Makin' $$$$$

The last week we had orientation for our school district. It was so boring that my friends and I resorted to 1) doing the entire crossword page in the Times Picayune newspaper, 2) Making our own crossword puzzles about each other, 3) Inventing a game to see who can identify the most song lyrics. Someone was doing the hide the magazine in the book thing, others were nodding off. We got paid for it, which would officially be my first income in over 3 months, so I can only sort of complain. The week was kept lively by a brass band concert on Tuesday by Rebirth, the best band in New Orleans. Last weekend, we had a party at my house, it was definite good times with a keg and bucket of sangria. The next day consisted of potluck and spoons tournament...we are pretty easily entertained around here.

Yesterday, my housemates and I went to the National D-Day museum here in NO, it is pretty incredible. Steven Spielberg is one of the primary sponsors, and it is very thorough. There, we saw the Marine Corps band of New Orleans perform songs like "When the Saints Go Marching In" it was really entertaining. Now, mainly trying to get jazzed for this coming week, which involves more training, and getting settled in to my classroom. Turns out I will be teaching six different classes this year (3 each semester, block schedule). This fall, I teach Geography, US History and Civics. Teaching 3 different preps will be a beast, but with TFA you just do what they tell you and make the best of it. The whole point is to survive the crap that is thrown at you, because so many other teachers are driven out by it and then the kids suffer.

Well, I'm off to work out at the NO Athletic Club, the second oldest in the country. It is very swanky (i.e. yoga classes held in a ballroom) but we got a discount rate for TFA. I need to long term plan, which does not sound like good times but necessary. There is a neighborhood coffee shop I can go work at, very relaxing. I hope all is well to the west, east, north, south, wherever you are!