Not to Complain . . .

(And when you hear someone say something like "not to complain . . . " you know some complaining is about to happen. It's like starting a sentence with "Not to be rude . . .")

So here it is:

Complaint #1 - The Heat

I love summer, under normal conditions. I have not enjoyed the recent heat wave (90 degrees!) in Chicago for 2 reasons. First, I am 6 months pregnant and that adds a layer of discomfort to just about everything I do in this heat and humidity. I hate to turn on the A/C in May, but I hate to turn into a sweaty, bulbous mess even more.

Second, the heat is frying my students' brains. I have had 5 students suspended in the last 2 days. Whether they are bringing drugs to school, fighting or just plain acting crazy, they have got to go. I don't enjoy having a student suspended one bit - but I do enjoy order and learning in my class . . . so now you can go home and act crazy with your Mom. Ugh.

Complaint #2 - Endless School Year

It kind of sounds like part two of complaint #1, but there are 16 school days left in the year. 16 more days stuck in traffic on the way home. That is just too much. It just is. June 18th?? Who are you kidding? Trust me, we are ALL ready for no more homework, or books or especially teachers' dirty looks. (Although, one of my kids told me that he likes it when I get "mad" and raise my eyebrow like The Rock. Maybe he will miss those dirty looks after all.)

Last Complaint - Ambiguity

With all these school budget cuts, I still don't know if I have a job yet for next year, and that really annoys me. I just want to know! Since all job cuts are made purely by seniority, I know I'm on the chopping block, but all this waiting is just too much. Hasn't anyone heard of planning? I guess they haven't at Chicago Public Schools and love keeping us in suspense. Just tell me already.

I know, I know . . . this is so negative. But I feel a little better - I think. There are lots of things I'm thankful for, too: air conditioning, family, the Gospel, poetry projects to occupy my students, a nice husband to give me foot massages and the soon-to-be new addition to our family . . . but I'm also a little pissed off about complaints 1-3, too!! Ugh.

I told you I was popped . . .

And the flow-y shirt isn't really doing me any favors, either :)

Can you believe we're going to be parents? Yowza!

Popped!

One of my students said to me, with a big smile on her face, "Mrs. Culp, it seems like your tummy gets a little bigger every day!"

Thanks. Thanks a lot.

The thing is, I think she thought she was being both cute and funny (and maybe even complimentary).

The other thing is . . . I think she's right. Yikes!

(Pictorial evidence soon to come)

Just when you thought it was safe . . .

As soon as I think I've seen everything the "urban lifestyle" of South Chicago has to offer, I find a new delight. Allow me to start at the beginning:

With the increase in warm weather, there are a few ice cream trucks that circle the school, like sharks at feeding time, at 2:45 pm exactly. These trucks aren't your average popsicle and pre-packaged sundae cone trucks- they have delicious soft serve cones, sundaes and shakes - for a buck!

So anyway, one warm spring day, my colleague and I walked out to the truck to taste the delicious soft serve for ourselves, and I noticed that there was something odd about the truck's windshield . . . there were 4 bullet holes! I mean, I know the neighborhood is bad, but seriously, who wants to shoot up the ice cream man? Are people that hard up that they will kill for ice cream, or is the uniform and funny hat that offensive?

All I know is, if the ice cream truck isn't safe from a drive by, none of us are. None of us are.

5 Years

Last weekend was our 5 year anniversary . . .

As you can see, it was both lavish AND delicious . . .

Hooray for us!!

April 29, 2005