What a day….
Today started too early…
Skied hard…
New boots…issues? not sure…
Knees buckled…
Giant bags of ice…
Good dinner…
Good company…
Too tired to say more…
Good night.
{March 28, 2015}
Today
{March 27, 2015}
Setting the tone
So many different things can set the tone for, well, things, right?
There are so many things I could give examples for here, but I’m only going to focus on my classrooms today, well, actually everyday. The class or students really set the tone for the class and how it’s going to progress, wouldn’t you agree?
I start every class full of energy, vigor and vim and I try to keep that momentum going for the entire class, but it doesn’t always work, especially if the class is full of duds. Perfect example was today, I taught three classes and the great thing was they were all full or close to full. SO much better than the majority of my classes over the last few weeks, no-shows, no registrations or really small classes.
Sometimes I tell jokes while we are waiting for other students to arrive, I think I’ve told some of them to you [What’s smarter than a talking parrot?…a spelling bee! wah wah wah], try to keep the mood light, especially since, for the most part, most of them don’t want to be there to begin with, I need to keep them entertained and learn something. I’m not sure that some of them realize how much it takes to be up there in front of them, especially when you look out and see blank stares when you ask a question or see someone fighting to stay awake. I think I told you sometimes at the end of the day, I don’t want to talk anymore, I know, me, JJ does not want to talk to anyone at all! What?!?
My first class today was pretty good, there was a good mix of people, they laughed when they were supposed to, followed what I was saying, took it as it was intended when I called them out on something, especially if they did something they knew they were not supposed to. I feed off of that and it helps keep me going and keeps them engaged.
My third and final class of the day, it was a mixed bag. I could feel some resentment from some people, who just did not want to be there, or felt that they were too good to be there, does not help keep the energy level up and I tried. In almost every class, especially the ones with more people, there are going to be slower learners or less than computer savvy students, those folks need a little extra love and I do what I can to give it to them, if the person next to them isn’t helping them, maybe because they are one of the other challenged students. When they left, I was done, officially for the day and emotionally for the week, done, stick a fork in me!
My second class was great, it was on to capacity, but we made it work. They were energized, motivated, asked good questions, laughed a lot and learned a lot. One women even kept saying “yes mommy” when I would tell her to do something, it was cute! Then I got my greatest compliment…someone who had taken the same class the week before said to me, as I was helping her, “you’re a good teacher” she said she was getting a lot out of my class today and I really was a good instructor, that made my day and helped a lot to keep me going and motivated.
I love getting feedback, from the students especially, it reinforces that I chose my profession well and it is where I am supposed to be. Doing what I love and loving what I do.
{March 26, 2015}
Oh my my my…I want…ALL of them!
What a treat!
Tonight, I was walking to dinner, my first solo dinner since being on the project in Buffalo, well, solo outside of the hotel/room service and I saw a Shelby Cobra [for those of you not in the know, that would be the dark blue car with white stripes] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_Cobra.
My mouth dropped open and I crossed the street just to listen to it start up, rumble and watch it being driven into the convention center. Oh my! I started talking to one of the guys working and asked a few questions, it was the Buffalo Motorama 2015 showing this weekend and when he asked if I was going to be around this weekend to see it, I told him I wasn’t and he told me I should go in and take a look! What? You don’t have to tell me twice!
I walked in and did my best to keep my mouth shut! I was drooling! It was classic car after classic car, beautiful, as you can imagine. There were Mustangs, Corvettes, Chevelles, Novas, to name a few… Buggies, hot rods, muscle cars, custom jobs, amazing paint jobs, fantastic engines, just wow! I am going to be vulgar and I apologize…this is a class car lovers wet dream, oh my!
I am no CKM when it comes to taking photos, but I did what I could. I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed viewing the cars and taking the pictures!
I need to hit the lottery, I want them all!
{March 24, 2015}
Oversleeping sets the tone for the whole day
Today I overslept, pook.
How you wake up can set the tone for your whole day, don’t you agree? Now, when I told the valet at the hotel I overslept and got up at 6:06am, he laughed and I laughed too, imagine 6am oversleeping, but when you get up by 5:30 every morning to leave by 6am, then 6:06am is oversleeping!
I set two alarms, the first at 5:15, I use that for snoozing, you know that wonderful stuff you do after the alarm goes off and it’s so nice. Then the next one goes off at 5:30, just in case I don’t wake up to the first and I hit snooze once or twice, then I’m up by 5:45 at the latest, call for the car and I’m out the door by 6am and in my car and on the road by 6:05/6:10 at the latest.
Well, this morning, my dreams were silly and I felt the need to see them through, couldn’t tell you what they were, but I know I was laughing in them, so why get up? I looked at the clock, said “Oh…” called valet and asked for the car. I rushed to get my teeth brushed, looked at my hair and realized I would be alright if I didn’t take a shower, it’s all about how you look when you leave, right?
Wasn’t it Fernando who said “It is better to look good than feel good and dahling…you look mahbelous!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXydX9p_ZxA. Good memories.
The good thing was, the hospital was about 20 minutes away, I made it in time to set the classroom up, of course, I had to wait for someone from security to come and open the room up, which is supposed to be open all the time, sigh.
Guess what happened next…I was there at 6:30 for my 7am class and no one showed up…what? So, I was able to eat breakfast, that was a plus…
The day was fine, people showed up to all the other classes, but I was still a teeny bit off. Left the hospital, got into the car, realized I left my lunch bag in the training room, went back, waited for security to unlock the door. Got back to the hotel, thought I lost my little electronic bag, oh my! I finally found it, it was hiding where I couldn’t find it.
After a while, I decided I was not leaving the hotel. I called room service, ordered got into the bath, relaxed, put on my jammies, ate dinner [wasn’t great, they messed up the order a bit], chilled out and now I’m talking to you.
Alarms are set, I’m going to get more than 4 hours of sleep and tomorrow is a new day.
{March 22, 2015}
What a weekend!
I was at my sister’s house, so you know what that means! Yup, sit back, grab a cup o’ caffeine and away we go!
I’ve told you a little so far, but there is so much more! Ready…Set…Go!
Friday, I arrived earlier than I have the past few weeks, got to see my less than happy niece, EJS, who had been sick for a few days, GES and dad were there as well, he had gotten in on Thursday. My sister had some great news to share, so GO GES! A good way to start the weekend, so there was good and there was bad.
Shortly after I got there, we left the house to head to…wait for it…Cheesecake Factory! ACS and both girls love it, so it is now tradition to go there on their birthdays. We arrived before ACS and MGS and after we put our name down for a table, since they don’t take reservations, we started to go to walk around the mall and ran into father and daughter, what a greeting for Auntie! Sigh.
Then it was walking around the mall waiting for our table, up the escalator, down the escalator, up the escalator, down the escalator…when does this stop being entertaining? No MGS! No more up the escalator, down the escalator and no, I’m not chasing you! I really couldn’t, I was wearing shoes with a wedge, not running.
Finally it was time for dinner and a lovely time was had by all, with cheesecake and a brownie with ice cream, candle and serenading, then head home to eat the cheesecake. Did I mention it had been snowing when I got to the house? Hasn’t Boston gotten enough? They already hit their record…108 inches!
Home was more singing and then night night. [remember, that was just Friday night!]
It continued to snow until Saturday afternoon and a few hours later, it was as if it never was! Saturday morning brought ACS making waffles, yum! [always reminds me of Shrek when Donkey says “And in the mornin’, I’m makin’ waffles!]. Then it was running a few errands with EJS and GES. Then turn around, head home, have a bite of lunch, that would be the pizzas for the cancelled party and true buffalo wings imported from The Anchor Bar in Buffalo with their own blue cheese. People were happy. [and no, I did not eat a chicken wing!]
Sometime during lunch, ACS’ brother and his wife arrived, JS and AS to join us for a snack and then we piled into three cars and headed to the movie theater, where we met some other folks who were joining us, making it a total of 13 to see Cinderella [four kids and 9 adults, how does that work?]
It was a really good movie, I’m loving almost all of the live action fairy tale movies Disney is coming out with! This was not a musical, but it had a great cast and a strong script enjoyed by all!
After the movie, we went to dinner at a nice restaurant, The Met Bar, http://metbarandgrill.com/, where we met, ha ha…B’s husband, SM and their son HM as well as PSM. Dinner was a grand time, everyone talking and laughing and then there was more dessert and singing, lucky girl!
Finally it was time to head home, so we gathered the troops and wondered where MGS was getting the energy at almost 9pm, don’t ask me, I raced with her and chased her! Home and time for bed! [now, remember, that was just Saturday!]
Sunday started too early, I was hoping to sleep past 7…nay-nay said my body. At 6:30,. the desire to go to the bathroom was greater than the desire to stay asleep! Boo
Up and then upstairs, eventually ACS made pancakes and a giant one that he wrote Happy Birthday EJS, put a candle in it and we sang again! Now, that’s what I call a birthday weekend!
Dad and I went to return my ski boots and get new ones, long story for another day, then back to the house. EJS was already gone to Sunday School. Arts and crafts with MGS, then it was time to get dressed and go to the JCC to see a performance of Curious George performed by a local community theater group, really cute, then a Wellness Expo with a bounce house, among other things for the kids and face painting , of course! Only problem…it had to come time for swim lessons and GES met us with all her swim stuff.
After swim, home to play and prep for dinner. Did I mention I did a load of laundry in there somewhere? PSM arrived around 6 and we sat down to dinner. Not everyone had the same thing, but it was nice to be together. After dinner, ACS ran to the grocery store and brought dessert home, among other things and while he was gone, I made a banana bread, it was yummy!
After dinner, it was time for stories and bed, Curious George for MGS, go figure! I said goodnight to both girls and told them I would see them in two weeks. Back downstairs to have grown up visiting, then it was time for PSM to head home, I finished packing and now I’m talking to you.
And that, my friends, was my weekend! Are you tired? I am! I’m a little beat and the taxi is coming at 5:15AM!
Don’t get me wrong at all! I love it! It’s just another typical weekend here!
Goodnight!
{March 20, 2015}
Being sick on your birthday…not a gift
It’s just a fact, right, being sick on your birthday sucks, to be blunt.
Tomorrow EJS turns EIGHT, more on that tomorrow, still OMG!
So…back to the point of the post. EJS had a cough that wouldn’t go away, they took her to the doctor this morning and she has croup, poor little bit. She stayed home from school yesterday and today, feeling like crud, not knowing what was wrong.
So, first, she had to miss the school field trip today, not a happy camper there. Then…her birthday party tomorrow was cancelled, bummer, but…it’s already rescheduled and almost everyone is coming, so that’s great! We went out for the traditional birthday dinner at Cheesecake Factory, enjoyed and not enjoyed when you’re not feeling well. She put up a good front.
Hopefully tomorrow she will feel better, there is still a big day planned, which I will tell you all about.
Bottom line, your birthday should be a fun and happy day, not a day that you feel like crud, so I am sending EJS as many good vibes as I can, hope you can do the same!
{March 19, 2015}
Bread really does make a difference
Face it, we all love bread, even if you don’t, you do.
We can buy it in the store, but we love when we get it on the table at a restaurant, it seems to taste better. Especially warm french bread and butter? I’d rather have that than dessert…
The reason I am inspired to write today is that I had a great sandwich tonight. Now…as you know I am a veg-head, a vegan, if you will and a lot of times, I need to ask for something special to be made. Now, I will tell you when I first became a vegetarian, I didn’t like vegetables, slightly awkward for a vegetarian, but understandable for a 14 year old. Not to worry, that changed, I love veggies.
I love veggies and I enjoy them prepared in different ways, grilled is ok, but I find that there are certain vegetables that I don’t enjoy grilled or on a plate, but put them in a wrap or between two pieces of toasted bread of some sort, with some sort of sauce on the side, say a garlic mayo…and I am there!
Bottom line, grilled veggie sandwich on toasted whole grain bread with a said of garlic mayo with a Caesar salad with the dressing on the side and I was golden! Happy happy yum.
{March 18, 2015}
New Phone..good and bad
I got a replacement phone today!
For a few weeks, I have been having trouble with my cell phone, my beloved Galaxy Note 3, I love this thing! Unfortunately, I have dropped it a few times, but it still works, and that was in the beginning with a bad case.
For the past few weeks, it has started to get fuzzy, the volume doesn’t work well, for calls, notifications, alarms [you know, for waking up on time], anything. The charging port seems loose, won’t keep the cable in, battery is not so hot either. There is also this double beep, like someone is listening…who wants to listen to my oh so stimulating conversations!? [I watch too many crime dramas and spy movies, maybe someone is taping my phone! ooh].
So, needless to say, I was not a happy camper these last few weeks and I am not due for a new phone until February, but I went to Verizon to see what they could do and they did! A new phone was shipped yesterday and now, it’s in my hot little hands.
So…the good…it’s new, no bumps, bruises or scratches, sound quality is good. Now, the bad…you have to download all those apps again, personalization, things like that, where your old phone was set up just so, now you have to start over. On the other hand…you have to start over! Fresh, clean, slate.
You just got a new cell phone /replacement phone…what are you going to do next?
“I’m going to Disneyland!”
{March 17, 2015}
Happy St Patricks Day!
Today is St Patrick’s Day.
Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland.
It is a religious and cultural celebration, but it also seems to be an excuse to party, which is not a bad thing, by any means! There are stories behind everything, for instance, wearing of the green, which is associated with a shamrock and a song, just to name a few.
There are celebrations all over the world, not just in Ireland and the US, it would be foolish to think it ends there! Even at the International Space Station, they are wearing green! Chicago, New York, Boston and Savannah have the biggest celebrations in the US, Chicago and Savannah dye the rivers green, that is a sight to see!
There are so many traditions…you get pinched if you don’t wear green, you should drink green beer and lots of it, corned beef and cabbage to feat on.
I was day dreaming about Ireland, wishing I was there, missing it and knowing I’ll be there again some day and I know I’ll go one day with my twin! I haven’t forgotten and there is so much more I want to see.
Today in between class, I had Irish music playing, Pandora had an Irish station, it was great! Then I went to run a few errands, got back to the hotel and I am a red head again! I could fit in with any Irish pub!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick’s_Day
I will leave you with this Irish Blessing…
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, may the rains fall softly upon your fields.
I hope today was full of fun and silly and all you hoped it would be.
{March 16, 2015}
What a day…start to finish!
I started in Boston and ended in Buffalo.
Today was a travel day, there was good, blech and great. Got up, showered and dressed, taxi to the airport, dropped my yogurt when I got out of the taxi, breezed through security, had a egg Mcgriddle, yum! Eventually boarded the plane, settled in and then the flight attendant asked for a volunteer to move to the back of the plane [it was a baby “planelet”] to help balance the weight. What?
Well, no one volunteered, so guess who raised their hand? Went to the back, ‘re’-settled in, put on Joe vs. The Volcano and fell in love with it all over again! Waited to take off and waited, de-ice something and waited. Multi-tasked by playing a game while I watched the movie. Get to Buffalo a little late, get off the plane, get my bag, head to car rental, get in the car, can’t find my license, ack! I get to the hospital where I am teaching, still can’t find my license, but I had to get to class to teach.
I get down there, where are the materials? over there instead of over here, where’s the presentation? Can’t get to it right now, no worries, taught without the presentation on the overhead, class still went well. Taught two classes, took care of things during the third as no one was registered.
Got the car, headed to the hotel, bumped my head not once but twice getting out of the car and looking for something, front and back seat! What? Checked into the hotel eventually, while I was waiting, the valet brought my license to me, wahoo! I didn’t have any cash, but I gave him a $1M chocolate bar to say thank you!
Headed to the room, same as the one I was in last week, what are the odds! Hung out, got some work done and then my friend from college, JC, well, when I knew him he spelled his first name with a G and that’s how I will always think of him GC. He came from Rochester to go to dinner, how awesome was that?! We went to Chef’s, http://www.ilovechefs.com/, which was a recommendation from someone in the office as well.
The food was good, company was great, décor typical, lots of famous people on the walls. Dessert is still in the bag waiting for me to eat it [cookie is mine], probably tomorrow, I couldn’t resist it! Then on the way out, the $5 for 3 raffle tickets for a FIFTEEN POUND chocolate bunny, what? If I win, who gets it?
So, all in all, a good day and now I’m chilling out in my room at the hotel, ready to start everything over again tomorrow. No head bumps please!
Peaches Prattlings 
