Oh yeah! There aren't any construction workers in my immediate area, which is a shame. Not only were they walking past my desk all the time but the front walls of the office are glass so I got to see them all day long.

That's weird, JZ. I would've guessed that keeping their members informed would be a pretty high priority for a union.

My MiL brought home some Sprite Zero b/c she couldn't find Diet Sprite anymore. We spent a non-trivial amount of time trying to figure out if it was any different, and couldn't.

I tried the Coke zero, and did find it to be a bit sweeter than Diet Coke. Actually, I think I liked it better than the DC w/ Splenda, but there is a definite difference between the three of them, and, given the crap that went down with New Coke, and how picky people are about specific taste, I can understand wanting to throw them all at the wall and then let what doesn't stick fall by the wayside.

How did this happen. I thought we had the Real ThingTM or as good as it gets with aspartame. For sixteen years, we were perfectly content to be together. We didn't need anyone or anything else. She wanted me at breakfast. She wanted me at lunch. She wanted me at supper. She was unquenchable. And then BOOM! Gone. No. No. Don't touch my cap. I'm still all shook up. I might explode.

Poor Diet Coke.

I've got a 12 pack of Diet Coke with Splenda and some Caffeine Free DC. Between the two of them, I'll wean myself off. I need to pick up some of my favorite British tea in decaf, though. Then I'll be set.

We're in the midst of bottle weaning. Owen no like. He took a kitchen spatula and banged it on the coffee table this morning very angrily when I wouldn't give him one. The look on his face was priceless. I gave him a sippy cup instead.

Is there caffeine in Coke Zero?

Diet Coke with Splenda tastes too much like regular Coke, I agree.

I like Diet Coke with Lime. Other than that, I'm a Pepsi girl.

Plei, Cashmere, these days are they saying you can't have any caffeine, or that you have to limit it?

It gave me incredibly painful stomach cramps. So it went away.

Hey, all.

Back from camping weekend; so tired and groggy. Didn't get home till about 8 last night, and fell into bed at 10. I am at work right now, and am frantically trying to update/prepare my teaching portfolio for my first teacher interview.

Also, I have to teach a 20 minute lesson plan in front of hiring committee and to a few students.

Suggestions on portfolio and/or lesson plan from teachers? I have computer access till 5 pm.

Erin, what grade and class?

Coke Zero does have caffiene in it. So it's not zero zero, just zero calories.

Also, I have to teach a 20 minute lesson plan in front of hiring committee and to a few students.

Suggestions on portfolio and/or lesson plan from teachers? I have computer access till 5 pm.

Erin--

I really suggest doing a short poem or a short vingette so the students have time to read and then be actively engaged in the lesson.

Some things to remember (speaking from serving on more hiring committees than I can count, and please don't be offended if your response is "well DUH!" to these; I'm just trying to cover some of the mistakes I've seen new teachers make):

• make sure you pick something age/level appropriate--not too challenging (20 minutes is super short) but also not too easy (boredom/no room for analysis or interpretation or thinking)
• don't do anything controversial--but also don't do something that's been done a billion times, like the two roads in the woods Frost poem
• make sure that your lesson is structured so that the students speak more than you do. You can accomplish this through Socratic discussion, small group work, or student-led Q&A, but make sure you don't lecture the whole time
• be friendly and learn names--I suck at this, so I have them put their names on a sticker or in front of them on the table so I can call them by name when we're talking
• make sure you're in charge without being overbearing
• ENJOY YOURSELF! They will sense it, and it makes all the difference in the world.

Good luck!

Has anyone had word of our darling Fay?