Break Done Right

Well Another Thanksgiving break has come and gone.  As a teacher I feel like Thanksgiving break always comes at the right time: just before a mental breakdown.  From here on out I have two weeks of actual teaching left, one final to give and a ton of office work to get through.  Who knew being a school counselor was really just a ton of paperwork?  I could live without that and could live with more days in the sun with my pup!

OK little rant aside I tried to take full advantage of my time off this year.  After mandatory meetings at work on Monday and Tuesday my lovely co-workers and I went to see Catching Fire.  I take total responsibility for the love of the Hunger Games that swept through my school and I love watching the movies with them.

Wednesday I took May to take her drivers license test and she passed!  I may be having a life outside of driving teenagers everywhere sometime soon.  Also should note that the DMV the day before Thanksgiving a nightmare.  Be smart like me and make an appointment, or stand in a line that wraps around the building.  You do you.

 

As a reward for passing we went to Disneyland for the evening.  We have passes so it isn't that big of a deal, but Disneyland at Christmas time is my favorite.  Oh and it snows at Disneyland too.  Well soap bubbles that smell like cinnamon fall from the sky, it is magical.

For Thanksgiving we went to my uncle and aunt's house, like every year. The most exciting thing that happened was Penny was finally able to play with other dogs because she got all her shots.  She played with my uncle's dog Scout.  It was so sweet and they are best friends now.

Friday was the most hectic and amazing. I went to the Honda Center to see the Ducks play the Flame.  We won by like a million points.  Well I actually forgot the score but we won.  And My boy Cogs scored a goal just for me.

Later that night I went to the House of Blues Anaheim to see Chase Rice.  It was a totally fun and silly show.  In case you do not know who he is he is the guy who wrote Florida Georgia Line's song Cruise.  I am pretty sure that their success pissed him off and he wants to sing his own chart topping songs.

Cruise by Florida Georgia Line on Grooveshark

How She Rolls by Chase Rice on Grooveshark

How She Rolls by Chase Rice on Grooveshark

Buzz Back (Album Version) by Chase Rice on Grooveshark

I saw Catching Fire again because my mom asked me to go with her and spend the rest of the weekend catching up on work and cleaning and decorating for Christmas.

What was your favorite part of Thanksgiving?  Here's to a few weeks until the best Holiday of the year!

14 for 2

This weekend was truly low key.  I had great plans to attend the rodeo, but my friend's phone stinks and she missed the texts about what time to meet and we missed it.  Curse you iPhone!

On a happy note May brought me a lovely snack in the form of a marshmallow minion.  We then decided to take a photo with Kevin and Gatsby.  Then May took a picture of me eating Kevin.  

Below are our lovely photos of a very typical Saturday night. 

To get two photos we had to take 14 photos.  That is right folks 14 attempts to get 2 somewhat OK pictures on Instagram.  Below are my favorite attempts at looking cute and utterly missing the mark 

I am scared of Kevin

 I only have half a head

This smells bad 

My Christian Aguilera impersonation.

My Godfather face. 

I am so sad that I am going to eat this! 

I really love this conversation we are having, Kevin.

Let me ponder that very interesting thought as I take a bite of my minion. 

Do you remeber a time when digital cameras were not a thing.  This little photo shoot would have cost $5 back in the day of film development. 

As always you can follow me on instagram to see my best attempts at photography make it on social media - @ericajt. 

Dispicable May!

Hey folks!  I am up at camp so I thought I would bring you an interview with May, the student who lives with me.  She is 100% awesome and one of a kind.  She is really a great girl and I am happy to introduce her to you today!

What is your name?May!
Where do you hail from?Beijing, (her dad actually engineered part of the opening ceremony in 2008.)
What are some of your favorite things?YELLOW! Blake GriffinMy Family Mom T (that's me!)My TwinMy friendsSpongebob

That time we went to see the Clippers.

What is your favorite subject in school?PE, because I like to be outside. 
What is your least favorite subject in school?History, because it is too hard to remember all the dates and events. 
How long have you lived here?3 years
Why did you come to study in America?My parents asked me if I wanted to because a family friend of ours was here.  I said that sounded like a good idea so I came here. 
What was the hardest part about living in America and how did you overcome that challenge?Knowing the language was the hardest part.  It is hard to practice English because most of us are afraid we have an accent and others will make fun of us.  You have to get over it and realize that everyone has an accent and just keep speaking English as much as you can. 
What is your favorite food to eat in America?In-N-Out (Which is great cause that was what she got for dinner tonight)
What do you miss most about China?The food!  All the food my mom and dad make.  

She acts like she hasn't eaten in 12 years!

What has been your favorite part of living in America?Moving in with Mom T last year (I almost cried!)Playing basketball for the school this year. 

Some girls on the Basketball team at awards night last year.

What has been the weirdest thing Mom T has done since you have lived with her?We did this thing called Sunday Challenges for a few months.  One of us would pick a fitness challenge and then we would compete to see who was the best.  Once time I picked jump roping.  Mom T came into my room and started to jump with a pretend jump rope, and told me to get ready cause she was going to win.  It was crazy!  I actually beat her that week!
What type of music do you like the most?I love the song from Pirates of the Caribbean

Theme by Klaus Badelt on Grooveshark

What is your new favorite country song, cause Lord knows Mom T loves her country rockin'!

Catfish dinner!!  I love it when the song comes on the radio and Mom T sings along.  It is so fun.

That's my Kind of Night by Luke Bryan on Grooveshark

What is your dream job?  What would you most like to do when you grow up?
Live in a pineapple under the sea with Spongebob and Patrick. 

Source

If that can't happen I want to own my own shoe factory and make amazing shoes. 

It is true homegirl loves her shoes, especially her Jordan's.

What is your favorite quote?"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." - Thomas Edison
In a world where people are trying very hard not to stand out and really want to look the same I am amazed at your uniqueness.  You are one of a kind.  Why do you think this is?I think it is because my parents.  They wanted to raise me to be independent and be my own person.  They always encouraged me to do what I like and to have a lot of different experiences.  For example I flew on a plane by myself when I was 6 years old.  
There you have it folks, my sweet May!  Hope you enjoyed our little interview and I hope it helped to shed some light on what many of the students I teach are like.  If you have any follow up questions I know May would love to answer them. 

Using the Disney pass I talked her into buying!

By the way she has assumed that she is going to be famous from this post and be offered many writing contracts.  I of course will be her manager, so please send all job offers through me. 

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