Getting in the Groove

With all the changes in his little life this summer, JBP's not been handling things well. However, I do believe we're starting to see the light at the end of this tunnel.

I met with his teacher and principal after school yesterday to discuss strategies for dealing with his defiant, check-outist behavior. We couldn't have found a group more interested in helping him, finding what's best for him, not just getting him to shut-up and go along with the group, but to actually get settled, happy and learning.

Today, his third day of school, was the first day I didn't get a call about his behavior during the school day.

He also, tonight, willingly sat with me and did the "homework" the teacher had sent home that he wouldn't do during class. It took us an hour (he was eating while I read to him for a good 20 minutes of that) but he stuck with it until it was all finished.

Then went to bed with minimal fuss.

I finally have hopes that things are looking up, that he'll get used to the set-up, learn to trust his teachers, etc, and start to enjoy learning again.

Right now he complains it's all boring. He doesn't understand that he's got to do theboring stuff to get to the fun stuff (like computers, science, math, etc) the older kids are doing.

Meanwhile, I'm dealing with some pretty freaked out kids in my classes. Turns out my predecessor's Spanish 3 class was 90% writing papers (in English) about Spanish culture. So, the students know next to no Spanish. It's like my Spanish 4 students are where I'd expect Spanish 2 students to be with grammar and vocabulary.

So, I'm having to completely reconfigure how to teach the upper levels. But if I do nothing else, they'll be speaking Spanish comfortably by the time they leave my classroom. Maybe elementary levels, but they'll be speaking it!

Well, I've got homework to check in.
Nimitz' Lady

P.S. Day 2 in the classroom was much more comfortable on my part. And the principal (who's dropped by several times) says I looked comfortable from the first (all those years in front of a TV camera came in handy after all!).

First Day

Today was my first day in front of a classroom. I thought I was prepared, right up until the kids started showing up.

I've got enough experience at public speaking that I didn't "show any fear", but by the time I got out of that class I was shaking so badly I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it to the teacher's lounge without falling.

Thank goodness I have lunch right after my first class (actually, my schedule goes: planning, Spanish 4, lunch, Spanish 3, Spanish 2, Homeroom). I needed the time to get myself back together.

The good news, I made it through the first day without falling on my face. The bad news? I've still got three more days to survive. I'll keep you updated.

Nimitz' Lady

Oh, and I've still got to figure out how to dual teach a class where half my students are taking it for college credit and half aren't (and where I still don't understand exactly what it is I'm supposed to be teaching for the college credit!).

Also, I waaaaaay overestimated how much Spanish these kids would know. I wasn't expecting college level Spanish, but certainly more than this. I'm hoping much of it was just rustiness from a summer off. But somehow I doubt it.

Back to School

Well, I'm officially a teacher. Can't remember if I posted that or not. The last few weeks have been so hectic I'm not even sure I remember my name. You'll let me know if I forget, right?

Anyway, things couldn't have worked out better. JBP is attending the elementary school literally right next door to the high school I teach at. It's a smaller, rural district near a big city. Which means it has lots of the big city options without the big city problems.

And, to top it all off, the placement exam for JBP (to determine if he'd attend 1st grade or kindergarten) showed he has some tendencies toward dyslexia. I only just last January learned that other close family members have dyslexia, and it tends to run in families. The good thing is, if he has it, which is by no means a certainty at this point, it's been caught well before JBP could suffer any scholastic damage.

And this never would've happened if we hadn't decided to move him over to the school district I'm teaching in. God cares for us even when we don't know there's a problem!

My first day of classes is tomorrow (today was just Freshman orientation and I don't have any freshmen level classes) so wish me luck. JBP's first day was today. Overall he had a good day, enjoyed school, etc. There was one incident that led to the principal calling me (mainly because JBP pulled his typical mute routine) that boiled down to a misunderstanding. Hopefully that's the worst we have to deal with. Pray for JBP. The last thing I want is for him to hate school.

Well, I'm tired, and frankly can't think straight enough to relate any "stories" of what's going on right now. Hopefully I'll be able to think better later this week. I must say the marathon does appear to be finally slowing down. I might even be sighting the finish line on the horizon.

Nimitz' Lady

Odds & Ends

Sorry so long with no news. We had no internet access while in L.A. But there's a lot to pass on and I don't have much time.

1. My father is improving, slowly. But he's not cooperating well with the nurses and rehab folks. It'll be awhile until he gets out of the nursing home, in my opinion.

2. I'm now a high school Spanish teacher. I interviewed Monday, flew to L.A. Tuesday morning and had an offer on the voicemail when we landed. I'm now frantically trying to get everything in line to begin my new job on the 14th!!!!!

3. We finally got the basement carpet put in the week before we left for L.A. So, needless to say, we never got the chance to get everything put back in its proper place and it's still sitting in stacks upstairs. With the new job, who knows when I'll get it done.

4. Did I mention I've got a new job? =) Just checking.

5. My mom's (Grammy) got a new job too, teaching English as a Second Language at Kansas State University. So we're rushing to get her all packed up so we can move her out there this weekend.

6. JBP may be starting 1st grade instead of Kindergarten. He's doing a skills assessment tomorrow afternoon at the elementary school right next to my high school. If he does well enough he'll start 1st grade there (age appropriate). If not, he'll start Kindergarten as planned at the neighborhood school around the corner from our house. All things considered, I'm praying he ends up at the school next to where I work. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm sure there's more. But I'm starting to eye the corner with some blubbering in mind. Best get back to the grindstone before I just plain quit!

Nimitz' Lady

Sad Week

This has been a sad week for our family. Der Deutscher's stepmother's father died, Der Deutscher's aunt died and now news that my Great Aunt (on my mother's side) is dying of cancer. It's so far advanced doctors say there's nothing they can do but make her comfortable.

My mother and Aunt Wowis (as I used to call her)have rented a car and are headed cross-country to say good-bye.

I'd be going with them if it weren't for the already planned trip to go visit my father -- who is also in the hospital dealing with problems with a shunt in his brain. The consensus is he's too stubborn to stay in bed until it heals properly and keeps re-damaging the wound.

But, if he's still in the hospital we'll be getting a hotel room (financial ouch!) rather than messing up my stepmother's home.

At any rate, what was supposed to be a simple trip to visit my father has become fraught with all other sorts of nuances, innuendos and details.

Here's hoping all goes well. At least as well as can be expected. Almost time to go home and pack.

Nimitz' Lady

Interview Time

The principal has decided to go ahead and interview me while we're waiting to find out on the pay/certification issues. I get the feeling he really wants me, he's just got to figure out how. Anyway, I interview for that position Monday at 7AM, seeing as how I have to be at work by 8:30.

And, because I refuse to put all my eggs in one basket, I applied for a couple more positions this morning -- a reporter job at a local Spanish station and a pr job at another local University Medical College.

The University just called me asking to do a phone interview next week. So, that's set for Tuesday afternoon.

Who knows, by Wednesday I may have a new job. Wouldn't that be nice?

At any rate next week will be a big one for me. Trip to California to see my dad, two job interviews and the possibility of getting out of my current position, which I am burned out on.

Wish me luck and pray hard!!! Cause I'm relying on God to show me which (assuming I get two offers) is the "right" job for me.

Nimitz' Lady

Finally Got One Right

I've spent the last hour or so doing Blogthing quizzes to keep from being bored to death, and from freaking out about my possible job change.

Most of the quizzes have not only been wrong, they've been waaaay wrong. Andy Warhol should paint my portrait (hate his work)! I should weigh 145 lbs (haven't seen that since middle school)!

But this quiz actually got me right.

Your Inner European is Spanish!

Energetic and lively. You bring the party with you!

Who's Your Inner European?

Nimitz' Lady

Still in Danger

Turns out I spoke too quickly when I said my frieds from Beirut had made it to the States safely. They haven't all made it.

The Husband stayed behind. He still had a job to finish for a Japanese firm. So pray he'll finish quickly and get out safely.

He is staying in the mountains outside Beirut, but still. As of the latest reports (from around noon) the bombing has killed 600 civilians and injured another 1,500.

So, please keep praying for him.

Time to go listen to some classic Bon Jovi for me.
Nimitz' Lady

Hopes and Fears

Well the high school principal got my application and resume today. He called over the lunch hour.

Since it's too late for me to get into the local University's certification-while-teaching program, I'd have to be hired as a long-term sub, which means less money. I'm already looking at a paycut just to get out of the TV news biz.

So, the principal is busy crunching numbers. If he comes up with something we could both agree on, I'll interview.

Right now I'm filled with hopes and fears.

I'm really hoping this works out. If it does, it means by the time I get back from L.A. I'd be at a new job.

I'm relieved I wouldn't have to worry about certification until next summer, which makes me hopeful I might actually be able to handle the job.

I'm afraid I'll get my hopes up too high and something won't work out and I'll be right back at work writing a newscast come Aug. 10th. We'll see.

Pray for me.
Nimitz' Lady

Perchance to... Teach?

That's right, teach. I have been invited to apply for a local high school's still open Spanish teacher position.

As I am not a certified secondary teacher this is only possible because the position is still open. Classes start mid-August, about three weeks! In other words, they're desperate.

If they offer me the job (duh! Of course, I'm applying!) and if I accept the offer it would, under state law, have to be contingent upon my then beginning to work toward certification.

I checked out what that would mean and: I would have to take three undergraduate classes (college algebra, basic statistics and general psychology) before I'd even be eligible for the local University's teacher certification program!

I don't know. I'd love to be a high school teacher. I've pretty much always seen that as my second career. And Spanish! La lengua de mi alma! In that way it couldn't be a better match.

It's the going back to school thing, while working, that has me concerned. I'm trying to get out of the TV News biz to get away from the awful hours/schedules and be able to spend more time with my family.

Just don't know what I'll do -- assuming this goes beyond the "Sure, send us your resume" stage.

Nimitz' Lady

Safe

I just heard from my friends who lived in Beirut. They've gotten safely out and are in the States. Praise God!

This is what she had to say about the trip:

"I made the horrible evacuation with my children and parent's. It was like going to hell and back."

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Nimitz' Lady

Daddy Time

Ok, I'm scheduled to visit my dad in L.A. next week.

Slight problem, I've tried calling him several times over the last few days and gotten no answer. On Friday, an aunt told my mother he was back in the hospital. But, when I called the hospital they said he'd been released. Meanwhile, I keep calling and leaving messages at his house that never get any responses.

I don't know what's going on.

Is my father seriously ill? Only slightly sick? Dying?

Will he be there for me to visit? Or do I need to book a hotel room (rather then stay with just my stepmother and her sister)?

I don't know what's going on and am starting to get extremely worried.

Nimitz' Lady

Unprofessional

Here are a couple links to video of some of the most unprofessional news anchors I've seen in a long time (even if I do agree with their opinions).

Hawaii: This guy is dealing with the same new production system my station got earlier this year. I feel his pain, but you never let it show on air!

Fox News: I feel both her anger and pain every time I have to write a story about these folks. But if you can't handle the heat, get out of the kitchen. In other words, if you can't keep your cool at the anchor desk, find another job!

And here's what other pro's think about these clips.

Nimitz' Lady

Congratulations/Felicitaciones

Congratulations to Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, a fellow Boriqua who just won the 2006 Miss Universe title. Not my cup of tea, but to each her own. And it's always good to see a Puerto Rican finish well.



Felicitaciones a Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza, una boriqua como yo quien ha ganado esta noche el titulo de Miss Universe 2006. No es algo que me gustaria, pero a cada persona sus preferencias. Y siempre es bien ver a una puertorriquena se cumple bien.

Nimitz' Lady

No Word

It's been a week since I've heard anything from my friends living in Beirut. The last I heard -- they were trying to get out with the U.S. evacuations.

I just pray that in this case no news is good news and that they're on a ship headed for Cyprus, or on a plane headed to the States, safe and sound.

Nimitz' Lady

Bye-Bye Mommy

My mother, aka Grammy, has been living with us since my son, JBP, was about three months old.

It was never planned to be permanent. First she was just going to stay with us until she could find her own place. But then we figured, we were only going to stay in Iowa a few more months so why waste the money? We ended up in Iowa another year.

And then, when we moved here, we figured it was only temporary until she found a full-time job.

Five years later, she's finally found a full-time job. It's at Kansas State University (so we'll get to visit her when we go to watch the Iowa State Ladies play basketball there) which is about a two to three hour drive from us.

I love my mother. For the most part we're best friends. But we're also mother and daughter and I know we've gotten on each other's nerves occasionally over the last few years.

And I have to admit there will be certain advantages to "being on my own" again.

At the same time, my live-in babysitter is moving out! No more spontaneous runs to the movies, or the grocery store, or anywhere else for that matter!

But when all's said and done, we'll just plain miss her while she's off at college having fun.

Is this what they mean about "raising your parents"? I'm too young to be suffering from Empty Nest Syndrome, dang it!
Nimitz' Lady

Weight Loss

Alright, let's try this again. (For those who didn't catch the goof, I managed to publish the title to this post before writing a single word!)

You may (or not) have noticed a new ticker at the top of the screen. This ticker is how much weight, give or take five pounds, that I need to lose.

Personally, I'd be ecstatic to lose half of that. But given all my other health issues, I really need to try to lose as much of that as possible.

I'm hoping the ticker sitting there at the top of the screen, mocking me every time I log on, will help motivate me to work out.

Since the great schedule switch-aroo that has been this year began I've had trouble keeping up a regular workout schedule. And my eating habits have been execrable.

The last week or two I've gotten the eating in hand, and now I think I've figured out a decent work out schedule. 30 to 60 mins cardio at home in the morning, 30 to 45 mins strength training at the Y over my lunch hour (not as much sweaty mess to clean up after before going back to work).

So, we'll see how it goes. I'm especially feeling the need to lose with the way my joints have been aching (Thyroid Doc thinks weight loss will help alleviate that) and my 15 year high school reunion coming up sometime next year.

Wish me luck.
Nimitz' Lady

Cute Hair

Given I'm not the best judge, but I think my new do will turn out pretty cute.

I got my hair relaxed (chemically straightened, whatever)and styled last Thursda. Due to the relaxing process this morning was the first time I got to wash and style it myself.

It's supposed to look something like this.

Which is a pretty good match for my face, in my opinion. So far, at least, I think it worked.

Of course, we'll have to wait and see what happens in the next few weeks.

I'll try to get an actual picture of me posted before I leave for L.A.

Nimitz' Lady

Five Things Meme

I've been tagged, informally. So here it is, the Five Things Meme.

Five things you have but you do not want
1. 45 pounds of fat
2. dirty floors
3. my job
4. emotional scarring
5. an addictive personality

Five things you want but you do not have
1. a new job
2. a sleek, fit body
3. a daughter
4. peace of mind
5. more time to spend with my son & husband

Five things you would like to know more about
1. parenting
2. adoption
3. translating
4. the Bible & God
5. German

Five important lessons you have learned
1. If it doesn't endanger your eternal life it's not worth getting upset about.
2. I had a decent body when I was a teen. Too bad I didn't realize it until it was gone.
3. Children and family are more important than money or position.
4. Physical beauty will only get you unwanted attention.
5. I can do anything if I try hard enough.

Five of your favorite memories
1. Being pregnant and my son's birth
2. Meeting my husband (and any time after that spent cuddling with him)
3. Traveling overseas (any and every time)
4. My time at WOI-TV
5. The 1999-2000 Iowa State Women's Basketball season (any and every game!)

Five things you are looking forward to
1. The Second Coming
2. Not caring anymore about my weight
3. Bringing a daughter home (assuming Der Deutscher ever agrees to adopt)
4. Traveling to L.A. to visit my dad in August
5. Retirement

Five things you would like to forget
1. The emotional torment that was most of high school and the people who inflicted it
2. The times I've hurt my husband
3. My sins
4. The Serial Killer hearings last summer
5. My love of food

So, that's it. Now, you're it!
Nimitz' Lady

The Early Nightly

NBC main anchor Brian Williams has landed in Tel Aviv to broadcast live from Israel during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon. He's headed to Haifa this afernoon for tonight's broadcast.

Each day during his trip, he'll include a Vlog giving a behind the scenes look at what it takes to broadcast from what is essentially a war zone.

Check it out. I found it interesting.

Nimitz' Lady

P.S. If you know of any other just glimpses of life in the Middle East right now, please leave me a link.

Oh, and I haven't heard back from my friends in Beirut. I'm just hoping that means they're headed for the port to catch the cruise ship to Greece.