Wednesday, September 18, 2024

I sure am glad Joyce does this link up because some weeks I am out of blog post ideas! Thanks, Joyce!

A “pencil” that I received at a meeting:

1. Something that’s had you ‘chuffed to bits’ recently? 

Well, meetings that could have and should have been emails would top my list right now at the beginning of the school year. Also, for some reason my admin is all about rotating at meetings. I am not talking about me having to spin around in circles, but it almost feels that way.

So, we had 2 or 3 days before school started where we rotated from classroom to classroom to “get information”. That’s it. There’s nothing creative; you simply move your body to have someone talk at you. So, I totally expect that in those teacher days before students come. They seem unprepared for the stuff teachers really need to know so instead of giving us more time to actually get ready to do our job they pull stuff out of their bums.

But, this week for our faculty meeting we had to rotate to three different classrooms after school to “sit and get”. Isn’t it more efficient to just be in one place and have the three presenters present once each? It feels condescending and it wastes my time. I also feel bad for the presenters that are literally repeating themselves thrice. I really think people should use the word thrice more often.

Do I sound like I have a bad attitude? I don’t about my students and my classes but I do about this kind of stuff. Still, I try to come with positive body language and I keep a poker face.

2. Tell us about an instance recently where you were tempted to ‘throw a wobbly’ (expression used to describe tantrums thrown, usually by adults or people who should know better) 

I guess it would be about the above. I really do not like meetings for meetings’ sake. Just because you can meet doesn’t mean you have to meet. I think when admin protect teachers’ time they will have a better outcome in the classroom.

3. Something everyone seems to love but is not your ‘cuppa tea’? 

Noisy restaurants. I feel so stressed out. Friday night we went to a pizza place with four friends. One of the friends is always the one who spearheads the dinners when we go out and always picks super noisy places and noisy times. Oftentimes it is a newer restaurant where everyone else is.

4. Fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, roast beef with Yorkshire pudding…which entree would you choose? Yes, you have to choose. 

I have learned to make a really good shepherd’s pie (that is also pretty light and not too caloric) and Yorkshire pudding or popovers in my special popover pan. I would pick fish and chips because I can’t make it at home. It’s classic and yummy!

5. Something you want for your birthday this year? 

I really just want quality time with people who fill my cup. I love sitting around chatting and laughing.

I think sometimes you have to be really intentional and make your own plans, invite the people, etc. I had so much fun a couple of years ago when I planned a Cuban restaurant dinner followed by a private karaoke room. I think everyone else had fun, too!

I think I told everyone to wear black leather? This was the first time I put something together like this and this is me telling you to go for it!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I really think the best coffee is probably just your traditional classic pot of coffee from a Mr. Coffee machine or something similar. I have had my Nespresso Vertuo and it’s nice but the pods are very expensive and the coffee does not come out hot enough for me. It’s nice to have when you just want one cup but I think the traditional coffee pot makes the most sense and the best coffee for two or more cups. If you are a regular reader, you know how many words I have devoted to coffee!

What would you say about any of the hodgepodge topics today?

Amy

29 thoughts on “Wednesday Hodgepodge”

  1. I hear you with the whole school meetings that could be an email. Next week we have our in person annual conference and I am dreading it!

    There is nothing better in my opinion than being with people you care about, eating good food, laughing and relaxing – that is how I want to spend every birthday (and weekend for that matter).

    I use my old school coffee maker every day!

    xo,

    Kellyann

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  2. How funny that I talked about doing that on my birthday this year- planning something with some of my friends that’s fun. It’s not going to work for all of my boys to be together on my birthday this year, so I’ll have to celebrate in a different way. I wholeheartedly agree about the coffee; mine never comes out hot enough either! I make it in a glass Pyrex measuring glass, then I add creamer and microwave it for one minute. I like my coffee and my soups piping hot!

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    1. I think this is the year you need to do that! Maybe the ones who have surrounded you in this season and don’t worry if they don’t all know each other. Mine didn’t and it was really fun. I paid for the karaoke room ($80) and everyone bought own dinner and drinks. I made a cute invitation on Canva and texted it.
      That’s a good idea about the coffee. I wonder if I would lose the Nespresso foam?

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  3. I think in most instances there shouldn’t be any chairs in a meeting. If everyone is standing things wrap up more quickly : ) I’m all about spending time with my people too. Looking forward to a real British tea with daughter on my birthday. Enjoy your day!

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  4. I agree on meetings- so very boring alot of the times- yes quality time with people is always on the top of my list too AND you totally rocked those black leather pants!

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  5. I don’t care for noisy restaurants either. When we went out two weekends ago with my parents, I let them decide the place (since we aren’t from there) and it was a place with tons of people and TVs and it was so hard to hear! We had fun in the end (thanks, beer!) but still annoying.

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  6. Hi Amy! Would you consider doing a press-on manicure tutorial/review for a future post? My DIL does these often and prefers certain brands. I’d love to give them a try since they seem to really last and somehow not damage your natural nail but I’m not sure where to begin or if there are any tips or tricks for a first-timer!

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  7. I used to hate meetings..especially if it could have been handled with an email but I did enjoy the parent/teacher conferences. Looking forward to spending my birthday with my girls and hubby in NYC for a show and dinner!

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  8. Amy as a retired teacher your take on the beginning of the year meeting is right on point and it made me laugh AND happy that I am retired 🙂 I always enjoy your blog, it’s a great way to start my day!

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  9. yes to the suggestion of a tutorial for the press on nails. yours always look sooop professional and really nice! all the deets would be great!!

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  11. Fish and chips would be my pick too! I feel like I make a really good Sheppard’s pie to the point that I don’t enjoy other versions as much anymore but I never make real fish and chips and they’re so hard to find around us with real fried batter. So many places use a dry batter now and it tastes more like baked fish; it’s good but it’s not the same.

    I have a hard time with noisy restaurants because I feel like I can’t hear anything anyone at the table is saying and all that noise tends to make me get very quiet and introspective and not want to socialize at all.

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  12. That birthday celebration sounds so, so fun! I love cuban food and watching karaoke. Being with friends & my kids are the best gift for a birthday. Sorry you had to sit through all the admin stuff. As I have often heard people say, if teachers could just teach.

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  13. I was going to do this post but ran out of time. So fun! I know you know I agree with you on all the meetings, etc
    Last year was the first year we started rotating to four rooms for faculty meetings. It must be all the rage! You friend group photo is great. Looks like a fun time.

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  14. Oh, I absolutely hate meetings for meetings’ sakes! And, I also hate meetings where the same thing is said over and over again (I’m talking about the church meetings I have to attend). I’m sure someone decided moving would get your blood pumping, and that’s why you had to move classrooms. Instead, you could have just stood up and did a little dancing (blowing off steam, right). It does seem like a crazy loss of time because everyone knows teachers are the worst when it comes to getting their attention back!

    My birthday is coming up, and I keep thinking this is the year I want to plan a celebration. I just don’t know what to do or who to invite as I really don’t have any close friends down here. I just want to do something a bit out there, you know?

    You asked earlier about coffee…I just don’t like the taste…not even the fancy sweet ones. I do love the smell of it, though!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Our principal is not efficient and repeats himself and always talks longer than he says he will. lol
      I think you should plan something! Is there anyone you want to get to know better?
      Just put an invite out there and see how it shakes up organically. Pick a place and a meal and ask who can come and then make the reservation. I like to say no gifts because if they just pay for their meal that is quite enough. Can be a bit awkward so make that clear.
      Ah, I get it. I love the smell and the taste! Tom thinks I’m dependent upon it but I don’t think I am.

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