Chirstmas Checklist

Completed
1. Saw brother, his wife, and nephew
2. Played with Hannah-newest niece
3. Feed Hannah  illegal things
4. Made eye contact with nephew who avoid eye contact
6. Ate at Goodberry's Frozen Custard
7. Ate at Char-grill
8. Played Wii games with nephew
9. Ate treats by famous friend/neighbor
10. Spent time with parents, siblings, siblind in-laws, nieces and nephews
11. Have lunch with old college friends/roommates.
12. Play Settlers of Catan and won
13. Go to gym everyday (but Christmas)
14. Was reminded why I hate going to the mall especially the day after Christmas

To be completed
1. See old house I grew up in
2. See house my sister and husband bought
3. Buy N.C. State jacket
4. Have 2nd Annual Ugly Sock Hop Party
5. Have lunch with old high school friends
6. Play Ticket to Ride
7. Drive Gator around with nieces and nephews
8. Sew something.

My Pride

I purposely don't write many things about my job because it is a school.  I want to protect my students, but when they do something amazing, I want to share it with my friends.

I help coach girl's basketball at my school.  We ended our season with a record of 4-3 and barely made into the playoffs.  We had to face an unbeaten team in the other division.  We were the underdogs.  We went in and played an amazing game and defeated this team.  Next round, we went in and played our hearts out.  My team lost in the semi-finals by 3 points.  Tears were shed, but also it is how we handled the loss at a very hostile school. 

Some students at the school we played at were not school appropriate.  Racial comments were made to my students and my students kept their cool.  The most disappointing thing is that these things were reported the admin/staff and students stopped when the admin was around, but were not removed from the school.  Therefore, more comments continued.  Example: Students were chanting "Immigrants" we walked into the gym.  I would include that I worked at a 75% minority school and low income school.  We are looked at being the "ghetto" school.  

After the game, we were getting on the bus, more racial comments were said.  Another teacher and I turned around and ask the students to please walk away and leave us alone.  The on-site officer walked up, he told us to just get on the bus and leave.  He was condescending to us, the teachers and didn't address the students for their inappropriate behavior or ask them to walk away.

I disappointed at the other school because at our school, we don't tolerate bigotry.  I watched this school blow it off like "boys will be boys."  Racial slurs are not. 

Christmas Spirit

It is so hard to make sure the holiday spirit stays with us with some many things distracting us.  I decided last week, that I needed to set goals for the season. 

1. I have been listening to Christmas music since Halloween.  I used to hate when my mother would play it growing up and now, I am the dork.  Thanks mom!
2. I have decided that I will look for someone to serve everyday.  It would remind myself that I am not the center of the universe (Dang it.) 
3. Watch a Hallmark movie and cry!
4. Everyday-make a list of items I am grateful for aka tender mercies. 
5. Laugh or doing something silly to make people laugh.
6. Not let the stress of shoppers, commericals, finances, job, etc... destroy my spirit
7. Remember it is not my job to save the world, just live in it.