I don't know what I don't know

Things I do know today: 

• how to teach astronomy
• how to drive a manual
• how to type using the right fingers
• how to play some chords on the guitar
• how to get ready in 45 minutes
• how to plan lessons
• that I like to talk to my family
• how to write essays
• how to ski
• how to listen
• that I need to clean my room
• that I miss London
• how to spell "definitely"

Things I don't know today: 

• what to do when students cheat
• how to keep my energy up after teaching all day
• when to clean my room
• what to teach in reading (now that we've finished The Phantom Tollbooth) 
• how to play chess
• when I can exercise (and how to get motivated)
• how to be witty
• about the economy, or politics
• how to cure cancer
• how to have a budget without an income
• how to redesign my blog

how was your valentines day? and president's day?  what else do you know?  tomorrow is friday.  84 days until I go to Africa.  

February Love List

• naps
• Institute
• strawberries 
• emails
• my computer
• phone calls
• reading
• nilla wafers with milk
• "family treat night"
• Signs of Hope
• teaching
• fresh snow
• valentines day
• president's day
• listening to James Taylor
• reading blogs
• crafts or projects
• homemade ice cream
• short day at school
• globes and maps
• warm showers
• new magazines
• hearing my students' ideas
• old movies
• Lyvia
• good music
• learning new things
• recess

vote

Hey all-- my dad (my biggest fan) convinced me to submit one of my songs to a music contest.  Please vote at this website.  All you have to do is register your email, and then you can vote for my song once a day!  Spread the word to your family and friends... I need all the votes I can get. Thanks for your support.

happy February

What a lovely month: groundhogs, presidents, and valentines.  In honor of the latter, here is a thought I liked from a book I've never read-- 

The bottom line is that (a) people are never perfect, but love can be, (b) that is the one and only way that the mediocre and the vile can be transformed, and (c) doing that makes it that.  Loving makes love.  Loving makes itself.  We waste time looking for the perfect lover instead of creating the perfect love.  Wouldn't that be the way to make love stay? --from Still Life With Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins

January Love List

• birthdays
• pie
• skiing
• playing guitar
• when sixth graders get enthused about something
• teaching astronomy
• teaching reading
• just teaching in general
• fresh snow that I don't have to drive in
• my electric blanket
• wearing slippers
• sleeping in my own bed
• hanging out with my family
• leftovers
• phone calls
• good movies
• peanut butter in individualized packages
• good ideas
• pears
• getting ready for Africa
• getting together with old friends
• Lyvia
• old-school books (when was the last time you read James and the Giant Peach or Mrs. Piggle Wiggle?)
• playing games with B and E, especially "hand and foot"
• laughing
• singing
• socks
• resolutions

luckily

luckily, I'm feeling better today. (thanks to all for your well-wishes)  

luckily, I like sixth graders.  

luckily, my mom is awesome and she is washing all my sheets.

luckily, I found a refrigerator box that will eventually be a tollbooth. 

and luckily

tomorrow is the holiday!

all day

I have had the flu.  

I don't like missing out on sixth grade especially-- but also things like water, food, and the will to do stuff.  I hope you all are healthy and washing your hands a lot (because it is NOT fun to be sick).