I wanna see the Illusionist too. Not that I'm ever going to get to see a movie, ever again.

Warning: This post is very mememe. Reading it may bore you, if you don't care about my first week at school. Feel free to skip on to the next, no offense will be taken

t Takes a deep breath, lets it out.

The first week of school is over. There were ups and downs of many varieties, but on the whole I think I came out okay. Some students were confused, some were bored, some have decided I'm funny, some have decided I'm mean, some are still testing, but so far I think I've passed the tests they've given. Or at least, I haven't failed yet.

I'm a little/lot stressed. Our days are pretty darn long at our school - we start at 9, get out at 4:45 (as if I ever leave then). I have a 40 minute lunch and an hour-long prep period, but other than that I'm teaching the whole time: math 3 hours, advisory 35 minutes, Intro Music Theory 1 hour, tutoring/chorus 1 hour. On wednesdays, no music or tutoring/chorus, but professional development with other staff members. I'm getting extra pay for any time that's outside of our union contract (which is a decent sum), but it's still a LONG day. And then there's the planning/grading.

I'm actually happy that my to-do list for today (a SATURDAY) only has 8 things on it. Even if one of those things is "Set up pacing calendar for next year and a half" and another one is "plan next unit" and another one is "lesson plan for all of next week."

But despite the stress, and the cold it appears to be giving me (I thought it was just allergies, but it's definitely approaching cold level), and the never-ceasing muscle tension (for the first time, I'm thinking of looking into professional massages), I'm really, really having a good time. And I know that in about a month, when I'm really in the groove of things and the students are better trained to our school and my class, things will become significantly easier.

ION, I went on a date Wednesday night. A short one. This girl I've been chatting with for a while came to the restaurant right underneath my apartment, we had a drink and a fun conversation, then I went upstairs to plan again. Tonight, a realer date: I'm taking her to a party a friend is holding. A party themed after Neverland (which is the awesomest idea ever, btw). A party with plastic swords. What could go wrong?

It's too bad that my schedule is so incredibly packed, because it makes me wonder how I'm going to be able to fit in a possible burgeoning relationship.

I think I've passed the tests they've given.

What kind of tests were they?

What kind of tests were they?

They take a few forms:

• Will he let me get away with x?
1. Will he treat me fairly, with respect?
2. Will he be wasting my time?

Will he let me get away with x?

Will he treat me fairly, with respect?

Will he be wasting my time?

Well, I suppose that's preferable to the old fashioned way. Waiting until you get a love note from an anonymous student or suddenly getting the runs in the middle of the day after sipping some coffee.

Gris, is sounds to me like you're handling things well. Taking everything as it comes, dealing with it, planning ahead. Go you!

I do recommend taking time for yourself to pamper yourself. Going to the party with the new girl is a great thing. A massage would be good. Whatever. You don't want to burn out in the first quarter!

And I know that in about a month, when I'm really in the groove of things and the students are better trained to our school and my class, things will become significantly easier.

I suspect you are spot on with this.

Oh, i'll possibly get those eventually too. Well, maybe not the love note - I'm not most of my students' type, I'm sure.

Gris, sounds like a perfectly normal start.

More important question: do you like any of it? Do any of your student's eyes light up when you talk or demonstrate something? Are you able to call them brats with affection in your voice?

I am calling myself in a few minutes to see if I can schedule my massage. And I reccommend your first year that you load up on zinc and E-Mergen-C and hand sanitizer.

Schedule a couple of mental health days.

Teaching, when you're doing it right, is fucking grueling. You are ON, physically, mentally, emotionally, all the time. I went home yesterday at 10 with a sudden horrid migraine, and I know my triggers were allergies and stress.

I am calling myself in a few minutes to see if I can schedule my massage. And I reccommend your first year that you load up on zinc and E-Mergen-C and hand sanitizer.

Also? Tissues and Cough drops. Nothing's more distracting than a sneezing, dripping, coughing student three feet away from your desk.

I give extra credit to students who bring in Kleenex. They pratically eat it.

Also, you are a god if you supply hand lotion.

I can get my massage till Friday. Color me tense.

Yay for getting through the first week Gris. I know I've said it before, but I sit in awe of my children's teachers and the teachers here. I don't know how you do it, but I am so grateful. Your job is as difficult as it is important. Thank you.

I have both open houses next week. I have the email addresses and on line access for Brendon's HS team. I wrote an introduction note to the 5 teachers that listed addresses. One wrote back. 3 of 7 classes have posted grades. It's only 3 weeks and we had a storm break in there, so there may not be a lot of grades to post. So far Brendon is appropriately pleased and annoyed with his team. He has had one detention for chewing gum. Shithead! Like he doesn't know by now. But it was cool that he got it over with early in the year. 2 hours after school, and then I left him hanging in the parking lot for half an hour while I took my time getting there to pick him up. He will be avoiding a repeat experience. All the teachers gave him thorough syllabi with good information of what was expected. That is very important to me. If the teachers let me know what is expected from my child I’ll make sure it happens.

I haven’t met Bobby’s MS team yet and they haven’t sent the on line access codes yet. It seems to be going well from what I can see. DH is taking the lead with him this year. It has been really stressful for me to be primary homework torturer. So this year I have responsibility for Brendon’s success in school and DH has responsibility for Bobby. So far I love it. Our personalities are such that Bobby makes me insane, and Brendon makes DH insane. We still have crossover. I am stronger is language and DH is stronger in math. But I feel much more like a team this year. In the past DH took more of a lead role in our business and I took more of a lead on the home front. It’s more balanced this year and I’m a bit less stressed.

Blabby blabbermouth. What I am really saying is, I Love You Guys. Teachers rock!

Also, I sent tissues, nice hand soap, and nice whiteboard markers. When they send a wishlist I send stuff.