Friday the 13th...

I have never been a superstitious person, but after the last few days I might become one. There was a Friday the 13th in February, and just about everything that could go wrong did. Yesterday was even worse! Not even a minute after school started I was called down to the boys PE locker room because one of my Downs Syndrome students was standing on the bench, chain around his hand, shirt off, trying to find one of the football players to fight him. Apparently he had a dream in which this football player had hit him, but it was just a dream. He wouldn't calm down until the campus security monitor told him he could go talk to the police officers. So we walk him over to the campus police office and he tells the officer about his dream. He calms down a little bit, but you could tell he would still go off in a split second. We took him up to the Deans office and had to explain how he was going to be suspended for a few days. While we were waiting for his brother to come get him, we had to put him in one of the other self-contained units, but he wouldn't go. The AP walked in the room and he started hugging me and wouldn't let go. The SPTA for that room came out and walked around campus with him for a while. When the brother finally came, the student wouldn't leave the classroom! He didn't want to go home because he likes school. The brother, although not mentally challenged, was just as hot-headed as the student. The Dean was still trying to explain things when he took the chain from her desk and walked out! I can't wait until my meeting with them next week.

Of course, I also had to deal with arguing teachers, a toothache, an Assistant Principal that was mad at me and my Instructional Assistants for not doing a job she never told us to do in the first place, pushing around a dead electric wheelchair, dealing with an instructional assistant that was 2 hours late and left early, and all the normal paperwork that I deal with on a daily basis. The only good part was that the cooking teacher was having a special lunch and she let me come in and eat for free. I can only hope that next time Friday the 13th rolls around, it's better, or at least a weekend!

Grateful...

After cleaning out my dad's apartment this last weekend, I just have to say that I am grateful for all those who helped. The church members who came to help were amazing, especially considering some of them helped dad move in all that stuff just a few months ago. Dad's friend Jerome was also an amazing help, saving us many trips to good will by finding places for all the useful household items. He even helped us cart most of dad's books to the library to donate. The apartment managers were also very helpful and understanding. Of course, Kat, Rick and Holly were also selfless with their time and energy. I am especially grateful for Holly, who was brave enough to tackle the bathroom! It was not a pleasant task!

Um...

After cleaning out my dad's apartment over the past few days, I've realized that there are just some things you don't want to know about your parents. The fact that he was over 60 and still wearing short shorts and using sun-in makes me laugh.
After looking at the kitchen, I'm grateful to know that he was never hungry!


It was kind of sad that he had pills and cough drops in every room and in all coat pockets. It has been fun to meet his neighbors and friends (they keep coming by to figure out who is making all the racket!) I probably could've lived without finding his porn collection, but I guess it will be a funny memory for a long time. It makes me nervous about what I'm going to find next!

China Town

So, I recently discovered that Las Vegas has a China Town. We went there today for lunnch. It was really interesting to see all the business names in foreign characters, when we were only a few blocks from the strip. We had a lot of fun, and the food was really good. It's too bad it was raining, I didn't get to take any pictures!

Bremerton

After being in Washington the last few days, I've realized how much I miss the green. Not the I have any plans for moving back to the rainy, frizzy hair states. Everything out there is just so pretty and peaceful, from the green trees to the water and ferries. It also reminds me of how far I've come since I've lived in the northwest. Of course, like always, I forgot to take pictures. I even had my camera with me! I guess some things will never change!

Snow, snow and more snow

In case you didn't know... I hate the snow. After the past few weeks, I hate it even more. First it snowed in Vegas, and they canceled school for a day. Of course this was the day I had a field trip planned. Then I fly to Portland, which according to the pilot was experiencing a major weather event. This means that everybody is driving around 5 miles an hour with their chains on. Now, I'm in Spokane and there's like 500 feet of snow on the ground! Are you kidding me! I didn't ask for a white Christmas! Can't we send all this snow to someone who really wanted a white Christmas? Maybe next year...

Youth...

So, apparently I am feeling the need to act my age. I am only 30, not 80. I have spent much of my free time the last few years reading, watching tv and going to bed early. Well, this week that all changes. I bought myself an iPOD nano so I will want to go to the gym. I also got myself addicted to Guitar Hero. After some practice, I can now get above 90% on all songs on medium. I think that's pretty good for someone who just started last weekend! So, I'm getting ready to challenge Rick and Holly when I see them at New Year's. That's right, Holly, I am challenging you too!!