No time like Snow Time

This weekend I got a chance to hit the slopes (for the 3rd time this season) and break in my new snow board. Laurel and her good friends rented a cabin at Lake Tahoe, so of course, I weaseled my way into going. Little weekend trips have saved me from the craziness that is my life in Oakland. I love escaping my life as Ms. Quane and just being Kellee for a day or two. Here are some highlights from this weekend:

7 hour drive up
The long drive up was completely my fault. Laurel and Jason waited for me to get out of school to drive up to Tahoe. Although I did end up getting out of school early on Friday (there was a huge fight outside of our school between a couple dozen kids, so we got out an hour early) we didn't hit the road until 5pm aka major TRAFFIC. So while I lesson planned in the back of the car, Jason patiently drove his stick shift through stop and go traffic for 7 hours.

When we finally got to Tahoe around Midnight, we realized that we were in the middle of a snow storm (apparently 20 inches of snow). We crawled through the snowy roads until we hit a steep hill and couldn't go any farther. Laurel and I hopped out of the car to push it, but that only worked until the chains frayed off and we were left with a car with ice skates. Luckily we were only 1/2 a mile away from our cabin, so we called our friends to come help. So with the combination of 8 people, carpet, and a shovel, we finally made it to the top. What a great way to bond at the beginning of the trip. :)

Snowboarding
I was so ready to hit the slopes and challenge Laurel to a race down the mountain to prove that I am just as good as she is. Too bad the snow had powder that was a foot deep and full of speed bumps preventing me from this race. Next time, Laruel..next time. It was an exhausting day (I thought my quads were going to give out numerous times) but in the end, I had a great time. And I realized that I need to work out more.

Livin the Good Life
So we stayed at a "cabin" that was more of a 5 star mansion with every accommodation you could ever want. Not only was it a newly remodeled 7 bedroom cabin (that was beautifully decorated) but it had a hot tub, pool table, big screen TV, and a huge kitchen. Need to wash your clothes? Good thing we have 3 washers and dryers. Need to cook something? Try our 2 convection ovens, inside grilling station, or outside BBQ. Yes, it was over the top, but apparently that is how Laurel's friend's roll.

On the Road Againg
We were planning on getting in another day of snowboarding, but a late start on a beautiful Tahoe day after 20 inches of snow lead to the ski resort being full by the time we got there. Sleeping the whole ride back wasn't so bad :)

Overall, I had a fabulous weekend where I only thought about teaching once (when someone asked me what I did). It is still interesting hearing the responses from engineers, businessmen, and lawyers when they realize that I am but a struggling English teacher battling it out in the heart of East Oakland. Sometimes their looks say it all. I'm glad I got to hang out with Laurel and Jason this weekend as well. Although at times I felt like my second mother was around babysitting me, I enjoyed the sister bonding moments. Laurel, I hope you don't mind I'm stealing your friends :)

Time for bed, and another week. I am already dreaming about my next trip to the snow ZzzZZzzZZZzZZzz

<3 (that is a sideways heart, Mom) Kellee

p.s. Sorry for the bad grammar, I'm too exhausted to edit!

I should make a T-shirt

I heard this today in my Credential class, and it is stuck in my mind. I may be inspired enough to make a poster for my classroom or even better, a t-shirt.

1. This is important.
2. You can do it.
3. I will never give up on you.

On that note,
1. This is exhausting and I am losing motivation.
2. You see me struggling every day.
3. I want to give up.

But don't worry,
1. This year is almost done.
2. It isn't as bad as before.
3. I will never give up on myself, or my students.

<3 Ms. Q

I have no voice

"Ms. Quane.... you talk toooo much!"

If you ask any of my kids, that is one of my flaws. I talk too much. Well today my student's prayers were answered: I lost my voice. After fighting off a little cold, and yelling at my students all week long, at the end of 4th period (after D's "Cavity Check") I lost my voice. Being a teacher with no voice is quite the experience. So, I decided in the spirit of the Olympics (which has been our Unit Theme) to show a very educational video: Cool Runnings- Jamaican Bobsled Team. Instead of giving you a play by play, I will share some quotes I heard today.

2nd period
- "Oh, so you lost your voice? You better go catch it! Look, there it goes!"
- "Damn, it's too quite in here without Ms. Q yappin."
- "Okay everybody. Since Ms. Quane is sick I am taking over. We have no homework and class is dismissed!"

3rd Period
- "Here Ms. Quane, I'll help you out. SHUT UP MOTHER F**KERS! Wow Ms. Quane, now I know how you feel. They just keep talking and talking. They be hella disrespectful."
- "Ms. Quane I know what it feels like to just be feeling like crap and have to go to school. You go sit behind your little desk and rest. I'll run class today."

4th Period
- "Are all Jamaicans this funny?"

6nd period
- Ms. Quane, you are totally faking it! You just didn't feel like teaching today."
- "Ms. Quane. I thought Jamaicans were white."
- "Hey man, what ya smoking? I'm not smokin man, I'm BREATHIN." (Cool Runnings).

Literally LOL (Laugh out loud)

4th period just ended and I must say it was HILARIOUS. 12 students were absent (I don't know why) but it's amazing how that can change a class!

In the middle of an activity where the students are finding answers to questions hidden throughout the classroom, D comes up to me.

"D, do you have a question?"
D smiles, and pulls out a rubber glove.
"Where did you get that, and why are you putting a rubber glove on?"
He snaps the glove, smiles, and says,
"CAVITY CHECK Ms. Q!"

HAHAHAHAHAH for a second I could not decide if I was going to get pissed off, or just laugh. I decided to just laugh really loud for the next 5 minutes. For the rest of the class D walked around to people asking them if they want a cavity check. He said that he saw it on a movie (I don't even know if he knows what it means).

Another funny note: The students did not know that "Gay" had more then one meaning. We were going over synonyms, and one of the words we used was happy. When I told them that Gay means "Happy" as well, students started yelling out to each other, "I'm gay, I'm gay! I'm so gay! Do you want to be gay with me?"

HAHAHAHHAHA

Classroom Tour

I took my camera to school one day to take pictures of my classroom, and I ended up with this cheesy video. Enjoy!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past 6 months. I have been put in many challenging positions, yet have found so much support from my family, friends and community. Recently, a special thanks to NEW ALMADEN for pulling through and donating to my Book fund. My school couldn't afford books for my class, so numerous community members in New Almaden contributed and got my project funded in a record time! I cannot express how grateful I am! Also, thank you to Elaine, my sister, my dad, and especially my mother. Mom, you are always trying to find ways to help me (even when you really don't have to). It is times like these when I realize how lucky I am to know so many giving and helpful people. Thank you so much!

Overwhelmed

How I feel in 20 words. I have no more energy to write more.

Exhausted.
Ill.
Emotional.
Pain.
Tired.
Frustrated.
Silent.
Hairy.
Crazy.
Reflective.
Overworked.
Disappointed.
Assaulted.
Loved.
Misunderstood.
Sympathy.
Ugly.
Pointless.
Temper.


Overwhelmed.

Tornado

I feel like I have just been hit by a Tornado. Objects have been shredded and thrown about (worksheets are not confetti). Tables have been over turned (2 broken desks). Bodies were lying on the floor (yes, J rolls on the ground). Bullets were flying through the air (carrots and rubber bands). What is this natural disaster, you might ask? My 4th period.

I still have not figured out to harness the sheer power of this natural force that enters my classroom every day at 12:15pm. They have so much potential for good, yet they choose to go to the "dark" side every other day. This chaos is not sustainable. Not if I want to have intact desks and students by the end of the school year.