Open house is for lovers.

I just got home from open house. It's one of the joys of being a teacher: you get to go to open house. Seriously though, I like it. I like meeting parents. Even though its totally intimidating. I'm always scared they are going to ask me my age or how long i've been teaching or something like that. But the parents are always really respectful and never ask my age. It's the other teachers I have to worry about. I can't tell you how many times a week, sometimes a day, a teacher at the high school I work at will ask me, "Are you a teacher?" Why, it just happened today, and she even asked me my age too. I laughed it off nonchalantly, like "oh, you are so funny."but inside i was thinking "you don't look that much older than me and did you see the badge? See the badge!" Anyway, that was a long aside....back to the point...open house. So, it's such a strange thing. I teach 5 classes with an average of 22 or so students. so figure I teach about 110 students. I only saw 7 parents. 7! my biggest class....1st period...no one came! the only person there was me! It really was a sad moment. I've heard stories of that happening, where no one shows up, but this was my first time and it was actually very sad. Where have all the parents gone? Its time like these that I appreciate my parents and what they did for me. My parents were always at open house, parent conferences, games, etc. I'm sure I took it for granted...I was a brat at times, but as I look back I'm so grateful they cared. There are too many parents that just don't care. And I understand that some parents are just trying to make ends meet, but it's so sad to me that most of these parents couldn't make time to meet the teachers and the people who clearly spend more time with their children than they do. In the end, what really matters is the relationship they have with their kids. I question if that relationship is really there.

with all that said: I had/have amazing parents! and to all you parents...love your kids and go to open house!

thanks and gigem.

The Ike-umentary (Part 1)

This is the true story of four people...picked to live in a house during Hurricane Ike. Find out what happens when people stop being polite and start being real......

Well, as most of you know...Ike came and it came big. The following is the true story of Mario, Sandy, Brad, and Lauren and how they survived and thrived in the midst of Ike. Please follow along as I take you through a pictorial documentation of our Ike adventures.

Friday 12:00 pm - School and work is canceled all over the Houston area. Brad and I hurricane proof our apartments before heading over to my parents. (Brad wanted me to mention it was only me doing the hurricane proofing.) In preparation of Ike, Brad doesn't shave...apparently you don't shave during hurricanes. In preparation of Ike, I Chi my hair. Who knows, this could be the last hair straightening for a long time! At least I know my priorities. Brad says I look like I'm going to a picnic, not like I'm evacuating for a massive storm. Friday 5:00 pm: Everyone is at my parents house, including my grandma and her dog. Everyone is hurricane proofing their houses.The Oropeza household before the storm: Brad awaiting Ike: Friday evening/night: Everyone awaits the storm. We watch the news until we have hit the news threshold. Thank you, Meteorologist Tim Heller.

Then, my parents and I watch "Say yes to the dress." Any regular TLC watcher can appreciate a good relaxing viewing of 3 girls trying to find the wedding dress of their dreams. Brad, on the other hand, did not feel the same as we did. He left the room. What didn't you like about it, Brad? Was it that we weren't watching ESPN or that it was about a wedding? ;)

Friday sunset: We take some incredible pre-hurricane photos.


Brad saying, "Bring it on, Ike."

Lauren saying: "Good thing I wore my cute skirt"



Here it is! The storm is coming... The wind has come and so has the first fallen branch!


There are a few things I've learned about hurricanes: 1) you don't shave 2) you watch the news 3) you eat, you eat, you eat.

The last supper (with electricity): My dad made the BEST hamburgers ever!
Friday night: We wait some more for Ike to come....

Saturday 5 am: After only a few hours of sleep, it has come. Brad and I watch the trees sway, like we've never seen them before. I mean it was like they were dancing in the sky and some were bending at 90 degree angles. As we watch the hurricane come in, we see a tree hitting the electrical line and spark. The tree is about to be on fire. The following is a picture of me calling the light company and telling them the situation.

Then my mom and I see that an area in our backyard is flooding. But no worries, super mom to the rescue. She takes care of the flooding.

Saturday morning 7 am..the sun comes up and we evaluate the damage:

Our neighborhood got hit pretty hard, but fortunately, not much permanent damage...just a lot of debris.

During the time of Ike, I read Robertson McQuilken's book about how his life was changed by his wife's diagnosis of Alzheimer's. I came across a good quote that seemed to relate to what was happening in Houston. He said, "But I've concluded that those who don't build friendships in the spring and summer of life must find winter a lonely place." If anything, I know that Ike has brought people together. Families spent time with families and neighbors spent time with neighbors. I mean, there really isn't much else to do without electricity, gas, and water :) A perfect example was my parents street. I loved that everyone went out to clean and help each other clean. As Brittany Kay would say, "it's a blessing in disguise."

Look how manly Brad looks!
Even our neighbors kids were helping. They were so cute with their little rakes! The son was given a penny for every pine cone he picked up. Maybe that's why he helped. :)
That's my mom in the poncho! She's super mom! (Not to be confused with the 12th man man, brad)

So that is the Ikeumentary through Saturday. It was intense and scary at times. And... there was some restlessness and impatience among some of us. ;) But overall, we survived the storm.

Day 3 of the Ikumentary to be continued...

Happy Friday Afternoon.

I used to be so glad when Friday afternoon came. Finally, 2 days of freedom from my baby gangsters. But it's different now. Don't get me wrong, I'd sure rather be hanging out with my friends and family than working, but I don't feel such a need to run for the Springs door. I am two weeks into my third year teaching and I have never been more calm and stress free as a teacher. My kids are the absolute greatest. Of course there's a few thorns in my haystack, but they're really not that thorny. I haven't had anything thrown at me, i havent been cussed at, and I haven't had any attitude. What is wrong with my kids?? I don't know what's in the water, but I like it. I'm afraid if I say it, i will jinx it, but I don't believe in superstituion anyways, so I'm just going to say it....The Lord has really blessed me with great kids this year. I'm excited to work for a stronger administration than even last year and it has really made a difference in our school, or at least in my classroom. Sure, I've learned tons, and I control my class better than last year which and it IS night and day from my first year. With all that said, my year is off to a great start and my kids are great! Harry Wong would be so proud!

Oh and as if my week couldn't get any better, a miracle happened last night. I went to starbucks to get Brad a coffee for his late night work night and I didn't even look at the menu, thinking to myself, "self, you know what the whole menu says, just order." So I order grande vanilla latte and decaf (because i sure wasn't pulling an all nighter) cinnomon dulce latte. I order that because 1) it's pretty good and 2) it's the only think I like from starbucks that brad can't make. anyway, after I paid, I looked up and there it was, written in big words...PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE. It was a coffee miracle! It's back for a limited time only! (do I sound like an infomercial?) It's my fave, it's back and it was beautiful!

ok, now that i've wasted a sufficient time, it's time to leave. Good thing cy fair is paying me to blog. :)

have a very merry CFS! (college football saturday)