Problems

Seems like the paper work never stops.....I feel like I have accomplished so much already and it is barely Tuesday...and already I have another load. Costumes. Something that takes me forever to decide on. I like to have the dancers input on a particular costume, but very rarely can you make 50 girls happy. This stems from me being indecisive. People get frustrated with me when I cant decide on something. I sometimes think that they should just choose, that way we both can be happy. I wouldn't want someone to do something, eat somewhere, or wear something simply because I want them to. Then only one person will be happy...ME...and while that might work a few times....for the most part it leaves the other person unhappy.



Some funny stuff went down this morning and I was bombarded with phone calls. First, at a home game a few weeks back, during our half time show, a cd malfunctioned and the girls couldn't perform. Sure they got to dance onto the field, but the show alas couldn't go on. This is not to say that I didn't have a back up. YES, I had a back up cd. Yes, I tried it. And what happened? Same result. It sounded like an old tape that had gone into fast forward. After our backup failed, our girls walked off the field. Embarrassing, I know, but it wasn't their fault. An entire two weeks goes by. I almost forget the entire situation happened...until today. I receive a phone call explaining that a "concerned parent" is questioning our slip up. Concerned parent my ass! Don't people have anything better to do than make trouble for other people? I mean come on....the cd messed up....AND the backup cd messed up. Was I supposed to pull another radio out of my pocket? Or how about a new cd? He stated that the anonymous parent stated "Why weren't the directors doing their job?" "Didn't they test the cd before the game?" My very first game that I went to....I went up to the sound booth and asked to see if I could check the cd. I was told that "they don't do that", and "everything will be fine". Everything was fine. For games and games, everything was fine. Until the last home game. Geez, it wasn't even the last game. The girls got to dance the same dance at a different game anyway, so what did it matter? But, obviously it does. I'm tired of having to deal with ignorant parents. Can't they just be normal? I know mine were!

Okay....so I let out a little steam. Okay, a lot. But this is what a blog is for right?



Something I wasn't apart of......This morning during practice a person went into the drill team locker room and stole phones, clothing, shoes, money, ipods, jeans, tops, purses ....you name it ...it was gone. Girls had to go to school in leotards because their blouses were missing. The police were contacted and reports are being made.....but guess who's fault it is? THE DIRECTORS! Yes, ladies and gentleman.....the school is actually blaming this on the director. Not the person who stole the stuff, not even the stupid girls who brought the ipod to school in the first place (which by the way is not allowed), no the director is to blame. I'm sorry...I thought teachers jobs were to teach and monitor the students! Not their belongings. I didn't know that we were supposed to be security guards and computer technicians as well.



Its now the end of the school day and I feel really good....All my classes liked the new dance I am teaching. I washed my car yesterday. It felt really good. I was actually trying to decide between going to work out or wash my car and I figured I choose the lesser of two. I don't always wash my car, but when I do, I do a very good job....details and everything. I know how. Yes there is a process to washing a car. I even bought that Mr. Clean car wash thingy to try it out. Not to bad. It wasn't everything the add claimed ...but did help with the drying part. I have another day off. Looks like i am going to work out today. At school I am happy. At home....well at home...I feel .....not so happy. There is only so much t.v. a person can watch. Maybe I am a work-a-holic all along...and the laziness feeling is just my body trying to play catch up.

Louder Than Words

Artist: Unsung Zeros
Album: Moments From Mourning
Title: Louder Than Words


Pin this one last
because it was the hardest
Yet it meant the most to me at the same time
Feelings are tough to explain
when what i feel is bigger than any word that i can find

[Chorus:]
So i wrote you this song
To tell you i love you
But I know that thats much less than you deserve
It's all so much less
Then these feelings i'm feeling
I hope my actions speak louder than words
Call me whenever, and i will come running
I'm ready and waiting for ever for you
I'll give you my whole heart
To hold as your keepsake
If you should ever need proof

Remembering the times that we spent together
I know how good it feels to be in your arms
Im always so happy and filled up with laughter
when ever i'm with you i feel safe and warm

[Chorus]

I love this song! Download it and listen to it. Now imagine me dancing to it!

Give Thanks

It feels like this thanksgiving holiday came and went. Marty, Lana, and Roland all came down to the valley. I havent seen Roland in forever, but he still looks the same. I just got back 3 weeks ago from a trip where I got to see Lana and Marty. I feel like like I can never get enough of Marty....I guess thats a good thing :) I finally got to play pool with him. I also got to visit with his family and his friends. That was fun. He even went to the high school football game with me, which I know was a sacrifice for him. I got to see alot of my family again and even got a new god sister. I think thats number 3? I saw my aunt who recently had surgery. It turned out to be a lot worse then I thought. The cancer spread to her lymph nodes which had to be removed. She is going to have radiation and chemo therapy. Despite the bad news, she is sure everything is going to work out. I told her about starting a blog so that we could keep in touch....but she said she likes email better. I had lunch on one of my "off" days (cant remember which one..they all seem to "blur") with my mom, dad and sister. I like those times....we all get to catch up on each others lives. Lana is coming home soon....and is now plannig an internship in South America...go Lana!.....cant wait to visit you there. My Dad is very happy with his new job. Or should I say "old job"? I thought I was being a bad daughter by not knowing where her dad works...but it turns out that it is right next to were he used to work. After our lunch together, the girls went to this new clothing store called Warehouse. Turns out it is owned by someone we all know. The clothes are awsome and the prices arent bad as well. The store is owned by sisters....Im not sure if I could ever "own" anything with my sister.....Come to think of it...Im not sure if I could ever "own" anything with anyone ...so I guess if I ever HAD to "own" something with someone...I would want it to be with her.....Yea anyways.....I also went to the mall to shop. A new Sephora finally opened up and I was literally dying to go. I love makeup. I think if I didn't teach dance..I would love to be a makeup artist. Im not bad...self taught....I would love to go to the workshops and learn the latest techniques and so on.....I bought a brush set. Its awsome! Its mostly for the eyes ....and I have already used it.....Ask any girl...the secret is in the brushes! I also bought a perfume which I think I might be allergic to. Im not sure, but I need to find out. At the store I tested it on a paper stick. At home my skin turned red. I have heard of people being allergic to perfume before...but I had never been one of those people. It could have been something else. I also spent money at VS and at AE. My other two favorite stores. Looks like im starving till my next paycheck.

I haven't seen a movie in a long time and I am temped to go by myself. There is no practice today so maybe Ill catch a showing.....Okay I know its stupid but I want to see Happy Feet. I read online that it is about a dancing penguin.....anything with dance has got to be good.

My cats broke a vase this weekend as well.... it was a really special vase. It was given to me (sent to me) from Marty on my birthday. I felt really bad, and to clean it up was even worse. There was glass everywhere.

Paperwork, depositing money, solos, team kick, old friends.....

I wonder if its just me.......

Weekend Follow Up

I just want to congratulate all the performers that danced in this past weekends shows.

To the folklorico dancers: I know how much time, dedication and band aids went into all of the performances in the last two weeks.....I want you to know that each and every one of you are special and congrats on a job well done....I look foward to your show in March!

To the UTPA Dance Ensemble: I cant even to begin to explain how much I miss dancing on stage....treasure your time together...Your passion for dance shines through when you perform....Thank you for a wonderful dance experience.

I have heard this before...

Check it out....I got an email from a fellow teacher a few days ago that was entitled "UPS Uniform Warning"...This is what it had in it:

UPS Uniforms

Government Warning regarding purchase of UPS uniforms:


There has been a huge purchase, $32,000 worth, of United Parcel Service (UPS) uniforms on eBay over the last 30 days. This could represent a serious threat as bogus drivers(terrorists) can drop off anything to anyone with deadly consequences! If you have ANY questions when a UPS driver appears at your door they should be able to furnish VALID I.D.

Additionally, if someone in a UPS uniform comes to make a drop off or pick up, make absolutely sure they are driving a UPS truck. UPS doesn't make deliveries or pickups in anything, except a company vehicle. If you have a problem, call your local law enforcement agency right away!


TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY! Tell everyone in your office, your family, your friends, etc. Make people aware so that we can prepare and/or avoid terrorist attacks on our people! Thank you for your time in reviewing this and PLEASE send to Everyone your list, even if they are friend or foe. We should all be aware!



At first I think that its sweet of the teacher to be thinking of other human beings ....but ...of course I don't take it seriously....its just junk mail in my box that I now have to delete.....Now this morning I get a new email from another teacher entitled : "Re: UPS Warning" Here is what it had in it:

Dear colleagues:

Sorry to further clog your inbox, but I wanted everyone to know that the "UPS Uniform warning" you received a copy of is a hoax. Here is an article about it from the website Snopes, which debunks urban legends:

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/upsuniforms.asp



I just think that these teachers have too much time on their hands to be sending emails back and forth regarding these silly things......Maybe its just that i am stressed and have too much paper work ....but then again....here I am ....writing about it in my BLOG....lol

The pep rally wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. The girls did good and I got home early. Everything worked out. This weekend is going to be full of shows. On Saturday night, i am going to see the Folklorico Dance Concert here in La Joya. On Sunday, i am going to see the UTPA Dance Ensemble Concert. I miss dancing and watching shows is very different than performing in them, but I wish the performers all the best of luck and Merde.

My tia's surgery is today. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family. She is the heart of a very big, very close knit family...and I can only pray that things go well.

Work is going well. I feel like I am actually accomplishing what needs to be done...ahead of schedule That's a big deal for me. Last night I went out to eat with my dad. One on one. My mom was playing" bunko", which I must remember to write about it someday. We went to Dai Tung, a Chinese place located a block from my house. I got a fortune cookie that said "Its better to complete a project late than never." So me. On a different note, as soon as we got seated, my dad recognized someone he knew. They said hi and the usual small talk followed. He then came back to his seat with me and we enjoyed our meal. I asked him about work (he recently got a new job) and he proceeded to tell me a story about his day. He and his boss took their secretaries out to eat at Logans (yeah our family eats out a lot) and got a very "new" waiter. Mistakes were made....some his fault ...some not. He was very apologetic and tried his best. Needless to say, my dad and this boss left a generous tip to help make his day better. He was very grateful and I listened intently to the "act of kindness", even if it is as simple as leaving a tip. It was at that moment that the waitress came up to us and said that the gentleman that was sitting at the other table paid for our meal and left. Neither one of us was expecting this and it was a very nice gesture. This made me think of a commercial I saw recently. I have no idea what they are promoting (my dad claims insurance) but it has acts of kindness that another persons witnesses and then in part performs his/her own random act of kindness...and goes full circle. Its just one of those feel good commercials. That night just reminded me of it. I wish I had a whole day to dedicate to write down all the lessons and stories my dad has shared with me over the years. He has a lot of common sense, street sense, if you will.

Moody

Ok girls ....you can relate to this. Why is it that somedays....u just feel like crying....that every action, word, even commercial, makes u want to sink back in bed and sleep the feeling off?

Coming Up

There is a "last" football game coming up for La Joya. For this one, I will be alone. Its hard enough to run a team of 57 girls with two directors, and to do it alone is even harder. In addition to the game there is also a community pep rally on Thursday. This means late work nights on Thursday and Friday. Hopefully this will be our last game. Not that it matters though, because I just found out that another drill team obligation is to perform at basketball games as well. This was supposed to be our time to focus on Competition. That is what matters to me. That is why im a director.

Like every normal person, I have good days and bad days. Today seems like a good day. I don't have practice today...so I need to figure out what to do with that time. Gotta make it count. I already scheduled my day off next week....im going to stay to teach someone her solo. So this might be the last one for a long time.

...........UPDATE: From the time it took me to go to lunch and back ....I found something I need to go to. Every year the fine arts department gives us a very special thanksgiving banquet. All the fine arts teachers from the entire district will attend, so this gives me a chance to see some old friends. After that I have some important paperwork that I really need to complete. This will complete my day. Not the best, but at least now I have something to look foward to. I was speaking with my director of dance today and he was explaining all the upcoming dance obligations. It sounds like this next year is going to be a handful. Its complicated to explain but here it goes: There are three high schools in La Joya. Two of them are 9th and 10th grade campuses and one senior school. All of them contribute to one team as far as football, basketball, track, and all other sports. This means that everyone is a Coyote, and all the drill teams in the district are Jewelettes. There are 6 middle schools. Next year...the High School will split and a new mascot with new colors will have to be named. This brings up a lot of problems as far as money, uniforms, and names for the rest of the schools. Pretty much, the district is going to have its very own make over. As I was listening to all the problems...and all I could think was ...."I can't wait".

Why I Teach

Every teacher has a special student he or she favors....It is moments like the following story that is the reason I teach. It was sent to me in an email today....but I remember reading it in one of my Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers. At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.." His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle." His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class." By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.

As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.." A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life. Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further The letter explained that sh e was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD. The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference." Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you." (For those of you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Never a dull moment

I try to surround myself with lots of things to do. At the same time, I find myself wishing I had more time to myself. Confusing, I know...Just hear me out. Work starts at 8:30...Which is great for me, because im one of those people that can never get up on time. Since we start so late....this means we also finish late. If school finishes late...then that also means that afterschool practices run much later than the norm. On most days I usually get home around 8:00. On Thursdays, I get home around 8:30 and on Fridays I don't see my bed until 12:30. Its a good thing I have a housemate, or the only beings that would be living at my house would be Jasper and Bella.

In between those times, I like to read, watch tv, and talk on the phone with Marty. And Sleep. Im not one of those people that need the full 8 hours of sleep, but eventually it catches up to me and I enjoy a nap from time to time. So I assume that once im asleep ...I'll stay asleep. Check out the events that happened earlier this week....

Time: 2:30 a.m. ~~~~> Something in the house crashes....(I was actually pretty surprised that I woke up, It means that im not as a light sleeper as I thought) I drag myself out of bed and open my door (I sleep with my door closed for various reasons) and find Jasper (My orange kitty) smelling something on the floor. At first, I couldn't see anything....Until....the smell hits me. (For a house warming party, my cousin gave me a jar of scented oil with wood sticks that absorb the oil and leave the house with the aroma) Yea, he knocked it off the kitchen counter ( A place where I thought he couldn't get to). There I am, 2:30 in the morning and i am sweeping up the glass (that has flown everywhere) and moping up the oil (where I conviently run out of floor cleaner) Lovely....I don't make it back in bed until 3:30....where now im wide awake.

That happened on Tues. night.....Funny because on Monday ....My parents were over at my house giving me a lesson on "How to Bbq" and my mom commented on how much she liked the scented oil. She never touched it. I told her the story and she said she gave it the "evil eye." Yes, our family believes in stuff like that. She claims that I was sick a lot when I was little because people who admired me, never touched me. Yes, I know...weird. She also claims that for some reason ...."its" really strong in her. I dont know how many earrings and stuff has broken around her, right after she states how much she likes it.

Anyway, I had a whole week off from late night practices...and now its back to reality.....we have a game coming up, and a pep rally on Thurs. Which means practice practice practice. Its not so bad. The students make it worth it. Also in a week, Marty comes to Texas, which I have been looking foward to for months. My sister (who has been spending her semester in NY) and My cousin (who has been in Iraq) also are coming down for Thanksgiving.

Im trying to read another book right now...but its not going so well.....The last book I read really made me upset. Im hoping that it doesnt have any influence on this next one...but I cant help it. The previous two books were great. I recently read Twilight and New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. They were GREAT! I can wait for the next one to come out. But Dear John by Nicholas Sparks (which by the way is my favorite author) really left me.....uhhh...I can't even find the words....It didn't have the "happy ending" I am used to. Granted it did make me laugh from time to time ....and the writing was wonderful.....and I could relate to a lot of the "long distance" feelings right now....its just....I didn't like it. Im a hopeless romantic....I cant help it.

I guess thats enough for one day.....I still have a lot to write....funny because ....for a long time I kept typing and then erasing and typing again....now I can't stop....Thanks Marty :)

A First

So this is really strange. First of all, I have a very special person in my life who has a blog. I enjoy reading his Blogs all the time. I have always wondered how in the end he feels about it. I used to write in a journal, and I always felt better at the end. Any sort of stress, anger, happiness I was feeling at the time, I put it in the book. I always often looked back and it seemed to make more sense after reading it later. Then it would get lost, or I would misplace it. Im not a computer genius but I do know some stuff. Online journals always seem so "out there". Everyone can read them and make comments on your life. To me that is totally intimidating. So now here I am. Im testing it out. Dont get me wrong....Im very nervous. Ive been told that I write as if im having a conversation with someone. Thus, the "...". This shows that im thinking, pausing, or changing a subject. It lets me organize my thoughts, if you will, and hopefully makes it easier on other people to read. So if it is bothersome ......then don't read it.
I work at a High School in Texas. South Texas. Everyday of my life has events or drama in it. I love it. I hate it. Everyone in the world has good days and bad days. I know this. If it wasn't for the bad then the good wouldn't be as good. Right? That is a quote but forgive me ...I cannot remember who said it. I promise I will find out. Im 25 years old. The subject I teach is Dance. Thats right dance. I get paid to teach what I love. I wasn't one of those kids who got to dance at an early age. I sort of started late. I started when I was in Middle School....From what I have been told ...I was terrible. My Middle School drill team director once told me that she did not even remember me my first year. Funny huh? I guess it was better to be invisible then to be bad....but never-the-less I tried out for officer the next year and along with my very best friends...we were officers and thought we rulled the school....or at least the team....lol. That is how I started dancing.
Many stories that happened afterwards I will probably share with you later. They have influenced me to the person and dancer that I am now. This is my second year as a dance teacher. I started at a Middle school. I loved it. Not my first year. In the fall of 2006, I was finally feeling like I was "where I belonged". Then in September, I had to make a choice. To move up to the high school. That is or was another dream.....to be at a high school level. For Fine Arts teachers...its like a promotion. I had two weeks to say goodbye to the people and students that I had come to love. Yes, students ....I love you! I doubt that any of them will be able to find my website ....but for those computer savy students ....hi.
I have spoken a lot to the person who has his blog. He is my boyfriend, and I thank him for giving me the courage to start this. I want it to be just that. A record of events and feelings that happen in my life. When I was a first year teacher, a piece of advice that was passed down to me was to write eveything down in a book. It was meant only the first year ...so that we as teachers would never forget the most important year of our life. I regret that I never did it, but hopefullly I might be able to catch up.
There it is. My first entry. Nothing about today has been said....but I still have time.