Random Stream of Consciousness

Last year, I had a class that, to put it mildly, "beat me into the ground." I spent so much time disciplining, that I was unable to achieve much actually TEACHING. I had gang members, stealing, fighting, vandalism, profanity, you name it. It was exhausting. And yet, occassionally, a flower would appear on my desk, out of nowhere. I know the student that put it there. It was always done quietly, without any muss or fuss. And it always made me smile.

This year my class is entirely different. For the most part, I truly enjoy working with them. However, I'm seeing some of that 5th grade attitude develop into my almost-fifth-graders. A change that has required a stricter form of discipline in my classroom. And yet, we still have those great moments where something clicks and I can tell we're all on the same page. I live for those moments. They make me smile.

In other news... I walked out to my car at 6:45 this morning, only to find that I was almost blocked in by two police cars, engines running, no officers in sight. Ever been driving along and suddenly the there's a cop car with its lights on pull out behind you? Even though you know, you haven't done anything wrong, your heart skips a beat? Yeah. That's how I felt. The feeling quickly turned into curiousity when two officers came out of the other side of my building, escorting a handcuffed woman between them. Apparently, she thought she was allowed to stay at a friend's apartment and the friend had other ideas. Rough way to start a morning.

It's 8:00 and I've finally got all my work done for tonight. Kevin has to work until some god-awful hour tonight, finishing up a project. He's coming home, just to sleep, so that I can see him, even asleep, before he leaves for two weeks. I have a good man.

That's the only coherent thoughts I can put together tonight.

Tomorrow's the halfway point, folks!