When At The Zoo...

Act Like The Zoo Animals...

Pelicans

Elephants

Monkeys

Sleeping Polar Bears

Licking Giraffes

Giant Walrus

I jumped 5 feet (Penguin)

Geese


Nikki, Ryan, Kari and I headed to the Zoo last night for the Crohn's Walk. Ryan has Crohn's Disease, so we wanted to support him and Nikki. Plus, a free night at the Zoo is always worth the trip.

I Love You

I have...

One Thing
To Say
Three Words
For You...

I LOVE YOU.

These are the lyrics to a popular new song by Plain White T's. It's a catchy little tune that I often find singing to myself. It's a cute little love song of a man telling his woman that he loves her.

Sigh.

Tear.

Bitterness.

Ha, just kidding. I'm not crying. I'm not bitter. I'm not getting close to 30. I'm not sad I'm single and ALONE.

I've never had those three precious words spoken to me from a boy...that is until today. Today was my last day with my students. It's always a bittersweet day. While I'm ready to have some time off from my students, I'm also sad to have to say goodbye. I've gotten pretty good at developing relationships with my students in a short time and then having to say goodbye.

I've been with my last group of kids for three months, and I've learned to really like (most) of them. One boy in particular has been a big goof ball (and a distraction at times), but he always makes the class laugh. I enjoy having him in my class, and he's one student who always has an enthusiastic, "Hi Ms. Nichols," every time he comes into the classroom. For sake of this blog, I'll call him D.

Today, the students had their final exam, and they had to use a scan tron (the bubble answer sheet). There was a spot for their student ID, their name and their telephone number. I told them I didn't need their phone number, but they needed to make sure to fill in their name and ID. As everyone was filling in their bubble, D said, "Hey Ms. Nichols. I put my cell phone number on here. I expect you to call me this summer so we can hang out."

I laughed and thought nothing of it. He's a big goof ball, and I really didn't believe that he had put his number on the test. As they began their test, I roamed through the room making sure everyone was on task. Upon reaching D's desk, I saw that he had in fact put his cell number on the test. He pointed to it, grinned and whispered, "Call me."

Once everyone was done with the test, D then asked me out on a date.
He said, "Ms. Nichols, I want to take you out on a date. I'll take you to Burger King for lunch."
"I don't like Burger King," I replied.
"How about Taco Bell?"
"Well, that's certainly better than Burger King," I said. "And then after our date, you can find me in jail for dating a 16 year old."
"I'm actually 18, Ms. Nichols. So we're ok!"
The entire class was laughing at D (which is what he was going for), and I couldn't help but laugh, too. D meant no harm, and I know him well enough to know he was totally joking.

D then wrote his cell phone on a piece of paper and handed it to me, telling me he expected a call from me this summer. Then he drew a picture of the two of us at a concert. I asked him if I could keep the picture, but he was embarrassed and didn't want me showing people. Once the bell rang and D was leaving, he gave me a high five and shouted as he walked out the door, "I love you Ms. Nichols. See you next year. Thanks for being such a cool teacher. Call me this summer so we can go on our date."

It's funny, but those three little words don't have the same effect coming from the mouth of a 10th grader.

What's That Smell?

Shan posted pictures on her blog of a skunk that we discovered in our back yard the other night. I came running up the stairs to see this smelly creature roaming through the yard looking for food. It didn't smell, and it did no harm while around, but we were none too pleased to see this nasty animal so close. The sight of this creature, which isn't something people see very often, brought back a very painful memory for me.

I was in 7th grade when our dog, Tasha, was sprayed by a skunk. Before any of us realized what had happened, Tasha ran into the house. It was the most horrible, nauseating smell a person can imagine. Within a few short minutes, the entire house smelled like skunk. We washed Tasha several times that night, but nothing would get the smell out. We shut every door in the house, hoping that would keep the stink out, but alas, it did not work.

The next day, I had to go to school, which ended up being the worst moment of my life. I smelled like skunk. Even though I was not the one who had been sprayed, the smell had permeated every pore on my body. As soon as I walked into the school, people started commenting on the smell. "It smells like skunk," someone shouted. I quickly ran to my locker, shoved my stuff in there and continued on to class.

The smell was so obvious that even the teachers were commenting on the smell. It didn't take people very long to realize that it was coming from me. I teared up and couldn't help but sob as the teacher asked me what had happened. I explained to her the problem and asked her if I could go to the gym to changed into my gym clothes.

Even though my gym clothes were sweaty and smelling, they didn't smell like skunk. I went through that day wearing old shorts and a t-shirt, but at least I didn't smell like a rotten animal. Every time I opened my locker that day, the smell would seep into the hall and my classmates would make fun of me. The smell was on everything I owned: my backpack, my coat, my shoes, my books. It was the worst day of my life.

That night when I got home, the entire house still smelled like skunk. I went through my drawers and picked out enough outfits for the entire week. I took my outfits outside and laid them on the picnic table. I figured they were safe from the smell outside, so I left them there over night.

The next morning, I showered and kept the towel wrapped around me. I did my hair and makeup in my towel. I even ate breakfast in my towel. Once I was all ready for school (except for being wrapped in a towel), I went outside and put on my clothes. I refused to go back into the house once I was dressed. This process seemed to work, so for over a week, I dressed outside. The smell was still faint on my hair, but it wasn't as bad as that first day.

Eventually the smell left Tasha and our house. I was finally able to dress inside, but I will NEVER forget that horrible week. It was, by far, the most god-awful week I have ever experienced in my life.

You Know You Have a Problem When...

You open up your closet to choose a pair of pants and you find the exact same pair of pants TWICE! That's right, I have two pairs of the exact same pair of slacks from Gap (same size, color, length). I don't even remember buying one of them. I DO remember buying the other pair, but that second pair is still a mystery to me. I obviously liked them so much I had to buy TWO!

But I must defend myself a tad here. While I do have the same pair of pants twice, I haven't really done any shopping since the end of February. Do you remember how I gave up shopping for Lent? Well, I went the entire 40 days without buying anything (other than groceries), but then I continued to not buy anything long after Lent was over. A few weeks ago I bought a pair of biker shorts (I don't count that as shopping since it's for the MS 150 and highly needed), and I bought two tank tops the other day (they were on sale and I needed them-my old white tank tops were no longer white but rather a dingy grayish color). Before those two shopping trips, however, I went close to 75 days without shopping. I'm so proud of myself.

I'm turning over a new leaf. I really am, and I'm taking this moment to brag about myself a bit. I have gone to the mall a few times in the last 75 days. I have tried on clothes in the past 75 days. I have even walked up to the counter to purchase some clothes in the past 75 days. But then I had a moment of reflection.

"Shiloh, do you REALLY need this shirt?"
"No," I said to myself. "I don't need this shirt." And I put it back on the shelf and walked out of the store. I've done that three times in the past 75 days, and I'm very proud of myself.

I also earned a high five from Jeff the other day. He was so proud of me. I have my 10 year class reunion in two weeks, so I made a hair appointment. I was going to get a nice cut and dye. Then I had another moment of reflection (I'm beginning to hate these moments of reflection because they make me do things I don't want to do).

"Shiloh, can you afford to spend over $100 on your hair when you haven't paid rent in two months? Remember that eviction notice Shan left on your door last week? Maybe the money would be wiser spent paying rent."
"Stupid rent," I said to myself. "I need a good hair color to impress my classmates."
"You also need a roof over your head."

So I just got a haircut and skipped the color. And paid a portion of my rent.

I'm all grown up.

Four Truths and A Lie

Choose from the list below the one statement that is a lie; everything else is true. If you know me super well and already know the answer, save your guess for last so everyone has a chance to play.
********************************************

I am a notary public.

The friend I've known for the longest amount of time is four days younger than me. We used to be mistaken for twins because we were both blue eyed, blond hair beauty's.

I've never cried at work. I find that very unprofessional. I save it for the privacy of my own house.

There was a short period of time in my life when I was scared to death (no pun intended) that I was going to die in my sleep. I would lie awake for hours afraid to shut my eyes.

My very first kiss was when I was 22 years old. I met this guy in Oregon, and we corresponded for years (I was back in NE at this point) until he moved to California to become a model. We kind of lost touch after that. I'm not really looking for the model type, you know.

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

One of my all time favorite foods is peanut butter. If it has PB, I will eat it. When I ran across this recipe, I was a little hesitant because I didn't know how well PB and bananas went together. Since I made this bread two weeks ago, I have not been able to stop thinking about it since. I'm going to share the recipe with you, my faithful readers. Make it. Enjoy it. Dream about it.

Topping:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup creamy PB
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Batter:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In a small bowl, stir the flour, brown sugar, PB and cinnamon until crumbly; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened.

Divide half of the batter between two greased 8 in. by 4 in. loaf pans; sprinkle with half of the topping. Top with chocolate chips. Repeat lays of batter and topping.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Enjoy.

Confession Time

I know Jack Squat about history, geography, politics, science, and math. Ask me a question about history, and you'll think I was born in another country. Try to debate with me about politics, and I won't have a standing point to argue. 9x8=? Don't even ask me to find Montana on a map. The only thing I remember from physics is inertia.

Up until this year, I did not know how to spell the word definitely. I still struggle with the word necessary. I often spell success with one c. My kids are always telling me I spelled stuff on the white board wrong. I'm an English teacher for goodness sakes; I should know how to spell!!!

I totally fibbed in my interview. I most certainly did NOT feel confident teaching 10th grade English. I most certainly did NOT know InDesign (the program we use to design the paper) well enough to teach students. I most certainly did NOT feel prepared to take on teaching for two different teachers. I must be a good faker though because I've succeeded thus far (and got a job next year).

Google.com is my best friend. I also use Wikipedia a lot. Shhhh, don't tell my students.

I have a really hard time saying NO to people. A friend asked me to go out last weekend. I didn't want to go and attempted to say no. All I know was ten minutes later, I was out the door on my way to meet him. I often find myself doing things I don't really want to do because I couldn't say no. If you want me to do something, just ask. You'll get a yes out of me easily enough.

I fall asleep during my prayers at night. I have NO problem whatsoever falling asleep, so as I'm talking to God, I'm drifting away into snooze land.

Drinks and food are not allowed in the classroom. I let my students break that rule ALL the time. I'm usually hungry and thirsty, so I figure they are, too, and they probably pay closer attention if they have their needs satisfied.

Last Friday when I was sick, I was "that" teacher. Rather than actually teaching, I stuck a movie in the VCR and let them brainlessly watch The Goonies.

Last week when I watched Case, I took him for ice cream and his parents don't know about it (yet). Case can't talk well enough to tell on me, so until just now, it's been a secret. Gasp, he had ice cream before dinner!!!!

I don't like dogs. I know that is absurd, but it's true. They stink. They sniff. They lick. They jump. I like it better when dogs aren't around.

I feel much better now that I've confessed. Thanks for listening. Am I forgiven?