Teacher Talk Tuesday: Yoga is Necessary for Survival

Teaching is a stressful job. I would go out on a limb and say it's the most stressful job in the world. However, I've never been, say, a doctor, or a nurse, or a stripper, so I guess you can call me a little biased. I'm sure sliding down a pole and whipping your hair to and fro can be hard on the spinal cord.

Let me just give you a taste of some of the most stressful times that has happened during my 7 year teaching career...that qualifies as a legit time frame, by the way.

1. Once while I was teaching first grade, a student broke his fall by hitting his desk.....with his mouth. Imagine if you will, a 6 year old with blood gushing out of his mouth because his teeth were rammed into his gums. Too graphic for ya? Yeah, me too. Did I mention that was during my first year of teaching?

2. First grader throws up all over the carpet. That's not the start of a joke. This happens at least once a year and if you're lucky five times!

3. High Schoolers...'nuff said.

4. Learning the hard truth about your students. I had a student who was neglected at home, one who was slapped and beaten, one who was left to their own devices, one who was arrested for drug possession and grand theft auto, and one who slept on the floor of a garage with their brothers and sisters. I take these stories home with me and worry myself to sleep.

5. Oh, and I have to create and teach lessons, prepare students for state tests, get all my students proficient in all subjects, deal with backlash from parents, administrators, and the public, and make sure no child is left behind.

Holy. Crap.

Can you see why I need Yoga in my life? More importantly, I think the KIDS really need yoga. They go through some SHIZ!

Here are some of my favorite stress relieving poses:
1. Child's pose- Once that forehead hits the mat, shit gets real. Real good.


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2. Happy Baby pose- This one makes me feel all kinds of open and vulnerable. I feel unsexy in this pose because I'm pretty much spread eagle. But I feel happy, and that's all that matters.

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3. Pigeon pose- My yoga instructor says you hold all of your stress in your hips. This pose will rip that right out of you. Hips, don't, lie. Right Shakira?

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4. Airplane pose- Nothing clears your mind like thinking you're going to face plant. You're so busy concentrating on not falling, that the stresses of your life takes a back seat.

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5. Savasana- They should just call this pose "Go to sleep now." It's minutes of just lying there, clearing your mind, and relaxing every particle of your being. If memory serves me right, I'm pretty sure that's called sleeping, but TomAto, Tomato.

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This is exactly what I look like, tongue out and all. 
In all seriousness, school is a stressful environment for all parties involved. Yoga is just something to ease the blow of all the craziness that ensues. Yoga keeps me sane for a few hours a week. Take a chance and try it out. Namaste, my friends.

Those Crazy Kids

This weekend I was lucky enough to spend time with this face.

We celebrated my nephew Sebby's 4th birthday. My my how time flies. It was only yesterday that I was pinching these little chipmunk cheeks.

(It looks like hubby doesn't have fingers, but I assure you he does have all 10.)

Now, this growing cherub can talk in complete sentences, count higher than some of my first graders ever could, and has my dad's iPhone password memorized so he can access the camera and take a gratuitous amount of pictures of our feet and nose hairs. Next thing you know he'll be graduating from college and becoming President of the United States. ::le sigh::

For his birthday, I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to dip these balls in chocolate. So difficult! Any tips on how to get them to stop falling off the damn stick would be greatly appreciated.



Since his birthday was pirate themed, I attempted these guys. They kinda sorta look like pirates, right?

After we scarfed down cake and chocolate balls, Sebby hired me as his personal Nerf Gun reloader. His muscles are too weak to reload the Nerf gun, so I spent a good hour doing it for him... and then doing it again and again and again. I cherish these moments because one day, he will be a teenager who will not need my help on little things like this. ::double le sigh::

On a different note, wouldn't that be nice if the biggest problem in your day was having to reload darts back into your Nerf Gun? I will trade that in for getting up at 5:30 for work ANYDAY!

Last week, I let my students write their 2012 resolutions. They are definitely living the simple life. I am jelly. I want to stress about these kinds of things instead of adult things like making sure to scrub the tub once a week. I can never remember.

I let them choose their own fonts. This kid felt a little Ol' School. He's kickin' it Gothic Style.

Instead of running a 10K, I will be changing it to "Eating Hot Cheetos ZERO times a year, instead of once a year." Those things are deadly. Not just for your tummy, but for the skin of your fingertips and everything around you that is white.

Oh, those Crazy Crazy Kids.

Teacher Talk Tuesday: Gift Ideas for Students

My favorite time of the year is coming up fast.... Christmas vacation! In just 3 days, hundred of frazzled and burnt out teachers will be enjoying 2-3 weeks off. Yes, I know it is annoying to hear this if you are not a teacher and I apologize for the bragging, but I AM WORKED to the bone. I am ready.

Besides that joyous occasion, there is another event that I am very fond of and that is gift giving. I love rewarding my students for all of the hard work they have been doing and giving them a little Christmas present. Most students don't expect it and it's fun to watch their surprised faces when they see a gift waiting for them at their seat. This year is no exception. This is quite possibly one of the best classes I've ever had so I wanted to reward them with something fun.

Instead of having a regular hum drum party with chips and cupcakes, I decided to give them some options, and since this class is in the morning, I gave them breakfast options. By unanimous decision, a Smoothie Party was in order. I dig it. So, I bought myself an early Christmas present...which in turn is a gift for my students as well. Double Whammy!

In addition to providing all the smoothie fix-ins, I found some great cups for them to keep! I plan on writing their names on it. I know they'll love it!

I plan on taking off the lids and adding these cute straws I found!

Add a candy cane, wrap it all in some cellophane and you got yourselves a winner! I'll post the finished product asap!

Here are some other super cute ideas!

How about some Grinch Pills

Or some Snowman Poop

Jazzing up a chocolate bar looks easy!

These are just too adorable!

In years passed, I've also given little goodie bags with Christmas candies and other little trinkets which the kids enjoy. When I worked in high school, I brought cookies for them to decorate and believe it or not, they liked it a lot! Just giving anyone Christmas treats is enough to turn them into a giddy 3 year old. I love it!

My Blogiversary

One year ago I started this crazy little blog thing. I kept it private for about a month before I let the little beast run wild and free on the internets. At first, some of my family and friends questioned why I would even want to do such a thing. And in good mommy fashion, my mom was worried that someone would cook my recipes, stalk me, and find me to cut me up into pieces...or something like that. Regardless, I kept on going, starting Project Wifey Wife, continuing my Zelda quest for my "princess" named Healthy McHealthiness, and joining the fun of Bloggerworld.

Check it out!

I never revealed this, but I wanted to blog because my life was a little topsy turvy with being a newlywed, struggling with my job, and considering a career change. These changes were enough for me to throw up my arms and say "CURSES!" or something else that started with an F. This blog became my comfort. I've always been a journal person, heck, I even had a diary in 1st grade (which I forgot the combination to and haven't been able to open since 4th grade). I had a Xanga in college and continued to keep a handwritten one near my bed. Writing is a friend of mine, for sure.


My first header

This blog is my pride and joy. Even with the horrible spelling mistakes and grammar fumbles, (Did I mention I'm a teacher... I... is... so ...smarte!) and the time I let pass between each post (don't look down at the last time) I thank you, reader, for reading about my life and leaving sweet comments. To my friends and family, who now give me so much encouragement, Thank you. And of course, To The Man, The Mister, the Hubby Hub to my Wifey Wife, Thank you for always encouraging me to blog...AND you're welcome for all the food.

Here's to another year....


To celebrate I will cook my first Project Wifey Wife meal:
Boeuf Bourguignon

And just like the first time, I will forget to post the recipe.....maybe.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last week, I had my students make a poster of things that they were thankful for. To show them what I expected, I made an example showing my own. (Please excuse my crappy drawings!)  It was nice to put down on paper just a few of the things I am so thankful for.I felt like a kid again.

I thank the Lord for all these things.....

I am so thankful for my family and all the love that they show me and for being the source of comfort and happiness in my life. I have the best parents in the world, a brother that I can call one of my best friends, my nephew who is so stinkin' cute, and my husband who is all of these things and more, wrapped up into a handsome little package. I love you!

I am so thankful for all of my friends and for all the happiness and laughter that they bring me. My friends from back home, my college friends,  my bunco girls, my yoga girls,

my blogger friends, and my co-workers Thank you.  

Ruff Ruff! That means I love you in pup talk.

Lord, thank you for providing my family with everything we need.

I am very thankful that I have a job this year,

 one that I  love and can show passion for once again.

I am thankful for each one of my students, past and present.

I am so thankful for all of the blessings in my life, great and small.

I am thankful for YOU!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Now LET'S EAT!

Weekend Recap: Meeting a Burger I Did Not Like

Well Happy Monday to ya! I think most everyone I know seems to be happy that this week is a short week. Thanksgiving HERE WE COME! But guys, I take that happy cake.... my fellow teachers and I are off for the whole week....I know I know, we are lucky sons of you know whats. I am loving every minute of it!

This weekend was full of new happenings. First up, I got a new do'. It was about time, too. I was starting to look a little crazy lady there. After I snapped this picture, I was so embarrassed with myself. Talk about letting myself go in the scalp! I haven't had a haircut in over a year!

Good job, Joanna for FINALLY getting a haircut...it's boring...but it'll do.

Moving on....

After playing with my hair for most of the day (so soft) hubs and I went on a double date with my Kuya and Katrina. We went to one of my favorite burger joints!

Their burgers are a step up from fast food burgers, but a step down from gourmet burgers. I love their meat and buns. Rawr!

I also appreciate their amazing condiment and produce station! Build it and they will come. 

Tell me that these stations aren't awesome opossum!

I opted for the Swiss and mushroom burger and it was nummy for my tummy.

Hubs went with a regular bacon cheeseburger and wanted to show off the salt and pepper shakers apparently. He's odd sometimes.

Kuya and Katrina were more daring and got different kinds of meats. I was surprised to see Katrina got an Elk Burger! That's surprising because 99.9% of her meals have only chicken. She's what we'd call a picky eater. But, luckily she's not those picky eaters that I hate...she actually tries things that we offer her no matter how weird they are. Kudos, Katrina! (My Kuya can be very odd. too. Him and Hubs get along just fine.)

I'm the type that would try everything once and I bravely tried the Elk Burger. I immediately spit it out. WHAT? I spit out a burger? I must be out of my mind!! But, I just couldn't stand the gamy taste. ::shivers:: This might go on my list... you know, my food foes list.

After our trip to burger town, we decided to go to what I like to call, Grown-up Chuck E. Cheese!

Dave and Busters is a place where adults can drink their fancy cocktails, eat their fancy chicken strips, and play their fancy race car games. It's a dream, really. 

We danced...like idiots.

We played trivia...like idiots. (Nothing makes your feel worse than not knowing trivial facts that everyone in the world seems to know.)

And then, I found my new favorite game!! FRUIT NINJA! HIYA!

I spent about $10 $20 playing this bad boy! It's super addicting. I mean....it has food AND I'm a ninja for the day! It's a filipino foodie's dream game!

And the best part about Dave and Busters is that you get TICKETS for real prizes! Hubs and I had enough for a blender...no lie.... but we decided to hold out for something better. I have my eye on one of those Chinese thumb trap thingys.

It was a fantabulous weekend! But the thing that made it better was knowing that I don't have work for a whole week! HIYA!!!



Missing in Action, Studying Fractions.

You like that title? Because it took me 10 minutes to come up with, so a little pity chuckle would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Life has been good. Work has been busy. I have been left...all in a tizy. That... took 3 seconds. I don't know why that came out so fast but my title couldn't. I'm losing my blog mojo... my blojo. ok that sounded way less dirty in my head.

In a nutshell, work has been extremely busy but ten times more rewarding then a large side of french fries. I love my class, I love my Math team, and ::le gasp:: I'm starting to fall in love with Math. Shhhh... don't tell the other subjects.
Running is coming back to me as the weather gets a little bit better. I'm signing up for two 5Ks soon and hopefully getting back into it.
I just paid for my tickets to my High School Reunion. Holy Moly... I feel oldy.
And then there is food blogging. I miss it so! I hope I can find time again to visit all of the blogs I miss so much!

Until then... have some EASY Mexican Lasagna... on the house.

Project Wifey Wife Week #22-The Savory
Mexican Lasagna

Ingredients:
1 lb of ground beef
1 can of black beans
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 pack of taco seasoning
1 small can of corn
1 large jar of salsa
6 flour tortillas
cheese, lots and lots of cheese
crushed tortilla chips

I got to use another one of my cool new Pampered Chef tools! Super helpful!

I added some corn to the stuff. Made the stuff even stuffier.

Quatro, Cuatro, Kuatro... you know what I'm saying?

Repeat these steps until your ingredients are gone, your pan is full, or you're satisfied.

Whichever comes first.

This stuff is muy bien.

Tell me that's not Bonita?

I served this with a side of saffron infused rice with some cilantro. Si!

Quick. Delicious. PERIOD. Exclamation point.

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