system of grading. Do you know that in Shelby County, children in grade K-5 (as of this year) no longer recieve letter grades in ANY SUBJECT but Math? They are graded on a 1-3 scale...1 being not progressing, 2 progressing, and 3 mastered skill. To me, this does not pack the same punch as a Good Ol' D or F, and certainly most children would fall into the 2 category right? What are these poor kids gonna think when they get to high school and don't know how to decipher what a B means? Sigh. The teachers say some parents don't get it, and think 1 is the best, so they have lots of needless teacher conferences and phone calls. Sheeeesh.

In seasonal food and beverage news, this is the only time of year that I get an urge for Starbucks (not the biggest coffee fan here), and only for their Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino..."A mocha Frappuccino with peppermint syrup blended in, whipped cream, and those ubiquitous red sprinkles". I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of this flavor....the best drink anywhere (besides my DC!)

I asked my 8th graders to define the word retro for me today. Their reply?: "90s!"



Watch it. I dare you not to cry.

November 17th

Will be one of the greatest days in recent history....

John Mayer
Battle Studies

"Battle Studies" is slated to come out across United States on November 17. Led by single "Who Says", the effort is described as "observations and a little bit of advice on relationships ... kind of like a heartbreak handbook".

Though I am no longer a victim of heartbreak- John Mayer is my all time favorite artist. I love the visuals he creates and the timbre of his voice. I am SO FREAKING EXCITED. What, might you ask, are my favorite JM songs? Let me elaborate.


3x5 is a song about memories and the future...



In Repair was my anthem for a very long time. I love the organ at the beginning!


Slow Dancing in a Burning Room captures all the emotions of a love going wrong...and neither person knowing what to do.


Tracing is a brilliant song with great phrasing.

I'm trying to reconcile a favorite among these and I just can't. That's how much these songs mean to me...I think everyone has an artist whos songs are like a soundtrack for their lives....well, John is mine.

I also recommend:
City Love
St. Patrick's Day
Back To You
Comfortable
Split Screen Sadness.

Beautiful.

Faithful to Me (Jennifer Knapp)

All the chistles I've dulled carving idols of stone
That have crumbled like sand 'neath the waves.
I've recklessly built all my dreams in the sand just to watch, them all wash away.

Through another day, another trial, another chance to reconcile
To one who sees past all I see.
And reaching out my weary hand I pray that you'd understand
You're the only one who's faithful to me.

All the pennies I've wasted in my wishing well
I have thrown like stones to the sea.
I have cast my lots, dropped my guard, searched aimlessly for a faith
To be faithful to me.

Through another day, another trial, another chance to reconcile
To one who sees past all I see.
And reaching out my weary hand I pray that you'd understand
You're the only one who's faithful to me.
You're the only one who's faithful to me.

I love him :)

Calm

The rain is falling here at work during my planning period...

That's about all I've got in the way of blogging today. (and no, I don't work in a jungle, but that IS the view outside the window beside my desk.)

I mean, I cried.

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Hmm.

I take back every preconceived notion I had about grad school and working full time. After this summer's classes were not time intensive, I thought- hey, I will be able to sleepwalk through this in the fall. It's not all that challenging yet, but LOTS more time consuming. It is not easy, especially on weeks when you have two 10 page papers back to back...but I believe it will be worth it!

:)

Cousins...

Enjoy this sampling of Thompson/Roberts cousins...

starting with Christmas 1990, ending with Thanksgiving 2008...

Hurrah!

I have a few "praise" items (I feel like i'm in 6th grade sunday school..."Any praise items this week?" Ya know, so we don't sound so greedy with the prayer requests) so, I'll share them in a bulleted list. I know you love it when I get lazy and do this.

• Keith got re-hired at Wells Fargo! He starts his first full week today. After 3 months of interview elsewhere, and hundreds of applications, It was totally unexpected and totally a miracle. We are really thankful.
• I have had to cut my couponing (pun INTENDED!) to once a month (this does make sense since I only get paid once a month)...but this weekend was AWESOME! I had $7 ECB's from CVS, and I bought $30 worth of stuff FOR FREE (used coupons, too), and got $10 back in ECBS's. So basically I got paid $3 to buy $30 worth of laundry detergent, diet mtn dew, allergy medicine, and toilet paper. I heart CVS, so- SO much. I meant to take pictures...but yeah.
• This is a 4 day week for me. Teacher Workday Friday...possibly the best combination of words God ever invented (besides, "That's one Large Diet Coke?" that I oft hear thru the drive-thru window..)
• 7 of my friends from high school are planning a Girls Weekend for this summer. I am really excited about that, since there are a couple I havent seen in years, or since their weddings.
• My grandmother turns 80 this weekend and I will be joining the entirety of my mom's side of the family in Andalusia for a big to-do @ the First Baptist Church. I kid you not! I can't wait to see everyone and to honor such a fun and fine lady....:)