Killer Mermaids

My class just finished reading Peter Pan. They completed an assignment explaining which of the book's characters they would be and why.

Here are the results of the poll:

#1 Choice: Mermaids.
(Most of these votes came from boys. They were all very interested in the idea that the mermaids had tried to drown Wendy.)

#2 Choice: The Crocodile
(They were also interested in the fact that the Crocodile was trying to eat Capt. Hook.)

#3 Choice: Tinker Bell

Other answers that I thought were noteworthy: "A killer wolf," "Starkey the pirate," and "Princess Tiger Lily."

I was surprised by the results--I was sure the principle characters would get more votes. Also, I was a little concerned that my students were all so fixated on the potentially violent characters.

I thought it would be fun to be a lost girl. [Even though the book states that there are no lost girls, because girls are too clever to end up in Neverland.]

Who would you choose?

No rest for the weary

Last night I had a dream that I moved to work. I guess it was an attempt to save myself time. I set up my "bedroom" in the broom closet, and I cooked all my food in the teacher lounge microwave.

I guess you could say that work is stressing me out.

Young Love

This is a conversation I overheard in my classroom today. Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Johnny (incredulous) : "Bobby, is it TRUE?!"
Bobby (with a smirk): "Yeah, why, you jealous?"
Johnny: "No--well, yeah, a little. When did you talk to her?"
Bobby: "Yesterday after school."

I was handing out papers, and I was so surprised by the shock in Johnny's voice that I looked to see what Bobby was doing. In his hands was a little homemade book. His initials were on the front alongside the initials of a little girl in my class. When I glanced her way, she had OBVIOUSLY overheard the boys' conversation, because she was gazing at Bobby with big dreamy eyes, and she was definitely blushing.

Apparently, love is in the air. They stood next to each other in line all day, and strategically positioned themselves so that they could sit together in music class. I also noted that Mr. Casanova had come to school in a collared shirt and snooty suit jacket, and he kept strutting around with that hilarious little smirk on his face.

I was flabbergasted. Boyfriends and girlfriends? IN SECOND GRADE?

Paxitron Ondomulae

This is Pax. I bought him just before school started. Here are some reasons that turtles make really good class pets.

A. They do not have much escape potential.
B. You do not have to mess with water-filled tanks.
C. They do not bite. (At least in my experience.)
D. They do not smell.
E. I've never heard of anyone being allergic to reptiles.

I chose him because, of all of the turtles in the pet store, he was the one who fought hardest to escape when the sales clerk turned him loose. He's an intrepid fellow, and my students adore him. I like him too. (Even if he is a little bit ornery.)

Durd

My brother's name is Dusty. (But I call him Durd.) He is an interesting fellow, because he comes up with rather creative ways to keep himself occupied. Here is a picture of one of his latest exploits:



Dusty is the one in the crocodile costume. He (and his roommate) are holding his beloved mannequin head, which has followed Dusty on many adventures (including his mission in Brazil). They have just finished running a 5k around Provo as part of the BYU Homecoming week activities. When the Daily Universe interviewed Durd about WHY he ran dressed as a gator, he shrugged and informed him that it was because of Lavell Edwards.

Durd's band is playing at Muse Music this Thursday night. If you're looking to add a little flavor to your evening, I can almost gaurantee SOMETHING weird will happen at that event. And if not, at least you'll get to hear a pretty cool show.

Outta Bed

Everyone has those mornings when you DO NOT want to get out of bed.

Not that I think you really care, but here are a few of the reasons I actually make it out of bed on those particularly rough days.