A Whole New Litter

Tomorrow I will be traveling to an old familiar place I haven't seen for awhile.  My classroom.  It's like an old pair of pajamas that you shove into the back of your drawer, and when you find them you can't wait to put them back on and get comfy.  Except I won't be getting comfy for awhile. 

I've got a bucket filled with supplies:  wood putty, all purpose cleaner, Goo-Gone, and some other odds and ends.  My vacuum cleaner and additional must-haves are ready to carry to my classroom.  I must prepare the place for the newbies. 

In a week I will get to meet a whole new litter of puppies...a. k. a. students.  They really are like puppies in so many ways.  Cute, wanting to have the attention and approval of their teacher, and mischievious when "necessary."  They will have to be "trained" in the ways of third grade.  The first few weeks will be fragile during which time they will grow more confident and comfortable. 

Some will be shy; others outgoing when we first meet.  Many will be looking forward to returning to school, only to be dredding it several weeks later, especially when they have to write in cursive ALL the time or study their multiplication tables one more time.  So much to do in 180 school days.  I can't wait to meet and get to know each and every one of them.  There'll be days when I won't be feeling this way.  But for right now, gotta love 8, 9, and 10 year olds.     

N'awlins, NOLA...a.k.a. New Orleans

Okay, so I decided to get out of my comfort zone last week.  I don't do airplanes, but decided to bite the bullet and go for it.  My daughter had never flown before so I decided to lead by example; even if that meant I'd die trying to do so!

It really wasn't as bad as I'd remembered sixteen years ago.  We landed in New Orleans, in perfect condition, in a new southern place for us to explore. Yay!

My thoughts on New Orleans:
Wow, talk about senses overload. New Orleans has so many sights, sounds, and smells (some not so pleasant~LOL!)   It's a bit difficult to focus during your travels throughout the streets.  If you could cross New York City and Charleston, you'd have New Orleans.  NOLA, as it is known, does not need to have a Mardi Gras specifically because Mardi Gras occurs there everyday; true dat! Just travel down Bourbon Street in the evening, and you will know this to be true.

If you like "free" entertainment, the city shall provide it for you.  The love of jazz is apparent by the locals who pull their brass out of the trunks of their cars and congregate on any street corner with more jazz-lovers to impart their beautiful sounds upon anyone walking thru the city.  Local restaurants definitely ensure you have a fabulous food experience, but don't mind the bathrooms being located in the kitchen by the dishwasher. If you are a germaphobic kind of person, you might want to avoid eating while you are there, but you will miss out on deliciousness.  If you enjoy adult beverages, you will be able to imbibe anytime morning, noon, or night, as well as purchase your pleasure on any street corner. Oh, and you can drink your beverage while s.t.r.o.l.l.i.n.g the city.  The trolley is the way to travel, whenever feasible. Walking during the summer heatwave was difficult, but you can really get a sense of what the city is truly about by walking the streets. Wow!

What an abundance of southern history and charm; definitely going back....someday!  Now I have to get over my fear of cab drivers. Hahaaa!!!