Friday Faves - May 31

Well it has been quite the week over here. This was the last week of real classes and the seniors had to take finals and get ready to graduate.  Next week will be a breeze as I only have 4 classes to give finals to and grade and an entire classroom to pack up as I will be moving to the office for next year.  I got this.

As the year is winding down over here I have not had much of a chance to think of my Friday Faves for this whole week so some of them might be for the last two weeks.  Thank you for your understanding.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Um, so, I kind of have this thing for Ben.  I thought Sherlock is great, but after I saw Star Trek last week I was sold.  In fact I would become evil if it meant he would love me. 

Prom

Last weekend was prom at my work and it was pretty fun.  The kids chose the theme A Night At Gatsby's.  How cute is that?  I love being able to go to high school dances as an adult.  I don't care if I dance silly, I can photo bomb all the kids pictures, and yell at the overly hormonal dancers.  It is a delight. 

Yearbooks

Weren't yearbooks just the best when you were in school?  All your friends writing things like KIT and Stay Sweet.  I love when my students ask me to sign their yearbook.  I also like to write cheesy things to them mixed with the serious things. 

Alright friends, I am off to sleep the weekend away.  Only one more week to go till summer!  

love! Tom Tom

They Will Keep

As some of you know I teach English to juniors and seniors in high school.  If you have been around here for more than a minute you will know that I love my job, my coworkers, and my students.

Esmi, Me, and May at awards night!  So proud of my girls!

Some of the Girls Basketball team at awards night, so cute!

I love making them read books they hate like The Crucible and Of Mice and Men.  

I love their reactions when George kills Lennie. 

I love that all the boys start out hating Jane Eyre and then use it as a way to pick up girls in college. 

I love reading essays about Bill Gatsby the inventor of Microsoft (OK I actually did not love that essay). 

I love using my "teacher voice" and really terrifying them when I am only mildly annoyed.  

I love that I have learned how to say "Give me your money" in Chinese.  

I love that I can say I am a reverse banana, white on the outside, yellow on the inside.  

I love that they write stories where I am evil dictator who runs a country where the subjects have to read, write, and do projects 18 hours a day.

I love that they ask me to sign their yearbooks at the end of the year.

I love that parents ask me where they can find their child's teacher, and the reaction I get when they find out it is me, "But you look so young!"

I love that they know my Starbucks order by heart.

I love that they know that to get on my good side sucking up will get you everywhere.

I love that they call me Mrs. Thor.

I love that they supported my new love interest Benedict Cumberbatch aka Sherlock and the bad guy from Star Trek. 

I love that I can tell them I have a headache and they are quite for the rest of class and ask me how I feel the next day.

I love that they sit riveted when I show a cartoon like The Lorax in class. 

I love that I can give the best lecture in my life and the first question I hear is, "Can I use the bathroom?"

I love when they ask if "this" will be on the final. 

I love when they start to date someone I sat them by at the beginning of the year, and I need to make a new seating chart. 

I love when I stand by the door and give high fives as the enter the room. 

I love when they get hair cuts and wear hats to hide their shame. 

I love when they sell each other out, "Oh yeah she is ditching today.  I am pretty sure is is at South Coast buying clothes."

I love when they tell me they watched the movie instead of reading the book.

I love when they ask if there is a movie based on the book.

I love that they believe my lies. 
I love when they write me notes of encouragement that make me cry a little.

I love that they try, care, work hard, fall asleep, give me attitude, smell bad, open doors for ladies, pray, seek what it means to be a better person, and all around be themselves.  

As I made this list I realized that I really do love my job and students.  I actually teared up because I will be an English teacher for another 5 days and then I will be changing my position at my job.

I am so excited for the change and it is what I want.  I went to school to be a School Counselor.  Unfortunately, I graduated in December 2008 and the economy tanked. I am pretty sure the two events are related.  With the economic downfall education was hit hard, especially in California. 

Many schools cut their school counseling budgets and positions in an attempt to save administrator and teacher jobs. Without being fluent in another language and fresh out of grad school I was not having success at landing that Counseling job. 

I then subbed and babysat and slept in and watched Fraiser reruns for a year.  I decided I wouldn't have another year like that and I went back to school for my teaching credential.  I didn't know what subject to get it in so I decided English was fun.  I took the CSET with a week of preparation and passed all four sections the first time (I took that as a sign I should teach English, those tests were hard!)

As I was student teaching I had the opportunity to watch a friend teach his AP English classes.  While I was there he was teaching Jane Eyre.  I loved the story and went home and read the book that week.  It quickly became one of my favorites and I integrated it into my curriculum when I taught English 4.  

I love that Jane is so accessible in the book. I relate to her often and my students, girls and boys alike, relate to her.  It is such a great book for the development of a person at their age.  The book lead to some of my favorite discussions in class about relationships, gender roles, and growing up.  

One the moments that spoke the most to me during my student teaching time was a quiet moment towards the end of the book.  Jane ran away from Thornfield and her love, Rochester.  She is given a job teaching simple country children.  St. John is worried that she will not take the job or will not like it because she will be able to use all of her fine accomplishments.  With grace she says that, "they will keep until they are needed" and accepts the job she was offered. 

The wisdom that Bronte so aptly wrote has been comforting to me as I have battled the education system.  I was sad that I couldn't counsel students right away and needed to go back to school for a credential I didn't really want.  When I read Jane's words I realized they could be mine too.  My counseling skills would keep.  Teaching English would make me a better counselor.  I would find joy in the work that I was doing no matter what it was.

It has almost been five years since I earned my counseling degree and I am so happy to say that I will be the Guidance Counselor next year at my school.  I voiced my hope to work as a counselor and then two weeks later I was given the position.  

I am extremely excited for the opportunity to use my skills and do what I think I am best at.  I am also sad to leave the classroom where it is safe to be a nerd.  I am so grateful for my students who let me work out what it meant to be a good teacher with grace and acceptance.  The last two years were by far the most challenging years I have had and the most rewarding.  I am looking forward to seeing how my counseling skill have kept and to the challenges and adventures the next year holds.

And for my students who are taking finals this week and next.

love! Tom Tom

The Great Gatsby And His Mediocre Friends

This post is about two weeks late, but I am going to post it anyway cause I can.

I was really excited for The Great Gatsby to be made into a movie again.  Sorry Robert Redford, but your version was just weird.  And did anyone see the A&E version staring a young Paul Rudd?  What was up with Daisy's voice, no man would fall in love with a gerbile which is what I assume she was.

I had been promised Gatsby for two years.  I then promised my then junior class we would go watch the movie for extra credit.  Then disaster struck.  The movie was postponed a year.

A year passed and again I promised my juniors, and last years juniors, that I would take them for Christmas.  Disaster struck again. We had to wait until May of this year for our dreams to be complete.

Needless to say there was much anticipation of this film for me and my 110 Asian students and 5 American students to see this flick.

Then the day finally arrived.  Gatsby was really coming to theaters and Leo was going to play the wonderfully tortured man.  80 of my students and I packed a 2:30 showing on a Saturday and totally disrupted all the movie goers who were trying to be on dates.  I am actually secretly proud of that fact.  Throughout the theater you could hear shouts of "Tom Tom, I am here!" and "Tommy I made it!"  I was the coolest person at the Puente Hills Mall that afternoon.

We had a wonderful time at the theater together and had great thoughtful conversation about the film in all my classes.  I really liked what I told my students so I decided to share it here with you now.

My cute students and me at the theater.

I should warn you that this post is not for you if you....

------ like JayZ

-----  like Tobey McGuire

------ never read the book by Fitzgerald called The Great Gatsby

------ think that I am spoiling the movie for you by telling you it is based on a book by Fitzgerald called The Great Gatsby.

------- only care what your mom thinks about the movie

------- hate Leo

------- hate your high school English teacher

------- cannot read

------- only care about Tiffany's and Prada's product placement in the movie

Otherwise sit back, relax, and let the critique begin.

I should start of by being completely honest.  I hate the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.  I hate the characters.  I hate the storyline.  I hate the parties.  I hate the interpretation most people walk away with.  I hate the whole lot of them.  Just hate it, which I think is why I love it. 

As I have read this book with classes the last two years I felt like I am not the only one who hated the book.  I have a suspicion that F. Scott also hated the book.  Because I have tapped into this I feel like I am in an exclusive club where only a couple of us know just how truly terrible the people in Gatsby are.

The problem I have with most people regarding the book is that they overly glorify Gatsby.  In no way do I think he is a character in literature that the reader is supposed to emulate, glorify, or idolize.  He is a broken, shallow, boyish, criminal man.  Fitzgerald does not want readers to be like Gatsby.  He writes the book as a warning about placing your hope in the wrong thing and letting it consume you.  For Gatsby that was Daisy.  The girl who loved money more than people.  Eventually that blind love in the wrong thing is what will lead to his end which only inspires the reader not to be like Gatsby, Nick, Daisy, Tom or any one mentioned in the novel.  Place your hope in the right things and then beat on, boat against the current. 

I believe that Baz Luhrmann's version of The Great Gatsby is the closest to give the don't be like these people message.  The way he does this is by placing the story's narrator, Nick, in a mental hospital after the events of the summer of Gatsby.  His is anxious, depressed, and an alcoholic.  Yes, Baz, being like Gatsby and his crew will literally wreck you and send you into a mental hospital.  Brilliant interpretation.

I also loved that he gave Nick a reason to tell the story.  The problem I have with the book is Nick never tells us why he is telling the story.  I like that the movie gave us a reason: It is to help Nick process what happened during that summer, to heal and move on. Stylistically, I loved the way the words would appear on the screen as Nick was writing, I thought it was a beautiful touch.

I think Leo was the first actor in that role to really do Gatsby any justice.  He came across as cool at first, rich, handsome and yet evasive and enigmatic.  Then he became more human after he said "Old sport" for the first time.  Most people had a problem with the way he said it, but the book said that he pronounced it strange and did not quite seem comfortable with the phrase.  Well done, Leo.  When it was time for Gatsby to meet Daisy, Leo did a great job as the nervous, boy who runs outside to get away from the house right when they were supposed to meet.  One of my favorite scenes in the book and the movie.  And I like how he was not capable of keeping it all together toward the end of the movie.  This Gatsby was flawed and broken and not great.

Now for the less amazing aspects of the film.  The music just didn't do it for me.  I know there is a lot of debate about the music and JayZ.  I don't want to add to that static.  I will just say I didn't care for it.

Tobey Mcguire was miscast.  Sorry Tobes, but you are too old to play 20 something Nick. I didn't buy your portrayal for one second.  You tried to hard to be an innocent boy from the Midwest who was enchanted and revolted by your new surroundings I just never believed you.  Also what was wrong with your voice?

I didn't hate Tom and Daisy as much as I wanted to.  By the end of the book I just want them to die a fiery death.  They are terrible people and I hate them.  In the movie I was indifferent towards them.  I think it is because they were too humanized.  By the end it looked like Daisy made her decision based on love.  Whereas in the novel she makes it based on money. Which leads me to my last point.

Where was all the commotion about Daisy's voice?  It is the driving point of her characterization and it was nowhere in the movie.  She was a woman who had a voice that men fell in love with. And Gatsby later said her voice was "full of money."  That is such a great line because it sums her up so well and makes me hate her more.

Overall I enjoyed the film and would show it to my students after we read the novel because it does show the dark side of the fast and easy style of the Jazz Age.

And now to leave you here is a video of one of my classes performing to "Gatsby" and the YouTube video they are parodying.

love!Tom Tom

Bachelorette Link Up #1

Alright, so my friend Meg over at Henning Love is having a link up to recap The Bachelorette every Tuesday.  When I saw her post about it was instantly excited.  True confession: I love The Bachelor TV series.  However, I don't love it like most people love it.  I love to hate it. And I don't love to hate it in the ironic hipster way, I just like to watch it and look for flaws in all the people on this show.  I blame it on the MA in counseling that I have.  Others may blame it on too much time on my hands or heart made out of ice.  Either way I think I am entertaining.

So - at least for this week, because I do not know how much more of these people I can stand - here is my Bachelorette Recap for the first episode.  Let's meet the men aimless boys without real careers!

Usually the first episode of The Bachelorette feels a little like a frat party.  Beefy guys all competing to make it into the frat (or into the girls pants heart.)  This year was even worse than usual.  Honestly, I did not like any of the suitors the show found for Des.  I am not sure if it has to do with the lack of quality guys our age, yes we are about the same age, or if she just has horrible taste, but the quality was not there. Which leads me to wonder if our generation of guys is just not having the best time this decade.  The economic downturn, emerging adulthood, or prolonged adolescence has made the men on the Bachelorette actually seem strangely familiar to me.  But this is about Des so I will stick to the topic at hand.

First of all, there were 2 men who actually had legitimate career jobs in their late 20s and early 30s.  The were the creepiest men on the show.  The first was Larry, an ER doctor, who could only talk about the fact that he "dipped her all wrong."  That of course is a reference to the dance move he concocted that went awry when he tired to dip Des and her dress was caught on something.  He was gone gone gone.  The other professional was a CREEP named Justin who claimed to be a lawyer.  she threw him out before the rose ceremony because he kept trying to sleep with her the first night  Kla$$y.

Other than those to the night was filled with nervous boys and wanna be men.  None of them struck me as impressive. Drew from Arizona seemed sweet, but like little brother sweet.  The guy who invented the sign spinning to get business was cool until he told us that he was the guy who invented sign spinning.  Seriously, who thinks that is impressive, I find it obnoxious when I am walking down the street and am nearly decapitated by a sign. Also annoying when I found out what his job was hashtag Kassey. If you work for social media cool, I guess.  You don't have to hashtag everything you say.  You sound like a 16 year old girl in one of my English classes. 

The only man I thought could be a viable option was Ben, the man with the kid.  I mean seriously how cute was that kid and how cool was it when he told her up front about who he was.  Then he talked some more and I lost interest.  Who says they just had a kid with their best friend?  I have seen enough straight to Netflix movies where that never works and the mom and dad always get together, if ya know what I mean. Oh my good friend thinks that Zak W. would make a good husband for her.  I am pretty sure she is twitter stalking him as we speak.  I approve of his abs.

Other than the lack of quality men, the aspect of this season that bugged me the most was the "Cinderella" theme it has taken on.

Des comes from humble beginnings and was quite poor growing up.  Being The Bachelorette is a wonderful opportunity for her.  She has a nice house, mint green Bentley to drive around Malibu, and 25 guys that just pledged their new bachelor frat.  I get it.  However, I do not need to be beat over the head with it.

I think that wanting your life to be a fairy tale is quite childish and damaging for a relationship.  Who can live up to that expectation.  If you have the expectation of a "fairy tale" love story you are bound to be depressed, let down, and underwhelmed - or according to Alex Mack just whelmed.  If nothing else the fair tale wont work because animals don't talk to you, do your chores, or make sure you are home on time before you turn into a pumpkin again.

I wish Des and her boys good luck this year.  Come back next week to see if I can handle another episode.

love! Erica

Blacation

Yes folks, I was on a little bit of a "blacation" this last week, that is a blog vacation.

I am not sure what caused the delayed absence.  I had plenty of material to write about, lots of pictures, and even time (well kind of).  I just needed a little break.

May is the most insane month of the year for me in little teacher land.  I have to somehow still continue to teach, grade, pack, show up to work, go to prom, go to tons of awards nights, graduation, and senior events and keep my life put together.  I actually think all teachers are super heroes this time of year, totally delusional super heroes.

I coached the students in their game vs. the teachers last week.  We dominated due in large part to my motivational pep talks.

May is so crazy that I had to establish a life rule.  The life rule was established one May when I was finishing my semester of grad school, starting a new relationship, looking for a new job, and trying to wrap up the current school year.  All of the above ended sub par.  So the life rule I came up with was No major life decisions can be made in May.  EVER! So far it has served me well.

This last week was filled with fun.  Some quick highlights before I fall asleep here.

1. GATSBY!
I offered extra credit if they went with me to see the movie.  About 70 students showed up.  We had a lovely time annoying the folks who were just there to watch the film with their sweetie.  I also felt like a rock star every time a kid walked in and made sure I saw them.

With 70 students, but by myself.  I guess it isn't cool to sit with your teacher.

2. OTHER MOVIES!
OK I have been on a movie watching frenzy!  I have seen four movies in the last week and a half. I saw Iron Man 3, 42, Gatsby, and Star Trek.  I am living like a girl who doesn't have to work and I love it!

With May on a Tuesday at Iron Man 3!

3. PROM!
I have been to prom more times as a teacher than when I was a student, and you know what I have way more fun now.  One of the best parts was the prom theme was A Night at Gatsby's.  I have the best students!  I really enjoyed breaking up couples during the slow songs.  My motto for the night was, "Don't make memories, make good choices."

Double fisting it with the souvenir glasses from Prom.  We are double awesome for following the theme

4.  MOMS!
I had a great Mother's Day celebrating my mom.  I also got a little love from May.  She gave me some candy, a coffee mug, and a picture of herself to put in my wallet.  I would think she was really related to me with the amount of self worth she has!

Gifts from May!

Alright short and sweet for tonight.  Time for this lady to get her beauty sleep.

Blacation officially over.

love! Erica

Friday Faves - May 10

It's Friday!  My neighbor at work plays Rebecca Black's Friday song most Friday's and it almost seems incomplete if I do not her auto-tuned voice.  I actually feel quite bad for that girl. I need to have a serious talk with her parents. 

This weeks Friday Faves is just a list of great people or groups of people in the world.

Moms!

In honor of Mother's Day this Sunday I just wanna say, "Hi Mom!  Thanks for being my faithful reader! You have a beautiful child."

Teachers!

Yes this week was Teacher Appreciation Week. In case you forgot or didn't do anything for the teachers in your life you are not alone as I wrote about here!  Chipotle looked out for this little teacher when no one else would.  Thanks Chipotle you know how to keep a girl happy. 

I enjoy this video Jimmy Kimmel had on his show.  Yes it is kind of mean, but it does make me laugh. 

Gatsby! 

That's right folks after TWO YEARS of waiting my love Leo is coming to the screen in The Great Gatsby! This movie was supposed to come out last year and then was delayed to this last Christmas and then delayed again until now.  I honestly have never waited so long for something in my life.  I told my students this and one snarky girls said, "Haven't you waited forever for someone to love you?"  Sometimes I need more teacher  appreciation days...  

AA

I am taking my students to see Gatsby this weekend for extra credit and I am really excited about it.  Here's hoping the scene with the shirts is everything I want it to be, it is by far my favorite part of the book. 

Well Old Sport, I hope you have a great weekend with your mom, a teacher, Gatsby or all three!

love! Erica

Chipotle Loves Me, Why Don't You?

This week I have been reminded of my favorite Black Eyed Peas song, "Where is the love?"

In case you didn't know this week is Teacher Appreciation Week.  Tell a teacher in your life you love them. Better yet, buy them a Starbucks card.  One of my classroom sayings is: "Nothing says thank you like a Starbucks card."

This week some great establishments in the area told teachers, "Thanks!"  The one I cared the most about was Chipotle.  They offered buy one get one free for all teachers.  I went with May on Tuesday and had a Tuesday Funday.  Chipotle, Ironman 3, and Golden Spoon.  Not too bad for a Tuesday.  Thanks Chipotle!

Me and May at the movies on a Tuesday.  We embrace spontaneity

Best Burrito Bowl ever, cause it was free.

Why Chipotle love me!

I am so grateful to Chiptole for the shout out because it seems they are the only ones around me that remembered.  I am not saying I need tons of things or a lot of thanks, but hey, some thanks would always be welcomed. 

If you are reading this and totally forgot to take care of the teachers in your life it's not too late to be a caring person!  A thank you is always welcome.  Honestly, getting a little card, or token of appreciation makes my day and sends a little encouragement when it is needed most. 

So, Chipotle I want to thank you for caring more about my ability to educate and shape the young minds of the future.  That burrito bowl I ate on Tuesday tasted better than other burrito bowls and I know you think I am the best teacher ever.  

To the world, where is the love?  Tell a teacher you love them and they and you appreciate the fact care about you or your kids.  

Alright time to grade some essays and do a little yoga!   Oh and in case you were wondering I take a grande soy vanilla latte from the Bux!

love!Erica

Anywhere With You

Two of the things I love the most are music and traveling.

Total tourist look through the streets of Europe.

Frankenstein face as we go through Frankenstein.

I am somewhat musical and come from a family of musical people.  My grandmother has a beautiful voice.  When she was young she actually sang on the radio.  My mom was more of the instrumental type and can play the french horn beautifully. I can sing, not as good as my grandma, but I can carry a tune, and I played the oboe and clarinet, and taught myself guitar.  I am not any sort of a musical prodigy, but I know enough to know good music when I hear it.  I am so glad that I had musical people in my family because music has always been a part of my life.

My mom also passed down to me a love of traveling. I like to think my mom fell in love with travel when she was in high school.  Her family moved to Germany when she was in her teens.  My grandfather was the principal of an American high school on the base army base.  From the stories she tells it sounds like she loved it there, and cried when they left her senior year.

Visiting my mom's old high school a few summers ago.

The gazebo from The Sound of Music.  I am 16 going on 17.

Growing up summers meant family vacations.  My mom instilled in me the importance of travel from a very young age.  Growing up in a small town in Arizona was awesome but difficult at times.  I had friends who had never been further than Phoenix their whole life.  I found them to have a small world view and were very narrow minded.  

We took many road trips and flights around the US and Canada.  I cannot remember a summer where I was not traveling.  As a result I have a great love for travel and think that the more you see the better off you will be.

I did not intend to be so wordy here.  Really all this post was going to be was a little play list of my favorite travel songs.  There is sometime quasi-romantic in a song about traveling or a song that uses places.  I actually find them more romantic than the super gushy romantic songs.  I think it is because traveling with someone you love seems more plausible to me.  Romantic candle light dinners in hotel rooms sounds nice, but like a lot of work.  Driving down the road and checking out a wall made of gum sounds like true romance.

I think that the movie Eliabethtown has some blame to take here.  How great was that road trip Kristen Dunst made for Orlando Bloom?  Totally romantic right?

For example Jake Owen's new song "Anywhere With You" totally makes me swoon.

I'll go anywhere,
West Virginia baby I don't care
Mexico on wild hair
Have you ever seen California
Pick a spot on any old map
I travel light and my bags are packed
Just as long as I'm where you're at
I'm gonna have a real good view
I'll go anywhere, anywhere with you

The Eagle's "Take It Easy."

 I just love the easy feeling of this song.  I also love that they mention Winslow, Arizona.  I grew up about two hours away from Winslow and I can not believe that place made it into a song.  This song makes me wanna drive and find cool new places to explore.

Simon and Garfunkel's "America"

Really almost any Simon and Garfunk song screams road trip to me Growing up nothing said road trip like S and G.  It was my family's go to CD.  I know all the words and harmonies to their songs and I still love it.  How beautiful is this song: 

"Kathy, I'm lost," I said, though I knew she was sleeping
I'm empty and aching and I don't know why
Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike
They've all gone to look for America 

I also love books about travel, but that might be a post for another day.  

love! Erica

Lies I Tell My Students

After I wrote my post Lies I Tell on Facebook I realized there are so many other places I like to lie.  One of them is my classroom.  I know it is terrible to do this but, you have to have a little fun sometimes right, keep the kids on their toes ya know.

I get by with a lot of things as long as I say it with confidence. In other words, my students do not question the absurdity of the things that come from my mouth as long as I sound like I mean it.

Below are a list of my top ten favorite lies I have told classes of students over my 6 years as a teacher.

With Two of my students on their mock interview day.  Oh and they buy cameras that make your photos fuzzy so you look prettier. HA!

With two/three in the back of my students during Spirit Week this year.

10. I pronounce words wrong.

I am a smart lady. However, sometimes I have a little bit of a difficulty with phonics.  In fact I had to have a phonics tutor when I was in first grade.  I do not remember anything from those tutoring sessions except how to write in cursive. Mom, you might want to get a refund.
  I don't mean to pronounce words wrong it just happens sometimes.  If you say it with confidence they will never know.

9. I live on the roof of the school. 

While I was teaching elementary summer school I found great joy in the first grade class.  They were cute, funny, and believed everything.  One hot, summer day I told a boy that I lived on the roof of the school.  He asked why and I told him it was so I wouldn't have to drive far to get to work.  That was enough of a reason for him and from them on in his mind I lived on the roof.

I actually slept in my classroom one night after grad night.  I had 2 hours before work and it was the best option.

8.  There is a secret teacher swimming pool on the roof of the gym.

I don't know why but it seems that a few of my lies involve the roof of the school.  Probably because they will never make it up there.  I told a group of students that even though I do not make much money one of the benefits of working at the school is a private swimming pool reserved for staff.  All the teachers go there at the end of the day and hang out. 

7.  I love all the books/stories we read. 

There are just some things we have to do in class that I could care less about.  I am so good at acting though that the kids think I  love Beowulf and all that Old English junk we muddle through.  I don't.

6. I am friends with Tyra Banks.

I told a class of students I was BFFs with Tyra.  They weren't quite buying it so to prove it I gave them "her phone number."  I just wrote a random phone number on a piece of paper.  (I felt bad about this one so I came clean the next day.)

5.  I am a model outside the school and make 5 million dollars a year.  I love teaching so I volunteer my time during the school year to educate the future leaders of America.

No one said that there was no way that could be true.  These sweet teenagers actually think I am a model.  God bless them.

4.  Yes, I am in love with every man that works here.

I cannot tell you how many times these kids ask me if I am dating certain coworkers of mine.  Married ones, single ones, fat ones, skinny ones, tall ones, short ones, Asian ones, white ones, you name it I am in love with it... according to them.  I have just quit trying to stop the rumors and agree every time they ask.  It makes life more interesting at least.

3. I changed my last name from Samsung.

Yes, I am Korean.  Yes, I am worth a few billion dollars.  Yes, I could just chill in the most beautiful places in the world like Paris Hilton, but I don't.  I changed my last name so I could have a normal life.  I don't want someone to try and marry me because I am rich.  I believe in love for love's sake. 

2. One of the teachers that I work with straightens his hair every day.

This one is one of my favorites because I built up a whole back story.  He is an Asian man born in America.  I told the students that he was born with a freak, genetic mutation that caused his hair to be curly.  Having curly hair in Asian American circles is looked at as a sign of shame and disgrace (in my made up world).  In order to fit into his culture and society he straightens his hair every morning. 

I have had a few kids question me on this one.  The will ask things like,"But he always looks like he just rolled out of bed and didn't do his hair."

My answer, "He works hard to make it look like that.  Like Ted on How I Met Your Mother."

When they really don't believe me I tell them to think back to camp.  Did Mr. Tang ever get in the lake or the pool?  NO!  because his hair would be curly again.  BAM! case closed. 

1. Whenever I miss a few days for vacation I tell the kids I went to China.

I am not sure why but they totally eat it up.  I look up weather conditions where I "went" and tell them a few cultural points.  Last weekend when I went to Stagecoach I was in Beijing, it was lovely this time of year. 

After making this list I kind of felt bad.  It is a little like when Jim went through all the pranks he pulled on Dwight over the years.  At the time they were awesome, but when you add them all up it kind of sounds mean.  But like Jim I will continue to have fun and keep myself entertained.

love! Erica

Friday Faves - May 3

We made it through another week!  My week was great considering I only had work 4 days this week and last night I went to the second game of the first round of NHL playoffs.  It was such an exciting game for five minutes.

The Ducks were down 4-1 and only had about 10 minutes left in the game.  To be honest I gave up hope.  Then they scored 3 goals in five minutes.  The game went to overtime.  Then within two minutes it was over and the Ducks lost 5-4.  We will get em' next game.  Let's Go Ducks!

Honda Center from the very top row.

The few moments I had hope for a victory.

Moving on from the Ducks' loss.
This week some of my favorite things are coming to you from Stagecoach.

First up for Friday Faves is Zac Brown Band.  I have always like ZBB, but after seeing them preform live I have a whole new appreciation for them.  These guys are so insanely talented. I would see them in concert many, many times.

The $5 bottle of Powerade I bought at Stagecoach.  This might seem silly, but while I was wasting away in the desert heat, I swear it was the most amazing thing that has ever passed my lips.  As I was drinking my red Powerade I thought I should give it a shout out here for keeping me cool and hydrated.  Powerade, you saved my life. 

Chipotle giving away burritos will always make a Friday Faves list!  Next Tuesday take your teacher ID and get a free burrito when you buy another one.

This week was so fun in my Senior English classes.  My students had to make a video that was selling a product that society does not need. The topic was satire based on Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.  Some of them missed the satire part, but overall it was just good fun.  Below are my favorite two videos.

These videos are cute, but may be less cute if you haven't taught these kids for two years.  Just a note they are all International students from Asia and yes sometimes it is hard to understand them, but who cares they are cute. 

It Girls   - I might make an appearance at the beginning of the video.  I am pretty mean to my student, I feel a little bad about it. 

Camera that makes you look pretty - I just love the guys in the movie.  They are totally making fun of the girls in their class, and do an incredible job pointing out their silliness.

love! Erica

Teenage Love Is Disgusting

Recently I have been reminded of why I love my job and my students.

  I needed this reminder desperately as senioritis (which is really just an excuse to be the laziest son of a gun ever) has been in full force for the last month eight months.

The seniors I teach have been in my classes for two years now.  While I am extreemly ready for them to graduate and get their stinky senioritis ridden bodies out of my classroom, I will really miss these kids.  I know who they are and for the most part the core of who they are makes them good kids.

The last two weeks I have had a few conversations that just made my heart melt and made me sad they will not be in my classroom everyday anymore.

 The first came from one of the most gentelmanly students I have ever met.  In fact his nickname is "Gentleman."  When he sees me walking to my classroom with loads of stuff he will run to me and carry my things.  When a classmate needs a book, pen, piece of paper he will get up and get it for them.  When his classmates need to be knocked upside the head for being knuckleheads he will do it for me.  He is just a great kid. I told my students if they are looking for a boyfriend he would make a great one.  I was proven right when this great kid fell in love this semester... hard.

 

Even though this kid is great and most of my students are great, I will admit that I think teenage love is disgusting!

I do not like it when teenagers are all handsy while I am standing behind them at Disneyland or Taco Bell.  Really, Taco Bell is the place that peaks those hormones?

Doesn't this remind you of high school?

During my poetry unit around Christmas time I told my students their poems should be from the heart, but that their hearts were incapable of love.  I did not want to read hundreds of love poems from these kids, sorry.

That said I occasionally think teenage love is just so stinking cute.  There are a few couples that I have had in my classes that I really hope will make it.  I hope they invite me to their weddings.  I hope they are the people that say they married their high school sweetheart and have been married for 58 years.

I also really like it when I see little romances blooming in my class.  I change my seating charts every quarter and if I think the match would be adorable I will let them sit by each other.  I should start a show called Classroom Matchmaker.

My dear Gentleman is in a little high school relationship.  I am not sur eit will be one of those that will make it 60 years but it is kind of cute.

The school had their spring play last week and I went and enjoyed watching the kids preform and have fun.  After the play I just sat down waiting for May, and a group of kids came to sit by me.  Gentleman was with them and he was waiting for his lady to come hang out with him.

I asked how things were and he said good.  Then he got super awkward.  I asked what was up and he asked me what I thought about his grammar.  He just came to America three years ago from China and of course there are some issues but nothing serious.  I told him this and he seemed very sad.

He then asked me if he gave me something to edit if I would.  I said of course and asked what it was.

His reply was amazing: "I want to write a love letter to my girlfriend but I am worried about my grammar."

How could you not love that?!?  I told him that if he wanted me to read something that personal I would help him but that she would like it no matter what.

In that moment I was so happy that I was a teacher and that I had earned a trust after two years to care for and cheer on my students in their most personal ways.

That same week I was hanging out with the seniors while they made their senior video and I had a group of girls come over and ask to take a picture with me.  I said of course and we took this picture.

Then they asked if it could be on my blog.  Melt my heart again!  Yes ladies your photo can be on my blog!

 I am grateful for these small moments that remind me why I care, why I teach, and why caring can make a difference.

love!  Erica

How To Be Awesome - Stop Talking

I love this poster and the slew of aphorisms that it contains.  I realize I just used the word "slew" and "aphorisms" on a Wednesday morning and I want to thank the 5 of you who will continue to read my blog.

I realize this is a cheesy classroom poster, but that aside it contains some simple truths.  The first time I saw this poster I was subbing for a jr. high English class. Even though it was a cheesy teacher poster, we all have them, the message has stayed with me for a while now.

The part that resonates the most with me is the "watch your words they become actions."  So often our thoughts and words seem like just thoughts and words.  Usually they are harmless, but if they continue in negative or unchecked ways our actions can reflect what we think and talk about. 

There are times in my life where I get really hung up on some thing and it seems that no matter what I can not stop talking about it.  I honestly do not want to talk about that topic but I can not stop myself. I hear myself bringing it up in conversations or looking for ways to include it when it really does not apply.  I often feel like Cady in Mean Girls when she keeps talking about things that she knows she shouldn't, "word vomit" is what she called it.

Cady word vomiting all over Aaron Samuels.

So you may be asking yourself "What is this topic that Erica keeps talking about?"  Currently, I do not have one. However, in the past it has been one of two things. problems at work or relationship problems or lack or relationship problems because I am not in a relationship.

Around Christmas time I went on a few dates with a guy and it fizzled hard.  I mean we hung out, I met his drunk roommate, I gave him bomb chocolate chip cookies baked with like (I just met him why would I bake them with love) for his Christmas gift and then he died.

I am not sure if he died, I am sure that I never heard from him again though.  My wonderful cousin Rachel says when she goes out with someone and she never hears from them again it is becuase she knows they died.  She gets mad that they did not call and then sad when she thinks of them dead, it saves a lot of heartache actually.

After this turn of events and a random man's death it was all I could talk about.  A friend would bring up her date and then I would talk about mine.  I would be hanging out with my family and they would ask me how things were and I would go into my single girl story, over and over again. I would go to the gorcery store and buy ice cream and then tell the checker that it was because I liked ice cream not because of a break up.  But since she asked (yeah right) I would tell her about why I am single.  The conversation quickly turned from that one guy to all guys.  The snowball was rolling and building up speed.

I am sure that those around me were very tired of this topic of conversation, but they love me and let me go on.  I was tired of the topic.  I was tired of feeling like the girl who only had the identity of "I am sad and single."  That isn't me and that is not who I want to be perceived as.  

As the motivational poster above reads watch your thoughts they become your words, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become you character and your character is your destiny.  If I was not careful I was quickly moving from thoughts to words to actions and could easily have become a habit of complaining about something petty in my life.   

So what did I do.  I made a commitment to myself and God that I would stop complaining about my situation out loud, in my head, and in my prayers for a month.  The first few days were hard because talking about this topic was really all I was talking about, but after three days or so of detox I was fine.  There were times I almost talked about it and remembered my personal challenge and bit my tongue. 

During my self proclaimed silence I remembered that I am worth so much more than a relationship.  Just because one guy died doesn't mean they all will.  Just because I am in a some what slow dating time doesn't mean I always will be.  Just because I have Friday nights where Ken Burns is my date does not demean my significance in the world.  

I want to note that if something ever happened to you and you have bottled that up then you need to talk about it.  Taking time to stop talking is for those moments when you do not need to talk.  It is for those times when talking is becoming toxic.  It is for those times when you are becoming someone you know you are not and someone you do not want to be.

If you are sick of your own toxic thoughts let them go.  If you think someone else is sick of your rantings, let them go.  If you are afraid to stop talking because you do not know what to talk about anymore trust that those around you will fill in the gaps while you make your way back to your true character. 

Choose your thoughts and words careful for they really do make a difference in who you are. 

love! Erica 

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