- 12:02 It's my dad's birthday today! <3 =) #
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
In the last 24 hours...
Sunday, November 01, 2009
In the last 24 hours...
- 02:47 Happy Dia de los Muertos! And yay for an extra hour of sleep! #
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
In the last 24 hours...
- 15:53 It's my mom's birthday today! <3 =) #
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 01, 2009
In the last 24 hours...
- 10:15 YES! OCTOBER FIRST! Only 30 more daaays~ #
Friday, September 25, 2009
In the last 24 hours...
- 00:00 The weather is so cray cray. It's hot when it's supposed to be a bit cooler. #
- 16:53 I LOVE Top Cat; it's WAY better than most cartoons these days. #
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
In the last 24 hours...
- 10:53 Requiescat en Pace, Mr. Swayze. <3 #
Monday, April 27, 2009
Recent remarks from students. Particularly of the AP variety.
ON a multiple choice test: "Mrs. Whole Nother Day? Can you help me? I know the right answer, I just don't which of these it is."
About scheduling presentations randomly (so that everyone has to be there every day): "But Friday is Seniors' last day, what if we don't want to present that day, and we want to go the day before?" "Well, the rest of us have to be here two weeks past that date, so we'll try real hard to feel sad that you have to give a presentation on your last day. That's two weeks before our last day."
About getting zero credit on an free-response answer: "But I knew what I meant, I just kept writing words so you'd see that."
From a junior, regarding the days after seniors are done: "So do we have to come to class?" "I will mark you absent if you're not here." "But what if our mom excuses us?" "That's between you and your mom." "But will it be unexcused?" Pause. "Huh."
About scheduling presentations randomly (so that everyone has to be there every day): "But Friday is Seniors' last day, what if we don't want to present that day, and we want to go the day before?" "Well, the rest of us have to be here two weeks past that date, so we'll try real hard to feel sad that you have to give a presentation on your last day. That's two weeks before our last day."
About getting zero credit on an free-response answer: "But I knew what I meant, I just kept writing words so you'd see that."
From a junior, regarding the days after seniors are done: "So do we have to come to class?" "I will mark you absent if you're not here." "But what if our mom excuses us?" "That's between you and your mom." "But will it be unexcused?" Pause. "Huh."
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Instructions
There's always a question of how many notes do you give a babysitter? Exactly how anal-retentive and nervous do you want to seem? The question gets doubled when you have a friend--who hasn't really babysat in probably two decades--babysitting.
I do think, however, next time we might do better than a post-it note.
I do think, however, next time we might do better than a post-it note.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Remember what I predicted?
about walking first versus talking first?
First Steps from Kari on Vimeo.
So, today we were packing to go to visit Howie's other grandparents, the ones on the farm. I'm anticipating a big week for him, meeting new family he's never met. I'm also anticipating a week with no internet.
But in other news, it's spring break! And it certainly didn't come a week too soon! Time is counting down on my AP students' time, and on mine. Four weeks, essentially, and I'm free--free--free!!!! I mean, yeah, I still need to show up to work and all, but the stress is off. I don't need to show up at 6:30 anymore, I can show up at 7:00. You wouldn't think that's a huge difference, but trust me. It makes a huuuuge difference in terms of resentment. Not that I don't love my job, because... okay, well, I at least still LIKE it most days.
Now please excuse me, because I'm going to go watch that video again. Those last ten seconds, where Howie sees me, really sees me, and finds me worth the extra effort of walking to? Make me all gushy inside. Today, a friend's two-year-old, who's met me, like, twice, pointed at me and said, "She's someone's mama." That's right, kiddo, I am. I'm other things too--teacher, wife, Joan-Jett-karaokeing-fool--but I'm Howie's mama, and that's better than I'd ever imaginined.
First Steps from Kari on Vimeo.
So, today we were packing to go to visit Howie's other grandparents, the ones on the farm. I'm anticipating a big week for him, meeting new family he's never met. I'm also anticipating a week with no internet.
But in other news, it's spring break! And it certainly didn't come a week too soon! Time is counting down on my AP students' time, and on mine. Four weeks, essentially, and I'm free--free--free!!!! I mean, yeah, I still need to show up to work and all, but the stress is off. I don't need to show up at 6:30 anymore, I can show up at 7:00. You wouldn't think that's a huge difference, but trust me. It makes a huuuuge difference in terms of resentment. Not that I don't love my job, because... okay, well, I at least still LIKE it most days.
Now please excuse me, because I'm going to go watch that video again. Those last ten seconds, where Howie sees me, really sees me, and finds me worth the extra effort of walking to? Make me all gushy inside. Today, a friend's two-year-old, who's met me, like, twice, pointed at me and said, "She's someone's mama." That's right, kiddo, I am. I'm other things too--teacher, wife, Joan-Jett-karaokeing-fool--but I'm Howie's mama, and that's better than I'd ever imaginined.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
New skills
Things are busy here. Gone are the days where you can just plop the little man in a bouncy chair and gurgle at him.
They say that babies either walk or talk first... and I know where Howie's placed his money.
Stairs from Kari Hay on Vimeo.
It involves a lot of following him around like his personal valet.
They say that babies either walk or talk first... and I know where Howie's placed his money.
Stairs from Kari Hay on Vimeo.
It involves a lot of following him around like his personal valet.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Coming back
This past week. I tell you. How did your week go? That bad?
Here's how to tell if your week was as bad as my week.
Wednesday, I was standing in front of my class of 32 sophomores when I felt something on my foot. I looked down.
It was my skirt. Around my ankles. NOT, as it were, around my waist, where--I'm told--skirts normally reside, in the everyday working of things.
Did you find out that your lower half of your clothing was NOT covering your privates? While standing in front of a room of teenagers?
No?
Then YOUR week was not as bad as it could have been.
Here's how to tell if your week was as bad as my week.
Wednesday, I was standing in front of my class of 32 sophomores when I felt something on my foot. I looked down.
It was my skirt. Around my ankles. NOT, as it were, around my waist, where--I'm told--skirts normally reside, in the everyday working of things.
Did you find out that your lower half of your clothing was NOT covering your privates? While standing in front of a room of teenagers?
No?
Then YOUR week was not as bad as it could have been.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Valentine's Day
Just popping in to say, Howie's got a valentine to share with y'all.
Start here.
My you have a companion for whatever sort of trouble you want to get into.
Start here.
My you have a companion for whatever sort of trouble you want to get into.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Pause
A pause has been taken (obviously) in the blogging while I recharge. In the meantime, vroom! vroom vroom vroom! is a really fun game.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Happy birthday, little dude.
New things:
- tooth, one. Poked through so you can feel it. You won't let us look. But it was kinda how I thought it would be. Andrew poked his finger in, said you had a tooth. I called bullshit, because you hadn't been giving us grief. Andrew 1, me 0. Since then, of course, sleeping is SO 2008, Mother!
- hair, some. It's getting there.
- um, locomotion, lots. Inspired, apparently, by your love for all things digital and buttony. I sense either a lot of vigilance in our living room or a complete redesign involving height and fences. Maybe a moat. We'll see.
- food, more than lots. Your grandfather fed you one day and was amazed that he had to keep going back and making more food. "And then I gave him peas," he said. "Suddenly, he was full!" Yeah, it's like that. I've been making your food and it's been awesome, but I'm starting not being able to keep up. More cheerios make it into your mouth than onto the floor, and that's a big accomplishment.
We're coming to the end of our glorious three week break together, what with the week of ARCTIC BLAST and then winter break. It's like blam! you got hit with the growing stick, and now you can't get enough. You're really into experimenting with your voice, from growls to squeaks to absolutely awesome high-pitched shrieks which make Matilda run for cover.
More videos to come, so I'll be sure to embarass you online as much and whenever possible. So, you know, big-dude-who's-already-wearing-18month-clothes, beware. I'm armed with a new video recorder, and dangerous.
Love you, baby boy.
Mama
Monday, December 22, 2008
Arctic Blast
Last week, during school, we had some lame-ass Snow Days.
THIS is a real snow day. Andrew (of course) still went into work today, but the rest of the city is literally frozen in its tracks. And I don't say "literally" meaning "figuratively". I mean, planes are going nowhere (hence why we're still here--Andrew's family will have to wait to meet Howie), garbage hasn't been picked up, and the shelves of our grocery store are rapidly becoming bare. The UPS guy was spotted down the street--his truck couldn't drive the street and he was walking packages door to door. That is dedication.
I took some pictures of our view, this is the first of them. Take a look!
So... remember when I said it never snows here? Yeah, about that....
THIS is a real snow day. Andrew (of course) still went into work today, but the rest of the city is literally frozen in its tracks. And I don't say "literally" meaning "figuratively". I mean, planes are going nowhere (hence why we're still here--Andrew's family will have to wait to meet Howie), garbage hasn't been picked up, and the shelves of our grocery store are rapidly becoming bare. The UPS guy was spotted down the street--his truck couldn't drive the street and he was walking packages door to door. That is dedication.
I took some pictures of our view, this is the first of them. Take a look!
So... remember when I said it never snows here? Yeah, about that....
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Winter crazy
It has not stopped snowing today.
The television networks are calling this "Arctic Blast! 2008" and other crazy hyperbole. Wednesday was entirely devoted to live television coverage at various points around the city, which was ridiculous because aside from a brief period Monday morning, the city has been entirely drivable and not even close to being snowed in.
Today, however, is another story. The entire town is hunkering down for what may be a prolonged period of isolation and snow storminess. Or, as the midwest would call it, "Saturday".
This would be entirely awesome if we were staying here for the holidays, but we're not. Tomorrow we're supposed to fly to the midwest.
Travelling with a baby is entirely different from travelling by yourself. Travelling by yourself, you can pack a week early (if you want to) or pack the morning of. Throw some shit in a bag, bring your ID and a book, hey! good to go.
Travelling with an eight month old? You have to consider how much you'll need to feed him during your travelling time. (flight leaves at two, we get to the airport at noon, fly until 8 Chicago time which is 6 in Portland so... carry the two... we're travelling for twelve hours and apparently he'll have to eat five times and have six bottles? Whatever, just pack too much and assume he won't eat it all) Clothes. PJs. Toys. Blankets. Diapers. Wipes. Dear heaven and all the gods in it... when do I get to pack my own shit? Because don't forget car seat (the rental agency only has forwards-facing ones) and booster seat/high chair.
Talk about makin' a list and checkin' it twice.
So all day today has been packing and laundry and packing and organizing and list making. Uploading pictures because we won't be back here for a week. Charging various batteries, phones, cameras, and other electronic apparatuses (apparati?). All while juggling a totally inconsiderate eight month old who wants to do things like eat and crawl and get his diapers changed... can you believe it??
At any rate, our wee family is (hopefully) off to the midwest for more snow and family and a white Christmas, and will be back on the 26th, you know, assuming the gods don't choose to let loose with the fury of flurry at that end either. So if we don't see you before then, a merriest of seasons for you and yours!
The television networks are calling this "Arctic Blast! 2008" and other crazy hyperbole. Wednesday was entirely devoted to live television coverage at various points around the city, which was ridiculous because aside from a brief period Monday morning, the city has been entirely drivable and not even close to being snowed in.
Today, however, is another story. The entire town is hunkering down for what may be a prolonged period of isolation and snow storminess. Or, as the midwest would call it, "Saturday".
This would be entirely awesome if we were staying here for the holidays, but we're not. Tomorrow we're supposed to fly to the midwest.
Travelling with a baby is entirely different from travelling by yourself. Travelling by yourself, you can pack a week early (if you want to) or pack the morning of. Throw some shit in a bag, bring your ID and a book, hey! good to go.
Travelling with an eight month old? You have to consider how much you'll need to feed him during your travelling time. (flight leaves at two, we get to the airport at noon, fly until 8 Chicago time which is 6 in Portland so... carry the two... we're travelling for twelve hours and apparently he'll have to eat five times and have six bottles? Whatever, just pack too much and assume he won't eat it all) Clothes. PJs. Toys. Blankets. Diapers. Wipes. Dear heaven and all the gods in it... when do I get to pack my own shit? Because don't forget car seat (the rental agency only has forwards-facing ones) and booster seat/high chair.
Talk about makin' a list and checkin' it twice.
So all day today has been packing and laundry and packing and organizing and list making. Uploading pictures because we won't be back here for a week. Charging various batteries, phones, cameras, and other electronic apparatuses (apparati?). All while juggling a totally inconsiderate eight month old who wants to do things like eat and crawl and get his diapers changed... can you believe it??
At any rate, our wee family is (hopefully) off to the midwest for more snow and family and a white Christmas, and will be back on the 26th, you know, assuming the gods don't choose to let loose with the fury of flurry at that end either. So if we don't see you before then, a merriest of seasons for you and yours!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Blizzard, 2008: Update
Okay, so now I'm as bad as my students. I'm obsessively refreshing the news sites hoping to see my school district. No luck yet.
And in the meantime? I haven't done my homework. My excuse though: earlier today, the laptop I'd been using went all blue-screen on me. Looking at a long day indoors, and possibly more than one day, horror filled me. An entire day? Without Scramble????
My husband, though, found an old laptop and over the course of this afternoon, scrubbed it and reinstalled XP and IE (at the highest version that this old dinosaur can handle). I don't have Office, but at least I have email. I may not have married rich, but I sure married smart.
I'm off to cook dinner. And refresh a few sites.
And in the meantime? I haven't done my homework. My excuse though: earlier today, the laptop I'd been using went all blue-screen on me. Looking at a long day indoors, and possibly more than one day, horror filled me. An entire day? Without Scramble????
My husband, though, found an old laptop and over the course of this afternoon, scrubbed it and reinstalled XP and IE (at the highest version that this old dinosaur can handle). I don't have Office, but at least I have email. I may not have married rich, but I sure married smart.
I'm off to cook dinner. And refresh a few sites.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Snow! The great blizzard of 2008... okay, blizzard-ish
Dear Mr. and Ms. Weathercaster and the entire Weather.com family of networks,
The PNW cannot deal with snow. They cannot deal with the idea of snow. Unless it's safely up a mountain and then they snowboard. But snow? In driveways???? GOOD GOD MAN STOCK UP ON WATER AND HUNKER DOWN!
Make those Pacific Northwesterners teenagers and tell them that it might maybe just possibly snow this weekend, maybe, and it's like you sprinkled magic fairy dust on everyone and then pulled a unicorn out of your ass. Work? Homework? Reading? Math? HAVEN'T YOU HEARD IT MIGHT SNOW? WOMAN! HOW CAN YOU EXPECT ME TO WORK IF IT MIGHT SNOW???
So on behalf of teachers throughout Northern California, Oregon, and Washington, I have a small request: if you think it might snow at anything less than 1000 feet of altitude, can you keep it to yourself? Until it actually does start snowing? Because now, whether or not we have a "snow" day on Monday (which we might very well even if it doesn't snow because even the scent of snow is enough to call off school), I humbly predict 80% of my students will not have done their homework. BECAUSE IT MIGHT SNOW.
Thanks,
Ms. Kari
The PNW cannot deal with snow. They cannot deal with the idea of snow. Unless it's safely up a mountain and then they snowboard. But snow? In driveways???? GOOD GOD MAN STOCK UP ON WATER AND HUNKER DOWN!
Make those Pacific Northwesterners teenagers and tell them that it might maybe just possibly snow this weekend, maybe, and it's like you sprinkled magic fairy dust on everyone and then pulled a unicorn out of your ass. Work? Homework? Reading? Math? HAVEN'T YOU HEARD IT MIGHT SNOW? WOMAN! HOW CAN YOU EXPECT ME TO WORK IF IT MIGHT SNOW???
So on behalf of teachers throughout Northern California, Oregon, and Washington, I have a small request: if you think it might snow at anything less than 1000 feet of altitude, can you keep it to yourself? Until it actually does start snowing? Because now, whether or not we have a "snow" day on Monday (which we might very well even if it doesn't snow because even the scent of snow is enough to call off school), I humbly predict 80% of my students will not have done their homework. BECAUSE IT MIGHT SNOW.
Thanks,
Ms. Kari
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