What-a-Week

For some reason, I am in the black hole of grading. I can't remember the last time I felt this incredibly overwhelmed by all of the grading I have to do. I know, I know, I'm the one who assigned the work, but how else am I to assess if my students are "getting it"? And have you ever heard of a good English teacher who did not assign homework and essays? It seems as if the more I accomplish in grading, the more gets turned in to me. My seniors have another paper due to me in about a week. My juniors are turning one in next Monday. My sophomores are starting their research project tomorrow, so grading for them will be light until around spring break time. Once I get what I currently have in my bag graded, then what my juniors are turning in to me next Monday, I *should* have about a week of no serious, time consuming grading. And I cannot wait!

In other news...there is not much news (grading has consumed pretty much all of my time...just ask poor John). John's job is just that ~ a job. He hates it. But it is better than nothing or better than sitting at home during the day without working. But try telling that to him! ;-)

This Friday and Saturday is the state tournament for Speech and Debate. We head out Thursday afternoon and won't return until midnight Saturday. The head coach had to have emergency surgery today, so I've stayed at school yesterday and today until after six both nights, and tomorrow probably won't be much different. I'm not sure how we'll do...our district tends to get our butts kicked at States, and I haven't seen many of my boys for practice (just the debate boys have been working). Should be an interesting weekend.

I saw "Slumdog Millionaire" last Sunday with my best friend. What a movie! I definitely recommend it. If you haven't seen it, spend the $9.00. Definitely worth it!

Lastly, John heard from his sister last night. Kelli and John haven't talked since mid-September. We were both kind of shocked that she called, but not 100% (we had been told that she's been a bit lonely and we figured she might reach out to us). They talked for about 30 minutes. She didn't ask about us...how I'm doing, how we are doing, how his job is, what's been new over the last six months, but I guess that will take time. I just hope the two of them can mend their relationship. Now, as for his relationship with Colleen...that is another story for another blogging day.

Well, guess what?? I have to get back to grading. ;-(