I only failed 10% of them!

I'm sorry, is it Christmas? Most years Christmas seems to sneak up pretty fast but this year I'm wondering if it's coming at all. We've been so busy this month that we haven't had a chance to think of celebrating in the yule tide even for a second. I think part of the pandemonium has come from school lasting all the way untell the Friday before Christmas this year. Today, however, I'm officially finished grading 200+ essays in three days. Somehow, essay grading really takes it out of you. In my next life I'm coming back as a PE teacher. I've also officially completed all SUU business and vow never to return. The last tuition dollar has been spent and my Utah Level 1 license should be in the mail. You can view my e-portfolio (wicked little thing to complete) at:

https://phil.chalkandwire.com/EP2_Migration/SecureUrlPage.aspx?PageId=82268&u=guest&cus=16&URLID=1746

or it can be previewed at:

https://phil.chalkandwire.com/EP2_Migration/QuickPreview.aspx?u=metc4199&t=2236980&PortfolioId=4347&GId=82268&SID=0&IsFirstTime=true&SB=true&Module=PF&IsHTM=true&Cus=16&SPID=82268&IsReadOnly=False

Quinn is doing well- he is quite the social butterfly. He recently returned from a seafood buffet and may be permenantly converted to the genre. Last week he recieved two calls on Friday night and two more on Saturday night so he went more than 72 hours without sleep. I don't know how he does it. He is really enjoying his job and it seems to be a perfect fit for him. In other news: we are very proud to announce that we have set up two 401k accounts. This is significant because we are comming closer and closer to becomming real live adults. I guess when you're pushing 30 it's time to face growing up... at least a little bit.

Merry Christmas and all that Jazz.

Here are a few picks from Fall 2007. Our last Lake Powell trip of the year (man,

we are starting to get antsy to visit the lake again) and our Thanksgiving holiday pictures that Quinn is always so excited to pose for.

What a Ride!

Before I complain too much about teaching, let me just mention that today I received 6 Christmas candy grams and two batches of fresh baked Home Ec. chocolate chip cookies from my students for no apparent reason other than they thought I might enjoy a treat today. Pictured here is my angel 8th period class. OK- now for the venting...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't think I've breathed since school started. It's been rough, tough, and, at times, a little bit ugly. Middle School kids are hideous to begin with, but slap them with a technical essay, a reading requirement, and management expectations and they get down right dirty and evil.



The latest stats:
Summer was a blast... after I made it through Spain. We spent some time at Powell and then I started teaching... for free. Can you believe it, technically, after two complete degrees and graduating in May, I'm still a student paying tuition. I skipped the student teaching stuff so WCSD is making me do an internship. Actualy, I received my first paycheck on November 30th and took my self out for take and and a movie (Quinn was in Loa). Unfortunately, that was about all I could afford since I spent that paycheck about fifty times before I got it.
This first year teaching business is educations version of waterboarding. I'm wondering if John McCain got wind of this he might not consider it down right criminal and outlaw the practice all together. Anyhow, I've done well and actually got first page newspaper coverage! Check out what my students and I have been up to:

http://www.dixieweekly.com/pg-archiveArticles/a-3015/Local_Students_Unite_in_Service_and_Patriotism.html

Quinn finished his internship and got a raise which, ever-so-quickly, was claimed by the government. Taxes. It'll happen every time. We spent a lovely UEA weekend in NYC!!! Can you believe it, our building went condo! Anyway, I think we ate at all our favorite joints and spent much of the time not believing it had been a year since we'd moved home. Some times I wonder if I'm not having some sort of affair with NYC I love it so much. In fact, I already had my next two trips back to Manhattan planned before I even left for this trip. It just solidifies the fact that New York will never be out of my system. I will always and forever fantasize about moving back.








FOR NOW:

We've been working so hard, it's difficult to think about the holidays. Most of the time I feel like I've dropped off the face of the earth and I'll suffocate before I get back. Did you know, I haven't checked my voicemail since before Spain (May 2007 for those keeping track). Oops. Busy is good... right?

P.S. Quinn got an elk. Sorry, no picture, but if you want to taste it, stop by around 7 pm and we'll fry some up for you.