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