Tampa Airport has free wifi

I'm here about 2 hours early for my flight and there is free wifi + an open work station. So sportsfans exciting blogs coming up. They need pictures so I'll hold off on posting them now. They include:

- Christmas at Disney World: How to ride everything and only trample 5 kids

- Drunk on Butterbeer and Power: My illustrated guide to enjoying The Wizarding World of Harry Potter without cursing anyone.

-New Year Resolutions: I have to run how far in February?!?!?!?!

Get excited.

Spending Christmas with the Eggerts was fantastic. I come from a very small family where we don't get together very often. It is the complete opposite with the Eggert crew. Almost everyone lives in Florida and they're able to spend lots of holidays together. It was a very warm welcoming experience and I had an amazing time. I had a bit of a hard time adjusting on Christmas day. The Kinkade Christmas of spending all day in your PJs eating waffles and watching movies is very different from waking to the sounds of children diving head first in to presents before 10am and actually having to get dressed because everyone will soon be there. It was still lots of fun. The little cousins are adorable and SO BIG from the last time I saw them! It was also really nice to just spend time with Russell, Linda, Ita and Chris.

And now onward to my family Christmas/New Years. I'm looking forward to spending some time with the family and getting the warm fuzzies.

This is late but I'm going to copy Ter-Bear

Thanksgivinging was AWESOME. A week off. A WHOLE WEEK. I did...well...almost nothing. I went out maybe one night, went to the spa and spent the rest of the week hiding at my home, sleeping, on playing Call of Duty ( go ahead, mock me) and watching BSG (again, go ahead, mock me.)

Dad has to go back for another cancer screening. Have to make sure it is not back, keep him in your  thoughts please. So he was on a low iodine diet...basically he can't eat anything that isn't made from scratch without iodized salt...so mom had to bake the bread from scratch, make a special pie crust without shortening/butter, etc. IT WAS AMAZING. Not going to lie, it was fan-tastic.

SO a few things I'm thankful for!

FAM ( and my awesome Brother-in-law who isn't in here. Love you!)

Friends + You if you're my friend and I didn't include you in the picture :-)

Co-workers

My BFF

My BTFF

BSG...even if I want to cut the blonde one

 

teh kittehs, even if Izzy just jumped off my lap scratching my leg to bits

MANATEES

Also, THE University of Texas...even if we can't win a reasonable game, wine, running, dancing, bon jovi, call of duty, pie, yogurt, high heels, BGBG, Juicy Couture, Massages, and Chanel lip gloss.

I'm thankful for you because you're reading this and that makes me feel special. YAY!

Sheila

After 8 wonderful years of service, devotion, and hauling large amounts of things that should be in a dumpster, the Buick has retired. Good ol' Chick 455 or K08 MZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, is resting peacefully wherever they take trade-ins that have windows taped up because otherwise they won't stay up, a glove box that won't close, and a cup holder that is broken in half. I had many a good time with/in/sitting on that car. Let's face it, he hit 100,000 miles and fell apart. Not matter how hoss his Bose speakers were, it was time.  And now pause for nostalgia. If you have any good pictures of my beloved buick please send them my way :-)

Saying Goodbye



Remembering high school



Celebrating graduation

 AND NOW FOR SHEILA!!!

I fell in love with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T after Chris bugged me to test drive it. Last time I was in a Hyundai I was in Jen's Elantra which was having electrical fits. I did NOT want a Hyundai. He told me just to give it a chance. I was 100% set with my Mazdaspeed 3 and then I saw her. Bright red and beautiful. This is a car you have to see in person, pictures really do not do her justice ( otherwise I would have been sold by looking a photos).

 I won't bore you with the AMAZING deal I got her for, or all the extras they threw in because she was the showroom model and it was obvious they were ready to move her out the door ( hellllo free window tint). She is wonderful and has everything I wanted including her 210 horsepower turbo charged sexiness, bluetooth in the steering wheel, integrated ipod system, and of course her sexy sexy look. Dad haaaaaates that I bought a red car, but in the sea of tan cars at home it is a nice change of pace.

My favorite Shelia moment so far was a guy at Sonic who stopped and asked me when they started making the Genesis Coupe because when he first saw Shelia from the side he was convinced she was an Infiniti G37 ( my aspirational car). That made my day. Seriously kids, come ride with me and Shelia it is seriously fun!

Enjoy these poor quality pics of my girl.

Sheila on the showroom floor.

All is well and Turkey Trot on Thursday!!! Happy Turkey Day kids.

XOXO,
HK

2 hours and 54 minutes of rocking

2 hours and 54 minutes?! 13.1 miles?!

I mean did that even really happen?

Guess it did because there's photographic evidence. Well, if I WANTED to pay $39.95 for a poster sized picture of myself that says FINISHER I guess that'd be the best way to prove that I finished my first half-marathon. I feel like that's for the person who gets up every morning and talks to themselves in the mirror about how awesome they are and how they're going to tear up today's board meeting like they tore up the course. While I'm at it I might as well put it on a mug too, or why not get wallet sized prints to hand to friends and relatives. I mean who wouldn't want a picture of my exhausted sweaty self to show strangers on the subway? You know you do.

Anyway, I did it! I ran the whole way and finished. I need to write a thank you letter to Bon Jovi for getting me through mile 7 with Livin on  prayer ( get it? oooooo we're half way there....etc).Mile 9 and 10 were pretty awful but I just kept on truckin' waiting for the next band, depressing cheerleading group, cytomax table, or cheering friend on the course. Huge shout out to all my wonderful friends and family for making it out to cheer for me so early in the morning on a really COLD day or congratulate and hang out with me later. It meant a lot. :-)   Dad and I ran together the whole way ( and by that I mean dad had to run painfully slow to not lose me). We finished hand in hand at the line in probably our most memorable moment since Rock Lobster at Jen's wedding.

My mom and Aunt Susan walked the half and finished in 3hr 53 min and 4hr 7min respectively. They were serious troopers. Although, they ran out of medals so mom got a marathon one and Aunt Susan's is being mailed, she borrowed one for the pic below.

You know the best part about marathons. The freaking SWAG. I mean yes I paid $130 to do this, but seriously do you know how many granola bars or GU packages I have? Who eats this much granola? And why do I have Shave Secret? Who knows? Who cares? It's free!! Yay mindless consumption!

Next up I have the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving (4 miles) and then the big one...my first Disney half marathon. Mom and I are doing the Princess Half Marathon at WDW. They even let you register as a mother-daughter team...we're the "Goofy Girls". Goofy is mom's favorite. I can't wait.  Then I'll be doing the Disneyland half marathon with the family over Labor Day which qualifies me for the coast to coast Disney medal. I'll round out the year again in November with the SA Rock N' Roll half marathon. It's going to be a run-tastic year.

Hope you're all doing well. Enjoy not-so-sexy pics ( props to Ter-bear for taking them!).

Everything Tastes So Good

I made both the recipes I posted on my last blog. The Butternut Squash with Spinach was FAN-Tastic, however needed a protein to make it a meal. It calls for you to mush the blue cheese and lemon juice in to a dressing. Which, I might add, was AMAZING and I've adapted with other cheeses to make dressings for my salads.

Have you tried Spaghetti Squash? Seriously stop whatever you're doing RIGHT now. Go buy some, cook it and eat it. It's amazing and totally diet friendly. I'm in love.

I used to really feel like cooking for myself was just a waste of time. Seriously, I get to school at 6:30 every morning, teach from 7:30-4:30, then prep till whenever I get to leave...so that leaves me with about 4 hours to myself before I should be asleep. I never thought spending 30 min to an hour on dinner would be fun, I usually just make chili and be done with it. However, these past few days cooking have been really fun, even after 6 mile runs and really long waits in traffic. There's just something so soothing about treating myself, and my wallet right. The Silver Reserve Cabernet in my wine club shipment helps too. ;-)

My half marathon is this weekend and I am SO excited. I can't believe I went from running 1-2 miles a week to this. I can't wait to cross that finish line.

The cat situation has improved and as soon as I get the title to the Buick my new baby is on its way. Just deciding on the color. I'll post pics and reveal the winner when she is mine!

ps

 I HATE, I mean HATE Teenage Dream. The song makes me want to die. The Glee version, however, was amazing.

Saving Money with a Fall Menu, Movies and Marathons

It is rainy, cold, and Starbucks has winter drinks with Christmas cups. Regardless of my harsh opinion that the day after Thanksgiving is the ONLY appropriate time for Christmas Cheer ( Are you listening retail? I know you're hurting but seriously, Christmas decor BEFORE Halloween, tisk-tisk), I am seriously enjoying this time of year. AND because I'm saving money ( new car of the way you know) I am trying all sorts of ways to get everything I want at home for little cost.

This is a great time for me to save some $$$ by cooking more. Next week we have Butternut Squash with Wilted Spinach and Spaghetti Squash Marinara on the way. I am really excited. I forgot how much I love cooking for fun. Staying in means I get to treat myself to homemade breakfasts and amazing wine and snacks at home. Petite Sirah, yes please. Fall James Gang Wine shipment is on the way and it couldn't come at a better time than when I'm cooking up a storm.

Cheap entertainment means revisiting movies I love, ones I own and can watch multiple times in a row without stopping. Revisiting them makes me go through so many different stages in my life. Hands down top 5 movies I can watch OVER and OVER  are:

1.) Ratatouille
2.) Zombieland
3.) Forgetting Sarah Marshall
4.) Hot Fuzz
5.) Waitress

Plus, thanks to the Alamo Drafthouse I can find plenty of free TV shows and movies I can go, get a pint, and come out with a beer and a show for only $5. The Walking Dead was AMAZING and I'm glad to see such a great adaptation. I know Powers and Chew are also being adapted by the same organization and I'm excited to see more great comic stories come to the small screen.

Other than cleaning, my cheap additional entertainment involves training for my half-marathon! It's two weeks away and I'm so excited. My family is all coming out and I'm really looking forward to running, finishing, and collapsing. Lately, I'm trying to run different routes in my area of Houston. It is a such a great time to be by myself and really just enjoy living.

And kiddos let me tell you...between wine, movies, food, and running...I am sure loving my life.

-HK

Not Sleeping, Stress Mounting and No End in Sight...must be October

I won't lie, even with the blessing of that 3 day weekend, October is BRUTAL. Our second 6-weeks is over, and this week our kids take their Common Assessments ( trimester finals). The novelty of the school year has worn off and the kids are getting a bit burnt out. I let work catch up to me and am no longer planned and printed as early as I am usually.

Waiting For Superman has spurred a lot of great conversations with fellow teachers about our public school system. Of course, I can only speak on it from the prospective of a public charter school teacher. However it has been refreshing to hear comments from the point of view of HISD teachers as well as suburban public school teachers. Something I found interesting (and a bit concerning) was the lack of knowledge of how public charters actually work. Most people I've talked to weren't aware of the lottery system and were surprised charters don't pick the kids by application. There's a lot misinformation out there and the movie doesn't address it all, so of course that causes some strain when discussing it with others. All in all the discussions I've had ended on a positive note.

On to non-school stuff:

- I bought my first Halloween costume in years and I'm super excited.

-  I can't wait for the1/2 marathon is coming up in November. I'm behind in training but I'm having so much fun just running.

-I  am now OBSESSED with SoLa at the Triangle in Austin. I bought the cutest dress of all time and can't wait to pair it with vintage heels and pearls.

- I got a ticket for my expired inspection sticker. Darn license plate lamp.

- I am getting closer and closer to my Mazdaspeed 3 every day. I'm starting to get impatient.

- I think gin cocktails are superior to all others.

-  I loved BBQing and hiking in Bastrop State Park and can't wait to go again.

- I love bullet points because information is way easier to write this way

- I'm excited Chris is coming to visit this weekend in Houston.

- I'm going to bed.

-HK

Waiting For Superman

This week I had the privilege to experience two events that reminded me of why I joined the education reform movement.
1.) Waiting For Superman:

Our School was treated to a free sneak peak of this education documentary before it hit theatres in Houston today. I have to say the experience of viewing a film about the truths you experience every day, surrounded by educational professionals made the experience very memorable. The film brings to the front several issues that impact not just the future of America's schools, but America as a country. It exposes the real life effects of the Achievement Gap as well as the Global Education Gap between our students and their foreign peers.

Hands down the most impactful part of this film was putting faces and names to the children and parents who are stuck in a system plagued by low expectations, red tape, and unfulfilled promises. It reminds us that the problem with education in America is not the kids, it’s the adults. We are in control of their future and our students MUST come first. Teachers, administrators, parents, and community members are all part of this fight. We must ALL take responsibility and take action.

Teaching is a profession. Teachers should be held to the highest standards of performance as well as supported and developed to ensure they are set up to help their children succeed. The power of GREAT teachers must be celebrated and harnessed to help other teachers BECOME great.

If the movie is playing in your city, I encourage you to see it. Just remember, that movies don't make a difference, PEOPLE do. If it inspires you, go out and take action.

2.) TFA Benefit Dinner

I had the privilege of attending the dinner as a Corps Member and meeting many of the community members who support educational excellence across Houston. I was blessed to be introduced to the keynote speaker Michelle Rhee, TFA Alumni and Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools. I had the great pleasure of meeting her and getting a chance to interact with a person I admire. She was very gracious and her speech was as inspiring and informative as it was entertaining. The highlight of the night was getting the opportunity to speak to so many people about what I get to do every day in my classroom. I love talking about my kids and all the things they've been able to accomplish. I am more honored than ever to be part of this movement.

I'm not sure what my future will be in the education movement. It may be in the classroom providing my kids with a teacher who will never stop working to become better at my craft. It may in the national reform movement ensuring every child has access to a great education. It may be in the private sector keeping companies invested and involved in educating their future workforce. I can only say for now that it will be a significant part of my future and I am so excited to be a part of it.

Let's Do the Numbers

.Perfect Weather. Perfect Weekend.

10 - The number of dollars I lost at Man Bites Dog because I didn't check my change. The hot dog was still amazing and I will be back.

9 - The length of my frozen banana from Bananarchy which was dipped in choco then rolled in cinnomon and coconut. It was sublime.

8 - The number of points we lost by this weekend :-(

7 - Date of the TFA benefit dinner where I get to play hostess. Excited? You bet I am!

6 - Cost of Admission to Oktoberfest in Fredricksburg with Chris and Teri where I delighted in brew, sausage, polka, and potato pancakes. Top moment was a cop approaching Teri and asking ever so sweetly if that was a beer she was drinking, before carding all 3 of us. He was so sure he was going to get to kick out a bunch of kids. Sorry guy.
 

Also the date of when I get to go see an advanced screening of Waiting For Superman with the YP family.

5 - Number of times in an episode of Mad Men I want to smack someone for being awful. However the show is fantastic.

4 - Texts I got from Katherine over the weekend while she was AT the TX-OU game. None were mean.

3 - Hours it takes to get from Houston to Austin. I wish it wasn't so far.

2 - Of the best days I've had in forever

1- Number of kitties almost adopted by Chris. She was so cute.

On being loved...

This weekend was the first weekend I could feel that cool fall breeze come through. Everything glowed and being outside felt like walking through warm silk. I was so blessed again to be surrounded by amazing friends all weekend. Whether it was hitting happy hour with co-workers, trying out the new wine bar with my BTFF,  bonding with my kids over a lackluster event kickoff, chowing down on the bypass burger and limeades at Dry Creek Cafe, watching the WORST game I've ever seen against UCLA, sipping lemonade while watching the boats on the pond at Discovery Green, trying to find pumpkin pie by the slice, or curling up at home...I spent the whole weekend feeling so incredibly loved.

A cool breeze is blowing outside, making a little howling noise, but I am so very warm inside right now.

I love y'all too.

XOXO
HK

HK B-day Hey Hey...and Thanks Oprah!

Oh Birthdays!

My grEIGHT team surprised me with a homemade dark chocolate and strawberry cheesecake and a sweet card. My actual birthday was a mental health afternoon and was spent running around my loves from my work to various establishments. Thanks to everyone who came out last Wednesday and to Katherine for putting up with my need to shop.

I had a fantastic 25th with family and friends last weekend. Complete with Rounders, bacon cake ( to be explained), spa day and lots of shopping.

I kicked off the weekend on Friday taking a personal day to get some business taken care of...oh and also go to the spa. Viva Day Spa in Austin knows JUST how to do everything perfect, and they even gave me a birthday discount! I got the Summer Glow Package and I highly recommend it! I followed my spa day with lunch with the Topher and shopping shopping with Teri. I got the hat, shoes, and vest in the pic below!

Then came Saturday! Glorious Saturday was spent with my near and dear ones at the one and only Rounders. My birthday cake ( thanks Chris!) was from Sugar Mammas Bakeshop , it was a french toast cake, with a sprinkle of bacon on the top. Think about when your bacon gets in your maple syrup. Oh yeah....It was amazing and worth every sinful calorie. Judge all you want.

The staff at Rounders treated us like kings and they were amazing. After that we hit up Highball for some skeeball ( pic above), and TMNT the arcade game. Then off to 6th for the rest of the long long long evening. Thanks to all my family and friends who made it out. It meant a lot to me! Enjoy pics of me entering a new stage of adulthood, one where I don't act like an adult at all.

Oh and Oprah gave my school system $1,000,000. Thanks Oprah and the Angel Network!

XOXO, HK

And what exactly was the rubber chicken for...?

Staff Retreat.

For many reasons, which I will not disclose, staff retreat at my school is infamous. I was lucky enough to get to help plan it this year. Hands down my co-workers are the coolest people alive. Where else will your bosses meet you at the door in hula skirts and coconut bras ( over shirts of course) while preparing your surprise luau dinner?

We rented out a lovely beach front house in Galveston for the weekend. Yes we went in the water, no we were not covered in oil. However, tiny crabby things liked to bite us. Songs were sung, teams were built, scavenger hunts won ( by my team of course 2nd year in a row), and tastes in music shared. I even got in a 2 mile run on the beach and almost all of Mockingjay read. Don't ask how a flashlight, lightsabers, Lord of the Flies references, and sleeping on kiwis are all related, just know we had a heck of a time. Still not sure what the intended use of the rubber chicken was...we'll never know. Good times.

Mockingjay

What do you mean you haven't read The Hunger Games? What do you mean you haven't read Catching Fire? Why don't you know who Katiness is? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? I mean I know I teach kids, but you read Harry Potter right?

Our 8th graders are lucky to have a star ELA team who gives them amazing texts to read. This is how I discovered The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. You might remember her Gregor The Overlander books ( also top notch young adult reading). I picked it up last year to have something ( non-math) to discuss with them. I couldn't put it down. Part of that is the fact that just about every chapter ends on a cliffhanger moment. Collins uses every trick in the book to fire up your curiosity to just turn the page and start another chapter. 

Yes I know the post-apocalyptic tournament to the death this is a bit over done but I just really enjoyed turning pages. I highly suggest you take the short amount of time ( you can finish them in like 2 days) to burn through the series. It's worth skipping these crappy summer reality shows.

4-day teaching week and then Austin-bound. Here's to Monday kids.
-HK

On Missing My Mom...

Moms are wonderful people. They are exactly what you need whenever you feel like you're starting to lose...well anything...your brain, your keys, your lunch, you get the picture. My mom came up or the weekend and it was wonderful.

Last time my mom stayed with me in Houston, I was a mess. My apartment was still in partial boxes. I had a mental breakdown in front of my kids, my car had broken down, and I hadn't had more than 3 hours of sleep.  I felt like a child who's mommy had to come rescue her from the big bad real world. She was exactly the pick-me-up ( well kick in the pants!) I needed to get my life together. She saved me.

This time ( almost a year later) it was the opposite. I felt MORE like an adult with my mom here. We kicked off our weekend at Pico's Mex-Mex ( a favorite of the infamous Katherine O'Hearne) where I tricked mom in to ordering a medium margarita which was as big as her head. We caught up and ate up everything in sight.

 I even took her with me to open house at school, this kids thought she was super cool and it was a GREAT conversation starter with parents! We went to the Menil Collection, a free art museum in Houston. We were unfortunately stalked by a train wreck of a first date following us from room to room. Museums are a quiet place to reflect and enjoy yourselves, not a place to loudly explain how you couldn't finish your time at UT on a chess scholarship because you were too busy playing chess with your friends. I could see his chances of getting any evaporate with every word.

After braving the Houston heat for a day, we dressed up and headed out for a lovely quiet dinner at *17 . Dinner didn't blow us away, it was good food with simple clean flavors and execution. However the French 75 cocktail and black pepper panna cotta with figs hit my top 10 list of desserts and cocktails.

We ended our weekend with Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, which was FANTASTIC. I rarely find myself caught up in a movie like I was caught up in that one. Mom really enjoyed it and got to geek out a bit, which is fun to watch her do. The last time mom was with me we saw Paranormal Activity on Halloween night, which had me crawling underneath my seat and cowering in fear like a baby. Mom was laughing through the entire thing...most likely at me.

All in all I still need my mom for so many things. She helped me learn how to hang heavy mirrors and pick out indoor plants. How to get my cat to be nice all the time and laugh at myself when I get too serious. How to realize that I love the city of Houston. I never really thought I liked it here as much as I did, until I was showing it off to mom. Finding that there were too many places I wanted to take her and show her. Houston really is fantastic, and I'm so glad it was my mom who helped me realize that. Thanks mom.

-HK

Things My Kids Write that Make me want to die

Ok. Sorry for 2 school updates in a row. My bad.

During pre-term the homework was to find out 5 interesting facts about every teacher you have. Our AMAZING ELA teacher CV gave us each the pile of papers that were our 5 facts.  Most were your typical facts, school attended, subject taught, what I did over the summer...however...the following is one of those papers:

Ms. Kinkade

1.) Ms. Kinkade is not married.
2.) Ms. Kinkade has no boyfriend.
3.) Ms. Kinkade has no children.
4.) Ms. Kinkade wants no children. (Not sure how he got that one)
5.) Ms. Kinkade has 2 cats.

As if my life doesn't seem depressing enough verbally, in print it's worse. The good news is, that kid and I laugh about it. I have been known to say "I can't help you right now, I'm so depressed because I have cats and no one to love."  I LOVE the kids I work with they are great.

In other news I got to wine and dine with Tipti, Taylor, and Brittany a few weeks ago at Vic and Anthony's, a very nice (even if it's owned by Landry's) steakhouse for Houston resteraunt week ( which is more like a month). HOPEFULLY I can convince mom and Jen to go out with me to 17 this weekend when they come up, I've been wanting to go there ever since I bought my Fearless Critics Houston Resteraunt Guide in 2009.

-HK

Observations From the 1st Day of School

1.) As children we live in a constant cycle of growth. A year passes, we go to a new grade, we meet new teachers, we become increasingly more awesome. As teachers we live in a constant cycle of decay. A year passes, we stay in the same grade, we meet new kids, we feel yet another year older.

2,) No one notices you've lost 10 lbs.

3.) Never tell them you can understand some Spanish, it makes November sooooo much fun.

4.) Hair gel is always "in" in the 8th grade. It was when I was in school and it will be forever. The motto: "More is more, wetter is better." I will eventually conduct my experiment where I stick them to the ceiling and see if they stay. I've got $10 on this.

5.) My Homeroom will ALWAYS be the best.

6.) Kids never understand when they mess around and you laugh instead of yell. They just embarrassed that their plan backfired.

7.) Kids who eat chips and kool-aid for lunch will tell you your salad is depressing. You will remember what you ate for lunch as a kid, look at your thighs are keep munching on the lettuce.

8.) That kid who made "manatee noises" last year...will continue to make them in an effort to test your patience.

9.) There will always be good people fighting the fight for the kids. When one of those kids is yours, you hate when you can no longer control what happens to them. However, it's so good to know they have great people looking out for them...and those people are down the hall and on speed dial.

10.) Being "that crazy teacher" is WAY more fun that being "that cool teacher."

11.) My heart is broken one of my kids isn't coming back this year. I hope she's ok.

12.) High Heels were not meant for teaching. They look good. They make you look legit. They are also torture. Never. Again.

13.) The second day is when they start acting like themselves. Leave the first day out of your memory.

On Loving Your Job: The Case of Randy

Today emphasized something that seems pretty common sense but I often forget. People who love their job, I mean LOVE their job, can get anyone excited about it. Take my man Randy at Rounders Pizzeria in Austin. Regardless of the fact that Rounders is AMAZING, Randy could get me to order 5 pizzas without ever tasting them, simply because I can tell he's enjoying himself. ( And Randy, if you somehow read this and want to tell me it's all an act please do so. Then quit your job and move to Hollywood because you are gooooooood.)

Recently, I had my first experience with Randy. Chris and Pat had him as a server before, and can agree he is the man. Randy is the best server I've ever had, I mean ever, including those " we made this customized menu just for you and what's fresh" places. Randy wasn't just pleasant, he seemed like her was having a good time being there.  He was warm, laid back, and talked about the food like it was the BEST food ever, but in a realistic way. I never felt sold to, I never felt like I was just another table he needed to get to "tip time" as fast as possible. He made conversation that wasn't forced, he helped us navigate an uncomfortable situation with some reeeeeally drunk guys, and he made me excited to be there. Randy MADE that experience for me.

Teaching I swear is the same way. You can have an AMAZING teacher, who isn't in love with what they do, teach an AMAZING lesson in front of you. The kids are well behaved, they master the objective, case closed. The kids however, just aren't as invested. They can tell this is "just another day on the job" so they should just view the experience the same way.

On the other hand, I've seen a new teacher, who's struggling just to finish a lesson cycle and can't control that pesky back table, who is IN LOVE with what their doing, and the kids can just tell. They try harder, they want more, they ask good questions, they do more than show up and do their job, because he did more than just show up and put on a show. He gets kids excited because he IS excited to be there.

So I just want to take the time to remind you. This is a tough time for jobs, but always be looking for the one that you love, I mean really love. You won't just be good at it, you'll change the way other's see what you do. I mean, it worked for Randy.

First day back and I just want to get started with my kids.
-HK

Here it goes, Here it goes, Here it goes again

Tomorrow I begin my second year of teaching. Yes, I know it's July but teacher inservice starts tomorrow. Kids are back August 2nd.  It's completely different than last year. Last year I sat in my apartment ( that was still not unpacked) and had so many questions. What's the schedule like? Who am I teaching with? What are my kids like? Am I going to suck at this?

This time I'm not full of questions, I'm just excited. Yes, I know summer is over and I should be mourning the loss of waking up at 10am every morning and seeing movies at 2pm on a Tuesday and just laying by the pool for as along as I like...and believe me I totally am, but I'm not put off by the idea of going back to work. I love my job. I love the kids, I love the people, I love making a difference. The class of 2014 did amazing last year ( 100% passing on math, reading, and social studies TAKS and commended scores like you wouldn't believe). I can only imagine all we'll accomplish this year now that I actually know what I'm doing ( sort of). I'm just so excited.

I took that last 3 days to really live up the last of my summer. Thursday was Teri's birthday and we all celebrated at Trudy's. One stuffed avocado, 2 Mexican Martinis, and one movie later I can successfully say we had a blast. I love eating outdoors in Austin, but especially at Trudys. Something about Mexican Martinis and fresh air...

Friday Morgan, Patrick and I fed some ducks at the arboretum and then good ol' Morgan and I did some damage at IKEA. My photo walls are making some serious progress. Then like magic the whole gang got together for dinner at Hoovers. Oh, oh, oh. Garlic cheese grits, mashed potatoes, mac n' cheese and chicken fried chicken. Before I say how delicous it was...what is up with "chicken fried chicken"? I mean really it seems just a little redundant.  Food was great, conversation was better, and we topped it all off with seeing The Girl Who Played With Fire.  Now this was my second go-around on this wheel -o-movie and I just have to say it doesn't hold up to the first one. However, German-giant-who-can't-feel-pain-but-is-afraid-of-the -Prius spawned many a good laugh. (Thanks Morgan)

Saturday was boss boss boss. Tried  Round Rock Donuts ( great! ...still not better than Ken's) and then Juan in a Million for late breakfast. I was so excited...I mean Man vs. Food was there, MAN VS. FOOD, on of my favorite shows.  Look, I'm not trying to be that person...but I'm going to be that person. That place just did not live up to the hype. You get a LOT of food...for a little money, but being the breakfast taco connoisseur I am...it just didn't do anything for me. Too much potato in the Don Juan led to the eggs being lost in the jumble. I didn't hate it, I just wasn't over the moon. Went to Zilker and fed more ducks with Chris. We saw a  GIANT turtle and even a beaver. Seriously, a beaver. He was so cute swimming around with his paddle tail. We had a nice talk while feeding ducks and sticking our feet in the water near one of my favorite spots in Austin. The view of Town Lake with the skyline in the back reminds me every time why this is one of my favorite cities.

Dinner was pizza and beer at Rounders with Patrick and Morgan. Our server, Randy, is the subject of tomorrow's blog post, that's how awesome he was. After good food and some chats we met up with Ben for a round of Dixit. I highly recommend it! You think of a sentence to describe a card in your hand then place it face down. Everyone else picks a card from their hand that they think might also be described by that sentence. Then you flip all the cards over and everyone else tries to figure out which one is yours with the best outcome being some get it right and some don't. It was really fun. I went to sleep but everyone else stayed up for some more Munchkin action which I heard was a very ruthless game.

Today I celebrated the end of summer with Taco Shack ( my #1 favorite breakfast taco spot) then we headed out to Barton Springs Pool for some freezing cold and slimy green fun. That place is pure summer. Something about diving in the icy water, having it take your breath away from a moment, swimming around for 10 minutes, then hopping out to warm up again...then repeating the cycle just says summer to me. Top it off with a pineapple-mint agua fresca at Whole Foods, and I was ready to call it a summer.

Happy Monday Lovies,

-HK

Summer Summary

Miami: Say what you want. I loved that city. Chris and I had an amazing trip. Of course, in the blitz I was in to leave, I kept forgetting my camera in the hotel and when I finally got it...it died.

Beaches:  Pristine. Blue-Green water.

Thriller Miami:  The race-boat tour. Yes, it's campy, but the ride and tour was exhilarating. I just like boats.

Art Deco:  Wish I had pictures, but the Art Deco District was fantastic for people watching and just strolling to look at buildings I have to say Miami is even MORE dog friendly that Austin. Every store and resteraunt, no matter WHERE you went allowed dogs. It was adorable.

Little Havana:  Versailles was a great experience. The food was out of this world good, cafe con leche was the BEST I'd ever had. On the Cuban Sandwich ( which I've become somewhat of a fanatic for over the years): The cuban bread was the best I'd ever tasted...how ever the pork was somewhat lacking. My favorite remains La Marginal in San Antonio.

Vizcaya:  The millionaire's house turned museum was a mixture of beauty and creepy. Spiral staircases, stones faces above every door, built in pipe organ, bookshelf doors, amazing gardens, creepy killer get-away gondolas, and a terrace that opened up to the ocean. It was my favorite stop, although Chris is convinced it the "baby elephant walk" ghost probably followed us home.  There aren't my pictures but look!

Coconut Grove:  Um, can I just move here now? It's cute Austin-y, and fun just to be around. Fairchild Gardens was amazing too.

Back to reality:

 Music Music: Saw Voltaire last weekend in Austin and I had a blast. While I am a Voltaire fan, I have never been to a goth club before. It was an experience and yes I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was super bummed he didn't do Cannibal Buffet  however he did Day of the Dead in Spanish ( it was FANTASTIC) and of course The USS Make Shit Up for all of us Trek fans. Seriously, check this guy out. If you don't love his stuff there's no money back guarantee, just an indicator you have no taste or sense of humor. (Just kidding kids.)

The Birth of a Legend: Had a fantastic time celebrating Chris's Birthday last week and seeing friends in Austin. It's amazing, now matter how many times you go a place, how you can never get sick of it. I probably do the same 10 things every time I'm in Austin and they are still my favorite things. Above all, I return again and again for the food...and of course the awesome people.

Teri's birthday dinner is Thursday and I'm super excited to celebrate the birth of such an amazing friend. I was looking at her freaking sweet camera bag she made at Chris's party and realized that I don't know anyone else who is as crafty ( as in crafts, not as in Boxxy) as Teri. So here's a happy early birthday to that crafty, moose lovin', space expert we all know and love!

Work beings again on Monday and I have dinner with Katherine and Andy ( one of our school directors) tonight. Not ready to be back yet, but I stopped by the school to help Katherine so some small group math work for her summer school class. The kids were hilarious, and I got to see one of my students from last year that I really got to know well. She did her trademark smile and wave while I was teaching but I had to run and give her a hug. Already she looks like a 9th grader, and she said she's excited to be back soon. I'm really going to miss the class of 2014, I know they'll just be just down the hall, and some I'll even have again for Algebra, but those kids were so amazing. Here's hoping the c/o 2015 and I have the same chemistry.

Austin tomorrow, get ready again kiddos!
-HK

Money Money Money and Cars

It comes in and goes out in a matter or days. I just got my bonus for owkr and my education award...and both are already spent...on debt. 

I just applied my $4,700 education award to my loans. It feels AMAZING to knock out almost $5000 in one payment, especially when the money doesn't come from my bank account. Next up my accrued interest will be knocked out too by the government.Yay yay TFA!

And credit cards. ugh. Don't get me started. One raised my APR to 24% for missing ONE payment. ONE. Which I only missed because I was so busy with the wedding. And there's no way to make the interest go back down for the next 6 months. Whatever. I applied my bonus for school to knock out that one and I'm closing the account as soon as I redeem my  points. Bye bye cute  card!

Once my CC debt is gone I can start saving for vacation ( Disney for Christmas!) and a new car.

And I know EXACTLY what I want. Zoom freaking Zoom.

Behold the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 in velocity red. ( wipe your drool now). Even the picture makes her look fast. I hope to have her by Christmas.

I have the opportunity to hang out in one at the Austin car show a few months back and it stole my heart. I had already settled on a Mazda 3 ( it being at the top of it's class year and year again), but after I sat in a speed and heard all the amazing things other owners said at the show. I was sold. It took awhile to sell me on the hatchback, but I have to say I'm obsessed now. Like, really obsessed. Like I drive past the mazda dealership just to look at them obsessed. I can't wait.

-HK

Summer Reading List

I've got a LOT to read this summer. I've already finished 3 articles for work and I'm on my way to completing a few books while I'm at it...not to mention a trade paperback or two. Here's the up-to-date list of what I am, and a going to be reading.

Please suggest others for me to pick up!

FINISHED:
"How all teachers can ( and must) be reading teachers." From Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov.

Comments: Very interesting and easy to take somethings right away from the article. It made me think about how much time my kids actually spend reading...and how much time the pretend to be reading. The concept of "hurdle rate" ( the rate of return you need see on an investment that exceeds your current best return to make the investment worth it.) was applied to lesson delivery. So let's say if I can execute a high-quality lesson reliably in a certain way and my kids respond well, every other method is compared to that. Of course the hurdle rate referenced is "meaningful reading" which is further explained. Whether or not meaningful reading is my hurdle rate in the classroom, I really did take away some great vocab and reading strategies from this excerpt. Regardless, meaningful reading is the hurdle rate used most often in college. Professors expect you to do a reading, learn the material, and then apply in class. Since all of my students are going to college meaningful reading is something we need to be reinforcing NOW.

" The American Indian Public Charter School." from Sweating the Small Stuff by David Whitman

Comments: The rise of a public charter in California with a paternal school culture and a school leader with "alternative" discipline methods ( such challenging students with ethnic stereotypes). I went toe-to-toe with this reading. I had some serious reactions and every had a debate with it while I was going on. Now, the methods discussed in this article were pretty outrageous, and yes, the school had AMAZING results and yes, the kids see the school as a "family". However, I believe strongly that I am a ROLE MODEL for my students. I'm not there to "toughen" them up to being called ethnic stereotypes. I'm there to be an example on HOW you treat others in every context. I would never do or say something to my kids that is offensive like that. The world is tough enough on my kids, they don't need a role model validating that kind of language or behavior. I know the book wasn't validating that, just describing how it is there, but I got really passionate.

"How David Beats Goliath." by Malcolm Gladwell

Comments: I discussed this one to death for TFA last year. I'm done.

CURRENTLY READING:

"Good kids without goodies." from Punished By Rewards by Alfie Kohn

Comments: I want to read the rest of this book already. The behaviorist parts of psychology always interested me in college.






Already Dead by Charlie Huston
Comments: Don't judge me. I picked this up in a New York bookshop in 2007. It's a Vampire pulp-noir novel. It's been good so far. I'm no good at commenting on fiction like I know what I'm talking about. It's enjoyable





Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Comments: We were asked to read one book a kid recommended over the summer. If you didn't read this in school...READ IT NOW! This book provides a kid's eye view of the Great Depression as Bud ( not Buddy) on the search for his father. The voice is so strong and the details from the Great Depression are fantastic. I'm glued to to for quiet awhile when I pick it up.

ON THE LIST:

Derby Girl by Shauna Cross
Comments: Because Derby is hoss.






Powers vol. 3: Little Deaths by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming
Comments: A noir superhero comic...what more could I ask for?






Chew vol. 2: International Flavor by John Layman and Rob Gullory
Comments: A cibopathic cop ( gets psychic visions from whatever he eats) in a world where chicken is contraband and the FDA is a super-powerful authority. I've been waiting MONTHS for the trade.







DMZ: Hearts and Minds by Brian Wood and John Paul Leon
Comments: The second American civil war turn NYC into the DMZ and reporter Matty Roth is on the ground and always in some sort of trouble. The characters are very real for me and I'm super attached to this series.





If you're reading something now that rocks your world, let me know!

-HK