Worm Farm

So I have really been getting into gardening and composting with my students this year. They really seem to be enjoying it. So my next door neighbor, we shall call him Science Guy, showed me his worm compost (poop) bin and I thought it was so cool. So cool I wanted to start my own poop bin. Now Science Guy had a huge tupperware bin and I wanted something smaller and more doable especially since worms make me dry heave. So I grabbed a little file container I used in the past to put the new worms in. Science Guy told me I would have to drill holes all over the box in order to give them oxygen, he offered to bring in his drill to get it done. I kindly declined since our custodial staff had one. I decided to approach our custodian whom we shall call Bam Bam. I asked Bam Bam to help me drill holes throughout the box, he being the generous custodian he is kindly accepted. The first day the drill died on us so now holes were put in. The next day he came to help me out again and place holes on the box. Little did he know his own strength..... below are two pictures of the first hole he put inside my box. The three tiny holes next to the giant hole is what I was looking for.

One week down!

This week was really fun to spend with this new class. I really missed my kids from the last 2 years for the first few days, but I got over that quickly. This new class has so much personality, they really like to get into the "what if's," I love it for the most part until they go off on it for longer than I like, but heck they are curious. We built some solar ovens this week and cooked pizzas in them and plan to make some smores next week. I will have to get some pictures of their ovens and post them. They are really quite clever. We brought in three items that described ourselves as well and the kids really got into it. I taught them table rumbles (thank you Convergys for teaching me that one). Overall a really get introduction week with this class. I think this year will be a fun and creative year for us.

Something to be grateful for...

I am so grateful I found my purpose in life.....Serving others. I am so inspired this year and can't wait to get back into the groove with my students (AKA my kids). I love giving to them and watching them succeed. I got my test scores back this week and am so proud of my little babies from last year. They all rocked at EVERYTHING! I wish I could have another day with them to celebrate their accomplishments. I wish I could go with them to middle school and show the other teachers they will encounter the greatness they possess. I can't wait to bring out that in this year's class. I love teaching and am so happy I found where I belong. I am so content and happy with my life. I am so lucky. I am stoked to start some of my volunteering this year and bring back to the class. Look for updates and hilarious stories to come!

Yellowstone

I had a great time with my family in Yellowstone a few weeks ago. We had tons of fun together as a family. Lots of sun, fresh air, delicious food, and time together. Here are some pictures I took with my G1 phone.

What is this song trying to tell me?

Last week was a total drag. First, my favorite band screws me over with money. Then at the concert I get blisters all over my feet which are still there but the worse is the huge one under my little pinkie toe. Hurts like a mother... Then my phone line is shut off so I call the company only to find out not only did they disconnect my phone line but my Internet. Then I discover there are hurdles to be jumped before I get either back, what's worse is it all had been done by a company with little or no sympathy for making it up to customers for their mistakes. They also sent me a defective cellphone a few days before. Anyways, here is my point. I was listening to my first OK Go album and re-stumbled upon this song which I felt was written for me this week. Here is just a few lines:


Makes you sick, makes you ill,makes you cheat, slipping change from the till.
Had it up to the gills... makes you cry while the milk still spills.
Ain't it just a bitch? What a pain...Well it's all a crying shame.
What left to do but complain? Better find someone to blame.

(Hey!) Get, get, get, get, get over it!
Get over it, get over it.

Love this song. I would recommend for anyone having a bad day.

A new me.

It has been almost a month since school got out and although I am teaching summer school I find I still really need something to do in my spare time. I have always been busy. I have worked and gone to school since I was 16 and really love to keep myself occupied. Don't get me wrong I love having summers off but I usually keep myself busy with trips. Since I am going to get my master's degree over these next two years I will need to really cut back and prioritize my life (AKA no more expensive trips). Anyways to my point, this week I took 2 days to rework my kitchen. Yes 2 days only! It looks incredible! I love it as does my roomie. I am so close to being finished with my condo only a few more things to be done but they can wait and aren't noticeable. So I am posting some pictures on my condo for those of you who have yet to see it. I am not including my roommates room (it's her private life) and of course the bathroom, it's not perfect yet. Tell me what you think. :)

My wicker chair! I love it and it took forever to get right. These two pictures are of my bedroom

Living room. First are my pictures I bought in Paris, brought home and framed myself. The clock I painted and designed myself. Two pictures of my living room as well.

My dining room. I love my table.

The kitchen! The first is a picture of my kitchen before. The next two are pictures after all work was complete. New coat of paint on cupboards, new hinges, knobs, and wall color. Last are my new spice magnets. I love them so much, so much fun and adds a pop of color-WorldMarket 1.99-great investment.

Time to reflect...

Today was the last official day with my students. Boy will I miss them. What an amazing class, full of so much life, energy, humor, and personality. I can't wait til next year. Here is a reflection of some of my good times with my kids this year:

• First day-they were totally over the honeymoon period at 10 am that day (little brats), since I had half of them the year before. Speaking of which I remember going home every night my first year of teaching and just crying. I had no idea what I was doing and was so afraid of messing them up. Norberto my sweet little Norberto who came to me speaking no English and first day in a new country said to me today, "Miss Mantas thank you for teaching me to read, write and speak in English these last two years." Best moment of my life to date!
• fraction cookies- nothing like setting off the fire alarm!
• Coraline- educating students in more way than one that day, academics and street smarts.
• Mini solar system activity- designed by my student teacher, great activity with toilet paper, bad weather....
• Math activities with the Random Name Picker-boy do the kids love their probability.
• CRT week- many games and nicknames discovered, I was there after known as Mint
• Classic skating- I died my hair pink and bladed all day
• June 8th- water fight and class video need i say more?

Amazing class with amazing memories. They will be missed. I look forward to seeing great things from them in the years to come.