I woke up to a very excited email this morning:

Some background--

Jay Asher--author of 13 Reasons Why--an amazing book about suicide and the ramifications of even the smallest actions--recognized three videos done in relation to his book. The entire junior class this past year listened to the audio version (amazing--done by two different voices--unbelievably amazing)--and I recommended it to many of my AP students to read for their YA final self-selection text. So, one of my students asked me if she could make a video trailer for her final project. She did, and it was beyond amazing.

So, to the email I had this morning:

Ms. ***! Hi this is *******. Do you remember me? =]

How's your summer been?

So do you remember the 13 Reasons Why video I made for your class?

well, I uploaded it on Youtube, and I guess Asher saw it>>>

and guess what: Jay Asher himself put it on his blog on July 11!!! =D

I didn't know until someone commented the video I posted on Youtube....but yea! isn't that cool??!!

and it's all thanks to YOU for letting me make that vid and lending me the audio for it ^_^

THANK YOU MS.****!!!!

Check out her video (it is the third video--the black and white one on the bottom).

I miss teaching. Already. This. Sucks.

But I am SO proud of her!!!

Learn-ned-ness.

So, I know that anything good does not come easy. Greatness comes from really really REALLY hard work. I wish that there was more of a focus on this concept rather than society's ill-informed view that good things just appear and life is easy.
In tough times, many give up. Rather than work to make something happen, many choose to take the easier path.

Sometimes I wonder why I'm not like that. I generally choose the hardest path available. And usually, it hurts.
I decided that my relationship is worth the effort. No, we aren't married (part of the challenge I'm faced with right now), but he is my family, my safety net, my comfort, my home. He is, and more importantly, we are, worth the work and effort.
In response to my gut feeling that more of an effort had to happen in our relationship to take pressure off him (so he wouldn't think about wedding/marriage), I suggested that once a week we switch off making plans--a "date night" of sorts. We started this week--my choice/plan. I researched things to do and narrowed it down to two choices--Cannon Beach (suggested by friends) and the Portland International Brewfest. The latter won--Louie loves imported beers, and an afternoon people/dog watching in the city with good beer and awesome weather was more up my alley.

It was awesome. I got to drive (my date night=I am in control) and we scored a table in the shade. Louie got to try 6 different beers (me too even if they were just mini-sips as I was the DD). We had good food--he bought us an awesome cheese plate complete with a baguette, salami, and grapes, and it was relaxing and super awesome.
It is his week next week, and he told me already what the plan is--on Wednesday we are going to a Mariners game!!! It will be our first time at Safeco Field, AND they are playing the White Sox, so I'll at least know some players.

Louie doesn't even like baseball.

I don't expect "date night" to be all about money/spending money--going for a walk and curling up on the couch watching tv could constitute a "date night;" the point is more in the effort itself--consciously making an effort to put our relationship at the forefront for an evening/afternoon/morning.

I used to wonder how relationships could get to the point where dates would have to be discussed and really plotted out or where sex would have to be scheduled in order to make it happen--but it can happen--relationships are HARD. Good relationships, great relationships don't just appear out of thin air. Couples have to equally give (yes, thanks Dr. Phil) 100%-100% in order to work and survive and thrive.

Growing up sucks sometimes. Becoming "learn-ned" is rough!!! Nothing worth having comes easy--at least not anything I've encountered thus far.

Maybe I'm wrong though--maybe things shouldn't be this hard?

One classy broad...

mac n cheese + white wine (that isn't that great).

Louie's birthday...

Is tomorrow.

YAY!*

(*this is me not thinking about things that I don't want to think about)

I am pretty proud that my AP class is planned until April 8th, and my standard juniors are planned out (with my team) until Spring Break. Not too shabby if you ask me! :)

This will not get me.

I am determined.

Other than the two periods immediately following my meeting with my supervisor when she told me her decision to recommend nonrenwal, I haven't missed school.

Tomorrow I have a meeting with her, the superintendent and me. (With my union rep who can't do diddly shit for me, but that is another story in itself).

During my 50 minute prep.

10 minutes after the bell rings after my 4th period.

I have to push my cart down 5 hallways, set up for 6th and 7th period, and then haul ass down to the district office (down the street).

My rep told me today that the meeting will be them talking AT me ("them" being the superintendent and my supervisor), and then we leave.

AWESOME.

So, my goal at this point, is to not talk. Because I think that would be bad. Because I can't find the words to express how fucking ridiculous this entire situation is without dropping incessant f bombs.

All the letters of support mean nothing. My superintendent's job (in his contract) is to support the administration.

So my supervisor, who won't be at the school next year (she is retiring, but it is unofficial), and one of TWO superintendents LEAVING THE DISTRICT are ending my career here in this district.

Awesome.

Thank. Goodness. For. WINE.