DO NOT WANT

Something about Sarah Palin makes me dry-heave. I don't even know the woman, yet I have this inexplicable urge to drive an ice-pick through her ridiculous updo and into her skull. Thankfully, I'm not the only one.

My 403(b) - which is like a 401(k) for teachers - has changed somehow and so today after school, my financial planner, Ken, came and met with me to discuss my options. He knows from prior meetings that I am a financial moron. Once I even told him that he should speak to me as if I am a retarded kindergartner. I think he thought I was kidding.

Today's meeting went something like this...

Ken: "Blah blah blah blah blah mutual funds blah blah blah blah interest rates blah blah blah?"
Me: [Nods, wondering how such an old guy can have such a thick head of hair]
Ken: "Blah blah blah blah variable annuity blah blah blah Oppenheimer blah blah"
Me: [thinks, "I'm pretty sure The Police wrote a song about Oppenheimer's deadly toy... is he talking about it?"]
Ken: "I recommend blah blah blah blah blah"
Me: "Sounds good" [wondering if it was the pear at lunch that gave her the indigestion]

I'm useless. However, it was a pretty awesome day. First day back with the kids and I just feel like I'm "home" -- and it's good. And hell, I'd love to see Ken teach a bunch of 12-year olds to play in 6/8.

TWINS

I got my old MacBook Pro back yesterday for school. It's not really "old" -- it's actually one of the 2.4 GHz Intel Core Duo beauties. I got it brandy new when I took on the role of Media Club Advisor. When I left last June, I had to turn it back over and then was suffering from major withdrawal. So I went out and bought the exact same computer.

But now that I have TWO of these babies, the fun is endless!!! Here they are taking pictures of one another with PhotoBooth. Crazy kids...



Only in America, folks.

A NEW DAY

Tomorrow I return to life as a teacher. And I cannot wait! This "year off from my life" has taught me a lot about who I am and what I value. I know what I need for my life to function properly (a structured schedule and LOTS of intellectual stimulation) and I also know that hanging around witty middle-school kids is very good for my soul. I miss them. I miss my network of friends. Most of all, I miss feeling like I have a purpose.

Tomorrow I go back to my life and I will do so with gratitude and a greater appreciation for the little things that make up the bigger picture. I look forward to sharing stories again and breathing some new life into this blog!

Happy Labor Day!