Erika's Blog

Your Chance for Fame and Fortune

2012-01-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

...or at least a free Kindle.My friend and author Stephanie Fowers is coming out with a new book soon called Prank Wars. I (along with a couple other master pranksters) will be judging a prank contest where you can submit your most clever and devious idea, and have a chance to win a Kindle.Just go to Stephanie Fowers' Prank Contest

I can't wait to hear your story!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

2011-12-18T21:39:00.000-08:00

Well, school has been full of disasters...well, at least the study of them. It has been incredibly fascinating to learn about issues that I didn't even know existed. (I am also happy to brag that I got 100% on my stats midterm, and 96% on the final. If you know me and numbers, this is the first time in my life that we have gotten along).

Because DU is on the quarter system, we have had a nice, long Christmas break. I finished my last final a couple of days before Thanksgiving, and have had the rest of the time to enjoy the holiday season (with a few hours of interning and volunteering in there to feel semi-productive). I've spent the past week in Vegas visiting all my friends and family that I have missed like crazy these past four months. Nothing says "Welcome Home" like getting mobbed by an entire playground of kids!

Before I left Denver I tried to get my little apartment in the Christmas spirit while keeping the starving student budget in mind. Here are some creations that I put together (mostly) using materials I found around the house.

(I folded scrapbook paper into 3-dimensional stars and strung them on gold gift-wrapping ribbon with some gold ornaments. I printed the letters from Microsoft Word and strung them on more of the gold ribbon. Add some lights, and voila!)

(I put some extra stars and ornaments on a platter for a table decoration).

(My personal favorite: I found this dish towel at a fun little store one day, stretched it over the top of an IKEA canvas print, and hung it on the wall!)

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from Denver/Vegas/Provo!!!

The Adventures Continue...

2011-10-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

If I had to describe the last few months iwith one word, it would be "transition".

I have gone from:

-Sin City to the Mile High City
-desert life to mountains
-"teacher" to "student"
-decent salary to poor college student
-lots of roommates to one who is often gone
-school in the 'hood to a school with buildings that look straight out of Hogwarts.
-Studying "reading, writing, rithmetic" to studying International Disaster Psychology

It has been quite a change, but I am really liking this new adventure. Luckily I've still been able to find ways to keep my love for the inner-city life alive. I intern at a women and children's day center downtown. It's an amazing facility that focuses on connecting clients with the needed services and support in order to help them become more self-sufficient. The people there are absolutely some of the most amazing and strong women and kids I know. (And the shelter makes the most delicious food. Could you ask for a better internship?)

I've also started volunteering at a charter school whose populations is made up of refugee children from all over the world. Once a week I get to go help kids from various countries like Nepal, Tibet, Burma, and various countries in Africa learn to read. Again, I am so grateful for the chance to meet some of the world's most amazing and strong people.

I can't wait to see what other things Denver has to offer!

The Old College Try

2011-05-31T19:20:00.000-07:00

Today I finally broke the news to my students that I am moving to Denver this fall to go back to college. These were a couple of my favorite responses:

T: Again!?!

R: And at your age???

I then gave them an assignment to research the college they want to go to in a few years. More of my favorite responses:

J: Which college has the most girls?

R (while looking at BYU's website): Did you know that there's a church at BYU? It says here something about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

*Side note: Later on in the day we were doing some Nevada History and read in our book about the Mormons settling Las Vegas. I asked them if they had ever heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or if they knew any Mormons. The blank stares quickly answered that question. I then told them that they knew at least one, and at first they didn't believe me. When I told them that I went to this church, they acted shocked and a little betrayed. I love shaking their little worlds sometimes. :)

Next on the "To-Do" List

2011-04-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

Request of the Week:

(From a parent): "Ms. Chilz, can you write a character reference letter for me to give to the judge so I can clear up a solicitation charge?"

No problem. Consider it done.

Where's the Traffic Sign for this One?

2011-03-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

I've seen street signs warning drivers about dips, deer, blind driveways, blind children, and even wild burros. I learned Friday that they need one for human bodies in the road.

As I was driving down a pretty busy road near the school after work on Friday, traffic suddenly began to slow. I didn't think much of it, because this is a pretty common occurence on this part of my daily commute. However, I quickly realized that things were a little different this time. The cars ahead of me all of a sudden began merging into the neighboring lane. It wasn't until the last car in front of me got into the next lane that I realized what was causing this little traffic hiccup. There was a man lying on his back in the middle of the lane with his arms and legs outstretched.

I immediately switched into my "assess-the-situation-before-you-panic" mode. I saw a police car pulling into the lane on the other side of the body. I saw a whole bunch of cars coming up behind me. My biggest fear was that if I moved over to the next lane, someone may not see this person and run over him. So, I quickly turned on my hazard lights so my car would be able to protect this man's head from further damage.

Then I sat there in my car trying to make sense of what was going on. I was also trying to be okay with the fact that I might be staring at a dead body. I watched the policeman get out of the car and try to get a response from the man. He then checked for a pulse, and it didn't seem good. I still didn't know what to do, but I figured that using my car as protection for the man and the policeman that was now kneeling in the middle of the street next to the body was the best way I could help.

After a couple of minutes the man on the street moved his arm. I immediately felt a great sense of relief that he was alive. A few minutes after that, the policeman helped the man sit up. And then eventually the man was able to sit up on the curb. At that point, the policeman waved at me and mouthed "thank you", letting me know that I could be on my way.

In typical Vegas fashion, no one was willing to let me merge into the next lane. So, as I waited for a break in the heavy traffic I had time to watch the policeman walk over into the empty lot just behind the man and pick something up out of the dirt. I realized he was holding a pair of jeans. Then for the first time I noticed that the man sitting on the curb was sporting a pair of blue boxers.

I spent the rest of the drive home trying to figure out what had just happened. Why had none of the other cars before me stopped for the man? Was he going to be okay? But the most obvious question that I would still love to have answered is WHY WAS HE IN THE MIDDLE OF MLK BLVD. WITHOUT ANY PANTS ON???

Mind-Blowing...or Eye-Ball Blowing???

2011-02-27T19:04:00.000-08:00

The kids in my class know I don't smoke, don't drink (not even coffee), or cuss. They also know I go to church, but like a good 1st ammendment-abiding citizen, I don't expound on my personal theological views in my state-funded classroom. When I occasionally do get asked what church I go to, I tell them the Mormon church. Then I just get the same confused look I get whenever I introduce a word they have never heard before. So it was fun to witness someone's very candid reaction to first learning of the First Vision not realizing that I do know something about this event.

The other day a girl noticed a book in ourclassroom library all about Utah. She was excited because she knew that this is where I grew up. She was enthralled with the pictures of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. "Utah is beautiful, Ms. Chilz!", she blurted out while everyone was supposed to be quietly reading to themselves. I agreed with her, then reminded her that she needed to read without disturbing everyone around her. A few minutes later she interrupted the silence in the room when she began reading aloud from the book: "Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees in New York". It was a very weird two-worlds-colliding type moment. I was not expecting to hear a bit of Church History being shared in the middle of class. Then she continued, "Ms. Chilz, that is ridiculous. A person can't just see God. He's too powerful. That would burn your eyeballs out!".

It took everything in me not to start laughing, or sharing my testimony on the Restoration of the Gospel. My simple answer would have to suffice. "The great thing about our country is that people have the freedom to believe what they want".

She obviously was not paying too much attention to what I said; she was still worried about Joseph's eyeballs.

Out of the Mouth of 4th Graders

2011-01-30T17:04:00.000-08:00

It has been a while! I could go through the list of reasons this blog has fallen on the priority list, but I will spare the boring details of an over-worked teacher. Better late than never, I guess.

Here are a few conversations that I thought were pretty hilarious recently.

T: Ms. Chilz, why don't you got kids?

Me: I haven't found a husband yet.

T: Well, all you have to do is get on facebook. There's lots of guys on there. That way you won't be so lonely.

I: Or you could just get a cat.

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J: How old are you Ms. Chilz?

Me: 29

T: Wow! You don't even look like you're in the double digits.
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A: Mz. Chilz, when you have kids, and your baby daddy comes over to visit...

Me: Wait, I'm not going to have a baby daddy. I'm going to get married first and then have kids with my husband.

A: WHY???

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It's conversations like these that remind me that laughter really is the best medicine (especially in the midst of the daily chaos which is my life).

"Back" to School

2010-08-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe another school year is starting already. Teachers in Vegas don't have to go back until Wednesday, but our school likes to do their own thing. My school year started this morning.

As I was just getting off the freeway near my school this morning at 6:15, I saw a guy handcuffed against a wall as cops were taking pictures of the gang tattoos all over his back.

My first thought (in all sincerity): "Ah, it's so good to be home. I've missed this place".

The Pied Piper Was On to Something

2010-06-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

I took the 4th and 5th graders on our school's camping trip again a few weeks ago. It is always a lot of work, a lot of stress, and a lot of fun.

I did notice an interesting phenomenon this time. One of the hardest jobs is to get the attention of 50 excited kids at any given time. I have tried about every "teacher trick" there is, but I finally found a way that works a hundred times better than any other way. I would start singing a camp song. Within a few seconds a room of chaos would turn into a chorus of "The Other Day I Met a Bear". A kid would be in mid-shove as he tried to get to the front of the dinner line, but immediately stop in order to do all the actions to "The Princess Pat". It was also quite refreshing to see some of our little gangstas lose their image for a few minutes while they sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes".

I have always loved music, but I have a whole new appreciation for its power over human behavior.

One of These Things is Just Like the Other?

2010-04-18T18:50:00.000-07:00

I have been sick for almost 3 weeks now. Every time I think I am finally getting better, something else happens. The two-week sore throat has finally subsided, the hacking cough is generally only at night (and I'm only waking up a few times trying to cough up my lungs now). My lost voice was found again after a few days.

Now my eyes have decided to join in the fun. A few days ago my left eye decided to swell up during school. I spent the evening with ice packs on it, and by the next day it was feeling much better. Today I woke up with very clear evidence my right eye has developed "pink eye".

I finally decided it was time to go to the doctor. Yes, they confirmed that I have bronchitis. Yes, they confirmed it is pink eye. And yes, they confirmed that both dealers and teachers are exposed to a lot of contageous little bugs.

Interesting comparison. I'm still not sure why the doctor shared this fact with me. I believe this was another "I must be in Vegas" moment.

No Escape

2010-03-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

Our little school is out of control.

The kids are amazing. The families, neighborhood, and all other contributing factors that everyone seems to blame things on are far from the problem.

It's the politics. I know that every job has its fair share of political manueverings, but we seem to take things to the extreme in everything we do. I've often thought that if I tried to make it into a reality show, no one would believe it. And it is way too complex. Because of some responsibilities I have at the school, I have become trapped in the middle of everything.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to escape the insanity at any time of the day or night. It is now creeping into my dreams.

Two nights ago I was dreaming that I needed to get to the airport to begin my Spring Break. I asked person after person, but no one was able to give me a ride. I remember the feeling of hopelessness grow as I watched the clock tick closer and closer to the time of departure, and still no one would help.

(Let's hope that I do make it to Duluth and then Provo in a couple of weeks. I NEED to escape, and nothing better stop me. )

Last night's nightmare was worse. I still get sick to my stomach when I think about it. At one point in the dream I realize that my hair is all matted with something. I try to run my fingers through it and find a dead mouse completely tangled in my hair. I start to panic because I'm so grossed out and confused on how it got there when I find another, and then another. I then feel a live mouse start running down the back of my neck.

I've pondered the meaning of this dream for a while today. The best I can come up with is that I have become wrapped up in nasty things that I never even wanted to be part of in the first place.

Any other interpretations?

Oh, shoot!

2010-02-20T11:45:00.000-08:00

Our school finally figured out why our computer lab and library keep flooding every time it rains (which has been happening frequently thanks to el nino).

The maintenance guys went up yesterday to find the source of the leaks, and came down with a bag of bullets. They spent the morning pulling casings out of the roof.

What did we learn, students? Getting on to an elementary school roof and shooting into the ceiling is not a good idea for many reasons.

Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do

2010-02-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

R: (talking to the kids at her table): My cuzin told me about this girl that ate a poison apple even though God told her not to do it, and that's why we all is gonna die. What was her name?

B: Snow White.

R: No! Not Snow White. Oh, yeah. Her name was Anne. Anne ate the poison apple.

Me: Um, do you mean Eve?

Got My Eye On You

2010-02-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

I always find it funny when a student randomly notices my eyes. This happened yet again today, and I always get the same reaction.

L: "Woah! Mz. Chilz, your eyes is blue".

This statement always has a tone of a shocked and concerning warning, like I had no idea this was the case.

Just the other day when a different student made the same shocking realization I had to take out my contacts in order to prove to her that it really is my natural color.

I love just shakin' up their little worlds.

Move over CNN

2010-01-15T18:46:00.001-08:00

"Ms. Chilz, I heard about that earthquake thing on BET last night."

I have been watching the wrong channel all this time to be current on world events. Peace out CNN. I'm movin' on.

Things to be Grateful For...

2009-12-01T22:31:00.001-08:00

Not having to attend the funeral of a relative over Thanksgiving Break who stepped on someone's shoe at a party and was shot because of the mistake.

It seems like I add a new blessing to be counted every day.

I Love School Carnivals

2009-10-25T18:28:00.001-07:00

It's not every day that a prostitute throws a pie in your face.

The Best Part of Waking Up

2009-10-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

"Things I Never Thought I Would Say to a 9-year-old" #238:

"Please put your Starbucks away because we are about to start class."

Get Thee to a Nunnery

2009-10-14T18:49:00.000-07:00

N: "Miss Chilz, are you ever going to get married?"

S: "No, cuz she's already married to God."

Receiving Blessings

2009-10-03T22:29:00.000-07:00

I have a favorite grocery store. The prices are low, the variety is great, and I'm not just talking about merchandise.

This evening I was pushing my cart past the paper towels when a man approached me and handed me a stick of incense. He told me the homemade incense was called "Blessing".

I guess it is true that blessings come at any time. Some are just more obvious than others. :)

And this is why I teach for America?

2009-09-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

As soon as I heard the office manager use the intercom to call the principal to the office "immediately", I was already looking for my keys. I knew what was coming. I've heard this more than a few times over the last three+ years. About a minute later the announcement was made that our school was on lockdown again.

I started to get concerned when the lockdown was lasting longer than normal. This was not a concern for our safety. I knew that it wasn't going to be long until someone would have to use the bathroom. I tried to keep the writing lesson going, but I could see a few kids were not exactly worried about their essay. They were mostly worried that their little bladders were about to burst.

Well, desperate times call for desperate measures. Here was my solution:

No, it's not a giant puppet show theater. No, we didn't make a fort in the back of the room. I used the smart board and some blankets to create our own classroom outhouse.

In one breath I'm telling students to "just squat over the sink". In another breath I'm telling other students to "please try to be mature about this". I was just doing everything I could not to laugh out loud at the ridiculousness of it all.

Growing up so fast

2009-08-25T17:34:00.000-07:00

I showed my class some pictures of myself as a "get to know your teacher" type thing. I will share the commentary highlights from my students.

D: You used to be so pretty! Well, I guess you still are.

(This picture was taken in May.)

G: Were you 17 in this picture?

Me: Um, nope. That was at Disneyland last year.

Hallelujah!

2009-08-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

I have been trying and trying to make the pieces come together for the upcoming camping trip, but it just hasn't been working. We don't have enough students or adults to make it work. I have been experiencing plenty of worry, a stomach just waiting for the ulcers to form, quite a few anxiety dreams, and numerous prayers.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. I guess I thought the answers to my prayers would come in the form of students, parents, and adults swarming the school office to sign up today. Instead, the miraculous feeling of peace came when I suggested to the powers that be to postpone the trip for a month.

One of the most memorable stories growing up was "It Could Always Be Worse". My parents would read this story about a farmer who lived in a very little house with a large family. He repeatedly asked his rabbi what he should do about this problem and each time the rabbit would tell him to bring in one of the farm animals to live in the house with the family. By the end of the book, the house was filled with the husband, wife, kids, chickens, sheep, goats, donkey, cows, pigs, and a horse. On the last visit to the rabbi, he instructed the farmer to move all the animals back to the barn. The farmer then went back to his house where it seemed so spacious and peaceful with just his family living there.

I am now approaching the beginning of the school year with a similar feeling. Now I "only" have to do the million things that are required to start a new school year. It could always be worse. I could be organizing a week-long camping trip at the same time.

I'm Asking For It

2009-08-08T18:40:00.000-07:00

I think that I've probably doomed myself to the calling of Eternal Girls Camp Director.

I find myself in the thick of planning our school's second camping trip in the past 3 months.

They asked me to plan our 2nd annual "Capstone" trip for the 4th and 5th graders in May. It is not a small task to come up with activities that will keep 70 students engaged and out of trouble for 5 days and 4 nights.

I guess it went well enough because they have decided to add a "Stepstone"camp during the first official week of school. I got stuck with planning this one too. I have witnessed first-hand how beneficial it is to take our students out of the neighborhood environment and expose them to new challenges, so I fully support these trips. However, trying to plan another camping trip (my principal assured me it would be easier because we are "only" going 4 days and 3 nights) on top of planning for a new school year is proving to be a bit of a challenge.

P.S. What are the chances that this year our school will start two weeks before any other school in the district? (Back to work on Monday. Yikes!)

P.P.S. If anyone has any fantastic teambuilding/leadership activities, let me know. We leave in 3 weeks!

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

2009-06-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

I made it four whole days away from the school before I had my first school-related anxiety dream of the summer last night.

It was your typical anxiety dream. I happened to show up at the school and realized that it was the first day back for the students. I didn't have anything prepared. I didn't have my class list, and no one seemed to be able to help me get one. I showed up in my pajamas and had to change clothes, but there wasn't anywhere that offered some privacy to do so. I kept getting interrupted trying to get to my classroom. I ended up being late and tried to sneak in without my principal noticing. Once I got the correct clothes on and found my classroom I was supposed to gather my students to bring them to class, but still no one had given me a class list.

The ironic thing about the dream was the parts that one would think would be the biggest stressors like not being told when school was starting, not having anything planned, and not being able to get a class list so I could follow the principal's directives were the least of my worries. I remember thinking in my dream, "Oh, this is so typical of our school. It's not any more difficult than what I've already had to deal with working here".

So true!

And the scariest part of this nightmare is there is a good chance that dream may come true.

(But hopefully I will remember to get dressed before I leave next time).

???

2009-06-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

How do you politely tell a student's mama that although you really appreciate the invitations, you're just not into hanging out at strip clubs?

Mixed Messages

2009-05-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

Last week I was called out by a co-worker twice during various meetings claiming that I don't "understand the culture", followed by implied and direct comments that a white Mormon girl from Utah can't be an effective teacher at our school. (My feelings: It's 2009. Why are we still trying to view the world through stereotypes?).

Today I went to see some kids (who were kicked out of our school) perform at a dance concert at a neighboring school. As I sat by my friend V., holding two of her sleeping nephews on my lap, I heard this lady lean over to V. and started whispering about who I was. She then asked me where I was from. She wasn't very good at hiding the surprised look, then finally said "Wow. You sure aint act like a Utah girl". (My feelings: It's 2009. Why are we still trying to view the world through stereotypes?).

P.S. I was flattered when I was later invited to this lady's church which she is just starting. Maybe someday I can return the favor and invite her to mine.

In a land far, far away...

2009-05-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

D: Mz. Chilz, do they speak English in Utah?

Me: Generally, yes.

Things That Have Made Me Smile Recently:

2009-04-20T21:53:00.000-07:00

-Having a 5th grader pass me a note asking for love advice.

-Taking a bone density test in a room plastered with posters about osteoperosis, and feeling about 40 years too young to be there.

-Noticing a box of LDS Humanitarian "school kits" in a room at our school.

-A day on the Strip with the great friends.

-Screaming wildly on the New York, New York rollercoaster with Stephanie Fowers.

-90 degree weather in April.

-Evening strolls to U-Swirl (the new favorite frozen yogurt place) with the roommates.

-Not having to go back to the endodontist for a weekly root canal on one tooth any more (knock on wood).

Good Times!

2009-04-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

I went to a baby shower yesterday for a student's older sister. We played a game called "cotton picking" that involved cotton balls, a blindfold, and a giant spoon. Everyone was a little amazed that the white girl won.

A Day of Firsts

2009-03-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend my roommate and I decided that we needed a little break from the stress of work, etc. and treated ourselves to some fabulous mall offerings.

I got my ears pierced for the first time in my life, and I also had my first pedicure.

Now, ere you start thinking I've gone and got all grown-up"ish", we spent the rest of the evening pulling our own "Extreme Makeover-Home Edition" prank on our other roommate. We couldn't decide between the black fuzzy coloring posters or the paint-by-number wall art. In retrospect, we should have just gone with the fuzzy posters and markers. Apparently my crafting ability is less than an 8-year-old for whom the paint-by-number was designed.

Daylight Savings Time

2009-03-09T18:51:00.000-07:00

I have never had a more semi-conscious class like I did this morning.

The problem:
We start the state CRT testing tomorrow morning. I am afraid some children may get left behind just because their bodies are trying to adjust to No Clock Left Behind.

Poor timing! :)

Concerned Students

2009-02-25T17:48:00.000-08:00

Z: "Miz Chilz, do you got some black eyes?"

X: "No, those is just bags."

Z: "Good, cuz we wuz gonna have to find out who hit you and beat him up good."

Me: "Thanks???"

Proud to Be of Service

2009-02-22T17:34:00.000-08:00

I have a friend/student's mamma that has told me a couple of times now that everyone needs a white person in their life, and I am that person for her.

I couldn't think of a better compliment.

Who turned life to full speed?

2009-01-30T19:17:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how fast this past month has gone. It seems that Christmas was ages ago, but I'm having a really hard time believing that it will soon be February.

School has been an emotional roller coaster recently. I will spare y'all the same ride.
I will, however, share a few of the highlights of the past few weeks:

*I got to march in the Las Vegas Martin Luther King Day Parade again. We all had fun, and there wasn't even gunfire this year.

*I got to watch our new President take the oath of office with some of the country's most excited young viewers. My favorite comment of the day was "Ms. Chilz, I didn't know they was gonna have white people there. I thought it was just for black people."

Folks Like Us

2009-01-07T17:57:00.000-08:00

Today I was reading a book with a group of kids. The 1933 African-American children were talking to each other about how they didn't like to go to the general store because the owners "don't treat our folks right". I tried to clarify this phrase by explaining "folks" in this context meant "black people like us". No one in the group caught my racially-confused mistake until one kid gave me a strange look. Then I realized what I had just said. Oops.

My New Family Tree

2008-12-23T10:17:00.001-08:00

The other day a mom of one of my students was introducing me to someone.
"Hey, this is my sista. Sama mama, different daddies."
The person she was talking to looked rather confused, but didn't say anything else.
I love my new heritage!

P.S. I also love Las Vegas snow days. (It was actually my first snow day ever. Provo School District won't close school for anything). I spent Thursday finishing up some Christmas shopping in sunny 50-degree weather. I think this school district got a little too excited the night before when it actually was snowing in some parts of the valley. I won't complain.

Full Circle

2008-12-07T20:38:00.001-08:00

Things have definitely made a sharp turn from the beginning of the year with one family. The same mamma who wanted to beat me up invited me to her birthday party because she told me that she considers me family now.

It sure wasn't a party that I would normally attend, but we all had a great time!
Although, I think a few of my students' mammas were a bit weirded out that we were all hangin' together on a Saturday night.

Expect the Unexpected

2008-12-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

You would think I should know by now to never become too comfortable at school. Last night I left everything (including my computer) in my classroom because for once I felt slightly on top of things. I decided I was going to enjoy a work-free evening. I just made sure I got to school 45 minutes early so I could have time to get things set up for today.

Everything seemed to be going great until I began to pull out my keys to get into my classroom. Just as I went to open the door I noticed something a little out of place. There seemed to be a large screw by the doorframe. I thought it odd that I would have never paid attention to it before. As I turned the doorknob to enter, I found it was already unlocked, and the door was refusing to open. I quickly pieced these observations together and realized that someone had jammed two large screws in the doorframe making it absolutely impossible to even budge the door.

I went and had another teacher come and investigate, just to make sure I wasn't going crazy. We both stood looking at this scene in disbelief. I, of course, am imagining what I'm going to find (or not find) on the inside if we ever do find a way to get in. I also couldn't figure out why my room would have been targeted. I realize it's an outdoor school, but there are 30 other rooms that could have been hit. Why mine?

Our amazing custodian manages to pry the bolts out of the door with a lot of banging (and some permanent damage to the frame). I was then even more confused to find inside of my classroom exactly as I had left it. Burglary seemed like the obvious conclusion to this ordeal, but nothing was touched.

I found out later that morning that the night custodians couldn't get my door to lock last night, so the district's after-hours maintenance people came out to "secure" my room. While their method proved to be effective, I still can't help to wonder if there could possibly be a better way. However, I have worked in this district for almost 2 and 1/2 years now. I guess it shouldn't surprise me at all.

Random Question #286

2008-11-23T09:47:00.000-08:00

"Ms. Chilz, has the SWAT team come to your house before, too?"

Um, nope. Can't say that they have.

New Skills for the Resume

2008-11-17T20:35:00.000-08:00

I didn't know that hair dresser would be part of my job description. I've actually been proud of the braids, twists, and ponytail creations that I have come up with using random rubber bands from my desk drawer. I've also been proud at how well I can pretend to know exactly what I am doing. I'm most proud that this student doesn't insist on wearing a hood after I finish her hair.

Some Clarification Needed

2008-11-02T21:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Venice Beach Street Vendor,
Yesterday as I was enjoying my stroll through a people-watchers paradise, you approached me with a cd of your music. While I have no doubt that you are an incredibly gifted musician, I had no intentions of purchasing anything from anyone during my walk along the crowded beach-side street. As we parted ways, your last comments to me were a bit confusing. I would appreciate some some clarification on what you meant when you yelled back to me,

"I can see you're scared. You'll be really scared when Obama gets elected!"

Were you referreing to me being:

scared of tripping and knocking all my teeth out
scared of cockroaches (dead or alive)
scared of getting a life-long case of hiccups
scared of loved ones suffering from any number of physical or emotional pain
scared of finding out I inadvertantly offended someone
scared of losing a student due to neighborhood violence
scared of my students participating in neighborhood violence
scared of not meeting the academic needs of my students
scared of not meeting the emotional needs of my students
scared of students or loved ones getting caught up in cheap thrills instead of eternal happiness
scared of the world's insistence of calling evil good and good evil
scared of the fact that racial tension and stereo-types are still alive and thriving

If this is what you meant by "scared", then you are right. I am scared spitless.

If you meant I was scared by a street vendor who happened to be African-American, then boy, you got me all messed up!

A bit of a challenge

2008-10-14T18:08:00.000-07:00

Well, my little school just keeps pushing along. I get to school by 6:30 each morning, and leave around 5:30 most evenings (and I still haven't figured out how to not take work home, which adds another few hours to the work day). Needless to say, I look forward to the 15 minutes set aside to sit down and eat some lunch each day.

You would think that by now I wouldn't get caught off-guard by "I can't do my homework" excuses. I have heard some great tales. This afternoon I heard a new one. As I was tutoring a student after school, I told him that I would give him some multiplication flashcards to take home to practice. He quickly told me that he couldn't.
"You can't?" I asked him with a tone that implied "that answer doesn't work for me".
"No", he said. "We don't have any lights."
With a bit of further questioning, I found that this family hasn't had electricity for a long time. They eat fast food every night for dinner because the fridge requires power to work, but they do have enough blankets to keep them warm at night.
I tried to recover quickly from the look of disbelief, sympathy, and frustration over these additional challenges that my students live with. No wonder he's lacking basic math facts. It's hard to practice at home when you are trying to do your homework by candlelight (literally. They don't have any flashlights).

I learned today that I need to "get over myself" when I feel like working 16+ hour days is hard. At least I can pull something out of the fridge for dinner, heat it up in a microwave, turn on a computer, and work until midnight by the light of a 60-watt bulb.

Did I mention I hate cockroaches?

2008-10-01T21:00:00.000-07:00

Today M. (who could have an entire book written about his behavior) tried to kick a seemingly-dead cockroach out the door. Unfortunately, he managed to kick the 2" monster cockroach back over onto its feet which prompted the roach to run right back into the classroom. It was bad enough that the monster was crawling around the classroom distracting everyone (including me). However, M. started calling it by the name of a kid in the other 5th grade class. I was relieved when one brave student took her job of exterminator (yes, it's a classroom job) seriously. It was also a little hard not to laugh when there was an immediate 25-student chorus of "Ew! Tom just got squashed!!!"

Monday, Monday

2008-09-22T17:23:00.000-07:00

Mondays are often the hardest day of the work week for many reasons. One of the major factors is that the students have had lots of time to get immersed in the neighborhood. Today seemed to be particulary "active". I asked a friend at work who lives in the neighborhood if there was a shooting or something else that had happened over the weekend. The only thing she could come up with was the neighborhood drug dealer that was murdered on Thursday. The kids were pretty worked up about that stabbing/house-burning on Friday, but when something like this happens, the novelty generally wears off by the next day. My friend and I deduced that the students' parents were probably a bit "on edge" this weekend as they had to find a new supplier. The side effects of addictions are pretty far-reaching.

Small...well, Tall Problem

2008-09-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

I think I may have to make a new classroom rule:

A student's combined physical plus afro height cannot exceed the teacher's physical height. This will lead to difficulty monitoring the activities of other students.

The Past Week in Numbers

2008-09-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

70: Hours spent teaching, planning, preparing
80: Students taught throughout the day
4th and 5th: Grades taught throughout the day
1,293,983,364: Approximate number of times I heard the shouts of "Miss Chilz!"
8: Number of schools one of my students has attended
5: Number of times one of my students has been to jail
0: Number of assault threats received!

...And Again

2008-09-08T17:43:00.000-07:00

I love starting the day with one of the security guards stopping me in the hallway and telling me, "Ms. Chilz, there is a mama of one of your students in the office right now and she is HOT with you. Just wanted to give you the heads up in case you get called down there."
I spent the next few minutes trying to figure out what I did this time that made someone so mad.
The next that I heard of this situation was when the principal and assistant principal walked into my room shortly after class started. They told me that they are taking one of my students out of my class and putting her permanently in the other 4th grade room. The girl that got switched is the daughter of the mama that came by the other day threatening to kick a boy in my class. Apparently, the mama in the office today was the mother of this boy. The principal told me that this mama was threatening to beat me up. How did I get involved in this family feud? I have no idea.
Just another reason to watch my back in the school parking lot.

Here We Go Again

2008-09-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

I almost made it two weeks this year before my first upset mama began threatening students in my class. I tried to explain the the parent that her daughter was not an innocent victim in an on-going feud between two families at the school. After I told her that she got in trouble the day before when I caught her putting her hands around the other kid's neck, the mother corrected me. "Oh, no. She's not just puttin' her hands on his neck. She's gonna be stranglin' the kid. I told her to do what she has to do cause we aint taken none of that boy no more. Actually, if he ever puts his hands on my baby again, I'm gonna come down here and kick his head in myself". No wonder I get funny looks when I tell the kids that there are other ways to solve problems besides using fists (or feet).

River Trip

2008-08-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

Friday night a couple of my roommates and I decided to take a somewhat spontaneous trip up to Tuacahn in St. George, UT to see the show "Big River". Little did we know that this was not the only river we would encounter on our trip. We should have taken notes from Huck Finn and Jim during the musical on the benefits of traveling by raft.

Liz, Katie, and I enjoyed a lazy Saturday morning, a late IHOP breakfast, and then wandered around the outlets of St. George. By late afternoon we decided we should start heading back to Las Vegas. We watched the sky get darker and darker, so we were anticipating some rain on the drive home. I said a small prayer that we would not get caught in the storm as we drove through the Arizona gorge. This was the first miracle of the trip. It started sprinkling through the last mile of that narrow canyon. I got a strong impression that we needed to pray as we worked our way out of the canyon.

In less than 5 minutes from leaving the gorge, the downpour started. This was the first time that I've ever had to drive through the infamous desert flashflood rain. My windshield wipers were trying their best to keep up with the giant raindrops, but Mother Nature had to prove she was stronger than any man-made machine. Soon the entire freeway looked like the river we had seen in the play the night before. Cars were crawling along because visibility was so poor, the possibility of hydroplaning was great, and the wind wanted nothing more than to blow you off the road. At one point I had another strong impression to pull off the road. We sat on the side of the freeway for a few minutes watching the rain beat down around us and the desert landscape turn into a giant mudbowl. There was finally a break in traffic, so we continued on our journey once again driving though the freeway river.

A few minutes later a giant semi came flying past me. The next thing I know I am attempting to drive through a wall of water. I lost all visibility. My car started to slide. I couldn't see the lanes or the side of the road at all. I did my best to not panic or slam on my brakes. Finally the wave that engulfed my car receeded, and I noticed the next miracle. Traffic had been pretty heavy, but during that tense moment there happened to be no other cars around me. This was very good because I had drifted into the other lane without realizing it.

We were close to Mesquite, and we all felt that we should pull off at the next exit and wait out the storm. Once we forged some muddy streams flowing through a Walmart parking lot, I was happy to park my car and let my fingers release their grip on the steering wheel. We began to realize how bad this storm was when we noticed that the power was out throughout the whole city. Walmart was running on generators, and soon kicked us all out of the store because they were about to lose that backup power. The casinos across the street were also out of power. I began to wonder if the world was coming to an end because Walmart shut down and there were no flashing lights from casino marquees. It was a very eery feeling.

After taking refuge in Walmart as long as we could (we got a "friendly reminder" multiple times from Walmart employees telling us that we needed to leave as soon as possible), we worked our way across the parking lot back to our car. We had to walk through the muddy rivers that went halfway up my calves. We also had to watch out for grocery carts that were going air-born. We got back on the freeway once the rain began to let up. The wind still wanted to push me off the road most of the way back to Las Vegas, but at least I could see. There was the occasional tumbleweed as big as my car that would fly across the road, but again miraculously, it would happen seconds in front of where my car would have been.

So, I guess next time I'll listen to Huck and just bring a raft.

The Welcoming Party

2008-08-24T10:15:00.000-07:00

I've had so many visitors while I've been setting up my classroom this past week. I would like to introduce you to some of my new "friends".

When I first went into my room I found this little guy busy eating..

this bigger guy.

Later that day I found this 2-inch monster making his enterance by crawling down a wall.

I like to call this one the "Lord of the Cockroaches". This guy is the biggest one I've ever met. I first noticed him crawling around on the ceiling. He was near the head of a teacher who came in to tell me something. I didn't say anything to the teacher because I didn't want to scare her. I also don't remember a word of what she told me because I was slightly distracted.

Unfortunately the pictures don't really capture the true size and repulsiveness of these creatures. I just couldn't get myself to go close enough to the beasts to take a great picture (even after they have felt the effects of my little sidekick called "Raid").

I'm also missing "The Tank" in this picture album. He was a big, FAT cockroach that came crawling over to help me put some books away. He met "Raid", but disappeared before I could find out if he was really dead.

Between the roaches, mice, rats, and bullets, there are always plenty of surprises at my school.

The Maine Attraction(s)

2008-08-19T15:23:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm already back in Las Vegas re-applying the nametag of "Ms. Chilz". I have only been to a few hours of meetings and the adventures have already begun. Can someone please let me know what occupation does not involve politics and drama? If there is anything our little school does well, it is these two things.

As a much-needed relief from the politics and drama that have been brought back in my life recently, I am going to post some pictures of a happy, care-free time of life called "Summer Vacation".

Just doin' what teachers on vacation do.

The nephews at Deer Creek Reservoir in Provo Canyon

Fun with the Oregonians of the Childs family. My nephews were very excited to see the famous "big temple".

Beautiful Boston

This sums up my political relationship with TFA.

Magnificent Maine with the Mainers of the Childs family. Well, technically baby Benjamin is the only official "Mainer"-born and raised (for a whole month so far).

This nephew likes the beach!

They have this stuff called "rain" there. A little different from the desert here.

If you're ever in Portsmouth, New Hampshire make sure you stop by "Loaf and Ladle". Delicious fish chowder!

Like father...

like son.

The latest version of Windows

Liz and I preparing for our Portland, ME Children's Museum debut. What? The costumes are for the kids???

Admiring the nautical offerings of Maine

The little Mainer

Our contributions to the Fairy Village on Mackworth Island

Maine Lobstah. Yum!!!!

Flying First Class=Glamorous

2008-08-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my roommate Liz and I headed back from our week-long adventure in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachussettes. Our flight from Portland, ME to Chicago was delayed, so we missed our connecting flight into Vegas. (I only stopped in Vegas to sleep before I drove up to Utah this morning). The wonderful people at United bumped us up to first-class on the next available flight.

I had never flown first-class before. I reveled in the abundant leg-room and seat-room. I was sitting in the front row, so when I got tired of sitting with my legs tucked up under me (and still not hitting the guy next to me) I could rest them on the wall in front. I didn't even have to ask for a pillow. They had one waiting for me. I got so excited when I got to choose between a granola bar or pretzels. I could even have all the apple juice I wanted in a plastic cup twice the size as they serve in coach.

I then realized that these "luxuries" are the same things that make a 3-year-old happy. Pretzels, granola bars, apple juice, and a place to curl up with a fluffy pillow. Does it get any better? I guess the good things in life never grow old.

Oh, what do you do in the Summertime...

2008-07-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

when all the world is HOT?

Do you

clean out your closet

swim

learn to sew

study (a very little)

swim some more

learn to play tennis

play at the Mormon Fort

read
go to the gym
go to the movies
make ice cream

NOT sleep through tests

sit on the porch

laugh with roommates

unpack from one trip

pack for the next trip

listen to some great Motown on my record player (thanks hometeacher Rick!)

Is that what you do?

So do I.

At least that's what I've done this week-just trying to keep out of trouble before I go to Maine this week and Utah after that.

Home Again (for a minute)

2008-07-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

I made it back to Vegas on Friday after another 15-hour drive from Utah to Oregon, then a plane ride to Nevada.

I will admit going back to Vegas is never an easy transition. It's hard to say goodbye to family, friends, beautiful mountains, hiking, boating, canyon picnics, 4th of July parades, firework shows, swimming, barbecues, reunions, backyards, flowers, evenings with perfect temperatures...the list could go on and on!

The good news is that I only have to be in Vegas for a week. I've got exciting things like laundry, swimming, studying, and taking the teacher licensing test (as long as I wake up this time!) planned. Then I will be off to Maine to visit my brother and his family for a week.

I have even extended my next trip to Provo significantly. I was originally going to only be there for a quick weekend trip for my roommate's wedding, but now I think I'll stay until the last possible minute. I have to be back for work on August 20th, so I'm going to drive up on the 6th and probably stay until the 19th.

Thanks to all of you who provided so much fun while I was there. I look forward to even more!

Are we there yet?

2008-07-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

Summer school is over, so I began my summer vacation by flying to Oregon to help my sister drive with her kids to our parents' house in Utah. I thought I would summarize the trip with the following numbers:

14: hours of driving

5: the time we left in the morning

4: bathroom breaks

3: small children

2: people over the age of 4

1: minivan

The kids did very well...Better than I did I think.

Family Reunion Season

2008-06-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

As I walked in the cafeteria to join all the summer school kids for their breakfast yesterday, I was immediately greeted by giant bear hug from one of the students. This didn't seem unusual because this 2nd grader has been greeting me like this all year long (and I finally learned his name last week). One thing was different, though. This time after I finally peeled him off, he proudly pointed to his shirt. It was a Childs Family Reunion t-shirt. I jokingly told him that he better let me know when "our" next reunion is. He didn't see anything funny about this. He really believes that we share the same grandparents. I guess I'm just the white sheep of the family.

Oops!

2008-06-14T09:58:00.000-07:00

I consider myself a relatively responsible person-especially when it comes to time management. Today I proved myself wrong.

I was supposed to take my licensing test today to become an official teacher. Last night I printed out the admission ticket, packed my bag with a package of brand-new #2 pencils, a few pens for the essay test, and some healthy snacks. I had my clothes planned out and breakfast ready to go. I set my alarm for two different times (just in case I slept through the first one) and obsessive-compulsively checked it three times before I fell asleep. I scheduled in plenty of extra time to get down to UNLV in case there were unexpected freeway closures or terrorist attacks. Everything was perfectly set so I could be waiting at the testing door well before the 7:30 a.m. check-in time.

Apparently my sleep-deprived body had other plans. Generally during the night before a big event I wake up multiple times just to make sure I haven't somehow missed it. Today I woke up to the sound of my roommate's phone ringing. My initial thought was "Who is calling at 5:00 in the morning?". Then other thoughts started racing through my mind.
-"Why is it so light outside?"
-"What time is it?"
-"Why does my clock say 8:30!?!"
-"Why don't I remember hearing my alarm go off two different times this morning?"
-"Why don't I remember turning my alarm off two different times this morning?"
-"Did I really just sleep through the test!!!!!????!!!!!"

Oops. It's too late to do anything about it now. I guess it just means another hefty test registration fee and three alarms next time.

Staff Meeting Item #1

2008-06-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

We had a meeting at work the other day discussing problems and things we would like to do differently next year. The first thing on the agenda was addressing a safety issue. How do we encourage the police officers to ask the person that they are arresting during the day if they have any kids that go to our school? We keep sending kids home to empty houses because we (and the kids) don't know that their parents were taken to jail during the day.

They never addressed how to solve this problem in my teacher training classes.

Mom's Request

2008-05-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

My mom made me promise that I would post this. It is an incredibly great feeling to not have homework hanging over my head every minute. Now I only have my two other full-time jobs (teaching and Teach For America) to worry about.

Rapping Debut

2008-05-07T20:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday evening our school hosted the equivalent of a neighborhood block party. I'm still not sure what the real purpose of the event was, but we had different organizations advertising community events, free immunizations in the library, jumping houses, face painting, and plenty of hotdogs and pickup basketball games.

Towards the end of the evening some guy asked the dj to play some beats so he could do a little freestyle rapping. After the guy tried (and the key word is "tried") his hand at making up a rap, the dj opened up the mic. to the kids. Only a few brave souls tried.

I then hear the dj say, "Okay. Now we need a teacher!", and the next thing I know I am being mobbed by a bunch of small children screaming my name and pushing me up to the front. I had to make a quick decision. Do I make a scene by trying to refuse, or do I look ridiculous as a white girl trying to rap? I took the latter option (which I'm still not sure was the correct choice). I don't remember at all what came out-some lines that all ended with words that rhyme with school, I think. I do remember the dj laughing at me at making comments like "go girl!".

I am still getting teased by the other teachers. The 5th grade teachers call me their little white rappa' star every time they see me .

This was definitely one of those moments when I stop and ask myself, "How did I get here?". In my wildest imagination I would have never guessed I would be rappin' in the 'hood for an audience from the 'hood.

Heard in the 'Hood

2008-04-27T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here's some favorite quotes that I've heard from my students throughout the school year.

*What time is your birthday?

*After a conversation about only asking to use the bathroom if it’s an emergency, K. offered the very honest response to the students' solution for just wanting to get out of class: “or you could just lie”.

*I was explaining to the students the meaning of “don’t spread yourself too thin” and told them that adults will often say that to each other. A. said, “Oh, so Ms. Chilz, people don’t say that to you.” T. pops in and says, “Yeah, you’re more like a teenager.”

*D. asked me if I have any kids and I gave her the usual response. "I’m not married, and I’m not going to have kids until after I get married.” She then got very concerned and sincerely responded, “Umm, maybe you can go to the club with my mom. I think that’s where she met her husband.”

*We were standing in line getting ready to go on our fieldtrip to the planetarium when A. came up to me to ask me a question. K. looked over and said, “Miss Childs, you could be A.'s mom. You guys look just like each other!” She then asked the kids around her to confirm her observation. They all agreed. (I keep getting more and more black the longer I work here.)

*We talked about words that use a “g” or a “j” but both make the “j” sound. O. proudly came up to show me a sentence she created using the word judge. “My dad has to go see the judge about child support”.

*The power went off for an hour one afternoon . After realizing that the lights were not coming on, D. sincerely asked, “Is it because someone didn’t pay the power bill?”

*"A is for AIDS Ms. Chilz. You know, like the disease. I hope my mama don't get no AIDS."

Perspective

2008-04-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

Today as we were walking in to class one of my students came up and put her arms around me. She told me, "Ms. Chilz, my daddy told me that if I have a hard time today that you just need to hold me extra tight." I asked why today might be hard, and I wasn't quite expecting her answer. "My brother died yesterday", she responded. She then starting bawling on my shoulder.

I immediately began comparing this heartbreaking moment to the hard times my friends and I here in Vegas have been going through. A good friend of ours was in a longboarding accident a couple of weeks ago and passed away Sunday evening. Her brother and my friend were the same age. Both deaths were unexpected and both guys left behind family and friends that cared about them. It took everything in me to not start bawling right along with her.

As I continued to think about this, my heart started breaking even more for my sweet student. I couldn't believe that her parents sent her to school the next day. I wished all day that she could go home to be with her family. Most of all I wished that her family fully understood the Plan of Happiness. What a blessing it is to know that this life brings us one step closer to being reunited with our Heavenly Father. What a blessing it is to know that TC will be reunited with his eternal family one day. I just hope that TC will find my student's brother and give him the chance to accept the truths of this wonderful gospel.

How Can I Choose?

2008-04-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

Some of my students realized today that my birthday is coming up in a few weeks. They started asking me what I wanted for my birthday. One of them suggested that she could get me a boyfriend. I told her that I thought that was a wonderful idea. I soon had about eight little girls telling me the kind of boyfriend they will get me for my birthday.

If all goes as planned, I will have a very cute, rich man coming to my classroom to bring me flowers and chocolates and willing to get me anything that I ask him for.

They then tried to think of guys that would fit these characteristics.
"Ms. Chilz, do you want us to get you Bow Wow or Chris Brown for your birthday?"

Any suggestions on who I should choose?

Question of the Day

2008-04-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

Maybe it was because I started singing Fergie's "Glamorous" in class today (which I only know because of our favorite wii game-American Idol) , or maybe it was the Martin Luther King story we read that made her think about the race issue. Whatever it was, one student randomly asked me,
"Ms. Chilz, what are you?"

I've been asked this before, and it still makes me laugh everytime it comes up. I like to pretend like I have no idea what they are talking about.

"What do you mean?" I respond.

"You know, Ms. Chilz. Is you black or white?"

I look down at my pre-summer tan skin (which doesn't look much different than the summer tan skin) and try not to laugh out loud. "What do you think I am?", I ask back.

"I don't know Ms. Chilz. Just tell me! Is you black or white!?!"

"Well if you don't know, then I'm not going to tell you."
She was not satisfied by this answer, but I was very satisfied that she even has to ask.

AHHHH!!!

2008-03-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

Only 1 more day until Spring Break. It's a very good thing because I'm not sure I can handle any more days of constant battles. I think the score right now is 3rd Graders: 42, Teacher:1.
Maybe it's Spring fever, but they seem to be extra "active". I have come home with my mind spinning with remnants of conversations I overheard throughout the day:

"He just cussed at you Ms. Chilz!"

"Ms. Chilz, when you be lookin' over there, she just flipped you off!"

"Don't be smackin yo' lips at me!"

"Ooh, I'm gonna get that little boy!"

"You got a starin' problem? Peek-a-boo! Ms. Chilz, she keeps on lookin' at me!"
"He be lyin' on me Ms. Chilz! I aint the one that did it!"

"Ooh, Ms. Chilz... They be scrappin' back there!"

We have a fieldtrip tomorrow. With the pattern of the past few weeks, this could be very interesting. I hope no students "accidently" get left behind. :)

President's Day Weekend

2008-02-24T21:40:00.000-08:00

On February 16th I went through the temple for the first time. People keep asking how it was, but it's hard to put feelings into words. All I know is that the level of chaos I have felt for the past year and a half did not compare to the peace inside the Lord's house. It is so wonderful to have this refuge from the daily storms.

My parents, Ian, Alexis, their baby Jacob, Hilary, and Scott all piled in the minivan and drove down to Vegas from Provo Friday afternoon. Rachel left her husband and boys in Oregon and flew with her 6-week-old baby Anna to meet us that night. We missed Chandler, but he was busy playing in Disneyland on a high school choir tour. We had a great weekend just spending time together, eating good food at my cousin's house in Henderson, and doing a little sight-seeing at Hoover Dam.

Here's a few pictures from this wonderful weekend.

Just chillin' with Jacob

Beautiful Anna (the first niece!)

The Temple Goers

The Roomies: Myra, Liz, Erika, Amy (not pictured: Cassidy, Brooke)

The Parents and Me

I love Las Vegas in February!

I took my family to my school Sunday morning. I figured that should be one of the safer times to be walking around the 'hood. Good ol' Matt Kelly ES. We Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It!

Feel free to come up with your own commentary for the people in this picture. Despite what you think, we did have a fun time at the Hoover Dam.

Here we are having fun at the dam giftshop.

Australia sounds good

2008-02-19T22:27:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite childhood books was "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day". After a day like today, I couldn't help but think of his wisdom in escaping all the problems and moving to Australia.

Here are some of today's "highlights":

-Double-booked morning with a staff meeting presentation and a meeting with a parent.

-Watch the student's mom whack him in the back of the head during the middle of the meeting. There is nothing more sickening than to watch a child cower in pain (physical and emotional) like that.

-Fistfight in the middle of class between two of my students. When the kids get back from the principal's office I thought there would be some remorse. Instead, I just hear "My momma told me I gots to defend myself. I aint gonna be nobody's punchin' bag!".

-"Girl fight" during P.E. between one of my students and a student from the other 3rd grade class.

-Find out that all the girls in my class are planning to use their recess time to jump the girl who hit my student during P.E.

(It's only 9:00 a.m. by this point)

-One student throws up all over his desk, then goes over to the garbage and continues to vomit, and vomit, and vomit.

-All of this is only in addition to the usual cries of "yo' mama", "Ms. Childz, she's cussin' at me!", "Ms. Childz, he just threw his [eraser, crayon, pencil, paper, chair] at me!". "Ooh. He better watch it cuz I'm gonna be scrappin' with him after school!".

I guess I didn't get to escape to Australia, but this evening I did get to go to my first show and buffet since I have lived here in Las Vegas. My roommate picked me up from school and we met up with her sister and brother-in-law downtown.

The best part of the whole day was that my car was still in the school parking lot and in one piece when I picked it up tonight.

Am I Three?

2008-02-02T19:21:00.000-08:00

I knew I must not be feeling well when I finally admitted to myself I should see a doctor. Myra drove me to a quick care this afternoon and I found out I have croup and bronchitis.
Adults get croup? Apparently it's very rare. I love that I get kid diseases.

At least they are good at sharing

2008-02-01T14:43:00.000-08:00

If there is one thing I have recently discovered my class is excellent at doing, it's sharing...germs.

Silly me to think that I have some kind of immune system super power, even when my classroom resembled more of a doctor's waiting room this week with so many sick children. I came home from work last night with a temperature of 101, and today took my first sick day in over three years.

I guess the good thing is I get to watch cheesy daytime movies and steal my roommate's chicken noodle soup (don't tell Liz).

To Whom This May Concern:

2008-01-22T20:15:00.000-08:00

(Please disregard the following message if it does not pertain to you.)

Dearest Gangbangers,
I was just writing to ask a small favor from you. Could you please keep your anger, violence, and guns away from my students and the public in general.
Your little episode at the Martin Luther King Parade yesterday completely changed the attitude of my students who were watching and participating in the parade. I came to school today expecting to hear students excitedly talking about the horses, floats, cars, and friends they saw as they watched or marched. Instead, the conversations were focused on the fact that they saw you threatening their cousins, shooting a gun into the air, making the police pull their guns, and causing panic throughout the crowd of 10,000 people.
Thank you for at least waiting until our school's entry had completed the parade route and we were all safe and sound back at the school. At least those of us in the parade only had to hear about this on the news, and not watch this incident happen like some of the other kids.
Now of course I don't know the whole story. Maybe you think you were justified in your actions (although I can't imagine what would ever justify traumatizing 8-year-olds). But I do know that you keep making my job harder than it already is. I realized that reading lessons were not the priority of my kids today. After finishing a seemingly engaging lesson on cause and effect, I asked my students if they had any questions. The only question that came out was "Did you hear what happened at the parade?".
I just wanted to remind all of you that the purpose of this parade was to honor Dr. King who spoke these words: "We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."
Could you do me a favor and search your soul as well as recognize the worth of the other souls that are around you. It would really help me out.
Love Always,
Ms. Childz

What???

2008-01-14T16:36:00.000-08:00

Somehow the fact that I'm single came up again in class today. The students are generally concerned for my well-being, and try to think of anyone they know that I could marry.

(Last year a student thought she had found the perfect match. "Ms. Childz, my neighbor is nice, has the same skin color as you, and has the same length of hair as you, too. You're perfect for each other. You have to marry him. Please, please, please, please, please!!!!!!!)

One student today was amazed that not only do I not have a boyfriend or a husband, I don't have any kids either.
I explained that I'm not going to have kids until after I'm married.

Then, a look of shock, disappointment, and disgust came across her face as she yelled out, "Wait, Ms. Childz. Is yo' kids gonna be WHITE?"

The same as usual

2008-01-07T17:24:00.000-08:00

Things haven't changed much since I got back to school. Here is a sample of some conversations I had with my students today. Unfortunately, these topics are all too common.

"Ms. Childz, my uncle was killed a few days ago when someone knocked half his head in with a brick."

"I didn't like New Year's Eve very much cuz there was so much shooting".

I thoughtlessly told the students to use some new vocabulary words with their mamas at home. (I usually just use the word family). One student shouted out,
"What if you can't say 'em to your mama cuz she's in jail?".

Good question.

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays!

2007-12-25T10:54:00.000-08:00

I made it through another semester of Matt Kelly and UNLV! Both schools are very good at completely running my life. Sitting here in my parents' living room in Provo staring at this weird white stuff covering the ground, trees, and GIANT mountains, I am starting realize how much can really happen in just a few months.

After a semester filled with constant papers to write and grade, regular gunfire around the school, boxing weigh-in fieldtrips, and the daily verbal and physical abuse from small children I have decided that I LOVE CHRISTMAS BREAK! The police told us to keep the school open during the break to keep the kids fed, off the streets, out of the stores, and out of the line of "neighborhood activity". I still may go back a few days early to help out, but I think in order to have the energy and sanity to survive another few months, I may not get off this couch until January 6th.

Don't be frightened...

2007-11-15T18:22:00.000-08:00

I've always thought puppets were a little creepy, but while looking for some things for school, I found something that scares me even more...

Teacher's Lounge Conversations

2007-11-08T20:31:00.000-08:00

I had another one of those moments where I have to stop and think about the statement that just casually left my mouth.

This morning our school was on lockdown again for a while. During lunch I asked someone about the reason for the lockdown. The counselor informed me that a gangsta (probably a disgruntled parent) called and made some threat about the school.

My response was "Hmm, that's new. Usually the lockdown is just because of gunshots across the street".

As I finished my peanut butter sandwich I finally realized the oddity of this sentence. I then asked myself the question that frequently runs through my mind: "how did this become my life?"

The answer always is "I wouldn't have it any other way".

Can I get an AMEN?

2007-10-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

The other week I invited some friends from work to a Gladys Knight fireside. To return the favor, one of the ladies invited me to her church for a special choir performance.
So, I grabbed a roommate took off to Victory Missionary Baptist Church down by my school today. It was quite the experience. There was only one other white person besides Liz and me out of the congregation of over 300.
Going straight from Sacrament Meeting to this meeting was a drastic change. The speaker in Sacrament Meeting commented on the "silent reverence" in that meeting. The Baptists have a very different approach. The devil don't like praise, so you best be clappin' and shoutin' your love and praises! The choir was amazing. I have never felt so much energy in one room. Mo Tab will just never by Motown, that's for sure!

We're not in Provo anymore, Toto

2007-10-14T20:07:00.001-07:00

Here is a sample of the nearly weekly invitations:

Friday: Green Valley Shuffle: Elephant Bar, Al's Garage,and Fido (I don't know if I spelled it right, but the Irish bar inGreen Valley Ranch). Basically, we arethinking from 8-10 let the '07 corps members go to any one or all ofthem. Then from 10pm on everyone meeting at the Whiskey Bar. From there people may stay as long as they'd like.

Hello All, We decided to have another party at the Merlewood property so if you're not doing anything and would like to drink some FREE BEER then stop on by around 7 (ish).
P.S. Forward to anyone you would like to see at the party. Also, don't bring any alcohol...god knows we have enough...do bring snacks...drunk people need snacks.

In honor of the 07's ascension into the workforce andforsaking of their youth, the beginning of the 06's final requiredschool year, we will be gatheringSaturday evening at Blondie's for some good old fashioned collegestyle bierut/beer pong/ whatever you want to call it. Tables will be reserved, anddrinking games will be played to remind us of the days when we weren'tworking 6 days a week.

Here's a reminder about our party this Friday night, Oct. 5th, at our house. We are having a potluck dinner and game night, so bring a side dish or a drink to share!
**One house rule to mention: IF you talk about TFA or school and are caught, you MUST take a shot. No questions, just drink. So bring extra liquor if you dont have any other chatting topics!**

And last but not least: an invitation from a co-worker:
Birthday Party at Planet Hollywood. Come to "Stripper 101". Actual exotic dance moves used in Las Vegas gentlemen's clubs are taught, as well as choreography with boas, chairs and poles.

Viva Las Vegas!?!

Thanks for the compliment?

2007-09-27T19:35:00.000-07:00

I went to watch our school's first football game of the season today. While I was there I started talking to the mama of one of my former students. She told me that last week she had to come down to the school because her son was causing problems in his class. She told me that he was angry and just kept saying over and over again that he wanted to come back to my class. This mama then told me that she just had to beat him because he kept insisting on coming back to my class.

"I had to just beat him right there in the office in front of the principal, the counselor, and some other teachers. He really loves you, but I just needed to straighten him up and teach him that he can't go back down to 3rd grade. Actually, he got beat by his daddy when he got home, too because he still wouldn't stop throwin' a fit about being in your class."

I guess this is why I teach for America. :)

Ms. Chilz, is you married?

2007-09-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

You would think by now that I wouldn't be surprised by the level of randomness that some students achieve when it comes to the timing of questions.

Right in the middle of a very energetic discussion on compound words, I got excited to see one kid perk up and look like he was finally going to participate. I immediately called on him when he raised his hand thinking that he had some great insight on the complex word "backyard".

Instead I got:
"Ms. Chilz, is you married?"

I tried to hide the confusion in my voice.
"Uh, no."

"Then why you gots that ring on your finger?"

I then realized he was referring to my CTR ring. I quickly explained that it was on my right hand and not my left and hopelessly tried to return to the lesson.

Another kid then asked "what does it say on it?"

I told the class that it said "CTR" which stands for "Choose the Right". I also told them that I wear it because it helps me remember to make good choices.

I couldn't help but laugh as one child quickly responded in a tone that implied I have no self-control without it, "Ms. Chilz, you better not EVER take that off!!!"

This conversation continued, despite my best efforts to bring them back to grammar (amazing they didn't seem to want to return). Questions like "how long have you had it" and "how much did it cost" were thrown out. When I told them that my first CTR ring cost 25 cents, one kid said "you must have gotten it out of the vending machine, huh."

I think he's on to something. I think I may suggest his idea to Desert Book. They could start a whole supermarket* franchise- CTR Bling!

*fantastic compound word

Yo' Mama!

2007-09-02T23:58:00.000-07:00

I heard one of the the more creative "mama" comments Friday. It was one of those moments where I had to do just about everything possible to keep myself from busting up laughing. A student told me "Ms. Chilz, he just called my mama a 'skiddle diddle wif no hair in da middle'".
Skiddle diddle? I have no idea where this came from.

All I do know is that nobody better be talkin bout my mama dat way!

2 down, 178 to go

2007-08-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

Well, school is off to a typical Matt Kelly Elementary start. School has been in session for 2 days and I've already dealt with general first day of school chaos (made even better by the rainstorm Monday morning. Las Vegans don't know how to drive, walk, or even leave their homes when it rains), vomiting kids, a student flipping me off because I asked her not to braid her hair in the middle of an assembly, and a schoolwide lockdown because some guy fled the scene of a gunfight he was involved in and started running to our 'hood. The ghetto birds (aka police helicopters) were flying all day today.
Never a dull moment!

Would You Rather...

2007-08-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Let's play a little (not-so-hypothetical) game:
Would you rather sit through a 7-hour meeting that is on stuff you already know, attended by people who ask stupid questions, and includes helpful presentations on how to use a stopwatch

or

get a bloody nose while driving a stick shift in heavy traffic and the only thing you have to stop the blood from continuing to drip all over yourself is a piece of notebook paper?

I learned today that I prefer the bloody nose!

School's in Session...Kind of

2007-08-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

It seems that summer vacation is ending faster than planned. Since I got back to Vegas Monday night I have already spent two days at school even though I'm not contracted to be there until next Wednesday.
My prinipal asked me and a couple of other teachers to be mentors for the new teachers. How did this happen? I'm happy to impart my pedagogical knowledge and personal experiences, but I've only been doing this for a year! It was funny to listen to myself lead discussions and answer questions about what to expect during the first few weeks of school, how to implement behavior management plans, and effective procedures. It was just two months ago that I was asking these same questions. Maybe no one will notice that I'm just pretending to know what I'm talking about.

P.S. I paid off my car today. Woohoo!!

You Know You Have Been in the BYU 73rd Ward IF:

2007-08-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE BYU 73RD WARD IF:

-You know the difference between B, C, D, MA, MH, SU, SD, P, and BB
-You’ve ever been to the Dawgg Pound
-You’ve ever lived in the Dawgg Pound
-You’ve been visited by the “Phantom”
-You’ve been visited by the Intramural Basketball Mascot
-You were the Intramural Basketball Mascot
-You never won a Intramural Basketball game
-You’ve played Pool Soccer
-You were on the either the pool volleyball Happy Team or Bitter Team
-Your last name is Hansen
-Your last name is Huntington
-Your last name is Moon
-You know the significance of crock pots and microwaves
-You had a better meal at Turkey Talent Night than your own Thanksgiving dinner
-You dressed up for Night of the Stars
-You put more work into your FHE video than your homework
-You have been flung from the human slingshot
-You ever wondered how Sunday School turned into a political debate
-Your door had more flyers than the classified board on campus
-You were”Safewalked”
-You shouted “SafeWalk” routinely during church meetings
-You ever spied to see who left the holiday goodies on your front porch
-You’ve had to draw the chalk line (and we’re not talking about Elder Maeser)
-You looked forward to cheese and crackers night at Institute
-You ever showed up just for the Institute refreshments
-You ever took home enough Institute leftovers to feed you for the rest of the week
-You participated in the “Stake Walk Cake Walk”
-You had to share your doorstep scene with your porch/hallway neighbor
-You get more out of breath walking the stairs to church than you get working out
-You met “Hope” the duck
-You met Zooga
-The testing center wasn’t nearly so intimidating during the week
-You have earned more money on Jeopardy than any other contestant
-You kicked the hook
-Dessert Night was scheduled into your weekly plans
-You looked forward to the Dessert Night after-party (sorry boys, you missed out!)
-You appear as a character in any books written by a former ward member
-You were a proud member of the Winner’s Circle
-You served cold cereal for Sweet Swap
-Balloon animals, unicycles, rubber ducks
-You had a Rimmasch cake at your wedding
-You anxiously waited for the honeypot note delivery
-You had a secret honeypot romance
-Taco Tuesday (Did we put Jacintos out of business?)
-You’ve attended AppleFest, Oktoberfest, 11/11 11:11, Pi Day, and countless numbers of birthday parties
-You’ve played foosball until 2:00 a.m.
-Learning to juggle was an FHE activity
-You ended up with a snowman in your livingroom
-You played “Disney Princesses” and wore a pink, plastic crown

The Dreams Continue

2007-08-10T13:26:00.000-07:00

The past two nights since my last post have been filled with dreams of school.

Wednesday night I had a dream that again I couldn't find my classroom. Once I finally found my class, I walked in the door and was shocked. The room was full of little white kids along with a couple Asian, and one black kid. There was even a parent there waiting with one of them. I didn't know what to do. I kept thinking. "I don't know how to teach white kids. I don't know what to do with a parent that wants to help. I don't even want to teach a bunch of white kids!!!".

Last night I had dream that all the teachers were issued guns to keep in our classrooms. It was quite the ordeal to smuggle the weapon in without letting any of the other kids know about it. I was also worried that I didn't know how to shoot it.

Maybe I shouldn't have watched Freedom Writers again yesterday. I don't like taking work home with me (especially to my home in Provo).

It doesn't go away!

2007-08-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the summer I had made the following goals:
1. Go to Duluth, Minnesota
2. Go to Provo, Utah
3. Don't make any other plans
4. DON'T THINK ABOUT SCHOOL

I feel safe in saying that I've done a good job at the first 3. Minnesota was great, Provo is always fun, and I've done a lot of spur-of-the-moment activities that have required no planning.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to leave school in Las Vegas. It has crept into my mind when I'm the most vulnerable...sleeping. I have been having anxiety dreams all summer long.

Back in June I had a dream that I showed up at a ward party. There were kids running all over the place as primary children typically do. I found myself getting really annoyed and started yelling at them. I remember thinking to myself that I have no authority over these kids, and they probably aren't used to getting yelled at like that, but I just didn't know how else to deal with them.

A couple of weeks ago I had a dream where I had forgotten that school was starting that day. As soon as I ran out of the house to go I couldn't find my car, then couldn't find the school. I then found out that they moved the school. When I finally got to my classroom I couldn't find my students or their desks.

Last week I was camping with my family. One night I had a dream that Teach For America called me in the middle of the night and told me that I needed to run down to UNLV for a quick meeting. So, somehow I managed to drive from Provo Canyon to Las Vegas in a few minutes. The meeting only lasted about 5 minutes. When I returned to my car, all I found was the steel frame and one headlight hanging from it. I spent the rest of the night calling the cops to report that my car had been stripped for parts. I ran around stressed trying to take care of this problem. Then, someone asked me if there was anything valuable in the car. I did a mental check of the things I had in it. The cds could be replaced. I wasn't too bothered about the cd player. Then I realized that all of the school supplies that I had stored in the trunk were gone. At that moment I started bawling uncontrollably. I don't care about the car, but how dare they take my pencils, paper, and notebooks!

So, I guess as much as I wanted a summer vacation, my subconscious is still running on the stress of school. Maybe the anxiety dreams will stop once the real-life anxiety begins again.

Diary of a Pack Rat

2007-06-21T16:16:00.000-07:00

Today I conquered the unconquerable. I went through every corner of my room in a major de-cluttering overhaul. For the past 10 months I have "cleaned" my room by stashing things in whatever I can find to give my room the appearance of being clean. I like to refer to this type of cleaning as "organized chaos". I simply stack and stash. I know where everything is, and on the outside one would think that is clean.

I recognize that this is a dangerous skill. It is amazing how much junk can accumulate in a short amount of time. I know I have a problem. I have done this since a small child. I tend to save things that I think I would be able to use one day.

So, today I pulled out every box, bin, drawer, and shelf that has been hiding the chaos.

I was a little (okay, a lot!) overwhelmed!

It took nearly six hours to sort, toss, box, and re-organize it all.

Two bags of garbage and two bags of clothes for D.I. later,

my room not only appears clean, but it is clean! I feel so liberated...

and exhausted.

Before:
After:

The Truth About Duluth

2007-06-19T19:47:00.001-07:00

I just got back from beautiful Duluth, Minnesota. My friend Erica (Fowers) Okere, her husband
Arinze, and their daughter Cinderella were excellent hosts and tour guides

as I explored the land of 10,000 lakes.

As much as I wanted this vacation to be an escape from the chaos that is Las Vegas, I quickly discovered that Minnesota is much more than trees, lakes, and people with really cool accents. It seemed that every time I went out, I managed to uncover the dark side of Duluth. The side that the locals adamantly deny even exists.

Well Duluthians, it's time the truth be told.

The first run-in with some of the more nefarious population was at the end of a stroll along the favorite "Lakewalk".

The walk along the edge of Lake Superior was absolutely beautiful. We had thoroughly enjoyed ourselves as we looked at old boats that have washed ashore,
walked out to a lighthouse,

and ate some squeaky cheese.

On the way back we noticed two large men acting rather suspicious along the boardwalk. Erica and I didn't say anything to each other, but we both obviously sensed something was awry because we nearly doubled our speed as we passed them. I quickly realized that they were following us. It must be all the girl's camp training on how you should make yourself look as big as possible (which I recognize is rather difficult in my case) if you run into a wild animal because I found myself walking with my shoulders squared, eyes forward, and fists at my side ready to attack. I was very glad when the footsteps subsided and I didn't have to keep planning how to protect my pregnant friend and her year-old daughter.

When we related this experience to other Duluthians they all gave the same response: the men must be visitors because no one from this city would do something like that.

The next day we were having lunch at Grizzlies, a favorite dining spot for the locals. Our lunch was abruptly interrupted when we heard a lady yelling at another family sitting at a table in the middle of the restaurant. She was mad that she couldn't get her stroller past a chair at this other family's table. "My husband told you three times to move your chair", she began to scream at this family. The family apologetically explained that they weren't aware of the problem. The lady then felt the best way to solve this problem was to yell "SHUT UP! You don't even want to mess with me today!" All of a sudden I thought I was back in Vegas . I was just glad no one started scrappin'.

Again, the locals would not admit that this lady was from around these parts.

There has been a recent crime spree of large lawn statues being broken and stolen. One lady at church told me that she once went to jail for beating up a drunk 90-year-old. This is just more proof that something fishy is going on around here.

So Duluth, it's time to accept the truth. Something's rotten in the state of Minnesota.

However, I would return to this gorgeous part of country in a heartbeat!

The Most Embarrasing Moment of My Life...Almost

2007-06-11T21:21:00.000-07:00

So, besides cockroaches and hiccups I do have other fears. One fear is being surprised by a stranger in the house. I sleep with my bedroom door open for this reason. I like to be aware of what's going on. If someone breaks in, I want to hear them coming. This fear often leads to battles between my rational and irrational thoughts. Today was no exception.

I got in the shower around 5:00 p.m. I had just finished washing my hair when I was sure I heard a loud bang like the front door slamming. I knew that Myra and Amy weren't off work yet, so it couldn't have been them.

Immediately the internal arguments begin:

"Erika, someone just came into the house!".
"No. That's ridiculous. You know that you locked the front door."
"But you didn't lock the sliding glass doors when you put your clothes in the dryer!"
"Again, you're being ridiculous. No one is going to climb up to the 2nd floor balcony. And, if it was a door opening, it was definitely the front door."
"You just admitted that someone did open the front door!"
"Fine. I'll go check and show you that there is absolutely nothing to worry about. Besides, if there is an intruder, I would rather be the one to find the intruder instead of the intruder finding me."

I turn off the shower and hesitantly walk over to the bathroom door. I'm still fighting the thoughts that some crazed man is waiting for me on the other side of the door. Trying to be as rational as possible, I reach for the handle to prove to myself that there is no reason to be concerned. All of a sudden I'm almost positive I hear a man's voice. My heart starts to pound.

"See! I told you! There is someone out there! What am I supposed to do now?"
"Wait, I left the television on. It's probably just the news anchor."

I then hear footsteps. I am now frozen from fear (and from the fact that I didn't bother grabbing a towel as I walked out of the shower).

"I TOLD YOU! THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE!"

My rational side lost the battle. There was someone in the house. Now this side is frantically figuring out how to get out of this situation.

The footsteps stop and someone yells "Hello! Pest Control."

The internal battle quickly came to an end when the competing ideas found a common enemy.
All thoughts went immediately to " I HATE COCKROACHES!"

I stood in the bathroom and yelled back "Could you come back in 10 minutes?". I then heard the footsteps turn around and the door close again.

So, I am grateful for my rational and irrational thoughts that practice checks and balances. If my irrational thoughts had had their way, I would have never even closed the bathroom door when I got in the shower because I like to be aware of what's going on.
If my rational thoughts had had their way I would have marched right out of that bathroom to prove to myself that there was nothing to be scared of.
Thank goodness that each won their prospective battles. Otherwise, the poor pest control man would have had a bit of a surprise, and I would never have a hard time thinking of my most embarrasing moment.

I'm a Blogger!?!

2007-06-11T00:05:00.000-07:00

Now that I've felt an increase in pressure from friends and a decrease in pressure from school (elementary and graduate) I've decided to delve into this wild world of online musings. Enjoy!