Pawfection

I do believe a congrats are in order.

Kaya Scrincles, whose amazing blog I follow, has just come in 2nd place in a very prestigious contest.

Now, I don't want to say I saw this coming....but I saw this coming.  The first time I saw photographs of Kaya strolling on a beach, I knew she was a born STAR!!

http://kayascrincles.blog.com/2011/04/15/i-won-second-place/ 

Congrats Kaya!! (And Luz!)

Woof!!

Oh the Drama....

I love coaching soccer.  It is incredibly fun to work with kids outside of school.  I love the competitiveness and I find myself laughing and almost always having a great time.  I never really saw myself becoming a coach but it is now a huge part of my identity.  It is who I am, something I'm good at, and something I love doing.

However, there are days when coaching can become a bit...stressful.  Days like today when the drama doesn't seem to stop.

Practice began today with a girl complaining that her heart was beating very fast and that she couldn't catch her breath.  I sent her in to see our Athletic Trainer but she returned a few minutes later with the instructions to sit out the rest of practice.  About 10 minutes later the same girl came to me crying and hyperventilating saying that she felt worse.  She then collapsed into my arms before doubling over and vomiting all over next to my feet.  Fun!  (No worries, she's feeling much better now).

Practice continued to get better when the girl with the strongest leg (kick) on the team nailed me in the face with a soccer ball (both knocking off my sunglasses and leaving me with a very tender cheekbone).

Then I got to play mediator between two "besties" on the team who were in a typical high school girl fight: "You are SUCH a backstabber!"  "I am NOT, don't say things like that!"  Fun for me!

Then to top things off I got the news that one of my girls has been suspended from school.  Not for talking back to a teacher, not for fighting, no... for having sex in school.  That's right: HAVING SEX. DURING SCHOOL. UNDER A STAIRWELL. Remember, I coach FRESHMAN girls.

Unbelievable.  So gross.  So awkward.  She may have to be kicked out of our program...that is yet to be decided.

But what an uncomfortable conversation that will be: "I'm sorry sweetie, you are being kicked off the team because you couldn't keep your legs closed during 4th period."

I'm no prude but really?!  REALLY!?

What a practice I tell ya.  What. a. practice.

Frustrated with a capital F

"Back to school. Back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool. I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight, I hope I don't get in a fight"

And I almost did get in a fight.  No, actually that is a complete lie.  However, my first day back at school did prove to be frustrating.

I came to school very excited today, having been assured my job status for next year at B.C. High School would be decided.  However that is now NOT the case.  New estimate: end of April.  Another month of stress...yay!

On top of this, I had a very fun frustrating day with my students.

In my World History class, SIX groups were scheduled to present a project they had completed before break.  Actual groups ready to present: ONE.

In that same period, this happened:

Student X: While Ms. C. is busy with another student, flips American Flag upside down.

Me: Noticing upside down flag, "X, turn the flag right side up."

X: "Ughhhhhhh, NO"

Me: "NOW.  You should treat our flag with respect"

X: "I can treat our flag however I want!  It doesn't represent ANYTHING!  We have NO FREEDOMS IN THIS COUNTRY!"

Me: "As a history teacher and someone who has family members in the military, that statement is both incorrect and offensive."

X: "I DON'T CARE!  I will say that to anyone!  I'll say it to everyone in the military!  I can say whatever I want here.  It's called FREEDOM OF SPEECH!"

If that doesn't show logic, I don't know what does.

Welcome back to me, Welcome back

"IMAGINE"

No, not John Lennon style...WHITNEY style.

Today, I am coming out of hiding.  My name is Whitney and I have an overactive imagination.

For as long as I can remember, I've always resorted to my imagination to create fun.  And while most people grow out of theirs, mine seems to get stronger with time.  Is it wrong to be 24 and still imagine on a daily basis?  Sometimes I think it's not normal.

It usually starts as a "shower story" (something I make up while in the shower to pass the time).  But then it crosses over into my daily life; during drives, while with loved ones, before bed.

Because I'm word purging right now, let me give you a full breakdown of how serious this is.  The stories I create in my head are dramatic, outrageous, and incredibly elaborate.  A typical "story" I create lasts from one month to several years.  That's right, YEARS.

The longest-running of mine lasted from about the 4th grade to early high school.  I was wife to the President of the United States who was black (yes, I've always been progressive).  We were the most beloved couple on the planet.  I was continuously voted most beautiful in the world.  I was the voice behind every great song of the 90's.  But I also took it to dark places...oh yes.

I lived through a Holocaust- like experience that occurred within the White House.  (Don't you question my imagination!)  I survived trapped in a mountain after a volcano erupted.  I survived a long coma after being in a gruesome car accident (Princess Diana style...I was coping!).  I even survived 9-11.  Dramatic.  But pure genius.

It seems my story lines are always ripped from the headlines or my current interests.  Other notable story lines include:

- Me as Voldermort's long-lost American sister and best friend to Ron and Hermione.  Of course I tried to hide my past, of course Harry fell in love with me along the way, and of course I played an instrumental role in killing Vodlermort.

- Me as a tough-hitting political strategist who gets a rude and crude wheelchair bound candidate elected president, only to fall in love with him and help him learn to walk (Again, don't question my imagination!)

- Me as a poor commoner who lived on the outskirts of town (ISR, later 1st and Springfield) but traveled into town (the quad) on errands, and later met and fell in love with the prince at his castle (the Library)

- Me being kidnapped by vampires (a cross between True Blood and Twilight), falling in love with the Alex Skarsgard lookalike, and eventually both saving the vampire race and bringing peace between vampires and humans.

- Me meeting, falling in love, and having a huge wedding with Prince Harry.  Sadly, Will and Kate die in a horrific plane crash shortly thereafter,  leaving Harry and I to take the throne.  Harry is then assassinated while I'm pregnant.  Turns out, the heir to the throne wasn't his...it was Kyles!

Yes, real life seeped into my latest story.  Mainly because I started feeling guilty that I always have to either kill Kyle off, pretend he never existed, or make him a bad person for my stories to make sense.  I have redeemed myself temporarily.  Next one, Kyle's back to six feet under.

What is really sad is this list could go on, and on, and on.  This isn't normal is it?

Ah well....I DON'T CARE.  I love being in my head, and who wouldn't?  It's a constant soap opera up there.  So if you see me with a glazed over, far away look in my eyes, I ask you to leave me alone.  I'm busy being crowned Queen of England, even if it is JUST my imagination.

Lucky Lady

How did I get so lucky?  With friends like these, I can never be anything but thankful: http://blog-cait.blogspot.com/2011/03/fate.html

Seriously...it does not matter that I'm broke.  It does not matter that I'm soon to be unemployed.  In the grand scheme of things I have a wonderful boyfriend, family, friends, and truly, TRULY a best friend who is absolutely utterly amazing.  How lucky am I?

I love you Cait!  And from the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU!

Unemployed Whit

Welp, I got the official word today from my principal: All first year teachers are being let go.

Don't worry, I didn't cry.  I knew it was coming and also know there is a chance I'll be back at B.C. high school next year.

I was told by the principal that "he'll do whatever he can to keep me around."

But it all truly depends on numbers; how many new kids enter the school, how many Social Studies electives kids sign up for, and class size.

After talking to my department chair it looks like this:
1. The biggest likelihood is there will be the exact same number as this year: meaning I could be part-time again.
2. There is also the small chance that numbers will increase slightly resulting in me still probably being part-time, but having an extra class or two (and being paid more)
3. Finally, the small chance that numbers will decrease slightly meaning I'm out of a job.

To sum it up: No one really has a clue yet as to where I stand.  By early April I should get the official word.

So please Blog Readers I ask you this: Send positive thoughts my way, Cross your fingers for me, or Pray for me that I am asked back next year or at least get a teaching job somewhere else.

I NEED to be teaching and I need all the help I can get.

Up, Down, All Around

This past week or so has been a real roller coaster of emotions for me.

High: Soccer Season offically began!  And my team looks like we could be pretty decent.  I will keep you updated on that.

Low: Unfotunatley, I had to make a few cuts (even though it's at the Freshman level).  Having a 15 year old girl crying and begging you to let her pleassssssse have another chance is SO.NOT.FUN.  Awful experience.

High: A student I subbed for last week told me I don't look a day over 21.  Is it too early to be getting excited over age compliments?

Low: Subbing, ewwwww

High: Kyle traded in his truck (So long, Red Dragon!) for a sweet (and beautiful) Jeep.

Low: Kyle specifically told me not to "test" his panic button.  I did anyway.  I got yelled at.  Then when test-driving his jeep, his turn signals, radio, and speedometer were not working for me.  I got yelled at some more and blamed for these issues.  Side note: It was NOT my fault, his ignition starter was stuck.  Kyle apologized.  I'm still childish and want to press his Panic Button again.

High: 3 weeks until Spring Break!

Low: 3 weeks until Spring Break :(