As heard in room 205

Today my culture class presented their heritage projects. We have literally spent weeks researching, summarizing, conferencing and creating glogs on a country. This was the culminating event. Students brought in authentic foods, prepared five minute presentations, and invited the principal. I was super excited for my kiddos to strut their stuff. Well, let me tell you, those kiddos did me right proud. That is until a boy we'll call Cole presented. Cole spent an extensive amount of time researching India. I read his paper, and it was spot on. I'm not really sure what happened when it went from paper to his mouth, but it came out something like this: "In India everybody's like the people in Senegal. They are all Christian and they eat microwave pizza. And that's pretty much it." OMG. Try smoothing that one over.

Latest Obsessions.

1. Zumba

Zumba is like a Spanish teacher's dream. Crazy good Spanish music mixed with cha-cha, salsa and reggaeton. Need I say more? I shake my groove thing in the back row laughing at how awesome we all look. I share the last row glory with one other woman; her name is Gloria and she's 76. Gloria has put me to shame every class so far. Her hips don't lie.

2. Issac's

Greek food reminds me of weekends spent in Greektown in Chicago with the fam. The staff would have to push two or three tables just to accommodate our crew. We would then spent the next three hours talking, laughing and eating the most delicious and decadent food known to mankind: saganaki, dolmades, lamb, orzo, tzatziki, falfal, baba ganoush and baklava. Issac's in Roanoke brought back those feelings of pure euphoria. Don't skip the white chocolate bread pudding.

3. Motown

Can you think of something better to listen to while cooking dinner or getting ready in the morning? If you unfamiliar with this fabulous genre, try The Lion Sleeps Tonight by the Tokens. It'll put a smile on your face faster than you can say "mbube"

Bahston

One of the first times I ever met Lauren we got into a great debate about which city was better: Washington D.C. or Chicago. We have now come to the conclusion that they are both fantastic in their own unique ways and that no other city in the world could come close. At least that was our conclusion until a couple of weeks ago when we embarked on a journey to Boston. In fact Boston's official slogan is "The third best city in the United States." It's skyscrapers pale in comparison to Chicago's Sears (not Willis) and John Hancock Towers or the new Aqua Building and none of the museums were free like in DC (though I did try to sneak in on a few tours but got caught each time), so why is it so wonderful? I spent a significant amount of time attempting to come up with a creative and interesting way to express my feelings from that weekend, but cannot. Lauren has an extremely appealing writing style, but unfortunately I cannot say the same of mine(probably a result of the many boring scientific journal articles I was forced to read for school). With this depressing realization running through my mind I have opted for the Lebron James choice (aka the cop out). And so I present to you our pictures:


This actually has nothing to do with Boston, but the hotel we stayed at gave us a rubber duck. He was my companion for the weekend since Lauren was in conferences all day. I don't think he appreciated the city very much though...





This is on the front entrance to the Boston Public Library. The person there is Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. Above her is the phrase "Free to All" meaning all the knowledge and wisdom that the library contains should be free to the general public. If only vet school felt the same way.



We met up with my buddy Jeff and after a fantastic dinner (we were told we couldn't be seated for 2 hours so he tells them he works for the Ritz Carlton and suddenly we're being seated within 5 minutes. AMAZING!) we went to Mike's Pastry, which apparently you can't leave Boston without going to. Lauren and I got 8 cannolis and between the two of us and the homeless guy we met on the street they were gone before we got home the next day.


Special thanks to Jeff and my classmate Kiara for acting as tour guides for me as I wandered throughout "The third best city in the United States."

This is not a joke

This is a real live conversation I had with a student today.

Random girl I've never met walks into my classroom: I want candy.

Me: That's nice.

Random girl: You married?

Me: Yes

Random girl: Your husband come round here and see me he say, "oh i want her" (pointing to herself)

Me: Doubtful.

Random girl: How old are you?

Me: 30

Random girl: Yous look like a baby. Yous look but 22.

Me: That's nice.

Random girl: Ooo you husband old. He don't want me. He want my mama. Yah, yah he want my mama.

Me: ...

Ay Caramba

This lovely little creature decided to grace the floor of my classroom today. It caused more drama than any of the baby mama stories I've heard. Girls jumped on their desks screaming, others screamed in defense for this "cute" (seriously,
people?) bug. They definitely did not discuss a classroom management procedure for this.

Don't do the YMCA in Indiana

After a hot, McGrath-less summer we decided that a trip to Chicago was in order. We were a week from starting school and this would be our last hurrah. We headed out after my last day of work and drove the 14 hour stretch. This would allow us to arrive at about four a.m. Now, if any of you have ever lived with me you are aware of my many idiosyncrasies. One of the most glaring being that after 9 p.m., I kinda lose my mind. No alcohol necessary. I find everything, and I mean anything and everything, hilarious and have more energy than a three year old who just drank an entire pitcher of kool-aid. Now trap me in a car from 9 p.m. to 4 am. I know. My poor, poor husband. As we rolled through Indiana around 2:30 am, the elementary school dance jam YMCA graced the air waves. A dance party was in order. As I wildly busted out my 90's grooves, a blue and red flashing light appeared in our rear view mirror. Yes, despite Rory's fixed attention on the road, my dance moves caused the Indiana police force to believe we were very heavily under the influence of alcohol. My poor, poor husband. After being interrogated, it was determined that my dance moves were just a little out of control and we were let off with the warning that I better not bust a move while I was driving.

Top Two Reasons why I (Rory) Want to Live in Alabama.

I think that the following two videos speak for themselves.

And here's just one more reason why if you weren't completely convinced!