Gee, I like you...

Applesauce... really?

This is my fourth year teaching and each year brings with it unexpected moments. Recently I have been struggling with one of my students and his behavior in class. It got so bad with this student and his little group of cronies, that the entire sixth grade staff had to have a meeting to come up with an official plan of attack. What behaviors were we going to allow, which ones were we going to try to get rid off, etc. Basically the biggest thing that all of us were noticing was this enormous lack of respect for any and all adults in the school. I even had the lovely experience of having the said student laugh in my face when I tried to talk to him about his behavior.

With that said, we came up with a list of expectations and consequences for breaking the rules. We made sure the students knew that we were serious - threatening suspension among other things.

The past two weeks of school we have seen a noticeable change in these students' behaviors - that is until Tuesday. All of the sudden these kids are trying new tactics for annoyance. They know they can't cuss in class, but they think that maybe - just maybe - they can get away with constantly (and I mean constantly) uttering such nonsense words as...."applesauce". All day Tuesday, that was all I heard. In the hall, in the class, during lessons, everytime this kid would walk past my desk. "Applesauce" - with a mischevious gleam in his eye. I finally threatened to send him to the office if he said it one more time. To which he responded, "You're going to send me to the office for saying Applesauce!?" I had to stop a minute and consider the implications. If I did send him down, what would the administration think when they saw the description of the infraction? I would look like an idiot - which I'm sure was the goal of these little minions the whole time.

I finally approached the vice principal and gave her a heads up about what the new scheme against the teachers was. Her response? She laughed. Laughed a lot. She told me to try to defuse it with humor. I don't know about that. I'll try it.

In the meantime, today is Thursday and this student has moved on from Applesauce as the word of the day to Hummus Cakes, and then today - Chocolate Cake. Oh the joys of teaching twelve year olds.

Grrrrrrrr... love me

Zombies. Hearts. Love. They all go together, right? Well last night they did. Last night was Nottinghill's "Very Sexy Zombie Valentine Party". We decked out our apartment, had appropriate treats and played "Night of the Living Dead" on the tv as we listened to all sorts of great music. It was a really fun night. Oh yeah, we all were zombified. Check the pictures...

Take the time to read a little bit...

One of my favorite people had this on her blog and I thought it looked intriguing. So here it goes....

1. Put your iTunes, mp3, or media player on shuffle
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.p.s... . . . . . . . no cheating!

How many of these have I done?
Common Pleasure - Jason Mraz (Maybe this is saying that I like to do tag like things on my blog just like everyone else?)
If someone says, "Is this okay?" you say?
The Remedy (I won't worry) - Jason Mraz (I am a problem solver by nature and try to find ways to make every okay for everyone)
How would you describe yourself?
Devil you know - Pinback (Hahaha - this is especially funny in light of the fact that last night Mike mentioned that he's thinks my rebellious side has been surfacing lately)
What do you like in a guy/girl?
Find my way back home - Priscilla Ahn (this song talks about how without the love from that certain someone it would be hard to find one's way back home - so true and definitely how I feel. I love that someone loves me.)
How do you feel today?
We Hide & Seek - Allison Krauss (I've been hiding up in my room because I don't really want to socialize today:)
What is your life's purpose?
Cherry, Cherry - Neal Diamond (She got the way to move me.... I like to enjoy life and hopefully some people are moved by my interactions with them?? That's a stretch. Sheesh, this isn't really that easy!)
What is your motto?
Decode - Paramour (Hahahaaa - I just sat here for an hour reading about decoding strategies. I want to go back to school to get my masters in literacy. I guess a better way to put it is as a teacher my motto is "Let me help you understand!")
What do your friends think of you?
Don't mean a thing if ain't got that swing - Louis Armstrong (.....or if you ain't got that shimmy, eh? I'm known for my shimmy)
What do you think of your parents?
Hey Baby - Brak (Does anyone realize how incredibly awesome this song is?! Arianne, I know you do! Umm, I'm the baby girl. My parents love me. and I love them. and they make me laugh like this song is making me laugh right now.)
What do you think about very often?
Rodeo Clowns - Jack Johnson (mmmm, maybe not so much, although I do think they are some of the bravest people on the planet!)
What do you think of your best friend?
I could spit on a stranger - Nickle Creek (good thing my best friend isn't a stranger or else maybe I would spit on them!)
What do you think of the person you like?
Any Other Boy - EFY compilation (Any other boy would be completely wrong for me. I like the one I got)
What is your life story?
I'll rise - Ben Harper (My life has taken some twists and turns and there have been some beautiful surprises as well as bitter disappointments. I've always found myself right where I needed to be. I believe in a loving Father in Heaven with an individual plan of happiness for each of his children)
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to hold your hand - the beatles (When I grow up I just want to hold the hand of the one I love)
What do you think of when you see the person you like?
A case of you - Joni Mitchell (Oh how true this is. I could never get enough of Mike. ever.)
What will you dance to at your wedding?
The Entertainer - Billy Joel (This is kind of a fast song. I might have to do a jig rather than a romantic slow dance)
What will they play at your funeral?
Eyes have Miles - G. Love and Special Sauce (Creepy. My eyes will be rotting at my funeral. Yuck)
What is your hobby/interest?
Charcoal Angels - Grant Olsen (I'm not an artist, but I do like to doodle. )
What is your biggest fear?
Annie - Elefant (NOT TRUE! I love the musical. I break into the song "Tomorrow" sometimes)
What is your biggest secret?
Forgettin so long - Phil Vassar (Yup, I am pretty forgetful. I try to hide it from people, but sometimes it happens to show up at the most inconvenient times)
What do you think of your friends?
Southern Anthem - Iron and Wine (some of my dearest friends are those from my North Carolina Days. I love you guys)

Boston on a Sunday Afternoon

And the love affair goes on. Meet Boston Cream Cupcakes.

On another note - I loved everything about today. Church was great, the weather was warm (48 degrees - how sad is it that I consider that warm?), and lazy Sunday after church activities were premium. I laughed more than I probably should, slept for a bit, and spent some good times with my fabulous roommates and favorite man. I'm just now coming off of my sugar high and will probably have a wicked headache. But it was oh so worth it. Happy Sunday to you all, and to all..... Goodnight!

A love/obsession

I have recently fallen in love with cupcakes and all their personal dessert/convenience/cuteness factor glory. I decided that I want to make them - all the time. So here's to cupcakes and the month of l-o-v-e.