If you live anywhere near New York City, DC, Los Angeles or San Francisco, please go see Gunner Palace. I need you to make it a hit so that it can come here to AAFES so I can see it. Either that or I have to track down Michael Tucker and make him give me a personal screening!

Read the story of the birth of this movie. Incredible...

MORE TO GROK:

Please read Tim's words here in the comment section. And read the whole story at Mudville.

Posted by: Sarah at 05:29 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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Our extra two and a half weeks of deployment have gone fairly quickly. I was sick for the first week and then I was getting emotionally beaten by 7th graders for the second, so I haven't really had time to feel lonely. I am, however, a tad disgruntled that my husband's tardy arrival will make us unable to attend Red 6's wedding as we had originally planned: reintegration activities are a poor substitute for being by our best friend's side as he marries, but I just have to let that disappointment go.

So the countdown for Return of the Husband is small enough to be counted on one hand. Hmm.

In a way, I feel a tiny bit nervous, to be honest. I can't quite put my finger on why. It will be a big change for both of us to be living together again after 13 months apart. He's gotten used to an enormous amount of sharing; I have shared virtually nothing for a year. He's been sleeping on a cot; I've been taking up the whole bed. He's been eating sub-standard food; I've been eating water chestnuts and carrot cake and all the delicious things that make him yak. My life has been so easy, and his has not.

I talked to The Girl the other night, and she told me how sorry she was that I had to wait so much longer than everyone else to get my husband home. I said that the real pity lies with the soldiers, that they have not done a single thing since 18 February and that I feel just awful that they're stuck so far from home. She laughed and said it was nice that I was thinking of the soldiers and not of myself, but how on earth can I complain about my feelings in comparison? Though I have complained this year about grading too many papers and getting paid too little, my life is a walk in the park. I know this. I couldn't possibly live with myself if I didn't acknowledge and respect how difficult my husband's life has been this year.

My husband is my favorite person in the whole world, so I can't figure out where the nerves are coming from. Perhaps I'm worried about wifeing him to death. Perhaps it just seems to good to be true that he'll be home in a few days. I don't know what it is that is making me so freaked out that this week has finally come.

Actually, I know what it is. It's the thought that I will have to leave him the day after he gets home and go wrestle with a bunch of 12 year olds. That's enough to make me sick to my stomach.

Posted by: Sarah at 05:02 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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VDH is good this week:

Our cousins abroad cannot figure out why a crass nation of former European rejects, led by a cowboy from Texas, is wealthier, stronger, and more willing to sacrifice for principle than a more venerated, cultured, and aristocratic civilization.

Heh.

Posted by: Sarah at 03:38 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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The gym was packed with anxious families for the welcome home ceremony. I helped my friend's kid onto my shoulders so he could see better as the soldiers entered the gym. They got released and ran to their wives, and I realized that mine wasn't there. I thought there must have been some misunderstanding about which day he was arriving, when I saw a second group of soldiers enter the gym. There he was. As I ran to him, I got so excited that I woke myself up before I ever touched him.

I've not been sleeping well lately. My dreams are a mess of 7th graders and welcome home ceremonies. I have been told an arrival day for my husband next week, and I keep fretting about whether he's going to arrive during the school day. I managed to put myself in an extremely stressful situation a week before my husband returns from war. What a stupid move.

Posted by: Sarah at 02:46 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Woah. Cool photo.

Posted by: Sarah at 01:31 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I've been at the school for three days, and I officially hate my students. But that's fine, because since I hate them, I don't care if they hate me. So we stayed an excruciatingly silent three minutes after the final bell rang, and I think they got the message. But we'll see tomorrow.

I don't really hate them, but you know what I mean. I have a problem with wanting to be liked. I want my blog readers to like me. I want the students to like me. I want my husband's soldiers to like me. It's my character flaw that I want to be liked, because sometimes it's not good to be liked. Sometimes you have to be a jerk. My husband learned that lesson in Iraq, and I am learning it this week.

The students' grades are suffering too. They're talking instead of working, and therefore their work is sloppy and incomplete. Most of them got F's on their in-class assignment today. I don't know if the bad grades will force them to take notice, but I've certainly noticed when I look in the grade book.

Thank heavens their regular teacher is having twins: she is procreating double to make up for the child I'm rethinking wanting to have!

Posted by: Sarah at 10:56 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Flog them! FLOG THEM! They might understand a taste of the lash if words don't suffice.

Posted by: Jason at March 03, 2005 01:10 PM (565iX)

2 Student teaching middle school math cemented for me that I want to teach high school. **g** Yes, they can be sweet from time to time, but I'm still of the opinion (adapted from Heinlein) that 7th graders should be locked in a barrel for a year.

Posted by: SandraTX at March 03, 2005 02:43 PM (XaPns)

3 I'd extend it to 8th grade as well, haha! Last year I taught (among others) a class composed entirely of 7th and 8th grade boys. They were so awash in hormones I think I could smell 'em (the hormones, that is). I felt like I needed a shower after class order to avoid sprouting chest hair from the testosterone that wafted through that room, haha!

Posted by: Beth at March 03, 2005 05:43 PM (DEwIg)

4 Sarah, I know nothing about teaching. But I do know a bit about the desire to be liked. All I can offer is that the most important thing to me is to be able to look myself in the eye (in the mirror) in the morning, and feel good about it. And sometimes that means taking a path that is a bit tougher, but is the right path. So hang in there, and if there is justice in the world, you will be remembered by your students - not because you were liked, but because you expected the best of them. (This is something I struggled with when younger, but by the mid-30s, things can shift, and your self-knowledge and values take over. You still want to be liked, but the first priority is on your values.) Wow, that sure sounds preachy, but I hope it is taken in the spirit intended. (still struggling!)

Posted by: Jean at March 03, 2005 08:06 PM (7jvO1)

5 When you are in a position of leadership, lead. You'll find that discipline will be rewarded with respect. I flunked a couple of cheaters once and they came in the next day thanking me. The thing we most want is to know what is expected from us. Let your students know what exactly is expected from them and be challenging. When the kids get distracted, use the ones who are not by having them clap. Say, anyone who can hear me clap your hands. The talkers will be left not clapping and embarassed. Remember too, your class is your audience. Keep them entertained with learning.

Posted by: jim at March 03, 2005 09:12 PM (j2EyP)

6 As I learned when coaching that age group, the boys are "just beginning to smell themselves" as someone put it. I like that description.

Posted by: Mike at March 04, 2005 03:52 PM (yPbYG)

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Reason # I-lost-count why I hate our so-called allies.

Posted by: Sarah at 02:14 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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My job with the college might've paid peanuts, but I never came home exhausted. I'm ready for bed when school ends at 1500.

And I think I can finally report that my husband is in Kuwait. I don't have any firsthand knowledge of his whereabouts, but his commander says that he's in Kuwait. So we're gonna assume he's finally there.

Time to pack my lunch...

Posted by: Sarah at 01:24 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 Sarah From what I understand, your experience is typical. My mom is a teacher (ppcd - pre-K special ed) and her routine is that when she gets home from school, she collapses on the couch and sleeps. As far as the general stress of the job, there's a reason why they say a very large portion of teachers leave the profession within five years.

Posted by: James Sloan at March 03, 2005 02:51 AM (Rd3mL)

2 Very typical. Welcome to the profession. The only thing that keeps us in it are the side benefits--being there for kids and watching them grow (both of which take a while to appear) Hang in there in the meantime. Subbing is the worst! Hubby's out of Iraq? Yeah for both of you!!!

Posted by: Beth at March 03, 2005 09:01 AM (bfseJ)

3 Sarah - I'm so glad (and relieved) to read that your LT is on the way back home to you. I've been checking every day hoping to see this good news. I trust that he will soon be back with you, enjoying a delicious German heffe (among other things). I also hope that you'll get to go on the cruise that you planned. You certainly deserve it. - Bob

Posted by: Bob at March 03, 2005 12:41 PM (Xbhpv)

4 So glad to hear your husband is out of Iraq!

Posted by: Princess Jami at March 03, 2005 03:31 PM (0gPLe)

5 I have to laugh at myself right now, because I am reading this and so wishing that I was in your shoes right now (not subbing, but that your husband is close to coming home)...ignoring the fact that we are on like Day 10 now...lol. The anticipation must be incredible. I can't wait to hear about when he comes back!

Posted by: calivalleygirl at March 03, 2005 03:33 PM (zSHGu)

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You know how they say that one bad apple can spoil the bunch? Well, one bad class period can make you feel like you've been run over by a truck. The 7th graders were doing very well until last period. Last period was out of control. I'm still not 100% from being sick last week, and I was going hoarse trying to shout over them. They were insane, and they kinda ruined the whole day for me.

But really, other than that last class, it was fine. Except what is up with kids' names these days? The spellings are killing me: four girls named Kaitlyn, Caitlin, Katelynn, and Kaitland. My goodness. And how do you pronounce Mireya and Aryal? I thought I had it bad when most of my ESL students were Korean and Chinese!

I'm beat. Time for a little Simpsons with Red 6.

Posted by: Sarah at 12:11 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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1 Heh, heh, heh. Welcome to the joys of teaching adolescents, dear Sarah! :-) Remember, show no fear. It will get better once you get to know them and can anticipate some of their tricks. A friend of mine teaches middle school science. Her favorite "weapon of self defense" is a cell phone. If a kid is acting up, she immediately has them call their parent to explain WHY they can't behave. Works like a charm. ;-) She usually only has to do that once for the lesson to sink in to the class. Robin

Posted by: Robin in Ohio at March 01, 2005 03:16 PM (FQRd6)

2 Great idea, Robin! I think I'll steal it... Sarah, you wrote, "...one bad class period can make you feel like you've been run over by a truck." Hell, yeah! Just be glad that one class wasn't your first of the day! As a music teacher, I've had two days in a row where my toughest class of the day was first. By lunchtime, I just didn't have the mental, emotional, or even physical energy to be an effective teacher. It was NOT pretty! But hang in there. Those days are usually few and far between.

Posted by: Beth at March 01, 2005 07:36 PM (DEwIg)

3 After lunch is always the toughest. Remember - ONE teacher can NEVER outshout 30 kids. Trying only makes you hoarse and mad. My suggestion - pick a prominent offender, walk TO them, bring them to the front of the class and have them write some punish work on the board. Repeat as necessary. All assuming your school permits any kind of discipline. If not, it is hopeless. Put in earplugs and read a book. Nobody cares.

Posted by: Glenmore at March 01, 2005 07:43 PM (D+5mb)

4 Mireya? Aryal?? Where are you teaching, Rivendell Junior High?

Posted by: CavalierX at March 02, 2005 03:43 PM (RIPhW)

5 I had two general guidelines: I always addressed the kids as Mr. or Ms. Whatever, and treated them as if we were at a professional seminar. That seemed to calm them down a bit. And, my rule was: "Students are not allowed to do anything that will get Paulie at The Commons in trouble." Following a breaking of the rule, I'd immediately boot the kid out to the AP's office. Subs don't get paid enough to put up with malarkey. And the message gets out quickly.

Posted by: Paulie at The Commons at March 03, 2005 09:29 AM (QoPy8)

6 Good luck. I have done some subbing and middle school is the worst. Kids that age are just hormones in tennis shoes!!!!!

Posted by: Pamela at March 03, 2005 03:48 PM (PlwSw)

7 Segregate them: boys on one side, girls on the other.

Posted by: david at March 04, 2005 01:34 PM (ZVhuO)

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