Is Love at First Sight Possible?

If I had been asked this question when I was your age, I would have told you that you needed to lay off the Froot Loops because there was no way such a thing could ever happen. For full disclosure, though, I am one of the least romantic people alive. I have never been mushy, and in fact, I swore up and down that I wasn't going to get married until I met my husband.

That event, though, probably changed my mind.

I met Jeremy while working at the paper in Pensacola. He was the "web guy," and I was on the copy desk. The first time I actually talked to him, I didn't like him. He had the nerve to correct my grammar in a cutline, which I had been lazy about because I hadn't read through what the photog had written yet (later, this became an even bigger strike against him when I found out he hates their/there/they're, but I'm digressing). But, a few weeks later, my stance changed.

We hung out a few times, and after the first time, I realized that there was something special about him. We clicked right away, and I knew that he was going to have a place in my life forever.

So, while it wasn't really love at first site, I do think that when you meet the one - you'll know rather quickly. And usually it will happen when you least expect it.

The Times They Are a Changin'

As an English teacher, most people would probably assume that I would automatically say that textese is bad. But as with anything in this world, I don't think it is a black/white issue. In other words, I have mixed feelings about it.

What it boils down to is that I think there is a time and place for textese. An email to your boss and a text to your BFF are two very different things .You naturally (and it's usually done subconsciously) talk differently to me than you would one fo your friends in the hallway. So, it would be natural to write differently to the two groups. So, I have no problem with textese if it is used in the correct manner. Putting it in a resume or a formal paper (unless it is a paper discussing textese obviously_ may not be the best thing. But using it in a short story while describing texts from teens or to talk to your friend? That's OK (that being said - I never use it in texts or Tweets, but that's the copy editor coming out in me).

English changes. The world changes. People change. It's just the way it is. It always has. English is a living, breathing creature and it should be OK (and welcomed and encouraged) for it to change, have new uses, and have new words added t0 it. Having it change helps ensure that our language is current.

Change is not bad - change is good.

To Be Scared or Not to Be Scared

As today goes on, I hear the groans and fear about having to read Shakespeare and delve into Romeo and Juliet. But, it's really not as hard as you think. Yes, it will take some getting used to, and it won't be a walk in the park. But, you will get it. I'm not going to let you leave without getting it. I will hold your hand through this process and will break it down for you. I'm not going to let you flounder through it on your own. When we finish - you may not like it still (which is perfectly OK) - but you will have conquered it.

I'll give full disclosure - I LOVE Shakespeare. Enough so, that my best friend and I waited for stand by tickets to go see Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park for 90 minutes. I've seen, listened and read enough of them that they aren't hard for me to understand anymore (yes, at one point, Shakespeare was as easy to read for me as Russian would be). So, I get really excited for this unit. I love teaching it, and I love it when I see you guys start to get it.

I take away something new from this play every year. Shakespeare's writing is so complex and intriguing, it's almost impossible to get everything he's included in a first read. Not only that, but there's at least once during this unit that you guys bring up something that I haven't thought of or realized about the play. That's the beauty of schema and personal experiences; we all bring new ideas to the table, which gives us new insight into what we are hearing/reading. So, with any luck, this play will always keep changing for me.

Going back to being scared - you aren't the only one. Believe it or not, when I started teaching this two years ao, I was scared to death. How was I going to make it relevant/interesting/exciting? What if I missed stuff? What if I didn't explain it well enough? But, once I started teaching it, I realized those were all silly thoughts. I did fine with it. Not as well as I would have liked to, but I keep making improvements every year. I notice what I leave out and listen to what you guys need/are confused with. It's still not perfect, but with your help, I get better. Just like with my help, you'll get this!

Costuming fun

I think dress-up days are a good idea. I always liked homecoming week when I was in high school and usually participated with them. Now, there were some days that I thought were stupid and refused to participate - but that was just because I was a moody teenager that had to go against the grain sometimes.

Now, as a teacher, I still like them. I try my best to go along with them - although sometimes I have a hard time coming up with an idea.

PJ day is my absolute favorite day of all. It quite frankly could be my favorite day of the year. It's fantastic to be able to come in flannel pants and a T-shirt AND get to wear my slippers. (This year, it's a little less than exciting because since I've been sick the past week, I'm wearing exactly what I've worn since last Tuesday night. But, it also made it nice to re-enter the world of the living this week.).

So, yes, I've got an outfit planned for every day this week. Except thrift store day. I don't feel like going to one, and I don't have anything at home that would work. Sadly, if I had been in high school, I could have worn almost anything in my closet and it would have worked for that day.

One of my favorite homecoming years was the year we did different decades. Each class was in charge of a different decade (50s, 60s, 70s and 80s). Our hall decorations and float ideas all centered around that era. And, each day was one of those years. It wasn't as crazy or out there as some of the years, but it was still a lot of fun (and again, easy from my closet of thrifted clothes.)

High school is the only time you'll get to do things like this - so take advantage of it!

Need story ideas?

So today's post isn't so much of my writing, but instead it's a guide for you guys to help you come up with ideas for your story.

Here's some places to go:
*Google "story starters"
*any daydreams
*rewrite your favorite story/book/movie
*take your characters from a favorite story/book/movie and put them in a different situation
*add a chapter/scene to your favorite book/story/movie
*take an experience you've had and fictionalize it
*write a story around your favorite video game

My goals for second semester

Here are a few of my goals for this semester (in no particular order):

1. Be more involved with what you guys are reading.
       A. Keep better track of it.
       B. Talk to you more about your books.

2. Write more.
        A. Make sure to share it with you guys more - especially what I struggled with while writing it.
        B. Post more on this blog!

3. Give more feedback about your writing.
     A. Talk more during the writing process and move away from commenting on the rough drafts.
     B. More face-to-face talks about it.

4. Talk more about what I'm reading.
     A. Document what I'm reading in the classroom while I'm reading the book instead of putting up the title when I'm done.

5. Provide opportunities for you to have conversations with each other about what you're reading.

Too public

I've had trouble writing about today's topic. I started off first hour fine, read through it third, and didn't like it.

I was rambling, not making sense, and kinda doing what I was saying I didn't like about all of this in the first place.

I'll be honest - I haven't watched ANY of the coverage about the shootings at all. I read the basic facts about the shooting on Friday, but I haven't clicked on any links on Facebook or Twitter. And, I haven't watched any news reports either.

It's not that I don't care, but the 24-hour news cycle makes this entire thing into a circus and a zoo - and this is coming from someone whose paycheck kinda depended on the news cycle. I don't think it's right that little kids - who were in shock from the traumatic situation - had a microphone stuck in their face. I don't think it's right that every little move from anyone involved is documented.

They're people dealing with a huge tragedy with huge emotions. It's personal. It's not public. Yes, the event that caused those emotions was public - but the aftermath is not.

We don't need to forget. But don't drag them into it.

Let them be. Let them grieve and start to heal in peace.

An Inspiration

Usually, I write about the same topics you guys do for quick writes. Today, however, I didn't.

I sat and wrote a Christmas letter to my 10th grade English teacher - someone who had an enormous impact on my life (and would probably beat me if she knew I was writing about her).

I had heard about Ms. Sklavos my entire life; she and my grandma worked at the high school, and she also knew my mom. In seventh grade, when she saw my mom sitting outside a door waiting for conferences, she came running down the hall to give her a hug because she knew that meant she was going to get me in a few years. From the things my mom and grandma said about her, I knew I was going to love her instantly - and I did.

Ms. Sklavos would throw books at me constantly. She was the one who gave me my first taste of Catcher in the Rye and Flowers for Algernon. Not to mention she was another female who loved Hemingway (there aren't many of us out there). I had already started to love Hemingway in middle school thanks to my English teacher then, Mr. Fisher. But now I had another person to stoke the fire I have for Papa (seriously - he's my favorite author of all times. Read some of his stuff; it's great. Don't tell me if you don't like it, though, because I couldn't handle hearing that).

She had a passion for reading and writing that made me want to continue to do better and to grow in those areas. Shakespeare made sense to me because of her (and I think about her the entire Romeo and Juliet unit because I don't want to let her down). She could talk to you endlessly about any author, any story and any book and bring up points you never thought were possible. She challenged me constantly, and I grew by bounds as a writer that year; I became more of a risk-taker with my writing all because she gave me the confidence to do so.

She was actually the teacher who urged me to become a writer. My response to her: But, writers don't make any money!  So, she told me to be a reporter. And I listened. (And then obviously I veered off that path, but I wouldn't be a teacher today if it weren't for people like her and Mr. Fisher). Even though I did veer off, I'm glad I listened to her. It gave me great experiences and made me grow. I don't think without those years at a newspaper, I'd be able to teach like I do today.

Obviously, Ms. Sklavos was a big inspiration to me. My original career path started because of her, and I try my hardest every day to teach with the amount of passion she had for English. Every year I write her at Christmas, and this summer, I actually met her for lunch. She's extremely proud of me that I've become a teacher (even though she's sad that I stopped writing because according to her I was a beautiful writer). She said that it was the biggest compliment to her that I am doing exactly what she did for me years ago. Of course, that only puts more pressure on me everyday because I don't want to let her legacy down.

I'm not writing this because I want all of you to one day say that I'm your inspiration. I hope that you will find someone in your lifetime that will mean as much to you as Ms. Sklavos meant to me. She is a fabulous person, and I'm lucky to still be in touch with her today.

Finding my happy

Even a year ago if I had written to this question, I would not have said that running is what makes me happy - but it is now. A year ago, though, it was miserable. Not fun, just a chore.

Now, however, I hate when I can't run. I get jittery. I'm not me. I'm guessing if you pat attention in class, you could easily tell when I haven't run enough that week. My knee will bounce just a little more. I tap my foot. And - oddly enough 0 even though I"m more jittery, I'm more sluggish. I'm tired and don't feel as energetic. I also tend to be a little cranky.

One run fixes all of that though. AS soon as I put on those bright pink shoes and step out the door, everything changes. I feel more alert (OK - that may be from needing go go super fast because the wind is biting at my face, making me miserable). I have no worries. All I have to do is keep pounding the pavement.

Any stress I had before melts away; I have plenty of time to think about what's bothering me. I run through scenarios. Pan it all out. Figure out solutions or at least figure out that it doesn't matter, and I don't need to worry about it anymore.

What's amazing is that it works. I can start a run all stressed out because i have too much to do. But after about a mile, it doesn't matter any more. My shoulders relax; there's no more knot. It all just goes away.

Part of the joy of it is that I'm left alone to my own thoughts. I don't have to explain anything to anyone, I don't have to deal with anyone, and I don't have to think about anything. I can just be. It's because of this reason that I don't run with music. I'm happy being completely unplugged. It allows me to listen to me and things in nature I don't normall take time to listen to. The "silence" helps bring about a zen-like state.

Now, don't get me wrong - sometimes running does not make me happy. There are some runs that are difficult. Muscles ache. Lungs scream. My face burns from the cold. But, these runs are becoming fewer in number.

And, honestly, as miserable as those runs are, they make the other ones ten times better. They make me appreciate how far I've come in this pavement pounding journey. It also helps to ensure that the joy I get from running doesn't diminish because it isn't a constant. It changes frequently. So, unlike a drug addict, I don't always need more. Sometimes, I just need better - and that better is in constant flux.

Running has made me a better person. Physically and emotionally. I don't get sick as often, and when I do, it doesn't last as long. My mental state is better. I'm happier; I don't get down as much. I push myself more because I know I can.

I didn't realize I would find joy in it when I started more than a year ago, but I did. Now, I know that if I'm tired, mad, upset, sad or stressed, I need to go out - even if it is only a mile - because those few minutes outside will help me return to normal.

Remembering the Day that Will Live in Infamy

In grade school, I was slightly obsessed with Pearl Harmor. I remember writing a report; reading as many books as I could on it; having mock World War II battles with friends at recess (yes, we were dorks). I felt more connected to it because my great uncle was there on the USS Nevada - and even had the limp tor prove it.

But, my memories and obsession with it faded. I watched the movie when it came out in 2001, and it brought back some of those memories. It had just become another day to me, though. I remember 9-11 being compared to it, but I have to admit, I have given little thought to it since then.

Reading this article, though, has allowed those memories to resurface, and now my understanding of it has grown exponentially - in just those few minutes it took me to read the article that first time. It was what I remembered 9-11 to be. The confusion. The rumors. The panic. The disbelief. It was all there.

Even though I knew all about Pearl Harbor as a kid, I didn't understand. Now that I've read this first-hand account, I get it. I get it because I experienced something similar to it for 9-11. The panic and the wondering make sense now because I've felt that. Many of us can now understand what it was like for cour country on Dec. 7, 1941. Before, we really couldn't - no matter what we said. Now we can emphathize, and I now feel horrible for those who have had to experience two attacks.