July 2011
17 posts
Shifty-Eyed Evader or Unblinking Intimidator?
I make good eye contact. I am not an unblinking intimidator but I’m also not shifty-eyed. I enjoy when students make eye contact with me when I’m teaching.
Living in Other Countries
[St. Stephen’s Green Park, Dublin. County Dublin, Ireland] (LOC)
I lived in Ireland for a semester of college. It was splendid and felt like home. I can’t wait to go back. I’d live in Ireland or Great Britain or most of Europe.
My Favorite Summer Sound
Robin red breast
Just this morning I was appreciating this perfect summer day in Maine—low humidity, plentiful sunshine and birds singing. Listening to the birds sing either lying in bed or sitting on the porch makes me happy.
If I Had A Magic Wand
I will, without a doubt, use it to declutter! I don’t mind doing the cleaning that will come after, but to get the junk out of the way would be amazing!
On finishing books
Books to be returned…
It about kills me to *not* finish a book! I’m a voracious reader and think I carefully choose my books, so to not finish something is almost painful. The most recent book I gave up on is called The Children’s Book by AS Byatt. It was the wrong time for me, I think.
How Music Affects My Productivity
Sometimes I can kind of tune the music out to focus on what needs to be done, but then I wonder what’s the point of playing music if I’m just going to tune it out. So, I often don’t work with music in the background.
Things People Are Surprised to Learn About Me
People generally treat me as if I am younger than I am. Sometimes the patronizing is annoying but often I just take it in stride and am thankful that I seem younger than I am.
And my OCD tendencies are also surprising since I’m really a chill person.
On Public Speaking
microphone
I am a professional public speaker—as a classroom teacher. When I get to speak my own words, I am very good at it. If I have to memorize something I’m a failure.
A Discontinued Product that I Want Back
Wavy Gravy or Tuskegee Chunk Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
My Favorite Summer Drink
Iced Coffee
I am a fan of iced coffee—particularly Dunkin’ Donuts. If that’s not available, cold cold water works.
If I Could Speak to a Family Member Who Has Passed
I would want to talk to my mum. Just to find out what she would say about how my sisters and I have turned out.
A Disappointing Movie
Black Swan
Black Swan was sooooooooo over the top it made me giggle at the ending. Natalie Portman lost herself in the role and was fantastic but I still giggled at the ending.
How the Current Economic Climate Has Affected Me
Gas Pump
I’m being affected by gas prices. It’s not coming down. Granted, it hasn’t gone up in a month or so, but it’s not coming down. Food prices, meh, I don’t really notice since I just shop for myself. But the daily commute is adding up. And I know I should car pool with my colleagues, I just can’t seem to stomach the idea of...
10 Things to do Before 2012
birthday balloons
10) finish the school year to have a relaxing and fun summer.
9) get this internet situation fixed!
8) have a safe road trip to Virginia and Pennsylvania
7) start the school year off right—establishing procedures with the freshmen
6) laugh with my bestie about nothing
5) enjoy leisurely drives with no particular place to go
4) pay off my...
Something I Wish I Hadn't Thrown Away
letters
I didn’t save all the letters or cards that were written to me when I lived in Ireland and I wish I had saved them. I don’t know why though, because I’m not terribly sentimental about stuff like that.
The Person Whose Advice I Seek First
If I’m at school, I turn to my mentor and friend. I don’t know what I’ll do when he retires.
If it is a problem that’s home-based, I usually turn to my parents.
First Impressions
I notice how they fill the space their in. I like to call it presence. It might be confidence, though.
