crazy schedule
What a crazy few weeks this has been. It all started with our college friends' visit and we have had a whilrwind of activities ever since. I organized a group of 32 middle school and high school teachers to a "Girls" Night Out". We met at Fogarty's where we were treated like queens. The manager and staff were so accomodating and pleasant. I wish I had gotten their names because they did such a wonderful job. Waiting on 30 teachers isn't easy. Then we trekked down Duval Street to the Waterfront Theater to see the amazing play 'No Child...'. It has gotten rave reviews and we weren't disappointed. The humor really hit home as the story depicted sixteen different "school" characters all played by the same amazing actor, Lela Elam. We even had our picture taken with the star after the performance.
In addition, showing up at the bar the same evening were Greg and Barb Myers, old friends from Wabash, Indiana who ow reside in Fort Wayne, In. About fifteen minutes later after they showed up, Don's cousin, Linda Hart Costello and her husband Tim, from Buffalo walked in the door of the bar. It is always fun when old friends just pop in to surprise us.
The night before that, Julie, Cindy, and I visited Nancy and Mike in their new "home" on Eagle Avenue. We took Nancy a housewarming gift that we had purchased at the art fair last weekend. We go every year and Nancy usually goes with us, but she was busy moving last weekend. Now Oliver has a yard to run around in, Mike has yard to play around in and perfect his orchid hobby, and Nancy has a bright, kitchen and deck to relax on. No more climbing three flights of stairs for the Pastores.
This weekend, my teacher friend, Patty, and I are going to have dinner at Louie's Upstairs and then head to a performance of the American Ballet Theater to benefit the production of Nutcracker Key West. Good food, good friends, good fun. Key West is such a great place for all three.
Now I can finally relax a little. After being named Horace O'Bryant's Middle School Teacher of the Year, I have had to do a lot of homework. It is such a great honor and I was thrilled to be chosen, but let me tell you, it is a lot of work. I had to write what I would equate with a dissertation on my philosophy of education. In addition, I had to supply a videotape of my teaching which would have been a nightmare, if my good friend and fellow teacher, Kristen Condella, hadn't come to my rescue. That girl is a walking miracle. She is an awesome math teacher (last year's New Teacher of the Year) and a wife and mother to two adorable toddlers. And Kristen is one of theose rare gems who is multi-talented and she never says no. I am amazed by her energy. I finally got everything doen but it took me awhile since I am madly trying to prepare my students for the FCAT writing test while also entertaining loads of friends all while trying to juggle taking care of my new puppy Wilson. But I finally completed everything and my packet is safely in the hands of the powers that be.
We have several more friend scheduled to arrive in the next few months so I will update you on our activities.