The Numbers Game.

18 (days that I’ve walked on the treadmill, consecutively.)

5 (almost kilograms that I’ve lost in the last month.) ALSO (school days left until holidays.)

2000+ (hopeful cost of getting Laser Eye Corrrection, eek.)

333 (paranoid thoughts I’ve had about tonight, because I am apparently a nervous and insecure freak.)

3 (guesses it took Jason to find the sparkly ring that I would choose for myself while looking through a jewellery catelogue.)

50 (the probable age I’ll be if I ever recieve the afore-mentioned sparkly ring.)

500,000 (average cost of decent houses in Sydney.)

2 (years until I will end up buying one of those decent houses.) ALSO (number of dogs I’ll be getting in the future.)

Priceless (hearing about more future talk with Jase over breakfast.)

The one day of the week where it is good to live in a country with a speedy time zone.

I adore weekends.

I love the feeling that I get on Friday afternoon when I’m packing up my classroom for the weekend, and when I screech carefully pull out of the school parking lot and head for home.

I love that weekends are when I get to annoy see Jase.

I love that I refuse don’t have to set the alarm.

I love having making spare time to relax and do nothing.

I love not having to look after anybody at all any kidlets.

Weekends are lovely.

But this weekend will hopefully be even lovelier than usual. I think I actually have plans this weekend. (!) Why am I sounding a wee bit excited? While I always love weekends, most of them are spent around the house, enjoying a bit of quiet time. I’m not a social butterfly, so it’s a rarity when I’m actually busy. Not that I mind, but every once in a while it gets a wee bit lonely around here.

Tonight is my beautiful mum’s birthday, so we’re heading up to a club on the water where we will have some dinner, and watch her line dance. Should be good fun; I’ve been craving their grilled chicken dish since the last time I was there. (Not that I’m obsessing about food, or anything..)

Tomorrow night, I’m putting on a brave face and finally getting around to stalking meeting up with Lala and Mick too. Why brave? Because I’m terrified they’re going to meet me in real life and think "What the hell were we thinking inviting her here? She’s funny looking, and she smells" before pushing me down some stairs. Alright, maybe not, but you never know. Leave me alone, I’m a shy petal.

And on Sunday if all goes well, I’m hoping to catch up with Jess while she is in Sydney. Most of you won’t know this, but Jess and I went to school together way back in 1996, and I lost touch with her after she switched schools. Being the super-stalker that I am, I’m hoping to grab a coffee with her and catch up. Fingers crossed! Oh, I also have to bake a cake or a slice or something on Sunday, since next week we’re having a cake stall at school.

If all goes well, I’ll have a gazillion things to blog about this weekend when I find the time. And if all doesn’t go well? I’m sure I can dig out a couple of random things I’ve forgotten to blog about over the last few weeks. Or, make a picture blog of me cleaning out my sock drawer or something.

Happy Friday!

Musicology.

This time I’m jumping on the bandwagon with this meme, as I’ve seen it done done on blogs by Lara and Teacher Anonymous. Feel free to steal for yourself too.

***

1. What is missing from my life? "Be Like That": Three Doors Down.

I find this song really sad, about wanting
to be someone else, not who you are right now. Hmm. Wonder if that rings true?

“All she wants is just that someone to hold on to, that’s all she needs.”

2. Will I find love? "Walking Away”: Craig David.

Uh-oh. That can’t be good.

"Well I’m so
tired baby, the things you say, they’re driving me away."

3. Will I become rich?
"Hate This Place": Goo Goo Dolls.

Does that mean I hate my current place in
life and will go overseas, marry a wealthy Englishman and become rich?

"I think
I love ya, but I aint saying nothing you don’t know."

4. Does someone have a crush on me?
"Destiny":Zero 7

The fact that I have a crush is my destiny. How poetic!

"Even though we’re miles apart, we are each other’s destiny."

5. What should I do with my life? "City Hall": The Fray.

I was only joking about going into politics the other
day, alright?

"You can’t watch me anymore, you can’t make me like before."

6. Am I good looking? "Lose You": Pete Yorn.

Wah! I must be so plain that I can get lost in the
crowd. 

"I just have
to wander through this world, alone."

7. When am I most happy? "Fade Into You": Mazzy Star.

I have loved this song for years and years. And
I guess it’s true, also.

"I want to hold the hand inside you, I want to take a
breath that’s true."

8. What is my biggest regret? "Two Beds and a Coffee Machine": Savage Garden.

Such a sad song. I suppose
the years going on without changing your life could be a regret.

"Another ditch
in the road, you keep moving; Another stop sign, you keep moving on."

9. How does the world see me? ”Without Reason”: The Fray.

Hey! I happen to think I am very reasonable,
thankyouverymuch.

"I don’t want to live without reason."

10. What do my friends really think of me? ”Waiting For Tonight”: Jennifer Lopez.

Someone send help! I have J.Lo on my
playlist! Maybe my friends are just hanging out to see me, or that I make sad
times happy times. Aww.

"From all of the sadness, the tears that I’ve cried."

11. Will I have a happy life? ”Flawless”: George Michael.

Nice! That’s good to hear.

"And it’s no good
waiting, waiting."

12. How can I make myself happy?
 ”Downfall”: Matchbox 20.

That’s hardly happy? Maybe I balance out someone
else, somewhere out there.

"I’ve always been with you, here and now, give all
that’s within you; be my saviour."

13. How will I die? ”Black Balloon”: Goo Goo Dolls.

Eek, perhaps I’ll choke on one?

"You’re not
thinking about tomorrow, ‘cos you are the same as me."

14. Do I act my age? ”Better Luck Next Time”: Lifehouse.

And again, I’m assuming that means NO.

"Tell me where you’re going, maybe the one you love isn’t there? You’re going
under, but you’re over it all."

15. What type of tattoo should I get?
 ”Too Bad”: Nickelback.

Am such a rebel, apparently.

"And all I hear about, is
how it’s so bad, it’s so bad."

16. What is my spirit animal?
 ”We’ll Never Know”: Lifehouse.

Fine, don’t answer the question then! Very
mysterious.

"Tell me all the dreams that you have let slip right through your
hands, do you feel lost inside of someone else’s life?"

17. Do I like pain?
 ”My prerogative”: Britney Spears.

My pain is listening to Britney songs. Hee.

"I don’t need permission, make my own decisions."

18. Is there anyone else like me out there? ”It’s My Life”: Bon Jovi.

MINE! No-one like me! It’s all about me! Because
Bon Jovi said so, dudes

"And I aint gonna be just a face in the crowd, they’re
gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud."

20. Where should I move to? ”Far Away”: Nickelback.

I guess that’s appropriate for my would-be move next
year?

"Too long, too late, who was I to make you wait?"

22. Will I ever be president? ”Filthy Gorgeous”: Scissor Sisters.

Why does that make me think of a corrupt
president? Hee. Or perhaps a president in drag?

“You’re disgusting, and you’re
nasty.”

23. What is fun for me? ”Butterfly”: Crazy Town.

Well, they are pretty. But fun? Meh. It is a fun song.

“Time is passing, I’m asking can this be real?”

24. Will I ever learn to fly? ”It’s Time To Dance: Panic! At the Disco.”

No flying, but I’ll happily dance
instead!

“Come on, this is screaming photo op..”

25. What is my super power? “Lovefool”: The Cardigans.

Do I get a superhero suit for
being a lovefool? With a big giant red love heart on it? In spandex? Sounds
sexy.

"Love me, love me, say that you love me."

26. What is some good advice for me? "Desperately Wanting": Better than Ezra.

Sounds like I need to get on with doing the things I want, eh?

"I finally figured out
some things youll never know."

Survivor: Education!

I read the following article in our school’s weekly newsletter and thought it was amusing, so had to share it here. Keep in mind that it is a bit "American", but it still fits in well with teachers everywhere. What are your thoughts on it?

Have you heard about the next planned Survivor show?

Three businessmen and three businesswomen will be dropped into a primary school classroom for six weeks. Each business person will be provided with a copy of the curriculum, and a class of 28 students.

Each class will have five learning-disabled children, three with A.D.D., one gifted child, and two who speak limited English. Three will be labelled with severe behaviour problems.

Each business person must complete lesson plans at least three days in advance with annotations for curriculum objectives and modify, organise and create appropriate classroom resources.

They will be required to teach students, handle misconduct, implement technology, document attendance, write referrals, correct homework, make bulletin boards, compute grades, complete report cards, document benchmarks, communicate with parents and arrange parent conferences.

They must also supervise recess and lunch and monitor the hallways. In addition, they will complete drills for fires or other emergencies.

They must attend workshops, faculty meetings, union meetings, and social studies into the program. They must maintain discipline and provide an educationally stimulating environment at all times. The business people will only have access to the golf course on weekends, but on their new salary they will not be able to afford it anyway. There will be no access to vendors who want to take them out to lunch, and lunch will be limited to 20 minutes.

On days when they do not have recess duty, the business people will be permitted to use the staff restroom as long as another teacher is supervising their class. They will be provided with two 60-minute planning periods per week while there students are learning elsewhere. If the photocopier is operable, they may make copies of necessary materials at this time.

The business people must continually advance their education on their own time, and pay for advanced training themselves. This can be accomplished by moonlighting at a second job or marrying someone with money.

The winner will be allowed to return to his or her job.

The scary thing is that so many parts of this joke, are actually true. So many people think that teaching is an easy job; I would love to see what they thought of it if they actually stepped inside the room and did our job for a single day.

I would love to give them a handful of our syllabus documents and have them take a look at what we need to teach their children. I would love for them to see how often their darlings are distracted, are cheeky or are downright naughty. I would love to see how they keep their eye on a classroom full of children at once.

So this is a shoutout to all the teachers out there, infants or secondary – what you’re doing isn’t easy and you are so, so important. And hey, let’s think about it – if this really was a Survivor game, we’d be easy contenders for that one million dollars!

The head! It aches!

You know those days when you can feel a headache coming from almost the second you get up out of bed? That was today.

It hasn’t been completely horrible, or one that needed pain killers. More like something that is just twinging on uncomfortable, that you notice every so often. Probably doesn’t help that today I was followed around all day long by one of my kidlets complaining of being sick.

[Off on a tangent:] Oh parents out there, if your kid is legitimately sick, PLEASE keep them at home. They don’t learn, they make learning hard for everyone else, they give their germs to us all and (most importantly) they give their teachers headaches!

[Something else I remember now:] My student teacher seemed really nice, she’s in with us again from next
Monday until Thursday, the end of Term 2. But the headache! Ack!

The ache got more annoying while I stayed back after school waiting to do
parent/teacher interviews. While we’re on the topic, I suppose I should
give a resounding (and slightly sarcastic) thankyou to those
two parents who didn’t bother showing up today. I do love staying back
after work for absolutely no reason. I came home, pottered around a
little and did my daily walk; but it was bothering me so I ended up turning
off the lights and walking in the dark.

Now that I’m thinking about it, what actually causes a headache? Which part of your head is the part that is hurting? Today, it’s been a dull thudding from the inside, all over. (It is quite possibly my brain ricocheting from one side of my head to the other; it’s ready for holidays too.) Is it really my brain hurting, though?

I’d google it myself, if it weren’t for the — you know — headache.

Tonight, it’s an early dinner and then watching DVDs in bed. Don’t you wish you had my life? Try and hold that jealousy in, alright?

A REAL Teacher!

Tomorrow, I’m getting my first prac student!

(But what is a prac student, I hear you asking.)

It’s basically like university training; for most careers these days, you need some sort of professional learning placement. For teaching, I had to do several practical visits in schools where you observe and eventually teach your host class.

Now, I’m going to be the teacher and not the student, for once. I can’t wait to meet this mysterious person. I’m hoping to be a good role model. My class is tough, but lovely. And to actually be a mentor to someone else, wow.

I am so excited! Someone hold me back, or I’ll end up scaring the poor girl the minute I meet her.

Sunday Google-age Round 5.

Every time I post my Sunday Google-age, I realise another week has gone by; at this rate, the year will be over soon.

What is Google-age?
You’re reading it, pal! Since my visitors usually end up here through Google, it’s just a silly little wordplay. It rolls off the tongue well, what can I say?

1,2,3, Eyes to Me!
Yes, I am guilty of using this one in the classroom before. Cue the lame groans and eye rolling – but it actually works.

Where is the lazy leprechaun, it’s driving me nuts!
And to think, we’re one weekend ahead of St Patrick’s Day. I do hope you found your leprechaun in time for that. Missing leprechauns drive me nuts, too.

Auckland Zoo
Jase and I were going to visit Auckland Zoo when we were in, der, Auckland. But by then we’d gotten so sick of the city and travelling around, that we couldn’t be bothered. Maybe next time?

Sisters Pashing
Another one of those searches that had me scratching my head; I can’t recall every actually talking about sisters pashing on this blog?

Aly and Ajay Pictures


My name is Aly. My brother’s name is Ajay. Imagine how surprised I was to find out that there is actually a band with the same name? And I thought my brother and I were just famous. But because I’m in a giving mood, I’ll give you my very own Aly and Ajay pictures. With the ho hat! I promised pictures of that, once. You can thank me later.

A Place where there are Cars and Sunsets
I know where you can find this! A parking lot in the late afternoon!

Panadeine and Palpitations
I’m no Dr. Google but if you’re having palpitations after taking Panadeine, I would probably stop. And see your real doctor.

I Dream of a Big Chest
Perhaps you should try some cleavage cupcakes?

Camel Penis Direction
I could be completely gross here, but I’ll restrain myself. I’ve never actually been in close contact with a camel, nor its penis, so I have absolutely no clue which direction they go in?

Girl Spankers Phone Numbers
I can assure you that all the phone numbers I have in my mobile phone are NOT spankers. Can’t help you there.

Primary School Lockdown
Follow the procedures and don’t panic!

Forcing kids to go Barefoot
That sounds rather mean. I don’t like the word ‘force’.

What’s wrong with being grouchy?
Absolutely nothing, if you ask me. [stomps off, grumbling.]

Negatives of New Scheme Teachers Accreditation
It’s a CRAPLOAD of work, for one. Not everyone has to do it, which is hardly fair. And I finished my accreditation last year, and it still hasn’t even been sent off to be approved yet. Getting cranky..

Something Kinda Woo!
Listening to old Fall Out Boy songs makes me go Woo! [end teenybopper moment.] Yeah, I don’t know about this one either.

Beware of Curam
I’ll admit, I had to search for this one tonight because I had no idea what it is? Apparently it’s some kind of software? To which I respond, yes, beware. Computers are unpredictable little buggers. And they give you viruses. It’s true!

Eboni’s Sickness
I do hope Eboni feels better soon, even though I don’t actually know who Eboni is. Poor dear.

I’m So Sorry, Love Monkey
That’s okay, Snuggle Bear. That’s okay.

Unsolved Bites
Sounds like you need your own private detective, to solve the mystery of the unsolved bites! I promise it wasn’t me.

Uncontagious Glandular Fever
Isn’t all glandular fever contagious? Stay away from me, please. I’m feeling much better lately.

River Cruise Blogs
I’ve been on a couple of river cruises, but sadly I don’t have a whole blog writing about the experiences. Perhaps that could be my next project?

Old Cars
I used to drive one. My dad drives one. How about you?

Confessions of a Dork
I know I’m comfortable with it and all, but why does everyone have to keep on bringing it up? You’re going to give me a complex.

Who Sings "Throw Some D’s on That, Bitch"
Apparently, it’s someone called Rich Boy.

Good Excuses for not taking a test

I don’t have any good excuses handy, but I do have some darned funny
test response images that I was sent in an email the other day. What’s
that? Of course I’ll share! (You’ll need to enlarge them!)

Contiki Sex / Having Sex on Contiki
It’s not a requirement or anything. But I’m sure you could do it, if you tried hard enough.

Claudia Karvan Hairstyles
Bugger Claudia Karvan, I would like some explanations as to why my hair has not grown back AT FRIGGING ALL, in the three months since the hairdresser snipped it all off. Did she use mutated scissors or something? Shit! I might as well do a Britney.

Getting a Fringe
Yeah, don’t talk to me about that either. I’m over hair.

Sexy Joggers
Because nothing screams sexy like running shoes.

Turning off the Lights
Sometimes I find I sleep better at night if I do this.

I’ve Been Waiting for this Moment
.. For all my life. That reminds me of a Roswell episode I watched just the other night. Maria singing in the Crashdown. I am a dork!

If you’re looking for trouble, you’re in the right place
That sounds a wee bit threatening. This is a happy place!

Contiki Party
There are lots of parties on Contiki. Which is why I can’t wait to do my American tour(s)!

Rainbow Springs, NZ
A beautiful, beautiful place. I saw lots of pretty things there; like huge pools full of trout, wild birds and plants, a baby emu (which are Aussie!) and a robotic looking kiwi.

Ramblings of a Teacher
You’ve come to the right place!

Sucking my Teachers Toes
..Or maybe not.

Paying Excess if I am not the driver at fault
I feel your pain with this one, I really do. Insurance companies tend to try and suck the money out of you as best they can. Basically, you need proof to say that you were definitely not at fault, and with a little luck, you’ll get out of the excess.

Playing Board Games
On this lazy Sunday, I’d love to find someone to play board games with. Any takers?

Paullina Simons – The Summer Garden
Not her best work, but I still adore Tatjana and Anthony.

Johnny Rzeznik Sims Character
What a sexy character that would be. If only I had the Sims 2.

I want Shoes, Bitches!
Me, too! Do you know how long it has been since I actually went and BOUGHT new shoes? Months!

Peeling Potatoes
Step 1: Get a potato or seven. Step 2: Get a potato peeler. Step 3: Peel potatoes. And there you have it.

Lick Nachey
I love that I am not the only one who completely muddled up his name. Nick Lachey, Lick Nachey – the latter sounds much better, don’t you think?

A Somewhat Busy Saturday.

I’m feeling very accomplished today, and it’s barely 2pm on Saturday. Love that feeling!

I enjoyed a leisurely sleep-in, until I was rudely awoken at around 10am by my brother sending me a text message – "What time are you guys voting today, and where?" Being the scatterbrain that I am, I completely forgot that today was the NSW State Election Day, so I hurriedly got up and dressed, waiting to go with Ajay when he got home from his girlfriend’s place.

He didn’t come home straight away though, meaning I got bored while waiting. My grandma is staying with us for her birthday this weekend, so I gave out her present, annoyed my dad for a while (love that!) and went for a treadmill walk. Somewhere in the middle of the father/daughter bantering session, I agreed to help him wash the dogs if he agreed to help me wash my car. Don’t ask me how that worked out!

Dad washed Rusty (the weird, crazy dog) and I washed Max, we gave them a bit of a haircut and then moved on to my car. The weather here has been insane lately, crappy spells of rain followed by hot, hot days. Hence my car was absolutely filthy! Ajay arrived home at that time, so we co-erced him into helping me wash the car too. Looks very shiny now, I must say.

(I had to put up with lots of rolled eyes and snide comments though; I’m not very good at washing or drying or polishing cars! But it’s a skill I’m happy to have lacked out on, maybe the boys will feel sorry for me and will wash my neglected baby more often!)

Now that I’m all showered and relaxed, I’ve pottered around, had a late breakfast and done some washing. I’m ready to vote, too. Really, both major "sides" of the election are as bad as each other; some days I wonder why we bother. Not one of them gives a damn about teachers, and that’s probably my most selfish concern. They just ride around in their fancy cars and stuff the working public around. What a career, eh? Reckon I could do that..

Quote of the Day.

Jase: Even though you are a smart ass, I still love you.

Touché, baby.

To Tag or Not to Tag?

I’m opening up this particular post to any bloggers, lurkers or extra-terrestrial beings that happen to drop by this site today. If you know someone else who might be interested in giving a response to the forthcoming question, please give them a link over here. (I am nosy and would like as many opinions as possible.)

The question of the hour is;

What do you think about being tagged?

Have no idea what I’m talking about? That’s okay. And just so you know, I am not referring to the type of tag that has me pulling my hair out on the school playground. ("Stop running on the concrete! You’ll fall down!" THUD. "WAHHH, my knee!" [sigh.] "Go and get a bandaid.") No, I’m talking about the tagging that goes around in the blogosphere, especially when it comes to memes, quizzes or surveys.

Maybe I’m just showing my teacher side, but I’ll confess; sometimes I feel uncomfortable with tagging my blogging friends when I’m participating in random quizzes. It doesn’t stop me from posting mindless meme entries, oh no! I love me a good survey or fifteen. But I hate the thought of choosing only a few people out of my blogging friends, and I hate leaving people out. Maybe I’ve just seen too many kids get left out on the playground, or getting picked last for sports teams. So, being the dork that I am, I generally refrain from tagging people.

On the same note, I should also confess that I love finding out that someone else has tagged me to take part in something. (They love me, they really love me!) or is it… (They must think my blogging entries are piss-poor lately, and that a meme will shut me up.)

Anyway, it’s just a random curiosity I have. Let me know what you think about it all. Even if you think I am being a dork writing an entry about tagging, that’s alright too. Power to the dorks!