All Over the Place

I was reading the blog of a friend meeting her daughter in China right now and took note that she mentioned she wasn't sure if she was hitting the post or delete button on bl*gger when posting, but was hoping for the best. I wanted to make sure I memorized which one to click on when I actually do get to China. Last night I found myself wondering what the keyboard in China looks like. I figured it was a dumb question but thankfully I found that someone else had the same question! Here is an answer if you are interested.

No rumors as of yet. I'm thinking that having no rumors is actually kind of peaceful. I'll be disappointed in the number of days referred anyways! Speaking of babies, Donna, a friend/colleague of mine, is a week overdue, waiting for the arrival of her little boy. I blogged about attending her wedding last May.

Lastly, I noticed that INX*S will be playing the Labor Day concert here this year. Remember the Ro*ck Sta*r TV show from two summers ago where they found a new lead singer? I know he wasn't the winner, but Ma*rty Cas*ey was the best. =) His band has great cds. Really good running music. But back to my point (!), has anybody heard any rumors of the latest installation of this late summer favorite of mine? And more importantly, does anyone want to go to the concert with me?!

3 days of summer school down with a 3 day weekend ahead. The wallpaper is not coming off the bathroom walls very easily so maybe I should take a nap instead! =)

Hang up already.

Back at school again. Seven of my 15 1st grade students showed today. Pretty good. The other class had four. I was so mean that I'm thinking I'll lose at least one more by tomorrow. =) I had to phone one parent to ask if their son was going home on the bus or not and I got to sit through yet another "interesting" answering machine message. Let me first say, at least this child had a working number and he had it memorized! Yes, this is a miracle at my school. Anyway, the voice informed me, "You don't return my calls so I'm not gonna return yours." This burned me up. Especially since it was the first day and she was already wasting my time because she couldn't be bothered to fill out his transportation info. Fortunately (?!) I had my 7 students standing right there so I left a short, emotionless message. Guess what? She didn't return my call. Shocker. Kid went home on the bus per school rules. I can't tell you how many times I have had to listen to rude, offensive or just plain crazy answering machine messages. What are they thinkin'? I've sat through 15 seconds of crappily recorded music (funny how you can still hear the "meaningful words" though!) I've been told that if I'm a crazy b*itch I should hang up (yeah, I should have!) I've sat through messages that sound like those horrific late night tv ads for "personal connections." Aargh...I keep reminding myself, at least there's a working phone number...

Top Tunes

I "borrowed" this goodie Sandy had on her blog. Find out the #1 song the day you were born. Mine is American Pie by Don McLean. Yeah, I know, it's not playing now. Can you believe there's no video available?? (I am joking!) Also, I'm not into the M*donna version. Oh well.
Let me know what was #1 when you were born!

Items Found with Baby?

I was at the local FCC Kite Festival the other day and one mom mentioned how shocked and disappointed they were to find no note/memento left with their daughter. A dad mentioned that even though their daughter was said to be found wrapped in a specific article of clothing, they weren't shown or given that to keep.
For those of you on this journey...are any of you expecting that your child will be left with a memento or that you will receive it? I got the feeling that most babies are not left with anything (other than a blanket/outfit). At the J*ne L*idke seminar last October, I inferred that things are rarely left with the babies. But she also stated that if you get to go to the orphanage and there is mention of a memento, to ask for it (not that it will necessarily be found in the SWI files). Without denying that a memento would be of great comfort for your child, are you/were you expecting anything?

Happy Father's Day to my Dad!!

16 Months

Yes, it's the Sweet 16 marker. Sixteen unexepected months since my paperwork was logged in at the CC**. I'm thinking 10 more to go. Ok, hoping no more than 10!
Today my niece and I went to the belated Kite Festival hosted by our local Families with Children from China. We were soooo lost trying to find this place! Thank goodness for cell phones and for Giggy and Patti for having a map nearby. We finally got to Sleepy Hole (??)park and arrived just in time for a (scheduled)visit from some local firefighters. They gave a fun safety lecture and the kids got to check out the engines and see them all dressed up for duty. Reminds you how scary fires can be. The most popular activity was playing in the big dirt pile near the picnic site. Good times! So much dust you needed the fireman's garb to see through to the other side! Meanwhile I played with little Olivia (18 months) who has been home for about 6 months now. Cutest thing and sporting squeaky shoes. And to top the day off, we found a lucky ladybug as we were getting into our car. I take the lucky signs whenever I can get them these days! =)

School's Out!

School's Out for summer! School's out til...Wednesday! 4 whole days to do anything or nothing until summer school. Last year I had so much fun teaching 1st grade that I decided to do it again. And yes, the extra money kinda figured in. =)
I've been going to the beach so often on field trips the past few weeks that I'm headed there again this weekend, this time with my Dad and K. But with just coming back from cleaning out/checking out at school and the overcast sky, it's time for a nap! Aaah, life is good! =)

June Referrals

Congratulations to those families who received notice that they have been matched with their child! The CC** referred through 11/7/05. (Six days worth of dossiers.)

Our field trip to the beach the other day was a huge success. We had a great group of 4th grade students and the weather was perfect. Where do they get their energy though?!? I'm off to the beach again Tuesday with the Kindergarteners. The ride home is always so peaceful...they're all sound asleep...exhausted!

Take me out to the ballgame!

I'm counting down my last 10 days of the school year. Not a book or test in sight! Today we had an awesome field trip to see the Tides (farm team for the Orioles) play Pawtucket (farm team for the Red Sox). A local business sponsored 50 of our students and they loved it! The students hardly noticed that the Tides were a washout (haha). Highlights: One of our kids caught a fly ball, another student insisted that 2 strikes, 3 balls was a Full House, lots of men to look at =), Rip Tide (mascot) hung out with us, free hot dogs and ultimately, my tan is slowly coming along! =) Tomorrow is a trip to the Air/Space museum, and Wednesday is a trip to the beach. I don't remember school being this much fun, do you??!!
And thank goodness I have something to do as I wait for word of the stork. Rumors of LIDs through 11/7/05.

Thought I'd put a groovy song on, but what is up with the videos these days? What airlines do these guys use?!
Maroon 5-Makes Me Wonder video

Checking In

Wow, I really haven't posted since May 3rd?! My internet connection has been down for several weeks. Hope to be up *soon* I'm told. =) It's probably been a healthy break that I've not been stuck to the computer every night, but man, do I feel disconnected! So here we are again, waiting not so patiently for the next referrals to arrive. 10 more days of school and then a few days before summer school starts. Hope to catch up on all the blogs by then!