Red Hot (teaching for) America Summer

I stole this title from my friend Kaitlyn, sometimes she can be creative ;) Speaking of my collaborative members, they made a birthday sign for me at school on Thursday, brought in treats and made me wear a crown while I was teaching, it was lovely, and far to small for my head. Then all of TFA at Browning sang Happy Birthday in the afternoon (although it wasn't my birthday yet), wow was I embarrassed.

Anyway, summer if half over, what? Sometimes being in Houston makes me feel like I'm in outer space. I have no idea what is going on in the world. I haven't seen the news in well over a month. I becoming acclimated to the Houston heat. And worst of all, I have no idea if the corn was knee-high by the fourth of July. All I know is that in the Delta on June 7th it was to my shoulders.

Anyway, 4th of July in Houston wasn't thatttt bad. I wasn't the ideal place to spend a birthday, but I got over it. I would like to make it known that I haven't been to a parade yet this year and those people back home who refused to go to a parade for me (ahem, Brian Vargason) are in trouble.

Okay, so yesterday I had my day all planned out. Then, it rained starting at noon. Mother nature does not realize that the pool CLOSES when it rains. Actually, it wasn't really rain, it was torrential downpour. Awful. And for the first time in a month, instead of raining really hard for 1/2 hour and being nice again, it was crappy...all.....afternoon....long. So, I layed on my bouch and talked on the phone...all....afternoon...long. Last night we headed downtown to the Freedom over Texas concert. They were featuring Jo Dee Mesina, Miranda Lambert, and Sara Evans. It was an outdoor concert with a HUGE display of fireworks after. Well, we missed Jo Dee Mesina, but Miranda Lambert was good and Sara Evans was A-MAZING! We had some weird-o guy next to us that was holding up his wedding ring for Miranda Lambert. We are pretty sure that he told my friend Sally she could sit on his shoulders...does she look like she's 5 and can't see over people? However, the fireworks really did rock. I have to admit, Vernon Center has nothing on Houston. We boarded the bus to head back to Moody. Mind you, we only had one bus and probably 100 people. We were sitting 4 to a seat (yes, it is possible) with people standing in the isles. It was out of control and a definite safety hazard.

Today, we are planning on going to the pool again. Well, what do you know? It's cloudy and dark, UGH. So, my friends Gina, Sally and I went to an outlet mall about 25 minutes away that was incredible (like I really need more clothes though!). It was without a doubt larger than Mankato, Rochester and LaCrosse malls! And now it's Saturday night and while I should be revising some lesson plans....I am blogging and thinking about trying to do something with the disaster that has overtaken my dormroom.

This week is going to be a whirlwind. We have regular lessons M/T/W this week. Thursday spend most of the day doing testing, diagnostic tests that were administered at the beginning of the summer as well as DRA to track reading levels. All of this data has to be rolled up by Thursday afternoon. Thursday evening we have our closing ceremonies. Friday is our last day at school, so mostly a fun day. Friday night is end of institute celebration. Saturday I probably have to be headed to Mississippi by 9 a.m. PHEW. If you're bored AT ALL on Saturday, call my cell, I'll be in the car for roughly 9 hours! I will be spending Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Delta State, then going to my placement town to look for housing on Wednesday. Then the family will be here Thursday-Sunday, then back to Delta state for more training on Monday the 21st. If I don't update this for awhile, you'll understand.

Tomorrow is my last chance to go to the pool....desperation has set in, it had BETTER be nice out!