Of Bears and Penguins

Ahoy:
My brother has said that since I got to Baltimore my blog has become depressing, and I would have to agree with him. Really, who wants to read about the fact that two middle school teachers got punched by students this week - one in the face, and that a couple of fifth graders drew blood in a fight in the cafeteria. Right, no one wants to read that. So I won't write about it.

Musicality:
There are 2192 songs on my iTunes. I'm currently listening to them in alphabetical order, skipping over the audiobook genre. My songs are currently being brought to me by the letter A. Right now I'm on Bernstein's America from West Side Story. Just switched over to American Idiot by Green Day. The alphabetical order provides organized randomness that I appreciate.

Shakira, Shakira:
According to my small girl group who fancy themselves the up and coming Dreamgirls - I look like Shakira. Who knew? This girl group also tried to guess my age - with guesses ranging as high as 40 and low as 14.

Puppies!
I saw an Irish Wolfhound in person the other day. Now I'm a loyal schnauzer fan, but those wolfhounds are beautfiul and I want one, because they are bigger than a Shetland pony. But since I don't have room, or money, don't expect an animal acquisition anytime soon. However, I would like to write a children's book featuring an Irish Wolfhound and a schnauzer - their names are Seamus and Schnitzel.

Speaking of Germany:
The Lives of Others, the little German film that took home an Oscar is amazing and you should stop reading this mindless blog entry and go see it now! Seriously, now! Why are you still here?

Lunch Bunch:
On Thursdays and Fridays, students that have been well behaved the entire week get to come eat lunch with me in the classroom. It seems a small thing, but it's a big deal for them as more often then not the lunch room is a riot waiting to happen, and many days they must have silent lunch - as in no talking, at all. And it's become my favorite time of the week. In the small conversations I get to know the kids a little better. We also read aloud during these times. I'm reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to one, and Sideways Stories from Wayside School to another. The kids get really into it, and I think they're starting to see why reading can be fun.

I think I'm going to bake some cookies today. And I'm also going to be checking my blog for comments, because gentle reader, they have been sorely lacking of late. I attribute this to the depressing nature of the blog lately, though I don't think this stream of consciousness business is much better. Still, post a comment or else! I mean that, or I'll bank yo' face. I ain't playing, either.